This Section is devoted to the meditations on the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the New Testament. This Section is intended to be reminders to all of us that we need to follow our Lord closely each and every day of our lives in this world.
本節要探討思考主耶穌基督在新約中、給我們的教導。本節的目的,也是提醒我們所有的人;生活在這個世界上的每一天,要緊緊地、追隨著我們的主﹗
Lord Jesus Christ’s Teaching on life eternal 主耶穌基督對生命永生的教導 (3/2017)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.
勞苦且負重擔的你們,到我這裡來吧!(Posted 4/2016)
First lesson of the spiritual reality(Part1)屬靈的第一功課(Posted 5/2016)
First lesson of the spiritual reality(Part2)屬靈的第一功課(Posted 5/2016)
The Story of An Adultery Woman 通姦的女人的故事
No Darkness in Light 光中是沒有黑暗的
Lord Jesus Christ’s Merciful Call 主耶穌基督的呼喚
Necessity of Union with The True Vine 與主耶穌基督聯合的必要性
The Greatest and the Least... 最大的和最小的...
Right Servant’s Attitudes Lest We Abuse His Grace
正確的僕人態度以免怠慢祂的恩典
The Perils of Ignoring God in One's Life 在人的生命裡,無視、忽略上帝的危險
We all know that we are living in a postmodernism world which advocates relative truths and fake news bent by hidden narratives. In a world which is anti-Christ and anti-Bible, the believers of Jesus Christ shall understand what are the teachings of our Savior and Lord. The importance of this understanding can not be overemphasized because it is the Truth that sets us free. You may ask “ Set us free from what?”. Indeed, this is a great question. First of all, Truth sets us free from the falsehood of the world and the schemes of the Deceiver Devil. More importantly, it sets us free from corruptions. It is important to note that the cost of corruptions are incalculable because it could cost our lives!
我們都知道,我們活在一個後現代主義世界中。這個世界主張相對的真理,且充滿著由隱藏的敘事者所發佈、扭曲的假新聞、假訊息。在一個反基督和反聖經的世界裡,耶穌基督的信徒們應該明白,我們的救主和主的教導是什麼。這種理解的重要性、絕不是被過分強調,因為它是讓我們解脫、得到自由的真理。你可能問“讓我們遠離、免於什麼,解脫而獲得自由?”。事實上,這是一個很大的問題。首先,真理使我們免於世界的虛假和魔鬼欺騙者的詭計。更重要的是,它讓我們免於腐敗。重要的是要注意,腐敗的成本是無法估量的,因為它是以我們的生命為代價的!
1. Life is the issue
So first thing first. If there was no life, nothing else matters. This is the mother of all issues of the world including everything from all-isms, wars, religions, jobs, marriage, feeding of
the poor, global commerce, politics, sex, drugs, power, welfare, education, sin, evil, death, righteourness, law, judgement, etc. Extension of life through any means (medicine or otherwise) has
been the main undertaking of the human race since the beginning of time. Even in this modern world, amount of effort in seeking cures of illnesses is beyond comprehension.
1. 生命是關鍵
首先第一件事。如果沒有生命,其他的就毫無意義了。這是世界上所有問題的來源,包括所有各樣的“主義”,戰爭,宗教,工作, 婚姻,貧窮飢餓,全球商業,政治,性別,毒品,權力,福利,教育,犯罪,邪惡,死亡, 公義, 律法, 審判等等的問題。想通過任何手段(醫藥或其他方式)來延長生命,一直是人類自古以來的主要任務。即使在這個現代世界中,所花費在尋求治療疾病的努力,是超出理解、無法想像的。
Our Lord reminds us in Mark 8:36-37
36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Thus, before one loses oneself in all other issues such as any “isms” or movements. First, make sure that we settle the issue of life!
我們的主,在馬可福音8:36-37中提醒我們:
36人就是賺得全世界,賠上自己的生命,有什麼益處呢?37人還能拿什麼換生命呢?
因此,不想在所有其他問題裡,如各式各樣的“主義”或一窩蜂的“運動”的洪流中,失去自己。首先,確保我們好好安排、生命的問題!
2. Finding a right path to life eternal in a postmodernism world is not an easy thing at all. Why?
(a) 2 Corinthians 4:4
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Just understanding what happens in the world about fake news and alternative truth in the main stream media and seeing how the pundits spin any issues in TV commentaries will give you a great answer. Christians should know how many times that we were misled by the world! Beware of “ who are your enemies?”
(b) Our Lord teaches us in Matthew 7:13-14,
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that
leads to life, and there are few who find it.
2.在後現代主義世界中,要找到一條正確、通向永生之路,是不容易的事情。為什麼?
(a)哥林多前書4:4
4此等不信之人被這世界的神弄瞎了心眼,不叫基督榮耀福音的光照著他們;基督本是神的像。
只要了解在世界上發生的假新聞和在主流媒體的另類替代的真相,看看專家在電視評論中、如何旋轉任何的議題,就會給你一個很好的答案。基督徒應該知道,我們被世界誤導了多少次!小心提防誰是你的敵人。
(b)我們的主在馬太福音7:13-14中教導我們:
兩條門路,窄門與寬門
13「你們要進窄門。因為引到滅亡,那門是寬的,路是大的,進去的人也多; 14 引到永生,那門是窄的,路是小的,找著的人也少。
3. What is the way to eternal life?
(a) The Bible reveals this light in a dark world.
John 14:6-7
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and
have seen Him.”
(b) Believe in Jesus Christ is how we receive eternal life.
John 3:35-36
35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on
him.”
(c) God shows us His Love for you and me
John 3:16-18
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the
world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
3.永生的道路是什麼?
(a)聖經在黑暗的世界中揭示了這光。
約翰福音14:6-7
主為道路真理生命
6耶穌說:「我就是道路、真理、生命。若不藉著我,沒有人能到父那裡去。 7你們若認識我,也就認識我的父。從今以後,你們認識他,並且已經看見他。」
(b)相信耶穌基督,是我們如何得到永生。
約翰福音3:35-36
35 父愛子,已將萬有交在他手裡。
36信子的人有永生,不信子的人得不著永生,神的震怒常在他身上。
(c)神向我們顯示祂的愛
約翰福音3:16-18
神愛世人
16「神愛世人,甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們,叫一切信他的不致滅亡,反得永生。 17因為神差他的兒子降世,不是要定世人的罪,乃是要叫世人因他得救。
18信他的人不被定罪,不信的人罪已經定了,因為他不信神獨生子的名。
4. What is eternal life and How can we enjoy it right now!
Please take it to our hearts dearly on our Lord’s teaching;
John 17:3
3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
4. 什麼是永生,我們現在如何享受它!
請將我們主的教訓,深深地放到我們的心裡;
約翰福音17:3
3認識你獨一的真神,並且認識你所差來的耶穌基督,這就是永生。
May all of us see through all the fake news and alternative truth and find the narrow gate leading to life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we all know God and Jesus Christ whom He have sent to save us and to commission us to do His work! In Jesus precious name, we pray. Amen.
願我們看穿、所有的假新聞和另類替代的真理,找到狹窄的門、通過耶穌基督我們的主得到永生。願我們認識上帝獨一的真神和耶穌基督,祂所差遣來拯救我們,並吩咐我們去做祂的工作!奉耶穌寶貴的名,我們祈禱。阿門。
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Psalm 36:9 New King James Version (NKJV)
9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
詩 篇 36:9
因為在你那裡有生命的源頭,在你的光中我們必得見光。
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There is a profound Bible verse concerning our Lord Jesus Christ in John 1:4, “ 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.“ This verse is part of a very precious Bible passage called the prologue of the Gospel of John which consists of John 1:1-18. The prologue of John summarizes the Person and Work of Jesus Christ in a very concise way. The rest of the Gospel of John is to display this prologue in the historical context to highlight the divinity and amazing love of Jesus Christ our Lord. The verse 1:4 “In Him was life” indicates His Person that He is the source of life. And “the light of all mankind” tells His Messianic Work.
在聖經裡有一深刻的經句,述說著我們的主耶穌基督,記錄在約翰福音1:4,“生命在他裡頭,這生命就是人的光”。這經句是一個非常珍貴的經文的一部分,叫做"約翰福音序幕"。包括了約翰福音 1:1-18。"約翰的序幕"是以一個非常簡潔的方式、概要述說著,耶穌基督祂的位格與祂的工作。約翰福音的其餘部分,是在描述這序幕的歷史背景,以強調我們主耶穌基督的神性和對我們的大愛。在經文中,“生命在他裡頭”,表示祂本人即是生命之源;“這生命就是人的光”,代表祂的彌賽亞工作。
Do you ever meditate why the Bible uses life and light to reveal our Lord? Without life, there is basically only materials and without light, there will be darkness everywhere. We all know how important is life and we also know how precious light is in a dark environment. For truth seekers, indeed how precious the Name of Jesus Christ is once you found Him!
你是否曾經深思過,為什麼聖經用生命和光來竭示我們的主?沒有生命,基本上就只有物質、沒有光,處處是一片黑暗。我們都知道生命是多麼的重要,我們也知道是在黑暗的環境裡、光是多麼的珍貴。對真理的尋求者,耶穌基督,的確是多麼珍貴的名稱,一旦你找到祂了!
Every one of us is under great burdens of working hard to make a living to support our family. If we live long enough to have a few white hairs, we should know that this world is far from perfect and far from justice to all. God knows all of us very well as He is our Creator. He knows our plights and tears as well. That is why He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord to become flesh to redeem us. For those of us who are still being blinded by the devil to see the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ, take a deep look at life and wake up from the deceptions of this world!!!
Today is the day of salvation! Listen, Jesus Christ is calling you:
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
我們每一個人,都在謀生養家的巨大負擔下,努力的工作。如果我們有幸、活到頭上有幾根白髮時,我們當知、這個世界是遠遠不夠完善,也不是人人都得到正義公平。上帝是我們的創造者,祂也知道我們的一切。祂知道我們的困境和眼淚。這就是為什麼,派祂的獨生子,耶穌基督、我們的主,道成肉身來救贖我們。讓這些仍然被魔鬼蒙蔽,而看不到耶穌基督福音之榮耀的人們,能好好再仔細看看生命,並從這個欺騙的世界警醒過來!
今天就是獲得拯救的日子!聽著,耶穌基督正在呼叫你:
28凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。
29我心裡柔和謙卑,你們當負我的軛,學我的樣式,這樣你們心裡就必得享安息。 30因為我的軛是容易的,我的擔子是輕省的。」(馬太福音 11:28-30).
The prologue further reveals to us that Jesus Christ is the true light:
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which
was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God—.
"約翰福音序幕",更進一步向我們揭示了耶穌基督是真光:
9 那光是真光,照亮一切生在世上的人。 10他在世界,世界也是藉著他造的,世界卻不認識他。
11他到自己的地方來,自己的人倒不接待他。
12凡接待他的,就是信他名的人,他就賜他們權柄做神的兒女。
Praises be to God who selected us before the foundation of the world to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord so that we will be with Him forever and ever in His eternal glorious kingdom.
讚美上帝,祂在創造世界之前、選擇我們來接受耶穌基督為救主,讓我們將永遠永遠與祂同在於祂的永恆榮耀的國度裡。
This invitation is freely given to anyone whoever would receive Him as the One sent by God to redeem the lost in this world because God loves everyone He
created in this world!
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
此邀請是免費提供給任何人,願意接受祂是上帝派來救贖、迷失在這個世界的每一個人。因為上帝、愛祂在這個世界上所創造的每一個人!
約翰福音3:16
16.神愛世人,甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們,叫一切信他的不致滅亡,反得永生。
Let us all listen one more time. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for
I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
讓我們再一次留心聽,耶穌基督的邀請:
28凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。
29我心裡柔和謙卑,你們當負我的軛,學我的樣式,這樣你們心裡就必得享安息。 30因為我的軛是容易的,我的擔子是輕省的。」(馬太福音 11:28-30).
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屬靈的第一功課
約翰福音 3:6-7
6 從肉身生的就是肉身,從靈生的就是靈。 7 我說你們必須重生,你不要以為稀奇。
This is part of our Lord’s discourse with Nicodemus on the necessity of being born again.
Actually, Verses 6-7 were a great revelation from our Lord concerning the spiritual world. None other than Creator can reveal this great truth. This truth has immense implications concerning the
nature of redemption and salvation. This truth is also a great guiding light in our pilgrimage towards our heavenly Father through this treachery world full of fleshly traps.
這是我們的主與尼哥底母,有關重生之必要性、話語的一部分。
上述經文6-7是來自我們的主,關於屬靈世界,一個很大的啟示。不是別人,正是造物主,才能夠揭示、這個偉大的真理。這個道理在救贖和拯救的本質上,有巨大的影響。這個道理,也是我們通過這個背信棄義、充滿肉慾陷阱的世界,邁向我們天父朝聖之路上、一個很大的指路明燈。
Before we meditate on these two verses, we shall ask our indwelling Teacher -The Holy Spirit- to teach us this truth.
我們深思這兩句經文之前,我們必須求內駐我們的聖靈保惠師、來教導我們這個真理。
In human history, there were many religions which taught that through human efforts alone, one can earn eternal life. Jews were taught that they were the chosen people and that it was their entitled right to enter the kingdom of God just because they were the descendants of Abraham whom God did have an eternal covenant with him. Now the implication of Verse 6-7 to millions of people who were deceived to believe that they could enter the Kingdom of God without being born again is indeed staggering and the consequence is tragic and heart broken to those false promises. Come to think of it. There is nothing but another man-made aspect of the boastful pride of this life that man can get eternal life through man’s righteous deeds. If a man is not born again in the spirit realm, any addition of power through more righteous deeds is no different to the Greek mythology of wars among gods or Eastern mythology of the enlightened men using power of Tao to show who is the greatest of all.
在人類歷史上,有許多宗教欺騙人,宣告只要靠著人的努力,人可以得到永生。猶太教認為,他們猶太人是被選擇的種族,而且有權利進入神的國,因為他們是亞伯拉罕的後裔,他們認為這是神與亞伯拉罕有永約的承諾。現在,經文6-7對於、被欺騙而相信他們不必重生、就能進入神的國的百萬百萬人而言,確實是一個天搖地動、無法相信的震撼。其後果是悲慘的,虛假的承諾、所造成的心碎。其實,靠修行得永生只不過是人為今生驕傲自欺欺人的另一表現而己。本性乃不變,只是以更多的義行尋得更大的地位權力。這與希臘各神互相争鬥、或是東方神仙鬥法,有什麼不同。
There are a few key points that we may want to meditate upon:
1. What is flesh
Because of sin, all flesh were contaminated. The Bible provides many verses to teaches us this important truth about our flesh;
(a) All have sinned
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
(b) No one righteous, not even one
Romans 3:10-18
10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
13 “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
(c) Nothing good in my sinful nature
Romans 7:18-19
18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
(d) We have a most deceiving heart to guide our rationale
Jeremiah 17:9
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
(e) This truth was also confirmed by our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 6:63
63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
這裡我們要討論幾個重點:
1.什麼是肉體
因為罪,所有的肉體都被污染了。聖經提供了許多經文給我們,教導我們肉體的重要真理:
(a) 所有都犯了罪。
羅馬書 3:23
23 因為世人都犯了罪,虧缺了神的榮耀,
(b) 沒有義人,連一個也沒有。
羅馬書 3:10-1
10 就如經上所記:「沒有義人,連一個也沒有。
11 沒有明白的,沒有尋求神的。
12 都是偏離正路,一同變為無用;沒有行善的,連一個也沒有。
13 他們的喉嚨是敞開的墳墓,他們用舌頭弄詭詐,嘴唇裡有虺蛇的毒氣,
14 滿口是咒罵苦毒。
15 殺人流血,他們的腳飛跑;
16 所經過的路,便行殘害暴虐的事;
17 平安的路,他們未曾知道。
18 他們眼中不怕神。」
(c) 在我有罪的本性中,沒有善良的。
羅馬書 7:18-19
良心與情慾交戰
18 我也知道,在我裡頭,就是我肉體之中,沒有良善。因為立志為善由得我,只是行出來由不得我。
19 故此,我所願意的善,我反不做;我所不願意的惡,我倒去做。
(d) 我們有顆、詭詐的人心,引導著我們的合理化思維。
耶利米書 17:9
人心詭詐難逃主鑒
9 「人心比萬物都詭詐,壞到極處,誰能識透呢?
(e) 這個真理,也被我們的主耶穌基督證實。
約翰福音 6:63
63 叫人活著的乃是靈,肉體是無益的。我對你們所說的話就是靈,就是生命。
2. Flesh begets flesh
This implies that all descendants of the human race are contaminated. It is what we are that limits all mankind. This truth also teaches us that through education
and human improvement, we can improve our knowledge, experience and behaviors. But we still cannot make us uncontaminated. Indeed, the truth also points out the false hope of the evolution theory
that the human race can evolve through mindless random process to a better species and civilization. The history of mankind vividly proves the falsehood of the evolution theory.
2. 肉體生肉體
這意味著,人類的所有後代都受到污染。這就是全人類都被我們的本性所影響。這個道理也教導我們,通過教育和人性化的改進,我們可以提高我們的知識,經驗和行為。但是,我們仍然無法脫離我們本性的污染。事實上,真相也指出、進化論所謂人類可以通過盲目的隨機過程而演變成為一個更好的品種和文明,是一個虛假的希望。人類的歷史,生動地證明了進化理論的謬誤。
3. Because of sin, no flesh can fulfill the requirements of the Holy Law.
Romans 8:5-8
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
This implies several points: (i) the falsehood of salvation through deeds of human righteousness and (ii) indictment of the false religions and the world various ideological
systems.
3. 因為罪,沒有肉體可以符合、神聖律法的要求。
羅馬書 8:5-8
隨從肉體與隨從聖靈的比較
5 因為隨從肉體的人,體貼肉體的事;隨從聖靈的人,體貼聖靈的事。
6 體貼肉體的就是死,體貼聖靈的乃是生命、平安。
7 原來體貼肉體的就是與神為仇,因為不服神的律法,也是不能服;
8 而且屬肉體的人不能得神的喜歡。
這些意味著幾點: (i) 通過人類正義行為的拯救謊言及(ii) 對假宗教和世界各種思想系統的控訴。
4. Because of sin, the world is under the grabs of the devil.
The world is operated under the law of sin which utilizes the fallen natures of flesh to enslave all mankind. The devil and his disciples are seeking to devour
people. Please meditate the following Bible verses:
(a) 1 John 5:19
19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
(b) Ephesians 2:1-3
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
(c) 1 John 2:16-17
16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever
does the will of God lives forever.
(d) 1 Peter 5:8
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
A footnote: I think about this verse each time I saw that a team of two cult people walking on the neighborhood and knock at the doors to deceive people.
4. 因為罪,世界被魔鬼爭奪、掌控了。
世界是被罪的律法所操控,罪利用肉體的墮落性質、奴役全人類。魔鬼和他的弟子們,正在尋找可吞吃的人。請仔細思考以下經文:
(a) 約翰一書 5:19
19 我們知道我們是神的兒女,和整個世界是那惡者的控制之下。
(b) 以弗所書 2:1-3
得救是本乎恩也因著信
2 你們死在過犯罪惡之中,他叫你們活過來。
2 那時你們在其中行事為人,隨從今世的風俗,順服空中掌權者的首領,就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈。
3 我們從前也都在他們中間,放縱肉體的私慾,隨著肉體和心中所喜好的去行,本為可怒之子,和別人一樣。
(c) 約翰一書 2:16-17
16 因為凡世界上的事,就像肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾並今生的驕傲,都不是從父來的,乃是從世界來的。
17 這世界和其上的情慾都要過去,唯獨遵行神旨意的,是永遠常存。
(d) 彼得前書 5:8
8 務要謹守、警醒,因為你們的仇敵魔鬼如同吼叫的獅子,遍地遊行,尋找可吞吃的人
一個腳註:我每次思考這節經文時,我似乎看到,我們常見的兩個兩個異教/邪教門徒的隊伍,就在街坊四鄰附近遊走,敲著門欺騙人們,尋找可吞吃的人。
5. The physical world is under the controls of the spiritual world.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. We need to rely upon the Bible to guide us in this important area.
(a) In Creation and Maintenance, the physical world is controlled by the spiritual world
In John 4:24, Lord Jesus told us that “God is spirit, and his worships must worship in spirit and in truth”. We also know that in Genesis 1 that God created the universe. Also, in
Colossians 1:16-17, the physical world is sustained by God;
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for
him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
(b) All flesh are controlled either by the ruler of the kingdom of the air i.e., the devil (See Ephesus 2:1-2) or by our Lord Jesus Christ. That is all flesh is operated according to flesh(
i.e., according to law of sin) or according to the Spirit (i.e., the law of the Spirit of life) (see Romans chapters 7 and 8)
(c) Conflicts of the spiritual world drives the conflicts of the physical world. In other word, the physical world is a part of the spiritual world.
(i) 1 John 3:7-8
7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been
sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
This also implies that “what a person is” determines what his/her deeds will be. That is, sins are committed by sinners who follow the law of sin. All men either belong to the devil or to
Christ.
(ii) Romans 11:33-36
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
5. 靈的世界操控物質世界。
從肉身生的就是肉身,從靈生的就是靈。在這一重要領域,我們必需依靠聖經給我們的指導。
(a) 創建和維護是靈的世界操控物質世界
在約翰福音 4:24,主耶穌告訴我們,“神是個靈,所以拜他的必須用心靈和誠實拜他” 。我們也知道,在創世紀第一章,神創造了宇宙。此外,在歌羅西書 1:16-17,物質世界是靠上帝維持;
16 因為萬有都是靠他造的,無論是天上的、地上的,能看見的、不能看見的,或是有位的、主治的、執政的、掌權的,一概都是藉著他造的,又是為他造的。
17 他在萬有之先,萬有也靠他而立。
(b) 所有的肉體,或是被空中王國的掌控者、即魔鬼(見以弗所書 2:1-2)所控制,或者是由我們的主耶穌基督控制。這就是所有的肉體,或是根據肉體(即,罪的法律)掌控,或是根據聖靈(即,生命聖靈的律)操作(羅馬書第七章和第八章)。
(c) 物質世界的衝突是來自屬靈世界的衝突。換言之,物質世界是精神世界的一部分。
(i) 約翰一書 3:7-8
神的兒子要除滅魔鬼所行的事
7 小子們哪,不要被人誘惑。行義的才是義人,正如主是義的一樣。
8 犯罪的是屬魔鬼,因為魔鬼從起初就犯罪。神的兒子顯現出來,為要除滅魔鬼的作為。
這也意味著,“一個人本性是什麼”決定了他/她的行為是什麼。也就是說,罪是由遵循罪的律的罪人所犯。所有的人不是屬於魔鬼,就是屬於基督。
(ii) 羅馬書 11:33-36
主智無窮主道難尋
33 深哉,神豐富的智慧和知識!他的判斷何其難測,他的蹤跡何其難尋!
34 「誰知道主的心,誰做過他的謀士呢? 35 誰是先給了他,使他後來償還呢?」 36 因為萬有都是本於他,倚靠他,歸於他。願榮耀歸給他,直到永遠!阿們。
6. The Spirit begets spirit.
It seems very clear that to be a Christian, we need first to be born again. Even faith and repentance are given to us as a gift by God’s grace as a part of the
born again. Always remember that through in Christ, the truth sets us free from the bondages of lust, pornography, drug, and pride, etc.
(a) 1 John 5:1
5 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.
(b) 1 John 4:13-15
13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
(c) 1 Peter 1:23
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
(d) 1 John 5:18
18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.
6. 從靈生的就是靈。
這是很清楚的,要成為一個基督徒,我們首先需要重生。即使是信心和悔改,都是由上帝的恩典、所給予我們的禮物,也是重生恩典的一部分。永遠記住,通過在基督裡,真理讓我們,脫離了情慾、色情、毒品和今生驕傲的束縛,是基督使我們獲得自由。
(a) 約翰一書 5:1
勝了世界的就是信心
5 凡信耶穌是基督的,都是從神而生;凡愛生他之神的,也必愛從神生的。
(b) 約翰一書 4:13-15
13 神將他的靈賜給我們,從此就知道我們是住在他裡面,他也住在我們裡面。
14 父差子做世人的救主,這是我們所看見且作見證的。
15 凡認耶穌為神兒子的,神就住在他裡面,他也住在神裡面。
(c) 彼得前書 1:23
23 你們蒙了重生,不是由於能壞的種子,乃是由於不能壞的種子,是藉著神活潑常存的道。
(d) 約翰一書 5:18
當遠避偶像
18 我們知道凡從神生的,必不犯罪,從神生的必保守自己,那惡者也就無法害他。
7. Glory and praises belong to our Lord Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life. He is our Savior, our Lord, our Trust and our All in
All.
(a) John 14:6
6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
(b) Jesus is God’s wisdom and power
1 Cor 1:24,
24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(c) We are His workmanship
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
(d) Jesus Christ our Lord is the author and perfecter of our faith
Hebrews 12: 1-2
12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that
is set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God.
7. 榮耀和頌讚屬於我們的主耶穌基督,祂是道路,真理,生命。祂是我們的救主,我們的主,我們的信賴依靠和我們所有的一切。
(a) 約翰福音 14:6
主為道路真理生命
6 耶穌說:「我就是道路、真理、生命。若不藉著我,沒有人能到父那裡去。
(b) 耶穌是上帝的智慧和力量
哥林前書 1:24,
24 但在那蒙召的,無論是猶太人、希臘人,基督總為神的能力、神的智慧。
(c) 我們原是祂的工作
以弗所書 2:10
10 我們原是他的工作,在基督耶穌裡造成的,為要叫我們行善,就是神所預備叫我們行的。
(d) 我們的主耶穌基督,是我們信心的創始成終者。
希伯來書 12:1-2
所愛的他必管教
12 我們既有這許多的見證人,如同雲彩圍著我們,就當放下各樣的重擔,脫去容易纏累我們的罪,存心忍耐,奔那擺在我們前頭的路程,
2 仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌。他因那擺在前面的喜樂,就輕看羞辱,忍受了十字架的苦難,便坐在神寶座的右邊。
SUMMARY
In summary, we have the following implications from our Lord’s great teaching in John 3:6-7.
(a) It is “what we are” determines our faithfulness to God and our deeds.
(b) in Christ is through indwelling of the Holy Spirit who begot us.
(c) Do not be trapped by keeping looking at “me”. We need to look at the conflicts of this world from the perspective of cosmic conflicts in the spiritual world.
(d) To be set free from “according to flesh” traps is through in Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
(e) Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, all Christians should live “according to the Spirit” to enjoy the boundless riches of Jesus Christ our Lord.
(f) Clean up our mind first from (1)do not let the garbage come into our mind through internet/i-phone/computer/magazine (2) spend our time in praying and meditating on God’s bible verses, and (3)
fill our mind with Jesus teachings. We should be surprised at how God’s word can clean us up so fast. It is all dependent upon detecting “ according to flesh” versus “according to the Spirit” in
protecting your mind.
(g) Worst thing is to be bored and therefore mindless internet surfing to be trapped for sure. Make yourself busy in fulfilling your responsibilities first. Just keep saying to yourself that “I
cannot afford wasting my time and life on these futile things.” All my experiences confirmed what our Lord teaches “the flesh profits nothing!” indeed.
(h) Watch your companions and your environment. Do not go to the place of evils.
(i) It is Jesus Christ who perfects our faith; not ourselves. This means that we cannot rely upon ourselves to solve our flesh issues. We need to go to Jesus Christ to free us from the law of sin.
Indeed, praise the Lord!
(j) Praises be to our God for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
綜上所述,我們從主、在約翰福音 3:6-7: "6從肉身生的就是肉身,從靈生的就是靈。 7我說你們必須重生,你不要以為稀奇"的大教學,得到以下的指示:
(a) “我們本性是什麼”,決定了我們對上帝的信實和我們的行為。
(b) 在基督裡是,藉著內駐我們的聖靈,聖靈生了我們。
(c) 不要被困住於,持續的看“我”。當我們看這個世界的衝突時、需要用因靈界所引起的宇宙衝突之觀點看。
(d) 要由“隨從肉體”的陷阱,解脫束縛,是靠內駐的聖靈,在基督裡解放我們。
(e) 通過聖靈的能力,所有的基督徒應該“隨從聖靈”而活,享受我們的主耶穌基督的無限豐富。
(f) 清理我們心靈,首先從(1)不要讓垃圾、通過互聯網/手機/電腦/雜誌、走進我們的心靈。(2)將時間用在禱告,思考神的聖經經文,以及(3)讓耶穌的教導,填充滿我們的心靈。我們會為、神的話能如此快速清理我們內心,感到驚訝!這完全是依賴於、明白“隨從肉體”與“隨從聖靈”的差別,來保護我們的心靈。
(g) 最糟糕的是,因為感到無聊、而盲目沉迷於上網瀏覽,終究會陷入陷阱。所以,應該讓自己,先為履行、完成自己的責任而忙。只要常常提醒自己、對自己說:“我不能浪費我的時間和生命,在徒勞無功、毫無意義的事情上”。我所有的經驗證實了、我們主耶穌的教導:“肉體是無益的!”,確實如此。
(h) 小心交友,注意你的環境。不要去罪惡的地方。
(i) 是主耶穌、成終我們的信心,不是靠我們自己。這意味著,我們不能依靠自己、來解決我們肉體的問題。我們需要靠耶穌基督,讓我們從罪的律中,解脫自由。真是要讚美主!
(j) 讚美是我們的神,因為萬有都是本於他,倚靠他,歸於他。願榮耀歸給他,直到永遠!阿們。
。
This story was recorded in John 8:3-11.
3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”
Please mediate the following:
" Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
“Go. From now on sin no more”. I believe this teaching applies to all of us as well. Please mediate on the following:
1. Rev 2:4-5
4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
2. 2 Peter 1:4
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
這個故事被記錄在約翰福音8:3-11。
3 文士和法利賽人帶著一個行淫時被拿的婦人來,叫她站在當中, 4 就對耶穌說:「夫子,這婦人是正行淫之時被拿的。 5 摩西在律法上吩咐我們把這樣的婦人用石頭打死,你說該把她怎麼樣呢?」 6 他們說這話乃試探耶穌,要得著告他的把柄。耶穌卻彎著腰,用指頭在地上畫字。 7 他們還是不住地問他,耶穌就直起腰來,對他們說:「你們中間誰是沒有罪的,誰就可以先拿石頭打她。」 8 於是又彎著腰,用指頭在地上畫字。 9 他們聽見這話,就從老到少,一個一個地都出去了,只剩下耶穌一人,還有那婦人仍然站在當中。10 耶穌就直起腰來,對她說:「婦人,那些人在哪裡呢?沒有人定你的罪嗎?」 11 她說:「主啊,沒有。耶穌說:「我也不定你的罪。去吧,從此不要再犯罪了!」
請思考以下主題:
A. 誰是我們主的敵人及他們是多麼的邪惡和不道德:(1)用聖經達其邪惡的意圖,(2)為了他們的罪惡,
儘然不惜犧牲一個生命。事實上,他們沒有敬畏生命的主;他們、雖然自稱文士和法利賽人,是沒有尊重上帝的聖經。他們確實適合歸入羅馬書1:21節所說人們的範疇。
B. 世界體系的不公正和騙人的話:如果他們能抓住通姦中的女人,他們同樣的也可以抓到男人。為什麼只把女人帶來呀?此外,沒有看到與她有關係的男人、來救援這女人。他對她的甜言蜜語和承諾在那裡?
C. “你們中間誰是沒有罪的,誰就可以先拿石頭打她”。這應該提醒我們所有的人,我們確實是蒙恩的罪人。我們要避免讓偽善,侵入了我們的心、改變我們的態度和言行。
D. 確實是一仁慈的主啊。10 耶穌就直起腰來,對她說:「婦人,那些人在哪裡呢?沒有人定你的罪嗎?」 11 她說:「主啊,沒有。」耶穌說:「我也不定你的罪。去吧,從此不要再犯罪了!」
E. 她抓住了救贖的機會、稱耶穌為“主”。事實上,我們的主來到這個世界上,為要拯救罪人。
▪ 耶穌說:「我也不定你的罪」。對所有的懺悔和受創的罪人,耶穌是多麼是憐憫和仁慈的主!請默想羅馬書8:1 (如今,那些在基督耶穌裡的就不定罪了。)
F. “去吧,從此不要再犯罪了!”. 我相信,這教訓也適用於我們所有的人。
請思考以下經文:
1) 啟示錄 2:4-5
4 『然而,有一件事我要責備你,就是你把起初的愛心離棄了。 5 所以,應當回想你是從哪裡墜落的,並要悔改,行起初所行的事。你若不悔改,我就臨到你那裡,把你的燈臺從原處挪去。
2) 彼得後書 1:4
4 因此,他已將又寶貴又極大的應許賜給我們,叫我們既脫離世上從情慾來的敗壞,就得與神的性情有份。
This teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ was recorded in John 14:30-31. The setting was our Lord's last evening with His disciples before going to the cross. It was the farewell counseling session to encourage and instruct His disciplines.
John 14:30-31
30 I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; 31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.
Please meditate on the following:
1. Our Lord is very clear on who is His enemy.
•1 John 3:8 tells us " the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."
•He came into this world to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (see John 1:29)
2. There is no darkness in light
" he has nothing in me". This is a clear-cut statement of the contrast between natures of the Jesus Christ divine essence and the devil's essence. The devil has sinned from the beginning and is the father of all lies. In fact, let us hear what our Lord describes the nature of the devil.
John 8:44-- You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
There is indeed no truth in the nature of the devil and his children. They are what we call the pathological liars who need to lie by their nature. On the other hand, God can not lie. (See Titus 1:2). As a matter of fact, the evil of the world system is that they exchanged the God's truth for a lie as indicated in Romans 1:25
"For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
Thus, as children of God, we also have to be very clear about this as we grow to be like our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Our Lord's willingness to come to this earth to die for our sin so that "the world may know that I loves the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, evan so I do." We need to meditate on this eternal teaching about our Lord's full love onto His Father.
- "Zeal For Thy House will consume me" (See John 2:12-17)
- "My food is to do the will of Him who send Me, and to accomplish His work"
- Always for His Father's glory. Our Lord wants people to believe that He was sent by
His Father. In John 12:44-46, we have this very revealing teaching;
John 12:44-46
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe
in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees the One who sent
Me. 46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes
in Me will not remain in darkness.
4. Get up, let us go with our Lord from here-- Indeed, as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we need to be as follows:
-- cannot remain in darkness. That is, we are children of Light
1 Peter 1:14-15
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were
yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy
yourselves also in all your behavior;
-- Arise. Let us go out to our Lord. We need to be gospel's fighters.
Hebrew 13:12-13
12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood,
suffered outside the gate. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing
His reproach.
在約翰福音14:30-31中,記錄著主耶穌基督給我們以下的教導。場景是我們的主去上十字架之前,
與他的門徒的最後一個晚上,。在這告別的時刻,主耶穌給他的門徒們的鼓勵和指導。
約翰福音 14:30-31
30 以後我不再和你們多說話,因為這世界的王將到;他在我裡面是毫無所有,
31 但要叫世人知道我愛父,並且父怎樣吩咐我,我就怎樣行。起來,我們走吧!」
請仔細思考以下諸點:
1. 我們的主是很清楚誰是他的敵人。
• 約翰一書 3:8 告訴我們:“ 8 犯罪的是屬魔鬼,因為魔鬼從起初就犯罪。
神的兒子顯現出來,為要除滅魔鬼的作為。”
• 次日,約翰看見耶穌來到他那裡,就說,看哪,神的羔羊,除去世人罪孽的!
(見約翰一書 1:29)
2. 在有光中是沒有黑暗的
“他在我裡面是毫無所有”。這是一個明確的陳述。告訴我們神的本質和魔鬼的本質的不同。
魔鬼從起初就犯了罪,也是所有謊言的始祖。事實上,讓我們聽聽、我們的主如何描述魔鬼的本質。
約翰福音8:44 –“ 你們是出於你們的父魔鬼,你們父的私慾你們偏要行。他從起初是殺人的,
不守真理, 他心裡沒有真理。他說謊是出於自己,因他本來是說謊的,也是說謊之人的父。”
的確,在魔鬼和他的孩子們的本質中、是沒有真理的。他們就是我們所謂的病態說謊者,
其本性就是需要撒謊。相反的另一方面,神絕不會撒謊。 (提多書1:2)。事實上,
世界體系中魔鬼,將上帝的真理、換成一個謊言。
如同羅馬書1:25 所描述的 ,
“ 他們將神的真實變為虛謊,去敬拜侍奉受造之物,不敬奉那造物的主——主乃是可稱頌的,
直到永遠!阿們。”
因此,作為神的兒女,我們也必須要非常清楚這一點,因隨著我們的成長,我們要像我們的
主耶穌基督。
3. 我們的主的意願來到這個地球,為我們的罪而死;"但要叫世人知道我愛父,
並且父怎樣吩咐我,我就怎樣行”.
我們需要默想這個永恆的教導,我們的主對他父親的愛。
•「 我為你的殿心裡焦急 ,如同火燒 」(約翰福音 2:17)
• 耶穌說 : 我的食物就是遵行差我來者的旨意,做成他的工.(約翰福音 4:34)
•主耶穌是全然以父神的榮耀為至上. 祂一直要當時的猶太人相信祂是天父派來的.
在約翰福音 12:44-46,有這樣的教導:
44 耶穌大聲說:「信我的,不是信我,乃是信那差我來的.
45 人看見我,就是看見那差我來的。
46 我到世上來,乃是光,叫凡信我的不住在黑暗裡。
4. 站起來,讓我們追隨我們的主,
▪ 如同我們的主耶穌基督的門徒們;我們不能留在黑暗中。也就是說,我們是光明的子女。
彼得前書 1:14-15
“14 你們既做順命的兒女,就不要效法從前蒙昧無知的時候那放縱私慾的樣子。
15 那召你們的既是聖潔,你們在一切所行的事上也要聖潔。”
▪ 起來。讓我們一起追隨我們的主。我們要為福音而戰。
希伯來書 13:12-13
12 所以,耶穌要用自己的血叫百姓成聖,也就在城門外受苦。
13 這樣,我們也當出到營外,就了他去,忍受他所受的凌辱。
This event was recorded in the Gospel of John 7: 37-44. Before we presented the story,
let us present the background of the Jewish customs at that time about 2100 years ago
so that we the 21st Century dwellers of this Earth can understand. There are
three Jewish festivals that all adult Jewish males were commanded to celebrate
annually in Jerusalem. These three pilgrim feasts were the Festival of Passover
in spring, the Festival of Pentecost in summer, and the Festival of Tabernacles
in autumn. These three festivals were to some extent also related to harvest
seasons at that time. The Passover festival, also called the Feast of
Unleavened Bread, was celebrated in spring at the time of the growing season
i.e., celebrating first fruits of barley. The Pentecost festival , also called the Feast of Weeks,
was dedicated to the first fruits of the wheat harvest in summer. The Tabernacles festival,
also called the Feast of Ingathering, were celebrated the end of harvest in
autumn.
The story of the event in John 7:37-44 is related to the Festival of Tabernacles, also called
the Festival of Booths, in commemorating the God's saving Israel in leaving
Egypt through the wilderness to the promise land. So the customs of the festival re-enact
to live in the tents to remember their living conditions in the wilderness. There was also
the tradition of pouring out a double portion of water in the temple to celebrate the fact
that God had given them water from the rock during the long trek of Israel through the
wilderness. Apostle Paul told us in 1 Cor 10:4, the rock which the water flowed out to save
them from their thirsty is Christ:
"and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that
followed them, and that Rock was Christ. " (1 Corinthians 10:4)
With this background, we read John 7: 37-44
37 On the last day, that great
day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If any man thirst, let
him come unto Me, and drink. 38 He that believes in Me, as the Scripture has
said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
39 (But this He spoke of the
Spirit, whom those who believe in Him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was
not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.)
40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said,
“In truth this is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Shall Christ
come out of Galilee?
42 Hath not the Scripture said that Christ cometh out of the seed of David,
and out of the town of Bethlehem where David was?”
43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.
44 And some of them would have taken Him, but no man laid hands on Him.
Please meditate on the following:
1. We read the amazing grace, compassion, and love of our Merciful Lord towards
mankind, particularly towards a sinner like me.
The Creator of the universe willingly humbled and humiliated Himself by
standing among men crying out to invite people to receive eternal life through
Him.
2. It was even more amazing that the call was proclaimed, among His enemies who
wanted to kill Him, just to save those who would believe. This reminds us our
Lord's teaching in John 9:4
"I must work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day; the night cometh when
no man can work." (John 9:4)
This also reminds us the following: (1) Do I willing to put away my pride in
standing, say at the corner of the street, in a hostile crowd to proclaim the
gospel? (2) Do I sense the urgency of such a task to proclaim the love of God
to people as the era of God's grace is soon coming to a close.
3. For those who read the article and are not yet a believer, we urge you,
"please listen to Jesus' urgent calling once more";
John 12:35-36
35 Then Jesus said unto them, “Yet a little while is the Light with you. Walk
while ye have the Light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walks in
darkness knows not whither he goes.
36 While ye have Light, believe in the Light, that ye may be the children of
Light.” These things spoke Jesus, and departed and hid Himself from them.
4. For those of us who believe in Jesus our Lord and Savior, we have amazing
grace of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Do you listen to His leading day in and day
out? As a result of our justification through our faith by the blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit
which is given unto us.(See Romans5:5). Are our hearts filled with the love of
God so that we can love others enough to tell them about the love of
Jesus Christ for their eternal lives in Him?
Do we willingly cry out aloud among a hostile world to save those
who would believe. May our Lord bless us each day to love Him more and more.
Amen.
此事件被記錄在約翰福音7:37-44。在我們介紹故事之前,讓我們先瞭解2100年前、當時的猶太人的習俗的背景;使21世紀後生在了這個地球上居住的我們、能夠理解。每年在耶路撒冷,有三個猶太節日、是所有成年的猶太男性,都必須要參與慶祝的。這三個朝聖者的節日,是在春天的逾越節,夏季的五旬節,和秋季的住棚節。這三個節日在某一程度上,是與當時的收穫季節有關聯。逾越節的節日,也被稱為無酵節,是在生長季節的時段;即在春天慶祝,大麥的首批果實的長成。五旬節,也叫七七節,是專門為慶祝夏季、小麥首批成果的收穫。慶祝住棚節,也稱為收藏節,歡慶秋季採收的結束。
在約翰福音7:37-44的事件,是與住棚節、也被稱為帳篷節、相關的故事;是紀念神拯救以色列人離開埃及;由蠻荒曠野到應許之地的故事。因此,節日習俗要住在帳篷裡,來懷念過去生活在曠野時、上帝引領保護的恩典。因此有傳統在聖殿裹潑水,來紀念祖先長途跋涉、經過曠野途中乾渴無水;上帝給了、來自從岩石中流水出來給以色列民族飲水的事實。使徒保羅在哥林多前書10:4也告訴我們,是基督使水從岩石流出,來救他們的乾渴。
4 也都喝了一樣的靈水;所喝的是出於隨著他們的靈磐石,那磐石就是基督。
(哥林多前書10:4)。
在這種背景下,讓我們來讀約翰福音7:37-44
37 節期的末日,就是最大之日,耶穌站著高聲說:「人若渴了,可以到我這裡來喝! 38 信我的人就如經上所說,從他腹中要流出活水的江河來。」39 耶穌這話是指著信他之人要受聖靈說的。那時還沒有賜下聖靈來,因為耶穌尚未得著榮耀。 40 眾人聽見這話,有的說:「這真是那先知!」 41 有的說:「這是基督。」但也有的說:「基督豈是從加利利出來的嗎? 42 經上豈不是說基督是大衛的後裔,從大衛本鄉伯利恆出來的嗎?」 43 於是眾人因著耶穌起了紛爭。 44 其中有人要捉拿他,只是無人下手。(約翰福音7:37-44)。
請思考以下諸點:
1. 我們讀到我們仁慈的主對人類, (特別是對像你我、這樣罪人),無比奇妙的恩典,憐憫和愛。宇宙的創造者,居然心甘情願地、謙遜和羞辱自己、站在人群中;大聲呼喚、來邀請人們,經由祂得到永生。
2. 更令人稱奇的是,呼喚是在那些想要殺害祂的敵人中宣佈;只為了要拯救、願意相信祂的人。這讓我們想起我們的主在約翰福音9:4給我們的教導。
趁著白日,我們必須做那差我來者的工;黑夜將到,就沒有人能做工了。(約翰福音9:4)
這也提醒我們:(1)我是否願意放下尊嚴、站在街角,面對充滿敵意的人群來宣揚福音?(2)因為神的恩典的時代即將結束;我是否感覺到、要傳遞給人們知道上帝的愛,這一個任務的緊迫性?
3. 對於那些讀了文章,但還不是信徒的人們,我們敦促你,“請再一次聆聽耶穌的緊急呼喚”。
耶穌對他們說:「光在你們中間還有不多的時候,應當趁著有光行走,免得黑暗臨到你們。那在黑暗裡行走的,不知道往何處去。 36 你們應當趁著有光,信從這光,使你們成為光明之子。」(約翰福音12:35-36)
4. 對於那些相信我們主、救主耶穌基督的人們;這是多麼驚人的恩典,我們是有聖靈內住的人。日復一日,你每天都聽從祂的引領嗎?我們要清楚知道因信稱義的福分之一是聖靈將神的愛、澆灌在我們的心裡(見羅馬書5:5)。我們心中是否充滿了神的愛?足使我們能夠愛別人;告訴他們耶穌基督的愛,讓他們在主懷中、有永恆的生命。並願意在充滿敵意的世界中,大聲地呼籲、來拯救那些願意信主的人們。願主每一天祝福我們、越來越愛祂。阿們!
This teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ was
recorded in the Gospel of John, Chapter 15: 1-8. Let us read this very precious
teaching:
John 15:1-8
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman.”
2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every
branch that
beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, unless
it abide in the vine, no more can ye, unless ye abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me and I in
Him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me ye can do nothing. ”
6 If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and is
withered; and men
gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye
will, and it
shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye
be My
disciples.
Please meditate the following:
(1). It is indeed an amazing grace for an infinite Holy God to invite
us, sinners
under His Grace after cleansing us, to join Him. It is our Lord Jesus who died
for us to save us from God's wrath on our transgression on His Holy Law. The
basis that the believers can be justified is through our faith in His blood to
wash us clean from all our unrighteousness. Why? Because Romans 3:23-26 remind
us this great truth;
23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is
in Christ
Jesus.
25 Him God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His
blood, to
declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God;
26 to declare, I say, at this time, His righteousness: that He might
be just, and
the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.
Because of Jesus Christ's great salvation work at the cross, all
believers in Jesus
Christ were justified and hence now stand in His Grace . Just like Apostle
Peter told us why we can partake His divine nature. This is indeed an amazing
blessing. Please meditate on the tremendous love of our Lord to us to
accomplish our sanctification. What a blessing indeed.
2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto
life and
godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and
virtue.
4 Thereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by
these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped
the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(2) The Bible clearly teaches that our salvation has different stages.
The work of our justification was done already by our Lord. We are now
in our
sanctification process. We can not be sanctified first without our Lord’s great
sacrifice work at the cross. We can not be sanctified without the Spirit of
Christ living in our heart. We can not have life in the Spirit unless we are in
the union with Christ. For those who are interested in the teaching of the
union with Jesus Christ, please prayerfully study Romans Chapter 6 and for those who are
interested in the life in the Spirit, please prayerfully meditate on Romans Chapter 8. Without
union with Him, our Lord indicates that we will be fruitless and like a branch
not connecting to the True Vine, we will wither away and be cut off and burned.
The means of sanctification is through union with Christ. But how?
Please listen to what our Lord is saying to us:
John 15:9-10
9 “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in My love.
10 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I
have kept My
Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.
So we must keep His commandments because we love our Lord dearly which
is due to
the fact that the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who was given to us. Please meditate on the following teaching:
John 14:21
21 He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth
Me; and he
that loveth Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will
manifest Myself to him.”
(3) Please be encouraged by
the promises in the Bible as the results of the union with Christ to become
partakers of His divine nature:
* His Peace (John 16:33), (Romans 5:1)
* His Righteousness (Romans 3:22)
* His Grace (Romans 5:2)
*
His Joy (Romans 5:2); (John 15:11)
* His Love (Romans 5:5), (John
17:23)
* His Truth ( John 17:14)
* His Mission (John 17:18), (Matthew 28:18-20)
* His Glory (John 17:22-24)
Indeed, Jesus Christ Our Precious Lord loves us to the end and beyond
with an eternal
love which is beyond our comprehension and measurement. What a Precious
Lord! He is indeed our wisdom from God, our righteousness from God,
our sanctification from God, and our redemption from God.
He is our blessed Lord and our life indeed.
The Bible further reminds us the following:
Ephesians
3:14-21
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to
be
strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being
rooted and
grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and
length and
depth and height,
19 and to know the love of Christ, which surpasseth knowledge, that ye
might be
filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or
think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all
ages, world
without end. Amen.
主耶穌基督給我們的這個教導,是記錄在約翰福音第15章1-8節。讓我們來閱讀這非常珍貴的教導:
1“我是真葡萄樹,我父是栽培的人”。 2 凡屬我不結果子的枝子,他就剪去;凡結果子的,他就修理乾淨,使枝子結果子更多。 3 現在你們因我講給你們的道,已經乾淨了。 4 你們要常在我裡面,我也常在你們裡面。枝子若不常在葡萄樹上,自己就不能結果子;你們若不常在我裡面,也是這樣。 5 我是葡萄樹,你們是枝子。常在我裡面的,我也常在他裡面,這人就多結果子;因為離了我,你們就不能做什麼。 6 人若不常在我裡面,就像枝子丟在外面枯乾,人拾起來扔在火裡燒了。 7 你們若常在我裡面,我的話也常在你們裡面,凡你們所願意的,祈求,就給你們成就。 8 你們多結果子,我父就因此得榮耀,你們也就是我的門徒了。(約翰福音15:1-8)
請仔細思考下列諸點:
(1)這的確是一個奇異的恩典;一位永恆神聖的神,邀請我們這些罪人,在祂的恩典下、在祂潔淨我們之後,與祂聯合。我們要清清楚楚認定: 信徒們能得赦罪、稱義的基礎是我們的主耶穌為我們死,來拯救我們的沈淪,因為我們背逆神的律法而怒犯了聖潔的上帝。我們的因信稱義是憑著祂的血、洗淨我們的一切的不義。為什麼呢?因為羅馬書3:23-26提醒我們這個偉大的真理;
23 因為世人都犯了罪,虧缺了神的榮耀, 24 如今卻蒙神的恩典,因基督耶穌的救贖,就白白地稱義。 25 神設立耶穌做挽回祭,是憑著耶穌的血,藉著人的信,要顯明神的義。因為他用忍耐的心寬容人先時所犯的罪, 26 好在今時顯明他的義,使人知道他自己為義,也稱信耶穌的人為義。(羅馬書3:23-26)
因為耶穌基督在十字架上偉大的救贖大工,所有相信基督耶穌的信徒得以稱義,因此現在能站在他的恩典之中。就像使徒彼得告訴我們,為什麼我們得與神的性情有份。這的確是一個奇妙的祝福。請默想主耶穌所給我們浩瀚無比的大愛,來完成我們的成聖。這的確是何等的祝福。
(2)聖經清楚地教導我們,救贖有不同的階段。我們的主,已完成我們稱義的大工。我們現在、是在成聖過程中。首先,沒有我們的主、在十字架上的偉大的犧性來救贖,我們是無法成聖的。沒有基督的靈、住在我們心中,我們也不能成聖的。除非我們是與基督聯合、我們也不能有聖靈引領的生活。對於有興趣了解如何與耶穌基督聯合的教導,請參閱羅馬書第6章。有興趣了解體貼聖靈生活者,請參閱羅馬書第八章。如果沒有與祂聯合,我們的主、告訴我們: 我們的努力將是徒勞無果實的;好比一個枝子、沒有連接在真葡萄樹幹上,我們會枯乾滅亡、只好被剪除燒毀。成聖的方法是通過與基督聯合。但是,如何做呢?
請聽主的教導:
9 「我愛你們,正如父愛我一樣,你們要常在我的愛裡。 10 你們若遵守我的命令,就常在我的愛裡,正如我遵守了我父的命令,常在他的愛裡。(約15:9-10)
因此,我們必須謹守他的誡命,因為我們深深地愛我們的主,這是由於神給了我們聖靈、將上帝的愛澆灌在我們的心裡。請默想以下教導:
(3)與主耶穌基督聯合、而得與神的性情有分。聖經對與主聯合有很多寶貴的應許,我們應當有很大的鼓勵。請看聖經的應許:
*祂的平安(約翰福音16:33),(羅5:1)
*祂的公義 (羅 3:22)
*祂的恩典(羅5:2)
*祂的喜悅(羅5:2);(約翰福音15:11)
*祂的愛(羅5:5),(約翰福音17:23)
*祂的真理(約翰福音17:14)
*祂的榮耀(約翰福音17:22-24)
事實上,耶穌基督、我們的寶貴主,以永恆的愛愛我們到底;祂的愛是超越了今生,超出了我們所能理解和測量的。祂是何等珍貴的主!祂的確是上帝給我們的智慧,是上帝給我們的公義,是上帝給我們的成聖,上帝給我們的救贖。祂的確是我們神聖的主,也確實是我們的生命。
“聖經”進一步提醒我們以下幾點:
14 因此,我在父面前屈膝, 15 天上地上的各家,都是從他得名, 16 求他按著他豐盛的榮耀,藉著他的靈,叫你們心裡的力量剛強起來, 17 使基督因你們的信住在你們心裡,叫你們的愛心有根有基, 18 能以和眾聖徒一同明白基督的愛是何等長闊高深, 19 並知道這愛是過於人所能測度的,便叫神一切所充滿的充滿了你們。
The Greatest and the Least…
We are so full of pride and ignorance that no wander the whole world goes amuck. We also have the bent to blame others always. So one of the world’s greatest inventions is “mirrors” in which we can see our true-self rather than an imaginary superman or an all-powerful and glamorous dragon lady. Thus, it is very important for us to learn from the teaching of our Lord on this subject.
Lesson 1-Concerning Who Is Greatest
The first lesson was recorded in the gospel of Luke chapter 22 verses 24-27. On the eve of His going to the cross, His disciples were arguing among themselves who was the greatest among themselves in heavens. This is what our Lord taught them in that evening.
Luke 22:24-27
24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
According to our Lord, to be the greater is to serve more as a servant to others. Just as our Lord said to His disciples that evening:
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:26-28)
What a great difference in the operational principle between the heavens and the world. The greatest in the world is the one who has the position, the power, and the resources to lord over people. All the tyrants in the history belong to this category. We might as well ask the question: “Where are they now?” Of course, they were nowhere to be found and long since forgotten by the human race. But they will not get away with murders. We should be reminded that God will judge the world at the end that includes all human beings ever born into this world as recorded in Revelation 20:11-12
Judgment at the Great WhiteThrone of God
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
Another lesson taught by our Lord was recorded in John 13:16-17.
Lesson 2-Concerning the lordship of Jesus Christ and relationship with each other in local churches
John 13:16-17
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
One may say that this is all great but what is it to do with me. Well, just look around the churches today, there are a few elders and executive trustees lording over brothers and sisters in many local churches. These individuals concern mostly their names and power bases rather than the spiritual growth in the church. Being leaders in the church, they are protecting their territories or “my” church to such a prideful way that they forget that the head of all churches is the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is the Lord’s church and is not any leader's church at all. Of course, they all say that they protect the church so that no hearsay should come into the church. They think that their overbearing control of "their" church is offering service to God. But only our Lord can protect His church. Who are they that they can protect the church? Please listen to our Lord's teaching on this issue.
“These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me." (John 16:1-3)
It is indeed an amazing phenomenon happened time and time again in many local churches that many faithful God’s servants are prosecuted in the local churches by a few so called elders and deacons who treat the Lord’s church as their territories or their own business enterprises. These leaders are indeed forgetting that they are servants not masters and that they should please the Lord not themselves. Many internal conflicts and disruptions are indeed created by these false leaders and they are indeed the enemies of our Lord. All pastors, elders and deacons should examine themselves from time to time to see whether they are in the faith and follow the Lord's humble example of serving and suffering for His church or in the way of the worldly prides which lead to their own death and destruction.
The Bible reminds us the following:
1 Peter 5:1-4
5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5: 1~4)
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
John 17:20-23
20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
我們是如此地、充滿了驕傲和無知,所以這世界變得如此混亂、是必然的。我們總是趨向責怪別人。所以這世界最偉大的發明之一是“鏡子”;它讓我們可以看到真正的自我,而不是一個虛構的超人或強大和美艷的女強人。因此,謙卑是非常重要的,我們來了解我們的主對這個問題的教導。
第1課-關於誰是最大的
第一課是記載在聖經中的路加福音22章24-27節。在主耶穌、上十字架的前夕;他的弟子們爭論著、他們之中誰是天堂中最大的。這是我們的主在那天晚上、如此地教導他們。
24 門徒起了爭論:他們中間哪一個可算為大。 25 耶穌說:「外邦人有君王為主治理他們,那掌權管他們的稱為恩主。 26 但你們不可這樣,你們裡頭為大的,倒要像年幼的;為首領的,倒要像服侍人的。 27 是誰為大?是坐席的呢,是服侍人的呢?不是坐席的大嗎?然而,我在你們中間如同服侍人的。(路加福音 22:24-27)
根據我們的主,要成為最大的是,要像別人的僕人般、服侍更多的人。正如我們的主當晚、對門徒所說:
26 只是在你們中間不可這樣,你們中間誰願為大,就必做你們的用人; 27 誰願為首,就必做你們的僕人。 28 正如人子來不是要受人的服侍,乃是要服侍人,並且要捨命做多人的贖價。(馬太福音 20:26~28).
天堂與這個世界的運作,是如此大的差別。在世界上最大的,是擁有高於他人的地位、權力、資源獨霸的人。在歷史上所有的暴君都屬於這一類。我們不妨問這樣的問題:“他們現在、在哪裡?”。當然,他們是無處可尋;而且長久以來早已被人類所遺忘。但他們不會逃脫因作惡應受的懲罰。啟示錄20:11-12提醒我們,上帝將對所有誕生到這個世界上的人類、作最後的審判。
上帝的白色大寶座前的審判 (末日的審判)
11 我又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的,從他面前天地都逃避,再無可見之處了。 12 我又看見死了的人,無論大小,都站在寶座前,案卷展開了;並且另有一卷展開,就是生命冊。死了的人都憑著這些案卷所記載的,照他們所行的受審判。(啟示錄 20:11-12)
我們的主的另一個教訓是在約翰福音13:16-17。
第2課-耶穌基督是主及彼此在地方教會的關係
16 我實實在在地告訴你們:僕人不能大於主人,差人也不能大於差他的人。 17 你們既知道這事,若是去行就有福了。(約翰 13:16~17)
有人可能會說,這些都是很好的,但與我何關。那麼,就看看今天在各地的教會中的一些執事長老;他們是否凌駕教會中的兄弟姐妹,關心自己的名聲和權力,更甚於會眾的屬靈成長?作為一個教會的領導者,是否用驕傲的方式、保護個人的領域或把教會當作“他”的教會;卻忘了、所有的教會的頭是主耶穌基督?教會是主的,不是任何人的教會。當然,他們都說,他們是在保護教會,不使異端邪說污染教會。但是,只有我們的主耶穌基督能保護祂的教會。他們是誰,怎能保護教會?請仔細思考主耶穌基督對這個問題給我們的教導;
約 翰 福 音 16:1-3
我已將這些事告訴你們,使你們不至於跌倒。人要把你們趕出會堂,並且時候將到,
凡殺你們的就以為是事奉神.他們這樣行,是因未曾認識父,也未曾認識我。
這的確是一個驚人的現象,一次又一次、重複發生在許多地方教會。就是幾個所謂的長老和執事,將主的教會、視為其權力領域或自己的企業;用世界的方法在當地教會控訴欺壓了許多信實的、神的僕人。這些自大的領導人確實忘了,他們也是僕人、而不是主人;他們應該討主喜悅、而不是討好自己的權柄。許多內部衝突和分裂,確實是這些錯誤的領導人所引起;他們的確是霸佔教會、是我們主的敵人。因此,教會的牧師、執事、長老要常常在主面前自己省察自己是否在基督的謙卑裏,或是在世界中自己走向死亡的今生驕傲裏。
聖經提醒我們以下幾點:
5 我這做長老、做基督受苦的見證、同享後來所要顯現之榮耀的,勸你們中間與我同做長老的人: 2 務要牧養在你們中間神的群羊,按著神旨意照管他們,不是出於勉強,乃是出於甘心;也不是因為貪財,乃是出於樂意; 3 也不是轄制所託付你們的,乃是做群羊的榜樣。 4 到了牧長顯現的時候,你們必得那永不衰殘的榮耀冠冕。(彼得前書 5:1-4)
10 弟兄們,我藉我們主耶穌基督的名,勸你們都說一樣的話,你們中間也不可分黨,只要一心一意,彼此相合。 11 因為革來氏家裡的人曾對我提起弟兄們來,說你們中間有紛爭。 12 我的意思就是,你們各人說「我是屬保羅的」、「我是屬亞波羅的」、「我是屬磯法的」、「我是屬基督的」。 13 基督是分開的嗎?保羅為你們釘了十字架嗎?你們是奉保羅的名受了洗嗎?(哥林多前書 1:10~13)
20 「我不但為這些人祈求,也為那些因他們的話信我的人祈求, 21 使他們都合而為一;正如你父在我裡面,我在你裡面,使他們也在我們裡面,叫世人可以信你差了我來。 22 你所賜給我的榮耀,我已賜給他們,使他們合而為一,像我們合而為一。 23 我在他們裡面,你在我裡面,使他們完完全全地合而為一,叫世人知道你差了我來,也知道你愛他們如同愛我一樣。(約翰 17:20~23)
This teaching was recorded in Luke 17:7-10. This teaching is concerned with our attitudes in serving our Lord.
Luke 17:7-10
7 “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he
has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not say
to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe and serve me
while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9 He does not
thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10 So
you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are
unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”
Oftentimes, we have the wrong inherent attitudes of being ourselves and not the right attitudes of a servant or maid when we serve God. it is indeed a grace bestowed by our Lord for us to serve Him . It should be taken in our heart as a privilege and as an undeserved honor for us to be able to do so. These verses teach us that we have both the responsibilities to do the work of the Lord and also with proper attires to wait on Him as well.
We could never think that we can earn our merits for our salvation. Hence we should always serve our Lord with our deepest gratitude because our Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself for us as a propitiation to save us. The righteousness of God,through faith in Jesus Christ, is given to all and on all who believe. ( See Romans 3:22). And per Hebrews 10: 14, "For by one offering, He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified". It is completely due to His grace to us that we have this privilege to serve Him through our faith in Him.
What is the attitude that our Lord teaches us to have; "We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done". It is proper to call ourselves unprofitable or unworthy servants because He has no need for us and neither can our services add anything to Him. Lest some of us may think otherwise, the Scripture reminds us "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Phil 2:13). So it is indeed all grace upon grace for us who believe in Him.
Perhaps, we should mediate more on the matter of waiting on our Lord:
First of all, we cannot be near or at the presence of God without our Lord Jesus Christ's righteousness in us because God is holy and we are sinners. As a matter of fact, the Holy Scripture reminds us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (see Phil 2:12). Romans 14:23 also shows us that our depravity is a condition in relation to God primarily and only secondarily in relation to man. Hence, it is not primarily a matter of external things but more of internal regeneration--“whatever is not from faith is sin”. We need to have this great awaking to see the extent of our sin and the greatness of the Savior. We should always keep in our mind: God does not need us but, due to His compassion to us, He saves us. On the other hand, we are done with our depravity and are dead in trespasses and sins without God.
Apostle Peter teaches us: it is due to grace that
we may be partakers of the divine nature after we have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (see 2 Peter 1:4).
Thus, we need to be holy because God who calls us is holy.
Secondly, to wait on our Lord we need to "prepare
something for Him to eat and drink and need to wear proper attires to serve Him”. The idea is to please God with proper attitude
and obedient behaviors. For example, our Lord teaches us while he was on this earth, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work” (See John 4:34). And our Lord also
reminded Apostle Peter to feed His sheep if he loved Him.
Thirdly, the Lord instructs us to serve Him with proper attires. When we worked in the field, our clothes easily became dirty and sweaty. We need to wash and change clothes to wait on our Lord. It is essential that we need to show respects towards our Lord at all the times. As a matter of fact, there was a wedding reception feast told as a parable by our Lord in Matthew 22:1-14. People who were invited by the king to attend his son’s wedding not only refused to come but also insulted the king’s messengers. The king then invited all people from the highways, whether they are good or bad, to come to the feast. Because it was on a short notice, the king also prepared the wedding garments for the invitees. However, one of them, who had purposely rejected the king’s own gracious provision and came to the feast without proper attires, was cast out of the feast because he did not show respect and reverence to the king. This parable teaches us clearly that we should show our due reverence and respect in our waiting on our Lord particularly in the worship services.
Thus, inwardly we need to be sanctified everyday to wait on Him and outwardly we need to love His church and do His work. This means that we need to genuinely love our brothers and sisters without hypocrisy and to live a truthful life to spread the Gospel to our neighbors without following the corrupt practices of this world.
Our servant’s attitudes should then be:
1. Complete the work that He called us to do with gratitude and with a full-hearted effort to complete it. Also do His work with urgency and dedication because He told us "I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4)
2. We need to serve Him with top priority. Our Lord reminds us "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despite the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt 6:24).
3. We should be loyal to Him and, even amidst our failures and frustrations, always look forward and never look back because our Lord teaches us, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God". (Luke 9:62)
4. Always remember that we are servants of the Almighty God-The only God in the universe which He created. We are not our own but purchased by our Lord by His precious blood. Our Lord Jesus always teaches us by His example. He came to serve rather than being served. He said, “even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthews 20:28). He was even humble Himself like a slave to wash His disciples’ feet. Listen carefully what He said to His disciples, “For I gave an example that you also should do as I did to you.Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:15-17).
5. Always have the full confidence on our Lord for the final victory and glorious outcome of the work that he assigned us to do because He assures us, "these things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world". (John 16:33)
這段教導是記錄在路加福音17:7-10。教導的是關於、我們服侍我們的主的態度。
7你們誰有僕人耕地或是放羊,從田裡回來,就對他說『你快來坐下吃飯』呢?8豈不對他說『你給我預備晚飯,束上帶子伺候我,等我吃喝完了,你才可以吃喝』嗎?9僕人照所吩咐的去做,主人還謝謝他嗎?10這樣,你們做完了一切所吩咐的,只當說:『我們是無用的僕人,所做的本是我們應分做的。(路加福音17:7-10)
通常情況下,我們侍奉主是常會以我們固有的自己是主人的錯誤態度,而不是以僕人或女僕應有的態度。當我們能夠侍奉主,是上帝賜予的恩典。在我們心中應該視為、這是獨特的榮譽。這些經文教導我們,我們有責任做主的工作,也要有適當的態來服侍祂。
我們絕對不能認為,我們靠做善事可以向神賺取我們的拯救。因此,我們應該以我們最深切、感激之情,永遠侍奉我們的主。因為我們的主耶穌基督,為我們獻上自己作我們的挽回祭,救贖了我們。就是神的義,因信耶穌基督加給一切相信的人,並沒有分別 (參閱羅馬書3:22)。 根據希伯來書10:14:“因為他一次獻祭,便叫那得以成聖的人永遠完全”。這完全是、祂給我們的恩典,通過我們的信仰、讓我們有這個榮幸服侍祂。
我們的主是如何教導我們,該有什麼樣的態度:“我們是卑微的奴隸,我們所做的只是我們應該做的事”。稱我們為無利或無用的僕人是對的,因為祂並不需要我們;而且我們的事奉、也不能添加任何東西給祂。恐怕我們中有些人、可能會有另類想法;因此聖經提醒我們:“因為你們立志行事,都是神在你們心裡運行,為要成就他的美意。“(腓立比書2:13)。所以,我們相信祂的人,能夠事奉神真是恩上加恩的祝福。
也許,我們要仔細思考、該如何侍奉我們的主:
首先,除非我們有主耶穌基督的義、我們不可能接近神或來到上帝的面前、因神是全然聖潔、而我們是全然墮落的。事實上,聖經提醒我們,要戰戰兢兢做我們得救的工(見腓2:12)。羅馬書14:23也告訴我們,我們的墮落,主要是對上帝的關係,其次才是與人的關係。因此,我們不能依靠外表的事物,而是要依靠內在的更新-- “凡不出於信心的都是罪”。我們需要有、這個極大的覺醒來,看到底我們有多少的罪惡、和救主是多麼的偉大。我們要永遠記得:上帝並不需要我們;但由於祂對我們的慈悲,祂救贖了我們。另一方面,沒有上帝,我們就會因墮落而滅亡、因我們本來就是死在過犯罪惡之中。
使徒彼得教導我們:都是由於恩典、使我們逃離世上從情慾來的敗壞後,我們才能與神的性情有分.(見彼得後書1:4) 因此,我們要聖潔,因為召我們的神、是聖潔的。
其次,服侍我們的主,我們需要"準備給祂吃的、喝的東西;需要穿著合適的服裝、服侍他“,主要觀念是用正確的態度和聽話順命的行為來取悅上帝。例如,我們的主教導我們,當祂道成肉身第一次來到地球上時、祂曾這樣說:”我的食物,就是遵行差我來者的旨意、作成他的工”(見約 4:34)。而且我們的主也提醒使徒彼得,如果他愛祂, 就要餵養祂的羊。
第三,主教導我們用適合的衣着來服侍他。當我們在田野工作時,衣服很容易變髒、充滿汗味。我們需要,洗身及更換衣服,才能來服侍我們的主。這是很重要的題醒,我們在任何時候、都要對我們的主、顯示我們的尊敬。事實上,在馬太福音22:1-14,我們的主、用一個國王為他的兒子的婚宴作為比喻;貴賓被邀請參加宴席、卻不肯出席,且侮辱國王派去邀請的使者。所以國王臨時邀請所有大街小巷或是大道上的人、不論是好人或壞人、都來參加他兒子的婚宴,由於是臨時的邀請、國王也為賓客預備了禮服、其中有一個人來的參加盛宴,因穿著不適當的服裝、故意沒有穿上為他預備的禮服而被趕出去。因為他沒有表現出、對國王的尊重和崇敬。這個主所說的比喻、清楚地告訴我們,我們應該在我們的服侍中、展現我們應有的崇敬和尊重,特別是在敬拜我們的主的聚會。
因此,我們要有被淨化的心,來愛祂的教會和做祂的工作。這意味著,我們需要真正、沒有虛偽地,愛我們的兄弟姐妹。而且耍過真實的生活、傳播福音給我們的鄰居,讓他們不要跟隨這個世界腐敗的行為。
身為僕人的我們該有的態度是:
1. 用感恩的心、努力去完成、祂呼召我們做的工作。還要儘快、全力以赴,作成祂的工作。因為他告訴我們:“4 趁著白日,我們必須做那差我來者的工;黑夜將到,就沒有人能做工了。”(約翰福音9:4)
2. 我們需要至高優先地侍奉祂。我們的主提醒我們:“一個人不能侍奉兩個主,不是惡這個愛那個,就是重這個輕那個。你們不能又侍奉神,又侍奉瑪門。” (馬太福音 6:24)。
3. 我們應該忠於祂,即便是在我們的失敗和挫折中,也要永遠向前看,永不回頭;因為我們的主教導我們:“手扶著犁向後看的,不配進神的國。“(路加福音9:62)。
4. 始終記住,祂是宇宙中,唯一的上帝、唯一的創造主。我們是全能上帝的僕人。我們不是我們自己的,而是我們的主、用祂寶血救贖、買贖了我們。我們的主耶穌總是教導我們以祂為榜樣。他是來服侍,而不是被服侍。他說:“正如人子來不是要受人的服侍,乃是要服侍人,並且要捨命做多人的贖價” (馬太福音20:28)。祂甚至謙卑如奴隸般、洗門徒的腳。請仔細聆聽、祂對祂的門徒說:“我給你們做了榜樣,叫你們照著我向你們所做的去做。我實實在在地告訴你們:僕人不能大於主人,差人也不能大於差他的人。你們既知道這事,若是去行就有福了。“(約翰福音13:15-17)。
5. 我們永遠要有十足的信心;相信主指派的工作、會有最終的勝利和光榮的結果。因為他向我們保證,“我將這些事告訴你們、是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上你們有苦難.但你們可以放心、我已經勝了世界。“ (約翰福音16:33)
The Perils of Ignoring God in One’s Life
In the post modernism world, tolerance and political correctness have driven God out of the education system and the liberal media. In an anti-God culture, people tend to live their lives in this world by filling their minds with all kind of thoughts except God. The Scripture reminds us that Devil is the usurper king of this world and he has blinded the eyes of his subjects so that they cannot see the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only Savior of this world.
Let examine the following obvious facts.
With all the advances of science for some time now and even with some capabilities of space exploration, not a single life has been created by the human race with man-made materials.
According to the Darwin’s evolution theory, all life forms continue to evolve stronger and better. Yet, the truth is that the whole human race has the bloodiest 20th century in the whole evolution history including two world wars, and numerous regional conflicts. The evolution theory tells us that we will evolve into better race and better civilization. Yet we cannot see that evidence at all.
Rather, it appears that justice and morality are out of fashion and the truth does not matter anymore. Perhaps, by evolution our future may not be as bright as “good old days”.
With all the advances of modern medicine, we cannot yet even prevent a common cold and we practically need to relay on our internal immune system to fight it off with the help of medicine to reduce our cold symptoms.
The Bible tells us plainly that God created the heavens and the earth and all life forms. As Creator, God created everything by His Word and He is sovereign in everything including the whole human history. In other words, He is the source of life, wisdom, righteousness, beauty, joy, peace, and power. The Bible describes Jesus Christ in Colossians 1:15-18 as:
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
We may ask what are the perils of ignoring God?
I. WE NEED HIM. All creatures are very limited. We need God to provide, protect, and bless us in order for us to live. So by ignoring God in one's life, a man becomes an enemy of God. We may ask why would anyone wants to be an enemy of almighty God? There is a very interesting Chinese proverb; why would “an egg tries to hit a big rock”. Nobody wants to be an enemy of a powerful king who can kill him, let alone an enemy of almighty God who can destroy both one's body and soul. Please mediate on the teaching of Jesus Christ on this matter:
4 “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5)
II. WE CANNOT HIDE FROM HIM. There is nowhere that a man can hide from God because God is omnipresent. We cannot even hide our thoughts from God because He is omniscient. Please meditate on the following:
B. Hebrews 4:13 --13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Revelation 20:11-15- Judgment at the Throne of God
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
In summary, the gospel of Jesus Christ is called good news because it offers Jesus Christ to us to escape this horrible terror. We are saved from an angry God because Jesus Christ took the punishment for us. Please listen to His calling more than 2000 years ago, when he became flesh to come to the human race to open the way to eternal life for all who will believe in Him. Please meditate on the following:
A. Mark 1:14-15
14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
B. John 1:9-12
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
C. Matthew 7:13-14
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
D. John 8:42
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.
For those who read this article and not yet in His kingdom, we urgently and earnestly beseech you to sieze this opportunity to enter the narrow gate- Jesus Christ – to begin your eternal life. Time is of essence. Please do this by contacting the pastor of a local bible church in your area or contact us right away for your salvation today, even now.
在人的生命裡,無視、忽略上帝的危險
在後現代主義的今日世界;容忍和政治上必需的奉承諂言,將上帝從教育體系和自由派的媒體中排除。在一個反上帝的社會文化裡,人們將除了神以外的各種思想、填滿他們的的心靈來活在這個世界上。聖經提醒我們,魔鬼是這個世界的篡奪國王。而且魔鬼也蒙蔽了他的臣民的眼睛,使他們看不到耶穌基督、這個世界上唯一救主的福音之榮光。
讓我們想想以下、明顯的事實。
科學已發達了一段時期,甚至有能力探索太空的今天;我們仍無法用人造的材料,創造出一 個生命體。
按照達爾文的進化論,所有的生命體會繼續往更強壯、更好方向進化。然而,在過去的二十世紀、在整個人類進化歷史中、事實上是最血腥的一個世代,包括兩次世界大戰和許多地區衝突。進化論告訴我們,我們將演變成更好的種族,更好的文明。然而,我們卻見不到任何證據。
相反的,正義和道德看起來像是過時的,真理也無足輕重了。也許,我們未來的進化,可能不會如“過去好日子”般的亮麗。
隨著現代醫學的各種進步,我們甚至不能免於普通感冒;我們實際上只能依賴自體內的免疫系統打敗它而痊癒。藥物只能幫助、減緩感冒症狀。
聖經清楚地告訴我們,上帝創造了天、地和所有生命體。作為造物主,上帝用祂的命令、創造了一切。而且祂主掌一切,包括整個人類的歷史。換句話說,祂是生命,智慧,正義,美麗,喜樂,平安和力量的源泉。聖經在歌羅西書1:15-18描述耶穌為:
我們可能會問、什麼是無視不睬上帝的危險?
1. 我們需要祂 。所有的生物都是能力有限、脆弱的。我們需要上帝提供,保護和祝福我們,讓我們繼續存活。因此,忽略上帝,就會讓一個人成為上帝的敵人。我們可能會問,為什麼會有人想成為全能上帝的敵人呢?有一個很有意思的中國諺語,為什麼要“用雞蛋碰石頭”呢?沒有人想成為一個可以殺死他、強大國王的敵人,更不用說想成為、可以摧毀他的身體和靈魂的全能上帝的敵人。所以,請思考耶穌基督對此事的教導:
2. 我們不能逃避祂 。沒有地方,可以讓一個人逃避上帝,因為神是無所不在的。我們甚至不能、不讓上帝知道我們的思想,因為祂是無所不知的。請思考下列:
8 我若升到天上,你在那裡;我若在陰間下榻,你也在那裡。
9 我若展開清晨的翅膀,飛到海極居住,
10 就是在那裡,你的手必引導我,你的右手也必扶持我。
11 我 若 說 : 黑 暗 必 定 遮 蔽 我 , 我 周 圍 的 亮 光 必 成 為 黑 夜 ;
12 黑 暗 也 不 能 遮 蔽 我 , 使 你 不 見 , 黑 夜 卻 如 白 晝 發 亮 。 黑 暗 和 光明 , 在 你 看 都 是 一 樣 。
11 我又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的,從他面前天地都逃避,再無可見之處了。 12 我又看見死了的人,無論大小,都站在寶座前,案卷展開了;並且另有一卷展開,就是生命冊。死了的人都憑著這些案卷所記載的,照他們所行的受審判。 13 於是海交出其中的死人,死亡和陰間也交出其中的死人,15 若有人名字沒記在生命冊上,他就被扔在火湖裡。
綜合以上所述,耶穌基督的福音被稱為好消息,因為它提供了耶穌基督的救恩給我們,能逃離這可怕恐怖的審判;因為祂在十字架上的替死,讓凡懺悔,信任祂的人免於懲罰。請聽祂ニ千多年以前的呼喚;當他成為肉身來到人間,打開了通往永生的路給所有相信祂的人。請思考以下內容:
14 約翰下監以後,耶穌來到加利利,宣傳神的福音, 15 說:「日期滿了,神的國近了!你們當悔改,信福音!」
9 那光是真光,照亮一切生在世上的人。 10 他在世界,世界也是藉著他造的,世界卻不認識他。 11 他到自己的地方來,自己的人倒不接待他。 12 凡接待他的,就是信他名的人,他就賜他們權柄做神的兒女。
42 耶穌說:「倘若神是你們的父,你們就必愛我。因為我本是出於神,也是從神而來;並不是由著自己來,乃是他差我來。
對於閱讀本文、而且尚未進入祂的王國的讀者,我們迫切地懇請您把握這個機會進入窄門。趕緊相信耶穌基督為救主。時間是重要的。請與您附近聖經教會的牧師聯絡,或為您的救恩立即聯繫我們,現在就是上帝召您進入救贖窄門到永生道路的時刻了。千萬不要忽略上帝而錯過這個機會了。
In a modern 21 century society with so much information, with so many perspectives of the world views, and with so much rebellion against any authority, it becomes harder and harder for an individual to be able to get out of the multitudes of traps to return to God. Our society has tried very hard to exclude any moral constraints in our lives by removing God from our schools to prepare our youngsters for a Godless society. As a matter of fact, modernism has tried very hard to remove God from our vocabulary.
In this great social experiment of our time, we are facing the dissolution of our family and traditional marriage. All in all, with the advancement of communication technology such as iphones, internet, and computers, the pace of life becomes extremely busy with a 24x7 and global operations in its context. The world is filled with conflicting world views and with various groups trying to use violences to threaten and inflict terror on our civilian population and also trying to exert their value systems on our society.
Given this background, it is important for people to wake up in time to return to God. Our society has grown into one which ignores any reality and traditions; and apts to live for the moment such as watching sitcoms to laugh it off, enjoying sport events for the present glory of our teams, and wild parties to drink it off for today. We are fast becoming a society without absolutes, without shames, and without moral bottom-line.
The teachings of Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:13-14 and in Luke 13:22-24 are still very relevant in our days for those who are willing to listen to Him:
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Teaching in the Villages
22 And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
May you be one of the blessed few who, like the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, are blessed to wake up from the traps of the world to return to our Heavenly Father. May God richly bless you in your serious effort to strive to enter the narrow gate of the eternal kingdom of His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever, Amen.
力爭進入永生的窄門
在現代化21世紀的社會,由於這麼多的信息,如此多的世界觀,及反抗任何權威的習尚;因此一個人變得越來越難、走出眾多的世界陷阱,回歸到上帝。我們的社會非常努力地、從我們學校教育系統中去除上帝,排除我們的生活中、任何的道德約束,準備讓我們的青少年面對一個無神的社會。事實上,現代主義已經很努力地、從我們的詞彙中,刪除了神。
I
在我們時代、這個偉大的社會實驗中,我們正面臨著、我們家庭和傳統婚姻的解體。總而言之,隨著通信技術的進步,如iPhone手機,網路互聯和電腦的使用;生活的節奏變快了,全球的業務、每天不分晝夜的運作。這個世界充滿了矛盾的各樣世界觀,並用集團暴力和恐怖的行為,想在我們的社會、展現發揮他們自己的價值體系。
在此背景下,人們能早日覺醒、回歸上帝是很重要的。我們的社會已經成為一個、無視任何現實、傳統,和傾向樂於活在當下;比如看連續劇一笑而過的生活,享受體育賽事為我們團隊的增光,以及今朝有酒今朝醉的瘋狂派對。我們正在迅速成為一個沒有絕對的、沒有羞恥心、沒有道德底線的社會。
耶穌基督在馬太福音7:13-14和路加福音13:22-24的教導,仍然非常適用於目前的我們、願意聽他的話的人。
兩條門路
13 「你們要進窄門。因為引到滅亡,那門是寬的,路是大的,進去的人也多; 14 引到永生,那門是窄的,路是小的,找著的人也少。
在村中的教導
22 耶穌往耶路撒冷去,在所經過的各城各鄉教訓人。 23 有一個人問他說:「主啊,得救的人少嗎?」 24 耶穌對眾人說:「你們要努力進窄門。我告訴你們:將來有許多人想要進去,卻是不能。」
願你是被祝福的、少數幾個之一,如同路加福音第15章的浪子般;因為被賜福、而從世界的陷阱醒了,回歸我們的天父。願上帝滿滿地、賜福你,認真努力、爭取進入永恆的天國的窄門。
In Luke 12: 49-59, our Lord teaches us that there will be conflicts between those who serve Him and those who do not serve Him. Furthermore, He warns us that we should be watchful and discern the world situation.
Luke 12:49-59
And He was also saying to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out. 55 And when you see a south wind blowing, you
say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it turns out that way. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?
The following are a few present time situations for your meditation;
1. Conflicts in Iraq and mass murders by Islamic insurgents. What the world news reported was a sectarian war between Shiite and Sunni. But what we did not hear in the news report was
that christians are being slaughtered in Iraqi large city of Mosul.
2. Christians are being slaughtered in Nigeria as well.
3. A Sudanese woman was sentenced to death by hanging just because she is a Christian.
Our Lord also warns us in Luke 21:29-33,
29 Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
How can any Christian church not wake up and acts like nothing happened when our Christian brothers and sisters are being wholesale prosecuted and slaughtered in Africa countries and in Iraq and Syria by the so called Islamic extremists terror organizations?
Let us ask what would it take to wake the Christian churches up? Do we need the whole sale slaughter event like the September 11 event at the world trade center in New York? It already happened. More importantly, what will it take to wake us up!
Please meditate on our Lord's teaching and pray for our brothers and sisters in Africa and middle east countries:
John 15:18-20
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of
the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My
word, they will keep yours also.
John 15:23-25
23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have [a]sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.
25 But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
John 16: 1-3
Jesus’ Warning
16 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is
offering service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.
在路加福音12:49-59,我們的主教導我們,在那些服侍祂和那些不服侍祂的人之間,將會有矛盾衝突。此外,他提醒我們,我們應該警惕和辨別世界的局勢。
路加福音12:54-56
54 耶穌又對眾人說:「你們看見西邊起了雲彩,就說『要下一陣雨』,果然就有。 55 起了南風,就說『將要燥熱』,也就有了。 56 假冒為善的人哪,你們知道分辨天地的氣色,怎麼不知道分辨這時候呢?
以下是幾個目前的情況,值得您思考。
1. 在伊拉克的衝突和伊斯蘭叛亂分子的大屠殺。世界新聞報導,認為是什葉派和遜尼派之間的宗派戰爭。但是,我們沒有從新聞報導聽到的是,在伊拉克大城市摩蘇爾的基督徒被屠殺。
2. 基督徒也正在尼日利亞被屠殺。
3. 一名蘇丹婦女被判處吊死刑;只因為她是一個基督徒。
我們的主也在路加福音21:29-33,提醒我們,
29 耶穌又設比喻對他們說:「你們看無花果樹和各樣的樹, 30 它發芽的時候,你們一看見,自然曉得夏天近了。 31 這樣,你們看見這些事漸漸地成就,也該曉得神的國近了。 32 我實在告訴你們:這世代還沒有過去,這些事都要成就。 33 天地要廢去,我的話卻不能廢去。
當我們的主內弟兄姐妹,正在非洲國家以及伊拉克和敘利亞,被亞伊斯蘭極端分子的恐怖組織,大批的控訴與屠殺時;任何一個基督教會,怎能不驚醒或如同沒事般呢?讓我們問,要如何做、才能喚醒基督教會呢?我們需要、像911事件在紐約世界貿易中心的大屠殺事件嗎?它已經發生了。更重要的是,要怎麼做、才能喚醒我們!
請想想我們主的教誨,並為我們在非洲和中東國家的兄弟姐妹們禱告:
約翰福音 15:18-20
18 「世人若恨你們,你們知道, 恨你們以先已經恨我了。 19 你們若屬世界,世界必愛屬自己的。只因你們不屬世界,乃是我從世界中揀選了你們,所以世界就恨你們。 20 你們要記念我從前對你們所說的話:『僕人不能大於主人。』他們若逼迫了我,也要逼迫你們;若遵守了我的話,也要遵守你們的話。
約翰福音 15:23-25
23 恨我的,也恨我的父。 24 我若沒有在他們中間行過別人未曾行的事,他們就沒有罪;但如今連我與我的父,他們也看見也恨惡了。 25 這要應驗他們律法上所寫的話說:『他們無故地恨我。』
約翰福音16:1-3
耶穌警告
16 「我已將這些事告訴你們,使你們不至於跌倒。 2 人要把你們趕出會堂,並且時候將到,凡殺你們的就以為是侍奉神。 3 他們這樣行,是因未曾認識父,也未曾認識我。
In a material-based world, it is difficult to sense the total reality which does include both physical and spiritual domains. This situation applies to all history including this generation. In the precious Upper Room discourse, our Lord taught His disciple about this truth. We need to be transformed from a sight-based to a faith-based living in this world.
在以物質為基礎的世界裡,這是很難去感覺到包括物質和精神的整體真實面。這種情況適用於所有的歷史,包括我們這一代。在寶貴的上房講道裡,我們的主教導祂的門徒這個道理。活在這個世界,我們需要從一個以視覺為基礎,轉變為以信仰為中心的生活。
Our Lord's Upper Room discourse is so precious that it occupies 5 chapters (Chapter 13 to Chapter 17) of the Gospel according to John-- a whopping 20% of the gospel-- to teach us this great truth given to us by our Lord in the last evening of His life on the earth during His first coming to this world to save us.
我們主的上房講道是如此的珍貴,在約翰福音裡,它包括了5章 (第13章至第17章)、佔高達約翰福音的20%,來教導我們這個偉大的真理;這是我們的主、在祂為拯救我們、第一次來到這個世界,生活在地球上的最後一個夜晚,所給我們的教誨。
John 13:1 sets the background of this teaching. "Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.". What a great blessing to all of us who is His own in this world throughout human history. Our Creator, Redeemer, and our God loves us to the end!
約翰福音13:1 是這個教誨的背景。 “逾越節以前,耶穌知道自己離世歸父的時候到了。他既然愛世間屬自己的人,就愛他們到底”。祂真是給我們世間所有屬耶穌的人,一個多麼偉大的祝福。在整個人類歷史世界裡,祂是我們的創造者、我們的救贖主、我們的神;祂是愛我們到底的!
In His last evening with His beloved disciples, our Lord comforted them by telling them why He got to return to His Father because this would be profitable to them. We may ponder this truth as well. Our Lord told them that the Holy Spirit would be sent from the Father to come to dwell in them to comfort them and lead them into all truth. Indeed, this is a great milestone in transforming the disciples then and us now from a sight-based living to a faith-based living. Please ponder the following teaching from our Lord. In case that you do not know, our Lord is indeed our greatest teacher.
在祂與心愛的門徒們一起的最後一個晚上,我們的主安慰他們,告訴他們為什麼祂一定要回歸到天父,因為這將是對他們有利的。我們也可以如此思考這個道理。我們的主告訴他們,天父會賜聖靈來常住他們裡、來安慰他們,並帶領他們進入一切的真理。事實上,這是一個偉大的里程碑;轉化了當時的門徒們和現在的我們,從一個基於視覺的生活,到以信仰為基礎的生活。請思考以下、來自我們的主的教誨。如果你不知道,我們的主確實是我們最好的老師。
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,
because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:16-18)
16 「我要求父,父就另外賜給你們一位保惠師,叫他永遠與你們同在, 17 就是真理的聖靈,乃世人不能接受的,因為不見他,也不認識他。你們卻認識他,因他常與你們同在,也要在你們裡面。 18 我不撇下你們為孤兒,我必到你們這裡來。(約翰福音14:16-18)
Do you know the world cannot receive Holy Spirit and why? But more importantly, our Lord tells us that we know Him. How can we not know Holy Spirit when He dwells
in us? This is indeed a great truth that we need to enter into it. Actually, this was the situation with the disciples then! That was why Thomas said to our Lord, "We do not know where you are
going and we do not know the road to follow you." Behold! This is the teaching our Lord gave to them and to us as well.
你知道世人不能接受聖靈,為什麼?但更重要的是,我們的主告訴我們,我們是知道祂的。當聖靈住在我們裡面,我們怎能不知道聖靈呢?這確實是我們需要進入偉大的真理。其實,這也是當年門徒們的情況!這就是為什麼托馬斯、跟我們的主說,“我們不知道你要去哪裡,我們不認識跟著你的路”。看哪!這就是我們的主賜給他們和我們的教導。
6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father
also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.
6 耶穌說:「我就是道路、真理、生命。若不藉著我,沒有人能到父那裡去。 7 你們若認識我,也就認識我的父。從今以後,你們認識他,並且已經看見他。」
Please note carefully the way to the Father is not the road leading to Jerusalem nor any super freeway leading to Rome. Actually it is not a physical road that
you can see and go on. The way is Jesus Christ our Lord Himself.
請仔細的注意、到天父的路,不是到耶路撒冷的路、或任何通往羅馬的超級高速公路。其實這不是你能看到且能去的、一個實體道路。這條路是我們的主、耶穌基督。
Indeed, it is blessed for each of us to be transformed from a sight-based living to a faith-based living. This is echoed by our great apostle to the
gentiles Saint Paul in the following scriptural verses:
1. Transformation from the eyes of our face to the eyes of our heart
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,(Eph 1: 15-18)
2. Transformation from conformation to the world of sights to our spiritual service of worship
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)
事實上,這是我們的祝福,能從一個基於視覺的生活,轉變成以信仰為基礎的生活。下面是、我們外邦人的大使徒聖保羅,反應這真理的聖經經文:
1. 從我們臉上的眼睛,轉變到我們的心中的眼睛
15 因此,我既聽見你們信從主耶穌,親愛眾聖徒, 16 就為你們不住地感謝神,禱告的時候常提到你們, 17 求我們主耶穌基督的神、榮耀的父,將那賜人智慧和啟示的靈賞給你們,使你們真知道他。 18 並且照明你們心中的眼睛,使你們知道他的恩召有何等指望,他在聖徒中得的基業有何等豐盛的榮耀。(弗1:15-18)
2. 從效法這個世界眼見的結構,轉變到我們信仰的精神侍奉
12 所以弟兄們,我以神的慈悲勸你們,將身體獻上,當做活祭,是聖潔的,是神所喜悅的,你們如此侍奉乃是理所當然的。 2 不要效法這個世界,只要心意更新而變化,叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。(羅馬書12:1-2)
Please meditate day and night on the following:
1. You cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven in this wicked world because it is in your heart.
2. You know Holy Spirit because He dwells in you.
3. We cannot learn from the real Truth but we need to enter into the Truth because Jesus Christ is the Truth. We need to be in Him and abide in His Love
by following His commandments.
請常常思考下面的各項:
1. 你不能在這個邪惡的世界、看到天國,因為它是在你的心中.
2. 你是知道聖靈的,因為祂就內住在你心中。
3. 我們不能學到真正的真理,除非我們進入真理,因為耶穌基督就是真理。我們需要遵守祂的聖訓、才能在祂的愛中,才能在耶穌基督裡。
我們神是獨一的主
以色列阿,你要聽!耶和華 ─ 我們神是獨一的主。
你要盡心, 盡性、盡力愛耶和華─你的神。(申6:4-5)
There is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.(See 1 Coringthians 8:6)
然而我們只有一位神,就是父,
萬物都本於他,我們也歸於他.
並有一位主,就是耶穌基督,
萬物都是藉著他有的, 我們也是藉著他有的。(歌林多前書 8:6)
Supremacy of Jesus Christ our Lord - Phil 2:9-11; Col 1:15-20
The name which is above every name that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
主耶穌的絕對優越性—無不口稱耶穌為主 (西 1:15-20)
所以,神將他升為至高,
又賜給他那超乎萬名之上的名, 叫一切在天上的、地上的,和地底下的,因耶穌的名無不屈膝,無不口稱耶穌基督為主,使榮耀歸與父神。(腓2:9-11)
Inerrancy of Holy Scripture - Psalm 19:7-9, Matt 5:18
Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
聖經的精確性(詩 19:7-9)
馬太福音 5:18
我實在告訴你們,
就是到天地都廢去了,
律法的一點一畫也不能廢去,
都要成全。
Glorious Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ which demonstrates the love of God - John 3:16-18
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of Go
主耶穌榮耀無比的十字架
神愛世人,甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們,叫一切信他的,不至滅亡,反得永生。 因為神差他的兒子降世,不是要定世人的罪,乃是要叫世人因他得救。 信他的人,不被定罪;不信的人,罪已經定了,因為他不信神獨生子的名。
(約翰福音 3:16-18)
Obedience to God is much better than offering sacrifices - Hos 6:6
我喜愛良善(或譯:憐恤),
不喜愛祭祀;
喜愛認識神,勝於燔祭。
(何西阿書 6:6)
For I delight in loyalty
rather than sacrifice.
And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
(Hos 6:6)
The righteous shall live by faith alone - Habbakuk 2:4
義人因信得生 迦勒底人自高自大,心不正直;惟義人因信得生。(哈巴谷書2:4)
Self-denial and be patient in enduring afflictions are the God's ways for us in following Jesus Christ our Lord - Matthew 16:24
於是耶穌對門徒說:若有人要跟從我,就當捨己,背起他的十字架來跟從我。
(馬太福音 16:24)
Goal of Redemption is in Sanctification of the Spirit, through Obedience to Jesus Christ, and be Holy to the LORD. Be Ye Holy, For I am Holy.
(1 Peter 1:15-16; Lev 11:45)
救贖的目的是藉著聖靈,順服耶穌基督,歸耶和華為聖。 你們要聖潔,因為我是聖潔的。(彼得前書1:15-16; 利11:45)
pastor@reminderfromapastor.org
(925) 482-6458