榮耀相遇 Let Honor Meet Honor

May 30, 2011 — by RK

(From: Our daily Bread, http://odb.org/ and http://chinese-odb.org/)

（馬太福音6章1節）Matthew 6:1

「你們要小心，不可將善事行在人的面前，故意叫他們看見，若是這樣，就不能得你們天父的賞賜了。」

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

讀經: 馬太福音6章1-6節 Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:1-6

            每次觀看阿靈頓國家公墓衛兵換崗儀式，那沉靜莊嚴的情景總是讓我肅然起敬。這個精心設計的儀式，是為了向這些「主知其名」的無名將士表達敬意。即使觀眾走光了，無論氣候如何，這樣的儀式仍然按時、日復一日地進行。

            2003年9月，依莎貝颶風襲向華盛頓特區，衛兵受命在氣候惡劣中，可以撤崗。令人驚異的是，幾乎每個衛兵都拒絕！即使是在颶風來襲的時刻，他們不顧自身安危，仍站在崗位上，向這些已故老兵表達崇高敬意。

            當我深思耶穌在馬太福音6章1-6節當中的教導，我相信祂期望我們持續地、毫無保留地向祂獻上自己。聖經教導我們要有好行為、過聖潔的生活，但這一切須出於敬拜與順服的心（4-6節），而非為炫耀自己而行（2節）。使徒保羅也呼召我們全然獻上，「當作活祭」（羅馬書12章1節）。主啊，願我們在人前人後，皆能完全獻上，榮耀禰名。RK

主，求賜我力量，今日忍耐且在服事之處榮耀祢名。


我甚願捨己獻上， 
因祢愛我。 阿們。

越熱心服侍基督，就越少顧及自己。

I’ve always been impressed by the solemn, magnificent simplicity of the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The carefully choreographed event is a moving tribute to soldiers whose names—and sacrifice—are “known but to God.” Equally moving are the private moments of steady pacing when the crowds are gone: back and forth, hour after hour, day by day, in even the worst weather.

In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel was bearing down on Washington, DC, and the guards were told they could seek shelter during the worst of the storm. Surprising almost no one, the guards refused! They unselfishly stood their post to honor their fallen comrades even in the face of a hurricane.

Underlying Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:1-6, I believe, is His desire for us to live with an unrelenting, selfless devotion to Him. The Bible calls us to good deeds and holy living, but these are to be acts of worship and obedience (vv.4-6), not orchestrated acts for self-glorification (v.2). The apostle Paul endorses this whole-life faithfulness when he pleads with us to make our bodies “a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1). May our private and public moments speak of our devotion and wholehearted commitment to You, Lord.

Grant me the strength this day, O Lord, to persevere,

to return honor to Your name where I am serving.


My desire is to give myself in selfless devotion
because of Your love for me. Amen.

The more we serve Christ, the less we will serve self.

礼拜天在教会听到的信息 Sermon Heard in Church on Sunday

May 29, 2011

讲员：噶宾读俄深 Speaker: Gavin Duerson

使命能够达成的原因 The reasons why mission is possible

(一)  耶和华是个使命的神。他差主耶稣到这个世界来，耶稣也差我们到世界去传他的福音。从史以来，神差遣他的先知，祭司，使徒，男女为他救恩的发言人。约翰福音20：21。

(二)  要为服侍与使命释放神的恩赐。教会里的领袖不只是牧师，也有使徒，先知，教师与传导人。他们都是神所拣选的领袖，服侍他的教会。以弗所书4：11－13

(三)  “去”是为每一个信徒而说的，不单单是向传导人而言。我们要从使命的工作转向神的使命。就是说， 我们不只是分派一些人去传福音，而是整个教会要参与神的使命。马太福音28：19－20

(四)  从向心的心志转向离心的心志。神召以色列国为众国的光；高山上的城市不能被隐视。神召我们不是要当教堂座位的温软和居留者；而是叫我们成为仆人与差遣者。马太福音5：14－16

(五)  从加数的思想转向倍增的想法。主耶稣用五饼二鱼倍增喂饱五千人教导我们神的使命是要使众人听他的福音，并经历他的救恩， 不只是一宗一派。提摩太后书2：2

(六)  从知识基础的信仰转向顺从实行的基督教生活。顺从主耶稣的话不是守法主义制度。路加福音6：46，约翰福音14：23

(七)  在神使命的中心是个心。箴言4：23 说，我们生命一切的思想与果效，是由心发出。让耶和华的慈爱成为我们服侍与使命的动机。没有人能改变我们的心去跟随耶和华与实行他的使命。让我们模范主耶稣。他他的食物是遵行神的旨意，并做成他的工。约翰福音4：34

1.     God is missionary God. He sent Jesus into the world and Jesus in turn sent us into the world. Throughout history, he has been sending prophets, priests, apostles, men and women to be the spokespeople of his good news of salvation. John 20:21

2.     Releasing the APEs for ministry and mission. The pastor is not the only leader in the church; apostles, prophets, preachers, teachers and evangelists are all leaders in their field of gifting. Ephesians 4:11-13

3.     “Go” is for every believer, not only the missionaries. Moving from missions to Mission. We don’t just set aside some people to do mission work. The whole church is involved in God’s mission. Matthew 28:19-20

4.     Moving from centripetal (Come mentality) to, centrifugal (Go mentality). Israel was called to be a light to the nations; a city on a hill cannot be hidden. We are called not to be pew warmers and stayers; we are called to be servants and senders. Matthew 5:14-16

5.     Moving from addition to multiplication. Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fishes to feed thousands. God’s mission is to reach the multitudes, not just one tribe or one nation. 2 Timothy 2:2

6.     Moving from knowledge-based faith to obedience-based Christianity. Obedience to Jesus is not legalism. Luke 6:46, John 14:23.

7.     The heart is at the heart of mission. Proverbs 4:23, it is out of the heart that flows the issues of life. Let the love of God be the motivation for our ministry and mission. No one can change your heart to follow God and fulfill his mission. Let us follow Jesus who said his food is to do the will that God sent him and to finish his work. John 4:34

不要论断他人，只要记住神对我们的宽容与忍耐 Do not judge others, but consider God’s patience with us

罗马书2:1-4 Romans 2:1-4

你这论断人的，无论你是谁，也无可推诿。你在甚么事上论断人，就在甚么事上定自己的罪；因你这论断人的，自己所行却和别人一样。我们知道这样行的人，神必照真理审判他。你这人哪，你论断行这样事的人，自己所行的却和别人一样，你以为能逃脱神的审判吗？ 还是你藐视他丰富的恩慈、宽容、忍耐，不晓得他的恩慈是领你悔改呢？

 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

当我们看到做恶多端的人在我们周围犯罪时，我们的反应是论断和定他们的罪。而且会以为我们比他们较正直。若我们一旦犯同样的过错， 我们此能避免受到神的惩罚呢？所以我们应该珍惜耶和华对我们的宽容与忍耐，并且让它们成为我们从罪中悔改的激励。  When we look at the sins committed by wicked people around us, there is always a tendency for us to judge and condemn them, and to think that we are more righteous than them. But when we do some of those same things, we will not be able to escape God’s judgment too. Therefore let us treasure the patience and kindness of God toward us, and let them be the incentive for us to turn away from sin.

不认识神是多么的遗憾 It is such a pity not to know God

他们既然故意不认识神，神就任凭他们存邪僻的心，行那些不合理的事；装满了各样不义、邪恶、贪婪、恶毒满心是嫉妒、凶杀、争竞、诡诈、毒恨；又是谗毁的、背后说人的、怨恨神的 、侮慢人的、狂傲的、自夸的、捏造恶事的、违背父母的。无知的，背约的，无亲情的，不怜悯人的。他们虽知道神判定行这样事的人是当死的，然而他们不但自己去行，还喜欢别人去行。Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

在这世界，有很多狂傲的人，他们故意不认识神， 那创造宇宙万物的真神 （1：20）。 他也是他们的创造者。对他们来说，这种想法是不 “cool,” 不合理的。他们要做自造人。华文圣经说他们“故意不认识神。”不认识他就是不承认他与我们的生命有任何关系。但实在的，他们所失去的是他们生命最重要的东西 － 神，就好像儿子失去经历他父亲的爱，关怀，保护，教导与训练。 所以，那些不认识神的是多么的遗憾！ There are people in this world that are too proud to acknowledge that there is God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth (1:20), and their Creator too.  To them, it is not cool. They want to be self-made man. The Chinese text says they purposely refuse to acknowledge him. To refuse him is to want to have nothing to do with him in our lives. But really, they missed out on the most important thing in their lives – God, just as a son miss out on experiencing the love, care, protection, teaching and training of his father. For those who do not know God in their life – it’s such a pity!

同性念直接挑战神创世的律法 Homosexuality directly challenges God’s creative law and order

罗马书1: 24-27 Romans 1:24-27

所以，神任凭他们逞著心里的情欲行污秽的事，以致彼此玷辱自己的身体。他们将神的真实变为虚谎，去敬拜事奉受造之物，不敬奉那造物的主；主乃是可称颂的，直到永遠。阿们！ 因此，神任凭他们放纵可羞耻的情欲。他们的女人把顺性的用处变为逆性的用处；男人也是如此，弃了女人顺性的用处，欲火攻心，彼此贪恋，男和男行可羞耻的事，就在自己身上受这妄为当得的报应。So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

当我们随我们的忆念开始行羞耻的行为时，神有几个方法 对付我们：提醒我们的过错，他会时常这样做。他也可能会警告我们有什么后果；或者他会惩罚我们。如果什么都行不通， 他就会舍去我们，让我们任凭堕落在我们情欲下。 When we begin to do shameful acts that our heart desires, God could do a few things: He could remind us about our waywardness and many times he did. He could warn us about the consequences, He could punish us; and if all things failed, like in this passage, He simple abandons us to our sinful desires.

这里给了我们犯罪行动的两个例子：一）将神的真实变换为虚谎，去敬拜事奉受造之物，不敬奉那造物的主。 二）讲将顺性的用处变换为逆性的用处，欲火攻心，彼此贪恋； 女人与女人， 男人与男人，犯里同性念羞耻的罪孽，不是神所预想的计划，就在自己身上受这妄为当得的报应， 如爱滋病与其他性病。新约圣经很清楚的表明对同性念的立场。它不但是个犯罪的行为，而且是个对神创世律法直接挑战的行为。 Two examples of their sinful acts are quoted here: 1) Exchanging truth for a lie, worshiping created things than the Creator God Himself. 2) Exchanging the natural way of having sex with unnatural, women with women and men with men, doing shameful and sinful things with one another, those things that God did not intend to be done. What was the consequence? - Suffering within themselves the penalty they deserved, aids, HIV, and other sex-related sicknesses. So the New Testament was very clear in condemning homosexuality, as not just a sinful act but also one that directly challenges God’s creative law and order.

重建關係 Broken Relationships

May 19, 2011 — by C. P. Hia

(From: Our daily Bread, http://odb.org/ and http://chinese-odb.org/)

腓立比書2章3節 Philippians 2:3

「凡事不可結黨，不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀。」

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit.

读经: 腓立比書4章2-7節 Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:2-7

我從陽台望過去，有一棟二十層的公寓被拆毀了，拆除的過程花了不到一星期的時間。但是，在那地點要重新蓋一棟建築，到目前為止已過了好幾個月，即使夜間與週末都不停歇地施工，這新樓仍尚未完成。相對之下，拆毀比建造真是容易多了！

建築的拆毀與建造是如此，人際關係也是這樣。在腓立比書4章2節裡，保羅寫給教會中的兩位婦女，說到：「我勸友阿蝶和循都基，要在主裏同心。」這兩位婦人之間的爭吵若不被解決，會影響到腓立比教會，使其見證被毀壞。所以保羅勸勉這「真實同負一軛的」（3節）要來幫助她們重建彼此的關係。

令人難過的是，基督徒也會爭吵，但我們應該尋求「與眾人和睦」（羅馬書12章18節）。除非我們的衝突被化解，基督徒這麼辛苦建立的見證是會被毀壞的。將破碎的關係恢復和好，需要付出許多的努力與時間，但那是值得的。就像一棟新建築從斷垣殘壁中升起，和好的信徒們會更堅強。讓我們今天就尋求用言語和行為來彼此建造吧！

我們有共同的敵人，

牠要用世俗與鬥爭；

在耶穌教會的身上，

留下那一道道疤痕。Sper

兩個基督徒比一個好：團結才是力量

I watched from my balcony as a 20-story apartment building was demolished. The demolition took barely a week to complete. In its place a new building is being constructed. It’s been months now, and despite construction activities going on nights and weekends, it is still incomplete. How much easier it is to tear down than to build up!

What is true for demolition and construction of buildings is also true for personal relationships. In Philippians 4:2, Paul wrote to two women in the church, saying, “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.” The quarrel between these two women threatened to tear down the witness of the Philippian church if left unresolved. So Paul urged a “true companion” (v.3) to help rebuild that relationship.

Sadly, Christians do quarrel, but we should seek to “live peaceably” with all (Rom. 12:18). Unless our conflicts are resolved, the Christian witness so painstakingly built up can be destroyed. It takes much effort and time to reconcile broken relationships. But it is worth it. Like a new building rising from the ruins, reconciled believers can emerge stronger. May we seek to build each other up through our words and actions today!

We have a common enemy
who wants to scar the life

Of Jesus’ precious bride, the church,

Through worldliness and strife. - Sper

  

Two Christians are better than one — when they’re one.

耶耶和华是宇宙万物的创造者 God is the Creator of this universe

罗马书1:19-23 Romans 1:19-23

神的事情，人所能知道的，原显明在人心里，因为神已经给他们显明。自从造天地以来，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，虽是眼不能见，但藉著所造之物就可以晓得，叫人无可推诿。因为，他们虽然知道神，却不当作神荣耀他，也不感谢他。他们的思念变为虚妄，无知的心就昏暗了。自称为聪明，反成了愚拙，将不能朽坏之神的荣耀变为偶像，彷佛必朽坏的人和飞禽、走兽、昆虫的样式。They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

我们知道对于神的真理 － 这世界上实在是有神，希伯来书记载，“人非有信，就不能得神的喜悦；因为到神面前来的人必须信有　神，且信他赏赐那寻求他的人。” (希伯来11:6) 耶和华不是一栋人造的人形，鸟形，动物或禽兽偶像。 We know the truth about God that he exists, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) and that he is not an idol made with human hands, in the image of people, birds, animals or reptiles.

耶和华将他无形，眼不能见的神永能和神性，但藉著所造之物让人可以晓得，叫人无可推诿。 所以我们是创世论者，我们深信神创造宇宙与所有的一切。诗人说：“地和其中所充满的，世界和住在其间的，都属耶和华。” (诗篇24：1－2) God has given us a glimpse of invisible qualities through the things he created. His eternal power, his glory and divine nature are shown in the way he made the heavens and the earth. So we are creationists, we believe firmly in God’s creation of the universe and all the things in it. Psalmist says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.” (Psalm 24:1-2)

让我们毫无疑义地敬拜那荣耀，永活的真神上帝，不拜偶像。也不要当愚蠢人，不靠我们人为的理智，胡思乱想而为自己造一些神明。或跟着世界的理智与谈论，相信那将神抛在外出的进化论。 Let us therefore worship the glorious, ever-living God instead of idols. Let us not live like fools and depend on our human thinking of what God is like and make gods for ourselves. Let us not be worldly wise and believe in the lies of evolution that leaves out God as its starting point.

让我们凭着感恩的态度为着神所造的感谢他。他将一切的物质装置在一起，使他们万事互相效率，使一切的构造运行的完美，就好像一场世俗的舞。每天，当所有的被造物在运行的时候，他们都在敬拜神，并且显现他的荣耀。 让我们成为这神造舞的一部分！ Let us give thanks to God for the marvel of his creation. He put all things together and sustains the earth. He created all the systems to function in symbiosis with one another, like an earthly dance. Day after day, all creation worships him and shows his glory. Let us be a part of that divinely created dance!

病菌，症状 与安息日的尊严 Sickness, symptoms and the seriousness of the Sabbath Day

出埃及记31: 12-17 Exodus 31:12 - 17

耶和华晓谕摩西说：「你要吩咐以色列人说：『你们务要守我的安息日；因为这是你我之间世世代代的证据，使你们知道我―耶和华是叫你们成为圣的。所以你们要守安息日，以为圣日。凡干犯这日的，必要把他治死；凡在这日做工的，必从民中剪除。六日要做工，但第七日是安息圣日，是向耶和华守为圣的。凡在安息日做工的，必要把他治死。』故此，以色列人要世世代代守安息日为永遠的约。这是我和以色列人永遠的证据；因为六日之内耶和华造天地，第七日便安息舒畅。」

The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’”

我们生病或受苦是有很多不同的原因，其中包刮气候的转变；感冒季节，寒冬季节，我们就很容易受到病菌的感染。有时是因为环境而造成的，可能是流行病的爆发。或者是我们工作太忙碌而我们没有给自己身体足够休息， 我们就生病了。 There are many reasons for our sickness and suffering. Sometimes it is the because of the season; flu season, cold season, et cetera and we just catch the flu or virus in the air. Sometimes it is because of the environment; there is an outbreak or epidemic in our area. At other times, we are just overworked and our body weakens and we catch the flu easily.

我们生病的的一个原因可能是我们生体有个机制的装备，提醒我们因该慢下来，多休息。这也是受安息日有智慧的地方。 神于他智慧，设立了安息日，让我们以六天的时间作有生产力的工作，在第七天，我们就休息。One of the reasons why we fall sick is perhaps our body’s mechanism trying to tell us that we need to slow down and take a rest. This is where the wisdom of keeping the Sabbath Day comes in. In his wisdom, God has instituted the Sabbath Day for human kind so that they might be engaged in productive work for six days in a week, and then rest on the seventh day.

今天的经文启示我们，耶和华对受守息日是何等的重视。若我们太辛勤劳苦的工作，使我们的身体受无必要的压力，那病症既然会出现 － 是要提醒我们要给身体慢下，歇一歇。如果我们去看医生，他也会这样的对我们说：不但要服药，也当休息。这就是为何他给我们医疗的原因， 回家休息，不是会到办公室去作工，或去逛街购物。

The passage today shows us that God is really very serious that we observe the Sabbath. If we overwork and over-stress our bodies, then the symptoms of sickness might just appear – as a way for our bodies to tell us to slow down, and that we need a rest. If we go to the doctor, often they would prescribe some medicine. But also they would tell us to take a rest. This is where the M/C or medical certificate comes into play – we are given an M/C to go home and take a rest, not to go back to office to do work or to go shopping.

今天的经文首先告诉我们，耶和华的子民守安息日是神和我们立约的证据；这约是他与我们所立的， 也是我们与他立的。所以，当我们守安息日时，我们表示我们是他圣洁，约里的子民。其次，安息日是圣日。何为圣日呢？我们在此日要将它与其他的日子分开。“圣”字就是为神分别为圣的意思。在这日，我们要思想神，纪念他的好处，拨时间与他在一起，在他圣殿里敬拜他。这也是他的子民在一起欢呼与庆祝他的恩典与慈爱，赞美他与传扬他的信息。In this passage, firstly, the Bible tells us that God’s people observe the Sabbath Day as a sign of the covenant that He made with us, and us with him. So, whenever we keep the Sabbath, we are showing that we are his holy, covenant people. Secondly, the Sabbath Day is a holy day. We are to set it apart from all other days. The word “holy” means being consecrated or set apart – for God. It is a day for us to think of God, to remember his goodness, to spend time with him, to worship him in his holy temple, a day to gather with other people of God to revel in his grace and mercy, to praise him and preach his word.

耶和华非常看重安息日。他说若任何人凡干犯这日的，或在这日做工的，必受到严厉惩罚。他给我们六天做我们所有必须做的工作 －那是很够时间让我们去工作。所以，在第七天我们需要完全停止工作和休息 （15节）。虽然16与17节的安息日圣约是特地对以色列人而言，但它实际的原理，尤其是给我们身体有休息的时间，和为敬拜神将这日分别为圣，这两点是做基督徒应当遵守的。

God show his seriousness concerning the Sabbath Day to the point of saying that anyone who desecrate it or work on that day would be severely dealt with. We are given six days in a week to do all our work – that’s a lot of days we could do our work. So on the seventh day, we need to take a “complete rest” (v.15). Although verses 16 and 17 spelt out that the Sabbath Day covenant applies specifically to the people of Israel, as Christians, the practical principles of the Sabbath Day rest, for our bodies and to set it apart to worship God are applicable.

若需要有一个比以色列国更高的动机来遵守安息日，第17节说：「因为六日之内耶和华造天地，第七日便安息舒畅。」我们问：耶和华是否只是以色列的主而不是创造天地和众民的主呢？若他是创造者和主，那么我们是否应该守一天的安息日来尊重他，并照顾我们的身体？

To appeal to the higher motivation beyond the nation of Israel, we have the injunction of verse 17 that says, “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.” So we ask, is the Lord only the Lord of Israel, and not the Lord who created the heaven and the earth and all human kind? If he is both our Creator and Lord, then should we not observe a day of rest in honor of him, and for the sake of our bodies?