Sermon DATE: 2008/11/30
SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 119:97-105
SERMON: The most precious treasure.
We have entered into the season of Advent which is a period of four weeks of anticipation. During this period we hope for the best and prepare for the worst in the midst of darkness and desperation, knowing that the dawn of brightness and deliverance is at hand. Winter Solstice, the darkest and shortest day of the year as well as the longest and deepest night for the northern hemisphere inhabitants, is pressing on us in the next four weeks before it will leave us for the brighter happier days. US president elect Barack Obama spoke to his hopeful Americans last week. The people are anticipating for a quick recovery from the current financial stressful situation. Barack Obama said, “This situation will become worse before it will become better.” And he is right. If you look only to the dark side of the world, you will not have patience to wait for the bright days to return. If you read the news everyday only to focus on how much your possessions have depreciated in the dismay economy you may not anticipate that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. You will not be there when the happy days return.
We all have possessions in this world. Our possessions help us to sustain our life while we live here on earth. When our possessions suffer substantial depreciation with the bad economy what resource do we draw from to remain tranquil? The Bible is the answer and the wisdom. The Bible teaches us not to put too much emphasis on our possessions. The value of our houses, our RRSP, our investments, fluctuates abruptly with the stock market. But not the words that comes from the mouth of God. Earthly possessions are not reliable. But the word of God is. Although possessions provide us with security and necessities for our earthly life, the Bible on the other hand provides us with treasures that keep us wise and happy for our eternal life. The Bible teaches us at least three wisdom about our possessions:
1. Do not crave for money—“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grieves.”(I Timothy 6:9-10) Craving for money can either ruin us or destroy us. Gently speaking it can ruin us by piercing us with many grieves. Seriously speaking it can cause us to wander from the faith.
2. Trust that the Lord will provide—“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”(Matthew 6:25-27) We should not rely on treasure that fluctuates. We came to this earth naked, so we will leave this earth in the same way. When we have food to eat, clothes to wear, we ought to be content.
3. Store up treasures in heaven—“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”(Matthew 6:19-20)
As Christians and children of God, we receive gift and grace from God. We have the assurance of God’s promise of abundant life through our love, faith, and hope towards Him. However as saved Christians we have to continue our journey to sainthood. We have to ask for more blessings and strive for more abundance in the life eternal. And the way to do it, is to value the most precious treasure given to us from God—which is the Bible.
Everyone of us is seeker for the higher goal in life.—It is for this reason we migrate to north America. We study here, we work here, and we make the treasure hunt here.
1. In Matthew 13:44 Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Here Jesus tells us the kingdom of heaven is a hidden treasure. It takes a man’s determination to sell all he has to trade for it. This treasure is most valuable because the kingdom of God is the place where God’s will is done. It is the place where human beings’ ultimate blessing and hope rests. It is the place where God is to be with us. He is to be our God, we are to be his people. Jesus says the kingdom of God is in our heart. If we let the will of God be done in our heart, and let the life of our Lord Jesus Christ shine through from there, then we will find the kingdom of God there. It is worth laying down all that we have in search of this treasure. Let us pray and ask for God’s help. Through repentance and enlightenment from the Holy Spirit we receive new life and become a new being in Christ Jesus. We will seek holiness, righteousness, and love. We will bear fruits of kindness humbleness and joy. I pray the Lord to plant this seed of the kingdom in our heart. So that we will extend our root deep down into the soil, and make flower to bloom and fruit to produce above the ground.
2. Psalm 119:97-104 “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”
a. This part describes vividly the psalmist’s attitude to the word of God. He loves God’s law. He meditates on it all day long. He treasures it in his heart. He keeps it. He obeys it. He practises it. He lives it out without infringing any part of it. As a result he becomes wiser than his enemy. He understands and observes it more readily than his elders. Thus he walks on the right path naturally. He loves what is true and hates what is false. He won’t go astray or fall out of track from the statute even when he is not conscious. Confucius not until the age of 70 said, “I am happy that after all these years of living and learning, I can now walk freely within the track, without much difficulty. 七十而從心所欲不逾舉。How lucky are the Christians who can achieve what Confucius achieved at the age of 70 by taking the word of God seriously and by believing the truth as promised in the Bible.
b. But we haven’t reached the most valuable part yet if we do not continue to read on. Let’s look at the next line. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”(Psalm 119:105) We are living in a world overcome by darkness. We need a lamp to our feet. We need a light for our path so that we know and see which way we are going. We need the light of life to show the direction. Lacking faith sometimes, we can not see that light, not to mention finding the right direction. How do we find that light? I pray that brothers and sisters will pray with me. Together we treasure the word of God like the psalmist did. Together we learn to obey the Bible which gives us directions. Together we take the lamp to our feet and light for our path to discern right from wrong on our path way through this dark world.
Recently, one of our brothers shared with me how the word of God helped him to walk on the right path. Like what most people do, this brother puts his savings in stocks and bonds. When the stock market melt down he suffered considerable loss just like everybody else. Two months ago Dow Jones index reached 9,000 points. One of the world famous investors gave advice to the public and said this is the best time for stock exchange investors. When stock market re-bounces, it is opportunity for investors to make money. The former Hong Kong minister of finance Mr. Liang Jin Song 梁錦松 also said this was the golden time for people who would like to take advantage of the bottom speculation. On hearing the news, this brother’s heart was moved. He wanted to gain back what he had lost in the last transaction. He said to himself, “If I can get back what I lost, I will give more to the Lord in thanksgiving. Wouldn’t it be nice to both God and me?” Thank God on the next morning while he was doing his morning devotion he read I Timothy 6:9-10. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grieves.” The word of God gave this brother great enlightenment. He controlled himself within the bounds of righteous living. He retained himself in pious and Godly life. He did not fall into the trap of greed. The word of God is not an empty saying. It is a practical guiding light for our life.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Do you know what your most valuable possession in life is? It is not your money. It is not your worry about money in this world wide financial difficult times. It is the Bible which is the living word of God.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Spiritual Thought for the Week 2008/11/30
Spiritual Thought for the Week
The past Sunday was the last Sunday in the church calendar year. It was called Christ the king Sunday. It helps us to reflect on what we have learned from attending worship week after week throughout the whole year. Have we grasped the blessing as promised us in the Bible-- to reign with Him?
“If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (II Timothy 2:12)
Men from ancient times had tried hard and wanted to be kings. They press on to their quest. They fight against a lot of hardship. They strive with all their might. Eventually many failed bitterly. A few got what they wanted by paying a high price. Some would even pay what ever the cost through unjust means. The glory of being a king is the envy of everybody though not everybody is entitled to that privilege. Even if one manages to be king, how long can his glory last?
In the Bible, we realize that all believers have the promise and possibility to be kings. All the redeemed have the right and reign as kings. (Revelation 5:10, 20:6). There are some requirements and qualifications though which apply to those who actually reign and assume power. Like the loyalty and faithfulness of the servant as in Luke 19:17; or the ability to drink Christ’s cup and receive Christ’s baptism as in Mark 10:37,38; or the ones who were the only victors as in Revelation 2:20, 3:21.
Paul in today’s passage says, if we endure, we will also reign with Him. Endure means we persevere in all trials and tribulations. We carry out God’s will until the very end. This is not easy. But this is the condition we must meet. We have to trust God and get help from Him. Otherwise we can never endure to the end.
Since beginning of Christian tradition, many believers can endure pain, hardship, danger, persecution. They wouldn’t say one word of complain. They did not feel self pity. They wouldn’t run from trial. They welcome the cross. They would rather be put in jail, be mocked or beaten to bleed than to betray their Lord. Just like what is described in Hebrews. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskin and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. (Hebrew 11:36-40) These are the people who will reign with Christ the king.
本周默想分享
上主日是教会年历最後一个主日称为基督为王主日，提醒我们在教会里崇拜生活又过了一年，我们在灵命长进上有甚麽体会？我们有没有把握圣经的应许，与基督一同作王呢？
"我们若能忍耐，也必和他一同作王。"（提後2：12）
古时人想作王，不知要费多少心血，经历多少艰辛，作多少努力。而且不容易成功，常是极大的危险，还多是不义的企图和妄想。然而作王的荣耀，却是人人都羡慕，但不是每个人可得的，而且世上的王能作多久呢？
在圣经中我们都看到，对於每个信徒来说，都有作王的应许和可能，一切被救赎的人都有作王的的权利（启5：10，20：6）。不过实际作王，掌权，却还有一定的条件和资格的。就如主有关神国的比喻，根据仆人的忠心和工作，而决定他们掌权的範围（路19：17）。坐在主的左右边的，必须能喝主所喝的杯，受主所受的洗（可10：37，38）。在启示录的七封信中，也讲到唯有得胜的，才能与主同坐宝座和得权柄治服列国（启2：20，3：21）。
这里保罗说，我们若能忍耐，也必和他一同作王。忍耐是指我们在一切苦难中有心忍受，遵行神的旨意到底，这并不容易。然而是作王所必须的条件，要靠主追求，才能达到此目的。
自古以来，多少圣徒宁愿忍受极多的痛苦，艰难，危险，磨练，而始终不发怨言，不会自怜，不愿逃避，而是欢迎十字架，宁受监禁之苦，甚至受羞辱，被践踏到全身流血为止。正像希伯来书上所说的，他们忍受戏弄，鞭打，捆锁，监禁等各种的磨炼。披着绵羊，山羊的皮各处奔跑，受穷乏，患难，苦害，在旷野，山岭，山洞，地穴，漂流无定，本是世界不配有的人（来11：36-40）。这些人就是将来要与主一同作王的人。
The past Sunday was the last Sunday in the church calendar year. It was called Christ the king Sunday. It helps us to reflect on what we have learned from attending worship week after week throughout the whole year. Have we grasped the blessing as promised us in the Bible-- to reign with Him?
“If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (II Timothy 2:12)
Men from ancient times had tried hard and wanted to be kings. They press on to their quest. They fight against a lot of hardship. They strive with all their might. Eventually many failed bitterly. A few got what they wanted by paying a high price. Some would even pay what ever the cost through unjust means. The glory of being a king is the envy of everybody though not everybody is entitled to that privilege. Even if one manages to be king, how long can his glory last?
In the Bible, we realize that all believers have the promise and possibility to be kings. All the redeemed have the right and reign as kings. (Revelation 5:10, 20:6). There are some requirements and qualifications though which apply to those who actually reign and assume power. Like the loyalty and faithfulness of the servant as in Luke 19:17; or the ability to drink Christ’s cup and receive Christ’s baptism as in Mark 10:37,38; or the ones who were the only victors as in Revelation 2:20, 3:21.
Paul in today’s passage says, if we endure, we will also reign with Him. Endure means we persevere in all trials and tribulations. We carry out God’s will until the very end. This is not easy. But this is the condition we must meet. We have to trust God and get help from Him. Otherwise we can never endure to the end.
Since beginning of Christian tradition, many believers can endure pain, hardship, danger, persecution. They wouldn’t say one word of complain. They did not feel self pity. They wouldn’t run from trial. They welcome the cross. They would rather be put in jail, be mocked or beaten to bleed than to betray their Lord. Just like what is described in Hebrews. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskin and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. (Hebrew 11:36-40) These are the people who will reign with Christ the king.
本周默想分享
上主日是教会年历最後一个主日称为基督为王主日，提醒我们在教会里崇拜生活又过了一年，我们在灵命长进上有甚麽体会？我们有没有把握圣经的应许，与基督一同作王呢？
"我们若能忍耐，也必和他一同作王。"（提後2：12）
古时人想作王，不知要费多少心血，经历多少艰辛，作多少努力。而且不容易成功，常是极大的危险，还多是不义的企图和妄想。然而作王的荣耀，却是人人都羡慕，但不是每个人可得的，而且世上的王能作多久呢？
在圣经中我们都看到，对於每个信徒来说，都有作王的应许和可能，一切被救赎的人都有作王的的权利（启5：10，20：6）。不过实际作王，掌权，却还有一定的条件和资格的。就如主有关神国的比喻，根据仆人的忠心和工作，而决定他们掌权的範围（路19：17）。坐在主的左右边的，必须能喝主所喝的杯，受主所受的洗（可10：37，38）。在启示录的七封信中，也讲到唯有得胜的，才能与主同坐宝座和得权柄治服列国（启2：20，3：21）。
这里保罗说，我们若能忍耐，也必和他一同作王。忍耐是指我们在一切苦难中有心忍受，遵行神的旨意到底，这并不容易。然而是作王所必须的条件，要靠主追求，才能达到此目的。
自古以来，多少圣徒宁愿忍受极多的痛苦，艰难，危险，磨练，而始终不发怨言，不会自怜，不愿逃避，而是欢迎十字架，宁受监禁之苦，甚至受羞辱，被践踏到全身流血为止。正像希伯来书上所说的，他们忍受戏弄，鞭打，捆锁，监禁等各种的磨炼。披着绵羊，山羊的皮各处奔跑，受穷乏，患难，苦害，在旷野，山岭，山洞，地穴，漂流无定，本是世界不配有的人（来11：36-40）。这些人就是将来要与主一同作王的人。
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sermon DATE: 2008/11/23
Sermon DATE: 2008/11/23
SCRIPTURE READING: Colossians 2:6-10
SERMON: How to be rooted in Him
讲道题目: 怎樣在祂里面生根
1．When the Taliban leader challenged the US president elect Barack Obama by saying he has betrayed his African roots which traced back from the Muslim tradition, he was ignorant about what Christ can do to Barack Obama, a born again Christian. Our church’s theme for this year is, “Rooted and built up in Him”. What does that mean? It means as born again Christians we have to die and be buried with Christ. Paul said, “For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) Jesus also said, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24) Christ died, he was buried, but on the third day He rose. Similarly if we die with him, buried and rooted in Him, we are born again when he rises.
2．When a Catholic monk entered into the Benedictine order, he went through a ritual which signified his passage of dying and being born again with Christ. On that occasion he prostrated himself before the altar of the chapel in the very spot where his coffin will be set when he dies. Covered in a funeral pall, the death bell that tolls at the earthly parting of a brother sounded the solemn gongs of death. Then there was silence—the silence of death. The silence of the gathered community was broken by the singing of the Colossian word: “For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). After that powerful word, there was more silence as the monk reflected on his solemn vow. Then the community broke into song with the words of Psalm 118, which is always a part of the Easter liturgy in the Benedictine community: “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord” (Ps. 118:17). After this resurrection proclamation, the deacon shouted the word from Ephesians: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (Eph. 5:14). Then the bells of the Abbey rang loudly and joyfully, the monk rose, the funeral pall fell off, and the robe of the Benedictine order was placed on him. He received the kiss of peace and was welcomed into the community to live a life “hid in Christ.” This great liturgy of death and resurrection is a symbolic re-enactment of the Christian experience. Paul gave powerful witness to this experience when he said: I have been crucified with Christ; I am now alive in him.
3．To be a Christian is to change, to become new. It is not simply a matter of choosing a new life style; it has to do with being a new person. The new person does not emerge full-blown. Conversion, passing from life to death, may be the miracle of a moment, but the making of a saint—presenting oneself perfect in Christ—is the task of a lifetime. The dynamic process of saint-making is to work out in fact what is already true in principle. In position, in our relation to God in Jesus Christ, we are new persons. Now our condition, the actual life that we live, must be brought into harmony with our new position.
Two things happened in the fall, and in our own fall: 1. we became estranged from God; 2. His image within us was broken, distorted, defaced.
Two things happen in our salvation: 1. we are reconciled to God; our estrangement is dissolved by the justifying grace of God in the cross of Jesus. Our status is changed; we become friends of God, accepted by Him as though we were without sin. 2. There is the recreation of the image of God in the life of the believer.
Nothing less than a new creature “perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:280, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24), renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Col. 3:10) is the aim.
Paul uses a striking word to describe our new life in Christ—that word used in the liturgy of the Benedictine monk’s commitment. “For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (3:3). A number of sentences in Colossians 2 and 3 combine to add to the powerful impact of this image. You have “died” with Christ and have been “buried” with Him in baptism (2:12). You were also “raised” with Him through faith in the working of God (2:12). God “has made” you alive together with Him” (2:13); you have been raised with Christ” (3:1).
A dramatic reality has been accomplished here. It is a settled fact that we are dead with Christ. There is no question we are risen with Him. We have died to all Christ died to; we are raised to all He was raised to. We now have to live out in practice what has already happened in fact.
The Christian is a new person united with Christ. The two overwhelming events through which Jesus passed into the power of an endless life were death and resurrection. Those who are united with Him must reproduce in their personal spiritual histories these two events. To be in and with Christ is to be identified with Him in death and resurrection. That is what it means to live a life “hidden with Christ in God”.
4．But what does that mean in our empirical life situation? It means this. Sometimes in our life there are such things called doubt, fear, despair and resignation. They are very real things. But they are the things Jesus died to for us. The opposite of these are the things Christ was raised to for us.
Melissa Fung a CBC journalist was kidnapped in Afghanistan for 28 days before she got finally released. After the event, everybody say she is intelligent, positive and tranquil. In the interview afterwards when asked how she could make it through the ordeal, she answered, “I know I am not going to die. I said to myself, dying is not an option here. Help is on the way.” Doesn’t Melissa have fear, doubt, despair and resignations as we all do when tribulation comes? Yes. But Melissa said she prayed with the Rosary to Mary and Jesus all the time. The fact is that Christ has destroyed the power of sin—together with its link to fear, doubt, despair and resignation… Now, sharing in the death of Christ, she reckon herself dead to sin, and is empowered to become what she potentially is. Let me say that again. Sharing in the death of Christ, we reckon ourselves dead to sin, and are empowered to become what we potentially are.
5．Rev. Maxie Dunnam in one of his e-sermon dynamic preaching testimonies tells about how one of his parishioners witnessed the power of Christ in the following letter:
“Dear Maxie: I am writing you this to let you know I heard your sermon on Christmas. God has done a great miracle for me everyday. This past fall I attempted suicide. I thought life was not worth living and that I had no purpose for being alive. But since then I have had people come forward and tell me how I have shown them to go on when things get tough. They have told me I have courage that many people don’t have. And these people knew nothing about my attempted suicide. And God has given me friends that each day watches out for me. I still don’t know why I am here but I know that God has a plan and a purpose for me or else He would have let me die this past fall. He would also not have sent friends to me that told me they love me and that I make a difference in their lives. So I thank God for working a miracle in my life by saving it and for giving me the miracle of friends. So God does exist and He does come through when you need Him the most. I had rather not leave my name, but I am a Christian that is fighting for life with the help of God. The past is dead, the future is alive—and I praise God!”
To live a life hidden with Christ in God means we are united in Christ’s death.
How to be rooted and built up in Him? We do that by living a life hidden with Christ in God.
Amen
SCRIPTURE READING: Colossians 2:6-10
SERMON: How to be rooted in Him
讲道题目: 怎樣在祂里面生根
1．When the Taliban leader challenged the US president elect Barack Obama by saying he has betrayed his African roots which traced back from the Muslim tradition, he was ignorant about what Christ can do to Barack Obama, a born again Christian. Our church’s theme for this year is, “Rooted and built up in Him”. What does that mean? It means as born again Christians we have to die and be buried with Christ. Paul said, “For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) Jesus also said, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24) Christ died, he was buried, but on the third day He rose. Similarly if we die with him, buried and rooted in Him, we are born again when he rises.
2．When a Catholic monk entered into the Benedictine order, he went through a ritual which signified his passage of dying and being born again with Christ. On that occasion he prostrated himself before the altar of the chapel in the very spot where his coffin will be set when he dies. Covered in a funeral pall, the death bell that tolls at the earthly parting of a brother sounded the solemn gongs of death. Then there was silence—the silence of death. The silence of the gathered community was broken by the singing of the Colossian word: “For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). After that powerful word, there was more silence as the monk reflected on his solemn vow. Then the community broke into song with the words of Psalm 118, which is always a part of the Easter liturgy in the Benedictine community: “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord” (Ps. 118:17). After this resurrection proclamation, the deacon shouted the word from Ephesians: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (Eph. 5:14). Then the bells of the Abbey rang loudly and joyfully, the monk rose, the funeral pall fell off, and the robe of the Benedictine order was placed on him. He received the kiss of peace and was welcomed into the community to live a life “hid in Christ.” This great liturgy of death and resurrection is a symbolic re-enactment of the Christian experience. Paul gave powerful witness to this experience when he said: I have been crucified with Christ; I am now alive in him.
3．To be a Christian is to change, to become new. It is not simply a matter of choosing a new life style; it has to do with being a new person. The new person does not emerge full-blown. Conversion, passing from life to death, may be the miracle of a moment, but the making of a saint—presenting oneself perfect in Christ—is the task of a lifetime. The dynamic process of saint-making is to work out in fact what is already true in principle. In position, in our relation to God in Jesus Christ, we are new persons. Now our condition, the actual life that we live, must be brought into harmony with our new position.
Two things happened in the fall, and in our own fall: 1. we became estranged from God; 2. His image within us was broken, distorted, defaced.
Two things happen in our salvation: 1. we are reconciled to God; our estrangement is dissolved by the justifying grace of God in the cross of Jesus. Our status is changed; we become friends of God, accepted by Him as though we were without sin. 2. There is the recreation of the image of God in the life of the believer.
Nothing less than a new creature “perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:280, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24), renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Col. 3:10) is the aim.
Paul uses a striking word to describe our new life in Christ—that word used in the liturgy of the Benedictine monk’s commitment. “For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (3:3). A number of sentences in Colossians 2 and 3 combine to add to the powerful impact of this image. You have “died” with Christ and have been “buried” with Him in baptism (2:12). You were also “raised” with Him through faith in the working of God (2:12). God “has made” you alive together with Him” (2:13); you have been raised with Christ” (3:1).
A dramatic reality has been accomplished here. It is a settled fact that we are dead with Christ. There is no question we are risen with Him. We have died to all Christ died to; we are raised to all He was raised to. We now have to live out in practice what has already happened in fact.
The Christian is a new person united with Christ. The two overwhelming events through which Jesus passed into the power of an endless life were death and resurrection. Those who are united with Him must reproduce in their personal spiritual histories these two events. To be in and with Christ is to be identified with Him in death and resurrection. That is what it means to live a life “hidden with Christ in God”.
4．But what does that mean in our empirical life situation? It means this. Sometimes in our life there are such things called doubt, fear, despair and resignation. They are very real things. But they are the things Jesus died to for us. The opposite of these are the things Christ was raised to for us.
Melissa Fung a CBC journalist was kidnapped in Afghanistan for 28 days before she got finally released. After the event, everybody say she is intelligent, positive and tranquil. In the interview afterwards when asked how she could make it through the ordeal, she answered, “I know I am not going to die. I said to myself, dying is not an option here. Help is on the way.” Doesn’t Melissa have fear, doubt, despair and resignations as we all do when tribulation comes? Yes. But Melissa said she prayed with the Rosary to Mary and Jesus all the time. The fact is that Christ has destroyed the power of sin—together with its link to fear, doubt, despair and resignation… Now, sharing in the death of Christ, she reckon herself dead to sin, and is empowered to become what she potentially is. Let me say that again. Sharing in the death of Christ, we reckon ourselves dead to sin, and are empowered to become what we potentially are.
5．Rev. Maxie Dunnam in one of his e-sermon dynamic preaching testimonies tells about how one of his parishioners witnessed the power of Christ in the following letter:
“Dear Maxie: I am writing you this to let you know I heard your sermon on Christmas. God has done a great miracle for me everyday. This past fall I attempted suicide. I thought life was not worth living and that I had no purpose for being alive. But since then I have had people come forward and tell me how I have shown them to go on when things get tough. They have told me I have courage that many people don’t have. And these people knew nothing about my attempted suicide. And God has given me friends that each day watches out for me. I still don’t know why I am here but I know that God has a plan and a purpose for me or else He would have let me die this past fall. He would also not have sent friends to me that told me they love me and that I make a difference in their lives. So I thank God for working a miracle in my life by saving it and for giving me the miracle of friends. So God does exist and He does come through when you need Him the most. I had rather not leave my name, but I am a Christian that is fighting for life with the help of God. The past is dead, the future is alive—and I praise God!”
To live a life hidden with Christ in God means we are united in Christ’s death.
How to be rooted and built up in Him? We do that by living a life hidden with Christ in God.
Amen
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Spiritual Thought for the Week 2008/11/23
Spiritual Thought for the Week
Last week in the pulpit I talked about the gift of giving. This week let us explore this gift deeper in light of Abraham’s story.
“I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because your have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.”(Genesis 22:16-17)
When God tested Abraham by asking him to offer Isaac up as a sacrifice, He was giving out a test as well as a great revelation. He foretold He would give his only begotten son to sacrifice for our sake and at the same time He expected us to do the same for Him. He did not want blemished or second best offering. He wanted only the best and the dearest ones from our hearts. He wanted to know if we would be willing to give up our most dearly beloved persons or things to Him. God did not just pick anyone to test. He let only those who loved Him, respected Him and belonged to Him to take the test. When God had favour on a certain person, He chose him to take the test so that he had a chance to show his love and affection to God.
The offering of Abraham’s only son is an example to show that human beings can give to God. And they should give to an extant like Abraham. Some believers think themselves as doing God a great favour by giving or sacrificing some little things that they have. In fact this is not giving God the honour due Him. God deserves our total love, our total surrender, our total giving. No matter how much we give, it is still not enough compared to what God gives us. Some believers give little to God but expect God to give them much in return. No matter how much God gives them in return they say God is not giving them enough. They say God owe them much. This is not only foolish but also ungrateful.
When Abraham gave, he never expected God to give him much in return. Nevertheless eventually he got rewards more than hundreds of thousands of times pay off. By willingness to give up one son, he got descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Therefore, let us not be afraid to give God too much, too expensive, too dear a sacrifice. God will never under pay us. Let us give of our time, energy, will, mind and everything dear in our life. As long as it makes God happy we will give it to God. Do you have anything so precious or anyone so dear that you can not let go and offer them to God? You need to give them up now! You need to do it today.
本周默想分享
上週講道我提到甘心奉獻本身就是一種恩賜。本週讓我們再從亞伯拉罕甘心奉獻的事蹟，得到蒙福的亮光。
“耶和華說，你既行這事，不留下你的兒子。就是你獨生的兒子，我便指著自己起誓說，論福，我必賜大福給你，論子孫，我必叫你的子孫多起來。”（創22：16，17）
當神試驗亞伯拉罕，叫他獻上獨生子以撒的時候，是一次極大的試驗，也是一次極大的啟示。這不但預表神將他自己的獨生子為我們捨了，也說明神對信他的人所發出同樣的的要求和期望。他不喜歡不好的，或次好的，乃是喜歡唯一的，上好的，我們最心愛的。他要看人究竟肯不肯，捨不捨得。神這要求不是對隨便一個人的要求，乃是對屬神，敬神，愛神之人才有的要求。神看重那個人，就給他這種試驗和機會好讓他能表現他對神的心意。
亞伯拉罕獻獨生子的事，說明人是可以，而且應當對神奉獻。人要敬愛，順服神到如此地步。有的信徒認為奉獻一點錢，為神做一點事，放棄某些利益，已經是了不起，足夠有餘了。這實在是不尊重神，以為神就值得他們那一點的奉獻，那一點的愛戴。神是值得我們完全的奉獻，完全的愛。獻多少，獻甚麼，都不會太過，而是不夠不足的。可是有些信徒奉獻很少，卻想從神那裏得很多。神給他們幾多都不滿足，好像是神欠了他們的，這不但是太愚昧，也是太忘恩了。
亞伯拉罕在奉獻的時候，雖沒有指望得到神的賞賜和報答，然而結果卻得到千萬倍的賞賜和報答。捨去一個兒子，得到如天上的星星，海邊的沙那樣無數的子孫。所以讓我們不要怕奉獻給神太多，太寶貴，太心愛了。神絕不會虧待愛他的人。讓我們把光陰，精力，意志，理性，以及我們所有寶貴的東西，只要是神所喜歡的都完完全全地獻給他吧。你現在有甚麼東西或心愛的人不肯獻給神嗎？應當立刻擺上，並且在今天行動。
Last week in the pulpit I talked about the gift of giving. This week let us explore this gift deeper in light of Abraham’s story.
“I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because your have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.”(Genesis 22:16-17)
When God tested Abraham by asking him to offer Isaac up as a sacrifice, He was giving out a test as well as a great revelation. He foretold He would give his only begotten son to sacrifice for our sake and at the same time He expected us to do the same for Him. He did not want blemished or second best offering. He wanted only the best and the dearest ones from our hearts. He wanted to know if we would be willing to give up our most dearly beloved persons or things to Him. God did not just pick anyone to test. He let only those who loved Him, respected Him and belonged to Him to take the test. When God had favour on a certain person, He chose him to take the test so that he had a chance to show his love and affection to God.
The offering of Abraham’s only son is an example to show that human beings can give to God. And they should give to an extant like Abraham. Some believers think themselves as doing God a great favour by giving or sacrificing some little things that they have. In fact this is not giving God the honour due Him. God deserves our total love, our total surrender, our total giving. No matter how much we give, it is still not enough compared to what God gives us. Some believers give little to God but expect God to give them much in return. No matter how much God gives them in return they say God is not giving them enough. They say God owe them much. This is not only foolish but also ungrateful.
When Abraham gave, he never expected God to give him much in return. Nevertheless eventually he got rewards more than hundreds of thousands of times pay off. By willingness to give up one son, he got descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Therefore, let us not be afraid to give God too much, too expensive, too dear a sacrifice. God will never under pay us. Let us give of our time, energy, will, mind and everything dear in our life. As long as it makes God happy we will give it to God. Do you have anything so precious or anyone so dear that you can not let go and offer them to God? You need to give them up now! You need to do it today.
本周默想分享
上週講道我提到甘心奉獻本身就是一種恩賜。本週讓我們再從亞伯拉罕甘心奉獻的事蹟，得到蒙福的亮光。
“耶和華說，你既行這事，不留下你的兒子。就是你獨生的兒子，我便指著自己起誓說，論福，我必賜大福給你，論子孫，我必叫你的子孫多起來。”（創22：16，17）
當神試驗亞伯拉罕，叫他獻上獨生子以撒的時候，是一次極大的試驗，也是一次極大的啟示。這不但預表神將他自己的獨生子為我們捨了，也說明神對信他的人所發出同樣的的要求和期望。他不喜歡不好的，或次好的，乃是喜歡唯一的，上好的，我們最心愛的。他要看人究竟肯不肯，捨不捨得。神這要求不是對隨便一個人的要求，乃是對屬神，敬神，愛神之人才有的要求。神看重那個人，就給他這種試驗和機會好讓他能表現他對神的心意。
亞伯拉罕獻獨生子的事，說明人是可以，而且應當對神奉獻。人要敬愛，順服神到如此地步。有的信徒認為奉獻一點錢，為神做一點事，放棄某些利益，已經是了不起，足夠有餘了。這實在是不尊重神，以為神就值得他們那一點的奉獻，那一點的愛戴。神是值得我們完全的奉獻，完全的愛。獻多少，獻甚麼，都不會太過，而是不夠不足的。可是有些信徒奉獻很少，卻想從神那裏得很多。神給他們幾多都不滿足，好像是神欠了他們的，這不但是太愚昧，也是太忘恩了。
亞伯拉罕在奉獻的時候，雖沒有指望得到神的賞賜和報答，然而結果卻得到千萬倍的賞賜和報答。捨去一個兒子，得到如天上的星星，海邊的沙那樣無數的子孫。所以讓我們不要怕奉獻給神太多，太寶貴，太心愛了。神絕不會虧待愛他的人。讓我們把光陰，精力，意志，理性，以及我們所有寶貴的東西，只要是神所喜歡的都完完全全地獻給他吧。你現在有甚麼東西或心愛的人不肯獻給神嗎？應當立刻擺上，並且在今天行動。
Spiritual Thought for the Week 2008/11/16
Spiritual Thought for the Week
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
In this world we have many relationships with people, things and events. Some are so close to us that we can not let go. They occupy our thought, our life, and our time. However, they are no big deals. They can be changed and lost any moment and can cause us stress, trouble and misery. They create so much pain that we ought to let go of them without any regret.
Only Jesus’ relationship with us is reliable. His relationship with us is like that of a good shepherd and his sheep. It will never change. This relationship is deeper and closer than any kind of worldly relationships. In fact all other relationships come into being because of Jesus. All the principles, arrangement and placement of relationship lie under the deployment of Jesus. If Jesus wants it change and perish, it would be gone and have no trace of existence.
Therefore our main duty and concern in life is to have good relationship with Jesus. If we do that well, other things will fall into place. If we do not make it right with Jesus, everything else will have problem. Yes, only Jesus is my good shepherd. He knows me and I know him. He is the only God in the whole world that matters to me.
How I wish I can be released from all the earthly relationships; the fight between humans; and the trivial happening of events. For all these things will come to pass. All the unresolved problems will be over. Only our relationship with Christ remains the same in this life and in the life to come. There is nothing that can separate our relationship with the Lord. There is nothing that can separate us from his love. For this love is in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:38-39). We have to take this relationship seriously. Let's treasure it; maintain it; and grow in it deeply.
本周默想分享
耶稣说：我是好牧人。我认识我的羊，我的羊也认识我。
在世界上与我们有关系的人，事，物很多，有的似乎很密切，放不下，离不开，缺不了，不住地占据着我们的思想，生活，时间。然而那一切并不是真的有甚麽了不起的关系，不可分解的关系，其实是没有真正常存的意义。因为都可以随时发生变化失去的，以致那些关系成为重担，麻烦，痛苦，所以就是那些关系改变了，解散了，也不足可惜。
只有耶稣与我们的关系，好像好牧人与羊的关系，才是真正永远不改变的，这种关系比世上任何的关系更深，比任何的事物更近。实在说来，其他一切的关系，也是由耶稣而来。是由耶稣所规定，安排，赐给的，都是附属在与耶稣的关系里，甚麽时候耶稣要是改变，消逝，就变得无影无踪，毫不存在了。
所以唯一的责任和目标，是保持和耶稣有正当美好的关系，其他问题就解决了，和耶稣的关系不对，别的也会出问题。啊！真的，只有耶稣是我的好牧人，他认识我，我认识他，他是那唯一与我有关系的神。 但愿能割断一切属地的关系，人间的纠缠，世事的烦琐。不必为任何人，事的关系操劳，烦恼，因为早晚都要完全解除，脱离，只有和主的的关系是确定不变的，今生不变，永远不变。也没有任何事物能使我们与主的关系改变，正如谁也不能使我们与他的爱隔绝一样，这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的（罗8：38，39）。我们要极其珍重，保守，加深与主的关系。
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
In this world we have many relationships with people, things and events. Some are so close to us that we can not let go. They occupy our thought, our life, and our time. However, they are no big deals. They can be changed and lost any moment and can cause us stress, trouble and misery. They create so much pain that we ought to let go of them without any regret.
Only Jesus’ relationship with us is reliable. His relationship with us is like that of a good shepherd and his sheep. It will never change. This relationship is deeper and closer than any kind of worldly relationships. In fact all other relationships come into being because of Jesus. All the principles, arrangement and placement of relationship lie under the deployment of Jesus. If Jesus wants it change and perish, it would be gone and have no trace of existence.
Therefore our main duty and concern in life is to have good relationship with Jesus. If we do that well, other things will fall into place. If we do not make it right with Jesus, everything else will have problem. Yes, only Jesus is my good shepherd. He knows me and I know him. He is the only God in the whole world that matters to me.
How I wish I can be released from all the earthly relationships; the fight between humans; and the trivial happening of events. For all these things will come to pass. All the unresolved problems will be over. Only our relationship with Christ remains the same in this life and in the life to come. There is nothing that can separate our relationship with the Lord. There is nothing that can separate us from his love. For this love is in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:38-39). We have to take this relationship seriously. Let's treasure it; maintain it; and grow in it deeply.
本周默想分享
耶稣说：我是好牧人。我认识我的羊，我的羊也认识我。
在世界上与我们有关系的人，事，物很多，有的似乎很密切，放不下，离不开，缺不了，不住地占据着我们的思想，生活，时间。然而那一切并不是真的有甚麽了不起的关系，不可分解的关系，其实是没有真正常存的意义。因为都可以随时发生变化失去的，以致那些关系成为重担，麻烦，痛苦，所以就是那些关系改变了，解散了，也不足可惜。
只有耶稣与我们的关系，好像好牧人与羊的关系，才是真正永远不改变的，这种关系比世上任何的关系更深，比任何的事物更近。实在说来，其他一切的关系，也是由耶稣而来。是由耶稣所规定，安排，赐给的，都是附属在与耶稣的关系里，甚麽时候耶稣要是改变，消逝，就变得无影无踪，毫不存在了。
所以唯一的责任和目标，是保持和耶稣有正当美好的关系，其他问题就解决了，和耶稣的关系不对，别的也会出问题。啊！真的，只有耶稣是我的好牧人，他认识我，我认识他，他是那唯一与我有关系的神。 但愿能割断一切属地的关系，人间的纠缠，世事的烦琐。不必为任何人，事的关系操劳，烦恼，因为早晚都要完全解除，脱离，只有和主的的关系是确定不变的，今生不变，永远不变。也没有任何事物能使我们与主的关系改变，正如谁也不能使我们与他的爱隔绝一样，这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的（罗8：38，39）。我们要极其珍重，保守，加深与主的关系。
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Spiritual Thought for the Week 2008/11/9
Spiritual Thought for the Week
Last week a parishioner wrote me an email which he circulated to others. He asked if I supported the “liberal theological stand” or not. He wanted just a yes or no answer. When I tried to explain my position, he said, “No, Rev. Chan you have still not answered my question. Just say yes or no!” Having no other resort but this opportunity I am now using this column to answer to his question in a serious and honest way. I do not belong to the liberals, but the liberals belong to me. Just like I do not belong to the evangelicals, but the evangelicals belong to me. As a United Church minister I know the United Church does not belong to the liberals but the liberals belong to it. Just as the United Church does not belong to the evangelicals, but the evangelicals belong to it.
As Christians, we do not say we have to be loyal to any sects or to declare faithfulness to any persons. We only need to be loyal to our Lord and remain faithful to him. Colossians 1:10 said, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way.” Christians have a fundamental principle in life. It is to live a life worthy of the Lord, and please him in every way. Because we belong to the Lord, we are beneficiary of his great salvation and grace. We no longer belong to ourselves. We no longer belong to any other persons. We do not owe anybody anything. We do not have to please anyone other than the Lord. Often times we get misunderstood by others. But even then we can bear the injustice because we know we are doing it for the Lord. To live a life worthy of the Lord should be our number one concern. It is also our duty and our call.
Therefore no matter what work we are doing, the first thing we have to ask is thus. Is this worthy of the Lord? Is this worthy of His name? Can this bring glory to the Lord? Do we live a life that pleases the Lord? Have we made Him happy? Do not ask I ought to do this, I ought to do that! Can I do this? Can I do that? Especially do not ask, “How would people think if I do this?” What we need to ask first of all is to ask the Lord who loves us. What does He think? Does He think this is right?
We do know what He thinks because we have the Bible that teaches us, and we have the Holy Spirit that anoints us. If it makes the Holy Spirit worry, it is the thing we can not do. Though it seems not a big deal—like following the mob and doing foolish things that hamper unity. Or it may be things that people say it won’t hurt to do. But when we know it doesn’t please the Lord, we should not do it. If we do not live a life that is worthy of the Lord, and pleasing in His sight, how can we stand in front of Him when we have to meet Him face to face one day? Not to mention we lose communication with Him here and now. What a great pity it is to live in disconnection with the Lord. Our heart will have no peace or joy. And we will have to be disciplined by Him sooner or later. Live a life that is worthy of the Lord. We are not living under whatever doctrines, traditions, rites and rules we find in the church. We are not declaring whatever theological stands, preaching, ideology, school of thoughts we find in the seminary. We are serving a true and living Lord. What matter most is to live a life worthy of Him and please Him in every way.
本週默想分享
上週有一位教友用公開的電郵信件問我一個問題，要我明確的表態。 他說，“陳牧師你支不支持自由派神學的立場？”他堅持地說他只想知我說，‘是’或‘不是’，我說其他解釋的話，他都說我沒有回答他的問題。我沒有辦法，只有用這個地方嚴肅和謹慎地回答他。我不屬於自由派，但自由派是屬於我的。正如我不屬於福音派，但是福音派是屬於我的一樣。作為聯合教會的牧師，我知道聯合教會不屬於自由派，也不屬於福音派，但自由派是屬於它的，正如福音派也是屬於它的一樣。作為基督徒，我們不能說我要效忠於甚麼派別，要對得起甚麼人。我們只需要效忠於主，對得起主。歌羅西書1章10節說，“好叫你們行事為人對得起主，凡事蒙他喜悅。”基督徒有一個基本行事為人的原則，就是要對得起主，凡事蒙祂喜悅。因為我們是屬主的人，蒙了主極大的恩典和拯救，我們不再是屬自己的人，也不是屬乎別人，不欠任何人的債，也不要討任何人的喜悅，除非是為了主的緣故，受了委屈，也無所謂。怎樣做才能對得起主，是我們第一要考慮的事，也是我們唯一的責任和本分。
所以我們做任何事，要問一問是不是對得起主，與主的名相稱嗎？能夠使主得榮耀嗎？我們行事為人是叫主喜悅嗎？讓主心滿意足嗎？不管我們自己覺得應不應該，可不可以，也不管別人以為如何，首先的是要問愛我們的主。祂的意思如何？祂看為是對的嗎？
我們是可以知道的，因為不但有聖經明文的教訓，我們裏面也有恩膏的教訓。若叫聖靈擔憂，那就不能做，即或不是甚麼罪，如盲從附和，人云亦云的去搞分裂。或者人以為你沒有錯，但我們知道主不喜悅，就不應當做。我們若行事為人對不起神，不討祂的喜悅，將來怎能見他呢？就是現在失去和主的交通，也是極為可惜。心中必沒有平安喜樂，而且還要受主的管教。行事為人要對得起主。我們不是守甚麼教條，傳說，禮儀，規矩，也不是對待甚麼道理，講論，組織，制度，乃是一位又真又活的主，對得起祂，討祂喜悅。
Last week a parishioner wrote me an email which he circulated to others. He asked if I supported the “liberal theological stand” or not. He wanted just a yes or no answer. When I tried to explain my position, he said, “No, Rev. Chan you have still not answered my question. Just say yes or no!” Having no other resort but this opportunity I am now using this column to answer to his question in a serious and honest way. I do not belong to the liberals, but the liberals belong to me. Just like I do not belong to the evangelicals, but the evangelicals belong to me. As a United Church minister I know the United Church does not belong to the liberals but the liberals belong to it. Just as the United Church does not belong to the evangelicals, but the evangelicals belong to it.
As Christians, we do not say we have to be loyal to any sects or to declare faithfulness to any persons. We only need to be loyal to our Lord and remain faithful to him. Colossians 1:10 said, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way.” Christians have a fundamental principle in life. It is to live a life worthy of the Lord, and please him in every way. Because we belong to the Lord, we are beneficiary of his great salvation and grace. We no longer belong to ourselves. We no longer belong to any other persons. We do not owe anybody anything. We do not have to please anyone other than the Lord. Often times we get misunderstood by others. But even then we can bear the injustice because we know we are doing it for the Lord. To live a life worthy of the Lord should be our number one concern. It is also our duty and our call.
Therefore no matter what work we are doing, the first thing we have to ask is thus. Is this worthy of the Lord? Is this worthy of His name? Can this bring glory to the Lord? Do we live a life that pleases the Lord? Have we made Him happy? Do not ask I ought to do this, I ought to do that! Can I do this? Can I do that? Especially do not ask, “How would people think if I do this?” What we need to ask first of all is to ask the Lord who loves us. What does He think? Does He think this is right?
We do know what He thinks because we have the Bible that teaches us, and we have the Holy Spirit that anoints us. If it makes the Holy Spirit worry, it is the thing we can not do. Though it seems not a big deal—like following the mob and doing foolish things that hamper unity. Or it may be things that people say it won’t hurt to do. But when we know it doesn’t please the Lord, we should not do it. If we do not live a life that is worthy of the Lord, and pleasing in His sight, how can we stand in front of Him when we have to meet Him face to face one day? Not to mention we lose communication with Him here and now. What a great pity it is to live in disconnection with the Lord. Our heart will have no peace or joy. And we will have to be disciplined by Him sooner or later. Live a life that is worthy of the Lord. We are not living under whatever doctrines, traditions, rites and rules we find in the church. We are not declaring whatever theological stands, preaching, ideology, school of thoughts we find in the seminary. We are serving a true and living Lord. What matter most is to live a life worthy of Him and please Him in every way.
本週默想分享
上週有一位教友用公開的電郵信件問我一個問題，要我明確的表態。 他說，“陳牧師你支不支持自由派神學的立場？”他堅持地說他只想知我說，‘是’或‘不是’，我說其他解釋的話，他都說我沒有回答他的問題。我沒有辦法，只有用這個地方嚴肅和謹慎地回答他。我不屬於自由派，但自由派是屬於我的。正如我不屬於福音派，但是福音派是屬於我的一樣。作為聯合教會的牧師，我知道聯合教會不屬於自由派，也不屬於福音派，但自由派是屬於它的，正如福音派也是屬於它的一樣。作為基督徒，我們不能說我要效忠於甚麼派別，要對得起甚麼人。我們只需要效忠於主，對得起主。歌羅西書1章10節說，“好叫你們行事為人對得起主，凡事蒙他喜悅。”基督徒有一個基本行事為人的原則，就是要對得起主，凡事蒙祂喜悅。因為我們是屬主的人，蒙了主極大的恩典和拯救，我們不再是屬自己的人，也不是屬乎別人，不欠任何人的債，也不要討任何人的喜悅，除非是為了主的緣故，受了委屈，也無所謂。怎樣做才能對得起主，是我們第一要考慮的事，也是我們唯一的責任和本分。
所以我們做任何事，要問一問是不是對得起主，與主的名相稱嗎？能夠使主得榮耀嗎？我們行事為人是叫主喜悅嗎？讓主心滿意足嗎？不管我們自己覺得應不應該，可不可以，也不管別人以為如何，首先的是要問愛我們的主。祂的意思如何？祂看為是對的嗎？
我們是可以知道的，因為不但有聖經明文的教訓，我們裏面也有恩膏的教訓。若叫聖靈擔憂，那就不能做，即或不是甚麼罪，如盲從附和，人云亦云的去搞分裂。或者人以為你沒有錯，但我們知道主不喜悅，就不應當做。我們若行事為人對不起神，不討祂的喜悅，將來怎能見他呢？就是現在失去和主的交通，也是極為可惜。心中必沒有平安喜樂，而且還要受主的管教。行事為人要對得起主。我們不是守甚麼教條，傳說，禮儀，規矩，也不是對待甚麼道理，講論，組織，制度，乃是一位又真又活的主，對得起祂，討祂喜悅。
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