DATE: 2009/6/21
本周默想分享
在父親節的今天，我們不但要紀念父親，也要尊敬父神。正如瑪拉基書1章6節說：“兒子尊敬父親，僕人敬畏主人，我既為父親，尊敬我的在哪里呢？我既為主人，敬畏我的在哪里呢？” 人間的關係， 和世界上的事物，能說明與神的關係，和靈界的事物。人世的一切如同影兒，屬靈的一切才是實體。對於信徒來說，應當更注意與神的關係和屬靈的事物。因為那是真實而永遠的，但以今生屬世的問題可以得教訓，神也常用此講明真理。
這段經文特別提到我們與神的關係，如父與子，主與僕的關係。這在聖經中說的很多，神是我們的天父，是我們的主宰，我們是祂的兒女和僕人。但事實上，許多信徒都沒有對神如同兒子對父親，僕人對主人一樣。因為沒有尊敬和敬畏祂，這使神時常不悅，甚至發怒。有的信徒對神還不如對世上的父親，和有權位的主人那麼尊敬和敬畏。對神沒有事奉，對神的話也沒有聽從，與神沒有親近，也不求討神的喜悅，這都叫神極為難過，正如以賽亞書上所說的。
“天哪，要聽，地啊，側耳以聽，我養育兒女，將他們養大，他們竟悖逆我。牛認識主人，驢認識主人的槽，以色列人卻不認識，我的民卻不留意。。。你們屢次悖逆，還要受責打嗎？”（賽1：2-5）又如耶利米書上說：“可見你離棄耶和華你的神，不存敬畏我的心，乃為惡事，為苦事”。（耶2：19）
如果我們不認識神的慈愛和恩典，真是牛驢都不如。若不尊敬，不敬畏神，不聽神的話乃是惡事，也是苦事。神今天在那裏尋找誰尊敬祂，要賜大恩典，福氣給他。
Spiritual Thought for the Week
On this Father’s Day Sunday, we honor not only our earthly father but also our heavenly father. God asks us the question, “A son honors his father and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the respect due me?” (Malachi 1:6) Human relationship is parallel to divine relationship. Earthly relationships are shadows. But divine relationship is the real thing. As Christians we pay attention to our relationship with God. It is because it is real and eternal. Nevertheless earthly relationship reminds us of our relationship with God. Like today’s passage for instance God is making an analogy to us.
Our relationship with God is analytical to that of the father and his son or that of the master to his servant. The Bible tells us many times that God is our heavenly father. He is our lord. We are his children and servants. In fact many believers do not treat God like a son to his father, or a servant to his lord. We do not give him the fear and respect. This up sets God and causes his wrath. Some believers honor their earthly fathers and their company’s bosses more than they do to God. They do not serve God; they do not hear his words. They do not come close to God. They do not seek God’s favor. This makes God very sad. Just like what the prophet Isaiah said.
“Hear O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand…Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion?”(Isaiah 1:2-5) Prophet Jeremiah also said,: “how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,”(Jeremiah 2:19)
If we do not recognize God’s mercy and grace, we are worse than ox and donkey. If we do not honor God, fear God, obey his words, we are doing evil and bitter deeds. God is searching everywhere today. He is looking for people who would respect him and fear him. When he finds them he blesses them with great gift of blessing and grace.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Spiritual Thought for the Week 2009/6/14
Spiritual Thought for the Week
Have you ever thought of the characteristics of a Christian? Now that we are Christians, is there any distinction that makes us different from others in this world? Paul tells us a Christian is one who lives only for Christ. “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.”(Romans 14:8) The basic characteristic of a Christian is that he/she confesses Jesus Christ as Lord. We are saved by the Lord. We belong to him. We are no longer that old, self possessed person who belongs to himself and lives to himself only. We no longer use the Lord to meet our own ends, and to satisfy our own demands. For not letting Jesus be Lord is wrong. Our direction in life is wrong. This is because our past life has been crucified and we cannot live in the past any more.
The Lord’s salvation is to free us from the bondage of sin. In fact it is to rid us from the old person which is the old Adam. For that life was rotten corrupted and defiled. It was adversary to God. It was inconsistent to people. Only through dying together with the Lord on the cross we can find a new way out. This is the only route to righteous living before the pleasing sight of God.
If any one should believe in Christ let him live no longer for himself but live a life holy and acceptable to the Lord. Otherwise we can not call ourselves Christians. And our lives will lead to the wrong direction. It will give no meaning or value. All it can do is nothing but offending and showing unworthiness before God. But living for the Lord gives us peace and strength. We can bear witness to men and give glory to God.
Men are used to live for themselves only. Christians have to learn to live for the Lord. Our life belongs to him. He died for us. He rose from the dead for us so that we can live for him. It is only fair and right that we live a life that belongs to him. As Paul said, “For Christ’s love compels us,” (II Corinthians 5:14) And he admonish us, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (I Corinthians 6:20)
--End—
Have you ever thought of the characteristics of a Christian? Now that we are Christians, is there any distinction that makes us different from others in this world? Paul tells us a Christian is one who lives only for Christ. “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.”(Romans 14:8) The basic characteristic of a Christian is that he/she confesses Jesus Christ as Lord. We are saved by the Lord. We belong to him. We are no longer that old, self possessed person who belongs to himself and lives to himself only. We no longer use the Lord to meet our own ends, and to satisfy our own demands. For not letting Jesus be Lord is wrong. Our direction in life is wrong. This is because our past life has been crucified and we cannot live in the past any more.
The Lord’s salvation is to free us from the bondage of sin. In fact it is to rid us from the old person which is the old Adam. For that life was rotten corrupted and defiled. It was adversary to God. It was inconsistent to people. Only through dying together with the Lord on the cross we can find a new way out. This is the only route to righteous living before the pleasing sight of God.
If any one should believe in Christ let him live no longer for himself but live a life holy and acceptable to the Lord. Otherwise we can not call ourselves Christians. And our lives will lead to the wrong direction. It will give no meaning or value. All it can do is nothing but offending and showing unworthiness before God. But living for the Lord gives us peace and strength. We can bear witness to men and give glory to God.
Men are used to live for themselves only. Christians have to learn to live for the Lord. Our life belongs to him. He died for us. He rose from the dead for us so that we can live for him. It is only fair and right that we live a life that belongs to him. As Paul said, “For Christ’s love compels us,” (II Corinthians 5:14) And he admonish us, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (I Corinthians 6:20)
--End—
Sermon Date: 2009/6/14
DATE: 2009/6/14
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 16:24-28
SERMON: What are the characteristics of a Christian?
講道題目: 甚麼是基督徒的特質
How do you spot a Christian in a crowd? What makes a Christian different from any other person in his behavior? If you were to make a list of things which are distinctive of a Christian’s behavior, what would they be? (a) We would eliminate from our list the habit of going to church, saying our prayers, and making our pledge, because these things we would take for granted as the normal activity of a Christian. (b) What we would want to indicate would be the things that this kind of religious activity might be expected to produce, the attitudes and qualities that are the natural result of such religious beliefs and practices.
These are the things which to me are most noticeable in Christian behavior and things which I should most like to cultivate myself.
I. There is a quietness about a Christian that you cannot miss. (1) By quietness I do not mean necessarily that he is any less noisy than other people, although he may be. By quietness I do not mean that a Christian is necessarily any more placid by way of temperament than any other person. He may be, or he may not be. I mean rather that he is less jittery, more at peace with himself, his world, and his God, less anxious, less fretful, less fearful of the future than the rank and file of people that he lives with. (2) There are two kinds of quietness. (a) One comes from resignation. It is really more like dumbness than quietness. You see it in people who have been so badly beaten by life that there is nothing left in them. They are silent because they have neither the strength nor the will to say anything more. (b) Another comes from a confidence in God. It is a willingness to trust in resources that are beyond your own and a certainty that after you have done your best there is God who will carry forward what you have begun, supplement your inadequate efforts, and correct your mistakes. It is the sense that whiles everything depends in you, nothing depends on you. Therefore, there is a stillness about Christians that is like the stillness of water that runs deep.
II. There is an unworldliness about a Christian that is very noticeable, particularly in our society which is worldly and materialistic to the extreme. (1) The average Christian has not withdrawn from the world, and he has not renounced the world; he loves the world because God loves it and gave himself for it. A Christian enjoys the food on his table, but he doesn’t live to eat but eats to live. He makes money to live on, but he doesn’t live for the money he makes. (2) The things God has given us to make life beautiful are not to be scorned and are surely too precious to lose. Yet you realize the minute you go into a Christian’s home that he is not smothered by things he doesn’t need, and that he has left himself room to be aware of the things that other people do need. If he should lose all his possessions tomorrow, he would have lost nothing essential to himself. (3) This is the kind of freedom from the things of the world that Jesus had. I suppose that is why he makes such an enormous appeal to the world at his particular time, because he moves through life traveling so lightly and so unencumbered by the things that weigh us down.
III. A Christian is gentle, not because he is weak and not because he doesn’t care one way or the other, but because he is strong and cares so much about another’s life that he would sooner die than violate, crush, or inhibit it. (1) He believes that love can do things that nothing else can do. He has learned that you can fight your way through a crowd, but you can never fight your way into another person’s life. You can only win your way. And that is love. (2) He believes that there is something stronger than physical force to bring about the things that he wants to bring about for the people that he knows and loves. He is not the kind of person who puts on pressure, who is high-powered and quick to resort to temper, force, and violence. He is the sort of person who tries to cultivate in himself the gentleness he sees in Jesus, the strong Son of God, yet who would not lay hands on another’s life, even to save his own, inasmuch as that life too is a child of God.
IV. A Christian is the kind of person that other people like to have around. (1) He quickens them. They are more alive when he is there. He draws something out of them that they didn’t know they had. He communicates to them something of his own extraordinary vitality, and they are aware of what they call his good character. (2) He possesses real joy, and he enjoys life. A person has real joy only to the degree that he is really unselfish. If you are trying to spot a Christian and you see someone glum and grim, casting a cold damp blanket on a group of people, you know he hasn’t the joy of the Lord Jesus. I cannot imagine the tax collectors, sinners, and people on the street wanting Jesus in their company if he hadn’t quickened them because of his own joy in them and in life.
V. Two things will help you to become more like a Christian. (1) Your relationship with God does not depend on the score you make. God accepts you even if you make a score of zero. Don’t be afraid and discouraged. If your relationship with God is what it ought to be, you should be improving from year to year. (2) You cannot improve by trying harder. You can do it only when and if God comes to you, as he will come in many different ways and in ways that you least expect if you are at the time ready to receive the light and life, the power and inspiration that come from another person who crosses your path, flashes that come from a book that you read, insights that come from an experience which plows you to the depths. If you are ready to receive this coming of God to you, this inflow of life, you will improve, and you will behave more like a Christina as the years go by.
Amen
Synopsis
How do you spot a Christian in a crowd? (a) We would eliminate the habit of going to church, saying our prayers, and making our pledge, (b) What are the attitudes and qualities that are the natural result of such religious beliefs and practices.
I. There is a quietness about a Christian that you cannot miss.
II. There is an unworldliness about a Christian that is very noticeable, particularly in our society which is worldly and materialistic to the extreme.
III. A Christian is gentle, not because he is weak and not because he doesn’t care one way or the other, but because he is strong and cares so much about another’s life that he would sooner die than violate, crush, or inhibit it.
IV. A Christian is the kind of person that other people like to have around.
V. Two things will help you to become more like a Christian. (1) Your relationship with God does not depend on the score you make. God accepts you even if you make a score of zero. (2) You cannot improve by trying harder. You can do it only when and if God comes to you, as he will come in many different ways.
讲道大纲
你能在人群中把基督徒找出来吗？（1）我们不会因他去礼拜堂，祷告，奉献，便说他是基督徒。（2）我们要问他在这些宗教活动後，有甚麽态度和品质表现出来。
甲． 基督徒是安静的。
乙． 基督徒不是一个世俗的人。
丙． 基督徒是温柔的。
丁． 基督徒是人人乐意亲近的。
戊． 两件事帮助你更像基督徒：（1）你与神的关系不在乎你的表现。你的表现就算是零分神仍然接受你的。（2）你不能靠努力改变自己，当神来到你面前时，你就得到改变。
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 16:24-28
SERMON: What are the characteristics of a Christian?
講道題目: 甚麼是基督徒的特質
How do you spot a Christian in a crowd? What makes a Christian different from any other person in his behavior? If you were to make a list of things which are distinctive of a Christian’s behavior, what would they be? (a) We would eliminate from our list the habit of going to church, saying our prayers, and making our pledge, because these things we would take for granted as the normal activity of a Christian. (b) What we would want to indicate would be the things that this kind of religious activity might be expected to produce, the attitudes and qualities that are the natural result of such religious beliefs and practices.
These are the things which to me are most noticeable in Christian behavior and things which I should most like to cultivate myself.
I. There is a quietness about a Christian that you cannot miss. (1) By quietness I do not mean necessarily that he is any less noisy than other people, although he may be. By quietness I do not mean that a Christian is necessarily any more placid by way of temperament than any other person. He may be, or he may not be. I mean rather that he is less jittery, more at peace with himself, his world, and his God, less anxious, less fretful, less fearful of the future than the rank and file of people that he lives with. (2) There are two kinds of quietness. (a) One comes from resignation. It is really more like dumbness than quietness. You see it in people who have been so badly beaten by life that there is nothing left in them. They are silent because they have neither the strength nor the will to say anything more. (b) Another comes from a confidence in God. It is a willingness to trust in resources that are beyond your own and a certainty that after you have done your best there is God who will carry forward what you have begun, supplement your inadequate efforts, and correct your mistakes. It is the sense that whiles everything depends in you, nothing depends on you. Therefore, there is a stillness about Christians that is like the stillness of water that runs deep.
II. There is an unworldliness about a Christian that is very noticeable, particularly in our society which is worldly and materialistic to the extreme. (1) The average Christian has not withdrawn from the world, and he has not renounced the world; he loves the world because God loves it and gave himself for it. A Christian enjoys the food on his table, but he doesn’t live to eat but eats to live. He makes money to live on, but he doesn’t live for the money he makes. (2) The things God has given us to make life beautiful are not to be scorned and are surely too precious to lose. Yet you realize the minute you go into a Christian’s home that he is not smothered by things he doesn’t need, and that he has left himself room to be aware of the things that other people do need. If he should lose all his possessions tomorrow, he would have lost nothing essential to himself. (3) This is the kind of freedom from the things of the world that Jesus had. I suppose that is why he makes such an enormous appeal to the world at his particular time, because he moves through life traveling so lightly and so unencumbered by the things that weigh us down.
III. A Christian is gentle, not because he is weak and not because he doesn’t care one way or the other, but because he is strong and cares so much about another’s life that he would sooner die than violate, crush, or inhibit it. (1) He believes that love can do things that nothing else can do. He has learned that you can fight your way through a crowd, but you can never fight your way into another person’s life. You can only win your way. And that is love. (2) He believes that there is something stronger than physical force to bring about the things that he wants to bring about for the people that he knows and loves. He is not the kind of person who puts on pressure, who is high-powered and quick to resort to temper, force, and violence. He is the sort of person who tries to cultivate in himself the gentleness he sees in Jesus, the strong Son of God, yet who would not lay hands on another’s life, even to save his own, inasmuch as that life too is a child of God.
IV. A Christian is the kind of person that other people like to have around. (1) He quickens them. They are more alive when he is there. He draws something out of them that they didn’t know they had. He communicates to them something of his own extraordinary vitality, and they are aware of what they call his good character. (2) He possesses real joy, and he enjoys life. A person has real joy only to the degree that he is really unselfish. If you are trying to spot a Christian and you see someone glum and grim, casting a cold damp blanket on a group of people, you know he hasn’t the joy of the Lord Jesus. I cannot imagine the tax collectors, sinners, and people on the street wanting Jesus in their company if he hadn’t quickened them because of his own joy in them and in life.
V. Two things will help you to become more like a Christian. (1) Your relationship with God does not depend on the score you make. God accepts you even if you make a score of zero. Don’t be afraid and discouraged. If your relationship with God is what it ought to be, you should be improving from year to year. (2) You cannot improve by trying harder. You can do it only when and if God comes to you, as he will come in many different ways and in ways that you least expect if you are at the time ready to receive the light and life, the power and inspiration that come from another person who crosses your path, flashes that come from a book that you read, insights that come from an experience which plows you to the depths. If you are ready to receive this coming of God to you, this inflow of life, you will improve, and you will behave more like a Christina as the years go by.
Amen
Synopsis
How do you spot a Christian in a crowd? (a) We would eliminate the habit of going to church, saying our prayers, and making our pledge, (b) What are the attitudes and qualities that are the natural result of such religious beliefs and practices.
I. There is a quietness about a Christian that you cannot miss.
II. There is an unworldliness about a Christian that is very noticeable, particularly in our society which is worldly and materialistic to the extreme.
III. A Christian is gentle, not because he is weak and not because he doesn’t care one way or the other, but because he is strong and cares so much about another’s life that he would sooner die than violate, crush, or inhibit it.
IV. A Christian is the kind of person that other people like to have around.
V. Two things will help you to become more like a Christian. (1) Your relationship with God does not depend on the score you make. God accepts you even if you make a score of zero. (2) You cannot improve by trying harder. You can do it only when and if God comes to you, as he will come in many different ways.
讲道大纲
你能在人群中把基督徒找出来吗？（1）我们不会因他去礼拜堂，祷告，奉献，便说他是基督徒。（2）我们要问他在这些宗教活动後，有甚麽态度和品质表现出来。
甲． 基督徒是安静的。
乙． 基督徒不是一个世俗的人。
丙． 基督徒是温柔的。
丁． 基督徒是人人乐意亲近的。
戊． 两件事帮助你更像基督徒：（1）你与神的关系不在乎你的表现。你的表现就算是零分神仍然接受你的。（2）你不能靠努力改变自己，当神来到你面前时，你就得到改变。
Friday, June 5, 2009
Sermon Date: 2009/6/7
DATE: 2009/6/7
SCRIPTURE READING: Ephesians 4:11-16
SERMON: Speaking the Truth in Love
講道題目: 惟用愛心說誠實話
Many people claim that there is no such thing as Christian criticism. All would agree that criticism which is destructive of other person is completely inconsistent with the way of loving Christians. However Jesus himself was a critic of others. There is no way for you and me to live this life without criticizing others, but woe to us if we are not careful and loving in making our criticism to others.
(a) All criticism which is Christian must be made in the context of love for the person criticized. Paul uses the word “”edification.” (verse 12) That means “building up” other persons. Jesus never criticized any person except to lift and improve the other’s life.
(b) All Christian criticism is built on complete honesty and justice. You can never know all of the facts about another person. You have to be honest enough to get as many of the facts as you can if you truly desire to make any criticism Christian.
(c) Christian criticism always leaves the door open for the criticized to improve. No criticism that you and I ever make can be final. Only God can make final judgments. If your criticism is really to be constructive and helpful to other persons then it ought to challenge, to inspire those persons to newer and greater heights. Other persons will live up or down to the expectations we have of them.
(d) Christian criticism must always be in a spirit of humility. No matter what you may criticize in another person, you stand just as much in need of help as he does, even though perhaps in some other area of life. Christian criticism is never made from the level of superior to inferior. Christian criticism is always one sinner standing with another sinner on level ground beneath the cross.
It is difficult to criticize others in a Christian spirit in a constructive way, but how much more difficult it is to receive criticism in a Christian manner.
(a) Evaluate the criticism to see if there is anything valid in it at all, if there is any truth, profit from it. Use it as an experience of growth.
(b) Take your criticism, realizing that you are not on this earth to please men. It does not really matter whether you ever please another person, be he a critic or not. Paul said, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10)
(c) As criticism comes at you realize that by taking it you may be able to help those who criticize you. There are persons who need to get rid of the hostility which is in them. God’s spirit cannot work in the life of a man who is on the defensive. So if you can become like a blotter and absorb the critic’s hostility this may be opening the door for God to work in his life.
(d) As criticism is shot your way be certain you keep a sense of humor. Humor always cushions the shock of criticism. As Jesus faced his critics, the scribes and Pharisees, he tinged his replies with humor. In reality humor is the ability to get off and objectively look at self and laugh about it.
(e) When you face the criticism which comes to you in this society, don’t be surprised. Jesus has promised that you are going to be criticized. Take it in humility, but don’t take it with humiliation. Don’t let it crush you. Don’t let it agitate you. Stop to understand that Jesus has promised that all who live according to Christian convictions will be criticized. He even says that you will be happy or blessed when you are “persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”
(f) Even if you can follow all of these principles in facing criticism, there is one more important principle: pray for those who criticize you. (Matt. 5:44) Never forget that two wrongs do not make a right, two hates do not make a love, but sometimes when hate is followed by your love the result can be two loves.
Synopsis
Is there such thing as Christian criticism? Yes, if we speak the truth in love.
How do we give criticism in a Christian way?
(a) All criticism which is Christian must be made in the context of love for the person criticized.
(b) All Christian criticism is built on complete honesty and justice.
(c) Christian criticism always leaves the door open for the criticized to improve.
(d) Christian criticism must always be in a spirit of humility.
How do we receive criticism in a Christian way?
(a) Evaluate the criticism to see if there is anything valid in it.
(b) Take your criticism, realizing that you are not on this earth to please men.
(c) Realize that by taking it you may be able to help those who criticize you.
(d) Be certain you keep a sense of humor.
(e) Jesus has promised that you are going to be criticized.
(f) Pray for those who criticize you.
讲道大纲
究竟有没有基督徒的批评这回事呢？是有的！如果我们能够用爱心说诚实话。
如何以基督徒的爱心作出批评：
甲． 一定要在爱的考虑范围中作出行动。
乙． 要建立在诚实和公正的基础上。
丙． 让被批评的人有改善的门径。
丁． 要用谦卑的心互相提点。
如何以基督徒的爱心接受批评：
甲． 评估那批评是否属实。
乙． 接受批评因为你不是要讨人欢喜。
丙． 接受批评因为你或者可以帮助这个批评你的人。
丁． 最紧要保持幽默感。
戊． 耶稣保证你一定会被人批评的。
己． 为批评你的人祷告。
Pastoral Prayer:
Almighty and ever-living God, on this Trinity Sunday we praise you for the strong consolation that we find in your love. We rejoice in the thought of your aggressive grace, ever seeking us, ever giving us blessings if we open our hearts to receive them. We gather together to praise your name in this time of holy worship, to honor you as our living God and the God of the entire universe. We praise you in the name of our Savior who is the Lord of Lords and King of kings. We praise you in the name of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts as comforter, strengthener, and friend and guiding us in the way of life.
We thank you fro the privilege of being called to be your colleagues in strengthening and advancing the holy cause of the kingdom of Christ in our time. Give us guidance and direction. Give us spiritual strength that we may see what is to be done and have the power to do it. Above all give us that deathless spirit of love which was in Jesus Christ and grant that as we love you and love our Savior we may learn to love one another and make this a world after the pattern of your holy will.
We ask your special blessing upon those of our fellowship who are sick. We thank you for the privilege of turning to you for healing and help, and now we ask that your blessings may come into the lives of those who have distress, who have physical illness, who have depression of spirit or problems of mind. Be a healer and helper to all, and through the very hours of trouble you bring the shining light of an eternal hope.
We pray for parishioners who are seeking for jobs or are in between jobs. May the blessing and promise of Jehovah Jireh be assured in their steadfast faith. May they know that your faithfulness will never fail them and that you promise them you the Lord of grace will provide. We pray for Sister Hao Shu Ge, as she had taken her nursing graduation test last Thursday. We look forward to her passing the exam and commencing her professional career soon.
We pray for China as we remember it was the 20th anniversary of the June 4 movement last Thursday. May the passion and warm blood of the patriotic students continue to prevail in China. May the spirit of liberty and democracy continue to grow in China despite the crack down of the up rising 20 years ago.
We pray for world liberation from tyranny and dictatorship. Yesterday we celebrated the liberation of Europe from the Nazi occupation through the invasion of Normandy by the Allies into France. We remember the courageous soldiers who gave their lives for the liberation. May the world continue to maintain and enjoy the peace they established through the sacrifice they made.
We would remember the faith that led our fathers to settle this country, establish its laws, fight its battles, share its goods, and declare its faith. Whatever was true in their lives, whatever was honorable, whatever was just, whatever was pure, whatever was lovely, whatever was gracious, whatever worthy of praise, let us think on these things and be thankful.
In Christ name we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING: Ephesians 4:11-16
SERMON: Speaking the Truth in Love
講道題目: 惟用愛心說誠實話
Many people claim that there is no such thing as Christian criticism. All would agree that criticism which is destructive of other person is completely inconsistent with the way of loving Christians. However Jesus himself was a critic of others. There is no way for you and me to live this life without criticizing others, but woe to us if we are not careful and loving in making our criticism to others.
(a) All criticism which is Christian must be made in the context of love for the person criticized. Paul uses the word “”edification.” (verse 12) That means “building up” other persons. Jesus never criticized any person except to lift and improve the other’s life.
(b) All Christian criticism is built on complete honesty and justice. You can never know all of the facts about another person. You have to be honest enough to get as many of the facts as you can if you truly desire to make any criticism Christian.
(c) Christian criticism always leaves the door open for the criticized to improve. No criticism that you and I ever make can be final. Only God can make final judgments. If your criticism is really to be constructive and helpful to other persons then it ought to challenge, to inspire those persons to newer and greater heights. Other persons will live up or down to the expectations we have of them.
(d) Christian criticism must always be in a spirit of humility. No matter what you may criticize in another person, you stand just as much in need of help as he does, even though perhaps in some other area of life. Christian criticism is never made from the level of superior to inferior. Christian criticism is always one sinner standing with another sinner on level ground beneath the cross.
It is difficult to criticize others in a Christian spirit in a constructive way, but how much more difficult it is to receive criticism in a Christian manner.
(a) Evaluate the criticism to see if there is anything valid in it at all, if there is any truth, profit from it. Use it as an experience of growth.
(b) Take your criticism, realizing that you are not on this earth to please men. It does not really matter whether you ever please another person, be he a critic or not. Paul said, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10)
(c) As criticism comes at you realize that by taking it you may be able to help those who criticize you. There are persons who need to get rid of the hostility which is in them. God’s spirit cannot work in the life of a man who is on the defensive. So if you can become like a blotter and absorb the critic’s hostility this may be opening the door for God to work in his life.
(d) As criticism is shot your way be certain you keep a sense of humor. Humor always cushions the shock of criticism. As Jesus faced his critics, the scribes and Pharisees, he tinged his replies with humor. In reality humor is the ability to get off and objectively look at self and laugh about it.
(e) When you face the criticism which comes to you in this society, don’t be surprised. Jesus has promised that you are going to be criticized. Take it in humility, but don’t take it with humiliation. Don’t let it crush you. Don’t let it agitate you. Stop to understand that Jesus has promised that all who live according to Christian convictions will be criticized. He even says that you will be happy or blessed when you are “persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”
(f) Even if you can follow all of these principles in facing criticism, there is one more important principle: pray for those who criticize you. (Matt. 5:44) Never forget that two wrongs do not make a right, two hates do not make a love, but sometimes when hate is followed by your love the result can be two loves.
Synopsis
Is there such thing as Christian criticism? Yes, if we speak the truth in love.
How do we give criticism in a Christian way?
(a) All criticism which is Christian must be made in the context of love for the person criticized.
(b) All Christian criticism is built on complete honesty and justice.
(c) Christian criticism always leaves the door open for the criticized to improve.
(d) Christian criticism must always be in a spirit of humility.
How do we receive criticism in a Christian way?
(a) Evaluate the criticism to see if there is anything valid in it.
(b) Take your criticism, realizing that you are not on this earth to please men.
(c) Realize that by taking it you may be able to help those who criticize you.
(d) Be certain you keep a sense of humor.
(e) Jesus has promised that you are going to be criticized.
(f) Pray for those who criticize you.
讲道大纲
究竟有没有基督徒的批评这回事呢？是有的！如果我们能够用爱心说诚实话。
如何以基督徒的爱心作出批评：
甲． 一定要在爱的考虑范围中作出行动。
乙． 要建立在诚实和公正的基础上。
丙． 让被批评的人有改善的门径。
丁． 要用谦卑的心互相提点。
如何以基督徒的爱心接受批评：
甲． 评估那批评是否属实。
乙． 接受批评因为你不是要讨人欢喜。
丙． 接受批评因为你或者可以帮助这个批评你的人。
丁． 最紧要保持幽默感。
戊． 耶稣保证你一定会被人批评的。
己． 为批评你的人祷告。
Pastoral Prayer:
Almighty and ever-living God, on this Trinity Sunday we praise you for the strong consolation that we find in your love. We rejoice in the thought of your aggressive grace, ever seeking us, ever giving us blessings if we open our hearts to receive them. We gather together to praise your name in this time of holy worship, to honor you as our living God and the God of the entire universe. We praise you in the name of our Savior who is the Lord of Lords and King of kings. We praise you in the name of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts as comforter, strengthener, and friend and guiding us in the way of life.
We thank you fro the privilege of being called to be your colleagues in strengthening and advancing the holy cause of the kingdom of Christ in our time. Give us guidance and direction. Give us spiritual strength that we may see what is to be done and have the power to do it. Above all give us that deathless spirit of love which was in Jesus Christ and grant that as we love you and love our Savior we may learn to love one another and make this a world after the pattern of your holy will.
We ask your special blessing upon those of our fellowship who are sick. We thank you for the privilege of turning to you for healing and help, and now we ask that your blessings may come into the lives of those who have distress, who have physical illness, who have depression of spirit or problems of mind. Be a healer and helper to all, and through the very hours of trouble you bring the shining light of an eternal hope.
We pray for parishioners who are seeking for jobs or are in between jobs. May the blessing and promise of Jehovah Jireh be assured in their steadfast faith. May they know that your faithfulness will never fail them and that you promise them you the Lord of grace will provide. We pray for Sister Hao Shu Ge, as she had taken her nursing graduation test last Thursday. We look forward to her passing the exam and commencing her professional career soon.
We pray for China as we remember it was the 20th anniversary of the June 4 movement last Thursday. May the passion and warm blood of the patriotic students continue to prevail in China. May the spirit of liberty and democracy continue to grow in China despite the crack down of the up rising 20 years ago.
We pray for world liberation from tyranny and dictatorship. Yesterday we celebrated the liberation of Europe from the Nazi occupation through the invasion of Normandy by the Allies into France. We remember the courageous soldiers who gave their lives for the liberation. May the world continue to maintain and enjoy the peace they established through the sacrifice they made.
We would remember the faith that led our fathers to settle this country, establish its laws, fight its battles, share its goods, and declare its faith. Whatever was true in their lives, whatever was honorable, whatever was just, whatever was pure, whatever was lovely, whatever was gracious, whatever worthy of praise, let us think on these things and be thankful.
In Christ name we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Spiritual Thought for the Week 2009/6/7
本周默想分享
亞伯拉罕經歷了信實的神。神要他把兒子獻上，他就獻上。神預備公羊為燔祭代替他的兒子。亞伯拉罕給那地方起名叫耶和華以勒。意思就是耶和華必有預備。今天我們經歷不到耶和華以勒的福氣，究竟是甚麼原因呢？原來亞伯拉罕經歷神的信實，是因為他有信心。“耶和華說，你既行了這事，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”（創22：16-17）
在宇宙中，實在說來，只有神和我們有真實的關係，永遠的關係。因為只有神是永存的，不變的，我們的一切都是從祂而來的，也都歸於祂。此外一切萬有，包括我們所在的世界和人物，都是因為神而發生某種暫時的關係，然而人常迷糊了，以為和別的甚麼關係是真實的，重要的，不可少的。卻不知神若收取，加以解除，就甚麼也不剩下，一切都不存在了。
我們所有的，無不是神所賜的，我們應當感謝祂，祂若取去，也當讚美祂。但祂願意向我們要，叫我們有機會自動地獻給祂，表示我們對神的尊敬，順服與愛心，來討祂的喜悅。神叫亞伯拉罕獻以撒就是這樣，好像祂所要求的太大了，太利害了，其實也不過要求將祂所賜的東西還給祂，叫我們從受造之物，歸向造物之主，從虛空的轉到真實的。
結果呢？是神自己預備了代替之物，並因著我們向著祂的敬畏和愛心，將加上千萬倍的賞賜還給我們。今生看不見，將來會得著。獻上給神不會是損失，只會是更豐富的得著，且得著神自己。神曾把祂的獨生子賜給我們，沒有留下甚麼不肯給我們的，我們還有甚麼捨不得的呢？神並不是真的要叫我們失去所最需要的，不過試驗我們對祂的信心和順服罷了！我們若真愛祂勝過愛一切，難道祂不會將最寶貴，最豐富的賜給我們嗎？
Spiritual Thought for the Week
Abraham experienced his faithful God. God asked him to give his son Isaac as an offering. He did as he was asked. Then God prepared a ram for him for the offering. Abraham killed the ram instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh meaning the Lord has provided. Today we find it hard to experience the blessedness of Jehovah Jireh and we ask why. In fact it took Abraham great faith to experience that faithfulness of God. “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you…”(Genesis 22:16-17)
In the whole universe, only our relationship with God is real and eternal. Only He exists from everlasting to everlasting. He never changes. We come from Him and one day we return to Him. So everything we do and have our being comes from God. All our temporal relationships are derived from God who is the ground of being. Foolishly men took the temporal as the eternal. We thought all relationships are real, important and indispensable, without knowing that if God wants to take back, and disband what He gave, everything will come to non existence.
Everything we have comes from God. We need to thank Him. Even if He takes everything away we still need to thank Him. However His holy will is that He wants to ask us to give voluntarily to Him. So that we have a chance to show our gratitude, respect, obedience and appreciations to Him. We can make Him happy. That’s the reason why God wanted Abraham to give Isaac to Him. One might say God is asking too much from Abraham. In fact God was only asking for things He gave us in the first place. This is a test to see if we the creature are willing to return to the creator things we were given by Him. If we pass the test we are moving from temporal to eternal.
Consequently, God provided for the substitution. And because of our willingness to love and respect He gives us a hundred million times more than what we originally offered. Although we may not see it here and now, yet we will see it in the future. Giving to God will never be a loss. It will pay off in abundance. The reward is God Himself. God gave His only son to us. There is nothing more important than this that He would not give. Do we have something which is more important than this that we can not give? God does not really want us to lose what we most need. But He wants to see our faith and our obedience. If we love Him more than anything on earth, He will give us the most precious thing He has in heaven for us.
亞伯拉罕經歷了信實的神。神要他把兒子獻上，他就獻上。神預備公羊為燔祭代替他的兒子。亞伯拉罕給那地方起名叫耶和華以勒。意思就是耶和華必有預備。今天我們經歷不到耶和華以勒的福氣，究竟是甚麼原因呢？原來亞伯拉罕經歷神的信實，是因為他有信心。“耶和華說，你既行了這事，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”（創22：16-17）
在宇宙中，實在說來，只有神和我們有真實的關係，永遠的關係。因為只有神是永存的，不變的，我們的一切都是從祂而來的，也都歸於祂。此外一切萬有，包括我們所在的世界和人物，都是因為神而發生某種暫時的關係，然而人常迷糊了，以為和別的甚麼關係是真實的，重要的，不可少的。卻不知神若收取，加以解除，就甚麼也不剩下，一切都不存在了。
我們所有的，無不是神所賜的，我們應當感謝祂，祂若取去，也當讚美祂。但祂願意向我們要，叫我們有機會自動地獻給祂，表示我們對神的尊敬，順服與愛心，來討祂的喜悅。神叫亞伯拉罕獻以撒就是這樣，好像祂所要求的太大了，太利害了，其實也不過要求將祂所賜的東西還給祂，叫我們從受造之物，歸向造物之主，從虛空的轉到真實的。
結果呢？是神自己預備了代替之物，並因著我們向著祂的敬畏和愛心，將加上千萬倍的賞賜還給我們。今生看不見，將來會得著。獻上給神不會是損失，只會是更豐富的得著，且得著神自己。神曾把祂的獨生子賜給我們，沒有留下甚麼不肯給我們的，我們還有甚麼捨不得的呢？神並不是真的要叫我們失去所最需要的，不過試驗我們對祂的信心和順服罷了！我們若真愛祂勝過愛一切，難道祂不會將最寶貴，最豐富的賜給我們嗎？
Spiritual Thought for the Week
Abraham experienced his faithful God. God asked him to give his son Isaac as an offering. He did as he was asked. Then God prepared a ram for him for the offering. Abraham killed the ram instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh meaning the Lord has provided. Today we find it hard to experience the blessedness of Jehovah Jireh and we ask why. In fact it took Abraham great faith to experience that faithfulness of God. “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you…”(Genesis 22:16-17)
In the whole universe, only our relationship with God is real and eternal. Only He exists from everlasting to everlasting. He never changes. We come from Him and one day we return to Him. So everything we do and have our being comes from God. All our temporal relationships are derived from God who is the ground of being. Foolishly men took the temporal as the eternal. We thought all relationships are real, important and indispensable, without knowing that if God wants to take back, and disband what He gave, everything will come to non existence.
Everything we have comes from God. We need to thank Him. Even if He takes everything away we still need to thank Him. However His holy will is that He wants to ask us to give voluntarily to Him. So that we have a chance to show our gratitude, respect, obedience and appreciations to Him. We can make Him happy. That’s the reason why God wanted Abraham to give Isaac to Him. One might say God is asking too much from Abraham. In fact God was only asking for things He gave us in the first place. This is a test to see if we the creature are willing to return to the creator things we were given by Him. If we pass the test we are moving from temporal to eternal.
Consequently, God provided for the substitution. And because of our willingness to love and respect He gives us a hundred million times more than what we originally offered. Although we may not see it here and now, yet we will see it in the future. Giving to God will never be a loss. It will pay off in abundance. The reward is God Himself. God gave His only son to us. There is nothing more important than this that He would not give. Do we have something which is more important than this that we can not give? God does not really want us to lose what we most need. But He wants to see our faith and our obedience. If we love Him more than anything on earth, He will give us the most precious thing He has in heaven for us.
Spiritual Thought for the Week 2009/5/31
我离开这礼拜堂的日子已定了。我的心满有平安。因为觉得我在这里过去的三年时光，没有一分是浪费的。我爱惜光阴，过去如是，将来也如是。正如使徒保罗说的，"要爱惜光阴，因为现今的世代邪恶"（弗5：16）我们在世馀下的光阴实在有限，几乎只有一点点的时间了，或者主再来或者我们死去，都可能随时发生。所以机会并不常有，一旦错过，失去就在不能挽回，永远後悔莫及。今天的光阴就是机会，可能是最後的，每一分一秒的光阴，关系到永恒的的祸福，得失，这一分一秒该是何等的珍贵，无价可估，真是太重要了。
那末此时可能是最後一刻了，当怎样度过呢？首先当认罪，悔改，转变。那就是说，如果有甚麽心中不安的事，或明明知道是罪，是不合理的，神所不喜悦的事，对不起神，对不起人，对不起自己永生的事，都必须立刻解决，免得留到审判臺前受报。因为不彻底转变，就要过到那边被定型了，永远的前途没有了，那真是可怕的。
就在最後一刻，将自己完全献给神，放在死的祭坛上做活祭。绝对地对世界，对肉体和对自己死了，只有向神活着，让主在里面活着。这馀下的光阴，完全顺从圣灵的引导，照神的旨意而行，一刻不能放松，随己意而行。因为这可能就是最後的一刻，如果主来正遇见我们是在放纵，散漫，悠闲，那是何等的羞耻，损失，懊悔。每分钟的光阴都当爱惜，不是说要自己尽量的忙乱做事，而是要认真的活在神的面前，在祂的光中，遵行神的旨意，每一分钟都用得有永恒的价值。
Spiritual Thought for the Week
My time of leaving this church has been fixed. My heart is filled with peace, because I know I have not wasted one minute during my three years of tenure here. I treasured every moment in the past. I will treasure every moment in the future. Just like Paul said, “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16) Our remaining days on this earth are limited. There is not much time left. Either the Lord returns or we die will end this time. So opportunity is not always available. Once we lose it we can not retrieve it. Today’s time is our opportunity. It could be the last opportunity. Each minute and second are so preciously related to our eternity that we can not afford to look at it lightly.
Now is the time for the last opportunity. How do we make the most of it? First let us repent. If there is something in your heart that makes you uncomfortable, acknowledge it. Could it be things that you did wrong to God, to other people or to yourself? If you don’t face it now, you will have to face it before the judgment seat in eternity. Then it will be too late because your future in eternity will be all gloom and doom. What a terrible scene to behold.
Before it is too late, let’s offer up our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. We treat our flesh, our selves and our earthly desire as dead things. We are living things only to God who let Christ to live in us. In this way we are totally submitted to the guiding of the Holy Spirit. We can not lose sight but keep on guard always knowing that this could be the very last day. What if the Lord returns and finds us off guard, lazy and not doing anything productive? What a shame! Every moment has to be lived with dignity and integrity. This is not to say that we necessarily live in fear and panic. But we live with great care before God, walk in His light, and do His will. Then every moment we live will be a moment that brings meaning to eternity.
那末此时可能是最後一刻了，当怎样度过呢？首先当认罪，悔改，转变。那就是说，如果有甚麽心中不安的事，或明明知道是罪，是不合理的，神所不喜悦的事，对不起神，对不起人，对不起自己永生的事，都必须立刻解决，免得留到审判臺前受报。因为不彻底转变，就要过到那边被定型了，永远的前途没有了，那真是可怕的。
就在最後一刻，将自己完全献给神，放在死的祭坛上做活祭。绝对地对世界，对肉体和对自己死了，只有向神活着，让主在里面活着。这馀下的光阴，完全顺从圣灵的引导，照神的旨意而行，一刻不能放松，随己意而行。因为这可能就是最後的一刻，如果主来正遇见我们是在放纵，散漫，悠闲，那是何等的羞耻，损失，懊悔。每分钟的光阴都当爱惜，不是说要自己尽量的忙乱做事，而是要认真的活在神的面前，在祂的光中，遵行神的旨意，每一分钟都用得有永恒的价值。
Spiritual Thought for the Week
My time of leaving this church has been fixed. My heart is filled with peace, because I know I have not wasted one minute during my three years of tenure here. I treasured every moment in the past. I will treasure every moment in the future. Just like Paul said, “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16) Our remaining days on this earth are limited. There is not much time left. Either the Lord returns or we die will end this time. So opportunity is not always available. Once we lose it we can not retrieve it. Today’s time is our opportunity. It could be the last opportunity. Each minute and second are so preciously related to our eternity that we can not afford to look at it lightly.
Now is the time for the last opportunity. How do we make the most of it? First let us repent. If there is something in your heart that makes you uncomfortable, acknowledge it. Could it be things that you did wrong to God, to other people or to yourself? If you don’t face it now, you will have to face it before the judgment seat in eternity. Then it will be too late because your future in eternity will be all gloom and doom. What a terrible scene to behold.
Before it is too late, let’s offer up our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. We treat our flesh, our selves and our earthly desire as dead things. We are living things only to God who let Christ to live in us. In this way we are totally submitted to the guiding of the Holy Spirit. We can not lose sight but keep on guard always knowing that this could be the very last day. What if the Lord returns and finds us off guard, lazy and not doing anything productive? What a shame! Every moment has to be lived with dignity and integrity. This is not to say that we necessarily live in fear and panic. But we live with great care before God, walk in His light, and do His will. Then every moment we live will be a moment that brings meaning to eternity.
Spiritual Thought for the Week 2009/5/24
Spiritual Thought for the Week
Have you ever felt lonesome? Jacob had had that experience before. We are told in Genesis 32:24, “So Jacob was left alone...” Being left alone makes us feel desolate, solitude and lonely. But it is in such time we think of God. When family members, friends and love ones have left, and we find no one we can turn to for help. It is time to turn to God. When things seem void and empty, God is there. We may forget God. We leave God. But God never forgets us or leaves us. He does not change. He is always faithful and He loves us to the end.
Being left alone may not be a bad time. Often it is the critical time in our life. When no one is there with us, it makes it easier for us to hear God’s voice, see His face and feel His mighty loving power. He has good will and nice plan for us. When He first came, we might not know it was Him. We thought He was our foe. We did our best to go against Him. We did not want to surrender. We wrestled with Him and wanted to win over Him so as to have things our way. But God gave us a big blow that quieted us down and we could do nothing but to yield under His power.
At this time we can not help but beseech Him for His blessing. We won’t insist on our way any more. Without God’s mercy everything will be finished. It is in moment like this that changes a man completely. From a man with cunning and selfish deceit Jacob changed to a man who no longer rely on the strength of his flesh but totally on God’s grace and blessing. Jacob lost himself but in return he found God. Jacob became Israel. This is a turning point not only for the well being of an individual but also for the beautiful future for the whole tribe of Israel. Today we the new Israelites of the new covenant are also blessed because of this faith. Being left alone is not a bad thing. It is an opportunity for us to see God. Once we see His face, everything will not be the same again.
Have you ever felt lonesome? Jacob had had that experience before. We are told in Genesis 32:24, “So Jacob was left alone...” Being left alone makes us feel desolate, solitude and lonely. But it is in such time we think of God. When family members, friends and love ones have left, and we find no one we can turn to for help. It is time to turn to God. When things seem void and empty, God is there. We may forget God. We leave God. But God never forgets us or leaves us. He does not change. He is always faithful and He loves us to the end.
Being left alone may not be a bad time. Often it is the critical time in our life. When no one is there with us, it makes it easier for us to hear God’s voice, see His face and feel His mighty loving power. He has good will and nice plan for us. When He first came, we might not know it was Him. We thought He was our foe. We did our best to go against Him. We did not want to surrender. We wrestled with Him and wanted to win over Him so as to have things our way. But God gave us a big blow that quieted us down and we could do nothing but to yield under His power.
At this time we can not help but beseech Him for His blessing. We won’t insist on our way any more. Without God’s mercy everything will be finished. It is in moment like this that changes a man completely. From a man with cunning and selfish deceit Jacob changed to a man who no longer rely on the strength of his flesh but totally on God’s grace and blessing. Jacob lost himself but in return he found God. Jacob became Israel. This is a turning point not only for the well being of an individual but also for the beautiful future for the whole tribe of Israel. Today we the new Israelites of the new covenant are also blessed because of this faith. Being left alone is not a bad thing. It is an opportunity for us to see God. Once we see His face, everything will not be the same again.
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