Sermon Date: 2009/7/12

DATE: 2009/7/12 Sermon:
SCRIPTURE READING: Matt. 18:21-22
SERMON: Our Story Has Not Finished…
講道題目: 我們的故事還沒有完…
Peter asked Jesus the question: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?” Peter was expecting Jesus to give him a limit so that he can terminate his relationship with his brother who sins against him. But Jesus answered: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus corrected Peter’s misconception. In Jesus understanding there is no limit for you to forgive your brother. In other words you can not terminate your relationship with your brother once he becomes your brother in Christ.
In another occasion Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not insist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matt. 5:38-39) Christians are called to a style of life that is totally free of vengeance. A wrong done to you does not give you license to inflict a wrong on someone else. The wisdom behind this counsel is visible from many angles.
I. Vengeance is harmful to the avenger as well as to the avengee. (1) Jesus absolutely negates hatred as inhuman, and vengeance always rises out of hatred. Vengeance produces in the human heart a disorganizing anxiety and displaces those positive and constructive dispositions where our well-being lies. (2) For the man of vengeance, every sunset is bleached of color; every meal is rendered bland and tasteless; every dream is cankered; every relationship is soured. Vengeance stops prayer, represses joy, misdirects energy, robs the middle years of their productivity, and crowns old age with a thorny wreath of bitterness.
II. Vengeance is futile. Evil is not the true answer to evil. It never was and it never will be. Vengeance simply perpetuates the cycle of sin-against-hate; hate-against-sin; Better that we should meet the one who offends us with kindness, even on pragmatic grounds. As Paul rightly said, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-22)
III. Vengeance reduces, when you think about it, to a denial of trust in God. When we take matters into our own hands and seek to execute judgment, we are in effect saying that we can’t trust God to do this for us.
IV. Vengeance is wrong because something else is right. And that something else is forgiveness. (1) Some people keep picking at their scar tissue so that the wounds will stay. Others massage their scars so that every trace may vanish. (2) “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Not that there is a condition that God only forgives as we forgive. Rather, the assumption is that, unless we have learned how to forgive another, we haven’t learned to receive forgiveness for ourselves. Francis Bacon said: “By taking revenge a man is but even with his enemy; but by passing over it, he is supreme.
Today is the last day of my preaching in this church. After today my relationship with you will no longer be pastor and parishioners. But our relationship as brothers and sisters will go on for ever. The memories I leave with you will be those of love and forgiveness. There will be no grudges and bitterness. It is because our love story has just begun. I love you all. God bless you.
Amen.
Synopsis:
In Jesus understanding there is no limit for you to forgive your brother. Christians are called to a style of life that is totally free of vengeance.
I. Vengeance is harmful to the avenger as well as to the avengee.
II. Vengeance is futile. Evil is not the true answer to evil.
III. Vengeance reduces to a denial of trust in God.
IV. Vengeance is wrong because something else is right. And that something else is forgiveness.
After today I will no longer see you. The memories I leave with you will be those of love and forgiveness. Our love story has just begun. I love you all. God bless you.

講道大綱
在耶穌的教訓裏，我們饒恕我們弟兄的次數，是要無限量的。基督徒的生活方式是完全解除報復的心理。
甲．報復是有害的。無論對報復者或被報復者，害處都是一樣。
乙．報復是沒有用的。以暴易暴不是解決問題的答案。
丙．報復只能消極地表示我們不信任上帝。
丁．報復是錯，因為另外有一個對的做法，那就是饒恕。
今天之後，我要離開你們了。我留給你們的回憶，就是愛與饒恕。我們的故事還沒有完。我愛你們。神祐你們。
Pastoral Prayer:
Almighty God, gracious Father, in the presence of your bounty keep us humble, in the presence of all people’s needs make us compassionate and caring.
Give us faith in our praying and love in our serving, knowing that by your power all may find a new balance in living and a new victory in adversity.
We pray for all unhappy lives, those who are bitter and resentful, feeling life has given them an unfair deal, those who are sensitive to criticism and quick to take offense, those who desire their own way, whatever the inconvenience or cost to others. May your judgment and mercy be for their healing.
We pray for those who are lonely, who are shy and self-conscious, who find it hard to make friends; those who are nervous and timid, who ever feel themselves strangers in a world they can scarcely understand. May your presence inspire confidence and ensure companionship.
We pray for those who live with bitter regrets, for loving relationships brought to ruin, for opportunities freely given and woefully abused, for the bitterness of defeat or betrayal at another’s hand, or for failure in personal integrity. May your grace give new hope to find victory in the very scene of failure.
We pray for all in illness and pain, weary of the day and fearful of the night. Grant healing, if it be your will, and at all times through faith the gift of your indwelling peace.
Bless the company of Christ’s folk, the church in every land. Make her eager in worship, fearless in proclamation of the gospel, and passionate for caring.
Bless our country. Bless our leaders. Bless our children and grant us peace within our borders. Grant us a nation to be found effective in establishing peace throughout the world.
Bless us, each one, in the communion of the saints, and keep us ever mindful of the great cloud of witness that, following in their steps, as they did in the steps of the Master, we may with them at the last receive the fulfillment promised to your people.
Now, O great God, bless us also in the life and work of this church, in our fellowship and in our Christian education, in our outreach and in our pastoral ministries. Where we fail to be attentive to the voice of your Spirit even as we profess to be focused on you in worship, forgive us. Still, touch us this day so that we will feel the energy we need to press on in faithful discipleship in the week ahead. Lift our sight higher so that we can strive toward loftier goals in the coming days. Remind us of your abiding love and grace so that we can become beacons of love and grace to coworkers, neighbors, friends, fellow students. Anoint our eyes to see your image residing deep within each person we meet. Anoint our ears to hear the cries of all who surround us, especially the needy. Anoint our hands to do gospel work. Anoint our lips to speak gospel peace so that in all ways, in all times, in all places, we may glorify you.
Now teach us to pray like the way you taught your disciples praying...