FW: [和平教會 靈修學英文] 安提阿教會

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:30 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 靈修學英文] 安提阿教會

Bible Reading:   BIBLE READING: Acts 11: 19 – 26   讀經：   使徒行傳十一章19至26節  

 

There are two churches which are important in the book of Acts. The first was at Jerusalem, the second was at Antioch. The Jerusalem church had a wonderful start, but then was hit by persecution and many of its members were scattered. Some of those members started the church at Antioch (Acts 11:20, 21). It became a wonderful church with a great missionary vision.使徒行傳出現兩間重要的教會，第一間是耶路撒冷教會，第二間是安提阿教會。耶路撒冷教會有一個美好的開始，可是，後來當逼迫臨到，信徒便逃散到各地。其中一些信徒便在安提阿建立了教會(徒十一20、21)；這間教會發展迅速，不久更成為一間帶有強烈宣教使命的教會。

One of the first pastors was Barnabas. He was a most gracious man. When he saw the situation at Antioch, he said, 'The man to meet the need here is that new convert, Saul. He is back home in Tarsus. I will go and get him.' He did, and Antioch became Paul's home church. 最初在安提阿教會負責牧養工作的，是一位名叫巴拿巴的信徒。巴拿巴是個仁愛謙厚的人。當他了解到安提阿教會的情況後，便對眾人說：「我認識一個人，他可以幫助牧養這間教會，他就是已經信主有一段時間的保羅。他現在留在他的家鄉大數，我要去那裡，把他帶到這裡來。」巴拿巴馬上動身去了，真的把保羅帶來，結果，安提阿教會便成了保羅在此成長和事奉的母會。

For twelve months Barnabas and Paul had a team ministry to the church in Antioch. They had what every church needs – a real teaching ministry. No church can really develop without a solid foundation of Bible teaching. Does your church have that foundation? It should. 巴拿巴和保羅一同合作，在安提阿教會事奉足有一年。他們所作的事奉，正正是每間教會所需要的事奉：教導的事奉；除非教會先在聖經的教導上，立好穩固的基礎，否則便難有真正的發展。你的教會又如何呢？已確立此根基了嗎？

But it was not only a well-fed church, it was a witnessing church. If all we do is to take in food without having any exercise we become fat and lazy. It is the same spiritually. Verse 21 tells us that a great many believed in Jesus Christ in Antioch. It was there the disciples were given a nickname – they were called 'Christians', people who followed Christ.安提阿教會不單是一間有豐富屬靈餵養的教會，她更是一間懂得作見證的教會。我們若飽食終日，卻不懂得多做運動，就只會變得過胖和懶惰。信徒在屬靈方面也是同一道理。第21節告訴我們，在安提阿這個地方有很多人相信了主；而且，這更是第一個地方，暱稱信徒是「基督徒」，意即他們乃跟從基督的人。

Later, in chapter 13, we will see that the church at Antioch was a praying church and an obedient, missionary – minded church.來到後面的第十三章，我們將發現安提阿教會成了一間禱告、順服和踐實宣教使命的教會。

Could we stop and look at our own church just now, wherever it is? Is there a good solid ministry of Bible teaching? There should be. Are the people witnessing for Christ day by day? Are they gathering regularly for prayer? If they are not, what do you think you could do to help bring this about? Why not pray and ask God to guide you as you seek his best for your church.

此刻，讓我們暫且停下來，反觀自己的教會。我們的教會在教導聖經方面，已立好穩固的基礎了嗎？教會若要發展，就必須先有此基礎。此外，我們的教會是否每天為基督作見證？是否經常一起禱告？我們的教會若然在這些方面有所欠缺，我們便有責任去改善。我們何不首先為自己的教會懇切禱告，祈求神親自帶領教會的發展？

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由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 05:23:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 靈修學英文

FW: [和平教會 靈修學英文] 我們有甚麼信息傳給未信者？

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:21 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 靈修學英文] 我們有甚麼信息傳給未信者？

Bible Reading:   BIBLE READING: Acts 10: 34 – 48    讀經：   使徒行傳十章34至48節

 

Isn't it easy to talk about everything except about Christ? We talk about the weather or our family or the stat of our country, but often fail to speak about our Saviour. 我們與人談論任何題目，上至天文，下至地理，以致自己的家庭，甚或是國家大事，都覺得很容易；惟獨是與人談論我們所相信的救主基督，卻覺得很困難。

As you read Peter's message in the home of Cornelius you will find it is full of thoughts about Christ. Peter knew that this was a good family. They had evening prayer and often did good deeds. But they were not saved. It was God who had said they were not (Acts 11:14). What these fine people needed was a saving relationship with Christ and a living experience of him. So that is what Peter talked to them about.我們發現，彼得在哥尼流家中所傳講的信息，主要是關乎基督本身。彼得知道哥尼流一家都是虔誠人，他們常常禱告，又廣行善事；可是，他們卻未曾得救──這是神親自告訴彼得的(徒十一14)。這一家人現在最需要的，是認識基督，和得著基督的救恩，且在生活中經歷祂的同在。

Notice what Peter said. In verse 38 he says Jesus was anointed by God. This means he was particularly honoured as God's son. He was powerful. He was concerned about people. God was with him. He died on the cross, but God raised him again. Through him we can be saved. At the end of time all the world will be judged by him.留意彼得在第38節說，耶穌是神所膏立的，這點顯示耶穌擁有神兒子的尊貴身分。除此之外，祂的一生都顯明神與祂同在，而祂亦經常運用祂的能力去幫助有需要的人。最終，祂雖然死在十字架上，可是，神卻使祂從死裡復活，讓我們可以藉著祂得救。當世界來到終局的時候，祂將要成為審判眾人的主。

What a message about Christ! What was the result? When a prepared heart meets a prepared messenger with a message about Christ, the result is always the same. Cornelius and his whole family were converted and baptised immediately.這篇有關基督的信息是何等的全面！彼得講完之後，帶來甚麼結果？當一個內心已作好預備的人，從一個已有充分準備的僕人口中，聽到有關基督的信息，通常便會產生一個正面的結果──好像哥尼流的一家人那樣，立即決志信主和接受洗禮。

What message do we have for the needy souls around us? It is the same. It is Christ - who he is and what he can do. He is still full of power and love. He can save all who come to him. 我們可以向身邊有需要的人，傳講甚麼信息呢？只有一個信息能真正滿足人心的需要，那就是基督的信息：基督是誰，祂能夠做些甚麼；祂是如何的滿有能力與慈愛，能拯救一切來到祂面前的人。

There is a message of warning too. One day God will judge all the world by this simple test – 'What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?' Peter said it here in verse 42. Paul said it at Athens (Acts 17:31). One of the last scenes in Revelation is that of the Great White Throne and the Lamb's book of life when all men will be judged.當然，我們不可忽略一個警告的信息，那就是：來到最後，神將會逐一詢問每一個人：「你怎樣接待我的兒子耶穌基督？」；這個問題的答案，將會成為神審判各人的標準。彼得在這裡的第42節提醒我們，而保羅亦曾經在雅典提醒眾人(徒十七31)。在啟示錄出現的最後一幕景象，就是世人站在白色的大寶座前，按著羔羊的生命冊，接受神的審判。

Let's talk about Christ more. He is what the world needs. He is what our friends and neighbours need. He is what everyone needs. Why don't we talk about him more?

A CHORUS TO SING:

'Let's talk about Jesus more and more'

立志：

環顧我們的朋友、鄰居，和現今世人的最大需要，就是認識基督的救恩。願聖靈幫助我們常作準備，隨時與人談論耶穌基督。

 

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由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 05:21:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 靈修學英文

FW: [和平教會 靈修學英文] 我們真的願意被神使用嗎？

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:18 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 靈修學英文] 我們真的願意被神使用嗎？

Bible Reading:   BIBLE READING: Acts 10: 1 – 16  讀經：   使徒行傳十章1至16節

 

This story of the conversion of Cornelius is told twice in the book of Acts and is referred to again in Acts 15:7. Why is it so important?哥尼流信主的經歷，除了在第十章詳細記述之外，彼得還在第十一章覆述一次，然後在第十五章7節又再提及；這件事怎麼如此重要，值得一再提及呢？

There are at least two reasons. This was the first group of converts who were not Jews and Peter had to overcome his own deep feelings of 'racism' before he was willing to preach to these non-Jews. It was an important turning point for the church.至少有兩個原因：哥尼流是其中一個最先信主的非猶太人，彼得首先要克服他那種根深蒂固的「民族主義」情意結，才肯把福音傳給這些非猶太人。對教會來說，這是一個非常重要的轉捩點和里程碑。

God wanted to break down old barriers so that the gospel might reach out beyond the Jewish circle. But those who knew the gospel weren't willing to share it with anyone else. Before we criticise them, however, let's answer this question - how willing am I for God to use me in any way he wants to? Am I prepared to speak to anyone about Christ, especially those who seem to me to be unlovely?神期望信徒能打破舊有的人際阻隔，讓福音得以在非猶太人的圈子傳開；然而，當時的信徒卻不願意向同胞以外的人分享福音。不過，我們在批評他們之先，必須撫心自問：我是否願意聽從神的吩咐，神要我做甚麼，我就做甚麼呢？我是否願意向任何人傳講基督呢？即使是那些令我討厭、使我避之則吉的人也在所不辭？

God had to do something unusual to get Peter's attention, to make him willing. The whole message of the sheet full of animals and birds was a lesson to Peter that all the people of the world are equal in God's sight.神做了一些特別的事情，來引起彼得的關注，使他遵從祂的吩咐而行。神讓彼得在異象中看見天上縋下一塊大布，內中有各種牲畜、野獸、昆蟲和飛鳥，目的就是要他明白：在神眼中，人人平等。

When Peter understood what God was saying and was willing to go anywhere and to anyone with the gospel, then he found a heart and a home prepared by God and waiting for him.當彼得終於明白神的心意，並且願意到任何地方及向任何人去傳講福音的時候，他很快便發現，神原來早已預備了一個渴慕救恩的外邦人家庭，他們正等候他去向他們講解福音。

If we are really willing to be used by the Lord, he will take us at our word. If we are prepared to say each day 'Lord lead some soul to me today and help me to speak to that one about you and what you mean to me', we may be surprised how quickly and how often God answers that prayer. You will often find that, like Cornelius, God has prepared their hearts for what you have to say. Let's go back to our first question – Are we really willing for God to use us?

只要我們真的願意被神使用，神就必會使用我們。我們若然立志每天向主祈求：「主啊，求你帶領我，讓我有機會向人傳講福音，向人分享你在我身上的作為」，你必驚訝地發現，神很快便會垂聽你的禱告，把一個像哥尼流那樣已預備心志去接受福音的人，帶到你的面前。關鍵是在於，我們要先回答最初那個問題：我們真的願意被神使用嗎？

禱告：

'Lead me to some soul today, Oh teach me, Lord, just what to say.'

主啊，求你讓我有機會與人分享福音，同時，又求你指教我懂得如何與人分享。

--
由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 05:17:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 靈修學英文

FW: [和平教會 靈修學英文] 被基督尋見的罪人

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:13 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 靈修學英文] 被基督尋見的罪人

Bible Reading:   BIBLE READING: Acts 9: 1 – 9

讀經：   使徒行傳九章1至9節

 

Every conversion is a miracle. But when the person who is saved has spent his life fighting against Christ and all he stands for, it seems to be an even greater miracle. Paul was like that, yet Christ made him one of the world's greatest missionaries.

每個罪人的悔改信主經歷，都是一個神蹟；不過，一個長久以來不住地攻擊基督和教會的人，他若然悔改信主，這個神蹟就更大了。信主之前的保羅，一直不遺餘力地攻擊教會，可是，基督卻改變了他，使他成了一位偉大的宣教士。

In this short passage there are three interesting questions. Notice them in vv. 4, 5 and 6. There is:

在今天這段簡短的經文中，我們看見三個有趣的問題，它們分別出現在第4，第5和第6節。

The question of the seeking Saviour – v.4

第一個問題：出自尋找人的救主。

Christ called Saul by his name. The Lord knew Paul even if Paul did not know him. 'What wrong have I done to you? Why are you so against me?' asked Christ. Paul had hurt Christ because he had hurt Christ's followers.

基督直呼掃羅的名字，我們藉此便知道，早在掃羅不認識基督之前，基督就已經認識他。基督問他：「掃羅！我在哪裡惡待了你？你為甚麼要逼迫我？」原來，掃羅逼迫跟從基督的門徒，在基督眼中就等於逼迫祂自己。

The question of the surprised sinner

第二個問題：出自驚惶的罪人。

'Who are you, Lord?' asked Paul. He almost answered his own question, didn't he? The answer he received left no doubt as to who was speaking to him. Christ used his own personal name – 'I am Jesus, the one you thought was dead'. It was almost as if the Lord Jesus said, 'I am here in heaven with my Father. He honoured me, but you have been fighting against me.'

 保羅追問：「主啊！你是誰？」他衝口而出，幾乎為自己提供了答案。不過，他從基督口中獲得的答案，更把餘下的疑問一掃而空。基督把自己的名字直接告訴他：「我是耶穌，是你所逼迫的耶穌。」基督的回答，令我們覺得祂好像要進一步說明：「你以為我已經死了？但其實我只是升到天上，與我的父神在一起。祂尊榮我，可是，你卻一直攻擊我。」

Paul was shattered. If this was true, then all he had ever said and done was wrong. What should he do now? This led on to –

保羅震驚非常。基督所講的話若然是真，那麼，他過往的行動豈不全都是錯！他現在該怎麼辦呢？這帶出下一個問題。

The question of the submissive saint.

第三個問題：出自順服的聖徒。

'What do you want me to do, Lord?' (You may not find this questions stated if you are reading one of the modern version.) Paul knew what he was saying and heard clearly what Christ wanted him to do (see also Acts 26:14). There is much we don't know but this we do – Paul did exactly what Jesus told him. There began that day a long life of wonderful service for Christ. We are still being blessed and helped today by the ministry of Paul.

「主啊，我該做甚麼？」(現代版沒有這問題)。保羅此刻清楚聽到基督將要選派他去做甚麼工作(參看徒二十六14)。我們對當中的過程所知不多，但我們卻清楚知道，保羅後來確實依從基督的指派，做祂吩咐的工作。由那天開始，保羅便一生事奉基督。時至今天，保羅的事奉仍一直祝福和幫助我們。

A THOUGHT:

If you ask God for directions, make sure you are willing to follow them.

 

反思：

你若想求神指引你的前路，就必須先立志跟從祂的帶領。

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 05:12:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 靈修學英文

FW: [和平教會 交友與戀愛專欄] 基督徒的愛情觀

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:10 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 交友與戀愛專欄] 基督徒的愛情觀

我們要承認聖經對愛情講的不多，倒是對「婚姻」有比較完整的教導。聖經中提到比較多「愛情」的書卷是舊約的「雅歌」，其中歌頌愛情的力量與美好，提到「愛情如死亡之堅強」，嫉妒如陰間一般的穩固....。卻也沒有說我們為何會愛，為何要愛。但至少我們由其中看到愛情之力量真的是不可忽視的，其帶來的甜美與傷害力都是驚人的，細心的讀者還可以在其中找到愛情的準則。但是，其中還是沒有賦予愛情意義。而且雅歌所提到的愛情，有一部份是屬於「婚後」的愛情？，跟我們今天面對的「戀愛」還是有點不同。

...more

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由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 05:02:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 交友與戀愛專欄

FW: [和平教會 教界消息] 第45屆大專聖經神學研究班

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 8:55 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 教界消息] 第45屆大專聖經神學研究班

「上主給我們一個最好的禮物∼聖經，聖經是一本充滿祝福的書，當中應許著安慰、力量、盼望、智慧、喜樂和能力。透過閱讀聖經能認識自己，同時也更能認識上主和祂的真理。」第45屆大專聖經神學研究班在蔡政道牧師主持的開會禮拜中，正式揭開序幕  ...more

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由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 04:28:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 教界消息

FW: [和平教會 外展宣道部] 生命價值所面對的挑戰

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 8:50 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 外展宣道部] 生命價值所面對的挑戰

墮 胎不是一個很單純的名字，它的影響力是超過我們想像的，特別當我們站在第一線，做這樣一個輔導工作的時候。

　　我常常看到很多的婦女朋友，為了她曾經做過的選擇，而困擾十年、二十年，甚至更久。在我的個案中有一位媽媽五十多歲了仍被困擾著，可知這樣的傷痛緊緊跟隨她並不是短暫的。

　　我本身是一個輔導人員，也是一個傳道人，當初和幾個好夥伴在創立「生命之光」時，我就有一個負擔，也是神在我裡面的一個呼召──要把「生命的價值」傳遞出去，這是這個時代越來越缺乏的一個信念。我曾去很多地方傳遞這樣的信息，當然所受到的打擊也是很大的。我裡面總是有一個想法，認為這樣一個議題，至少到教會去傳遞時是OK的，教會怎麼可能對「生命的價值」這樣的議題會沒有辦法跟我產生共鳴呢？我們都是屬於神的兒女，在有關墮胎的議題中，生命的價值應該是被支持的，後來發現事實上不是這樣。

　　當我到教會去傳講生命價值的信息時，有很多弟兄姐妹卻產生極大的懷疑。每當我分享完後，總是會有人跑來問我說：「難道真的不能墮胎嗎？難道一點商量的空間都沒有嗎？如果在這樣、那樣的狀況下，難道都不能做嗎？」後來我才發現，對生命的尊重，教會界可說已經是最後一個堡壘了，如果連這個堡壘都摧毀掉，到底台灣該何去何從？人類該何去何從？  ...more

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由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 04:50:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 外展宣道部

FW: [和平教會 家庭生活專欄] 五大點預防癡呆症

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 8:47 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 家庭生活專欄] 五大點預防癡呆症

一、預防與控制身體疾病的發生：

少吃鹽類、內臟食物、多喝開水，預防高血壓、心臟病。另外，肝腎疾病、巴金森式等病情的控制，可以減少傷害大腦，延緩癡呆症之發生。

二、正常生活及飲食習慣：

從年輕時代就培養多運動、充足睡眠、戒除煙癮的正常生活習慣，可以增加大腦的健康。

...more

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由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 04:22:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 家庭生活專欄

FW: [和平教會 家庭生活專欄] 母愛無可取代

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 8:45 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 家庭生活專欄] 母愛無可取代

Q：您對於將孩子放在托兒所，好讓媽媽可以安心出外工作的安排，有何建議和看法？

A：合格、安全、乾淨和有愛心的托兒機構，是現代繁忙社會的必需品。尤其是現今有成千上萬的媽媽，基於經濟的需要，得出外工作；還有許多單親媽媽必須獨力負起養家餬口的重任，因此，托兒所便成為父母不可或缺的支援。
　　比較令人產生爭議的部份是：將孩子放在托兒所或是留在家中由媽媽照顧，哪種方式對孩子的成長比較好？我個人認為，沒有任何托兒方式，比得上由全職母親照顧、加上父親也很投入的育兒法。至少有以下四個理由支持這個論點： ...more

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由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 04:18:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 家庭生活專欄

FW: [和平教會 信仰與生活] 直到最後關頭都要放輕鬆

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ???? [mailto:Taipei.hoping@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 8:36 AM
To: web@hoping.org.tw
Subject: [和平教會 信仰與生活] 直到最後關頭都要放輕鬆

上班族上班工作時，一定有過一種經驗，那就是在最後的關頭，卻把事情搞砸鍋了。

俗話說：『行百里者，半九十也』，真是誠哉斯言。一百里路，我們已經完成九十里路，按比例計算，應該算是已經完成90%，可是，有經驗的人一定會同意，雖然你已經走了九十里，但你只能算是完成50%而已，因為最後十里之內搞砸的機會，遠比前面九十里路還高呢。

最後關頭功虧一簣的機會實在很高，王建民去年在美國洋基隊的某一場比賽中，有一場就差點投出完全比賽，但最後一個失投導致失敗，害他也很難得的出現發洩情緒的鏡頭。姚明所屬的NBA火箭隊，實力一直不錯，但以往戰績欠佳，最大的問題就是火箭隊常常只打半場或三分之二場、甚至是四分之三場的好球，然後在最後關頭被別人逆轉，有好幾次也是讓姚明大動肝火，痛批隊友沒有求勝的意志；最近火箭隊大大改善了這個毛病，結果就飆出十多年未見的十連勝。  ...more

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由 和平教會 於 3/03/2008 04:26:00 下午 張貼在 和平教會 信仰與生活