生命之道

Category: 圣经笔记

  • What to do when you run out of joy in life? (John 2:1-12)

    Sermon manuscript, preached in 2023-08-30 at CEC English Congregation

    Why don’t we start with that prayer?

    Father, we invite you to come today to speak to us through your Holy Spirit. Speak to each one of us. Let us see the power of Jesus who transformed life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

    Do you remember your wedding day? The flowers, the guests, the wedding dress, the song, the joy, the friendship. I see some wives nagging their husbands. You know, you enjoy each other. A wedding is a joyful event. However, oftentimes we discover that the joy of the wedding day does not last.

    After the wedding day, the marriage starts. Life kicks in sooner or later, and the couple gets into some disagreement or argument. And did that happen to you? Do you used to enjoy your marriage and now you have lost the joy in marriage? Do you used to enjoy church and serving at church, but now you are just serving because of obligation?

    Have you lost your joy in serving the Lord? Do you enjoy your career? Maybe you did in the past, but now you are just dragging your feet to Zoom calls. This is just a job. You have lost your joy at work? So my question for us today is what do you do when you run out of joy in life? What do you do when you run out of joy in life?

    That’s the question of today. And my text is John. Gospel of John, chapter 2, verses 1 to 11. Verse 1 to 11. John, chapter 2, 1 to 11. So I have three points today. One is the problem. The problem of the text. Second is the solution that’s presented to us by the text. Third is the application. What does it mean to you?

    Okay? So number one, the problem. What is the problem? The problem is the wine ran out. That’s the problem. Let’s look at verse one with me. On the third day, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus was invited to the wedding. with his disciples. Well, on the third day, why on the third day?

    If you look a few verses down in verse 19, Jesus answered the question. “Destroy the temple and in three days I will raise it up.” I believe John was alluding to the resurrection. This is the third day.

    And the wedding is held in Cana. A wedding is a joyful time. Everybody loves weddings. Everybody is happy. The bride and the groom enjoyed the celebration with their family and friends. They feasted for not one day, not two days, but seven days. They enjoy the food together. Now, the disciples were with Jesus, you know, Jesus in chapter one, we were told the disciples saw Jesus, Jesus called them and they followed him.

    So Jesus is going to use what will happen later in this text to teach the disciples something about himself. My question to you today is, what are some joyful moments in your life? When you graduated from college? When you get your first job? The first few years of your marriage? When you first become a disciple of Christ? When you start to serve in the church? What is your most joyful moment in life? We all have some joyful moments in life. However, we live in a fallen world. Our joy does not last. All of us experience seasons of life where we lose the joy in our life.

    Let’s look at the text with me in verse 3. When the vine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” No wine. The wine ran out. Wine is essential in weddings in Israel because wine to the Jewish mind means joy. In Psalms 104 verse 15, it says that wine gladdened the hearts and oil made his face shine.

    Wine means joy in Israel. The text says the wine ran out, and the mother of Jesus went to tell Jesus they had no wine. Mary did not just tell Jesus a fact, she expected Jesus to do something. It is like the wife is saying to the husband, we ran out of spaghetti sauce. What does your wife mean? Go get some spaghetti sauce.

    It’s like the Chinese wife is saying, we, our rice bin is empty. Go get some rice. So, Mary, the mother of Jesus is saying, rice, I mean wine, wine ran out. They have no wine. So, in Israel, the bridegroom is responsible to provide wine to the wedding. When wines rain out, it is an embarrassment to the couple.

    B wine represents joy, so Mary may as well say, there is no joy. That’s no wine. That’s no joy. No wine, no joy. How about you? Maybe the Spirit is speaking to you today. Maybe you ran out of your spiritual wine in your marriage. You used to enjoy each other. But now you have lost the joy in your marriage.

    Maybe you have run out of spiritual wine in your ministry at church. Maybe You know, you used to enjoy serving the Lord, but now you just have no more joy when you serve God’s people. You are just doing it as an obligation. Maybe you ran out of spiritual wine at work. You used to enjoy work, but now you hate your job.

    How did Jesus respond to his mother? Well, Let’s read the text in verse four. “And Jesus said to her, women, “What does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servant, do whatever he tells you.” While woman doesn’t sound respectful in our ear, in Greek it’s better, it’s more like saying, ma’am, what does it have to do with me?

    You know but it’s not normal though, for a son to call his mom woman. Why didn’t Jesus call her mother, mother? Instead, she called her woman, because Jesus was entering into the beginning of his public ministry. What matters to Jesus is not that Mary is his mother. What matters to Jesus is Mary believed that Jesus is the son of God.

    And, and Jesus said, “What does it have to do with me?” Jesus mildly rebuked Mary. Jesus is saying, why do you get me involved? My hour has not yet come. What does he mean by my hour? Remember, this is a word that is used by John in the gospel. That tells us this is the hour of Christ being crucified and resurrection.

    That is the hour of the crucifixion and resurrection. In John 13:11, it says the hour has come to depart out of this world to the Father. In chapter 17:1, it says, “The Lord says, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.” Well, Mary was thinking about wine, but Jesus was thinking about the cross.

    Mary is thinking about the wine, and Jesus is thinking about the cross. How many times do we only think about our problems? We seldom think about the cross in our life. How are the problems in our lives related to the cross of Christ? So, the problem of the text is, that the wine ran out. What is the solution? The solution, that’s my point number two.

    Point number one, wine ran out, no joy. What is the solution? Jesus transformed the water into wine. Jesus transformed water into wine. Let’s read the text in verse six. Now, there are six stones jarred there for the Jewish riots of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, Fill the jars with water and then fill them up to the brim.

    And he said to them, now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast. So they took it. Six stone jars of water. The text says each one holds about 20 to 30 gallons. How many gallons are there, those who are good in math? It’s about 120 to 180 gallons. 120 to 180 gallons, you know, you think about a gallon of milk.

    That’s a lot of water, right? A lot of water. And this water is used for Jewish rites of purification. The Jews used this water to wash their hands before and after their meals. The water represents the old order of Jewish law and tradition. Jesus is going to change that. He’s going to transform that and replace it with something better.

    Let’s look at verses seven and eight with me. The servants were obedient to Christ. Christ told them \ two commands in the text. He says two things. First, fill the jar with water. Second, take it to the master of the feast. What did the servant do in the text? The servant didn’t say anything. They just obeyed.

    They filled the water into the jar, and then they took it to the feast or the master of the feast. They simply do the work in obedience to Christ without complaint. Christ commanded and the servants obeyed. Well, you are the servant, a servant of Christ. Is that your attitude in serving the Lord? Or do you serve him at church and complain at home?

    Or do you just do the work and obey him?

    Now let’s look at verse 9. “When the master of the feast tasted the water, now became wine, and did not know where it came from. Though the servants who had drawn the water knew, the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, Everyone serves the good wine first. And when people have drunk freely, then they’ll poor wine. But you kept the good wine until now.”

    Well this master went to the bridegroom because it is the responsibility of the bridegroom to provide wine.

    Now the master did not know what Jesus did, which is to change the water, and transformed the water into wine. Therefore, he went to the bridegroom. No one knows what happened. Only the disciples knew. Only Mary knew, and Jesus, and the servants. Now, although the bridegroom failed to provide sufficient wine, Jesus provided, because Jesus is the better bride bridegroom. 120 gallons of wine. That’s a lot of wine. That is a good wedding gift for the couples, don’t you think? That’s a lot of wine. Then he said, why do you keep the wine until now, the good wine? Now Jesus did not only provide wine, the key is He provided good wine.

    That wine in Cana that day is probably the most aromatic, the best wine that ever existed on the planet Earth. Jesus is the better bridegroom.

    My sisters in Christ, maybe your husband failed to provide to your emotional needs. When your husband failed you. When you are disappointed, come to Jesus. Jesus is the better husband. When your husband disappoints you, trust in Jesus, because your deepest needs can only be met by Jesus.

    Maybe you think about CEC. It’s lacking in so many ways. The leaders are not really providing for the church. You complained. We have so many problems. Our jar is empty. Come to Jesus. He is the better bridegroom. He is the bridegroom of the church. This is His church.

    Men and women will eventually fail to provide. But Jesus never fails. Jesus never fails. Ask Jesus to fill your empty jar. When you trust in Jesus, He will fill your emptiness with His abundance. When you trust in Jesus, He will turn your tasteless, tasteless, joyless, life into sweet, abundant life. Come to Jesus.

    He is your real husband. Come to Jesus. So, what do you do when you run out of joy in life? That’s our question for today. That’s how we started the message. What do you do when you run out of joy in life? That’s my third point. The answer of that question is the third point. That’s the application of my sermon for today.

    When you ran out of joy in life, believe in the transforming power of Jesus. When you ran out of joy in life, believe in the transforming power of Jesus. Let’s read the text with me. Verse 11.  “This, is the first of his signs. Jesus did in canon in Galilee and manifested his glory and his disciples believed in him.”

    After this, he went down to Capernaum with his mother and his brothers and his disciples and they stayed there for a few days. You see, John uses a special word in the Gospel of John. He uses, he used sign. Sign refers to the miracles that were performed by Jesus, but it conveys deeper meaning. The miracle is the transformation of water into wine, but the deeper meaning is Jesus has the power to transform life.

    Jesus does not only have the power to transform physical things. He has the power to transform spiritual things. Why did Jesus do this miracle? When Mary asked him, he wasn’t really just thinking about the water and the wine.

    He wasn’t really thinking about obeying his mother. He called her woman. Jesus, all the time, was thinking about his Heavenly Father. He said, My hour has not come. He was born with a laser focus on the cross. That’s his hour. Why did he perform this sign, this miracle? To manifest his glory. So that his  disciples can know his nature.

    Read the text. That’s what the text says in verse 11. “Jesus did at Canaan in Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in him.”

    The transforming power of Jesus displayed his glory. Glory is one of the main themes in the Gospel of John. The Word become flesh and dwell among us and we have seen his glory. Glory as the only Son of God from the Father, full of grace and truth. The disciple believed in him. Their faith grew because they’ve seen Christ’s glory.

    Jesus is the mighty creator. He turns water into wine through the agricultural process. He simply did this process immediately that day. This first sign is a transformation sign. It points to the kind of transformation ministry our Lord would have.

    He would transform physical composites of water. He could also transform the spiritual composites of humans.

    In 2 Corinthians says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. Jesus transformed the Jewish purification of water into the wine of a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come. Therefore, what do you do when you run out of joy in life?

    Believe in the transforming power of Jesus. Jesus is still doing miracles today. He’s still changing water into wine today. Jesus transformed life. Jesus changes life. He continues to do that in your life today. The purification water only cleansed the outside of a person, but Jesus would transform us from the inside out.

    The power of Jesus to transform water into wine is amazing, but the power to transform Rebellious sinners like us is astonishing. It is staggering.

    I don’t know if there are any unbelievers here. I assume no, but in case there is, without Christ, your life is like tasteless water. You need Christ. You need Jesus. Believe in Jesus as your Savior and He will transform your life from tasteless water into sweet wine.

    Now, most of us are Christians, believers. What does it mean to you? Believe in the transforming power of Jesus. Do you enjoy work? Do you want to enjoy work more? Believe in the transforming power of Jesus. Ask Jesus to transform you from the inside out. Ask Jesus for the power to love your co-workers. Ask Jesus to reveal the purpose of your work life. He doesn’t just send you to this workplace for 40 hours of useless time. God has a purpose for you. Ask him to transform your work, transform you, so that others can see Christ in your work.

    Do you want to receive joy in your marriage? Believe in the transforming power of Jesus. Wake up early in the morning and spend time with Jesus. You want to enjoy have a more joyful married life? Spend time with Jesus. The closer you are to Jesus, the more joy you have in your marriage.

    Do you want to restore your joy in ministry? Believe in the transforming power of Jesus. Learn to see Christ’s glory at church, in CEC. Instead of focusing on the weakness of our brothers and sisters, the lack of the church, learn to see the glory of Christ through the transforming life in this church, in our church. Try to see the goodness of Christ. He is in the business of transforming life. Even today in CEC, in the English congregation, in the Chinese congregation, in the youth meetings, in the children’s meetings, Christ is the bridegroom of the church.

    We can learn to see His glory in our church. Seeing the glory of Christ, which changes your life, is the key to transforming your Christian life. You see, without seeing the glory of Jesus, you’ll be just trying to live a good Christian life with your own strength, you’ll be complaining.

    When you see the glory of Jesus, that is what drives you to serve him in CEC and beyond. So what do you do when you run out of joy in life? I repeat it like six times already. What do you do when you run out of joy in life? Believe in the transforming power of Jesus. Imagine how your life will be transformed when you believe that Jesus is truly in the business of transforming life.

    He’s still doing that today. He’s doing that in your marriage, in your work, in your ministry. He’s in the business of transforming life.

    Just imagine your life, and how you would change when you truly believed that. Our Lord is like the best transformer. He transforms life. So, do you remember your wedding day? Yes, I do.

    Your wedding day is just a picture of the real wedding day that’s coming one day. Now I know some of you are single, and you never had a wedding day, but you will. One day, the bridegroom is coming back for his church. He’s coming back. The church is lacking in so many ways today, but one day it will be perfect because the bridegroom is in the business of transforming life.

    Believe that. Let’s pray.

    Lord Jesus, thank you. Thank you that we once lived a tasteless life. You came into our life. Our life used to be like empty jars, and you came and you filled us with your abundance. Lord Jesus, thank you that you are still in the business of transforming life. Lord, we want to be obedient servants like those in Canaan.

    We want to just obey you without complaining. But we can’t do it ourselves without seeing your glory. So, Lord, will you help us? Will you help us to transform our lives? Will you help us to see your glory in the lives of our brothers and sisters in CEC? Will you help us as a church to look to you as our bridegroom?

    Thank you, Lord Jesus. Thank you. In Jesus Christ’s name, we pray. Amen. Let’s stand. We’ll close our time now.

  • 歌罗西书概要-基督是神一切的丰盛

    主题

    1. 本书启示了基督的超越与完备，因神的一切丰盛在基督裡，而我们有了基督，就有了一切
    2. 以及教导我们的行事为人如何对得起主，因而在教会中、家庭里、在社会上活出基督的生活

    作者

    1. 使徒保罗(西一1)。
    2. 西 1:1 奉神旨意，作基督耶稣使徒的保罗和兄弟提摩太

    受者

    1. 在歌罗西的圣徒(西一2)。
      1. 西 1:2 写信给歌罗西的圣徒，在基督里有忠心的弟兄。愿恩惠、平安从神我们的父归与你们！

    歌罗西城

    1. 在长约10英里的克吕斯（Lycus)谷，有重要性不一的三个城镇——老底嘉、希拉波立和歌罗西
      1. 来克斯河是马安达（Manander)河的一个支流，沿此穀而下。
    2. 这三个城区彼此相连，成为一倾斜的三角形
      1. 老底嘉和希拉波立位于河谷的南北两岸彼此相对，相隔大约六英里，来克斯河从中间流过。
      2. 在河的上游10至12英里的河岸上是歌罗西；城镇被溪流分割开。
      3. 老底嘉
        1. 在三城区中，老底嘉最重要，它富庶繁荣，它之为此而自夸， 在给老底嘉教会的信中遭到谴责（启三19)。
        2. 政治中心
        3. 经济中心，有庞大的羊毛染色工业
      4. 希拉波立
        1. 也有名气，从它的废墟中可以看出其古代的豪华迹 象。据说还有许多具有有价值的医药性能的溪流，许多人从远方来洗澡和喝水
    3. 歌罗西
      1. 歌罗西城位在小亚西亚(今土耳其)的弗吕家境内(徒十八23)
      2. 曾经一度是小亚西亚首屈一指的城市
      3. 但后来日渐式微

        1. 到了主后第一世纪，歌罗西已沦为史家笔下一个无足轻重的「小镇」，其地位与重要性被邻近的城市老底嘉和希拉波立(西四13)所超越。

        2. 但它在保罗时代是这三个城区中最不重要的，古列（Cyrus)在此旅居过一星期；泽克西斯（Xerxes) 幸临此地后说它「一个人口稠密的城市，繁荣而伟大」，但这一切都已成为过去，老底嘉和希拉波立继续出名，歌罗西却从历史的画卷中全然消失。
      4. 被地震毁灭
        1. 当老底嘉在公元前一世纪建立时，歌罗西的商业重要性就消失了。
        2. 歌罗西、老底嘉和希拉波利斯在公元 17 年提庇留统治时期被地震摧毁，随后又在公元 60 年尼禄统治时期被地震摧毁。
        3. 到公元 400 年，歌罗西不再作为一座城市存在。 西奥斯的遗址从未被挖掘过，但剧院和其他一些建筑的遗迹仍然清晰可辨。
    4. 保罗从未造访过这个城区（一4、9；二1、5 )；
      1. 西 1:4 因听见你们在基督耶稣里的信心，并向众圣徒的爱心，
      2. 西 1:9 因此，我们自从听见的日子，也就为你们不住的祷告祈求，愿你们在一切属灵的智慧悟性上，满心知道神的旨意
      3. 西 2:1 我愿意你们晓得，我为你们和老底嘉人，并一切没有与我亲自见面的人，是何等的尽心竭力；
      4. 西 2:5 我身子虽与你们相离，心却与你们同在，见你们循规蹈矩，信基督的心也坚固，我就欢喜了。

    歌罗西教会的历史

    1. 据信是保罗在以弗所传道的两年期间(徒十九10)，得着了以巴弗
      1. Act 19:10 这样有两年之久，叫一切住在亚西亚的，无论是犹太人，是希利尼人，都听见主的道。
    2. 他后来成了保罗的同工(西一7~8；四12；门23)；
      1. 西 1:7 正如你们从我们所亲爱、一同作仆人的以巴弗所学的。他为我们（有古卷：你们）作了基督忠心的执事，
      2. 西 1:8 也把你们因圣灵所存的爱心告诉了我们。
      3. 西 4:12 有你们那里的人，作基督耶稣仆人的以巴弗问你们安。他在祷告之间，常为你们竭力的祈求，愿你们在神一切的旨意上得以完全，信心充足，能站立得稳。
      4. 门 1:23 为基督耶稣与我同坐监的以巴弗问你安。
    3. 大概是以巴弗把福音带到歌罗西，成立了在歌罗西的教会。保罗在写此书信时尚未访问过他们(西二1)，虽仅耳闻(西一4，9)，但对他们的情况至为关切。
      1. 西 1:4 因听见你们在基督耶稣里的信心，并向众圣徒的爱心，
      2. 西 1:9 因此，我们自从听见的日子，也就为你们不住的祷告祈求，愿你们在一切属灵的智慧悟性上，满心知道神的旨意；
      3. 西 2:1 我愿意你们晓得，我为你们和老底嘉人，并一切没有与我亲自见面的人，是何等的尽心竭力

    写作时地

    1. 本书和《以弗所书》、《腓立比书》、《腓利门书》，是保罗在主后61至62年间，于罗马监狱所写的(西四3)；故圣经学者称上述四封书信为『监狱书简』。

    写书背景

    1. 歌罗西教会成立不久，即为异端主义者所潜入，用花言巧语企图迷惑信徒(西二4)。以巴弗将这困扰带到罗马，向保罗请教应付之道，促使保罗提笔书写此函，一面驳斥异端教训的错误，一面指引歌罗西信徒更深地认识基督；他将异端教训与关于基督的丰富作一比较，期望他们因认识基督而不被异端迷惑

    本书的重要性

    1. 基督的超越性
      1. 《歌罗西书》比新约其他书卷，更完满地把基督的超越性启示出来。

      2. 在这短短的四章中，保罗用了许多高超的词句来发表、描述基督，因为在当时的歌罗西教会中，异端教训正产生影响力，而这些教训又是犹太人和外邦人两种文化的最高产品；由于它们是高尚的东西，就很容易成了基督的代替品。

      3. 因此，保罗在本书中郑重地讲论这位超越的基督：祂是教会全体之首，当在凡事(原文为万有)上居首位，因为父一切的丰盛都在祂裡面居住(一18～19)，祂是独一至高且无可比拟的一位﹗在教会中绝不可有任何东西取代基督。

      4. 教会生活必须单单由基督所组成，祂必须是独一的组成元素，是教会生活的内容。因此，任何人若想要更深地认识基督的超越与完备，并且学习如何让基督居首位，而在教会中、家庭里、在社会上，活出新人的生活，就必须读本书。
    2. 因此，任何人若想要满心知道神的旨意，看见基督是神一切的丰盛，而在基督里活出得胜的生活 ，就必须读本书。

    与以弗所书的关系

    1. 《以弗所书》和《歌罗西书》都是保罗书信中特别论到基督与教会的真理和实行：
      1. 《以弗所书》——启示教会在神旨意中的重要地位，就是作基督的身体。教会要显出祂的丰富，并对付祂的仇敌，故我们行事为人就当与蒙召的恩相称；
      2. 《歌罗西书》——启示基督究竟有多超越、多丰盛，就是作教会的元首。基督既然如此，我们也在祂裡面得以完全，故我们行事为人就当对得起主。
    2. 宇宙的新人，就是基督与教会
      1. 姊妹书，写于同时、同地，并讲论同一伟大的主题――宇宙的新人，就是基督与教会。
    3. 内容还有颇多雷同之处
      1. 有人作过比较，整本《歌罗西书》的95节之中，有79节都与《以弗所书》的155节相似。
      2. 因此有人说《歌罗西书》是《以弗所书》的外溢，而《以弗所书》是《歌罗西书》的扩大。
      3. 然而《歌罗西书》着重基督是教会的元首，《以弗所书》则着重教会是基督的身体。
    4. 推基古是这两封书信的送信人。
      1. 西 4:7 有我亲爱的兄弟推基古要将我一切的事都告诉你们。他是忠心的执事，和我一同作主的仆人，
      2. Eph 6:21 今有所亲爱、忠心事奉主的兄弟推基古，他要把我的事情，并我的景况如何全告诉你们，叫你们知道。Eph 6:22 我特意打发他到你们那里去，好叫你们知道我们的光景，又叫他安慰你们的心。
    5. 相同的短语
      1. 共有78个彼此完全相同的短语出现在这两卷书信中。
    6. 问安
      1. 以弗所没有问安（六章），歌罗西多次问安（四章）。
    7. 平静和争论
      1. 一卷的特点是平静，另一卷乃是争论。
    8. 异端
      1. 以弗所不攻击异端，歌罗西十分清楚地这样作。
    9. 特别的词
      1. 歌罗西书中有55个在保罗其他书信中没有的词；其中有34个也不曾在新约圣经其他地方出现过。
      2. 在以弗所书中有42个不曾在新约圣经其他地方出现的词。

    与以弗所书相同之处

    共同点

    以弗所书

    歌罗西书

    对圣徒的称呼

    Eph 1:1 奉神旨意，作基督耶稣使徒的保罗，写信给在以弗所的圣徒，就是在基督耶稣里有忠心的人。

    西 1:2 写信给歌罗西的圣徒，在基督里有忠心的弟兄。愿恩惠、平安从神我们的父归与你们！

    主为万有之首

    Eph 1:22 又将万有服在他的脚下，使他为教会作万有之首。

    西 1:18 他也是教会全体之首。他是元始，是从死里首先复生的，使他可以在凡事上居首位。

    圣徒与主同复活同升天

    Eph 2:5 当我们死在过犯中的时候，便叫我们与基督一同活过来。（你们得救是本乎恩。）

    Eph 2:6 他又叫我们与基督耶稣一同复活，一同坐在天上，

    西 2:12 你们既受洗与他一同埋葬，也就在此与他一同复活，都因信那叫他从死里复活神的功用。

    脱去旧人，穿上新人

    Eph 4:22 就要脱去你们从前行为上的旧人，这旧人是因私欲的迷惑渐渐变坏的；

    Eph 4:23 又要将你们的心志改换一新，

    Eph 4:24 并且穿上新人；这新人是照著神的形像造的，有真理的仁义和圣洁。

    西 3:9 不要彼此说谎；因你们已经脱去旧人和旧人的行为，

    西 3:10 穿上了新人。这新人在知识上渐渐更新，正如造他主的形像。

    敬拜的生活

    Eph 5:19 当用诗章、颂词、灵歌、彼此对说，口唱心和的赞美主。

    Eph 5:20 凡事要奉我们主耶稣基督的名常常感谢父神。

    Eph 5:21 又当存敬畏基督的心，彼此顺服。

    西 3:16 当用各样的智慧，把基督的道理丰丰富富的存在心里，（或作：当把基督的道理丰丰富富的存在心里，以各样的智慧），用诗章、颂词、灵歌，彼此教导，互相劝戒，心被恩感，歌颂神。

    西 3:17 无论做什麽，或说话或行事，都要奉主耶稣的名，藉著他感谢父神。

    人伦的生活

    夫妇间的敬爱、顺服；父子间的教导、孝敬；主僕间的公平、服事，都大致相同(弗五22～六9；西三18～四1)

    劝圣徒的祷告

    Eph 6:18 靠著圣灵，随时多方祷告祈求；并要在此警醒不倦，为众圣徒祈求，

    Eph 6:19 也为我祈求，使我得著口才，能以放胆开口讲明福音的奥秘，

    西 4:2 你们要恒切祷告，在此警醒感恩。

    西 4:3 也要为我们祷告，求神给我们开传道的门，能以讲基督的奥秘（我为此被捆锁），

    与以弗所书不同之处

    以弗所书

    歌罗西书

    （1） 着重教会—基督的身体

    （2） 教会是基督的丰满和奥祕

    （3） 万有在基督裡同归于一

    （4） 圣徒以属天的地位来过地上的生活

    （5） 属解释性，讲论普遍的真理

    （1） 着重基督—教会的元首

    （2） 基督是神的丰满和奥祕

    （3） 基督是一切，又在一切之内

    （4） 圣徒在地上过生活却思念上面的事

    （5） 属辩护性，针对异端的错误

    与腓利门书的关系

    1. 写于同一时间和地点 ，二书关系密切，至少有五处彼此雷同的地方：

      1. 在两封书信里面，保罗都与他属灵的儿子提摩太联名写信(西一1；门1)。

      2. 保罗的同工亚里达古、马可、以巴弗、路加和底马，他们的名字也都出现在两封书信里面(西四10，12，14；门23~24)。

      3. 两封书信都提到保罗正在坐监(西四10；门1)。
      4. 保罗在两封书信里，都向同一个人──亚基布──特别致意(西四17；门2)。
        1. 西 4:17 要对亚基布说：「务要谨慎，尽你从主所受的职分。」
        2. Phm 1:2 和妹子亚腓亚并与我们同当兵的亚基布，以及在你家的教会。
      5. 保罗打发阿尼西母和捎带歌罗西书的推基古同行(西四7~9)，而阿尼西母则是腓利门书里面的主要人物(门8~20)。
        1. 西 4:7 有我亲爱的兄弟推基古要将我一切的事都告诉你们。他是忠心的执事，和我一同作主的仆人，
        2. 西 4:8 我特意打发他到你们那里去，好叫你们知道我们的光景，又叫他安慰你们的心。
        3. 西 4:9 我又打发一位亲爱忠心的兄弟阿尼西母同去；他也是你们那里的人。他们要把这里一切的事都告诉你们。

    钥节

    1. 西 1:9 因此，我们自从听见的日子，也就为你们不住的祷告祈求，愿你们在一切属灵的智慧悟性上，满心知道神的旨意；西 1:10 好叫你们行事为人对得起主，凡事蒙他喜悦，在一切善事上结果子，渐渐的多知道神；

      1. 保罗在第一章的祷告是本书的中心钥点。我们因满心知道神的旨意，必然会有四样结果产生：(1)行事为人对得起主；(2)凡事蒙祂喜悦；(3)在一切善事上结果子；(4)渐渐的多知道神。
    2. 西 1:16 因为万有都是靠他造的，无论是天上的，地上的；能看见的，不能看见的；或是有位的，主治的，执政的，掌权的；一概都是藉著他造的，又是为他造的。西 1:18 他也是教会全体之首。他是元始，是从死里首先复生的，使他可以在凡事上居首位。

      1. 本书向我们启示基督对教会的优越和中心的地位。基督是一切旧造的元首和根源；照样，祂自然也是新创造(教会)的头，也是教会全体之首和根源。
    3. 西 1:19 因为父喜欢叫一切的丰盛在他里面居住。西 2:9 因为神本性一切的丰盛都有形有体的居住在基督里面

      1. 保罗着此书，宗旨是纠正异端的错误，并正面的启示了神本性一切的丰盛都有形有体居住在祂裡面，而我们得以有分于神本性一切的丰盛。因此，我们在基督以外还要追求其他如哲学、律法主义、神秘主义、禁慾主义吗？
    4. 西 3:1 所以，你们若真与基督一同复活，就当求在上面的事；那里有基督坐在神的右边。西 3:2 你们要思念上面的事，不要思念地上的事。西 3:3 因为你们已经死了，你们的生命与基督一同藏在神里面。西 3:4 基督是我们的生命，他显现的时候，你们也要与他一同显现在荣耀里。

      1. 我们与基督一同复活，基督是我们的生命
    5. 西 3:9 不要彼此说谎；因你们已经脱去旧人和旧人的行为，西 3:10 穿上了新人。这新人在知识上渐渐更新，正如造他主的形像。

      1. 脱去旧人，穿上新人
    6. 西 3:11 在此并不分希利尼人、犹太人，受割礼的、未受割礼的，化外人，西古提人，为奴的、自主的，惟有基督是包括一切，又住在各人之内。
      1. 本句是基督与教会真理和实行的精髓和实质，又是全书的中心信息，其含意极其丰富：

        1. 教会里外所有的不同，都已被基督取代；

        2. 基督是教会外面的彰显，又是教会里面的丰富；

        3. 基督是教会里外所需的一切，在基督之外的一切人事物，都无关紧要；

        4. 基督在我们的环境和心里运行，使我们能藉外面的事物和里面的带领来经历祂；

        5. 教会一切都是为着基督，也都归于基督。
    7. 西 3:16 当用各样的智慧，把基督的道理丰丰富富的存在心里，（或作：当把基督的道理丰丰富富的存在心里，以各样的智慧），用诗章、颂词、灵歌，彼此教导，互相劝戒，心被恩感，歌颂神。

      1. 基督的道理带进对基督的敬拜

    钥字

    1. 「真知道」、「满心知道」、「多知道」、「知道」(西一6，9，10，27；二2；四6)
    2. 「智慧悟性」、「诸般的智慧」、「悟性」、「智能知识」、「智能」、「知识」、「各样的智慧」(西一9，28；二2，3，23；三10，16；四5)
    3. 「首生的」、「首」、「元始」、「首先复生的」、「首位」、「元首」、「作主」(西一15，18；二19；三15)
    4. 「满心」、「丰盛」、「补满」、「全备」、「完完全全」、「丰丰足足」、「丰丰富富」、「完全」(西一9，19，24，25，28；二2，9，10；三16；四12)
    5. 「隐藏的奥秘」、「显明」、「奥秘」、「神的奥秘」、「藏着」、「藏在」、「显现」、「基督的奥秘」、「发明」(西一26，27；二2，3；三3，4；四3，4)
    6. 「一切」、「万有」、「凡事」、「普天下」、「各人」(西一9，10，15~20，23，28；二1，3，9，13，22；三8，11，14；四7，9，12)
    7. 「一同」、「同得」、「一体」(西一7，12；二12，20；三1，4，15；四7，10，11)

    基督是一切（三：11）

    1. 陈终道
      1. 祂是我们里面的生命，又是我们外面的能力。

        1. 本节是要说明，这种在基督里的新生活的原则，是不分任何等级与种族的。基督的恩典要临到一切的人。一切在祂里面成为新造的，也都应该依照同样的原则来生活，同样用信心支取这新造能力，使新生命日渐强壮。不论希利尼人、犹太人、化外人、西古提人，这些都不过是人间的区分，在基督里却没有这些区分。基督是包括一切，又住在一切人之中的。祂是我们里面的生命，又是我们外面的能力。祂像一件义袍穿在我们身上，同时又是生命的大能住在我们里面。祂的救恩原理适合一切不同阶级种族的人。
      2. 基督的救恩也是超时代、超种族、超地区的。

        1. 罪恶向来就是超种族、超国界、超时代性的。犯罪的方式虽因时代而不同，犯罪的本质在任何时代地区却都一样。没有什么罪在这时是罪，在另一时不是罪。照样，基督的救恩也是超时代、超种族、超地区的。没有什么人或什么时代，例外地要把基督的救赎加以修正才合用。它是一切信徒都合用的。
    2. 马唐纳
      1. 所有信徒在基督里都是平等的

        1. 在使徒保罗所说的新创造中，并不分希利尼人、犹太人，受割礼的、未受割礼，化外人、西古提人，为奴的、自主的；惟有基督是包括一切，又住在各人之内。国籍、宗教、文化和社会地位的不同背景并不要紧，只是在神面前的地位而言，所有信徒都在相同的平面上。地方教会上的相交应该采用这同样的态度。
      2. 这并不表示教会里的肢体没有分别

        1. 有些人有传福音的恩赐，有些有作牧者的恩赐，而有些有作教师的恩赐。教会里有些人是长老，有些是执事。本节经文并没有轻视恰当的区分。
      3. 基督信徒的一切

        1. 对基督徒来说，这些世俗的区分已微不足道，只有基督才是重要的。他是信徒的一切，在任何事上也如此；他代表基督徒生命的中心和范围。

    保罗的监狱祈祷（一9~12）

    1. 有两个祈祷是在以弗所书，一个在腓立比书，这一个在歌罗西书（一9-12)。
    2. 歌罗西书（一9-12)：此处是为了教人有好行为而祈祷。
      1. 西 1:10 好叫你们行事为人对得起主，凡事蒙他喜悦，在一切善事上结果子，渐渐的多知道神；
    3. 四方面的祈求：（1）属灵的见识；（2）行事为人对得起主；（3）满有能力；（4）感恩的心。
    4. 他的祈求绝不吝啬，在第9、10和11节使用一切、凡事、各样等词尤为显着。
      1. 一切属灵的智慧、悟性（9节）；
      2. 「凡事蒙他喜悦」（10节）；
      3. 「一切善事」（10节）；
      4. 「各样的力」（11节）；
      5. 「凡事欢欢喜喜的忍耐、宽容」（11节）。

    以巴弗-神的仆人、基督忠心的执事

    1. 保罗对该处教会的认识乃是源自以巴弗（一7-8，四12；门23)。
      1. 西 1:7 正如你们从我们所亲爱、一同作仆人的以巴弗所学的。他为我们（有古卷：你们）作了基督忠心的执事，
      2. 西 1:8 也把你们因圣灵所存的爱心告诉了我们。
      3. 西 4:12 有你们那里的人，作基督耶稣仆人的以巴弗问你们安。他在祷告之间，常为你们竭力的祈求，愿你们在神一切的旨意上得以完全，信心充足，能站立得稳。
      4. 门 1:23 为基督耶稣与我同坐监的以巴弗问你安。
    2. 以巴弗是在以弗所——距歌罗西100英里——听过保罗传福音并且相信的，正如腓利门及其全家人那样（门19)。
      1. 门 1:19 我必偿还。这是我保罗亲笔写的。我并不用对你说，连你自己也是亏欠於我。
    3. 此后以巴弗成了来克吕斯谷一带信徒们的领袖和教师（四12-13)。
      1. 西 4:12 有你们那里的人，作基督耶稣仆人的以巴弗问你们安。他在祷告之间，常为你们竭力的祈求，愿你们在神一切的旨意上得以完全，信心充足，能站立得稳。
      2. 西 4:13 他为你们和老底嘉并希拉波立的弟兄多多的劳苦，这是我可以给他作见证的。
    4. 这卷书信的起因是保罗被囚于罗马时，以巴弗对他的一次拜访，而且大概是由于他在那裡作的见证，而与保罗一同被囚（一7- 8，四 12；门 23)。
    5. 以巴弗经历的是一段漫长而艰难的旅程，因为从歌罗西到罗马的直线距离大约750英里，水旱兼程合计则要在1000英里左右。

    内容大纲

    基督是神一切的丰盛

    引言：为歌罗西教会感恩(一1～8)

    开卷的祷告：求满心知道神的旨意好叫人行事为人对得起主(一9～14)

    Ⅰ 真理性—「使你们满心的知道」(一～二)

    基督在创造与救赎工作之中显出神的丰盛(一15～23)

    基督在教会里面显出神的丰盛(一24～二7)

    基督在比对异端之中显出神的丰盛(二8～23)

    Ⅱ 实践性—「使你们行事为人对得起主」(三～四)

    新生命—与信徒个人的行为 (三1～11)

    新生命—与信徒彼此的关系 (三12～17)

    新生命—与信徒家中的表现 (三18～21)

    新生命—与信徒主仆的态度 (三22～四1)

    新生命—与「外人交往」的智慧(四1～6)

    问安与嘱咐(四7～18)

    基督是我们的救恩、生命和生活

    1. 本书说明了我们的救恩、生命和生活(一12～14，三1～四6)。
    2. 基督是我们的救恩，
      1. 祂救我们脱离黑暗的权势，而迁到祂爱的国里；在祂里面得蒙救赎，罪过得以赦免；还叫我们与众圣徒在光中同得基业。
      2. 西 1:13 他救了我们脱离黑暗的权势，把我们迁到他爱子的国里；
      3. 西 1:14 我们在爱子里得蒙救赎，罪过得以赦免。
    3. 基督是我们的生命，
      1. 我们与祂联合，同死、同复活，在地上能思念天上的事，并有荣耀的盼望，就是将来要与祂一同显现在荣耀里；
      2. 西 3:1 所以，你们若真与基督一同复活，就当求在上面的事；那里有基督坐在神的右边。
      3. 西 3:2 你们要思念上面的事，不要思念地上的事。
      4. 西 3:3 因为你们已经死了，你们的生命与基督一同藏在神里面。
      5. 西 3:4 基督是我们的生命，他显现的时候，你们也要与他一同显现在荣耀里。
    4. 基督是我们的生活
      1. 因此我们存着盼望，并靠基督脱去旧人和它的行为──淫乱、污秽、邪情、恶慾和贪婪；
        1. 西 3:9 不要彼此说谎；因你们已经脱去旧人和旧人的行为，
        2. 西 3:8 但现在你们要弃绝这一切的事，以及恼恨、忿怒、恶毒（或作：阴毒）、毁谤，并口中污秽的言语。
      2. 穿上新人，过新人的生活──彼此包容、饶恕、相爱。心中充满主的话，口中满了诗章、颂词，凡事感谢父神。在人伦中过彼此敬爱、顺服的生活。
        1. 西 3:10 穿上了新人。这新人在知识上渐渐更新，正如造他主的形像。
        2. 西 3:12 所以，你们既是神的选民，圣洁蒙爱的人，就要存（原文作穿；下同）怜悯、恩慈、谦虚、温柔、忍耐的心。
        3. 西 3:13 倘若这人与那人有嫌隙，总要彼此包容，彼此饶恕；主怎样饶恕了你们，你们也要怎样饶恕人。

    歌罗西的异端教训

    1. 仪文主义：犹太教中拘泥礼仪的爱色尼派，他们强调宗教传统和礼仪，诸如饮食、节期(西二16~17)和割礼(西二11；三11)等。
      1. 西 2:11 你们在他里面也受了不是人手所行的割礼，乃是基督使你们脱去肉体情欲的割礼。
      2. 西 2:16 所以，不拘在饮食上，或节期、月朔、安息日都不可让人论断你们。
      3. 西 2:17 这些原是後事的影儿；那形体却是基督。
      4. 西 3:11 在此并不分希利尼人、犹太人，受割礼的、未受割礼的，化外人，西古提人，为奴的、自主的，惟有基督是包括一切，又住在各人之内。
    2. 禁欲主义（苦修派）：人必须服从那『不可拿、不可尝、不可摸』等类的规条，苦待己身，才能克制肉体的情欲(西二21~23)。
      1. 西 2:20 你们若是与基督同死，脱离了世上的小学，为什麽仍像在世俗中活著、服从那「不可拿、不可尝、不可摸」等类的规条呢？
      2. 西 2:22 这都是照人所吩咐、所教导的。说到这一切，正用的时候就都败坏了。
      3. 西 2:23 这些规条使人徒有智慧之名，用私意崇拜，自表谦卑，苦待己身，其实在克制肉体的情欲上是毫无功效。
      4. 有人把仪文和禁欲主义合在一起
    3. 智慧主义：极可能第二世纪起的诺斯底主义(Gnosticism)，早在此时已经萌芽，其教训的要点如下：
      1. 诺斯底Gnostic是希腊文，意思是知识。
      2. 靠奥秘知识得救成圣：
        1. 不认为因信称义，认识依靠一些奥秘的知识称义。这些奥秘知识不是从圣经来，而是从老师来。耶稣是神派来的老师，通过耶稣和其他老师的教导可以得到这些奥秘知识，才能得救。他们也有许多伪造的福音书
      3. 放纵肉体的享受
        1. 神是灵，因此祂是完全美善的；人是属物质的，而物质正好与灵完全相反，因此人是完全邪恶的。可以尽量放纵肉体的享受，肉体的败坏不是影响灵魂的圣洁。保罗在本书中虽未明白题说，但他劝勉『要治死地上肢体』的话(西三5~9)，正是针对着这个观念而发的。
      4. 天使是人和神的媒介
        1. 神与人之间不能直接接触，基督不是人的中保，因此人要敬拜天使(西二18)，才能讨神喜悦。
      5. 不信基督是道成为肉身
        1. 不认耶稣是完全的神，也是完全的人。因为他们认为神是灵，是好的。人是肉体，是败坏的。神不可能道成肉身，成为人

    保罗应付异端的方法：传讲基督

    1. 保罗解决错误教导的方法：传讲基督是神的丰富，是圣徒的一切的一切
      1. 他指出若对主的真体所持的观念是错误的，也就意味着对世界万物的观念都错了，因为基督是神的显现和表明。
    2. 第二章九至十节涵盖全部话题，因这是关于神、基督和人，以 及他们的关係和互通的权威性宣言。
      1. 「因为神本性一切的丰盛，都有形有体地居住在基督裡面；你们在祂裡面也得了丰盛。祂是各样执政掌权者的元首。」
    3. 正因如此，保罗坚持有关基督之位格的基督教教义（一13-20)。
      1. 本书信中关于基督的论述与使徒早年的书信决无不同之处，但此处的论述更明确、更充分。
    4. 保罗表明基督是
      1. 万有的创造者（一 16)
      2. 是教会的元首（一 18)
      3. 神的丰富（一 19至二9)
    5. 约翰称「基督」为「道」（Logos)；保罗则称「祂」为「丰盛」(Pleroma)，但主要观念是相同的。
    6. 在每卷监狱书信中却有一段重大的关于基督论的描述。
      1. 在以弗所书是基督复活和得荣耀。(一19~23)
      2. 在腓立比书是基督道成肉身，受苦和被高举。(二5~11）
      3. 在歌罗西书是基督是首生的、卓越的（一15~20）
        1. 是在表明基督至高的地位和丰满的神性；它简意的述出圣子的神格与超绝，句句皆能击中异端教训的要害，是新约中卓越的护教文字。
      4. 慕尔主教（Bishop Moule)说：「在这些段落中，我们看到基督光荣的基本神性；永远的圣子身份；在创造中的直接作为；对所造宇宙的元首地位；在道成肉身和蒙羞辱中的神圣自由意志；赎罪的死、复活，并作为道成肉身者被父神高举；对教会的元首身份；和以圣灵复兴教会。」
    7. 歌罗西书一15~20使我们看到基督的三重关係：
      1. 祂与神的关係（一15a)
        1. 「爱子是那不能看见之神的像。」
      2. 祂与创造的关係（一15b-17)
        1. 「是首生的、在一切被造的以先；因为万有都是靠祂造的，无论是天上的、地上的、能看见的、不能看见的，或是有位的、主治的、执政的、掌权的，一概都是藉着祂造的，又是为祂造的；祂在万有之先；万有也靠祂而立。」
      3. 祂与教会的关係（一18-19)
        1. 「祂也是教会全体之首；祂是元始，是从死裡首先複生的，使祂可在凡事上居首位。因为父喜欢叫一切的丰盛，在祂裡面居住。」
    8. 这一段实在深不可测，我们几乎应该谢谢那导致保罗写出这一段的异端！

    基督的超越和丰盛

    1. 本书是论基督的本性与身位最丰富的一卷，它与以弗所书的内容都是属于新约启示的高峰。本书特别提到「神本性一切的丰盛」，都在基督身上一一的表现出来(西二9)。
    2. 惟有基督是包括一切，又住在各人之内(西三11)。
      1. 这是全书的中心信息。
      2. 基督是神的像，是首生的，又是教会全体的头；
      3. 神本性一切的丰盛，都有形有体的居住在基督里面。
      4. 这样的一位基督，住在我们各人的里面，使神一切的丰盛，成了我们的丰盛，因此祂也就成了我们荣耀的盼望。
      5. 总之，基督是一切的一切；祂不但是我们基督徒生活的力量泉源，并且还是我们对付一切异端教训的最佳利器：
    3. 基督是一切属灵的智慧悟性所指引的真知识(西一9)
      1. 故认识祂，就会弃绝异端教训；
      2. 基督是一切属灵的智慧悟性所指引的真知识(西一9)；认识祂，就会弃绝异端教训。
      3. 西 1:9 因此，我们自从听见的日子，也就为你们不住的祷告祈求，愿你们在一切属灵的智慧悟性上，满心知道神的旨意；
    4. 基督是神的像(一15～19)
      1. 是那不能看见之神的像(15上)，是神的彰显和表明；是首生的，在万有之先，是元始(一15、17～18)；是万有的根源、创造的凭藉、目的和维繫(16～17)。祂就是万有的中心和内容；是元首，无论在教会中、在复活上或凡事上，祂都是居首位；「父一切的丰盛，都在祂裡面居住。」(18～19)
      2. 基督是一切的首位和元首(西一15~18；二10)；持定祂，便不会自高自大，也才能长进(西二18~19)。
        1. 西 1:15 爱子是那不能看见之神的像，是首生的，在一切被造的以先。
        2. 西 2:10 你们在他里面也得了丰盛。他是各样执政掌权者的元首。
        3. 西 2:18 不可让人因著故意谦虚和敬拜天使，就夺去你们的奖赏。这等人拘泥在所见过的（有古卷：这等人窥察所没有见过的），随著自己的欲心，无故的自高自大，
        4. 西 2:19 不持定元首。全身既然靠著他，筋节得以相助联络，就因神大得长进。
    5. 基督是一切的首位和元首(西一15～18，二10)
      1. 故持定祂，便不会自高自大，也才能长进(西二18～19)；
    6. 基督里面有神一切的丰盛(西一19；二9)，
      1. 故有了祂，就有荣耀的盼望(西一27，三4)；
      2. 基督里面有神一切的丰盛(西一19；二9)；有了祂，就有荣耀的盼望(西一27；三4)。
        1. 西 1:19 因为父喜欢叫一切的丰盛在他里面居住。
        2. 西 2:9 因为神本性一切的丰盛都有形有体的居住在基督里面，
        3. 西 1:27 神愿意叫他们知道，这奥秘在外邦人中有何等丰盛的荣耀，就是基督在你们心里成了有荣耀的盼望。
        4. 西 3:4 基督是我们的生命，他显现的时候，你们也要与他一同显现在荣耀里。
    7. 基督已为一切成就了救赎大工(西一20，二13)，
      1. 祂在十字架上流血、受死，使万有与神和好，叫我们成为圣洁，没有瑕疵，能被引到神面前。
      2. 故只要相信祂，不须寻求别的救法，更不须敬拜天使(西二18)，各人便能亲近神；
      3. 基督已为一切成就了救赎大工(西一20；二13)；只要相信祂，不须寻求别的救法，更不须敬拜天使(西二18)，各人便能亲近神。
        1. 西 1:20 既然藉著他在十字架上所流的血成就了和平，便藉著他叫万有，无论是地上的、天上的都与自己和好了。
        2. 西 2:13 你们从前在过犯和未受割礼的肉体中死了，神赦免了你们（或作：我们）一切过犯，便叫你们与基督一同活过来；
        3. 西 2:18 不可让人因著故意谦虚和敬拜天使，就夺去你们的奖赏。这等人拘泥在所见过的（有古卷：这等人窥察所没有见过的），随著自己的欲心，无故的自高自大，
    8. 基督里面藏着一切的智慧知识(西二3)
      1. 故得着祂，便不须求助于理学、人间的遗传和世上的小学(西二8)；
      2. 所积蓄的一切智慧知识，都在祂裡面藏着。我们能透过祂来认识神，并有分于祂裡面的丰盛，不需求助于理学、人间的遗传和世上的小学。
      3. 基督里面藏着一切的智能知识(西二3)；得着祂，便不须求助于理学、人间的遗传和世上的小学(西二8)。
        1. 西 2:3 所积蓄的一切智慧知识，都在他里面藏著。
        2. 西 2:8 你们要谨慎，恐怕有人用他的理学和虚空的妄言，不照著基督，乃照人间的遗传和世上的小学就把你们掳去。
    9. 基督是一切事物的形体(西二17)
      1. 故只要遵祂而行(西二6)，便不须遵守律例、礼仪(西二14，16)；
      2. 祂是我们的圣洁(饮食)、喜乐(节期)、起始(月朔)、安息(安息日)，有了祂，就能得享其中的实际，而不需守这些仪文。
      3. 基督是一切事物的形体(西二17)；只要遵祂而行(西二6)，便不须遵守律例、礼仪(西二14，16)。
        1. 西 2:17 这些原是後事的影儿；那形体却是基督。
        2. 西 2:6 你们既然接受了主基督耶稣，就当遵他而行，
        3. 西 2:14 又涂抹了在律例上所写攻击我们，有碍於我们的字据，把他撤去，钉在十字架上。
        4. 西 2:16 所以，不拘在饮食上，或节期、月朔、安息日都不可让人论断你们。
    10. 基督是一切圣徒的生命与内涵(西三4，11)
      1. 故只要把祂丰丰富富的存在心里(西三16)，便能有新人的表现，而不须苦修、禁慾、严守规条(西二20～23)。
      2. 因此，基督如何的表现，信的人也该如何表现。基督是藉着死、埋葬、复活而表现的，圣徒也该如此地经历、如此地做，才能够表现(西三1～4)。
      3. 个人如此，在教会性质的聚会中，也要在基督里把神本性的一切丰富运用出来(西三12～17)。在家庭里、在社会上，也要在基督里活出新人的生活(西三18～四1，5～6)。
      4. 我们与基督同死、同复活，在地上能思念天上的事，并有荣耀的盼望，将来要与祂一同显现在荣耀裡。
      5. 基督是一切信徒的生命与内涵(西三4，11)；只要把祂丰丰富富的存在心里(西三16)，便能有新人的表现，而不须苦修、禁欲、严守规条(西二20~23)。
        1. 西 3:4 基督是我们的生命，他显现的时候，你们也要与他一同显现在荣耀里。
        2. 西 3:11 在此并不分希利尼人、犹太人，受割礼的、未受割礼的，化外人，西古提人，为奴的、自主的，惟有基督是包括一切，又住在各人之内。
    11. 圣徒和基督的联合
      1. 「神本性一切的丰盛」，都在基督身上一一的表现出来(西二9)。
      2. 基督如何的表现，信的人也该如何表现。基督是借着死、埋葬、复活而表现的，信徒也该如此的经历、如此的做，才能够表现(西三1~4)。
      3. 个人如此，在教会性质的聚会中，也要在基督里把神本性的一切丰富运用出来(西三12~17)。
      4. 在家庭里、在社会上，也要如此地表达(西三18~四1，5~6)。

    基督和教会

    1. 基督是教会的头，在凡事上居首位(西一12～三4)：
      1. 基督是万有的丰盛(西一12～29)；
        1. 西 1:15 爱子是那不能看见之神的像，是首生的，在一切被造的以先。
      2. 基督是神的奥秘(西二1～5)；
        1. 西 2:2 要叫他们的心得安慰，因爱心互相联络，以致丰丰足足在悟性中有充足的信心，使他们真知神的奥秘，就是基督；
      3. 基督是神本性的丰盛(西二6～10)；
        1. 西 2:9 因为神本性一切的丰盛都有形有体的居住在基督里面，
      4. 基督是旧约所豫表的实体(西二11～23)；
        1. 西 2:17 这些原是後事的影儿；那形体却是基督。
      5. 基督是信徒的生命(西三1～4)。
        1. 西 3:4 基督是我们的生命，他显现的时候，你们也要与他一同显现在荣耀里。
    2. 教会是基督的身体，在凡事上顺服(西三5～四1)：
      1. 教会是新人，渐渐更新而像基督(西三5～11)；
        1. 西 3:10 穿上了新人。这新人在知识上渐渐更新，正如造他主的形像。
      2. 教会中以爱心彼此联络，归为一体(西三12～17)；
        1. 西 3:14 在这一切之外，要存著爱心，爱心就是联络全德的。
        2. 西 3:15 又要叫基督的平安在你们心里作主；你们也为此蒙召，归为一体；且要存感谢的心。
      3. 教会在主里面彼此相待，凡事都为基督(西三18～四1)。
        1. 西 3:23 无论做什麽，都要从心里做，像是给主做的，不是给人做的，

    书信的末尾

    1. 从书信末尾的问候中，可以看出位于克吕斯穀（LycusValley) 的这三个教会关係之密切。
      1. 歌罗西书曾在其他教会中阅读，而以弗所书则曾在所有三个教会中阅读。
    2. 在老底嘉、宁法(四15)家中有一个信徒的聚会，人的家中是建立教会的好地方。
    3. 「以巴弗」
      1. 是一位歌罗西本地人，「你们那裡的人」。保罗深入而充满感情地论到他。他是保罗带领信主的，而且大概是那三教会的牧者。
      2. 「基督耶稣的僕人」、「他在祷告之间」、「他为你们……多多的劳苦」(四12-13)。
    4. 「阿尼西母」
      1. 腓利门的奴僕，而且是个坏奴僕，但是后来重生了，被称为「亲爱忠心的兄弟……你们那裡的人」 (四9)，这是个了不起的称呼，只有基督教能使之成为可能。
    5. 推基古
      1. 莱特福主教（Bishop Lightfoot)说：「『推基古』受委託将传阅信件的抄本送到受总督管辖的亚细亚各主要教会，这任务必然使他曾到过作为基督教重要中心之一的老底嘉，而歌罗西距老底嘉仅数英里之遥，使徒自然会要他去拜访一下歌罗西。另一方面，保罗 的一位全权代表（正如人们对推基古的认识那样）之到来，正适合推荐阿尼西母；他因其过去的行为，十分需要这样的推荐。」

  • Psalm 11 Exegetical Paper

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  • Response Paper for Plowshares & Pruning Hooks: Rethinking Prophecy & Apocalyptic by Brent Sandy

    Response Paper for Plowshares & Pruning Hooks: Rethinking Prophecy & Apocalyptic by Brent Sandy

    Introduction

    Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic was written by Brent Sandy, a professor and chair of the department of religious studies at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana when the book was published by InterVarsity Press in 2002. The book aims to examine how biblical prophecy and apocalyptic genre work. In this paper, I will summarize the book’s content, give its overall thesis, strengths, weaknesses, and most thought-provoking points, and share how this book has impacted my thinking about the apocalyptic genre in the Old Testament.

    Summary Content and Overall Thesis of the Book

    The book is organized into seven chapters with the intent to answer seven questions about biblical prophecy. First, what makes prophecy powerful? The answer is that prophecy uses metaphors to let the readers experience God, heaven, and the future in full colors. Second, what makes prophecy problematic? The answer is that 21st-century readers do not understand how metaphors work in biblical literature. Third, how does the language of prophecy work? The answer is that metaphor is the language of prophecy and functions to create memorable images in the readers’ minds and to speak to their hearts. Fourth, how does the language of destruction and blessing work? The answer is that it uses metaphors and hyperboles to convey God’s holiness and, therefore, cannot be understood if we look only at the surface meaning of the words. Fifth, how does the language of apocalyptic work? The answer is apocalyptic is not primarily prediction but prosecution. In other words, the function of prophecy is more important than the content of the prophecy. Sixth, how have prophecies been fulfilled? The answer is that prophecies fulfillments have been generally translucent, not transparent. In other words, knowing the details of a prophecy before it is fulfilled is impossible. And finally, how will prophecies be fulfilled? The answer is that God only wants us to see the big picture, not to understand every detail of future events.

    The overall thesis of this book is that biblical prophecy and apocalyptic passages are not meant to give microscopic details of future events but intend to give a telescopic picture of future events.[1] Therefore, the intent of biblical prophecy and apocalyptic passages is not primarily prediction but prosecution and persuasion.[2] Sandy’s thesis challenged the traditional hermeneutic of many commentators, especially those from the dispensation camp, who believe prophecy should be interpreted literary based on the surface meaning of the Scriptures unless that is clear evidence not to do so.[3]

    Strengths

    This is a very well-written book. First, Sandy extensively researched how prophesy works and presented compelling arguments with lots of supporting materials. For example, in chapter five, he provided clear historical background on Alexander’s victory over the Persian empire; explained the distinction between prophecy and apocalyptic; provided the functions of apocalyptic; gave ten reasons that the original readers of Daniel 8 could not have gotten the details of the conquest; gave six questions to help readers understand how apocalyptic work; and ended with another extensive research on Revelation 12-13 to support his point.

    Second, Sandy did a fine job of demonstrating how prophecy works and making it accessible to non-seminary trained readers. His presentation is clear, logical, and easy to follow. He provided lots of concrete examples in each chapter to illustrate his points. The 26 figures (diagrams) that are spread throughout the book are beneficial for his readers. He did not use Hebrew in the book, making it accessible to those without biblical language training.

    Weaknesses

    The book has a few weaknesses. First, the emphasis that prophecies are mainly metaphorical languages and thus the surface meaning of the Scripture is not its actual meaning could lead to misinterpretation of Scripture. This is a real danger, especially since it is not always easy to identify whether a passage is a metaphor. Although Sandy did include twelve criteria to identify metaphors, it is not still an easy task.[4] For example, is Isa 65:25 a metaphor? I think the book would be stronger if Sandy had spent some pages discussing the danger of interpreting Scriptures as metaphors when they are not.

    Second, the author emphasized the importance of prophecy’s function at the expense of the importance of the content of the prophecy. Sandy is influenced by the speech act theory that communication often is performative.[5] He wrote that prophetic language is emotionally charged and designed to influence our beliefs. He believes the function of the prophecy does not always correspond with the dictionary definition of the words. [6] Again, this book would be stronger if Sandy would spend time discussing the danger of overemphasizing the function of a prophecy when the authorial intent is for readers to know the passage’s content.

    Finally, the genre of apocalyptic, if abused, could cause us to misinterpret the Scripture. For example, Sandy interpreted the 144,000 in Revelation 7 as saints, meaning Christians, I presumed, while the Scripture says they are from every tribe of the sons of Israel (Rev 7:4).[7] Readers need to have discernment not to let the genre of apocalyptic become the dominant interpretative lens for an entire book in the Bible to a point where the clear surface meaning of a passage is misinterpreted.

    Most Thought-Provoking Points

    The most thought-provoking points are first, Sandy claimed biblical prophecies are intended to reveal big pictures, meaning to give panorama views of the future; therefore, it is not suitable to be studied for details of future events. Second, Sandy urged that if his conclusions on the language of prophecy and apocalyptic are correct, “all systems of eschatology are subject to reconsideration.”[8] This big claim particularly impacts those who believe in dispensationalism because dispensationalism is built on a literal interpretation of the Scripture, including the prophetic books and passages.

    How This Book Has Impacted My Thinking about the Apocalyptic Genre in the Old Testament

    This book expanded my tool set on interpreting the apocalyptic genre in the Old Testament. This book has convinced me of the need to think about the function of an apocalyptic passage in addition to the content of the passage. It helps me consider the possibility that God did not intend me to understand every detail of an apocalyptic passage. It is a very liberating idea because I have been shying away from preaching apocalyptic passages or books in the Old Testament. With a better understanding of how metaphor works after reading this book, I will pay more attention to the emotion conveyed by the passage and spend more energy looking for the overarching theme of a passage instead of spending all my energy on the details of the content. This book has made me a better student and teacher of the apocalyptic genre in the Old Testament.

    Conclusion

    In this paper, I have summarized the book’s content and thesis. I mentioned that the book’s strengths are its extensive research with convincing arguments and accessible presentation. Its weaknesses are missing warnings on the miscategorization of passages as metaphors, emphasizing the function of a prophecy could lead to the danger of neglecting its content and potential abuse of the apocalyptic genre. Its most thought-provoking points are that biblical prophecy is not suitable for details analysis; it is only meant to give a big-picture view, and if he is correct, all systems of eschatology are subject to reconsideration. Finally, I shared that this book has given me valuable tools to understand and teach apocalyptic passages.

    Bibliography

    Johnson, Elliott. “Book Review on Plowshares and Pruninghooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature by Brent Sandy.” Bibliotheca Sacra 162 (2005).

    Sandy, D. Brent. Plowshares & Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2002.

    [1] Sandy, Plowshares & Pruning Hooks, 188–89.

    [2] Sandy, 154.

    [3] Johnson, “Book Review on Plowshares and Pruninghooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature by Brent Sandy,” 119.

    [4] Sandy, Plowshares & Pruning Hooks, 189–94.

    [5] Sandy, 81.

    [6] Sandy, 82.

    [7] See note 1 for the Conclusion chapter. Sandy, 249.

    [8] Sandy, 206.

  • How do we renew our fellowship with God?

    Preached on 2023-2-16 at DTS.

    (Image)

                I like to tell you a story about a little girl named Priscilla. Priscilla’s father that loves her very much, and she loved her father too. Growing up, she enjoyed sweet fellowship with her father. She especially enjoyed their fellowship when they walked a beautiful garden near their house on every Saturday morning. She eventually grew up to be a successful businesswoman. She worked very hard to advance her career. But she seldom had the time to call her father. The father calls her frequently and longs for his daughter to visit him, but Priscilla had other priorities and seldom returns his calls. They have not walked the garden for a long time. They are not as close as before. She is losing her fellowship with her father.

    (Needs)

                How about you? Are you so busy with studies and ministry that you have neglected to fellowship with God, your heavenly Father? Maybe you are not as close to your heavenly Father as before. Maybe you are feeling lonely or empty deep inside you. These may be signs that you are losing your fellowship with God. It is a sad thing to gain your ThM but lose your fellowship with God. What do you need to know about God to renew your fellowship with Him? What do you need to change if you want to renew your fellowship with God?

    (Subject)

                My subject today is “How do we renew our fellowship with God?”. Again, my subject today is “How to renew our fellowship with God?” Our text for today is 1 John 1:5-10. In 1 John 1:5-10, God tells us there are three things we to need to do to renew our fellowship with God.

    (Background)

                1 John was written by Joh at his old age to his spiritual children so that they can have fellowship with John and with God the Father and with His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Please look with me at 1 John 1:3, “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

    (Body)

    (Transition)

                How do we renew our fellowship with God?

    (Main Point 1)

    First, we must know God is light.

    (Explain)

    Please look at 1:5 with me, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” Why must we know God is light to have fellowship with God? Because John singled this out of all God’s characters when discussing fellowship with God. This is very obvious that John 1:5-10 is about fellowship with God, for John mentioned fellowship twice in verse 3 and again twice in verses 6-7, which we will discuss later.

    What is the meaning that God is light? It means God is holy. Please look at the second part of verse 5 with me. “in God there is no darkness at all.” Light represents moral purity. The light-darkness theme is one of John’s signatures in his gospel and his epistles. Later in 2:20, he wrote  that God is “the Holy One”. God’s moral purity forms the basis of His relationship with us. No darkness “at all” means God is absolutely pure. Holiness is the only character of God that is repeated three times in a roll in Scripture. In Rev 4:8, John wrote that in heaven, the four living creatures worship God by singing, “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty.”

    (Illustration)

                Let me illustration this. I brought my family to visit the McDonald Observatory in West Texas recently. The Observatory has one of the largest telescopes in the US. We joined its Sun viewing program, where an expert showed us live views of the Sun through a telescope. The Sun is so bright that if you look at it with your bare eyes, you will go blind. They had to put in special filters in the telescope to look at the Sun. I know that the Sun is bright, but the experience expanded my knowledge and understanding of the brightness of the Sun. However, I found out that even the Sun has dark spots due to different in temperature on the surface of the Sun. The sun, God is bright, God is light, He is Holy. But unlike the sun, God has not dark spots, in Him is no darkness at all!

    (Application)

                You can only enjoy fellowship with God to the extent of your knowledge of His holiness. He is light, He is holy, and in Him is no darkness at all!

                Next time when you sing the song, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” do not just sing it. You need to know that God is light, He is Holy, and in Him is no darkness at all! You need to see with your spiritual eyes that God is light, He is Holy, and in Him is no darkness at all! You need to meditate that God is light, He is Holy, and in Him is no darkness at all! You need to grasp that God is light, He is Holy, and in Him is no darkness at all! I suggest you take time in your devotion to meditate on the holiness of God. He is light, He is holy, and in Him is no darkness at all!

    (Transition)

                How do we renew our fellowship with God? First, we must know God is light. But fellowship with God is not only about our mind; it is also about our will and our actions. How do we renew our fellowship with God?

    (Main Point 2)

    We must walk in the light because God is in the light.

    (Explain)

    Please see look verses 6-7 with me, “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practise the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

    What is the meaning of walking in the light? Walking in the light means walking with God. How do I know that? Look at verse 7 with me. “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light.” God is in the light; when we walk in the light, we are walking with God. What does it mean to walk with God? It means living a life in obedience to the word of God. Fellowship with God is not only in our devotion, although that is important. Fellowship with God, who is light, is a lifestyle of walking in holiness with God, who is holy, who is in the light.

    What would happen if we do not walk in the light and say that we have fellowship with God? We become liars, and we do not practice the truth.

    What would happen if we walked in the light? When we walked in the light, two things will happen. First, we have fellowship with one another. Some commentators think it means fellowship with God; some think it means fellowship with other believers. I think John could mean both. When we walk in the light, we will have fellowship with God, but we will also have fellowship with other Christians as a result of us living according to God’s word.

    Second, the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Walking in the light does not mean we live a sinless life. Walking in the light means we sincerely practice God’s word, although we still will fall short of the perfect holiness of God, or else there is no sin to cleanse. This verse shows us that the blood of Jesus does not only work to make us righteous in our justification; it also works to make us holy in our sanctification. We thank God for the blood of His Son! Because nothing can wash away our sin, but the blood of Jesus! “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” The text emphasized the blood of “Jesus His Son” to highlight God’s love for us! The theme of love is another of John’s signatures in his writings. The blood of Jesus is a reference to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. God loves us so much that He sent His begotten Son to die for us!

    (Illustration)

                Let me illustrate this. Last Summer, I brought my family to hike the Rocky Mountains. One day, we were hiking the Chasm Lake trail, one of the more challenging but beautiful trails in the entire park. Its peak is at 9400 feet elevation! We told my son he must walk with us. We told him we must walk in the daylight because it would be dangerous to walk at night. At one point, my son did not obey my words; we were separated. We could not have fellowship when we were not walking together. We were so worried about his safety. Thank God we finally found him, and we walked together again. (Explain the illustration) In the same manner, to renew our fellowship with God the Father, we must walk with God by walking in the light as God is in the light.

    (Application)

                Are you walking in the light or walking in the darkness? If you say you are having fellowship with God but are walking in darkness, you are a liar. Do you practice what you teach and preach? Are you so busy with studies and ministry that you ignore loving your family and friends? I suggest you slow down, examine your current lifestyle, and ask the Lord what you can change so that you walk with God again. Maybe you need to call your parents more. Maybe you need to be more patience to difficult people in your life. Maybe you need to trust God more. Maybe you need to keep your body holy for God. Maybe you need to you need to stop watching the movies or youtube videos that are corrupting your mind and heart.

    (Transition)

                How do we renew our fellowship with God? We must know that God is light, we must walk in the light because God is in the light. Does that mean you need to be a sinless, perfect Christian in order to have fellowship with God? (pause) No. In fact, walking in the light will make us more aware of our sins. Therefore,

    (Main Point 3)

                We must confess our sins as we walk in the light (1:8-10)

    (Explain)

                Please look at verses 8-10. “ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

    Walking in the light will reveal our sin. The more we walk with God, the more we see our sins, not because we sin more, but because we are closer to the God who is holy. What would happen if we did not confess our sin? If we did not confess our sin, we will not lose our salvation, but we will lose our fellowship with God. Verse 8 says if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth of God is not shaping our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Verse 10 says if we say we have not sinned, we made God a liar, and God’s word is not in us.

    What will happen if we confess our sins? God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The word sins is plural. It means we need to confess a particular sin, not just sin in general. Some Christians think they do not need to confess their sins. It is not biblical. Jesus also taught us to ask God for forgiveness in the Lord’s prayer. God is faithful means God will keep His promises. We can count on Him! God is just means God demands justice for our sins, and justice has been paid by the blood of Jesus His Son! What does all unrighteousness mean? All unrighteousness means all unrighteousness!

    (Illustration)

    Let me illustrate this. There is a super washing machine that is free. You don’t need to put in money in it. It is free. It can wash away the worst stain. But you need to put your dirty cloth in it. In the same manner, you do not need to pay for the forgiveness of your sins, because Jesus has paid it all. But you need to confess your sins. There is no sin that is deeper than the forgiveness of God. I like the song, Jesus has paid it all, do you? “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

    (Application)

                When was the list time you confessed your sins to God? Last week? Last month? Last year? How frequently do you confess your sins? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly? Or never? Maybe you have slowly become arrogant as you learned more in seminary, confess your sin. God will forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness! Maybe you have neglected your family when pursuing your ministry, confess your sin. God will forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness! Maybe you have walked in the darkness, confess your sin. God will forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness!

                God the Father is saying, “My child, confess your sins to me, I will forgive the wrong you had done. Any wrong you have done. Because my Son, has paid it all! My Son, has died for you. My Son had shed His blood for you! My child, confess your sins to me.”

    How do you actually confess your sins? One suggestion is you can incorporate confession into your daily routine, so you can do it daily. You can add a short confession time to your daily devotion. If you have neglected your daily devotional time with God, God is telling you today, you need to come to Him again. You need to walk with Him again. Ask the Lord to show you is there any thing you have done that have sinned against Him and ask for His forgiveness.

    (Conclusion)

    (Close Opening Image)

                One Saturday morning, Priscilla finally took the time to call her dad. She said, “Dad, I am sorry I have not returned your calls. Will you forgive me?” “Of course, my child,” her father replied. “Why don’t you come over for a brunch?” Priscilla drives across town to spend time with her dad on that bright Saturday morning. Her dad cooked a delicious brunch for her. After brunch, they walked together in the beautiful garden near his house, just like before. She had a wonderful time of fellowship with her dad. She had renewed her fellowship with her father.

    (HP)

    How do we renew our fellowship with God? To renew our fellowship with God, we must know God is light, we must walk in the light as God is in the light, and we must confess our sins as we walk in the light.

  • How to resolve conflicts in life?

    Preached at DTS on 2022-12-13.

    Outline

    Theological Proposition: The biblical way to resolve conflict is by examining one’s own faults, reconciling with others, and trusting in God’s sovereignty.

    Introduction

    1. Image: I was in a car accident. A car hit me from the back. My wife screamed. My son was horrified. We are in a conflict with the driver who hit us.
    2. Needs: Life is full of conflicts. You may be in a conflict now: conflict with friends, roommates, professors, ministry coworkers, parents, and siblings. You may feel depressed, angry, and lost. When you are in a conflict, your preaching will be powerless. You may feel like a hypocrite.
    3. Subject: How do you resolve conflicts in life?
    4. Text: Matt 7, Matt 5, and Gen 50.
    5. Preview: Three principles on how to resolve conflicts in life. We will look inwardly, outwardly, and upwardly.

    Body

    1. Look inwardly to examine our own faults (Matt 7:1-5a).
      • Take the log out of our own eye so that we can see clearly to help take the speck out of the other person’s eyes.
      • Illustration: My pride has caused conflict that hurts others.
      • Application: Look inward and examine your heart and actions. What is your responsibility in this conflict? Is it your pride? Your anger? Your selfishness?

    (Transition) After you have looked inward, you need to…

    1. Look outwardly to help others to see their faults with the aim of reconciliation (Matt 7:5b, Matt 5:23-25).
      • Lovingly points out the fault of others (Matt 7:5b).
      • The purpose is reconciliation because God is not pleased with our worship if we are stuck in a conflict (Matt 5:23-25).Illustration: Disciples would have to travel 80 miles from Jerusalem back to Galilee to reconcile and return for worship.
      • Application: Have you looked outward to reconcile with others? What is preventing you from doing that quickly?

    (Transition) After you have looked inwardly and outwardly, you need to…

    1. Look upwardly to trust God is sovereign and good(Gen 50:15-21).
      • Joseph trusted God’s sovereignty when handling conflicts with his brothers.
      • Joseph’s response points to Christ.
      • Application: Every conflict is an opportunity to trust God. Look upward and ask God to reveal His goodness in the conflict you are in now.

    Conclusion

    How did I handle the car accident? I look inward, outward, and upward. You should look inwardly to examine your own faults, look outwardly to help others to see theirs with the aim of reconciliation, and look upwardly to trust that God is sovereign. Imagine how you can grow in your trust in God and your relationship with others when you take a step of faith to obey God’s principles to resolve conflicts in life.

    Manuscript

    Introduction

                A few years ago, I was in a car accident. I was on my way to send my son to his soccer practice. When we stopped at a traffic light, we suddenly heard a large collision sound, “boom!!!” The entire car was shaken. My wife screamed, and my son was horrified. I was in shock because we had never experienced anything like that. A car hit us from the back. I immediately checked on my wife and my son. Thank God they did not get hurt. So I stepped out of the car to deal with the situation. We are in a conflict with the driver who hit us.

                Life is full of conflicts. Some conflicts are caused by others; some are caused by ourselves. Many times, conflicts are caused by both sides. You may be in a conflict now. Maybe you are not getting along with your roommate. Maybe he is not doing his part in cleaning the toilet or the dishes. Maybe he makes too much noise when you are trying to study. Maybe you are in a conflict with one of the professors. Maybe he is giving you a hard time with your grades. Or maybe you are in a conflict with someone at church. Or maybe you are in a conflict with your parents or siblings. You may be feeling depressed, angry, or lost because of the conflict. You may feel like you are a hypocrite when you preach or teach because you let the conflict continue when you know you should resolve it. Most importantly, if you do not deal with conflicts in your life, your ministry and worship will not be pleasing to God, as we will see in today’s text.

                “How do you resolve conflicts in life?” That is my subject today. My text is Matt 7, Matt 5, and Gen 50. I will talk about three principles on how to resolve conflicts in life. We will look inwardly, outwardly, and upwardly.

    Body

    Look inwardly to examine our own faults (Matt 7:1-5a)

                First, we must look inwardly to examine our own faults in a conflict. I get this principle from Matt 7:1-5. Let me read Matt 7:1-5 for us, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment, you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’, when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

                This text is part of the sermon of the mount. Jesus was teaching his disciples how to resolve conflicts in life. “Judge not” does not mean no discernment of right or wrong because in verse 5, the Lord instructed the disciples to take the speck out of the person in conflict with them. “Judge not” means we should not look down on others with a judgemental attitude that we are superior to them. “Judge not” means we should not criticize or condemn others without loving them. “Judge not” means we should not make ourselves look good at the expense of others.

                Because of our sinful nature, we tend to see the speck in someone else’s eyes but do not notice the log in our eyes. Our pride has blinded us from seeing our own faults and caused us to put on a magnifying glass when we look at the faults of the person in conflict with us. Looking inwardly to examine our own faults is a prerequisite to being able to see clearly the faults of others. The Lord is saying if you pretend you have no faults as you look down on someone else and criticize them, you are a hypocrite!

                When I was pastoring in china, I ran into a conflict with a brother on the church’s leadership team. He was a rather immature Christian but liked to have a voice in everything. I was annoyed by him because he was not qualified to be in a leadership position but refused to step down. During that time, the church was increasingly pressured by the government to stop gathering. Therefore, I met with the church leaders but left him out. We decided to divide the church into smaller groups to make it harder for the government to track us down. And then I called a church leadership meeting that included this brother. He challenged the decision immediately because he was not involved in the decision-making process. Out of my flesh, I told him, “we are not here to ask for your opinion; the decision has already been made.” He was furious when he heard that. That event triggered him to rally brothers and sisters to go against me. During that process, I started to look inward at my responsibilities in this conflict, and the Lord convicted me of my pride. I waited to show this brother that I was in charge. I was a hypocrite. My pride has caused me to see the pride in my brother, but I did not notice my own pride. I apologized to the brother for my behavior and stepped away from ministry for awhile to deal with my pride.

                How about you? Think about the conflict you are in right now. Have you looked inwardly to ask the Lord to reveal your faults and responsibilities in the conflict? Have you examined your hearts and behaviors that may have contributed to the conflict? If you have not, may I ask you to do that now? I want you to close your eyes and think about the conflict in your mind now. I want you to ask the Holy Spirit to work in your hearts so that you can see the log in your eye. I will give you 20 seconds to do that. You can open your eyes now. Brothers, I urge that you do this exercise at home. Instead of being judgmental, allow God’s standard to be applied to your life first before you apply it to others. If you are honest, you will discover that you fall short. It will hurt, but you will see clearly.

    Look outwardly to help others to see their faults with the aim of reconciliation (Matt 7:5b, Matt 5:23-24)

                How do you resolve conflicts in life? After you have looked inwardly, you need to look outwardly to help others to see their faults with the aim of reconciliation. I get this principle from Matt 7:5 and Matt 5:23-24. In Matt 7:5, the Lord said, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” After you have examined your own faults, you will be more compassionate and have more understanding in your assessments and better help others to address their faults. The purpose is reconciliation. In Matt 5:23-24, the Lord said, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

    This text is also part of the sermon of the mount. The Lord is saying that reconciliation is a prerequisite of worship. If you want your worship and ministry to be pleasing to the Lord, you must take action to resolve conflicts in life to the extent of your responsibilities. If you are in a conflict and do not take action to resolve it, even if you could preach a great sermon, your ministry and worship will not be pleasing to the Lord. But if you have taken action, even if the person did not respond to you, you have already done your part, and the Lord knows it.

    The Jews could only make an offering at the altar at the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus was teaching the sermon on the mount in Galilee, some 80 miles north of Jerusalem. Imagine you traveled 80 miles and ascended 3200 feet from Galilee to Jerusalem to make an offering in one of the feasts. When You realize you are in conflict with a person at home and need to travel back to reconcile with him before you can make an offering!

    Thank God because we now have phones, internet, car, and airplane. You don’t have to travel by foot or on a donkey. But, have you looked outward to try to reconcile with the person in conflict with you? With all the technologies we have today, you have all the means to access the other person easily. What is preventing you from doing that? What is holding you back? Maybe you can reach out to your roommate or your friend to tell him that something he said or did hurt you. Maybe you need to pick up the phone to call your parents to apologize for something you did that hurt them.

    Look upwardly to trust God is sovereign and good (Gen 50:15-21)

                How do you resolve conflicts in life? After you have looked inwardly and outwardly, you need to look upwardly to trust that God is sovereign. I get the principle from Joseph’s story in Genesis 50. Please look at Genesis 50:15 with me. “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” Because Joseph’s brothers were jealous of Jacob’s love for Joseph, they sold Joseph to slave traders. Verse 16 says, “So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he did, ‘Say to Joseph,  Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Verse 18, “His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Do you remember how did Joseph respond? See verse 19, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

                Joseph responded to the conflict he had with his brothers by looking upwardly. He trusted God is sovereign and good. Joseph did not seek to revenge on his brothers. He forgave them. Not only he forgave them, but he also saved them by providing food to them. The response of Joseph reminds me of our Lord Jesus’s response to those who mocked Him and crucified Him on the cross. Christ looked upwardly and cried to the Father, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Christ was in the greatest conflict of the world, the conflict between God and humans. If Christ looked inwardly at himself, He would find no faults, for He was tempted in every respect like us, yet without sin (Heb 4:15). If He looked outwardly, He would see all the faults, all the sins in you and me. And then Jesus look upwardly and trusted God is sovereign and good in all things. The Jews meant evil when they said, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Mark 15:13-14) But God meant it for good, for God accomplished His glorious redemption plan through the death of His Son on the cross.

                Brothers, because you have been saved by Christ. Christ is now living in you. You have been given a new life to have the ability to trust God. Every conflict is an opportunity to trust God. People may mean evil against you, but God meant it for good. I know it is very hard to see something good when you are in a deep conflict. But you can trust God because He is sovereign, and He is good. Think about the conflict you are in now. Look upward and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the goodness of God in this conflict.

    Conclusion

                How do you resolve conflicts in life? You should look inwardly to examine your own faults, look outwardly to reconcile with others, and look upwardly to trust that God is sovereign and good. Imagine how much you will grow in your trust in God and your relationship with others when you take a step of faith to follow God’s principles to resolve conflicts in life.

  • What can you do to win spiritual warfare? (James 3:1-4:12)

    Preached at Prosper Fellowship Church Youth Service on Dec 4, 2022.

    Introduction (5 mins)

    Peace to you, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to speak God’s Word to you today. Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Ken Yeo. I was born and raised in Malaysia. I am married to Sarah, a godly beautiful lady from Chengdu, China. We have a 10-year-old boy, Isaac. I am a preacher. I moved here to continue my theological education at Dallas Theological Seminary a year ago.

    (Image) Because I am new to Texas, I like to bring my family to visit interesting places in Texas. During Thanksgiving week, we went to the National Pacific War Museum at Fredericksburg. It is a fantastic museum about World War II. Do you know that three days from today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day? 81 years ago, on December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched an air attack on Pearl Harbor that plunged the US into World War II. War is a horrible thing. At the end of the war, a total of 16 million Americans served in WWII. 750,000 were Texans. 25,000 Texans died. The soldiers could be as young as 15. Imagine how stressful it was for those 15-year-old boys and girls.

    (Need) Thank God that today we are not WWII. However, all Christians are involved in another kind of war. It is called spiritual warfare. You are at war with yourself, with the world, and with the devil. The devil is constantly using the world to tempt you to go against God. Conflict in life is a sign that you are in spiritual warfare.

    What kind of conflicts are you facing right now in your life? Maybe you have a conflict with your parents? Maybe you had an argument with one of your friends? Maybe you are not in a good relationship with one of your classmates. Maybe you have a tense relationship with one of your teachers at school. Or maybe you have a conflict with someone at church. How do you feel when you are in a conflict? Maybe you feel depressed? Maybe you feel nervous? Or lost? Do you feel powerless?

    (Subject) Today, my subject is “What can you do to win spiritual warfare?”

    (Text) Our scripture for today is James 3:1-4:12. This section of James is a unit because it starts and ends with topics that are related to our words. Because I do not want you to stay here longer than you need to, and we have a large passage, I will only cover the main ideas.

    (Preview) I have three main points. I will take about the problem, the solution, and the practical application.

    Body (20 mins)

    Problem: Our tongues are destructive, and we cannot tame them (3:1-12) (7 mins)

    Main point 1 is the problem: Our tongues are destructive. What is the cause of conflicts in our life? Well, there could be main causes, but James is focusing on one major cause of conflict in our life, which is our tongue.

    (Subpoint 1) Our tongues control the rest of our bodies. Let’s look at verses 2 and 4. “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.” He says our tongues, although small, control our bodies. Just like a small bit could control a large horse, and small rudders could control a big ship.

    (Subpoint 2) Our tongues are destructive. They defile us and hurt others. Let’s read verses 5-6, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.”

    (Subpoint 3) And we do not have the power to tame our tongues. Verses 7-8 say, “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

    (Subpoint 4) Our tongues reveal our hearts. Let’s look at verses 11 and 12, “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” When you yell at your parents, your tongues reveal the pride of your hearts.

    Our tongues are destructive, and we cannot tame them.

    (illustration) Two ducks and a rather egotistical frog developed a friendship. When their pond dried up, the ducks knew they could easily fly to another location, but what of their friend the frog? Finally, they decided to fly with a stick between their two bills, and with the frog hanging onto the stick by his mouth. All went well until a man looked up and saw them in the sky. “What a clever idea,” said the man. “I wonder who thought of that?” “I did,” said the frog. Just like the frog, our prideful words hurt us. And in real life, hurt others as well.  Our tongues are destructive, and we cannot tame them.

    (Application) I want you to think about the conflicts you have with your parents. What words did you say that hurt your parents lately? (pause) Think about the hurt your words have caused in their hearts. Maybe your friend said something that hurt you.

    (Transition) What can you do to win this spiritual warfare?

    Solution: We need the wisdom from above to win this war (3:13-18) (7 mins)

    Main point 2 is the solution. The solution is we need the wisdom from above to win this spiritual warfare.

    (Subpoint 1) The tongues reflect our hearts: full of jealousy and selfishness (3:14). Look at verse 14 with me. “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.” Our words manifest the condition of our hearts.

    (Subpoint 2) The reason you have jealousy and selfishness in your heart is that you have been influent by worldly wisdom. Let’s look at verses 15-16: “This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” Pay attention to the adjectives of worldly wisdom: earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Worldly wisdom is demonic. It came from the Devil. Satan wants to influent your heart with the wisdom of the world. He uses materialistic social media influencers to ignite your heart with jealousy. He uses music videos that are filled with selfish ambition to fuel your lustful passion.

    (Illustration) Recently I witnessed the power of worldly influent on a youth. I was at a thanksgiving dinner. A mom asked her son to come to eat dinner. The son, who was busy playing violent video games on his phone and, at the same time, watching a violent video on his iPad, replied, “get out of my face!”. This youth was being influent by worldly wisdom.

    (Application) What area of your life is being influent by worldly wisdom? I want you to ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart right now. Ask the Spirit to reveal to you what you have done that hurt people whom you love in your life. Or maybe you have been hurt by someone who is influent by worldly wisdom.

    (Subpoint 3) Do we have hope for our problem? Yes. Our hope is the wisdom from above. Look at verses 17-18 with me, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” If you live by the wisdom from heaven, your life will fill with peace, shalom. Think about the feeling of lying on a beach listening to the wave of the ocean. Think about standing at the top of a secluded high mountain, looking out at the vast beautiful landscape in silence.

    We need the wisdom from above to win this spiritual warfare.

    (Transition) We talked about the problem is our tongues, which is a reflection of our hearts’ condition, and the solution is the wisdom from above. But what does living out the wisdom from above look like?

    Application: Submit and humble yourselves before God, and He will exalt you (4:1-10)

    This is our third and final main point. To live by the wisdom from above, you need to submit and humble yourselves before God, and He will exalt you.

    You have two choices. Option 1, befriend the world, but enmity with God! Option 2, befriend God but enmity with the world. What would you choose?

    (Subpoint 1) If you live by the wisdom of the world, you will be at war with ourselves and others, and be friends with the world and become enmity with God. Let’s look at 4:1-4, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

    (Subpoint 2) If you live by the wisdom from above, you should submit and humble before the Lord, and He will exalt you, meaning God will give you the power to have victory over your sinful nature, the devil, and the world. Let’s look at 4:7-10, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

    (Summary) You are in conflict with people because of what you speak. What you speak reveals the condition of your heart. Satan is constantly influencing your heart with this fallen world. Therefore, you need the wisdom from above. To live by the wisdom from above, you need to submit yourself to God and humble yourself before the Lord.

    Conclusion (5 mins)

    (Christ) I know some of you have tried and failed. That is because you do not have the power to do it (pause)… unless you see that Jesus Christ is the only one who has fully submitted Himself to God and humbled Himself before God. Christ is the Son of God. He is equal in power and majestic with God the Father. But He willingly submitted Himself to the Father to come down on this earth as a human to live a completely devoted life to God. Jesus came to find you. He was in total submission to the Father, to the point that He was crucified on the cross for your sins.

    Your words are destructive, but His words are truth and give life. The solution to resolving conflicts in life is to live by the wisdom from above. You know what? Jesus is the wisdom from heaven! Col 2:3 says all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ! 1 Cor 1:30 says, Jesus Christ became to us wisdom from God! You failed to fight with the world and the devil. But Christ has complete victory over the world and the devil. The tomb is empty. Christ has risen.

    Not only that. If you believe in Him, He is going to come and live in you. Many of you grew up in the church, but you have not believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. You have been living under the kingdom of darkness. Today, Christ is taking to you. He wants to redeem you from the power of the world and the dominion of the devil. Will you put your trust in Jesus Christ now? (pause) Please come to talk to me after the service if you want to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

    Many of you are already Christians. But you are living under the influent of the devil instead of Christ. You are living by the wisdom of the world instead of wisdom from heaven. To submit to nobody instead of submitting to God, who saved you. You are living with pride in your heart instead of living in humbly before the Lord. Will you repent and renew your commitment to Christ today? When you submit to God, you will have the power to resist the devil, and the devil will flee from you. When you humble yourselves before the Lord, He will exalt you. That is the promise from God. No matter what conflict you are facing in life, you can have victory. That is God’s promise to you. He will exalt you.

    How does submission to God looks like? First, if you hurt someone, apologize to him or her. Second, if you have been hurt by someone, forgive him or her, because Christ has forgiven you.

    Let’s pray.

  • What must you do to be a good servant of Christ Jesus?

    What must you do to be a good servant of Christ Jesus?

    Preached on November 8, 2022 in Dallas Theological Seminary.

    Introduction

    In 1967, a young man graduated from DTS at age 26. He returned back to his hometown to teach in a bible college for a few years. And then, he was called to be the pastor of a Baptist church in Chicago. It was a large church. After a few years of ministry, he became weary of the many details and responsibilities expected of a pastor. His wife thought they were too young and unqualified for the role.

    Pastoral ministry is tough. You are expected to teach and preach weekly in various situations. If preparing for three sermons is tough in a preaching course, think about how much tougher it will be to prepare for sermons, or bible study or devotion every week. You are expected to work with, learn from, and care for the elders, the deacons, and various ministries leaders. You are expected to shepherd the people under your care, be it a small group, a man’s group, a youth group, or even the entire congregation if it is a small church. No matter how much you try to do your best, somebody will criticize you for not doing enough.

    Pastoral ministry is tough. The Barna group, the famous evangelical polling firm, had a survey and March 2022 on pastors with this question, “Have you given real, serious consideration to quitting being in full-time ministry within the last year?” 42% answered yes. Up from 29% in 2021. And then, the survey asked, “what is the reason they considered quitting full-time pastoral ministry?” 59% answered, “the immense stress of the job.” The survey also asked the pastors who have not considered quitting full-time ministry this question, “what is the factor that has negatively impacted your ability to lead at the church?” The number one reason is “the immense stress of the job.”

    Pastoral ministry is tough, and it is even tougher when you are young and inexperienced in life and ministry. They are many needs in the church that will demand your time and energy. There are programs to run, events to host, marriage issues to counsel, sick people to visit, children to care for, church politics to navigate, and senior pastors and elders to submit. Are you worried? Will you be frightened? Will you be able to handle the pressure? Are you prepared? What do you need to focus your energy on as a pastor?

    The subject I want to talk to you about is “What must you do to be a good servant of Christ Jesus?” Again, “What must you do to be a good servant of Christ Jesus?” Why do I choose a good servant of Christ Jesus? Because that is what a pastor is, a good servant of Christ Jesus. Because it was what Paul told the young Timothy to be in 1 Timothy 4:6. Looks at 1 Timothy 4:6 with me. “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus.” Therefore, I will be sharing with you what I learned by studying the two letters from Paul to the young preacher, Timothy, when I was preparing for this sermon. We will be looking at three texts today. All of them are in 1 and 2 Timothy. They are 1 Tim 4, 2 Tim 2, and 2 Tim 4. We will look at three principles of how to be a good servant of Jesus Christ based on the two letters from Paul to Timothy.

    Body

    First Principle: Receive your strength by grace in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:1)

                First thing first. What is the most important principle for a good servant of Christ Jesus? It is to receive strength by grace that is in Christ Jesus. I get this principle from 2 Tim 2:1. Please look at 2 Tim 2:1 with me. It reads, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

    The first thing this verse tells us is our strength ought not to come from ourselves but from the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastoral ministry demands a lot of strength from us. If you serve with your own strength, you will be weary eventually. If you serve with your own power, you will eventually feel powerless. If you serve by drawing from your own well, you will eventually be dry as the desert. If you serve by drawing from the deep well of Christ, you will never be dry. You need to be constantly connected to the power source, the Lord Jesus Christ. If you serve with your own strength, you will be like mowing a lawn with a small manual hand-push lawnmower. If you serve with the strength from Christ, you will be like mowing a lawn with super powerful diesel power, riding lawn mover. Our strength ought not to come from ourselves but from the Lord Jesus Christ.

    The second thing I learned from this verse is we need to be strengthened by Christ continuously, all the time. Paul used a present passive imperative here. Present tense means we not only need Christ’s strength on Sunday when we preach, we need Christ’s strength on Monday when we rest. We need Christ’s strength on Tuesday when you prepare the next sermon. We need Christ’s strength on Wednesday when we visit the people under our care. We need Christ’s strength continuously, all the time.

    The third thing I learned from this verse is we need to be in a posture to receive strength from Christ by grace. The verb “be strengthened” is a passive verb. Christ is active in this power-generating process. Christ wants to empower you to serve Him! All you need to do is to be in a posture to receive strength from Christ. If Christ wants to empower you, it does you no good when you are not in a posture to receive His strength. It is by grace. It is not something we earn but something we receive from Christ. A good preacher knows how to be in a posture to receive strength from Christ by grace.

    Where did Paul get his enormous strength to preach, to serve, and to face challenges faithfully in ministry? Paul knows how to be in a posture to receive strength from Christ. Look at 1 Tim 1:12 with me. 1 Tim 1:12 reads, “I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service.” Paul thanks the Lord Christ Jesus because it was Christ who supplied the strength to Paul so that Paul could be faithful to his calling. Now I want us to look at the end of 2 Timothy. 2 Tim 4:17 reads, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.” Again, Christ is active in the strengthening process. Paul knew to be in the posture to receive strength from Christ by grace.

    A young preacher who was mightly used by God in the mid-19th century Scottland is Robert Murray M’Cheyne. Although young, he preached powerful sermons and lived a godly life for Christ. His biographer, Andrew Bonar, wrote this about M’Cheyne, “he must first see the face of God before he could undertake any duty.” The young Robert Murray M’Cheyne knew to be in the posture to receive the strength from Christ by grace to serve His church.

    How about you? Are you in a continuous posture to receive strength from Christ by grace? No matter how busy you are, you need to make your relationship with Christ your first priority in life. If you developed the habit of drawing from your own strength to write sermon outlines and manuscripts now, to do research, to crank out papers, what is preventing you from drawing from the same power in ministry? I read an article today. If you want to care for your aging parents, you need to care for yourself first. If you want to provide soul care for others, you need to care for yourself first. If you constantly draw from your own strength, you will grow weary in ministry, and you will be burned out. The air plan safety emergency plan always tells you to put on your oxygen mask first before you can help others. The Lord Jesus is your oxygen mark. Jesus is your spiritual air supply. Without air, you will die very quickly. You need to slow down in seminary. Take a deep breath. Spend some quiet, quality time alone with the power source. Make sure you see the face of Christ first before you see the face of man. Learn from Paul, Timothy, and Robert Murray M’Cheyne. Be in a continuous posture to receive strength from Christ by grace.

    Second Principle: Live the Word Faithfully (1 Tim 4:6-8)

                Once you are in the continuous posture to receive the strength by grace from Christ, you will have the power to live the word faithfully. The second principle of a good servant of Christ Jesus is to live the word faithfully. Please look at 1 Timothy 4:6-8. 1 Timothy 4:6-8 reads, “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

                Paul instructed Timothy in order to be a good servant of Christ Jesus, he needs to focus on training himself for godliness. It means to live a godly, sanctified, holy life. It means to live the word that he preached. It means to apply the Scriptures first to ourselves first before we apply to others. John Calvin said, “It would be better for him to break his neck going up into the pulpit if he does not take pains for him to first follow God.”

    Paul gave the reason why preachers need to train for godliness. It is because God gave premises to godly people in this life and the life to come. As a preacher, we do not only preach the word faithfully; we need to live the word faithfully. We are not only called to deliver the word of God with our mouths; we are called to deliver the word of God with our life. Your life is to be an example for the flocks of God. Please look at verse 12 with me. 1 Timothy 4:12 reads, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Do you see this, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example!”.

                How do you live the word faithfully? We need to train for godliness. Paul used this illustration of bodily training to help us to understand this spiritual truth. He compares spiritual exercise with physical exercise. In the physical realm, if you want your weak bicep to be stronger, you train for it. You go to a gym, you lift weights, starting from lighter weights. You break the bicep muscle down so that it can be rebuilt into stronger muscle. And then you add more weight to your training. It is similar in the spiritual realm. If you want godliness in your speech, you train for it. You speak edifying words to your classmates. And then you add more weight to your training. You speak encouraging words for your friends and family to lift them up, to point them to Christ. If you want godliness in your love, you train for it. You start to pay attention to the needs of the people God has put into your life. And then you add more weight. You can show the love of Christ by sincerely asking how they are doing and offering to pray for them. If you want godliness in your purity, you train for it. You start to take an inventory of movies that you watch or websites that you visit that are affecting your purity for Christ. And then you add more weight. You can make a commitment to Christ that you will keep your purity for your future spouse for the glory of God. Think about one weak area in your spiritual life, and train for it, starting now.

    I read an interesting article lately. It says some people are addicted to exercise. But I think the issue for most people is not addiction to exercise. The issue for most people is we do not exercise enough, physically and spiritually. We like to parse the verb for apagao, but we don’t want to train to love our neighbors. To be a good servant of Christ Jesus, we need to train for godliness.

    Third Principle: Preach the Word Faithfully (2 Tim 4:1-5)

                Living the word faithfully will give you the ethos, or the credibility, to preach the word faithfully. The third principle of being a good servant of Christ Jesus is to preach the word faithfully. When I hear preach the word, my heartbeats rise up. I think you all may feel the same as me. After all, this is an advanced preaching course. You do not have to do this, but you choose it. After all, this is why we are here at DTS, right? What is the motto of DTS? κήρυξον τὸν λόγον, preach the word! This verse is from 2 Timothy 4:2. Let go there with me. I like to read 2 Timothy 4:1-5 for us. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

    A full exposition of this passage will require another sermon. I just want to point out one thing, some people do not like sound teaching, they have itching ears, and we will be tempted to preach to please men instead of to please God. Alistair Begg said this in his recent sermon, some people will come to church with this thinking, “tell me lies, tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies.” Chuck Swindoll said something like this at the most recent chapel. He was fired up in the sermon, “there is a famine in the land, and people are hungry, feast on the word and lavishly serve the banquet of God’s Word to God’s people.”

    You will be tempted to water down the word of God. You will be tempted to focus on other things in ministry. Commit to κήρυξον τὸν λόγον, preach the word! Write it down in your bible. To be a good servant of Jesus Christ, you need to commit to preaching the word faithfully.

    Conclusion

                The young DTS graudate in 1967 was Erwin Lutzer. To prepare for this sermon, I read his autobiography, “He Will Be The Preacher: The Story of God’s Providence in My Life.” It was a fascinating read. When facing pressure from pastoral ministry, he received his strength from the Lord by grace, lived the word, and preached the word faithfully. The testimony of his life is that God used him mightily as senior pastor for the Moody Church for 35 years. Imagine if you faithfully obey these principles from the Word of God, how you can be a good servant of Crist Jesus, and how God will mightily use you for His glory in your life and ministry.

  • 利未记概要

    利未记概要

    利未记的重要性

    1. 这是整本圣经66本书里包含最多耶和华神说的话的书
      • 是红字圣经里红字比例最多的书，除了8-10章以外，每一章99%都是红字
      • “耶和华说”类似的话出现了66次，最常用的是耶和华对摩西说，或者耶和华晓谕摩西说
    2. 犹太人对于利未记的的看重
      • 以色列人的小朋友最早学的是利未记，如何分别为圣。十二岁在圣殿奉献自己时，就读利未记的一段
      • Talmud的一半都是解释利未记

    书名和对象

    1. 希伯来的书名是“耶和华呼叫”：
      1. 出于第一节：【耶 和 华 从 会 幕 中 呼 叫 摩 西 ， 对 他 说 ，】（利1：1）
    2. 耶和华和人说话
      1. 出埃及神在西奈山说话；利未记神在会幕中说话，就是在见证的柜施恩座上二基路伯中间（出25：22）
      2. “耶和华说”类似的话出现了66次，神是愿意说话的神，祂在会幕中跟人说话。
    3. 七十士译本命名这本书”利未记”
      1. 中文和英文都是根据七十士译本的名字
      2. Talmud称呼这本书为“祭司的律法”
    4. 这里的利未人主要是说到祭司的服事：
      1. 1-7章：献祭的服事
      2. 8-10章：祭司服事前的预备
      3. 11-15章是洁净和不洁净的服事
      4. 16章：赎罪日的服事
      5. 21章-22章：祭司如何过圣洁的生活
    5. 给不是祭司的利未人的律法只有一节：
      1. 【然 而 利 未 人 所 得 为 业 的 城 邑 ， 其 中 的 房 屋 ， 利 未 人 可 以 随 时 赎 回 …】（利25：32-34）
    6. 其他的章节都是给以色列人的，【Lev 1:2  「你晓谕以色列人说：你们中间若有人献供物给耶和华，要从牛群羊群中献牲畜为供物。】给普遍以色列人的的经文和给祭司的经文各占一半：
      1. 告诉以色列人什么时候需要献祭
        1. 1-5章：
          1. 用什么来献祭
          2. 到了会幕，如何的把祭物给祭司，祭司会作什么
      2. 大部分的经文都是给全部的以色列人：
        1. 除了8-10章：祭司服事前的预备，和21-22章：祭司如何过圣洁的生活
    7. 也是给新约的信徒的：
      1. 神在会幕中与人说话：会幕预表圣殿，圣殿预表教会，豫表神在聚会中与人说话
      2. 你要晓谕以色列人：预表给全教会的

    出埃及记和利未记的对比

    出埃及记利未记
    开始于罪人开始于圣徒
    救赎圣洁
    神从西奈山说话神从会幕说话
    神赐下道德的律法神赐下敬拜的律法

    在摩西五经的地位

    1. 摩西五经原本是一本书
    2. 出埃及记：最重要的一站：西奈山：成义
    3. 民数记：最重要的一站：加底斯：成圣
    4. 利未记是在中间，所以前一半是成义，后一半是成圣

    时间

    1. 一个月的时间
      1. 整本利未记都是神在西奈的旷野向人说话。以色列人安营在西奈有一年的时间。
      2. 从出埃及后满了三个月的第一天（出19：1）就到了西奈山。直到 第二年的二月二十日才离开（民10：11）。
      3. 出埃及会幕建造完成是在出埃及第二年正月一日（出40：17）。
      4. 民数记的开始是第二年的二月初一日。所以利未记的记载应该是发生在第二年的第一个月里。
    2. 和创造的时间对比
      1. 神用了六天创造这个世界，却用了三十天启示利未记，因为神的救赎的工作比神的创造更加的荣耀！

    分段

    利未记的分段鲜明，整本书分成四大段：

    1. 献祭的律法（1：1-7：38）
      1. 以色列人的献祭（1：1-6：7）
        1. 燔祭（1章）
        2. 素祭（2章）
        3. 平安祭（3章）
        4. 赎罪祭（4：1-5：13）
        5. 赎愆祭（5：14-6：7）
      2. 祭司的服事（6：8-7：38）
        1. 燔祭（6：8-13）
        2. 素祭（6：14-18）
        3. 祭司的素祭（6：19-23）
        4. 赎罪祭（6：24-30）
        5. 赎愆祭（7：1-10）
        6. 平安祭（7：11-36）
    2. 祭司的预备（8：1-10：20）
      1. 亚伦和儿子们的预备（8章）
      2. 亚伦第一次献祭（9章）
      3. 拿答和亚比户犯罪（10章）
    3. 不洁净的事物和解决的方法（11：1-16：34）
      1. 不洁净的动物（11章）
      2. 不洁净的分娩（12章）
      3. 不洁净的皮肤病（13章）
      4. 皮肤病得洁净的律法（14章）
      5. 不洁净的漏症（15章）
      6. 赎罪日（16章）
    4. 圣洁生活的律法（17：1-28：34）
      1. 献祭的地方和不可吃血（17章）
      2. 淫乱的律法（18章）
      3. 圣洁的生活（19章）
      4. 死刑的罪（20章）
      5. 祭司洁净的律法（21章）
      6. 赐祭物的律法（22章）
      7. 耶和华的节期（23章）
      8. 点灯和陈设饼的律法（24：1-9）
      9. 亵渎圣名的审判（24：10-23）
      10. 安息日和禧年（25章）
      11. 守约的祝福和背约的刑罚（26章）
      12. 许愿归给耶和华的律法（27章）

    前三大段是一组的，都是说到献祭：1-7章提到以色列人献的祭有五种，8-10章提到祭司预备的祭有三种，14-16章提到不洁净的人事物也需要献祭

    如何明白利未记

    1. 希伯来书解释利未记，特别是九章和十章
    2. 大祭司和祭物是基督的预表
    3. 利未记告诉我们如何过圣洁的生活

    主题：圣洁

    1. 钥节：“你晓谕以色列全会众说：‘你们要圣洁，因为我耶和华你们的 神是圣洁的。（利19：1）
    2. 圣洁不只是对祭司的要求，而是对全以色列人的要求（利19：1）
    3. 圣洁的定义：分别为圣归给神
    4. 不只是在会幕里要圣洁，在家里，在世界里要圣洁：
      1. 吃是在家里吃，不是在圣殿里吃
      2. 在房屋中有大麻风，这些都跟会幕没有关系
    5. 如何圣洁？
      1. 亲近神：越亲近神的人就越圣洁。爱世界和世上的事，爱父的心就不在他们里面的。
      2. 亲近神的条件：
        1. 分别为圣，不可爱世界
        2. 不可活在罪中

    基督的豫表

    1. 律法的一切都是豫表基督
      1. 西2：16-17  所以，不拘在饮食上，或节期、月朔、安息日都不可让人论断你们。 这些原是後事的影儿；那形体却是基督。
    2. 希伯来书是利未记的钥匙
      1. 特别是九和十章
      2. 希伯来书给了我们解释利未记的原则
    3. Robert Murray MCheyne of Dundee说：
      1. 如果有一个陌生人在帕子后面，你是看不清他的面孔的。可是如果是一个你熟悉的爱人在帕子后面，你看见帕子后面的隐约的影子就能够看出是你的爱人
      2. 同样的犹太人不认识主耶稣，就不能看清楚祭物是指着主耶稣基督，基督徒在新约的光照之下，帕子已经除去，就能够靠着主的恩典，藉着利未记更多的认识主耶稣
      3. 【林后 3:14-16  但他们的心地刚硬，直到今日诵读旧约的时候，这帕子还没有揭去。这帕子在基督里已经废去了。然而直到今日，每逢诵读摩西书的时候，帕子还在他们心上。 但他们的心几时归向主，帕子就几时除去了。】

    燔祭（1章；6：8-13）

    1. 为何献祭：
      1. 没有提
    2. 祭物：燔祭的祭物有三大类
      1. 没有残疾的公牛（1：3）- 预表基督的劳苦
      1. 没有残疾的公羊（1：10）- 预表基督的温柔，顺服
      1. 斑鸠或雏鸽（1：14）- 预表基督是属天的
      1. 另外民数记里吩咐献燔祭要加上奠祭：奠祭（民15：5）
        1. 【无 论 是 燔 祭 是 平 安 祭 ， 你 要 为 每 只 绵 羊 羔 ， 一 同 预 备 奠 祭 的 酒 一 欣 四 分 之 一 。】（民15：5）
    3. 如何献祭：
      1. 献祭的人
        1. 按手，宰祭物（1：4-5）
          1. 按手：联合
          1. 宰祭物：是我们的罪把主钉在十字架上
        1. 剥皮，切成肉块（1：6）
          1. 剥皮：十字架的羞辱
          1. 切成肉块：彻底的奉献
        1. 用水洗肺腑与腿（1：9）
          1. 肺腑：里面的污秽
          1. 腿：因占地而玷污
      1. 祭司
        1. 血：洒在祭坛的周围（1：5，11，15）
          1. 满足神对罪的愤怒
        1. 脂肪：和全祭物都烧在祭坛（1：8-9，12-13）
        1. 肉：烧在祭坛（1：8，12，17）
        1. 脏腑与腿：全祭物一起烧在祭坛（1：9，13）
        1. 鸟：揪 下 头 来，把 鸟 烧 在 坛 上 ， 鸟 的 血 要 流 在 坛 的 旁 边 。鸟的赃物和羽毛丢在坛的东边倒灰的地方。要 拿 着 鸟 的 两 个 翅 膀 ， 把 鸟 撕 开 ， 只 是 不 可 撕 断 （1：16-17）
          1. 耶稣在十字架的样式
    4. 神所得
      1. 整只祭物，除了皮
    5. 祭司的供应：
      1. 皮归给祭司（7：8）
        1. 无瑕疵的皮很美丽，预表主的荣耀。祂舍去自己的荣耀被钉十字架，天父就把荣耀给回基督，因为祭司也预表基督
    6. 献祭的人的供应
      1. 没有
    7. 基督的预表
      1. 【所 以 基 督 到 世 上 来 的 时 候 ， 就 说 ， 神 阿 祭 物 和 礼 物 是 你 不 愿 意 的 ， 你 曾 给 我 预 备 了 身 体 。燔 祭 和 赎 罪 祭 是 你 不 喜 欢 的 。那 时 我 说 ， 神 阿 ， 我 来 了 为 要 照 你 的 旨 意 行 。 我 的 事 在 经 卷 上 已 经 记 载 了 。】（希10：5-7)
      1. 主耶稣死时的完全
      1. 耶稣完全、彻底、毫无保留的奉献给天父
    8. 基督徒的教导
      1. 我们完全的奉献才能讨主喜悦
      1. 罗马书12：1
    9. 特点：祭物完全的献上

    素祭（2章；6：14-23）

    1. 为什么献祭：
      1. 没有提
    2. 祭物：素祭物有三种：细面，无酵饼，初熟之物
      1. 细面，油，乳香（2：1；6：15）
        1. 细面
          1. 耶稣的生活是温柔的和细腻的
        1. 乳香
          1. 树的树脂
          1. 树皮被割，树脂被磨碎，然后被烧
          1. 香气是显然的，无法隐藏的
          1. 树皮要被隔开，乳香才能流出来：主耶稣没有佳形美容，里面却是最美的
      1. 无酵饼（2：4）
        1. 两种的无酵饼：
          1. 调油的无酵细面饼（2：4）
          1. 抹油的无酵薄饼（2：4）
        1. 油：圣灵的恩膏
          1. 抹油的无酵薄饼（2：4）：圣灵外面的能力
          1. 调油的无酵细面，分成块子，加上油（2：5-6）：圣灵里面的充满
        1. 煎盘做的，用油和细面作成（2：7）
      1. 初熟的农作物（2：14-16）
        1. 烘了的禾穗子（2：14）
        1. 轧了的新穗子（2：14）
    3. 另外，三种的素祭都不可有酵和蜜，却必定要有盐
      1. 没有酵和蜜（2：11）
        1. 无酵：没有败坏，没有罪
        1. 无蜜：蜜是天然的，基督的馨香是超天然的
      1. 一切的素祭都用盐调和（2：13）
        1. 盐：永久性的
    4. 如何献祭
      1. 献祭的人
      1. 祭司
        1. 把一把的细面烧在坛上（2：2，9）
        1. 献给耶和华为馨香的火祭（2：9）
    5. 神得到什么：
      1. 一把细面
      1. 全部的乳香（2：16）
    6. 祭司得到什么：
      1. 剩下的细面和饼，无论是油调的和干的都给亚伦和他的子孙（2：10；6：16；7：10）
      1. 除了祭司自己的素祭不可吃，都必须烧掉（6：23）
      1. 祭司和他们的儿子可以吃（民18：10）
    7. 献祭的人得到什么？
      1. 没有提
    8. 预表基督
      1. 主耶稣活时的完全：无罪，温柔，圣洁
      1. 麦子需要被磨碎成为细面，细面烘烤成为无酵饼
      1. 基督是无罪的：神 使 那 无 罪 的 （ 无 罪 原 文 作 不 知 罪 ） ， 替 我 们 成 为 罪 。 好 叫 我 们 在 他 里 面 成 为 神 的 义 。(林后5：21)
      1. 基督在地上的生活，和祂上十字架的经历：如何被破碎，煎熬，误会，羞辱，讥笑。主却求父赦免他们，显出基督品格的美丽
      1. 祭物的形成和如何被献祭预表基督的经历
    9. 基督徒的教导
      1. 祭物显出服事的人的品格的形成
      1. 基督徒也要有被破碎的经历，才能过一个圣洁的生活。我们的敬拜与服事才能够讨神的喜悦。
    10. 特点：
      1. 活祭中为至圣的（2：10）和赎罪祭（包括赎愆祭）一样
      1. 没有血，所以必须与其他祭一起献（利23：13；民28：5，9）

    平安祭（fellowship offering）-（3章；7：11-21）

    1. 为什么献祭
      1. 为感谢（7：12）
      1. 为许愿（7：16）
      1. 为甘心（7：16）
    2. 祭物
      1. 没有残疾的公牛或母牛（3：1）
        1. 公和母：神各种恩典的供应
        1. 公：力量
        1. 母：乳养
      1. 没有残疾的公羊或母羊（3：6）
      1. 山羊（3：12）
      1. 如是为感谢加：
        1. 调油的无酵饼，抹油的无酵薄饼，油调细面饼，还有有酵的饼（7：12-13）
      1. 如是为许愿或甘心
        1. 摇祭
          1. 胸（7：30）：爱
          1. 右脚（7：32）：力量
      1. 奠祭（民15：5）
        1. 【无 论 是 燔 祭 是 平 安 祭 ， 你 要 为 每 只 绵 羊 羔 ， 一 同 预 备 奠 祭 的 酒 一 欣 四 分 之 一 。】（民15：5）
    3. 如何献祭
      1. 献祭的人
        1. 献祭的人按手，宰祭物（3：2）
      1. 祭司
        1. 血：洒在祭坛的周围（3：2，8，13）
          1. 血：【按着律法，凡物差不多都是用血洁净的，若不流血，罪就不得赦免了。】（希9：22）
        1. 脂肪：烧在祭坛，是馨香的火祭（3：5）
          1. 注重是内脏的脂油
          1. 内在丰富的生命，变成脂储藏里面
          1. 讨神的欢喜，在神面前是馨香的
        1. 腰子：两个腰子和腰子的脂油，并肝上的网子焚烧在坛（3：10-11）
    4. 神得到什么
      1. 脂肪
        1. 里面最深的，最好的
      1. 腰子
        1. 非常重要：过滤排毒
      1. 肺腑（诗篇26：2，伯19：27，耶12：2）
      1. 肝脏的网
    5. 祭司得到什么
    6. 为感谢（7：12）
    7. 饼和肉（7：14-15），一点不可留到早上（7：15）
    8. 为许愿和甘心（7：16）
    9. 剩下的第二天也可吃，剩下的祭肉到第三天要用火烧（7：17）。如吃了不算为祭，吃的祭司也要担当他的罪孽（7：18）
    10. 神的恩典不陈旧，每天都是新的
    11. 举祭和摇祭（胸和脚）：祭司和他们的儿女都可吃（10：14，民18：11）
    12. 必须要在洁净的地方吃（10：14）
    13. 献祭的人得到什么
    14. 凡洁净的人都可以吃祭肉（7：19）。如果不洁净吃了必从民中剪除（7：21）
    15. 基督的预表：
      1. 罗5：10
      1. 弗2：12-17
      1. 西1：20
      1. 基督是我们的平安，藉着耶稣我们与神和好，也彼此和好
      1. 常来的主面前感恩
    16. 基督徒的教导
      1. 祭司，和其他人也能享受细面：共享。我们能够彼此交通是因为基督是我们的平安祭
      1. 常感谢神
      1. 掰饼感谢主
      1. 希13：15
    17. 特点
      1. 其他人可以享用祭物

    赎罪祭（Sin offering）-（4章；6：24-30）

    1. 为什么献祭：
      1. 以色列人“行了耶和华所吩咐不可行的什么事”（4：1，13，22，27），犯了律法，就是犯了罪（4：3,14，23，28）后所要献的，为了赎罪。
      1. 为了误犯的罪赎罪 （4：13，22，27）
        1. 误犯说明了我们是罪人，受肉体的辖制，必定会犯罪。当我们一知道自己犯了罪，就来的神面前认罪（约一1：9）
    2. 祭物：不同人的献不同的祭物，不过都必须献。因为罪的影响范围不一样。（路12：48，希13：17）
      1. 祭司：无残疾的公牛
      1. 会众：公牛犊
      1. 官长：无残疾的公山羊
      1. 个人：无残疾的母山羊（4：27），无残疾的母羊羔（4：32）
    3. 如何献祭
      1. 献祭的人
        1. 献祭的人按手，宰祭物（4：4，15，24，29，33）
      1. 祭司
        1. 血：
          1. 弹在圣所的幔子七次：幔子将会裂开，七是完全的救赎
          1. 抹在香坛四角：香坛预表祷告，基督的血恢复我们与神的交通
          1. 倒在祭坛的脚：全部的血倒出来，显现基督的死，血流光了
        1. 脂肪：烧在祭坛
        1. 祭司和全会众的牛（皮，肉，粪）必须烧在营外（4：12，21）
          1. 【原 来 牲 畜 的 血 ， 被 大 祭 司 带 入 圣 所 作 赎 罪 祭 ， 牲 畜 的 身 子 ， 被 烧 在 营 外 。所 以 耶 稣 ， 要 用 自 己 的 血 叫 百 姓 成 圣 ， 也 就 在 城 门 外 受 苦 。】（希13：11-13）
    4. 神得到什么？有两类：
      1. 祭司和全会众的祭：腰子和脂油
      1. 官长和个人的祭：腰子和脂油
    5. 祭司得到什么？有两大类
      1. 祭司和全会众的祭
        1. 全烧在营外，不可吃（4：11，21，30），因为血被带进会幕
      1. 官长和个人的祭司
        1. 可以吃，在院子里吃（6：26），因为血没有带进会幕
        1. 祭司和他们的儿子可以吃（民18：10）
    6. 献祭的人得到什么
      1. 没有
    7. 基督的预表
      1. 希13：12
      1. 【如 果 这 样 ， 他 从 创 世 以 来 ， 就 必 多 次 受 苦 了 。 但 如 今 在 这 末 世 显 现 一 次 ， 把 自 己 献 为 祭 ， 好 除 掉 罪 。】（希9：26）
      1. 【神 使 那 无 罪 的 （ 无 罪 原 文 作 不 知 罪 ） ， 替 我 们 成 为 罪 。 好 叫 我 们 在 他 里 面 成 为 神 的 义 。（哥后5：21）
      1. 【他 被 挂 在 木 头 上 亲 身 担 当 了 我 们 的 罪 ， 使 我 们 既 然 在 罪 上 死 ， 就 得 以 在 义 上 活 。 因 他 受 的 鞭 伤 ， 你 们 便 得 了 医 治 。（彼前2：24）
    8. 基督徒的教导
      1. 误犯说明了我们是罪人，受肉体的辖制，必定会犯罪。当我们一知道自己犯了罪，就来的神面前认罪（约一1：9）
      1. 【这 样 ， 我 们 也 当 出 到 营 外 就 了 他 去 ， 忍 受 他 所 受 的 凌 辱 。】（希13：14）
        1. 祭牲的身体被烧在营外：我们的罪被十字架对付
        1. 我们与基督同钉十字架(加2：20）。让十字架对付我们的罪。
    9. 特点：
      1. 主为了我们的罪性成为祭物
      1. 素祭显明主耶稣的所是
      1. 赎罪祭显明主耶稣的所作
      1. 是至圣的（6：25），和素祭与赎愆祭一样（6：17）
      1. 特别强调祭坛是燔祭坛：教导我们不要因为神的恩典就故意犯罪，要我们完全奉献
      1. “必要赦免”的三个条件：1）祭物，2）祭司，3）献祭

    赎愆祭（5章；7：1-10）

    1. 为什么献祭：
      1. 为了无意犯的罪，而且起先不知道自己犯了罪（5：2，3，4），赎罪必得赦免（5：10，14）
    2. 祭物:
      1. 母羊（5：6）
      1. 羊羔（5：6）
      1. 山羊（5：6）
      1. 没有残疾的公绵羊（5：15）
      1. 没有能力的，可以献两只斑鸠活雏鸽（5：7）：一只作赎罪祭，一只作燔祭
      1. 如果两献鸟也被有能力，也能献细面伊法十分之一，不可加油和乳香
    3. 如何献祭
      1. 和赎罪祭一样，两个祭是一个条例（7：7）
    4. 祭司的供应：
      1. 如果献细面，剩下的面归给祭司
      1. 祭司可以吃祭物（7：6），参赎罪祭
      1. 是至圣的（7：1），和素祭与赎愆祭一样（6：17）
      1. 祭司和他们的儿子可以吃（民18：10）
    5. 基督的预表
      1. 为我们的罪行向主求
      1. 【我 们 若 在 光 明 中 行 ， 如 同 神 在 光 明 中 ， 就 彼 此 相 交 ， 他 儿 子 耶 稣 的 血 也 洗 净 我 们 一 切 的 罪 。】（约一1：7）
      1. 【我 们 若 认 自 己 的 罪 ， 神 是 信 实 的 ， 是 公 义 的 ， 必 要 赦 免 我 们 的 罪 ， 洗 净 我 们 一 切 的 不 义 。】（约一1：9）
      1. 【他 被 挂 在 木 头 上 亲 身 担 当 了 我 们 的 罪 ， 使 我 们 既 然 在 罪 上 死 ， 就 得 以 在 义 上 活 。 因 他 受 的 鞭 伤 ， 你 们 便 得 了 医 治 。】（彼前2：25）
    6. 基督徒的教训
      1. 主耶稣为门徒洗脚就是赎愆祭要预表的。身体已经洗过了，不过主要把我们的脚洗干净，因为我们的脚常常被这个世界污染。
    7. 特点：
      1. 主为了我们的罪行成为祭物

    无残疾的定义

    1. 【瞎 眼 的 ， 折 伤 的 ， 残 废 的 ， 有 瘤 子 的 ， 长 癣 的 ， 长 疥 的 都 不 可 献 给 耶 和 华 ， 也 不 可 在 坛 上 作 为 火 祭 献 给 耶 和 华 。无 论 是 公 牛 是 绵 羊 羔 ， 若 肢 体 有 余 的 ， 或 是 缺 少 的 ， 只 可 作 甘 心 祭 献 上 ， 用 以 还 愿 ， 却 不 蒙 悦 纳 。肾 子 损 伤 的 ， 或 是 压 碎 的 ， 或 是 破 裂 的 ， 或 是 骟 了 的 ， 不 可 献 给 耶 和 华 ， 在 你 们 的 地 上 也 不 可 这 样 行 。】（利22：22-24）

    五祭的意义

    1. 靠着人本来的地位是不能亲近神，亲近神唯一的道路就是藉着这些祭 。
    2. 这些祭都是预表基督的所是和所作。
    3. 【并 且 不 用 山 羊 和 牛 犊 的 血 ， 乃 用 自 己 的 血 ， 只 一 次 进 入 圣 所 ， 成 了 永 远 赎 罪 的 事 。若 山 羊 和 公 牛 的 血 ， 并 母 牛 犊 的 灰 洒 在 不 洁 的 人 身 上 ， 尚 且 叫 人 成 圣 ， 身 体 洁 净 。何 况 基 督 借 着 永 远 的 灵 ， 将 自 己 无 瑕 无 疵 献 给 神 ， 他 的 血 岂 不 更 能 洗 净 你 们 的 心 。 （ 原 文 作 良 心 ） 除 去 你 们 的 死 行 ， 使 你 们 事 奉 那 永 生 神 吗 ？】（希9：12-13）
    4. 【律 法 既 是 将 来 美 事 的 影 儿 ， 不 是 本 物 的 真 像 ， 总 不 能 借 着 每 年 常 献 一 样 的 祭 物 ， 叫 那 近 前 来 的 人 得 以 完 全 。】（希10：1）
    5. 所有的祭物都预表主耶稣。
      1. 【也 要 凭 爱 心 行 事 ， 正 如 基 督 爱 我 们 ， 为 我 们 舍 了 自 己 ， 当 作 馨 香 的 供 物 ， 和 祭 物 ， 献 与 神 】（弗5：2）
    6. 到神面前一定需要祭物
    7. 主的宝血洗净我们的的良心，除去我们没有用的外表仪式，来侍奉神。
    8. 五祭的两大类
      1. 馨香的火祭（1：13，2：3，3：5）：讨神的喜悦
        1. 燔祭，素祭，平安祭
      1. 和罪有关
        1. 赎罪祭：约3章，生命的罪，得救所蒙的赦罪
        1. 赎愆祭：约一1章，生活的罪，得救后恢复交通的赦罪

    献祭的条例（6：8-7：38）

    1. 前面一章到五章注重的祭物，六章到七章注重祭司该得的分

    五祭总结

    1. 五祭：
      • 燔祭：在基督方面，祂是 神所悦纳的燔祭：在我们方面，当我们得救后，首先就把自己献为燔祭。完全委身，完全献上﹝罗马书12：1-2﹞
      • 素祭：预表基督始终都是纯美、至圣的，显出属天的供应。我们得救后，不单要献上自己，我们更要活出 神的形象来。就是我们日常的生活。请记着，先有生命 (血祭)，才有生活 ( 素祭)。
      • 平安祭：预表基督为我们成就了和平。当我们过分别为圣的生活后，我们就当献上感恩祭，这是与 神恩典的交通，是 “和平” 与 “和睦”。先与 神和好，心中才有基督的平安，然后才能与人和平相处。
      • 赎罪祭：预表耶稣作成了救赎之工。我们认识自己有原罪，也知道只有耶稣能赎清人的原罪。我们误犯了罪就当认罪求赦，使罪得赦免得洁淨。
      • 赎愆祭：赎罪祭主要是赎我们的原罪；赎愆祭是赎我们的本罪。赎罪祭不用偿还；赎愆祭注重赔偿别人的损失，再向 神认罪，恢复与 神的交通。
    2. 献祭要甘心
      1. “ … 你们中间若有人献供物给耶和华、要从牛群羊群中、献牲畜为供物。”﹝利未记1：2﹞“若”，不是命令。我们献祭，心要对，动机要纯正，否则就成为可憎的﹝以赛亚书1：11-15﹞。“献供物给耶和华”，不是献给某人。献祭，要照 神所指定的，“要从牛群羊群中、献 … ”，不是 “要” 献自己认为好的。除了素祭，其它祭都是以献牛羊为主。
    3. 我们所要献的祭
      1. 旧约用牛羊等牲口来献祭。犯罪的人本该死，因为罪的工价乃是死﹝罗马书6：23上﹞，用牛羊的死来代替人的死，牲口流血代替人流血，这是赎罪意思。“按着律法、凡物差不多都是用血洁淨的、若不流血、罪就不得赦免了。”﹝希伯来书9：22﹞
      2. 但不要忘记，“律法既是将来美事的影儿”﹝希伯来书10：1﹞，牛羊是影儿，基督是“真像”。“因为公牛和山羊的血、断不能除罪。”﹝希伯来书10：4﹞只有基督的宝血才能除罪。旧约的人献祭，只是个预表，直到基督被钉死，才把旧约一切献祭的人的罪除淨，更把新约所有信的人的罪赎尽。“凡祭司天天站着事奉 神、屡次献上一样的祭物．这祭物永不能除罪。但基督献了一次永远的赎罪祭、就在 神的右边坐下了． … ”﹝希伯来书10：11-18﹞
    4. 基督徒不用再献牛羊的祭，但另有所献上的祭：
      1. “颂讚为祭”﹝希伯来书13：15﹞
      2. “行善” 和 “捐输”的祭﹝希伯来书13：16﹞。我们不是用金钱来赎罪，而是乐意献的，“因为这样的祭、是 神所喜悦的”。
      3. “活祭”：“所以弟兄们、我以 神的慈悲劝你们、将身体献上、当作活祭、是圣洁的、是 神所喜悦的．你们如此事奉、乃是理所当然的。不要效法这个世界．只要心意更新而变化、叫你们察验何为 神的善良、纯全可喜悦的旨意。”﹝罗马书12：1-2﹞
    5. 旧约献牲畜，新约献自己。旧约献死祭，新约献活祭。

    祭司的预备（8章-10章）

    1. 大祭司预表基督
      1. 【我 们 既 然 有 一 位 已 经 升 入 高 天 尊 荣 的 大 祭 司 ， 就 是 神 的 儿 子 耶 稣 ， 便 当 持 定 所 承 认 的 道 。】（希4：14）
      2. 【但 现 在 基 督 已 经 来 到 ， 作 了 将 来 美 事 的 大 祭 司 ， 经 过 那 更 大 更 全 备 的 帐 幕 ， 不 是 人 手 所 造 也 不 是 属 乎 这 世 界 的 】（希9：11）
    2. 新约里基督徒都是祭司：
      1. 【惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗、入奇妙光明者的美德。】（彼得前2：9）
      2. 【又使我们成为国民，作他父 神的祭司。但愿荣耀、权能归给他，直到永永远远。阿们！】（启1：6）
    3. 神荣光的显现
      1. 如果他们根据神的命令预备祭司的服事，神的荣光就要向他们显现
        1. 【摩 西 说 ， 这 是 耶 和 华 吩 咐 你 们 所 当 行 的 ， 耶 和 华 的 荣 光 就 要 向 你 们 显 现 。】（利9：6）
      2. 他们果然照着作
        1. 【惟 有 赎 罪 祭 的 脂 油 和 腰 子 ， 并 肝 上 取 的 网 子 ， 都 烧 在 坛 上 ， 是 照 耶 和 华 所 吩 咐 摩 西 的】（利9：10）
      3. 结果神的荣光就显现：
        1. 【摩 西 ， 亚 伦 进 入 会 幕 ， 又 出 来 为 百 姓 祝 福 ， 耶 和 华 的 荣 光 就 向 众 民 显 现 。有 火 从 耶 和 华 面 前 出 来 ， 在 坛 上 烧 尽 燔 祭 和 脂 油 ， 众 民 一 见 ， 就 都 欢 呼 ， 俯 伏 在 地 】（利9：23）

    洁净和不洁净（十一章-十五章）

    1. 这五章告诉我们是不洁净的，我们是罪人
    2. 中间也有许多属灵的教训。这些的规矩，到了主耶稣来后（振兴的时候）就不用遵守了（为止）。
      1. 【这 些 事 连 那 饮 食 和 诸 般 洗 濯 的 规 矩 ， 都 不 过 是 属 肉 体 的 条 例 ， 命 定 到 振 兴 的 时 候 为 止】（希9：10）

    食物（十一章）

    1. 食物不洁净了是因为人犯罪的结果
    2. 新约信徒祷告感恩后可以吃
      1. 【凡 神 所 造 的 物 ， 都 是 好 的 。 若 感 谢 着 领 受 ， 就 没 有 一 样 可 弃 的 。都 因 神 的 道 和 人 的 祈 求 ， 成 为 圣 洁 了 。】（提前4：4-5）
    3. 另一方面有许多属灵的教训，关于什么是圣洁不圣洁的，比如
      1. 倒嚼：吸收神的话
      2. 分蹄：不完全接触地
      3. 爬行动物：属地的
      4. 会跳的爬行动物：仰望天的

    产妇的不洁净（十二章）

    1. 犯罪的结果（创3：16）
    2. 生孩子起初是好的，人犯罪后，每生一个孩子世上就多了一个罪人

    大麻风：罪（十三章-十四章）

    1. 大麻风豫表罪
      1. 新约主耶稣洁净了十个大麻风病人
    2. ”祭司要察看“（13：1-8）出现多次：罪是严肃的，不可随便定罪，要谨慎。
    3. 大麻风的特点
      1. 祭司决定有没有大麻风，神决定我们有没有犯罪
      2. 【独居在营外】（13：46）：罪使人隔离
      3. 大麻风会传染：罪也一样，传染给别人
      4. 大麻风会廣散的：罪也一样,一罪变多罪
      5. 大麻风会腐烂：罪也来越深，人对罪越来越麻木
    4. 13：3-44有六种的大麻风：我们都是大麻风人(3,10,20,25,30,42)
    5. 判断大麻风的三个原则
      1. 仔细看，若皮肤上毛变白了（13：3）
        1. 人的本质改变了
      2. 灾病得现象深于肉上的皮（13：3）
        1. 在皮的下面：腐烂，隐藏的罪
      3. 廯散发开了（13：7）
        1. 扩散了，罪越来越大，越来越深，影响别人
    6. 燔祭牲的皮和人的皮
      1. 燔祭牲是没有残疾的，是完美的。长大麻风的人的皮却是腐烂的。
      2. 外面的皮有问题，表明里面有更大的问题。我们外面有罪行，是因为我们是罪人。
    7. 如何回营地
      1. 只有主能定罪
        1. 祭司要出营外查看（14：3）
        2. 大麻风的人不可以自己作什么，只能看祭司的判断（14：3）
        3. 我们解决罪的唯一出路就是主耶稣面前
      2. 洁净（14：4-7，49-53）：每一步都是主的恩典：
        1. 两只鸟：主的死和复活
      3. 洗衣，洗澡，剃毛，等七天，再洗，再剃毛（14：8-9）：彻底的除罪，人前的见证
      4. 献祭
        1. 赎愆祭（14：14）
        2. 赎罪祭（14：19）
        3. 燔祭和素祭（14：20）

    漏症（十五章）

    1. 漏症是生命的流失
    2. 是人犯罪后的结果

    洁净的供应（十六章：赎罪日）

    1. 一章到十五章就给我们看到我们如何的来到神的面前。基督给我们开了一条又新又活的路。
      1. 【是借着他给我们开了一条又新又活的路，从幔子经过，这幔子就是他的身体。】（希10：18-19）
      2. 【并 我 们 心 中 天 良 的 亏 欠 已 经 洒 去 ， 身 体 用 清 水 洗 净 了 ， 就 当 存 着 诚 心 ， 和 充 足 的 信 心 ， 来 到 神 面 前 。】（希10：22）
    2. 赎罪日的目的：
    1. 为祭司的罪
      1. 【亚 伦 要 把 赎 罪 祭 的 公 牛 奉 上 ， 为 自 己 和 本 家 赎 罪 。】（利16：6）
    2. 为会幕
      1. 【他 因 以 色 列 人 诸 般 的 污 秽 ， 过 犯 ， 就 是 他 们 一 切 的 罪 愆 ， 当 这 样 在 圣 所 行 赎 罪 之 礼 ， 并 因 会 幕 在 他 们 污 秽 之 中 ， 也 要 照 样 而 行 。】（利16：16）
    3. 为本地人和外人
      1. 【每 逢 七 月 初 十 日 ， 你 们 要 刻 苦 己 心 ， 无 论 是 本 地 人 ， 是 寄 居 在 你 们 中 间 的 外 人 ， 什 么 工 都 不 可 作 ， 这 要 作 你 们 永 远 的 定 例 。因 在 这 日 要 为 你 们 赎 罪 ， 使 你 们 洁 净 。 你 们 要 在 耶 和 华 面 前 得 以 洁 净 ， 脱 尽 一 切 的 罪 愆 】（利16：29-30）
    4. 为以色列人
      1. 【这 要 作 你 们 永 远 的 定 例 就 是 因 以 色 列 人 一 切 的 罪 ， 要 一 年 一 次 为 他 们 赎 罪 。 于 是 ， 亚 伦 照 耶 和 华 所 吩 咐 摩 西 的 行 了 。】（利16：34）
    5. 大祭司的服事（16：12）：
      1. 香炉
      2. 火：受苦
      3. 碳：奉献的结果
      4. 捣细的香料：主被破碎
      5. 香的烟云遮掩法柜上的施恩座：基督的馨香
      6. 血摊在施恩座东边和前面：基督的血
    6. 两只公山羊（16：8）
      1. 和洁净大麻风的两只鸟一样道理
      2. 一只献祭，一只送到旷野
      3. 阿撒泻勒NIV和NASB翻译为“scapegoat”H5799只出现这里
        1. 使罪离开我们远远的
    7. 新约主耶稣是大祭司的职事（希9：7-12）：
      1. 【至 于 第 二 层 帐 幕 ， 惟 有 大 祭 司 一 年 一 次 独 自 进 去 ， 没 有 不 带 着 血 ， 为 自 己 和 百 姓 的 过 错 献 上 。】（希9：7）
      2. 【圣 灵 用 此 指 明 ， 头 一 层 帐 幕 仍 存 的 时 候 ， 进 入 至 圣 所 的 路 还 未 显 明 。】（希9：8）
      3. 【那 头 一 层 帐 幕 作 现 今 的 一 个 表 样 ， 所 献 的 礼 物 和 祭 物 ， 就 着 良 心 说 ， 都 不 能 叫 礼 拜 的 人 得 以 完 全 。】（希9：9）
      4. 【但 现 在 基 督 已 经 来 到 ， 作 了 将 来 美 事 的 大 祭 司 ， 经 过 那 更 大 更 全 备 的 帐 幕 ， 不 是 人 手 所 造 也 不 是 属 乎 这 世 界 的 。】（希9：11）
      5. 【并 且 不 用 山 羊 和 牛 犊 的 血 ， 乃 用 自 己 的 血 ， 只 一 次 进 入 圣 所 ， 成 了 永 远 赎 罪 的 事】（希9：12）

    成圣的生活（十七章-二十二章）

    1. 十七章到二十二章是成圣的生活
      1. 十七章到二十章：个人（17章），家庭（18章），社会（19-20章）的成圣
      2. 二十一章到二十二章：祭司的成圣
    2. 注意每十七到二十二章里每一章都提到成圣：
      1. 【你 晓 谕 以 色 列 全 会 众 说 ， 你 们 要 圣 洁 ， 因 为 我 耶 和 华 你 们 的 神 是 圣 洁 的】（19：2）
      2. 【所 以 你 们 要 自 洁 成 圣 ， 因 为 我 是 耶 和 华 你 们 的 神。你 们 要 谨 守 遵 行 我 的 律 例 ， 我 是 叫 你 们 成 圣 的 耶 和 华 。 】（20：7-8）
      3. 【要 归 神 为 圣 ， 不 可 亵 渎 神 的 名 ， 因 为 耶 和 华 的 火 祭 ， 就 是 神 的 食 物 ， 是 他 们 献 的 ， 所 以 他 们 要 成 为 圣 】（21：6）
      4. 【不 可 在 民 中 辱 没 他 的 儿 女 ， 因 为 我 是 叫 他 成 圣 的 耶 和 华 】（21：15）
      5. 【所 以 他 们 要 守 我 所 吩 咐 的 ， 免 得 轻 忽 了 ， 因 此 担 罪 而 死 。 我 是 叫 他 们 成 圣 的 耶 和 华 。】（22：9）
      6. 【你 们 不 可 亵 渎 我 的 圣 名 ， 我 在 以 色 列 人 中 ， 却 要 被 尊 为 圣 。 我 是 叫 你 们 成 圣 的 耶 和 华 】（22：32）

    十七章-献祭的地方和不可吃血

    1. 必须来到会幕门口，不能随便在其他地方献祭
      1. 【凡 以 色 列 家 中 的 人 ， 或 是 寄 居 在 他 们 中 间 的 外 人 ， 若 吃 什 么 血 ， 我 必 向 那 吃 血 的 人 变 脸 ， 把 他 从 民 中 剪 除 。因 为 活 物 的 生 命 是 在 血 中 。 我 把 这 血 赐 给 你 们 ， 可 以 在 坛 上 为 你 们 的 生 命 赎 罪 ， 因 血 里 有 生 命 ， 所 以 能 赎 罪 。】（17：10-11）
    2. 不可吃血
      1. 血是用来赎罪的

    十八章-淫乱（家庭）

    1. 【我是耶和华你们的神】（18：2，4，5，30）
      1. 不要效法过去的：埃及（18：3）
      2. 不可效法将来的：迦南（18：3）
    2. 人堕落到象野兽
      1. 【在 这 一 切 的 事 上 ， 你 们 都 不 可 玷 污 自 己 ， 因 为 我 在 你 们 面 前 所 逐 出 的 列 邦 ， 在 这 一 切 的 事 上 玷 污 了 自 己 。】（利18：24）
    3. 我们要分别为圣，外邦人做的我们不可做
    4. 人是按着神的形象造的，我们要在婚姻里彰显神的荣耀
    5. 【婚 姻 ， 人 人 都 当 尊 重 ， 床 也 不 可 污 秽 。 因 为 苟 合 行 淫 的 人 神 必 要 审 判 。】（希13：4）

    十九章-各项法例（社会）

    1. 多次提起我是耶和华（19：1，4，10，12，14，18，25，32，37）
    2. 是因为神提醒祂要我们像祂一样的圣洁。【你 晓 谕 以 色 列 全 会 众 说 ， 你 们 要 圣 洁 ， 因 为 我 耶 和 华 你 们 的 神 是 圣 洁 的】（19：2）
    3. 总结是爱神和爱人（太22：37-39）
      1. 【不 可 报 仇 ， 也 不 可 埋 怨 你 本 国 的 子 民 ， 却 要 爱 人 如 己 。 我 是 耶 和 华 】（利19：18）

    二十章-婚姻的圣洁

    1. 和十八章一样，不过注重在惩罚：治死，罪要归到他们的身上
    2. 圣洁的定义：
      1. 【你 们 要 归 我 为 圣 ， 因 为 我 耶 和 华 是 圣 的 ， 并 叫 你 们 与 万 民 有 分 别 ， 使 你 们 作 我 的 民 】（利20：26）         

    二十一章-二十二章：祭司的圣洁生活

    1. 对侍奉神的人要求特别严厉，要求更高
    2. 【祭 司 亚 伦 的 后 裔 ， 凡 有 残 疾 的 ， 都 不 可 近 前 来 ， 将 火 祭 献 给 耶 和 华 。 他 有 残 疾 ， 不 可 近 前 来 献 神 的 食 物 】（利21：21）

    二十三章：耶和华的节期

    1. 二十三章的内容是耶和华的节期。
      1. 【你 晓 谕 以 色 列 人 说 ， 耶 和 华 的 节 期 ， 你 们 要 宣 告 为 圣 会 的 节 期 。】（利23:1）
      2. 【于 是 ， 摩 西 将 耶 和 华 的 节 期 传 给 以 色 列 人 。】（23：44）
    2. 耶和华的节期是圣会（23：1）。圣洁就是耶和华的子民聚在一起的圣洁的聚会。
    3. 新约的圣会就是教会的聚会，教会的聚会是圣洁的，教会里不可有罪
    4. 不可停止聚会
      1. [你 们 不 可 停 止 聚 会 ， 好 像 那 些 停 止 惯 了 的 人 ， 倒 要 彼 此 劝 勉 。 既 知 道 （ 原 文 作 看 见 ） 那 日 子 临 近 ， 就 更 当 如 此 ](希10：25)

    安息日（23：3）

    1. 神第七天安息，神也要祂的子民进入祂的安息。
    2. 基督是我们的安息，祂是安息日的主。基督已经做成了。安息日是七节期的根基。
    3. 劳苦担重担到主那里得安息（太11：28）
    4. 祂是安息日的主（路6：5）

    七节期

    1. 因【世世代代永远的定例】分成三组（23：14，21，41）。

    逾越节（1月14日）

    1. 庆祝的原因：天使越过门楣图养血的家庭，不杀长子
    2. 意义：庆祝神的拯救
    3. 预表：基督是逾越节的羔羊，基督徒蒙恩得救
    4. 【你 们 既 是 无 酵 的 面 ， 应 当 把 旧 酵 除 净 ， 好 使 你 们 成 为 新 团 。 因 为 我 们 逾 越 节 的 羔 羊 基 督 已 经 被 杀 献 祭 了 。】（哥前5：7）

    无酵节（1月15日-21日）

    1. 庆祝的原因：纪念出埃及时吃无酵饼
    2. 意义：无酵豫表无罪，过圣洁的生活
    3. 预表1：基督的圣洁
    4. 预表2：基督徒过无罪圣洁的生活
      1. 【所 以 ， 我 们 守 这 节 不 可 用 旧 酵 ， 也 不 可 用 恶 毒 （ 或 作 阴 毒 ） ， 邪 恶 的 酵 ， 只 用 诚 实 真 正 的 无 酵 饼 。】（哥前5：8）

    初熟节（1月16日）

    1. 安息日的次日：主日（23：11）
    2. 庆祝的原因：大麦初熟，可以收割了
      1. 意义：纪念神的供应
      2. 预表1：初熟的果子，主从死里复活
        1. 【但 基 督 已 经 从 死 里 复 活 ， 成 为 睡 了 之 人 初 熟 的 果 子 。】（哥前15：20）
      3. 预表2：基督徒像初熟的果子
        1. 【但 各 人 是 按 着 自 己 的 次 序 复 活 。 初 熟 的 果 子 是 基 督 。 以 后 在 他 来 的 时 候 ， 是 那 些 属 基 督 的 。】（哥前15：23）
        2. 【就 在 一 霎 时 ， 眨 眼 之 间 ， 号 筒 末 次 吹 响 的 时 候 。 因 号 筒 要 响 ， 死 人 要 复 活 成 为 不 朽 坏 的 ， 我 们 也 要 改 变 。】（哥前15：52）
        3. 【他 按 自 己 的 旨 意 ， 用 真 道 生 了 我 们 ， 叫 我 们 在 他 所 造 的 万 物 中 ， 好 像 初 熟 的 果 子 】（雅1：18）

    五旬节（初熟节后50日）

    1. 庆祝的原因：大麦收割完毕，开始收割小麦
    2. 意义：为丰收而表示喜乐和感恩
    3. 献祭：新素祭：细面加酵，烤成两个摇祭的饼（23：16-17）
      1. 细面：主耶稣
      2. 酵：罪人
      3. 细面加酵：神和人联合
      4. 两个：见证，以色列人和外邦人
    4. 预表：圣灵降临，教会诞生

    吹角节（7月1日）：召聚百姓预备赎罪日

    1. 以色列人预备赎罪日
    2. 庆祝的原因：民事历元旦和新年
    3. 意义：宣告神的胜利
    4. 预表:号角吹响，主耶稣再来
      1. 【因 为 主 必 亲 自 从 天 降 临 ， 有 呼 叫 的 声 音 ， 和 天 使 长 的 声 音 ， 又 有 神 的 号 吹 响 。 那 在 基 督 里 死 了 的 人 必 先 复 活 。】（贴前4：16）

    赎罪日（7月10日）

    1. 庆祝的原因：一年一次入至圣所赎罪。个人和全国的罪都被赦免
    2. 意义：除罪于神恢复相交
    3. 预表：以色列人全家得救（罗11：26）

    住棚节（7月15日-22日）：纪念全年丰收，向神感恩：千年国度

    1. 七日加一日，共八日（23：36）
    2. 也叫收藏节：把葡萄酒和橄榄油藏起来，麦子藏在仓里
    3. 【你 们 要 住 在 棚 里 七 日 ， 凡 以 色 列 家 的 人 都 要 住 在 棚 里 ，好 叫 你 们 世 世 代 代 知 道 ， 我 领 以 色 列 人 出 埃 及 地 的 时 候 曾 使 他 们 住 在 棚 里 。 我 是 耶 和 华 你 们 的 神 。】（23：42-43）
    4. 庆祝的原因：秋收冬藏，纪念神在旷野中得保守和引领
    5. 意义：重新向神委身、信靠祂引领和保护、得享安息
    6. 预表：千年国度的预表

    二十四章：点灯，陈设饼，公正的审判

    1. 灯：出27章，民7章也提起。
    2. 进入二十五章真正的安息前要点灯。
    3. 二十四章把我们带进圣所，有灯和饼。基督是我们生命的光，有圣灵在里面光照，才能得到天粮，就是神的话。

    安息年（25章）

    1. 【你 晓 谕 以 色 列 人 说 ， 你 们 到 了 我 所 赐 你 们 那 地 的 时 候 ， 地 就 要 向 耶 和 华 守 安 息 。】（利25：2）
    2. 地被咒诅（创3：17）
    3. 全地都是我的（出19：5）
    4. 安息日的着重点在于人，安息年的着重点在于地。

    禧年（25章）

    1. 十一章到十五章之后的高峰是十六章的赎罪日：成义的高峰
    2. 十七章到二十四章的高峰是二十五章的禧年：成圣的高峰
    3. 完全的自由（25：10）
    4. 住在主里有自由，不再被罪，被律法捆绑
    5. 享受地中自出的土产（25：12)
    6. 享受基督
    7. 预表：
      1. 归回
        1. 【这 禧 年 ， 你 们 各 人 要 归 自 己 的 地 业 。】（利25：13）
      2. 预表新天新地
        1. 【为 你 本 国 之 民 和 你 圣 城 ， 已 经 定 了 七 十 个 七 。 要 止 住 罪 过 ， 除 净 罪 恶 ， 赎 尽 罪 孽 ， 引 进 （ 或 作 彰 显 ） 永 义 ， 封 住 异 象 和 预 言 ， 并 膏 至 圣 者 （ 者 或 作 所 ） 】（但9：24）
        2. 赎罪的工作完全完成，神完全的得到祂的百姓，罪恶停止。引进永义神永远的国得到的国度，就是新天新地。
        3. 路4：16-19（禧年），塞61：1-3（神的审判）
      3. 人和地都恢复到起初神的心意里。

    约的惩罚和赏赐（二十六章）

    1. 神再次提醒以色列人和祂立的约（26：9）。这约是有条件的。
      1. 【你 们 若 遵 行 我 的 律 例 ， 谨 守 我 的 诫 命 ，】（利26：3）
      2. 【我 要 眷 顾 你 们 ， 使 你 们 生 养 众 多 ， 也 要 与 你 们 坚 定 所 立 的 约 。】（利26：9）
    2. 以色列人遵行神的诫命，就得祝福（26：4-13）
      1. 神会与以色列民同在
        1. 【我 要 在 你 们 中 间 立 我 的 帐 幕 ， 我 的 心 也 不 厌 恶 你 们 】（26：11）
        2. 【我 要 在 你 们 中 间 行 走 ， 我 要 作 你 们 的 神 ， 你 们 要 作 我 的 子 民 。】（26：12）
    3. 不听从神的，就受到惩罚（26：14-39）
      1. 以色列人会散在列邦（26：33）
      2. 地成为荒场，享受安息（26：34）
      3. 【地 多 时 为 荒 场 ， 就 要 多 时 歇 息 ， 地 这 样 歇 息 ， 是 你 们 住 在 其 上 的 安 息 年 所 不 能 得 的 】（26：35）
    4. 感谢神是信实的，祂必定纪念祂和亚伯拉罕，以撒，雅各的约。
      1. 【他 们 要 承 认 自 己 的 罪 和 他 们 祖 宗 的 罪 ， 就 是 干 犯 我 的 那 罪 ， 并 且 承 认 自 己 行 事 与 我 反 对 ，我 所 以 行 事 与 他 们 反 对 ， 把 他 们 带 到 仇 敌 之 地 。 那 时 ， 他 们 未 受 割 礼 的 心 若 谦 卑 了 ， 他 们 也 服 了 罪 孽 的 刑 罚 ，我 就 要 记 念 我 与 雅 各 所 立 的 约 ， 与 以 撒 所 立 的 约 ， 与 亚 伯 拉 罕 所 立 的 约 ， 并 要 记 念 这 地 。他 们 离 开 这 地 ， 地 在 荒 废 无 人 的 时 候 就 要 享 受 安 息 。 并 且 他 们 要 服 罪 孽 的 刑 罚 ， 因 为 他 们 厌 弃 了 我 的 典 章 ， 心 中 厌 恶 了 我 的 律 例 。虽 是 这 样 ， 他 们 在 仇 敌 之 地 ， 我 却 不 厌 弃 他 们 ， 也 不 厌 恶 他 们 ， 将 他 们 尽 行 灭 绝 ， 也 不 背 弃 我 与 他 们 所 立 的 约 ， 因 为 我 是 耶 和 华 他 们 的 神 。我 却 要 为 他 们 的 缘 故 记 念 我 与 他 们 先 祖 所 立 的 约 。 他 们 的 先 祖 是 我 在 列 邦 人 眼 前 ， 从 埃 及 地 领 出 来 的 ， 为 要 作 他 们 的 神 。 我 是 耶 和 华 。】（利26：43-45）

    奉献（二十七章）：分别为圣

    1. 二十六章是神与以色列人坚定所立的约（26：9）
    2. 二十七章是以色列人应有的回应。他们甘心情愿许愿，不是逼迫的，而是因为他们爱神而有的表现。
    3. 以色列人可以还特许的愿（27：1），把人，牲畜，房屋（27：14），地（27：16）分别为圣归给神。又祭司定价。
    4. 爱主耶稣的人把自己完全地奉献给主。我们所有的一切，我们自己，儿女，家，产业，都是属于神的。分别为圣，要过一个圣洁的生活就是一个奉献的生活。
    5. 利未记用五祭来开始，是关于用祭物来奉献给神，预表的是基督的所是和所作。结束的时候，是关于把自己和自己所有的，甘心情愿的奉献给神，分别为圣（27：9，14，16，22）。
    6. 敬拜的生活就是奉献的生活。事奉的生活就是奉献的生活。
    7. 不是勉强，不是要求，而是因为我们爱神
    8. 表面上是律法，最后神给我们看到祂最希望是我们因为爱祂
  • Eternal Rewards for Pastors

    Eternal Rewards for Pastors

    Introduction

    (Image) Imagine your graduation day has finally arrived. You are extremely excited. You have worked very hard for four years. You have been waiting for this day to come. At the graduation service, your friends and family are there. Your fellow graduates are there. The professors are there. The president, Dr. Mark Yarbrough, is there.

    Your name is called. You walked up to the stage. Dr. Yarbrough is examining your transcript for a final check. You are standing in front of him nervously. Dr. Yarbrough finally looks up. He said, “we got some problems. First, a professor in the pastoral ministry department has reported that you plagiarize your outline and manuscript. We have decided that you have not been faithful to the task the Lord has called you to do at the seminary. Second, your parents told us you have never called or visited them during seminary. And the scholarship department has reported that you lied about your financial situation. Therefore, we have decided that your character is unsuitable for serving the church as a preacher. And finally, I can read your heart. Your motive to study at seminary is to glorify yourself with your own power by preaching your ideas instead of God’s word. I am sorry to tell you that you have lost your ThM degree.” And then you woke up. You are on your bed, dreaming. It is not graduation day yet.

    (Needs) The story was totally made up. Dr. Yarbrough cannot read your heart to find out your motives to study and serve the Lord. But the Lord can. One day, at the end of this church age, the Lord Jesus will return. You will stand before the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of your life and ministry. The judgment seat of Christ is not about eternal salvation. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph 2:9) . You already have it. You will never lose it. The Lord has paid the price to redeem you at the cross. His precious blood has cleansed all your sins. Your salvation is secure in His hands. The judgment at the judgment seat of Christ is about eternal rewards. How you live your life for Christ will determine your eternal rewards. It is a very important topic for all Christians, especially for teachers in the church, because “we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1).

    (Subject) What I want to talk about today is “How you live for Christ in this life will determine how Christ will reward you in eternity.” We only have one life. We only have one shot. Therefore, we need to take this topic seriously.

    (Text and Preview) We will be looking at three passages of scriptures today. They are 1 Corinthians 4:4-5; Luke 19:11-27; and 1 Pet 5:1-4. We will look at one basis for eternal rewards in­ each passage, for a total of three bases that will determine our rewards in eternity.

    Body

    Your motives in ministry determine how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    (Explanation) First, your motives in ministry will determine how Christ will reward you in eternity. I get the principle from 1 Corinthians 4:4-5. “For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

    Some of the Corinthians believers have been judging Paul’s motives in ministry. Paul said, “I have examined my heart, as far as I know, I am not aware of anything against myself. But I am not the judge. Christ is”. When the Lord returns, He will reveal the purposes of our hearts. We will receive praise from the Lord based on our motives in ministry.

    (Illustration) I believe Paul gave a parable earlier in chapter 3 that illustrates this principle. He gave the parable of builders. A builder could build a building using gold, silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw. At the end of the construction, the building will be tested with fire. Only what was built with gold, silver, and precious stones will remain. What was built with wood, hay, and straw will be burned up.

    Similarly, at the judgment seat of Christ, all our motives in ministry will be tested. All the purposes of our hearts will be revealed before the Lord. Any work we did with the motive to glorify ourselves instead of glorying God will be burned up. Only the work with motives that please the Lord will remain.

    (Application) What is your motive for studying in seminary? What is your motive to serve the Lord? Is your motive to glory your name or to glorify Christ’s name? While you can hide your motive today, you cannot hide from the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ. If your motive is to glorify yourselves, your work will be burned up at the judgment seat of Christ.

    Let’s be honest, no one has completely pure motives all the time in this life. All of us will have some self-glorifying motives in ministry. Therefore, you need to frequently ask the Lord to help you examine your motives in ministry. Every time when you embark on a project or ministry, ask yourself this question, “will this glorify Christ or glorify me?” Ask the Lord to give you a pure heart to serve Him. Ask the Lord to reveal more of His love to you so that your motive is to respond to His love and to glory Him. You serve Him because His love compels you. That is why Paul lived for Christ. He reveals his motive in the second letter to the Corinthians,  “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Cor 5:14-15).

    Your faithfulness in ministry determines how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    (Explanation) Not only will your motives determine how Christ will reward you in eternity, your faithfulness to what Christ has entrusted to you will also determines how Christ will reward you in eternity. I get this principle from Luke 19:11-27, the parable of the minas. Jesus told this parable at the end of His journey from Jericho to Jerusalem. It goes like this. A nobleman went to a far country to receive His kingdom. Before he left, he gave one mina, which is about 100 days of wages, equivalent to about $20,000 in today’s money, to each of his ten servants and told them to engage in business until he returned. When the nobleman returned, he ordered the servants to give an account of what they had done with the one mina.

    The first servant reported he had turned the one mina to ten minas. The nobleman praised him, “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little (v17), you shall have authority over ten cities. The second servant reported he had turned the one mina to five minas. And the nobleman rewarded the faithful servant with five cities. But the third servant did not do anything with the one mina. The nobleman took the only mina he had and gave it to the first servant, who had ten minas. What is the point of the parable? Your faithfulness to what Christ has entrusted to you in this life determines how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    (Illustration) I used to work in IT. There are two kinds of programmers. The sloppy and the faithful. How can you tell one from the other? A regular person will not be able to tell because it is behind the scenes. What separates a faithful programmer from a sloppy programmer is his code. A sloppy programmer writes code without proper structure and without comments. But a faithful programmer writes code with proper structure and with proper comments so that other programmers can look at the code and know what he is trying to do. A faithful programmer puts in the hard work behind the scenes that is not apparent to the end users.

    (Application) Similarly, if you want to be a faithful preacher, you will need to put in the hard work that may not be apparent to the congregation. (Smile) You cannot avoid it. Some people will think you only work for one hour on Sunday when you preach in the pulpit. But none of the work you do will be in vain. The Lord knows all the hard work you put in behind the scenes, and He will reward you lavishly. In the parable, the nobleman lavishly rewards the first servant who turned one mina, about $20,000, to ten minas, about $200,000, with authority over ten cities. When you are faithful in little things, the Lord will reward you with greater responsibilities in eternity.

    In today’s celebrity church culture, men praise famous preachers, but the Lord praises faithful preachers. Faithfulness means doing the hard work of exegesis. Faithfulness means do not compromise the word of God in fear of men. Faithfulness means doing the hard work of knowing God’s people and applying the Scriptures to their life. Faithfulness means praying for the flocks God has entrusted you even when no one knows it. Men praise famous preachers, but the Lord praises faithful preachers. Therefore, serve the Lord faithfully with the spiritual gifts the Lord has entrusted to you.

    Your character in life determines how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    (Explanation) Not only your motives and faithfulness in ministry will determine how Christ will reward you in eternity. Your character in life will also determine how Christ will reward you in eternity. I get the principle from 1 Peter 5:1-4. “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

    Pastors are not only called to preach the word faithfully; pastors are called to practice the word faithfully. Pastors are also called to be examples to the flock of God. Pastors are not only called to apply the word to the flock of God; pastors are called to apply the word to themselves first. When the Chief Shepherd, Christ, returns, He will judge pastors based on their character in life and will reward those who reflect the character of the Chief Shepherd with the unfading crown of glory. Character matters.

    (Illustration) When I was a young man, I used to love cycling. And Lance Armstrong was my hero. After beating testicular cancer that had already spread to other parts of his body in 1996, Lance Armstrong won Tour de France, the most prestigious and difficult race in cycling in the world, in 1999. Not only that, he repeated the victory seven times in a row before retiring at the age of 33! His status was really elevated, and he became one of the most revered athletes of all time. However, in 2012, US Anti-Doping Agency reported that Armstrong cheated in the races with illegal drugs. In 2013, Armstrong publicly admitted that he doped during each of his Tour de France wins. He was stripped of his seven Tour de France victories. Character matters. Because of his character, he lost all seven of his rewards. (pause)

    (Application) Similarly, your character in life will determine how Christ will reward you in eternity. How you love your family will determine how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    How you treat your friends determines how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    How you love your neighbors determines how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    How you serve the church will determine how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    How you live for Christ in this life will determine how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    Your character in life matters.

    Therefore, you need to cultivate your character to be more like Christ starting today. Are you spending time with the Lord daily? Do you take time to reflect on your relationship with the Lord and with the people in your life? Are you constantly abiding in the Lord like a branch abiding in the vine? Does your family sense that you love them? Do your friends and classmates sense that you care for them?

    I like to suggest two applications for you. First, no matter how busy you are, spend some time alone with the Lord daily. Talk to the Lord. Hear from the Lord. Cultivate your relationship with the Lord. Second, look around you and ask the Lord whom you can show the love of Christ in this stage of your life. Take a step of faith and reach out to that person. Help him, encourage her, support him. Cultivate your character starting today because a Christlike character is not formed in one day. A Christlike character is formed slowly over a long period of walking with the Lord, submitting to His will, trusting Him, and taking small steps of faith daily to extend the love of Christ to people God has put in your life. If you do that, slowly and surely, you will be more like Christ, the Chief Shepard, over time. And when you meet Him at the judgment seat of Christ, you will be rewarded with the unfading crown of glory. Your character in life will determine how Christ will reward you in eternity.

    Conclusion

    (Close intro Image, cast vision, repeat HP and main points) Imagine it is graduation day. But this time, this is not a dream. It is not DTS graduate day. It is your life graduation day. You are not standing in front of Dr. Yarbrough. You are standing in front of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Chief Shepheard, your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Imagine the Lord praises you because the motives of your ministry are to express your love to Him and to glorify Him. The Lord praises you because you have served the Lord faithfully with the spiritual gifts He has given you. Imagine the Lord rewards you with the unfading crown of glory because your life as an undershepherd reflects the character of the Chief Shepherd. One of the Lord’s faithful preachers, CT Studd, missionary to the Chinese, Indians, and Africans, once said, “Only one life, it will soon be past; only what is done for Christ will last.” You only have one life, one chance, one shot; make it counts for eternity. (HP) How you live for Christ in this life will determine how Christ will reward you in eternity.