The Way Jesus Feels about You and Speaks about You

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Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is John 17:1-12.  Let’s go!

John 17:1-2 (NIV) 
1  After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 
2  For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

On verses 1-2:  Here John quotes Jesus as praying to the Father.  Chapter 17 of John is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in Scripture.  Verse 2 says that the Father granted authority to Jesus over all people so that Jesus might give eternal life to people.  When the Father gives you authority, it’s not so that you can personally be famous, wealthy or powerful.  God gives you authority so that you can give, help and be a blessing to others.

John 17:3 (NIV) 
3  Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

On verse 3:  Eternal life is not about our performance, our hard work, or our merit.  Eternal life is about knowing the Father and knowing Jesus Christ.

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進迦南的第一刀

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〈約書亞記〉 5:9   耶和華對約書亞說：「我今日將埃及的羞辱從你們身上滾去了。」因此那地方名叫吉甲，直到今日。

閱讀經文：〈約書亞記〉 5:1-9

大敵當前，在耶利哥人和其他迦南人的密切「監視」下，神竟然要求以色列人先對自己的壯士們動刀，行割禮。我們都知道成人行割禮後，要忍受幾乎一星期的疼痛和坐立不安。雅各的兒子利未和西緬可殺盡示劍城的人，就是叫他們行割禮，才允許妹妹底拿和示劍結緍。示劍人不察，行了割禮（割包皮手術）後，大家疼痛不已時，利未和西緬便把他們都殺了。可見行了割禮之後，這些大男人是不能打仗的。神為何會在他們的敵人面前，讓他們變得如此軟弱，豈不十分危險？

但是我們看到神挑選了一個好時機，「約旦河西亞摩利人的諸王和靠海迦南人的諸王，聽見耶和華在以色列人前面使約旦河的水乾了，等到我們過去，他們的心因以色列人的緣故就消化了，不再有膽氣。」他們看到以色列人走過洶湧的約旦河如走乾地，大家都嚇破膽了。即使以色列人痛得哇哇叫，他們也不敢越雷池半步。因為以色列人的神太厲害了！

摩西時，世界已經進入晚銅器時代，即將進入鐵器時代。摩西在曠野裡就曾經做了一條銅蛇。既然已進入銅器時代，為何神要約書亞用「舊的新石器時代技術old neolithic technology」去做火石刀呢？火石刀是一種用燧石磨成的平面雙面刀片，這種燧石刀刃很鋒利，其鋒利足以用作外科器械，並且比青銅刀更銳利。青銅刀的硬度不如火石刀，比較柔軟。火石刀的刀片因為鋒利又有足夠的硬度，可以割得更好，減輕疼痛，使傷口復原得快一點。

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立石為記

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〈約書亞記〉 4:24要使地上萬民都知道耶和華的手大有能力，也要使你們永遠敬畏耶和華你們的神。

閱讀經文：〈約書亞記〉  4:1-24

摩西帶領以色列人過紅海已是一件令人爭議許久的神蹟，約書亞率領另一代的以色列人走乾地、過約旦河，更是讓人驚訝得難以置信。有可能嗎？有人說，約旦河並不是一年到頭河水洶湧，漫過兩岸，但是在旱季時，有多處地方都可以涉水而過。根據史丹福大學的阿摩司教授查考歷史，約旦河在1160年、1267年、1546年、1834年、1906年、1924年、1927年曾數次因地震而河堤陷塌，大量的泥沙充塞河道，興起一道攔河壩，因此有人認為，約書亞帶領以色列人渡河時會不會就是這樣的自然現象？

但是根據《聖經》的記載：「那從上往下流的水…撒拉但旁的亞當城那裡停住，立起成壘；那往亞拉巴的海，就是鹽海，下流的水全然斷絕…以色列眾人都從乾地上過去.. 」。可見當時的水流甚急，一不是乾旱，二也沒有地震發生。因為若有地震，百姓必然驚惶失措，哪還敢走到河中間？若是地震引起的攔河壩，河底也不會立即變成乾地，一定非常潮濕泥濘，難以行走。更何況抬約櫃的祭司腳踏進水中，河水就停；踏上乾地，河水就又流了，這豈是自然現象可以解釋？

人是有限的，人的認知都在自己的經驗和知識範圍裡，若是超越了自己的經驗和認知，他就覺得不可相信，要找很多理由來把它合理化，這是人的自大。人也是健忘的，得了好處很快忘記，被人得罪則記一生一世。因此，神要妁書亞選十二個人，在祭司的腳站定的地方，取十二塊石頭帶上岸；十二塊石頭代表以色列的十二支派。這些石頭要扛在肩上，可見不是小石頭，而是有份量的大石頭。

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Look to Jesus

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Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is John 16:23-33.  Let’s go!

John 16:23-24 (NIV) 
23  In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 
24  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

On verses 23-24:  When Jesus says “In that day” what day is he referring to?  Jesus is referring to the time after his death and resurrection.  Jesus is talking about the amazing access his followers will have to the Father “in that day”.  As part of that access, Jesus promises that we will receive whatever we ask for from the Father in Jesus’ name.  What does it mean to ask in Jesus’ name?  It doesn’t mean that we can pray for anything and simply tack on the words “in Jesus’ name” and expect to receive it.  As we discussed in John 14:13-14, to ask in Jesus’ name means that we ask for what Jesus would ask for in that situation and that we believe in the authority of Jesus’ name to accomplish what we ask for.  When we ask in Jesus’ name, we will receive what we ask for and we will experience a joy that the world cannot give.

John 16:25 (NIV)
25  “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

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約書亞率民過約旦河

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〈約書亞記〉 3: 5    約書亞吩咐百姓說：「你們要自潔，因為明天耶和華必在你們中間行奇事。」

閱讀經文：〈約書亞記〉  3:1-17

四十年前，當摩西率領以色列人來到紅海邊時，前無去路，後有追兵，摩西完全不知道當如何行。百姓起哄，懼怕萬分。耶和華對摩西說：「你為什麼向我哀求呢？你吩咐以色列人往前走。 你舉手向海伸杖，把水分開，以色列人要下海中走乾地。（出14:15-16）」摩西按著神所說的向海舉杖，東風吹了一夜，海水才分開，變成乾地。摩西經歷過之前的十個神蹟，已經曉得只要神說什麼，他做什麼，就對了。約書亞雖然也經歷過那些神蹟，但還不是輪到他舉杖的時候，他還沒有感受到那種心理上的壓力。直到要過約旦河之前，他開始經歷第一個考驗。

以色列人都知道要過約旦河，但是沒有人知道要怎樣過河。在喇合救探子的故事裡，我們曾提到那是收割大麥的季節。在巴勒斯坦，也就是迦南地，三四月份是收割大麥的時期。他們在秋季下種，春季收割。那時正是雨季結束，北方黑門山冰雪消融，河水氾濫，漲過兩岸的時期。沒有人建議造船，也沒有人建議等到河水緩流再過去。沒有計劃。

有位弟兄曾作被解雇四次的見證。他每次禱告交託後，總是很樂觀地相信事情會有轉機，但每次都免不了被解雇。在最近一次的解雇裡，公司提早通知兩個月，所以在接下來的兩個月裡就沒什麼事好做了，等於停職領薪。正好老家有朋友來，他便帶著他們玩了四十天。朋友前腳搭機離去，他後腳也搭機去面試。正好在領到解雇書的第二個星期，他就搬到美國另一個州去工作了。這就是基督徒的生涯，我們不知道明天將如何，但我們相信神知道，祂必帶領我們的每一步。

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Joy Is Coming

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Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is John 16:12-22.  Let’s go!

John 16:16-22 (NIV) 
16  “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
17  Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”
18  They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19  Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?
20  I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
21  A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.
22  So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

On verses 16-22:  What did Jesus mean when he would tell his disciples, “in a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me” (v16)?  Jesus was pointing to his death and resurrection.  The darkest night – when Jesus Christ would die – was coming, but it would be superseded by a brighter day: when Jesus rose again.

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How the Holy Spirit Convicts

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Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is John 16:1-11.  Let’s go!

John 16:1-3 (NIV) 
1  “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 
2  They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 
3  They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.

On verses 1-3:  John was probably writing this Gospel at a time when the Church, i.e. Christians everywhere, had already experienced a great deal of persecution.  To comfort and reassure his fellow brothers and sisters, John recalls what Jesus said to him and the other disciples about not being surprised when they face severe persecution.  Jesus tells them not to be surprised if their persecutors even think that destroying Christians is the right, noble, God-pleasing thing to do.  Jesus tells his disciples that the reason an unbelieving persecute Christians is because they actually do not know God the Father or Jesus the Son.

What can we learn from this?  As a Christian don’t be surprised when you face persecution for your faith.  Remember also that when a person does not know Jesus or the Father, they will tend to misunderstand what it is that God wants them to do.  That is why having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father is so crucial. 

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喇合的信心

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〈約書亞記〉 2:11  我們一聽見這些事，心就消化了。因你們的緣故，並無一人有膽氣。耶和華─你們的神本是上天下地的神。

閱讀經文：〈約書亞記〉 2:1-24

妓女，是社會上被看不起的女人。有不少學者想美化喇合的職業，更不想讓以色列人的探子去找妓女。但《聖經》的記載總是誠實地報導，連大衛王謀殺烏利亞的手段都詳細地記錄下來。因為神不隱藏人的卑賤，卻讓我們看到再卑賤的人，只要相信祂，都可以成為神要使用的貴重器皿。亞伯拉罕的父親相傳是做偶像生意的，大衛是個牧羊人，約瑟是個奴隸兼囚犯，保羅織帳棚，彼得打漁，你想美化哪一個？從這些被揀選的人身上，我們發現他們都有一個特點，能看見人所看不見的神，他們都有一對超乎常人的眼睛和信心。他們的眼睛不被現世界的情形所迷惑，能透過物質看到永恒的神。因此，他們都成了神手中貴重的器皿。

一個非常緊張的局面，以色列的探子偷偷摸摸地進了耶利哥城，才到喇合那裡，已經有人告訴耶利哥王。可見在以色列人的營中或附近，也有耶利哥城派出去的探子，他們的消息非常正確。但是約書亞不知道他們的機密已經洩露，耶利哥王正想來個甕中捉鱉，探子們的性命危在旦夕。在電視影集的三國演義中，孔明第六次北伐，本以為可以在祈山上方谷將司馬懿燒死。司馬懿也查覺無路可走，正想自殺時，卻驚覺有水滴下，原來下大雨了，把火都澆滅了。孔明在高處看到，氣得大吐血，終於死亡。天意難測，祈山有九個月不下雨了，竟在最緊要的關頭下雨了！連孔明也預測不到，天意難違。那麼，神要怎樣保護約書亞的探子呢？

耶利哥王戒備森嚴，以為探子插翅難飛，探子也以為難逃一死。沒想到，神卻準備了一個女人，人人看不起，卻有先知灼見的女人。其實探子去耶利哥城，跑到妓女戶是最不會被人注意，也是比較安全之舉，因為那是不同男人出入的地方，誰管你是誰呢？

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When the World Hates You + The Holy Spirit

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Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is John 15:18-27.  Let’s go!

John 15:18-25 (NIV) 
18  “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 
19  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 
20  Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. …

On verses 18-25:  An unbelieving world hated Jesus Christ so much that they killed him by nailing him to a cross.  Even to this day, no name has received more hate in all of human history than the name of Jesus Christ.  On a daily basis, there is also no name that is used more as a curse word, no name that is abused and taken for granted more than the name of Jesus.  And as Jesus predicted in verses 20-21, just as much of the world despised Jesus, so much of the world despises Christians.  That is why virtually the only time you hear a pastor or Christian leader making the mainstream news is if it is related to some kind of scandal.  The world loves to pick Christians apart, pointing at their faults, laughing at their failings, and at the same time ignoring the good that Christians do or taking seriously the message that Christians preach.  But this is should not surprise us, for Jesus says it himself, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (v18)

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愛你的仇敵

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為什麼不提？
　　基督教的倫理是動機倫理，也是主動倫理。倫理的動機應當是良善的，倫理的性質應當是主動的。耶穌說：「你們的義若不能超過法利賽人的義，就不能進天國」，這表示基督徒的義是超過世人的義。登山寶訓告訴我們天國子民的倫理，這裡記載的基督徒道德標準是很高超的，是一種合乎上帝心意的道德，不是人類宗教或文化的產物。當我們在聖經中看見與世不同、獨一無二的教訓，我們要感謝上帝，我們要看見基督教信仰的珍貴，我們要樂意把這些話行在我們生活中。耶穌說：「你們聽見有話說：『當愛你的鄰舍，恨你的仇敵。』只是我告訴你們，要愛你們的仇敵，為那逼迫你們的禱告。」（太5:43-44）

　　基督徒被打的時候，我們是被動的，但當你再次把你的臉交由對方打的時候，你變成主動的。基督徒的倫理是主動倫理，如果我們受苦，是因為我們甘心受苦，如果我們受逼迫，是因為我們願意受逼迫，我們就是站在主動的地位過著聖徒的生活。耶穌說：「當愛你的仇敵」，這句話是破天荒的一句話，人無法靠著肉體做到這一點。很多人以為耶穌要人變得奴才像，任人欺負。我告訴你，做人很難。如果有人欺負你，你不反抗，對方就認為你好欺負，不斷欺負下去，他認為他的欺負是應該的，你被欺負也是應該的。所以這兩千年來，基督教在被欺負的時候是被動的人，那些反基督教的人越來越兇惡，這種情況是對的嗎？這種情況是應該的嗎？所以很多人每當解釋這段經文時都很不願意解釋，因為這段經文太違背人性。

要愛你們的仇敵　為那逼迫你們的禱告
　　當浙江禮拜堂的十字架被拆下來的時候，我相信這是北京政府的投石問路，看基督教會怎麼反對，看百姓會怎麼反抗。結果，拆了三千多間禮拜堂的十字架。依據中華人民共和國的宗教條例，中國人有宗教的自由，同時也有反宗教的自由，當中國政府拆下境內教堂的十字架時，英、美、法都沒有反對，因為英、美、法都擔心與中國的生意受損，不敢干涉中國境內基督教的事。

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