Entries by

我知道我的救赎主活着

2022-03-13 in , /by

〈约伯记〉19:25 我知道我的救赎主活着，末了必站立在地上。

阅读经文：〈约伯记〉19章

在《圣经》里，你会发现很多优美和犀利的言词。约伯虽然失去子女和财产，并且身体受苦，但是他的意志和心思依然十分敏锐，并不因疾病而变得迟缓或呆滞。昨天我看到有人拿教会儿童主日学教导的一夫一妻制上网嘲笑，当我正在思想应该怎样回应时，圣灵就赐下当讲的话。我写，“这个社会上人人都有自由，你有喜欢同性恋的自由，我有喜欢异性恋的自由。但你不可以因为你喜欢同性恋就来眨低教会的教导。教会之所以为教会，就因为它有不同的教导。你不会去问回教、犹太教、印度教，他们对夫妻的定义。那么也不要践踏别人的权利和自由”。后来就没有人继续嘲笑了。

该容忍时要容忍，但是为了我们的下一代，为了我们的子孙，该说话时一定要说。约伯的反击十分犀利：“你们搅扰我的心，用言语压碎我，要到几时呢？你们这十次羞辱我，你们苦待我也不以为耻”。探病探到病人说你羞辱他？未免太没面子了。苦待一个病人，实在没良心。还说是好朋友？这使我想到大卫在〈诗篇〉64篇里的祷告：“求祢把我隐藏，使我脱离作恶之人的暗谋和作孽之人的扰乱。他们磨舌如刀，发出苦毒的言语，好像比准了的箭，要在暗地射完全人”（诗64:2-4）。现在约伯感到的可能就是磨舌如刀后所发出的言语，刀刀割肉，箭箭穿心。

约伯比喻神用网罗围绕他，用篱笆拦住他的道路，又使他的路径黑暗。他找不到出路，他看不到前景，他无法躲避神的攻击。神又使他孤独认识的都与他生疏，亲戚与他断绝，密友都不来往。连在他家寄居的和使唤的，都把他当外人看待，仆人也不理他。个个都不想靠近他。连最亲密的妻子也厌恶他的气味。一身无完肤，只剩牙皮！

不要作个尖牙利齿的人

2022-03-11 in , /by

〈约伯记〉18:5　恶人的亮光必要熄灭，他的火焰必不照耀。

阅读经文：〈约伯记〉18章

谢谢张文亮教授概允引用他的〈约伯记〉笔记，使我们有机会从一个专家的眼光来明白约伯和朋友们说的比喻。张教授有更多文章刊登在河马教授的网站，欢迎大家多去阅读。今天要来看看张教授这一篇：〈不要作个尖牙利齿的人〉，对比勒达的形容。

比勒达是生气了，他第二次发言时，也许是等太久了，几乎用谩骂取代劝勉，用咒诅取代祝福。很难想像一个饱读史书、知书达礼的智者，一转眼就变成尖牙利 嘴的咒骂者。这也许是喜好历史者容易滋生的苦闷，看不惯别人时，就容易产生苦毒。他在第二次发言时，责骂约伯是「恶人」（wicked）。

恶人也有改变时

什么是恶人？比勒达眼中的恶人是不敬虔的人，有自己的亮光，却不靠上帝的光，他说那亮光必要熄灭。他也认为恶人是离开正道、偏行己路的人。他在这一点 的论述上，呈现他丰富的字汇与词藻，「网」、「网罗」、「圈套」、「机关」、「活扣」、「羁绊」会将恶人绊倒，使他们不能往前。他也认为恶人是不义的人， 所以饥饿、祸患要临到他们身上，末了，他为恶人作了个总结──根本要枯干，绝子绝孙，他真是会骂恶人。

比勒达厌恶恶人，但是对恶人的厌恶，也不能无限制的延伸，甚至骂到恶人的子孙，因为恶人也可能会悔改，变成义人，恶人的子孙也可能不是恶人。比勒达对于恶人遭受审判的逻辑也太过简化，许多恶人的审判不在今世，而在未来。

The Way Church Is Meant to Be

2022-03-11 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Acts 2:37-47.  Let’s go! 

Acts 2:37-41 (NIV)
37  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
41  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
 
On verses 37-41:  God uses Peter and his sermon to lead approximately 3,000 new believers to faith in Jesus and to get baptized that day, an incredible move of God.  What can we learn from this?  Here are a few lessons I learn:
 
1. When God’s Word is preached well, the end result is that the hearer  is “cut to the heart” (v37) – i.e. touched, impacted and convicted in a way that leads them to want to follow Jesus.  Speaking of cutting to the heart, that’s why Hebrews 4:12 describes the word of God as “living and active, sharper than any double edged sword, dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  When God’s Word is preached well, the result is not just information but transformation. 

To Connect with Your Audience, You Need To…

2022-03-10 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Acts 2:29-36.  Let’s go! 

Acts 2:29-33 (NIV)
29  “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
30  But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
31  Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
32  God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
33  Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

On verses 29-33:  Peter connects the Scripture passages he quoted before (Joel 2 and Psalm 16) with what his audience is seeing in front of them to deliver one coherent message:  that Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose again is now the one at the Father’s right hand pouring out the Holy Spirit on His church.
 
Acts 2:34-36 (NIV)
34  For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand
35  until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”‘
36  “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

义人要持守所行的道

2022-03-10 in , /by

〈约伯记〉17: 9  然而，义人要持守所行的道，手洁的人要力上加力。

阅读经文：〈约伯记〉17章

人生有的时候会像约伯一样，来到一个地步，感觉：“我的心灵消耗，我的日子灭尽，坟墓为我预备好了”。因为自己没有力量，什么都不能做，因而感到：“我的日子已经过了，我的谋算，我心所想望的，已经断绝”。假如你也落在这样的光景中，约伯的叹息会成为你的安慰；若是你的光景比约伯更好，还能自主，享受人生，你也可以因而感谢，并且珍惜神给你的福气。神为何让约伯如此消沉的话也放到《圣经》里呢？实在是要让我们知道人的有限，并且学习珍惜自己的人生。

2015年法国接受了许多叙利亚难民，却遭到ISIS的攻击，因此很多国家都拒绝收叙利亚的难民，尤其是加拿大对于接收叙利亚难民的反对声不断。有一天在敬拜时，牧师以〈彼得前书〉三章8-18节来勉励会众：“不以恶报恶、以辱骂还辱骂，倒要祝福，因你们是为此蒙召，好叫你们承受福气。也要离恶行善，寻求和睦，一心追赶。”假如我们因为惧怕而拒绝难民，就好像约伯臣服于撒旦的势力之下；但是假如我们敢以善拒恶的话，那么我们就凌驾于撒旦之上了。“不以恶报恶、以辱骂还辱骂”是一个基督徒的功课，主耶稣已经亲身做了榜样。当罗马兵丁鞭打侮辱祂之后，又把祂钉上十字架，在那锥心的苦痛之中，祂却祷告：“父啊，饶恕他们，因为他们做的，他们不晓得”。

Stronger Than Death

2022-03-09 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Acts 2:22-28.  Let’s go! 

Acts 2:22-23 (NIV)
22  “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
23  This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

On verses 22-23:  After explaining in Acts 2:14-21 where this outpouring of the Holy Spirit was coming from, Peter transitions into talking about Jesus.  He begins by describing Jesus as a man accredited by God and through whom God did many miracles, wonders and sins (v22).  He then speaks of how, in accordance with God’s plan, Jesus was handed over and put to death on the cross, saying to his audience that “you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death” (v23).  

Peter, who was very much a people pleaser in the past, pulls no punches when telling his audience that they put Jesus to death.  With the filling of the Holy Spirit comes a boldness in you that you wouldn’t otherwise have.

约伯力言其忧苦难堪

2022-03-09 in , /by

〈约伯记〉16:19 现今，在天有我的见证，在上有我的中保。

阅读经文：〈约伯记〉16章

因为约伯不接受朋友们的控诉，所以第三轮的辩论又开始了。还是由年长的以利法开始。提幔人以利法是以扫的后裔，可以想见的，他是一位非常敬虔的老人。所以在以扫的后裔中也有敬畏上帝之辈，并非全然远离神。他带着好意来看约伯，希望能帮助约伯，但是在约伯的悲叹中，他听出了约伯要找神理论之意，因而大起反感。人怎么可以在神面前称义？人怎能说自己毫无过犯？人怎能批评神的作为？遭灾之人岂不当反省悔改吗？怎么反而指责神不公不义？以利法开始发“义怒”了。

雅各说：“人的怒气并不成就神的义”（雅1:20）。神在后来责备以利法和朋友们：“我的怒气向你和你两个朋友发作，因为你们议论我，不如我的仆人约伯说的是”（伯42:7）。以利法为了神而发怒，但是神并没有因而被感动，反而觉得他乱讲话。后来约伯还得为以利法和朋友们献祭祈祷，他们才得赦免。神在听他们讲话，听他们的辩论。神也听我们讲话，听我们的议论。因此主耶稣说：“你们不要论断人，免得你们被论断”（太7:1）

以利法可能就是他自己说的：“我们这里有白发的和年纪老迈的，比你父亲还老”的那位，所以他非常不能接受约伯想要和神理论的想法。这里好像产生了一点代沟的问题。有时候我对时下年轻人的想法也会感到很惊奇。和我同辈的人大多觉得，现代的年轻人不像我们年轻时那样埋头苦干，想要存钱，有一番作为。时下的年轻人比较会享受生活，只要存了一点钱就去旅行，他们比较懂得生活。不像我们以前总是为了将来而活，无法享受到人生的乐趣。因此聆听和学习去理解是我们都要学习的功课。

The Fulfillment of Prophecy

2022-03-08 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Acts 2:14-21.  Let’s go! 

Acts 2:14-15 (NIV)
14  Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
15  These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!
 
On verses 14-15:  Before a crowd of thousands, Peter stands up and is about to tell them about Jesus. Peter, who used to be ashamed of his faith and denied Jesus in front of a few people, is now speaking to thousands about the difference Jesus has made in his life.  That’s the power of the Holy Spirit working.  The Holy Spirit gives us courage, strength and wisdom to do what we could not do in our own power.
 
By the way, I find Peter’s statement in verse 15 funny.  “These men are not drunk…It’s only nine in the morning!” as if to say, “Just wait until 12pm.  That’s when we’re more likely to get drunk.”  Of course, I’m pretty sure that’s not what Peter meant.  Instead Peter is wisely addressing the elephant in the room and debunking a misconception that many in the crowd may have had about what was going on.     

以利法再度责约伯

2022-03-08 in , /by

〈约伯记〉15:14 人是什么，竟算为洁净呢？妇人所生的是什么，竟算为义呢？

阅读经文：〈约伯记〉15章

因为约伯不接受朋友们的控诉，所以第三轮的辩论又开始了。还是由年长的以利法开始。提幔人以利法是以扫的后裔，可以想见的，他是一位非常敬虔的老人。所以在以扫的后裔中也有敬畏上帝之辈，并非全然远离神。他带着好意来看约伯，希望能帮助约伯，但是在约伯的悲叹中，他听出了约伯要找神理论之意，因而大起反感。人怎么可以在神面前称义？人怎能说自己毫无过犯？人怎能批评神的作为？遭灾之人岂不当反省悔改吗？怎么反而指责神不公不义？以利法开始发“义怒”了。

雅各说：“人的怒气并不成就神的义”（雅1:20）。神在后来责备以利法和朋友们：“我的怒气向你和你两个朋友发作，因为你们议论我，不如我的仆人约伯说的是”（伯42:7）。以利法为了神而发怒，但是神并没有因而被感动，反而觉得他乱讲话。后来约伯还得为以利法和朋友们献祭祈祷，他们才得赦免。神在听他们讲话，听他们的辩论。神也听我们讲话，听我们的议论。因此主耶稣说：“你们不要论断人，免得你们被论断”（太7:1）

以利法可能就是他自己说的：“我们这里有白发的和年纪老迈的，比你父亲还老”的那位，所以他非常不能接受约伯想要和神理论的想法。这里好像产生了一点代沟的问题。有时候我对时下年轻人的想法也会感到很惊奇。和我同辈的人大多觉得，现代的年轻人不像我们年轻时那样埋头苦干，想要存钱，有一番作为。时下的年轻人比较会享受生活，只要存了一点钱就去旅行，他们比较懂得生活。不像我们以前总是为了将来而活，无法享受到人生的乐趣。因此聆听和学习去理解是我们都要学习的功课。

Without THIS Moment We Wouldn’t Be Here Today

2022-03-07 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Acts 2:1-13.  Let’s go! 

Acts 2:1-11 (NIV)
1  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5  Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
6  When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
7  Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
8  Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?
9  Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10  Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome
11  (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs–we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

On verses 1-11:  Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, was one of the big three festivals in the Jewish calendar (the other two being the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles – see Leviticus 23).  Happening on the 50th day after the Passover Feast (Pentecost in ancient Greek means “Fiftieth”), Pentecost was a time to thank God for the harvest.  It is fitting that God chose Pentecost to be the day when He would fill His church with the Holy Spirit.