The Church of Jesus Christ Taiwan Restoration Mission
復原耶穌基督教會台灣佈道所
December 8th, 2013 (Sunday 10:30am - 14:30pm)
Topic : Signs of Christmas 主題 : 聖誕前兆
Priest Matthew：昨天到現在, 我們這裡下了大約一呎半多(約50公分)的雪, 是今年入冬以來的第一場大雪, 所幸還不算太冷(約零下七度左右), 可說是為銀色聖誕節拉開了序曲. 這也是我們今天所要談論的題目: “聖誕前兆”. 在翻開經書之前, 我先跟各位提報一件真人實事的見證: “Snowbirds knock the window 敲窗的雪鳥”
有一年的聖誕夜, 全家整裝要去教會參加耶誕頌讚, 獨獨他看著漫天風雪的窗外, 並無意願前往, 只想留在家裡看電視.
留守在家的他, 把自己身體深陷在柔軟的大沙發, 備妥零食飲料, 正準備享受這寧靜的一刻時, 忽然聽到此一聲”喥喥喥”, 彼一聲的 “喀喀喀”, 他心想是玩雪仗的鄰居, 有人把雪球丟到他們家窗檯, 並不以為意.
可是這聲音, 卻也太吵了, 且持續不斷的從窗檯傳來, 影響到他看電視的情緒, 趁著廣告空檔, 他遂轉頭專注的看了一眼, 這才發現, 哪裡是雪球, 根本是好幾隻雪鳥, 一直飛近窗檯並碰撞窗戶玻璃窗. 他心裡想這麼冷的天, 莫非牠們是想進屋來取暖嗎?
他起身披上外衣, 冒著風雪走向屋旁的穀倉, 把倉門給打開一道縫隙, 並試著靠近牠們, 想趕這些雪鳥進穀倉; 只是群鳥見他靠近就一哄而散; 他返身進屋又拿了些麵包, 撕碎沿路丟下, 想吸引牠們取食而進入穀倉避寒, 不料, 麵包一落地, 馬上就被大雪給掩埋, 而失卻蹤跡了.
無計可施的他, 站在雪地裡看著群鳥, 忽而飛近, 忽而離他而去, 如此來來回回多次,此時傳出隱約的頌讚歌聲伴隨著沉穩的鐘聲, 聲聲入耳, 直入心扉, 他心中一愣, 莫非…凝望看不真切的教會塔尖處, 他知道是時候該去教會了.
以賽亞書 Isaiah 7:14
因此、主自己要給你們一個兆頭、必有童女懷孕生子、給他起名叫以馬內利。〔就是 神與我們同在的意思〕
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
以賽亞書 Isaiah 9:6-7
6 因有一嬰孩為我們而生、有一子賜給我們．政權必擔在他的肩頭上．他名稱為奇妙、策士、全能的 神、永在的父、和平的君。
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 他的政權與平安必加增無窮．他必在大衛的寶座上、治理他的國、以公平公義使國堅定穩固、從今直到永遠。萬軍之耶和華的熱心、必成就這事。
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
神, 常在不經意的時候, 適時的給予我們一個 “Sign”(兆頭/ 訊息), 那是提醒我們, 一言一行, 一舉一動, 皆在祂的掌握之中, 雖然我們沒辦法親眼見到, 祂卻是如影隨形的經由聖靈在我們的心頭, 保護著我們, 引導我們走向平安、喜悅、永生的國度.
路加福音 Luke 2:8-14
8 在伯利恆之野地裡有牧羊的人、夜間按著更次看守羊群。
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 有主的使者站在他們旁邊、主的榮光四面照著他們．牧羊的人就甚懼怕。
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 那天使對他們說、不要懼怕、我報給你們大喜的信息、是關乎萬民的．
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 因今天在大衛的城裡、為你們生了救主、就是主基督。
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12 你們要看見一個嬰孩、包著布、臥在馬槽裡、那就是記號了。
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 忽然有一大隊天兵、同那天使讚美 神說、
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 在至高之處榮耀歸與 神、在地上平安歸與他所喜悅的人。〔有古卷作喜悅歸與人〕
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
阿爾瑪書 Alma 3:88(5:50)
是的，我心愛的弟兄們，我告訴你們，靈說：看那全地之王的榮耀；天上之王很快就要光照所有的人類兒女了。
Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith, Behold, the glory of the
King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men;
約翰福音 John 18:37
彼拉多就對他說、這樣、你是王麼。耶穌回答說、你說我是王．我為此而生、也為此來到世間、特為給真理作見證．凡屬真理的人、就聽我的話。
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
埃及派任在以色列地界的領主彼拉多, 受其夫人影響, 對耶穌基督甚是敬畏, 只是面對受煽動而憤怒的群眾, 只想息事寧人, 致使耶穌基督走上死亡之道, 也因而才有復活的神蹟顯現. 這一切也都是 神的旨意.
路加福音 Luke 2:33-34
33 孩子的父母、因這論耶穌的話就希奇。
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
34 西面給他們祝福、又對孩子的母親馬利亞說、這孩子被立、是要叫以色列中許多人跌倒、許多人興起．又要作毀謗的話柄．叫許多人心裡的意念顯露出來．你自己的心也要被刀剌透。
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
耶穌基督的臨世, 並不為當時的大環境所接受, 猶有甚者, 更為當權者的眼中釘、肉中刺, 意欲除之而後快. 遂種下釘掛在十字架上, 體膚並受穿刺的酷刑而亡.
以賽亞書 Isaiah 52:7
那報佳音、傳平安、報好信、傳救恩的、對錫安說、你的 神作王了．這人的腳登山何等佳美。
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
羅馬書 Romans 15:13
但願使人有盼望的 神、因信、將諸般的喜樂平安、充滿你們的心、使你們藉著聖靈的能力、大有盼望。
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Those Who Came : Paul Lin, Rachel Yang, Belinda Kao, Jill Ji, Eric Ho, Eileen Chen)(Ruby Chen, Tom Lin)
(Skype to : <Moellmanns> Matthew, Jai-yu, Joshua; <Lades> Nancy, Sarah, Amanda, David, Anna, Joseph; Maggie, Sashay, Uncel; Issac)
Matthew W. Moellmann: we will pray for Rick, Vincent , Eileen sister in law, Maggie and Sarah
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