復 原 耶 穌 基 督 教 會 台 灣 佈 道 所
The Church of Jesus Christ Taiwan Restoration Mission
December 21st, 2014 愛和犧牲 Love & Sacrifice
(長老法蘭克凡弗力 Elder Fran Van Fleet)
Merry Christmas
昨午後,才收到長老法蘭克傳來講課的內容,來不及檢視整理,只好照原文利用,好像有小小的瑕疵(像頁數有出入),不過還是感恩長老法蘭克用心擬稿,使我們聽課有個範圍,不用天馬行空的亂猜一通.(要不,苦的可是口譯的 Belinda).
#85 "O Come All Ye Faithful"
一開場,就是應景的聖誕歌,在歌的尾聲中,入伍近兩年的 Joel 由好友 Jordan 陪同進入課室,引起一點點的騷動,許久不見的 Joel英挺、壯碩更顯有男人氣慨一些,希望剩下來的軍旅生涯,也能平安、喜悅.
我們首先來看此章節,這樣的經文在聖經裡,還有其他不同人的記載(在在都可相互印證聖經的真實性).
約翰福音 John 3:16-17
16 神愛世人、甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們、叫一切信他的、不至滅亡、反得永生。
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 因為 神差他的兒子降世、不是要定世人的罪、〔或作審判世人下同〕乃是要叫世人因他得救。
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
神,依他的形象,型塑創立人,讓他們生活在伊甸園中,卻違背神的誡律,而被貶謫至人間; 神子的誕生,不僅是一個禮物,也是一個恩典,更是一個完美的救贖而重回 神身邊的契機.
Repent 改變,救贖的開始,是依聖靈所指示神的道,趨向永恆的大道;捨棄的是凡夫俗子的肉體–那就只是一口氣的皮囊而已!如何不捨?
約翰福音 John 1:13
這等人不是從血氣生的、不是從情慾生的、也不是從人意生的、乃是從 神生的。
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
耶穌基督是從 神的聖靈而來,所以有一個美麗的聖誕節傳揚迄今!
以賽亞書 Isaiah 9:6
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.
而早在耶穌基督誕生約七百年前,先知以賽亞,就已預言 神子的到來.
路加福音 Luke 1:26-35
26 到了第六個月、天使加百列奉 神的差遣、往加利利的一座城去、這城名叫拿撒勒．
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27 到一個童女那裡、是已經許配大衛家的一個人、名叫約瑟、童女的名字叫馬利亞。
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 天使進去、對他說、蒙大恩的女子、我問你安、主和你同在了。
The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29 馬利亞因這話就很驚慌、又反復思想這樣問安是甚麼意思。
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 天使對他說、馬利亞、不要怕．你在 神面前已經蒙恩了。
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31 你要懷孕生子、可以給他起名叫耶穌。
You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
32 他要為大、稱為至高者的兒子．主 神要把他祖大衛的位給他．
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33 他要作雅各家的王、直到永遠．他的國也沒有窮盡。
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34 馬利亞對天使說、我沒有出嫁、怎麼有這事呢。
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35 天使回答說、聖靈要臨到你身上、至高者的能力要蔭庇你．因此所要生的聖者、必稱為 神的兒子。〔或作所要生的必稱為聖稱為 神的兒子〕
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
天使加百列示意童女瑪利亞,蒙大恩懷聖靈,並將 神子取名為耶穌,所以十二月二十五日,因為耶穌基督的誕生,我們才有機會在這舉世同歡的慶祝聖誕快樂啊.
路加福音 Luke 2:1-20
1 當那些日子、該撒亞古士督有旨意下來、叫天下人民都報名上冊。
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2 這是居里扭作敘利亞巡撫的時候、頭一次行報名上冊的事。
(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 眾人各歸各城、報名上冊。
And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 約瑟也從加利利的拿撒勒城上猶太去、到了大衛的城、名叫伯利恆、因他本是大衛一族一家的人．
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5 要和他所聘之妻馬利亞、一同報名上冊．那時馬利亞的身孕已經重了。
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6 他們在那裡的時候、馬利亞的產期到了。
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7 就生了頭胎的兒子、用布包起來、放在馬槽裡、因為客店裡沒有地方。
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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.
Merry Christmas
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."
15 眾天使離開他們升天去了、牧羊的人彼此說、我們往伯利恆去、看看所成的事、就是主所指示我們的。
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 他們急忙去了、就尋見馬利亞和約瑟、又有那嬰孩臥在馬槽裡。
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 既然看見、就把天使論這孩子的話傳開了。
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18 凡聽見的、就詫異牧羊之人對他們所說的話。
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 馬利亞卻把這一切的事存在心裡、反復思想。
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 牧羊的人回去了．因所聽見所看見的一切事、正如天使向他們所說的、就歸榮耀與 神、讚美他。
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
耶穌基督一如先知們所預言,經由童女懷孕誕生在大衛城的伯利恆,將是一位在馬廄,並躺在馬槽上出生的救世主.他是聖靈披覆上血肉之軀,是從 神的聖靈而來的.
神,永恆不變的創世主,擁有絕對的權柄,但是卻讓嬰兒耶穌基督誕生在如此卑微的地方,我們應該了解他的出生,將帶給我們什麼樣的希望.
以賽亞書 Isaiah 53:3-6
3 他被藐視、被人厭棄、多受痛苦、常經憂患。他被藐視、好像被人掩面不看的一樣．我們也不尊重他。
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 他誠然擔當我們的憂患、背負我們的痛苦．我們卻以為他受責罰、被 神擊打苦待了。
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 那知他為我們的過犯受害、為我們的罪孽壓傷．因他受的刑罰我們得平安．因他受的鞭傷我們得醫治。
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 我們都如羊走迷、各人偏行己路．耶和華使我們眾人的罪孽都歸在他身上。
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
耶穌基督,一生遭受種種藐視、厭棄、痛苦和憂患,只因人,帶著罪的責罰來出生,他為了替人們贖罪,出於愛心的犧牲自己,就是想點化、帶領人們重回耶和華的身邊.這或許才是 神愛世人,送他的愛子來人世間渡化世人的本意吧!
阿爾瑪書 Alma 5:20-23
２０ 他要出去，嘗受各種的痛苦、折磨，和試探；
And he shall go forth, suffering pains, and afflictions, and temptations of every kind;
２１ 好使那所講的，他要承擔他人民痛苦和疾病的話語得以應驗。他要承擔死亡，這樣他好解開那綑綁他人民的死亡之索。
And this that the word might be fulfilled which saith, He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people; and he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people:
２２ 他要承擔他們的軟弱，使他的內心好按照肉身而充滿慈悲，使他好藉著肉身而知道如何按照他人民的軟弱而救助他們。
And he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
２３ 靈是知道萬事的；然則 神的兒子按照肉身而受苦，使他得以承擔他人民的罪，這樣他好按照他拯救的力量而塗去他們的罪過；這就是在我裏面的見證。
Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh, that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions, according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
人世間爭戰動盪不安、親疏倫理紊亂、國家綱常不明,在在都出自人心不服膺 神的誡律,致私慾貪婪泯滅人性; 神賜他唯一摯愛的愛子- 耶穌基督給予我們,就是要救贖我們墮落的人性.且自耶穌基督誕生迄今,這樣的救贖,一直持續到今天,因為他們愛我們,並不是受任何人的逼迫或威嚇.
這是一個特別美妙的、充滿喜悅聖靈的季節.我曾讀到一個假設,如果耶穌基督沒有來人世間的說法.這是一位聖職人員,當他在聖誕節的早晨閱讀經文,打盹神遊太虛時,夢到說：耶穌基督從沒有來過人世間.
在他的夢裡,他以眼巡視他的家,發現那裡面一點有關聖誕節和耶穌基督救恩和撫慰的跡象都沒有了.他又走到街上,也沒有教堂用以指向天堂的尖端.然後,他走回家裡,坐在書房,發現每一本書有關救世主的部份,全部都消失不見了.
這時門鈴響起,有位哭哭啼啼的小孩,以啜泣的聲音央求他快去探視病危的母親.他趕緊起身,跟隨一路哭不停的小孩,來到他家;他坐下來並說：我可以唸福音裡一些安慰的經文給你.他打開聖經想尋找一些熟悉的章節,卻發現只能查到 “瑪拉基書 Malachi”之後空白一片(編按：舊約最後一章,新約福音部份是耶穌基督來世上後才有的紀錄)沒有福音,沒有希望和救贖的承諾,他只能絕望的低頭和她抱頭痛哭.
兩天後,他站在她棺木的旁邊,為她做最後一程的葬儀服務.但是,依然沒有隻字片語福音的撫慰,也沒有可以復活的榮耀訊息,更沒有天堂的存在.一切 “塵歸塵,土歸土”自此長眠不起.他意識到,這是一個只有苦澀的淚水,一個沒有耶穌基督的悲傷的夢.
突然間,他驚醒過來,因為,他聽到附近教堂唱詩班歡呼頌讚的歌聲 “O Come All Ye Faithful 你們都要忠實”,以及 “Joyful and Triumphant 快樂勝利進行曲”,不由得他也喃喃地跟著唱起來.
今天,很讓我們歡心鼓舞的是,在天使的聲明中 “看哪!我給你們帶來天大的且應該是全人類的好消息,因為救世主耶穌基督已經在大衛城的伯利恆誕生了.”
最後,以這首歌 #84 "Joy To The World歡樂世界",來祝福大家聖誕節快樂,當我們在慶祝的同時,莫忘記時時親近 神,更要把藉耶穌基督來重返永恆的秘境,這個好消息傳揚出去.
(Those Who Came : Paul Lin; Belinda Kao; Eric Ho, Eileen Chen; Sharon WU; Rachel Yang)(Tom Lin; Ruby Chen)
(Skype to : Frank Van Fleet; <Lade> Nancy, Sarah, Amanda, David, Anna, Joseph; Adam Brendel; Elizabeth Woodward; Maggie, Sashay, Uncel; Jai-yu, Joshua; Jordan Brotherton; Joel Daugherty)
Merry Christmas
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