2009 Dec 11~13 主題: "我們應該做什麼？"

主題--"我們應該做什麼？" 證道---吳柏翰 牧師

English version please click here !


經節 西番亞書三章 14～17

3:14 以色列人民哪，要歡呼歌唱！耶路撒冷啊，要滿心快樂！
3:15 上主已經解除對你的懲罰；他已經殲滅你所有的仇敵。上主─以色列的王與你同在；你再也不必懼怕災害。
3:16 時候要到了，他們要對耶路撒冷說：錫安城啊，不要害怕！不要讓你的手發軟！
3:17 上主─你的上帝與你同在；他的大能使你得勝。他要因你歡悅；他的慈愛要賜你新生命【6】。他要因你喜樂歌唱，


路加福音 三章 7～14

3:7 人群擁擠，出來要接受約翰的洗禮。約翰對他們說：「你們這些毒蛇！上帝的審判快要到了，你們以為能夠逃避嗎？
3:8 要用行為證明你們已經悔改。不要自以為亞伯拉罕是你們的祖宗就可以逃避審判。我告訴你們，上帝能夠拿這些石頭為亞伯拉罕造出子孫來！
3:9 斧頭已經擱在樹根上，凡不結好果子的樹都要砍掉，丟在火裏。」
3:10 群眾問他：「那麼，我們該做甚麼呢？」
3:11 約翰回答：「有兩件內衣的，要分一件給沒有的；有食物的，也要這樣。」
3:12 有些稅棍也要來接受洗禮；他們問約翰：「老師，我們該做甚麼呢？」
3:13 他告訴他們：「不可收取法定以外的稅金。」
3:14 有些當兵的也來問他：「我們呢？該做些甚麼呢？」他對他們說：「不可強索金錢，不可敲詐；要以所得的糧餉為足。」

Reflections:

1. Produce Fruits of Repentance (Luke 3: 7-9)

孕育悔改的果子(路加3: 7~9)

How does one prepare for Christmas? Our overtly commercialized society teaches us to prepare gifts for our loved ones, or to write to Santa for gifts (assuming you have been a good boy/girl for the year). In this overtly commercialized society, we are led to believe that giving each other gifts is the same as giving each other joy. In this overtly commercialized society, the coming of Santa Claus down the chimney has seemingly replaced the coming of baby Jesus in a manger. Or has it?

如何準備過聖誕節？在商業掛帥的社會教導我們為我們所愛的人準備禮物；或者寫一封信給聖誕老人要禮物 ( 假設你一整年都是乖寶寶 ) 。 在這個明顯商業化的社會中，我們被置入引導去相信交換禮物就如同彼此給予歡樂。在這個商業掛帥的社會，聖誕老公公從煙囪滑下來的情景似乎已經取代了小小耶穌在馬槽誕生一事。

The salvation in Jesus Christ does not begin at the cross, it begins at the Word of God becoming flesh. It begins at the birth of Jesus when God decided to be with us. Incarnation or ‘Word became flesh’ changed the relationship between God and people, it changed the history of humankind. It turned everything up-side-down, in-side-out! “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulder, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

救世主耶穌基督不是開始在十字架；而是開始在道成肉身。當神決定與我們同在的始點在耶穌誕生。上帝化身人形、道成肉身、改變了上帝與人的關係；也改變了人類的歷史，徹底改變了所有的事。因 為有 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 。(以 賽 亞 書 9:6)

So, How does ought to prepare for Christmas? In the words of John the Baptist, the messenger who was sent to prepare for the coming Lord, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Luke 3:8) Notice that John did not call for repentance, but for producing actions consistent with repentance. Repentance is often associated with a change in the inner-state of being. It is a sincere acknowledgement that one’s current direction in life is somewhat misguided, wrong, and sinful. It is a determination that one must change or else. For those who were gathering around John the Baptist, repentance was in their mind – after all, they had come to repent and to be washed cleaned of their sins.

那應該如何準備過聖誕節呢？施洗約翰說過：上帝的使者是被派遣做上帝到來的準備。 你 們 要 結 出 果 子 來 ， 與 悔 改 的 心 相 稱 。(路加3: 8) ,注意施洗約翰並沒有呼叫悔改；但呼叫大家要產生出始終如一的悔改行動。悔改常常和內心深處的狀態有關聯， 它是一種真正的確認；確認檢視自己現今生命的方向有無一些誤導、出毛病的地方、不道德的行為。它也是一種決心，決斷自己必須要改變；否則，不堪設想。對那些聚集圍繞在施洗約翰旁的人，悔改是在他們的心意。畢竟，他們都已悔改且洗淨了罪。

But, John challenged them further, to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Actions speak louder than words. John also warned them not to fall back on the false assumption that their heritage to Abraham would somehow exempt them from God’s coming judgment. As that judgment was coming soon, “the axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." (v.9)

但施洗約翰又進一步向他們挑戰，你 們 要 結 出 果 子 來 ， 與 悔 改 的 心 相 稱。

坐而說不如起而行。施洗約翰也向他們提出警訊，切勿跌入錯誤假設以為自己是亞伯拉罕的後裔而可免於來自上帝的審判。審判不久將要來臨，現 在 斧 子 已 經 放 在 樹 根 上 ， 凡 不 結 好 果 子 的 樹 就 砍 下 來 ， 丟 在 火 裡 。

Question: Have you ever ask God for forgiveness for a particular sin that you had committed, but then continue to go back to recommit the same sin?

問題探索：你是否曾為自己的一些特定過犯向上帝請求寬恕？然而卻又繼續再犯同樣的罪呢 ?

2. Rejoice Over the Coming Day of the LORD (Zephaniah 3: 14-17)

滿心歡喜迎接主再來的日子 (西番亞書 3: 14~17)

Repentance resets one’s relation with God. The fruit of repentance brings joy to the humble.

悔改重組人與神的關係，悔改的果子帶出喜悅到卑微。

The Scripture passage of Zephaniah address the ‘daughter of Jerusalem’, which in its time refers to the inhabitants of the city. But the usage of the ‘daughter’ metaphor also conveys obedience and humbleness. Contrast this term with the ‘sons of Israel’, that refers to the descendants of Jacob, but which also conveys a sense of stubbornness and disobedience. In the Ancient Easter culture, a city is often personified as a woman, and the deity that protects that city is often described as her husband. Therefore, the term ‘daughter of Jerusalem’ describes those who come under the protection and care of the LORD God.

西番亞書的經節稱呼 ”耶路撒冷的女兒” 在當時是指居住在耶路撒冷的居民。但是女兒一詞的用法也是象徵隱喻傳遞服從和謙卑。對照 ”以色列之子” 一詞則是提及雅各的後裔。但同時也傳達一種頑強和不順服的觀念。在古東方文化裡，一個城市常擬人化作女人；保護城市的神常被形容成她的丈夫。因此， “耶路撒冷的女兒” 一詞，就是形容那些來接受上帝保護及照顧的人。

So to those who are humble and those who obey God, “sing…shout aloud…be glad and rejoice with all your heart.” (v.14) “For the LORD God has taken away your punishment.” (v.15)

所以，那些謙卑又順服上帝的人哪， 應 當 歌 唱 ！ 以 色 列 啊 ， 應 當 歡 呼 ！ 耶 路 撒 冷 的 民 哪 ， 應 當 滿 心 歡 喜 快 樂 ！耶 和 華 已 經 除 去 你 的 刑 罰。

The life of someone who is truly repentant, who truly produce fruit of repentance, is a life of joy. That joy is not built on getting gifts from someone, nor waiting for Santa to come down the chimney. The true joy of repentance is in knowing that you are on the side of God. Furthermore in some mysterious and unexplained way, the LORD you God is already with you.

人能真誠的悔改且結出悔改的果子是一種生命的喜悅。這種喜悅不是建立在得到別人的禮物，也不是等待聖誕老公公帶著禮物從煙囪滑下來。真正悔改的喜悅是在認知你和神在同一邊。此外，其實在某些奧秘、無法解釋的狀況中，你的主、你的神已經與你同在。

Question: In this season of Advent, as we wait for the coming of the Lord, what is the source of my joy in life? How dependable is that source?

問題探索：當我們在待降節的季節中等待主的來臨時，什麼是我生命中快樂的源頭？ 這源頭是如何的可信靠？

3. To Share Generously, To Act Honestly (Luke 3: 10-14)

慷慨豐富的分享，公平正直的行為 (路加 3: 10~14)

So what should we do, to produce the fruit in keeping with repentance?

我們當做甚麼呢？ 要 結 出 果 子 來 ， 與 悔 改 的 心 相 稱。

John the Baptist was asked this same question by three different groups of people. Three times he offered practical day-to-day advise to these people.

施洗約翰曾經被三個不同群體的人問過同樣的問題；他三次對這些 人提出的忠告是日復一日去實踐。

To the ‘crowd’ who were the common Jewish people, John’s instruction was to ‘share’. The sharing of tunic and food were not frivolous; such sharing maintains and sustains life. We should not see this sharing as simply packaging boxes of toys for the Third-World children. The truly meaning sharing is to work towards a global economic system that is fair and just for all. That may seem like a too-big-of-a-thing to tackle for some, but we can all start by making small changes in our daily purchasing decisions. We can refuse to buy products produced in sweatshops where many workers lived on dismal wages of a few dollars a day. We can choose to buy fair-trade coffee, tea, and rice where the producers of these commodities receive a fair compensation for their labour. There are many things that we can do to share.

對一般猶太人群眾，施洗約翰給予的教導指示 “要分享” ， 分享衣物和食物不是微不足道之事。這是維護、支撐生命的。我們不應該把這種分享當作只是將玩具裝箱送交給第三世界的兒童。 分享的真諦，是全球經濟體系對全人類的公平與正義。這對有些國家地區而言，似乎是大且遙不可處理的事。但是我們可以藉由日常生活購物習慣的小小改變做起。拒絕購買,工人一天工資只有幾塊錢剝削勞力的血汗工廠製造的產品、選擇購買產銷互惠貿易 (製造商給予生產勞工合理公平的工資報酬來從事產品製造。零售商以不低於製造商規定的最低零售價銷售商品) 的咖啡、茶和米。有許多事情是我們可以做到的分享。

To the ‘tax-collectors’ who were Jewish themselves but who were working for the Roman Empire, John’s instruction was to be ‘honest’ – “don’t’ collect any more than you are required to” (v.13) From time to time, we may find ourselves in the situation where the ethic of our work conflicts with the teaching of faith. It would be too simplistic and inauthentic for a preacher to say ‘quit your job, you faith is more important!’ John’s instruction reminds us to continue to seek that balance between faith and vocation – ‘don’t do any more than you are required to’.

對為羅馬帝國工作的猶太稅吏，施洗約翰給予的教導指示 “要誠實” 。 除 了 例 定 的 數 目 ， 不 要 多 取。有時候，我們發現自己陷在一個工作倫理和信仰教導的衝突處境，牧師說：辭職吧！信仰比較重要！那就太簡化又不切實際。施洗約翰的教導提醒我們要持續尋求信仰和職場倫理的平衡點。不要超過做你所被要求做的！

To the soldiers who were most likely Romans, John’s instruction was to ‘not be greedy’. Evidently, some soldiers were supplementing their low wages with extortion and false accusation. John’s instruction was simple and yet remarkable, because even those who were outside of God’s covenant were invited to participate in this life of repentance.

對羅馬的兵士，施洗約翰給予的教導指示是 “不要貪婪” 顯然地，有一些羅馬的兵士用敲詐勒索和誣陷指控來增補他们低微的薪餉。施洗約翰的教導是簡單又引人注意。因為即使那些未與上帝立約的人，也被邀請參與生命的悔改。

Question: What practical and every-day-life changes do I need to make to live a life of true repentance?

問題探索：在日常生活中有哪些實際性的改造是我需要去做；活出一個基督徒真實悔改的生命？

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小孩的禱告系列

- 為生病的人禱告

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聖誕感人的故事---宇宙光

一封爸爸對兒子的信（1）（2） (3)

一封丈夫對妻子的信

一封妻子對丈夫的信

榮耀的見證

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2009/12/04 週五 大專、青少年聚會

點擊程序可以聽到錄音
-- 敬拜讚美 宥升 帶領

1. 哦！主

2. I offer my life

3. 新天地

大專、青、少年團契聚會內容；「末世的神」,由吳柏翰牧師主領

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2009/12/06 週日 主日崇拜

前奏 Prelude--- Kevin W
1. 詩歌讚美 Praise 領詩: Kristin C.
2. 讚美 Praise “Call upon the name of the Lord”
3. 證道 Sermon 「神的使者」 Rev. Paul Wu 翻譯: Kelvin L.
4. 默禱,後奏 --- Kevin W.

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2009/11/29 週日下午專題講座

主題：「更年期症狀的注意事項」，主講者：吳松源醫師

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活動佈告欄

-- 12月17日(週四)晚上7：30將在教會會議室「問道理」，請要幼兒洗禮者的父母、洗禮者及小會會員參加。On Dec. 17th, at 7:30 pm. Session members will meet with those who participate in baptismal class .


-- 12月13日(下週日)下午2點將召開長執會會議，請各組將報告呈交給書記顏偉哲執事(salutmichael@yahoo.com)。The Board of Elders and Deacons meeting will be on Dec. 13th at 2pm in the conference room. Please submit all reports and motions to the clerk, Deacon Michael Yen (salutmichael@yahoo.com).

-- 12月11日(週五)晚上7:30大專、青、少年團契聚會內容「感恩聚會」，感謝蔡佩珊、蔡宗翰、徐碧霞三位退任輔導的辛勞。On Dec. 11th at 7:30pm, the topic for the Junior, Youth, and University Fellowships is “Thanksgiving”. We want to express our gratitude to Daisy, James and Esther for their faithful counselling service in the Lord.

-- 12月12日(週六)下午3點-8點社青將在吳家慶家(8230 Renard Brossard) 聚會，內容有聚餐和電影欣賞，聯絡電話：450-4667878，歡迎大家參加。On Dec. 12th, Career Fellowship’s activity is “Dinner and Movie Night” from 3-8pm at Mario Wu’s house. Add.: 8230 Renard, Brossard. Tel: 450-466-7878.

-- 原訂於11月11日(週三)所舉辦的乒乓球比賽，為鼓勵更多會友參加比賽，將延期到２０１０年１月１日(週五)元旦新年開賽，報名截止日期至12月20日 止，歡迎兄姊繼續向董倫欣長老報名，詳情請看公佈欄。 In order to promote fellowship and exercise among church members, a Ping-Pong Game will be held on Friday, Jan. 1st, 2010. Please register with Elder Ivan and registration deadline is December 20th. Please see the contest details on the bulletin board.

-- 由於近日以來，為了避免HINI流行性感冒之傳染，請在教會門口先洗手。 During the flu season, we are reminding everyone to wash hands often to avoid the transmission of H1N1 virus.

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代禱事項

為教會
-- 為本教會吳柏翰牧師的牧會
-- 為教會的青少年事工禱告
-- 求神復興我們同工開始 求神復興同工禱告的心（TRC禱告部落格）
-- 為12月20日預備的慕道受洗的朋友---高美秀，Melody，Hilary Chen, Jessica 蔡，11月8日截止報名
-- 請多鼓勵您身旁的年輕人來加入靈修默想禱告的行列！
-- 為新一年度各團契新的輔導服事禱告
-- 為聖誕節的許多節慶事工計畫
-- 為將要參加 Urbana 靈休會的青年們禱告 Pray for Urbana participants: Michael Yen, Joseph Tai, Yo-Sheng Chen, Irene Hsin, Hilary Chen, Chantal Chen, Janet Ho, Timmy Tsay, Melanie Ho, Aaron Tsay.



為肢體

-- 為社青面對事業上和工作上的壓力
-- 為大專團契許多契友這幾天要面對考試禱告
-- 為H1N1的病情可以得以控制，請大家勤洗手注意衛生
-- 為因為工作或學業壓力大，而晚上不能好好睡覺的人禱告

-- 繼續為Ivy 的眼睛眼角膜的損（等待眼角膜移植）回台治療禱告

-- 為KiKi腳受傷禱告，求主醫治
-- 為 Kristin 感冒身體欠安，求主醫治

-- 為 林世雄醫師 感冒身體欠安，求主醫治

-- 為秀寶在工作上的環境（同事刁難）禱告，求主安慰

-- 為Ivy 禮拜二在台灣即將進行眼角膜移植手術禱告，求主讓一切都順利！

感謝事項

-- 感謝主，吳柏翰牧師感冒逐漸康復