吳柏翰 牧師
讀經 哥林多後書 五章 16~18 節
5:16 所 以 我 們 從 今 以 後 、 不 憑 著 外 貌 〔 原 文 作 肉 體 本 節 同 〕 認 人 了 . 雖 然 憑 著 外 貌 認 過 基 督 、 如 今 卻 不 再 這 樣 認 他 了 。
5:17 若 有 人 在 基 督 裡 、 他 就 是 新 造 的 人 . 舊 事 已 過 、 都 變 成 新 的 了 。
5:18 一 切 都 是 出 於 神 、 他 藉 著 基 督 使 我 們 與 他 和 好 、 又 將 勸 人 與 他 和 好 的 職 分 賜 給 我 們 .
Sermon Title: “New Year, New Hope”
Scripture: 2 Corinthian 5:16-18
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
1 Timothy 4:7-8
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Reflection:
- The Cyclical View of the World
One could categorize the major philosophical or religious thoughts into two general views of the cosmos: cyclical or historical.
The cyclical view sees the world in an endless repetition. It is derived through casual observations of the natural world – the sun rises and sets daily, snow comes in the winter and melts in the spring, flowers and plants bloom in their season then wither. In this cyclical view, people are born, they grow old and die.
In such a cyclical view, the optimists such as the Buddhists see the universe being caught in an endless cycle of cause and effect, birth and rebirth. And the purpose of humanity is to better each individual self, so as to transcend such endless cycle, and to eventually become godlike.
In such a cyclical view, the pessimists such as the Epicureans (享樂主義的) say that ‘there is nothing new under the sun’ (Eccs 1:9), humankind will never learn from its mistake and history is doomed to repeat itself. So the greatest purpose for humanity is simply to seek pleasure, to ‘eat, drink, and be happy’ (Eccs 8:15). We can see such view of the world in the book of Ecclesiastes.
In the cyclical view of the world, a new year is just one event that repeats itself over and over again. Whatever resolutions people make to better themselves were made with little thoughts and little commitment. After all, even if one fails to keep these resolutions, another new year is just right around the corner.
Question: What past New Year resolutions have you made? What was the result?
- The Historical View of the World
In the other point of view, the historical view, the world has a beginning, and it has an end. Time moves in a liner direction, so does the history of humanity.
The pessimists say this movement in history is essentially random – it has no purpose, and it yields no meaning. The modern scientific thinking belongs mostly in this category. The theory of ‘big bang’ is the prime example where the cosmos began with an explosion billions of years ago, and will end in a contraction billions years later. Nothing we as human being do in-between matters much.
The optimists of the historical view believe the world was created by a supreme being, commonly referred to as God. Christianity shares such view with Judaism and the Muslim faith. It is God who essentially directs the movement in history through a series of renewal. In time, history itself will end in an eschatological transformation of ‘new heaven and new earth’ (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21:1). The purpose of humanity is therefore to discern the will of God and to participate in God’s work in history.
It is in this optimistic and historical view of the world that we approach the Scripture passage of 2 Corinthians 5: 16-18, “so from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.” This worldly point of view in Hebrew is literally translated as ‘according to the flesh’. We are all born flesh and blood, it is no use pretending that we are not. But we are asked to ‘regard’ or to ‘know’ others, even Christ, in another point of view - in view of God’s plan for each individual in history.
In verse 17, “therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Once again, the theme of renewal is ever so prominent. Just like God promised Israel in the passage of Isaiah 42:9, “behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things do I declare…”, God is declaring to us that we are all new creation in Christ. We are no longer tied down by past wounds, by irresolvable guilt, by unrelenting shame, or by the power of sin. In Christ, we are like a blank page, an open book. Just like a new canvas awaiting its artist to put down the first stroke, we await God our creator to put a ‘new heart and new spirit’ in us.
Question: If you could be a new creation in Christ, how would you like God to recreate you?
- Training in Godliness, Growing in Holiness
The problems for most people with New Year resolutions are either they try to quit something without finding its replacement, or they try to do something without understanding why.
Apostle Paul’s instruction in 1 Timothy 4:7 is particular relevant to us, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”
As a new creation in Christ, we understand that we are reconciled with God through Christ, and in turn, we are given the ‘ministry of reconciliation’, that is to bring people to God by being a witness, an ambassador of Christ in this world. We aim to achieve ‘godliness’ so when others see us, they can see the image of God in us. They may not be able to understand precisely what is different about us, but they can sense the difference. This difference would be so intriguing to them, that they are eager to learn, to grasp, and to become also a new creation in Christ.
‘Godliness’ does not arise out of thin air, it must be trained. This is also the theme for our church for 2010, “Training in Godliness, Growing in Holiness”.
As part of the coordinated effort amongst various fellowships and the Education Committee, we have identified 4 specific areas of training: 1) devotion or reading Bible, 2) prayer, 3) acts of service, and 4) physical wellbeing. We are calling on everyone to commit to one specific area of training in godliness for this coming year.
For training in godliness holds promise “for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8). It is my great hope that we would all take such calling with utmost urgency, so we can be better witnesses to the Gospel of Christ in this world. Thus when the day comes, when we have to give account of our lives to God, we could all hear those comforting words from God, “Well done, good and faithful servant!... Come and share your master's happiness! (Matthew 25:21)
Question: What specific area of training in godliness appeals to you? Why?
2009/12/27 週日 主日崇拜 點擊此處可以聽錄音
如果點擊不能連線,可能太多人同時點擊 請點此處試試
【1/5 禱告會的分享討論主題和問題】
證道 Sermon “托累和責任Collateral damage
and Principal Responsibility”
戴惠喆牧師 翻譯: 蔡佩珊
經文: 創世紀 3:1~13
分享題目
1. 您感受神從這篇信息,給我的教訓(命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告)是什麼?
2. 神對【自由意志】的教導為何?(限制性、平衡性、責任性)
3. 為何動物不會對對自己的赤身露體,感到不好意思?
4. 那位精神病的病人,對那位教授提供修車的方法是什麼?
-- 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
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
-- 為教會即將建立新的網站事工,求主帶領
-- 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)
-- 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
No comments:
Post a Comment