(一月19日的禱告會，要分享這篇信息）
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主日證道: 吳柏翰牧師
Leaving Babel Behind (離開巴別塔)
Scriptures: Genesis 11: 1-9 (創世記 11: 1-9)
1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.
2 As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.
4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building.
6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.
7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.
9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
1 那 時 ， 天 下 人 的 口 音 、 言 語 都 是 一 樣 。
2 他 們 往 東 邊 遷 移 的 時 候 ， 在 示 拿 地
3 他 們 彼 此 商 量 說 ： 來 罷 ！ 我 們 要 作
4 他 們 說 ： 來 罷 ！ 我 們 要 建 造 一 座 城
5 耶 和 華 降 臨 ， 要 看 看 世 人 所 建 造 的 城 和 塔 。
6 耶 和 華 說 ： 看 哪 ， 他 們 成 為 一 樣 的
7 我 們 下 去 ， 在 那 裡 變 亂 他 們 的 口 音
8 於 是 耶 和 華 使 他 們 從 那 裡 分 散 在 全
9 因 為 耶 和 華 在 那 裡 變 亂 天 下 人 的 言
Sermon Outline:
- Towers of the World (世界之高塔)
A tower is a symbol of power, pride and prestige. It marks the achievement of the city that builds it. It gives recognition, a name, to those who live around it. It shouts out to the world, on behalf of its builders, ‘Here we are! We have made it!’
塔是一種力量的象徵，自豪和威望。
Eiffel Tower was built in 1887 at the height of 318m. Interestingly enough, it was hated by the Parisians when it was built, and it was almost torn down in 1909. Now the tower symbolizes Paris and has become a very popular destination for visitors.
艾菲爾鐵塔建於 1887年高度三百一十八公尺。有趣的是，它建成時，
Empire State Building was built in 1931at the height of 443m. It was constructed during the golden era of 1920s in New York that was characterized by wealth, greed, and excesses. Ironically, when the building was officially opened during the Great Depression, many of its office space sat empty for years following.
帝國大廈建於 1931年，高度四四三公尺。它建在1920年的黃金時期，20
CN Tower was completed in 1973 at the height of 553m. The original project was designed to be a TV and radio communication tower of only 300m. But during the 60’s and the 70’s, Toronto was booming. New skyscrapers were popping up around the city. In order to keep up, CN Tower was redesigned to its current height. It was the tallest free-standing structure in the world for the next 34 years, and in 1995, it was declared as one of the seven modern wonders of the world.
CN塔完成於 1973年高度553公尺。這個建築計劃原始設計目的是要做僅3
Petronas Twin Towers and Taipei 101 were both built in the past ten years. They symbolize the emerging powers in Asia that is built on commerce and international trade. They are both statements of pride and recognition for their respective cities. These towers are a way to tell the developed world that ‘our countries have made it, and we are here to stay’.
馬來西亞雙峰塔和台北101大樓均建於過去十年間。
Several towers are still under planning and construction stage. The Freedom Tower in New York is scheduled to be completed by 2013 at the height of 541m. It is being built on the site of the collapsed World Trade Centre. It is Americans’ way of telling the world that nothing can knock them down. The Shanghai Tower (上海中心大厦) will be completed by 2014 at the eye-catching height of 632m. It is a symbol of China’s rise to the status of superpower.
目前有幾個塔仍在規劃和建設階段。位於紐約的自由塔將於 2013年完成高度五百四十一公尺。自由塔修建的位置在受911
However, the most amazing man-made tower has to be Burj Dubai that was recently completed at an unbelievable height of 828m. It arises out of the desert in the Middle East. The tower and the city of Dubai is a statement of man’s triumph against nature. It celebrates human ingenuity and human engineering. However, it was recently revealed that the financing structure of Burj Dubai has collapsed. Even as the building is left standing, its office space will most likely sit empty for quite some time.
然而，最令人驚訝的人造塔要屬杜拜塔，
Will Burj Dubai be known as a man-made miracle or a human folly? Only time will tell. But there is another tower, a much older tower that has long served to be a lesson in human folly. I am referring to the biblical story of the tower of Babel.
將杜拜塔稱為人造奇蹟還是人類的愚蠢？只有時間才能告訴我們。
Question: Which towers of the world have you visited? Which tower impresses you the most? Why?
妳曾經參觀過哪一些世界有名的高塔? 哪一個高塔讓你印象深刻? 為什麼?
- The Tower of Babel (巴別塔)
The story of the tower of Babel was recorded in chapter 11 of Genesis. It was told in a way that sets the will of mankind against the will of God. The story began with the world having one language (v.1), and it ends with the LORD confusing the language of the whole world (v.9). In-between, the story was written in a chiastic structure where the action and intention of mankind was recorded in v.2-4, and the corresponding intention and action of God was recorded in v.6-8.
巴別塔故事記載在創世紀第11章。
The action of mankind began with movement eastward. The Hebrew word that was used for ‘moving’ is the same word as ‘journeying’ for Abram, and ‘wandering’ for the Israelites during the Exodus. It conveys a sense of unknown, danger, and perhaps growth. The eastward direction is the same direction where Adam and Eve were kicked out of Eden. It reminds us of the previous judgment that God had cast on humanity.
人類開始向東移動的行動。希伯來文詞是用於 “遷徙” ，和亞伯蘭的 “行”，和以色列人在出埃及記的 “徘徊” 是同一個詞意。它傳達的意義是未知，危險，也許是成長。
They eventually ‘settled there’ (v.2) in the plain of Shinar, also known as the land Babylon. The corresponding opposite of this action is in verse 8 where God ‘scattered them from there’ to all over the world.
他們最終 “定居在那裡”（v.2）在示拿平原，也稱為巴比倫之地。
In verse 3, they said to each other, ‘Come, let us make bricks.’ Using brick and mortar for building materials (instead of stone and mud) was a great technological advancement in its time. It allows structures to be built much higher, in much more stable way. The corresponding opposite of this action can be found in verse 7 where God said, ‘Come, let us go down and confuse their language’.
在第 3小節，他們對彼此說 “來吧，讓我們做磚”。用磚和灰泥作建材（而不是石頭和泥土）
The intention of mankind was to build a city and a tower that reaches to heaven (v.4). The explicit reason was to ‘make a name for themselves’, so that they would not be ‘scattered over the face of the earth’. The implicit reason of building a tower that reaches into heaven was to compete against God, to be like God. It was the same reason that Adam and Eve took the fruit from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:5).
人類意圖要建立一個城市和一個塔直達天堂（v.4）。
The corresponding opposite of mankind’s intention can be found in verse 6 where God’s intention was made clear. God did not want mankind to plan things for themselves against God’s own plan. Only God can plan without limit. Man is not supposed to emulate his creator in this way.
相對應相反的人類的意圖可在第6小節在找到，上帝的意向明確。
The central point of the chiastic structure of verse 1-9, thus the focal point of this story, can be found in verse 5 – ‘the LORD came down!’ With heavy irony we now see the tower through God’s eyes. This tower which man thought reached to heaven, God can hardly see! From the height of heaven it seems so insignificant that the LORD must come down to look at it! It is simply a brilliant and dramatic way of expressing the puniness of man’s greatest achievements, when set alongside the creator’s omnipotence.’
由中心點來看v1-9節的對比結構，從這個故事的焦點來看，
Question: Have you ever gone against the will of God? What were the consequences?
你是否曾經違背上帝的旨意? 結果是什麼?
- Leaving Babel Behind (離開巴別塔)
The word ‘Babel’ closely resembles the Hebrew word ‘balel’, which means ‘to be confused’. The story of the tower of Babel serves as a reminder to us not to be confused of our place, our role, and our limitation. It reminds us of the consequences of going against the will of God. It reminds us that we are not God, and we can never be ‘like God’.
這個詞 “巴別塔” (通天塔)非常類似於希伯來文 “balel”，即 '”混淆”。巴別塔的故事提醒我們不要混淆了我們的地位，
The story of Babel in chapter 11 of Genesis is followed by the story call of Abram in chapter 12. In that story, Abram was asked by God to leave his country and his people in the land of Ur, which is located in the same region as Babel. In the same way we are also asked by God to leave our Babel behind. Leave Babel behind so God’s plan of salvation can begin through us, as it was through Abraham.
巴別塔的故事，在創世紀第11章，其次是亞伯蘭蒙召的故事在第1
This past Thursday night, the Career Fellowship held a welcome party for newcomers to the fellowship. The turnout was good; we had over twenty people in the party. The president, Paul K.C. Wu, and the fellowship co-workers had put in a lot of thoughts to make the event a success. We had good food, enjoyed some drink, and got to know some new friends. We played various ice-breaker games, and in one of the activities, we had to choose up to three wishes from a list of ten, and then to allocate 100% importance to the chosen wishes. So, for example, one could choose good health, wisdom, and wealth as three wishes, and to allocate 33% to each. Or, one could choose having a loved one accepting Christ and having good marriage, and allocate 60% to one and 40% to the other.
在這個星期四晚上，社青為新加入的契友舉行迎新晚會。
So I found myself choosing one wish, to be immortal 長身不老, with 100% importance. I explained to others that being immortal, I would also have health, wisdom, wealth, and if one marriage doesn’t work out, He will have many lifetimes to work on a good marriage. Someone joked that I would have eternity to preach the Gospel to others as well. But later on, as I reflect on why I wanted to be immortal so much, I realize that it is the one thing that God had denied humanity since Adam and Eve. So wanting immortality is the same as those who want to build the tower of Babel – to go against God, and to be like God. I think when our dreams, our aspirations, or our desires conflict with the will of God, we all have a bit of Babel in us.
所以，我自己選擇的一個願望 - 100％重要的長身不老。我向別人解釋何謂長身不老，我有健康，
Come, let us leave our Babel behind. 來! 讓我們離開我們的巴別塔。
Come, let us seek the will and the kingdom of God. 來! 讓我們尋求 神的國，神的意。
So we would not repeat the same mistake that had befallen those builders of Babel.
因此，我們不要重複同樣的錯誤，
Question: What is my Babel? How do I leave that Babel behind?
什麼是我的巴別塔? 我如何離開這個巴別塔?
Translated into Chinese by Teresa Yan
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: 16 所 以 ， 我 們 從 今 以 後 ， 不 憑 著 外 貌 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (提摩太前書 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. 7 只 是 要 棄 絕 那 世 俗 的 言 語 和 老 婦 荒 8 操 練 身 體 ， 益 處 還 少 ； 惟 獨 敬 虔 ， 凡 事 都 有 益 處 ， 因 有 今 生 和 來 生 的 應 許 。 人們用哲學或宗教思想主要範疇；將宇宙現象一般性，分類為兩種: 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. 用循環性的角度來看；世界上的事是永無止境的重覆。 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. 在這種循環觀點下；樂觀論者如佛教徒， 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. 在這種循環觀點下； 悲觀論者如伊壁塢魯(享樂主義的)認為: “在太陽底下無新鮮事” (傳道書 1:9) 人類永遠無法從錯誤和歷史中學會；注定一切會重演。因此， 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. 在週期性的世界觀；新的一年就是一個重覆發生的事件。 Question: What past New Year resolutions have you made? What was the result? 在過去的新年，你曾做過哪些新年新希望？結果是什麼？ 在其他角度來看，由歷史的觀點；世界有一起點，和一終點。 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. 悲觀主義者說，這一種歷史演變基本上是無跡可尋的 - 它沒有任何意義。因此，導出的結果是虛空。 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. 樂觀派的歷史觀認為；世界是由一個至高無上的存在， 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. 正是在這種樂觀的和歷史的世界觀， 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. 在17節，“若 有 人 在 基 督 裡 ， 他 就 是 新 造 的 人 ， 舊 事 已 過 ， 都 變 成 新 的 了”再次更新重建的主題永遠是如此迫切。就像上帝許諾以色列在 以賽亞書 42:9，”看 哪 ， 先 前 的 事 已 經 成 就 ， 現 在 我 將 新 事 說 明 ， 這 事 未 發 以 先 ， 我 就 說 給 你 們 聽 。上帝在對我們宣告，在基督裡我們都是新造的。 Question: If you could be a new creation in Christ, how would you like God to recreate you如果你能成為基督的新造之物，你希望上帝如何再造你？ 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. 對於大多數人的新年希望所碰到的一些問題是他們嘗試擺脫掉一些東 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.” 使徒保羅的教導在 提摩太前書 4:7， 對我們的意義重大。 “只 是 要 棄 絕 那 世 俗 的 言 語 和 老 婦 荒 渺 的 話 ， 在 敬 虔 上 操 練 自 己 。” 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. 作為一個在基督裏新造的，我們知道，我們是透過基督和上帝和好。 ‘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”. “敬虔” 不會憑空生出，它必須經過操練。這也是我們的教會2010年的主 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. 在各個團契和教育組之間努力協調的結果，我們已經確定 4項具體領域的操練: 我們呼籲每一個人委身一項具體領域；作為今年度的虔誠操練。 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) 敬虔操練是擁有應許的 “惟 獨 敬 虔 ， 凡 事 都 有 益 處 ， 因 有 今 生 和 來 生 的 應 許 。”（提摩太前書 4:8）。我非常希望，我們都將用最緊急迫切的接受呼召， Question: What specific area of training in godliness appeals to you? Why? 哪一方面的虔誠操練吸引你？為什麼？
錄音> 獻詩 --- 耶和華祝福滿滿 / 康伶妃, 黃玄揚
錄音> 證道-- 新年新希望 / 吳柏翰 牧師
Sermon Title: “New Year, New Hope” (新年新希望)
Scripture: 經文Reflection:
One could categorize the major philosophical or religious thoughts into two general views of the cosmos: cyclical or historical.
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.
活動佈告欄
-- 元月17 日下午1:30分舉辦-理財講座由張鈞弟兄主講
-- 社青、大專、青契、少契三個團契將在1月8日(五)開始聚會。由吳牧師主講:「新年的展望」The carrer, College, Youth and Junior Youth Fellowship will begin worship on Jan. 8th (Fri), topic: “Looking Forward to the New Year”, led by Rev. Paul Wu.
為教會
-- 為本教會吳柏翰牧師的牧會
-- 為今年度的主題「操練敬虔，邁向聖潔」，培靈會的籌辦。
-- 為韓國教會 (Chambit Presbyterian Church) 牧師，長老們的合一來禱告
-- 為多倫多有多間台灣人教會缺牧者，求主差派牧者牧養祂的羊群
-- 為教會即將建立新的網站事工，求主帶領 www.trcchurch.ca
-- 求神復興同工禱告的心（TRC禱告部落格）
-- 請多來加入靈修默想禱告的行列！(新年新希望！)
-- 為新一年度各團契新的會長及同工的團隊服事禱告
-- 教會幹事職務由楊川台執事暫代，願上帝紀念。
-- 為偉哲執事在中會的事奉禱告，求主賜智慧。
為肢體
-- 為本教會的會友經營的事業禱告，求主在新的一年看顧保守與祝福（每週三位）。
Superkids (Amos 長老), Cosmo Racing (國慶執事)，Nico Photo (敦培 執事）
-- 為社青面對事業上和工作上的壓力
-- 為H1N1的病情可以得以控制，請大家勤洗手注意衛生
-- 為Ivy在台灣眼角膜移植手術後禱告，求主讓一切都順利！
-- 為一些有一段時間沒有來教會的弟兄姐妹們禱告
-- 為外出的弟兄姊妹: 謝謹姐妹6日返台，卓純真姐妹12日返台，王枝鶯，林佳蓉姐妹19日返加，求主保守，一路平安
-- 為身體欠安的肢體禱告，吳醫師感冒氣喘，Daisy 感冒，林博司長老感冒
-- 為史太太的小孫Timothy 感冒生病，求主憐憫醫治
-- 為黃敏美姐妹（黃貴美長老的大姊）的信仰追尋，求主引領
-- 感謝神保守參加 Urbana 青年大會的青年們平安回來，且豐盛得著！
-- 衷心感謝戴牧師夫婦，時常關顧本會會友及青年。
-- 感謝柯少真姐妹過去10年在本會工作上忠心服侍。
-- 感謝關懷組同工為乒乓球比賽準備中餐的辛勞
-- 感謝林芸青弟兄夫婦關心與奉獻本會，願主賜福與紀念。
1 comment:
It's really touch !
年輕人們！好好把這靈火傳給每一個人！
不要叫人小看你年輕！
加油！
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