2010 Mar 28 停不住的讚美 附(Urbana 09 Sharing)

“The Unstoppable Praise” 停不住的讚美

Scriptures: 經文

Luke 路加福音19: 28-40

28After Jesus had said this; he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30"Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' "

32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34They replied, "The Lord needs it." 35They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

²⁸ 耶穌說完了這話，就在前面走，上耶路撒冷去。²⁹ 將近伯法其和伯大 尼，在一座山名叫橄欖山那裡，就打發兩個門徒，說：³⁰ 你們往對面村子裡去，進去的時候，必看見一匹驢駒拴在那裡，是從來沒 有人騎過的，可以解開牽來。³¹ 若有人問為甚麼解牠，你們就說：主要用牠。 ³² 打發的人去了， 所遇見的正如耶穌所說的。 ³³ 他們解驢駒的時候，主人問他們說：解驢駒做甚麼？ ³⁴ 他們說：主要 用他。 ³⁵ 他們牽到耶穌那裡，把自己的衣服搭在上面，扶著耶穌騎上。³⁶ 走的時候，眾人把衣服鋪在路上。 ³⁷ 將近耶路撒冷，正下橄欖山的時候，眾門徒因所見過的一切異 能，都歡樂起來，大聲讚美神， ³⁸ 說：奉主名來的王是應當稱頌的！在天上有和平；在至高之處有榮光。 ³⁹ 眾人中有幾個法利賽人對耶穌說：夫子，責備你的門徒吧！ ⁴⁰ 耶穌說：我告訴你們，若是他們閉口 不說，這些石頭必要呼叫起來。

1 Peter 彼得前書2: 4-5

4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

⁴ 主乃活石，固然是被人所棄的，卻是被神所揀選、所寶貴的。 ⁵ 你們來 到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成為靈宮，作聖潔的祭司，藉著耶穌基督奉獻神所悅納的靈祭。

Sermon Outline: 講道大綱

• The journey of Jesus is coming to the finality. The Scripture passage takes us to the Mount of Olive, on the outskirt of Jerusalem, right before Passover.

耶穌的旅程已接近尾聲，在逾越節前夕，聖經的描述把我們帶到橄欖山下， 其在耶路撒冷的近郊。

• Riding on a colt fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 where a future king was to enter Jerusalem. Laying down cloaks on the road was the usual way to welcome a king. The spontaneous praise of the disciples and the crowd corresponds to Psalm 118:25-26 where the psalmist anticipates the coming saviour.

耶穌騎著驢進城是預言實現(撒迦利亞書9:9)，我 們的王進入耶路撒冷城。眾人把衣服鋪在路上迎接王的到來，群眾和門徒們不約而同齊聲讚美 (詩篇118:25-26， 詩篇作者期待救世主的到來。)

• The objection of the Pharisees could be understood in two ways – they were embarrassed by the spontaneous and uncontrolled praises; they objected to the identification of Jesus as king.

法利賽人反對的原因可分兩種方式來理解-他們對這種 自發且控制不住的對神讚美感到尷尬，也反對耶穌為王的身份。

• Jesus rebuked them by saying, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (v.40)

耶穌訓斥說: “我告訴你們，若是他們閉口不說，這 些石頭必要呼叫起來。” (v40)

• In the Old Testament, stones often appear as ‘witnesses’ when a covenant is made (Genesis 31:44-45, Josh 24:27)

在舊約裏， 當做一個立約時，石頭常被用為一個見證。

• Jesus was described as the stone that builders had rejected, which has becomes a capstone (Psalm 118:22)

耶穌形容說: “匠 人 所 棄 的 石 頭 已 成 了 房 角 的 頭 塊 石 頭 。” (詩篇118:22)

• In 1 Peter 2:4-5, Peter called all disciples of Christ as living stone, offering spiritual sacrifices to God - through giving praises and being God’s witnesses on earth.

彼得前書2: 4-5，彼得呼召所有基督的門徒成為祂的活石，藉著不住的讚美和成為上 帝在世上的見證人來作上帝聖潔的祭司。

Questions for Reflection:

1. When have you felt so moved with joy that you could not keep it to yourself?

你何時曾有喜悅的大感動而不能自已？

2. Have you ever felt embarrassed by the way that you give praise to God?

你曾因用何種方式讚美上帝讓你感到尷尬？

3. In what way could we live our calling as God witnesses on earth?

我們要如何活出成為上帝在世上的見證人？

Translated into Chinese by Teresa Yang

Urbana 09 Sharing

Aaron:

The grand hallways and endless escalators of the Edward Jones Dome were once again packed full of people, Christians of all nations, gathered to share in communion of Christ’s Holy calling under booming speakers, a massive football stadium, and blazing lights. Knowing that it was all done for God, it sums-up to a wonderful expression of adoration to the King. Every keynote and seminar speakers, the multi-dimensions of musical and artistic worship, the packed agendas, endless mission pamphlets, yes, even enthusiastic road facilitators were meticulously organized. This goes to show how every staff member had ready in their hearts the joy to serve, what is very representative of the central purpose of this mission conference: preparing people to serve. Such superficial goodness had even yet to exemplify the utmost quality of the entire Urbana experience, a lifetime eye-opener! The keynote speakers, coming from various mission-driven backgrounds, shared diverse values and principles to note in fields ranging from the business world to the poor in third world countries, even to being persecuted by violent groups. Every speech and sharing embodies lifetime experiences and lessons of success in the gospel, only through the power and grace of God, reconciling the broken world to Jesus. Delving in the Word every morning with complete strangers, brothers and sisters, was rather reassuringly heart-warming. Seminars shedding light on Christians in the scientific world, in a foreign country, in most unimaginable circumstances opened minds to a whole new world of possibilities. Moreover, sharing in commonalities of Taiwanese Christians in the International Student track was also most rewarding.

With regards to the current Montreal Christian climate, Urbana has helped me put in perspective how impacting the world could happen simply in one’s neighborhood: the French Canadians, many under-privileged groups of people, maybe people living in the Little Burgundy or in Eastern Montreal, where crime rates are typically higher. Furthermore, I’ve been encouraged by meeting many other Taiwanese brothers and sisters in other North American cities, who also show zeal in serving the Lord. Most importantly, I began to recognize that God’s plans may go beyond skill sets that one already possesses, what a speaker referred to as acquired skill sets. With lack of words to do justice for God’s goodness, lavished through this conference, I can only suggest dear brothers and sisters, to consider being challenged in life by planning to attend the coming Urbana.

Timmy:

What I learned most was concerning prayer. As our faith grows, so should our prayer. When we pray we always like to reiterate to God what he already knows. But instead of putting the focus on the people or on any material things, we should put the focus on God. We can look at prayer from another perspective other than from the Lord’s Prayer such as from Acts 4. The prayer can be separated into 4 sections: proclamation of God’s sovereignty, Him being the creator, revealer and actor. If God was not in control of everything, it would not make any sense for us to pray. In other words, when we pray, things happen. Furthermore, he is a God who speaks to us and reveals himself to us and is active throughout history. We must learn to survey all possibilities and to pray big and bold as our God is a great god and nothing is impossible.

Marcelo:

URBANA 2009 gave me a model for missions in the image of God becoming flesh and living among us through Jesus Christ. In terms of location, a mission field can be as small as our circle of friends and family, as big as our campus or neighborhood and as far as the four corners of the world. For me, my life is my mission field. I believe we are called to be incarnational wherever we go, into the places that God has sent us, to be a light to a community and to the world so that they may know of God's love. This is my recommitment to God's work in His Kingdom.

After Urbana, God presented me with an unique opportunity to be sent into the world this summer. I will be going on a month-long mission trip to China as part of the Global Partnership program organized by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF). I am joining a team of Canadian students and staff to be part of the amazing work that God has already been doing in China. Please pray for us and for the people we are going to meet there.

Michael:

URBANA 2009 was a time of renewal and recommitment. Many lessons were learned or refreshed. I was particularly touched by messages given on December 29th by three different speakers. First, our Bible expositor, Ramez Atallah encouraged us to practice graduated (increasing) tithe. As our income increase, so should the percentage of our offering. He compared the idea to the different tax brackets we have today. He also shared with us a way to determine whether we should make a purchase or not by asking ourselves whether it is a tool or a toy. He also encouraged us to live below our income and to give more to the missions.

The first speaker in the evening, Shane Claiborne gave quite a few memorable lines. Two of them stuck in my mind, possibly for a very long time. They are “The blessings of God are too good to keep for ourselves,” and “If you cannot give away your possessions, then they are not your possessions. You are their possessions!”

Oscar Muriu spoke last and did it well. He gave a touching testimony about his attempt to bring a prostitute to Christ. He thought he was able to answer any questions and to resolve any situation. But this lady was different. She would loved to come to Christ but she felt she couldn’t as she had to feed her two years old daughter while she did not know any trade and could only sell her body. He watched her leave, speechless and powerless. Through this story, he intended to remind us that we must be humble while we are on mission fields. We cannot have a know-it-all attitude. We must be ready to listen.

Irene:

A seminar designed specifically for international students had a great impact on me. It was about “going back.” The seminar reminded us about the love and the passions we have to possess toward our native country. We were being sent by God to other countries for a purpose. We should not forget our countries; instead, we need to pray firmly for God’s people in our nations and praying for more people knowing Christ. The speaker also drew some examples about people who have devoted themselves for their countries. Some people returned to their countries to spread the gospels. Some staying abroad increasing others awareness on their countries. In the past, most missioners being sent to Taiwan were foreigners. However, I think, us, who speak the native language of our mother land would make a greater difference on our land. We should really be the one who spread the gospels in our land and do something for our nations

Melanie:

My second Urbana experience helped me to realize God's work in me for the past few years. I believe that my calling from God is to spread the gospel through missions. At Urbana, one of my favorite speakers, Shane Claiborne, encouraged us to live our life for Jesus, and to spread Jesus to the lost, the blind, the poor, the outcast, the hungry and the sick. Jesus gave himself for us so we can live, and the best way we can live our life is to give ourselves to others.

Hilary:

Mission isn’t only about going out of my own country to try reaching foreigners in remote areas; but, simply staying in my community to try reaching those whom I am familiar with and yet to be Christians. I never understood that there is a second part to the meaning of mission until I went to Urbana. God not only allows me to understand this second meaning through speaker Ramez Atallah, but He even uses me to play the role of leadership for both Marianopolis Christian Fellowship and TRC Youth Fellowship in which I am able to carry out my faith into actions by sharing it with my dear brothers and sisters. That being said, the most important for me right now is to share my faith with my parents whom are yet Christians.

God never said this work would be easy, and He’s right. It could be difficult at times. However, through these few opportunities like Urbana and thankfully, the upcoming summer retreat, I will learn even more about mission and be even more equipped for the process to become an effective witness for God in my community.

Joseph:

I am impressed by the variety of music that the worship team presents. We can worship God with so many ways and with so many languages and cultures. Each way has its own beauty. I appreciate a lot the fact that no matter who we are, we will find a way that suits us to worship Him from the bottom of our heart.

I like how they arranged the seminars. It is so specific to any kind of people that are in different fields. It’s also a way to help us to apply our faith in our life, especially at school and at work.

From those speeches, I realized that I should have a larger view of Christianity. Just like Jesus who welcomes everyone including the Samaritan woman, we should be opened to everyone and shouldn’t judge them by their appearance.

The moment touched me the most is the prayer meeting with people from other countries. The power of prayer is so big that we can gather together and leave those culture gaps aside to be one in Christ. In Jesus’ eyes, we have no difference. We’re all his beloved sheeps.