2024年度經文「凡我所行的,都是為福音的緣故,為要與人同得這福音的好處。」(哥林多前書9:23)

2024年度經文「凡我所行的,都是為福音的緣故,為要與人同得這福音的好處。」(哥林多前書9:23)

主題經卷:但以理書
我們訂2024年的主題是《所行都為著福音》


《參考資料》

一.我自己要得著這福音,所以必須渴慕追求。

  • 福音不僅只是因信稱義、罪得赦免、能得永生,而是要得著基督所要我們得著的,以及所以得著我們的(參腓3:12);也就是我們成為神的兒女,要承受神的產業,也要被經營、製作成神的產業(參弗1:11)。我們要得著基督的豐盛,也要被模造得像耶穌,能彰顯祂的豐盛。
  • 因此我們不只是信靠耶穌,與神和好,還應該繼續追求,直到我們整個生命能以神為樂,基督成為我們一切的一切。我們不但經歷信靠基督而有的平安喜樂,並且生命操練成常常充滿喜樂、活在安息穩固中,結出聖靈的果子。
  • 向著神所有的追求,可以匯集在「追求認識神」這條水流中,像使徒保羅一般(參腓3:10)。這包括思想神的屬性,且像司布真一般,學習、默想並尊敬它們;讓至高者美妙的屬性,成為我們欣羨、愉悅的對象。司布真又說:當我們這樣將神的形像,持續地擺在我們面前時,我們將逐漸蛻變成祂的形像。

二.盼望別人也要得著這福音,所以需要學習如何幫助人得著。

  • 我們真實經歷信靠耶穌而因信稱義、重生得救、與神和好,那麼我們也能幫助別人得著這救恩。這是許多基督徒今天在世界許多角落正在做的事。
  • 如果我們經歷的救恩,包括更整全的福音,而能得窺基督測不透的豐盛,被聖靈充滿,而得以過一種住在基督裡,也住在神的愛裡的生活,安息穩固、自由豐盛,那麼我們也能幫助別人得著這樣的福音。
  • 我們將道理研究得好,傳達給人時也說得更全備、更清楚,會對人有幫助;但若我們所說的是我們已經有經歷的,就會更有能力與果效。像有人跟約翰.衛斯理說的:「內心的見證是最有力的見證。」

三.凡我所行皆為福音的緣故,在哪些情況中應該如何呢?

  • 在你的生活中,分出時間來為主作見證,無論是直接傳福音給某位親友,或是寫一點福音信息傳給人,或送人一點有福音性質的小禮物,或是參加教會的福音行動,都表明你有將與人分享福音,放在你生命的規劃中。
  • 在不是做這些事的時間裡,像在上班、在捷運上、在跟朋友喝下午茶聊天、上街購物、在路上開車等等時候,仍然留意不要有何言行會損害福音的見證。基督徒應該是用全生活,成為基督的見證的。「凡我所行的都是為福音的緣故」,就是全生活都在經歷福音、彰顯福音。
  • 跟人有何談話、議事或其他來往時,時常留意身邊的人的特質,在次要的事上儘量配合對方,不要讓對方得配合你。比方,我們自己儘量不要有食物的禁忌、習慣的執著,要更有基督徒的自由(凡事我都可行);真的有一些我們的堅持時,也儘量不要讓人家要配合我們,要像但以理一樣,用抱歉、商量的語氣表達我們的堅持。
  • 保羅說「凡我所行的,都是為福音的緣故」這句話之前,說的是:「我雖是自由的,無人轄管,然而我甘心作了眾人的僕人,為要多得人。」(林前9:19)「向什麼樣的人,我就做什麼樣的人;無論如何,總要救些人。」(林前9:22)

《但以理書的金言雋語》

  • 但以理卻立志,不以王的膳,和王所飲的酒,玷污自己,所以求太監長容他不玷污自己。(但1:8)But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.(NIV,下同)
  • 但以理說,神的名是應當稱頌的,從亙古直到永遠,因為智慧能力都屬乎祂。祂改變時候、日期,廢王、立王,將智慧賜與智慧人,將知識賜與聰明人。祂顯明深奧隱祕的事,知道暗中所有的,光明也與祂同居。(但2:20~22)and said: Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
  • 當那列王在位的時候,天上的神必另立一國,永不敗壞,也不歸別國的人,卻要打碎滅絕那一切國,這國必存到永遠。(但2:44)In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
  • 即便如此,我們所事奉的神,能將我們從烈火的窯中救出來;王啊,祂也必救我們脫離你的手。即或不然,王啊,你當知道我們決不事奉你的神,也不敬拜你所立的金像。(但3:17~18)If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
  • 這是守望者所發的命,聖者所出的令,好叫世人知道,至高者在人的國中掌權,要將國賜與誰,就賜與誰,或立極卑微的人執掌國權。(但4:17)The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.
  • 你所見的樹漸長,而且堅固,高得頂天,從地極都能看見。葉子華美,果子甚多,可作眾生的食物;田野的走獸,住在其下,天空的飛鳥,宿在枝上。(但4:20~21)The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds.
  • 在你國中有一人,他裡頭有聖神的靈,你父在世的日子,這人心中光明,又有聰明智慧,好像神的智慧;你父尼布甲尼撒王,就是王的父,立他為術士、用法術的和迦勒底人,並觀兆的領袖,(但5:11)There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.
  • 那時總長和總督,尋找但以理誤國的把柄,為要參他,只是找不著他的錯誤過失,因他忠心辦事,毫無錯誤過失。(但6:4)At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
  • 然而至高者的聖民,必要得國享受,直到永永遠遠。(但7:18)But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.
  • 我們的神啊,現在求你垂聽僕人的祈禱懇求,為自己使臉光照你荒涼的聖所。我的神啊,求你側耳而聽,睜眼而看,眷顧我們荒涼之地,和稱為你名下的城。我們在你面前懇求,原不是因自己的義,乃因你的大憐憫(但9:17~18)Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.
  • 為你本國之民,和你聖城,已經定了七十個七,要止住罪過,除淨罪惡,贖盡罪孽,引進(彰顯)永義,封住異象和豫言,並膏至聖者(至聖所)。(但9:24)Seventy “sevens” are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
  • 他就說,但以理啊,不要懼怕,因為從你第一日專心求明白將來的事,又在你神面前刻苦己心,你的言語已蒙應允,我是因你的言語而來。(但10:12)Then he continued, Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
  • 惟獨認識神的子民,必剛強行事。(但11:32)but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
  • 智慧人中有些仆倒的,為要熬煉其餘的人,使他們清淨潔白,直到末了;因為到了定期,事就了結。(但11:35)Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
  • 智慧人必發光,如同天上的光;那使多人歸義的,必發光如星,直到永永遠遠。(但12:3)Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
  • 你且去等候結局,因為你必安歇,到了末期,你必起來,享受你的福分。(但12:13)As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.

請思想下面真理與問題:

  1. 請用一句話,30字以內,敘述我們自己如何得著福音。
  2. 請用一句話,30字以內,敘述如何使別人也得著這福音。
  3. 請用一句話,30字以內,敘述「凡我所行都為福音的緣故」。

 

 

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