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是的，我願意：特具意義的感恩節

Written by Editor1

2022.10.15/16

列宣家親愛的弟兄姊妹：

今年的感恩節對我來說特別有意義，很想在此和大家分享我的喜樂。

從教會的角度來看，各堂崇拜除了以感恩為主題，我們並為總共19 位新兄弟姊妹（2022 年共有29 位肢體受洗）接受洗禮而慶祝。我有幸參加了所有四堂中文崇拜的洗禮，見證了不同接受洗禮肢體的喜悅淚水，滿有盼望的閃爍眼神，以及從堅定相信和滿有確據所流露的笑容。當不同的牧者問及每個領洗者是否相信耶穌基督為他/她的救主時，總是聽到，每個堅定而喜樂的肯定回答：我相信。接著當被問及他/她是否會按照神的話語緊緊跟隨基督時，每個人再次以清晰響亮的聲音回答：我願意。一位姊妹事後對我說，她說“我願意”比她在婚禮中發出的誓言更加堅定。事後，她也被家人和朋友送來如潮水般的禮物和祝福所淹沒，心中感到比自己的婚禮更興奮激動。

各堂崇拜中有不少感人的時刻，這裡僅列舉幾例和大家分享。在國語崇拜中，一位母親偕同不久前到來尋求真理的女兒，雙雙在聚會中欣然接受了洗禮。一位於星期六粵語崇拜，多年來遲遲未受洗的姊妹，在她的丈夫和女兒以及許多鼓勵她的弟兄姊妹的見證下受洗。

在AYAYA青年崇拜，也有很多感人的見證，比如有丈夫於家庭關係復和後，他在妻子和女兒面前接受了洗禮。陳榮基傳道於數年前在一家超市遇到的另一位姊妹也接受了洗禮。在主日粵語崇拜中，一位懷孕的母親想和她的丈夫一起受洗，因為他們希望孩子能出生於一個基督化家庭，他們渴望成為良好的基督徒父母。另一位女士願望接受洗禮，因為她意識到自已以前的信仰流於虛假的，並且她渴望成為一個真正的基督徒。我可以繼續引述其他的例証，但您可以在下一期『匯』期刊中閱讀到他們的見證。
在主日粵語崇拜中，龔敏光牧師根據十個痳風病人得醫治傳講福音信息：十個得了醫治的，只有一個得救。主日粵語崇拜中，在洗禮結束時，聖靈催促我發出呼召，邀請在見證洗禮後若有願意接受基督救恩的舉手表示。會眾當中的一人立即舉手回應並站起來接受表示相信接受基督時，我們感到非常驚喜，全會眾都發出熱烈的掌聲。是的，主的靈在會場中運行工作！感謝聖父、聖子和聖靈！
就我個人而言，在去年經歷了疫情大流行和事奉的挑戰後，這崇拜對於我在列宣的事奉來說是一個適切的總結，見證了在過去十年中總共有大約 200 人受洗，成為神的兒女和成為神家中的一分子。這實在是見証著我們所侍奉的神是何等的信實，以及衪的而且確是在我們中間運行工作。願榮耀全然歸給神！

主僕,
李耀全牧師

教牧心聲

Grace upon grace

Written by Editor1

2022.10.08/09

From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev.Collins Kung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Recently, I saw on TV news that the storm battered the Atlantic Province, houses and roads were severely damaged and devastated, there are still power outages in many parts of the region. It was really appalling. Another storm hit Florida in the US which also caused severe damage.

When a reporter interviewed an owner of a tourist camp in Prince Edward Island, he said most of the holiday homes had been destroyed and all travelers who had booked the camp had to cancel. The reporter also visited the owner of an oyster farm, he told him that most of oysters in the bay were damaged and he suffered heavy losses!

Thanksgiving reminds me that God is the source of all His grace

When I see this news, I pray for them. At the same time, I am thinking what would I do if it happened to me? I am so thankful in my heart that God keeps me peace and calm every day.

These kinds of things remind me that things happen as planned should not be taken it for granted. You can come and go safely, you go to work and come home safely.  It is God’s protection!  We should be thankful for what God has done to us every day. When we are thankful, we acknowledge that God is the source of all grace. HE is the One controls everything in the universe, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.

We often think that everything is under our control. In fact, it is the grace of God that everything can be done according to our plan. I personally believe that God has done miracles on me. For example, if I want to travel abroad, there are actually many uncertainties. I may be infected with Covid-19 and cannot make the trip. May be the plane is delayed and is too late to make connection flight to the destination. May be the airport security check takes too long and I missed the flight. Maybe upon my arrival to the destination, my luggage is missing. To be able to go and return safely is actually God’s gracious hand upon me! James 4:13-15 gave me a great reminder: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Thanksgiving reminds us of God’s countless grace

Psalm 103:2 ” Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,!”

When we give thanks to God, we remember God has a lot of grace in us, we will not forget it so easily. When I started ministering at the beginning, an old pastor taught me to include thanksgivings in my prayer items, I am doing it until to date. In the Old Testament, when God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites,  Exodus 20:2 God said: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” God told the Israelites to follow the feasts to remember the grace of God so that they can pass on their faith from generation to generation. When the Israelites forsook God, and didn’t even keep the Passover. They became ungrateful. Only when we always be thankful, we will remember that God has countless graces.

Thanksgiving keeps us connected to God and grace upon grace

When we have a thankful heart to God, we always look upon God, just like the relationship of the vine and the branches, be connected with God. John 15:5 The Lord Jesus said, “…whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit…”. When you experience the grace of God, you will trust Him more. The more you trust HIM, the more grace you will receive from God. John 1:16 “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

May all brothers and sisters be a person who always be thankful to God!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Collins Kung

教牧心聲

恩上加恩

Written by Editor1

2022.10.08/09

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

最近從電視新聞畫面上，看到風暴吹襲大西洋省分，當地很多地方仍然停電，房屋及道路受到嚴重破壞，滿目瘡痍，真是慘不忍睹。另一風暴亦吹襲美國佛羅里達州，同樣造成嚴重破壞。

記者訪問愛德華王子島上一旅遊營地東主，他說大部分渡假屋已被吹毀，所有預定了營地的旅客都要取消。記者又訪問一位生蠔養殖場的東主，他在海灣中的生蠔大部分被破壞，損失慘重！

感恩讓我能想起神是神一切恩典的源頭

當我看見這些事件時，就為他們禱告。與此同時，我思想若這樣的事情發生在我身上，我又會怎樣呢？我心裡只有感恩，神賜給我平靜安穩的日子。

這些事件提醒我，很多日常事情能按預定計劃發生並不是必然的。你能夠出入平安，平安上班和平安下班不是必然的。其實是神在保守你！我們應當為每天神所成就在我們身上的事感恩。當我們感恩時，就是承認神是一切恩典的源頭。祂是那位掌管宇宙萬一切的那一位，祂是那位昔在，今在，以後永在的全能者。

很多時候，我們以為一切都在我們計劃之中，掌握在我們手中。其實，所有事能按我們的計劃成就，便是神的恩典。我個人認為神已在我身上行了神蹟。舉例來說，要出國旅行的話，當中其實有很多不確定的因數，我可能會感染Covid-19，不能成行，可能飛機脫班，來不及接駁往目的地，可能機場安檢時間太長，錯過了我的航班，又可能我去到目的地，才發覺我的行李遺失。能夠平安去平安返，其實是神施恩的手幫助我，讓我經歷神蹟，能出入平安！雅各書4:13-15給我很大的提醒：「嗐！你們有話說：今天明天我們要往某城裡去，在那裡住一年，做買賣得利。其實明天如何，你們還不知道。你們的生命是什麼呢？你們原來是一片雲霧，出現少時就不見了。你們只當說：主若願意，我們就可以活著，也可以做這事，或做那事。」

感恩讓我們想起神有數不盡的恩典

詩103:2「我的心哪，你要稱頌耶和華！不可忘記他的一切恩惠！」

當我們向神感恩時，就會不期然想到神實在在我們身上有很多恩典，令我們不會那麼容易忘記。曾經初為傳道時，一位老牧師教導我，祈禱事項需要加上感恩事項。直到如今，我都謹記在禱告中要有感恩。在舊約中，當神要向以色列人頒布十誡時，在出埃及記20:2神這樣說：「我是耶和華─你的神，曾將你從埃及地為奴之家領出來。」神要以色列人守節，就是要他們記念神的恩典，讓他們能將信仰代代相傳。當以色列離棄神時，連逾越節也不守。成為忘恩負義的人。唯有我們常常感恩，就會想起神有數不盡的恩典。

感恩讓我們常常與神連結，而且恩上加恩

當我們向神常存感恩的心，就會常常倚靠神，就像葡萄樹與枝子的關係一樣，與主連結。約翰福音15:5主耶穌說：「…常在我裡面的，我也常在他裡面，這人就多結果子…」。一個人越經歷神的恩典，越會信靠祂，當我們越信靠神，就會越得到神的恩典。正如約翰福音1:16從他豐滿的恩典裡，我們都領受了，而且恩上加恩。」

甚願弟兄姊妹做一個常存感恩的人！                                                                      

主僕
龔敏光牧師

教牧心聲

From where does my hope come?

Written by Editor1

2022.10.01/02

From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev.Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Ps 121:1,2) Recently I was able to see again the majestic Rockies and was reminded how great God is, and I realized that God is my help, even as I was in my own struggles. I was reminded of one of my favourite songs in Winter Conference:

Who made the mountains? Who made the trees? Who made the rivers flow to the sea?
And who sends the rain when the earth is dry? Somebody bigger than you and I.

When I am weary, filled with despair. Who gives me courage to go on from there?
And who gives me faith that will never die?  Somebody bigger than you and I.

By looking at the hills, the troubled psalmist found his source of help that he was looking for. It was found in the Creator of heaven and earth. For all of us, after almost three years of Covid which exacerbate whatever troubles we are experiencing, we are looking for help from everywhere. The psalmist saw in and beyond the beautiful hills, his help comes from the Creator who made the hills, the mountains and all the wonderful things in nature. Often at the top of the hills are built the places of worship. So looking at the hills is like seeking the presence of God.

If in Christ as the Saviour, I see love, the love of God, and in Christ as the Sanctifier and healer, I see faith, God’s faithfulness, then in Christ as the Coming King, I see hope, ultimate hope.

Often, we become Christians because we see and experience God’s love. Then as we strive to be good Christians, we learn that it is Christ who enables us to grow and we can turn to Him when we are weak, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But still after trying to learn to follow Christ the Saviour, the Sanctifier and Healer, we are in situations where we seem to be stuck in our different difficulties, or to be stricken with sickness that are incurable, or become the victims of irreparable broken relationships… When we come to the end of the road, remember Christ is the Coming King, and therein lies our eternal and ultimate hope. Therefore, I would like to rephrase the above verses for this article as:

I lift up my eyes to heaven. From where does my HOPE come? My HOPE comes from the LORD, Christ the Coming King.

We are reminded of the words of the two messengers (angels) of God to the disciples at the ascension of Jesus Christ:  … as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1: 9-11) What does Christ coming in the same way means? From the context it means that Christ ascended in a cloud, and will return in like manner, physically, in view of the people (Rev. 1:7) and to the Mount of Olives (Zech 14:4).

But these words were also spoken after Christ Jesus have told the disciples not to focus on “When” will be the “times or seasons” which has been fixed by the authority of God the Father.  Instead, the disciples were to focus on the Great Commission: …But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” At that time, the disciples were more concerned with “justice”, the restoration of the earthly kingdom of Israel, but Christ was concerned only for the gospel and the expansion of the Kingdom of God. Indeed, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be “witnesses” of Christ to the whole world. It is when this Great Commission is accomplished that Christ will return. As the hymn goes,

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full, in his wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of his glory and grace.

From where does my hope come? It comes from focusing on Christ the Coming King, and His mission for us.

Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Simon Lee

教牧心聲

我的盼望從何而來？

Written by Editor1

2022.10.01/02

親愛列宣的弟兄姊妹，

“我要向群山舉目，我的幫助從哪裡來呢？ 我的幫助是從造天地的耶和華而來。”（詩121:1,2）

最近，我有機會遙望雄偉聳立的洛磯山脈，我再次被提醒神是多麼的偉大，並且我意識到即使我落在自己的掙扎中，神是我的幫助。我想起了曾在冬令會中我所最喜歡唱的一首歌Who made the mountains?：

誰造青山高，樹木插霄？誰造碧水長，奔向汪洋？
誰降甘霖滋潤乾涸地？有一位比你我更偉大。

當我困倦，灰心沮喪，誰能激勵我續奔前程？
誰能給我永不衰退之信心？有一位比你我更偉大。

透過觀察群山，這位陷入困境的詩人找到了他所尋求的幫助來源。乃是在於那創天造地者的神。對於我們所有人來說，經過將近三年的新冠疫情加劇了我們所遇到的任何麻煩，我們正在探求各方面的幫助。詩人遠望美麗山巒映入眼簾，他更超越地看到了來自創造山巒、阡陌和自然界所有奇妙事物那位造物主的幫助。敬拜之所一般是建造在山峰之上。因此，向高山仰望就像尋求神的同在。

基督成為我們的救主，我在其中看到了愛，神的大愛；基督成為我們的為成聖者和醫治者，在其中我看到了信，神的信實；基督是我們再來之王，在其中我看到了望，永恆終極的盼望。

許多時候，我們成為基督徒是因為我們看到並經歷了神的愛。其後，當我們努力成為好基督徒時，我們會瞭解到因著靠賴基督我們得以成長，當我們在身體、情感和靈性上感到軟弱時，我們可以轉向祂。但在努力學習跟隨救主基督、我們的成聖者和醫治者的過程中，我們似乎會陷入不同的困境，或被無法治癒的疾病所困擾，或會成為無法挽回的破裂關係的受害者…當我們走到人生路的盡頭時，請記住基督是即將來臨的君王，其中蘊含著我們永恆和終極的盼望。我意欲將詩詞改寫為下列詩句：

我要向天舉目。我的盼望從何而來？我的盼望是從主，基督–將要再臨的君王而來。

我們可會想到在耶穌基督升天時，神的兩位使者(天使)對門徒所說的話：…他們還在看的時候，他被接上升，有一朵雲把他接去，就看不見他了。當他往上升，他們定睛望天的時候，忽然有兩個人，身穿白衣，站在他們旁邊，說：“加利利人哪，為甚麼站著望天呢？這位被接升天離開你們的耶穌，你們看見他怎樣往天上去，他也要怎樣回來。” (徒1: 9-11)
基督將以同樣的方式降臨是什麼意思？從上文下理來看，意即：基督在雲彩中升天，並將以同樣的方式返回，在眾目睽睽之下降臨（啟1:7）於橄欖山上（亞 14:4）。

但這些話也是在耶穌基督告訴門徒不要專注於祂將會在“何時”再臨，因“時間或時期”是出於父神的權柄所確定的，之後說的。相反，門徒們必須專注於大使命：“…可是聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必領受能力，並且要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地、撒瑪利亞，直到地極，作我的見證人。”

那時，門徒更關心的是“公義”，即地上以色列國度的復興，而基督只關心福音和神國度的擴展。的確，我們被聖靈賦予了在全世界做基督的“見證人”的能力。當這個大使命完成時，基督就會回來。

我的盼望從何而來？我的盼望來自於專注於基督再來之君王，並祂所託付我們的大使命之上。

主僕,
李耀全牧師

教牧心聲

The Trappings of Leadership and the Welcome of our Lord

Written by Editor1

2022.09.24/25
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev.Jason Cheung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

46  Jesus’ disciples were arguing about which one of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he had a child stand there beside him. 48  Then he said to his disciples, “When you welcome even a child because of me, you welcome me. And when you welcome me, you welcome the one who sent me. Whichever one of you is the most humble is the greatest.”

  • Luke 9:46-48

Celebrity pastors are the tip of the iceberg that is the church today.  You may have heard of the falls of pastors like Bill Hybels, Mark Driscoll, Carl Lentz, Bruxy Cavey.  Overreach of power, sexual promiscuity and marital unfaithfulness, and abuse.  And cover ups.  This isn’t the world of politics, this is the church of Jesus Christ.

Yet, we all must see the glaring warning signs, even if – especially if – we are not pastors.  Without doubt, pastors called to gospel ministry are held to a high standard.  There is great consequence given the responsibility.  But celebrities are celebrities because people follow them.  And the church today – no matter the country, denomination, size or make up – every church is susceptible to the worship of pastors.

A friend remarked to me, walking out of a session at a Christian conference (for leaders no less), that the stirring message we just heard drew us to know more about the speaker (and his marriage and his kids), than Jesus.

That observation stuck with me.

There is a reason for this phenomenon.  When preachers tell stories about themselves more than about Jesus, this interests people, it resonates relevancy, and communicates to the masses that the person on stage “is just like me.”  But the pulpit was never meant to be a platform for the preacher.  It is rather, a resounding beacon of the Gospel of Jesus.  For sure, in the art of sermon delivery, personal experience and stories certainly help communicate the gospel; but these stories should never supplant the story of the “old-rugged cross.”  If in my preaching you know more about me, than about the beauty and majesty of God, then I have failed.

Pastors who constantly refer to themselves need friends, not a congregation to love them.

Leading well is crucial.  But leading God’s people is not exercising greater faith than all those I am leading.  I hope this is a relief to you who lead bible studies, lead a Sparks or T&T group, lead a community or fellowship group, or just lead your family.  The heavy burden of expectation that you must have greater faith in order to lead, is a myth and a lie.  (Listen carefully, as those in positions of leadership often tell this lie).  The measure of “greater” is a concept of the world, creating a man-made hierarchy that hinders the flourishing of the priesthood of all believers.  The gospel doesn’t nurture greater Christians and lesser Christians, just faithful Christians.

You only need the faith of a child.  Jesus taught this very thing to his grumbling, power-grabbing disciples.  Just faith.  Simple, child-like faith.  Not greater education.  Not greater experiences.  Not greater ability.  Not greater credentials.  Just faith.

Perhaps we have made too much of leaders among us, and not enough of our Lord.

Notice how Jesus turns the disciples’ attention away from themselves, and onto how to commune deeper with him and the Father.  Jesus masterfully disciples us, like this:  “You want to be great?  Then, humble yourself and open your arms to welcome the least of all.  This is how you are to be great in my kingdom.  Humility.”

Pastors (who are people) will almost always disappoint us in some way.  Give them grace, for they are not perfect.  But also etch this clear in your mind: faithful pastors point you to Jesus  and not to themselves.   There is no place in God’s church for celebrity pastors.  Let’s not elevate these brothers and sisters to an expectation that will ultimately crush them.  Rather, thank God, for faithful leaders who point us with quiet assuredness to the glory and goodness of Jesus, our Lord and our Redeemer

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jason Cheung

教牧心聲

跟從牧者還是跟從耶穌

Written by Editor1

2022.09.24/25

 親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

有名氣的牧師可能是當今教會的冰山一角。你可能聽過Bill Hybels、Mark Driscoll、Carl Lentz、Bruxy Cavey 等牧師，這些有名氣的牧師都因著戀棧權力或者是在婚姻上不忠而讓他們的事奉蒙上陰影。是的，這些問題不只是在政治上，也會在屬於耶穌基督的教會中發生。

毫無疑問，牧者是被呼召作福音工作，需要有高的標準，責任重大，否則後果堪虞。但是為什麼這些牧者會被定為有名氣的牧師，因為有很多會眾追隨他們。今天的教會，無論是在任何地方，任何宗派，任何規模都無一倖免，都會有機會墮入了一個問題，就是追隨牧者，而不是追隨基督的行列。

記得有一位朋友，和我在離開一個基督教的會議的時候，和我分享就是在會議上所聽到的訊息像是知道更多關於牧者的事多過於耶穌基督。

這個分享讓我印象深刻。

這種現像是有原因的。當牧者講述他們自己的故事多於耶穌的時候，一開始的目的可能是想引起人們的興趣，並產生共鳴，並向會眾傳達牧者其實“就像你們一樣”。但講台從來都不是牧者的平台。相反，它是用來宣講耶穌基督的福音。當然，在講道中，個人經歷和故事是可以幫助會眾更了解福音。但這些故事絕不應該完全取代“古舊十架”的故事。如果在我的講道中，你對我的了解多於對神的榮美的理解，那我就是徹底失敗了。

牧者是需要朋友的，但不需要會眾來仰慕他們。

好的領導是關鍵。但領導神的子民並不需要比這些會眾有更大的信心。我希望這對於那些在不同崗位事奉的同工們，你們可以鬆一口氣。期望你必須有更大的信心才能領導是一個沉重負擔，載著，這是一個謊言。“更多”，“更好”的尺度是一個從世界而來的觀念，並因此造成了很多人為的等級制度，並因此阻礙了所有信徒屬靈生命的成長。福音不會培育更好的基督徒和不好的基督徒，只會建立忠心的基督徒。

你只需要一個孩子的信心。路加福音9:46-48耶穌透過這個方法來教導那些經常抱怨、以權力為一切的門徒。需要的是一顆單純的信心，一顆像孩子般的信心。而不是更高的學歷；不是更多的經驗；不是更多的才能；也不是更多的見證。只是需要有信心。

也許我們是在高舉領袖，而不是高舉耶穌了。

請注意耶穌如何將門徒的注意力從他們自己的身上轉移到如何與天父有更深的溝通。耶穌巧妙地透過一個問題來教導我們：“你想成為大的？首先，要謙卑自己，張開雙臂歡迎最小的。這就是你如何在我的國度裡能夠成為大的－你需要謙卑。”

牧者都是人，他們並不完美，會在某些事情上讓我們失望，我們要恩慈對待我們的牧者。但也要在自己的腦海中清楚記住這一點：忠心的牧者會指向耶穌，而不是他們自己。在神的教會裡沒有有名氣的牧師的位置。讓我們不要把這些牧者抬高到一個地步最終會壓垮他們。相反，感謝神給予我們忠心的牧者，以一種確信的心指向耶穌基督的榮美，因為祂是我們的主，我們的救贖主。

主僕
張志成牧師

教牧心聲

My kingdom is not of this world (2)

Written by Editor1

2022.09.17/18

From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Daily we meet people or encounter news of people suffering grievously from the injustice of society and the devastation of wars. Christians face the dilemma of facing this injustice of the kingdoms of this world while trying to hold on to our belief that the justice in the kingdom of God will prevail. We are torn by the reality of this world and the hope we have in “heaven”!

In my previous article: “My kingdom is not of this world (1),” I shared with you the words of Jesus who said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”– John 18:36.  We concluded, “What we have to offer in the Church above all, is the gospel of the kingdom of God, a kingdom of love, peace, and justice, one that the world does not offer. The gospel is therefore our top priority and our answer to the world of hate, unrest, and injustice.”

In this second article, I intend to go a little deeper into what these words mean by focusing on the context of Jesus’ words in John 18. Jesus was being tried by Pilate in the governor’s headquarters and Pilate asked the Jewish accusers “What accusation do you bring against this man?” The crowd was evasive in their reply: “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” (29, 30) In the Gospel of Luke, however, the real reason for the false accusation of the Jewish people becomes apparent, put in a way that Pilate must handle as it relates allegedly to the challenge to the Roman authority: And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” (Luke 23:2) The crafty, cunning and blasphemous way the Jewish crowd used in putting together various bits of information for this false accusation is quite disconcerting, to say the least. But it nevertheless at least shows that they could not deny there are two conflicting systems of “justice” at work.

Pilate, being himself a shrewd politician, was able to see through their plot to their motive which was to use him to bring down the death sentence on Jesus, something they knew they could not do themselves. So Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” By this, he also clearly affirmed that there are two “legal” systems, the Roman or the Jewish.

My purpose here is not to wade into the complex theological debate of the doctrine of the two kingdoms, but to simply say that we cannot escape the fact that we Christians are citizens of two worlds, one that is earthly and the other that is heavenly, and we all must live in this tension as we as Christians face the injustice and evils of the world in which we live. Returning to Jesus’s words in John 18: 36 we can summarize what Jesus said by the following simple points:

  • Jesus’ kingdom is not a rival political kingdom.
  • Jesus’ kingdom does not originate from this world, but from heaven.
  • Jesus’ kingdom has peace and not war as its base and agenda.

Decades later, Paul reaffirmed that Jesus’ kingdom established by Jesus going to the cross is based on sacrificial love, righteousness and humility, so different from the worldly kingdom that it is the exact opposite of what the Jewish people expected and what the Gentile world valued: “to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness.” (1 Corinthians 1:23)

In the context of the Gospel of John, we can see that for John, there are always dichotomy like, light and darkness, freedom and slavery, righteousness and evil… Thus, when Christ says his kingdom is not of this world, John wants us to note that Christ rules in a spiritual kingdom manifesting that He is “the way, the truth and the life,” (John 14:6) in contrast to the worldly kingdom of waywardness, untruth and death.” When Jesus was facing the betrayal of His own people and the injustice of this world, His ultimate defence was pointing the authority and the people to the truth: “I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (37)

Earlier John has recorded what Jesus himself had already taught: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31,32) Again He said, “36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

May we seek this ultimate TRUTH and true FREEDOM that Jesus Christ offers to us all.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Simon Lee

教牧心聲

我的國度不屬於這個世界（二）

Written by Editor1

2022.09.17/18

親愛的列宣家的弟兄姊妹

每天我們都會遇上一些受害者或聽到因爲社會的不公義和戰爭的破壞而感到痛苦不堪的消息。基督徒面對這個世界的不公義的同時，又要試圖堅持我們的信念，即上帝的國度的公義將會勝過一切。我們就在這兩種背道而馳的張力低下感受到難過和無奈。

我在兩週前的分享：“我的國度不屬於這個世界（1）”，講到了耶穌的話，他說：“「我的國不屬於這世界；如果我的國屬於這世界，我的臣僕就要作戰，使我不至被交給猶太人。不過，我的國不是這世上的。」”(約翰 18:36)。我在總結裡提到：“我們在教會中首先要宣揚天國的福音，這是一個完全愛、和平與公義的國度，是世界無法提供的。因此，傳福音是我們的首要任務，也是我們對這個仇恨、動盪和不公義的世界的回應。”

在這一次的分享中，我打算通過關注約翰福音 18 章中耶穌的話的上下文來更深入地了解以上耶穌的話的含義。彼拉多正在審判耶穌，彼拉多問那些猶太的控訴者 –“「你們控告這個人甚麼呢？」他們隱晦地回答：「如果這個人沒有作惡，我們就不會把他交給你。」” (29, 30) 然而，在路加福音中，猶太人的誣告的真正原因變得顯而易見，彼拉多無法不認真處理，因為是對羅馬權威的挑戰有關：他們開始控告他說：“「我們查出這個人煽惑我們的同胞，阻止納稅給凱撒，並且自稱是基督，是王。」” （路加23:2）猶太人以狡猾和褻瀆神明的方式，用虛假的指控來指控耶穌基督，至少可以說根據猶太人的指控，耶穌基督的行為是相當令人大大不安。無論如何，在這些指控中，有一點很清楚，那就是他們不能否認有兩種相互衝突的“公義”體系正在影響著他們。

彼拉多本身就是一個狡猾的政客，能夠看穿他們的陰謀，了解他們的動機：就是要利用他的權力來判決耶穌死刑。因為這個是他們單方面無法做到的。於是彼拉多對他們說：“你們自己去拿他，按你們自己的律法審判他。”通過這一點，他也明確地肯定了有兩種“法律”制度存在，一個是屬於來自於羅馬的政權的，另外一個是屬於猶太人。

我無意在此加入有關於兩個國度的複雜神學辯論，而是要提出，我們無法逃避這樣一個事實，即我們基督徒是處於兩個世界的公民，一個是地上的，另一個是天上的，我們作為基督徒必須要面對世界的不公義甚至於是邪惡。我們可以用以下簡單的要點來總結耶穌約翰福音 18:36所說的話：

  • 耶穌的國度不是與世界敵對的政治國度。
  • 耶穌的國度不是來自這個世界，是來自天上。
  • 耶穌的國度的基礎及議程是和平而非戰爭。

幾十年後，保羅重申，透過耶穌的十字架所建立的國度是基於犧牲的愛、公義和謙卑，與世俗的國度大大不同，與猶太人的期望和外邦人的價值觀完全相反: “在猶太人看來是絆腳石，在外族人看來是愚笨的。” （林前 1:23）

透過約翰福音的上下文中，我們可以看到，他用二分法來區別神的國度和世界，光明與黑暗，自由與奴隸，正義與邪惡……  因此，當基督說他的國度不屬於這個世界時，約翰想要我們注意到基督在一個屬靈的國度中掌權，表明他就是“道路、真理和生命”（約翰 14:6），這與在世俗中遇到的歪路、非真理和死亡形成鮮明對比。”當耶穌面對自己百姓的背叛和這個世界的不公義時，他最終的回應是向權威和人民導向真理：“我要為真理作見證，我為此而生，也為此來到世上。凡是屬於真理的人，都聽我的聲音。」” (約翰 18:37)

約翰曾記載了耶穌基督的教導：““你們若持守我的道，就真是我的門徒了； 32 你們必定認識真理，真理必定使你們自由。” （約翰 8:31, 32）; 耶穌又說：“ 所以，神的兒子若使你們自由，你們就真的得自由了。 」” （約翰8:36）

願我們尋求耶穌基督給予我們的真理和真正的自由。

主僕，
李耀全牧師

教牧心聲

Back to School

Written by Editor1

September 10/11, 2022

From the Pastor’s Desk:Pastor Alex Poon

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Growing up, I always had to remind myself that the “new year” didn’t start in September, it starts in January… but it just feels like the Fall holds much more significance.

Because September brings news backpacks, new pencils, new notebooks… new teachers, new schedules, new friends, and potentially even new schools.

The launch of a new academic year is an intimidating process – for both students and their families. The countdown begins in mid-August, as students make the realization that school is just around the corner. It’s a mental battle at that point – preparing for all the adjustments that will come. Then the big day finally arrives. New hallways are wandered, new classrooms are soaked in, new syllabi are handed out – and at some point, or another on that first day – students feel either a rush of excitement… or they make a wish that time would somehow rewind back to the summer. Do you remember that feeling? I imagine that’s what a lot of our students faced this week as classes began.

For us who have left this stage of life behind; how can we lift up our students in prayer?

Here are a couple suggestions:

  1. Gospel Joy

We need the joy of the Gospel every day. Pray this for all you know.

We need continual assurance that our sins are forgiven because of Christ, that our God is for us and not against us, that we are destined not for wrath but for everlasting joy – all because of the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Pray for belief and faith.

Our Living God is with us in every new moment, we are in His presence – and our relationship with Him even gives us a purpose in vocation, a hope for today’s trials, and a heart of thanksgiving that renews each morning.

  1. Sacrificial Love

At some point or another, our students will come across a situation where they will be asked to lay down their desires – to love on another. Love will require sacrifice, time, effort – even inconvenience.

Will our students notice the peer who is struggling? Will they say the “unpopular” thing and stand up for someone who is neglected, cast away and dejected?

Will our students love God, even with their schedules?

Will families prioritize Christ, over a pursuit of achievements?

We need a fresh reminder that it is God who schedules our day. “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that”. For our “lives are like a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:13-17).

Let’s keep our eyes fixed on our God who sends us into these places of training and equipping. It is He who helps us marvel at His creation through tools and technology, through formulas and pondering thoughts. And by His wonderful grace, He leads us into a vocational path that honors Him, with all the abilities He gifts. And by His side, abiding in His will – we will find our satisfaction in yesterday’s work, our contentment for today and a joy for tomorrow’s new adventures.

Join us in prayer:

Our Lord God, we surrender our students to you. They are beautiful and a delight in your eyes. Each of them is special, unique, and wonderfully made. Our students will face trials each day – may their “soul cling to you, may your right hand uphold” them (Psalm 63:8). May this academic year be glorifying to you – we long for stories of students turning to you in wonder, students finding their purposes in you, and families adoring you as one. Let us, your Church, love our students well – in discipleship, and through prayer. This we pray in your precious name, Amen.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Alex Poon

教牧心聲