2023.09.16/17

From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Collins Kung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Looking back at the 3rd season, we have completed the selected reading of the book of Genesis from the Old Testament. We have learnt God’s creation, the fall of man, God’s salvation, the covenant between God and man – Noah, Abraham… and the ultimate redemption pointed to Abraham’s descendants, Jesus Christ the son of David.  Beginning in October, we go back to the New Testament and enter the 4th season of the sermon series – Selected Readings from the Gospel of Luke: Knowing Jesus, aligning with His heart.  From the book of Luke we learn to know Jesus and understand His heart.

The following are the scriptures we have selected. Let me make some introductions for everyone to study together:

• Luke 4:1-13 : Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil before he began his ministry. Why did Heavenly Father make such an arrangement? What does Jesus’ ability to overcome the temptation of the devil mean to mankind as a whole and to us?
• Luke 6:1-11 : During the course of His ministry, Jesus often clashed with the religious leaders, especially regarding the commandment to keep the Sabbath. He overturned the order established by them. Jesus declared that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. In the eyes of Jesus, how can we keep the Sabbath be in line with God’s will?
• Next, we will study Jesus’ subversive teachings in three preachings: the Sermon on the Plain from the book of
• Luke 6:17-26 : blessings and woe? He said: “Blessed are you who are poor… Blessed are you who hunger now… But Woe to you who are full now”, which seems have reversed the understanding of the mankind. Let’s learn from Jesus’ teachings and learn to follow Him.
• Luke 6:27-36 Jesus also said: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,” According to Jesus’ teachings, how should we treat our enemies? Is it really feasible in real life?
• Luke 6:37-42 Jesus taught us not to judge: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” What does it mean to judge someone? What’s the point?
• Luke 7:36-50, talks about a sinful woman anointing Jesus’ feet with perfume. Yet Jesus did not drive her away, but declared her sins to be forgiven, and we will learn the forgiving Lord from this.
• Luke 10:25-36, a lawyer stood up to test Jesus, but Jesus used the parable of the Good Samaritan to point out the man’s blind spots. Jesus used this parable to make us think about who is our neighbour? Let us know how to practice loving our neighbor.
• Luke 11:1-13, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Let us learn from Jesus, the praying Lord.
• Luke 14:25-35, Jesus challenged those who walked with Him, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple..” Is Jesus demanding too much? He wants to point out to his followers that He is the One who above all priorities.
• Luke 15:11-32, we will read the parable of the prodigal son, understand the heart of the Heavenly Father, and learn to align with the heart of the Lord. The Lord does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent.
• In December, we will study the message of the Messiah and prepare for the birth of the Savior. We have selected Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel’s prophecy about the Savior, and Luke 2:22-40, Simeon’s prophecy about the Savior.

Let us study together, learn together, “Knowing Jesus, aligning with His heart!”

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Collins Kung

2023.09.16/17

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

回顧第三季，我們已完成舊約創世記的選讀，我們看了神的創造，人的墮落，神的拯救，神人立約–挪亞，亞伯拉罕… 而終極救贖，指向亞伯拉罕的後裔，大衛的子孫耶穌基督。

從10月開始，我們回到新約，進入第四季的講道系列 — 路加福音的選讀：深識耶穌，切合主心。我們從路加福學習認識耶穌，體會祂的心腸。

以下是我們選讀的經文，讓我作一些簡介，讓大家一同學習：

• 路4:1-13記載耶穌基督未開始傳道事工，便要受魔鬼的試探，天父為甚麼有這樣的安排？耶穌能勝過魔鬼的試探，對整個人類，對我們有甚麼意義？
• 路6:1-11在傳道過程中，主耶穌常常與宗教領袖發生衝突，特別在守安息日的誡命上，祂顛覆了他們所確立的秩序。耶穌宣稱人子是安息日的主，究竟在耶穌眼中，如何守安息日才合神心意呢？
• 跟著，我們會分三講研讀耶穌顛覆性的教導：路加所記載的平地寶訓。
• 路6:17-26在論福與禍當中，祂說：「貧窮的人有福了…飢餓的人有福了…卻說：飽足的人有禍了」，好像顛倒了人所理解道理，讓我們學習耶穌的教導，學習跟從祂。
• 路6:27-36耶穌又說：「當愛你們的仇敵，善待恨你們的人。」按著耶穌的教導，我們該怎樣對待我們的仇敵呢？在實際生活上，真的可行嗎？
• 路6:37-42耶穌教導我們不要判斷人：「你們不要判斷人，就必不受判斷；不要定人的罪，就必不被定罪；要饒恕人，就必蒙饒恕」 怎樣才算是判斷人？這是甚麼道理？
• 路7:36-50，我們會看一個有罪的女人，用香膏抹耶穌的腳，耶穌卻沒有驅趕她，反而宣告她罪得赦免，我們從中認識這位寬恕的主。
• 路10:25-36，有一個律法師起來試探耶穌，耶穌卻以好撒瑪利亞人的比喻，指出這人的盲點，耶穌設這比喻，叫我們思考誰是我們的鄰舍？讓我們懂得如何實踐愛鄰舍。
• 路11:1-13，門徒請求耶穌教導他們如何禱告，讓我們從耶穌身上學習這位禱告的主。
• 路14:25-35，耶穌挑戰與祂同行的人，「如果有人到我這裡來，愛我不超過愛自己的父母、妻子、兒女、兄弟、姊妹，甚至自己的性命，就不能作我的門徒。」耶穌的要求是否過分？祂要向跟從的人指出，祂是那位超越一切優先次序之主。
• 路15:11-32，我們會看浪子的比喻，體會天父的心懷，學習與主的心看齊吻合，主不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。
• 來到12月，我們會看彌賽亞的信息，預備救主降生，我們選讀了路1:26-38天使加百列對救主的預言及路2:22-40西面對救主的預言。

讓我們一起研讀，一起學習，深識耶穌，切合主心!

主僕,
龔敏光牧師

2023.06.10/11

From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev. Collins Kung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

February 2, 1991 was a turning point in my life. With the feeling of reluctance, I said goodbye to my grandparents, parents, younger brothers and sisters and I immigrated from Hong Kong to Vancouver with my wife and her family.

On the day we arrived, a good friend of my wife happened to come to Vancouver from Toronto to visit her fiancé. We contacted her and arranged to meet up to worship on Sunday, February 3. Her fiancé picked us up and we came to Richmond Chinese Alliance Church. Looking back on this incident is amazing, none of us had visited RCAC before, it was just because her fiancé said that he wanted to listen to Rev. David Ng’s preaching, and Rev. David Ng was the senior pastor of RCAC at that time. RCAC became the first church I worshiped in Canada. From that day on, my wife and I stayed in this church family until today. I firmly believe that this is God’s leading. I also believe that every brother and sister who comes to RCAC has their own story and God’s guidance.

This year, RCAC celebrated its 46th anniversary. Although we lack a senior pastor, and the pastor of the English Ministries has also left; the entire pastoral team was willing to go the extra mile. The elders work closely with the pastoral team to keep the ministries of the church going. I am especially thankful for the following things:

• As the covid-19 pandemic subsides and social life returns to normal, most fellowships have resumed in-person gatherings.
• Since March this year, God has led Brother Frank Law to join our staff team as a part-time custodian. The cleanliness of the church has gradually improved.
• Since May, God has prepared sister Phoebe Yeung to be our part-time co-worker to assist the development of AYAYA ministries.
• We currently have three seminary interns, helping them to obtain internship opportunities in RCAC and training workers for the Kingdom of God.
• With the increase of group members and the attendance has stabilised, Samuel small group has officially become a fellowship,
• In terms of children’s ministries, the VBS will be resumed this year, hoping to reach more unchurch families.
• The Tsawwassen Ministry remains stable, the Cantonese Bible studies will begin in September.
• The Mandarin Alpha Course ended this past Thursday, and the Cantonese Alpha Course began smoothly on Monday this week.
• The church is planning to hold evangelistic meetings and arrange short-term mission trips in the fourth quarter of this year.
• We are now planning to resume summer camp in 2024.

We are so exciting for all the above thanksgiving items…

Brothers and sisters, as a member of the RCAC family, what do you have to be thankful for the RCAC?

The development and promotion of various ministries depends on the joint participation of brothers and sisters. Let us be thankful and join hands to hands to build the future together.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Collins Kung

2023.06.10/11

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

一九九一年二月二日是我人生的轉捩點，我帶著依依不捨的心情與我的祖父母、父母親、及弟妹道別，我和太太(師母)並她的家人從香港一起移民來到溫哥華。

到步當日，剛好師母的好朋友從多倫多來到溫哥華探望她的未婚夫，我們聯絡上她並相約在二月三日星期日到教會崇拜，她未婚夫就來接載我們，來到列治文華人宣道會崇拜。回想這事真是奇妙，我們四個人從未踏足過列宣家，只因她未婚夫說想要聽吳主光牧師講道，而吳牧師就是當時列宣家的主任牧師。就這樣，列宣家便成為我第一間在加拿大敬拜的教會。從那天起，我和師母就留在這個大家庭，直到今日。我深信這是神的帶領。我亦相信每一個弟兄姊妹來到列宣家，都有他們的故事，都有神的帶領。

今年列宣家已進入第四十六週年，雖然現在我們還未有主任牧師，英文部牧者亦離了職。然而，整個教牧團隊都願意多走一里路。長老們和教牧團隊緊密合作，讓教會事工繼續推進。我特別為以下事情感恩：

• 隨著covid-19疫程減退，社會生活復常，大部分團契已回復實體聚會。
• 從今年三月開始，神帶領羅向輝(Frank)弟兄加入我們的事奉團隊，成為部分時間堂務同工，教會的整潔漸漸改善。
• 從五月開始，神預備了李楊敏賢(Phoebe)姊妹成為我們的部分時間同工，協助AYAYA事工的發展。
• 我們現有三位神學院實習生，幫助他們在列宣家獲得實習機會，栽培神國工人。
• 我們的撒母耳少年小組，隨著人數加增及出席穩定，現已正式升格為團契。
• 兒童事工方面，今年復辦VBS暑期聖經班，盼望能接觸更多未信主的家庭。
• Tsawwassen 事工維持穩定，從9月會開展粵語查經。
• 國語啟發課程本週完結，粵語啟發課程本週順利開展。
• 教會正在籌劃在今年第四季舉辦佈道會及安排短宣旅程。
• 我們現正計劃2024年會復辦夏令會。

以上的感恩事項實在令人興奮…

弟兄姊妹，作為列宣家的成員，你又有甚麼事情為列宣家感恩?

各項事工的發展及推動，有賴各弟兄姊妹共同參與。讓我們齊來感恩之餘，一起攜手，共建未來。

主僕
龔敏光牧師

2023.04.29/30

From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev. Collins Kung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

From January to April 2023, our preaching series begin with the Gospel of John, we learn from the life of Jesus as our model for deeper life.

For the next two months starting in May, our preaching will go back to the Old Testament.  We will study the Book of Ezra – Building the House of God.

The Israelites were God’s chosen people, whom were supposed to be the most blessed ones. However, the Israelites did not respect God as God and serve God exclusively; instead, they turned to worshiping idols. God kept sending prophets to warn them, but they did not listen. As a result, the kingdom of Judah was captured by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC. From then on, the Israelites were exiled to Babylon and entered a period of subjugation.

However, God’s intention is to discipline them through exile and give them a chance to return. Through the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah, God declared the judgment (exile) and comfort (return from exile).

• 25:11-12 : “¹¹This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. ¹² Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the Lord, making the land an everlasting waste.”
• Jeremiah 29:10 : “¹⁰For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.”

God indeed is faithful. The first chapter of the Book of Ezra told us the fulfillment of the prophecy. At that time, the Babylonian Empire had fallen and was replaced by the Persian Empire. In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, Cyrus made a proclamation that the exiled Israelites could return to Jerusalem to build the House for the Lord. This is the first return. In our preaching for the next two months, we shall study chapter 1 to 6, focusing on the returned Israelites and how did they rebuild the House of God. Having God’s help did not mean the building of the House of God was no difficulties or challenges; there were numerous difficulties and obstacles. Finally, under the protection of God and the repentance of the Israelites, the project was eventually completed.

Our preaching series ends at Chapter 7, which tells us how Ezra led the Israelites for the second return and how God used Ezra to rebuild His people.

May we study God’s Words with our heart, I encourage you to read the scriptures (one chapter at a time) prior to worship, to listen to the sermon and to take notes of the sermon.  We learn from the vast experiences of Israelites of their return journey and apply it today to build the House of God.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Collins Kung

2023.04.29/30

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹： 

2023年一月至四月，我們崇拜的講道從約翰福音開始，學習以耶穌之生命為進深的典範。從五月開始，一連兩個月，我們的講道會回到舊約，從以斯拉記中學習，如何建造神的家。

以色列人被神揀選成為祂的子民，理應是最有福的一群。然而，以色列人卻沒有以神為神，專一事奉神，反而轉向敬拜偶像。神不斷差遣眾先知警告他們，他們卻不聽從，結果在主前586年連南國猶大也被巴比倫帝國攻陷。從此，以色列人被擄到巴比倫，進入亡國時期。

然而，神的心意是要藉著被擄管教他們，給他們回轉的機會，神曾藉先知耶利米的口宣告審判(被擄)及安慰(被擄回歸)的信息。

耶25:11-12 這全地必然荒涼，令人驚駭。這些國民要服事巴比倫王七十年。七十年滿了以後，我必刑罰巴比倫王和那國民，並迦勒底人之地，因他們的罪孽使那地永遠荒涼。這是耶和華說的。

耶29:10 耶和華如此說：為巴比倫所定的七十年滿了以後，我要眷顧你們，向你們成就我的恩言，使你們仍回此地。

神果然是信實，以斯拉記第一章記載先知預言的應驗。此時，巴比倫帝國已覆亡，被波斯帝國取而代之。波斯王古列元年，古列王下詔宣告被擄的以色列人可以回歸耶路撒冷為耶和華建造殿宇。這是第一次的回歸。在我們這兩個月的講道中，我們會細看第一章至六章，焦點放在回歸的以色列人如何重建聖殿。有神的幫助並不等於建造聖殿的事情就會一帆風順，當中遇到各樣的艱難及阻滯。但終於在神的保守及以色列人的回轉下得以完成。

最後，我們的講道系列以第七章為終結，看看文士以斯拉如何帶領以色人第二次回歸，看看神如何藉著他重建聖民。

我鼓勵大家在敬拜前先自行閱讀相關經文(每次一章)，然後每次崇拜時聽道做筆記，一齊用心學習神的聖言。讓我們一起進入以色列人回歸之旅，從他們豐富的經歷中學習，應用在今天我們如何建立神的家。

主僕
龔敏光牧師

2023.03.04/05

From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev.Collins Kung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Reflecting on the loss of my mother recently reminds me of this verse from Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die…a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…”

When we are born and when we die is not something we can control or decide, it is determined by God.

My mother once told me that she wanted to return to heavenly home early, because she felt that her health was deteriorating, and she is living in the torment of illness every day, and it was difficult to continue to live in such a way. When I heard her saying this, I felt sad in my heart, but I also understood her desire. I felt the conflict in my heart. As her son, I don’t want to see her suffering indefinitely nor wanting her to die early.

I still remember that our family always gave her positive energy every time we visited her through the video call in the hospital or nursing home. We comforted her with the words of the Bible and hymns. We prayed for her too, asking God to give her strength and mercy, peace and joy to go through each day. I did not ask our Heavenly Father to take her away as soon as possible, but asked the merciful Lord to give her strength to live every day.

Her passing recently reminded me that God has His time to make everything beautiful in its time.

First of all, the day of her death (Hong Kong time: February 8th) happened right after our church’s Tuesday prayer meeting. I firmly believe that God has heard all of our prayers, and according to His good will, let her rest from her labors on the earth and rest in the arms of the Lord. After the prayer meeting, I received the message from my family that the nursing home informed us that my mother lost consciousness and was sent to the hospital where her death was confirmed. According to the daily routine in the nursing home, she had a shower that morning, she had lunch, and she rested. She went with the Lord in her sleep. No one knows, neither the staff at the nursing home nor my family, not even herself, only God knows.

Secondly, after the prayer meeting on Tuesday, it was Wednesday, which happened to be my Sabbath. I was riding a bicycle alone, passing the woods and seaside to meditate quietly. I cried while cycling, and I released all my suppressed emotions. God let me cry for the whole day, and I gradually calmed down.

Thirdly, when I was preparing to preach the following week, I had scheduled the story of the resurrection of Lazarus long time ago. God comforted me with His words when I prepared the message, John 11:25 Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live”, God himself wiped away my tears.

Fourthly, I recalled the video call with my mother a week before she passed away. At that time, she was well and more responsive than any previous visits in the past. She asked us questions and answered our questions. So I encouraged her to recite the Lord’s Prayer to us, and she recited it verbatim. (Unlike in the past she just followed us to read in broken sentences). At the end of the visit on video, I prayed for her and she responded with amen. Although I can no longer talk to her now, this conversation allowed me to witness the kindness of God, and I have no regrets.

Finally, God has made a way for me to return to Hong Kong to attend my mother’s funeral. Originally, I was scheduled to preach on March 18/19, instead we have “One Circle” worship team to lead the worship and to preach that week, which had lessened my work load. I have arranged to return to Hong Kong from March 13-17, the impact on the church’s ministries will be reduced to the minimal between the two Sundays during my absence. Furthermore, the travel restriction between China and Hong Kong had been uplifted, our uncles, aunts and other relatives can also come to Hong Kong from the mainland China to attend the funeral service. This is a good opportunity for them to hear the gospel. May God use Mother’s funeral service as an opportunity to witness the gospel.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”

May all glory to our Heavenly Father, amen!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Collins Kung

2023.03.04/05

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

反思媽媽最近的離去，讓我想起傳道書這段經文。傳道書3:1-4「萬事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時：生有時，死有時…哭有時，笑有時…哀慟有時，踴躍有時…」

人幾時生，幾時死，不是人能控制及決定，是神定規的。

媽媽曾經對我說，想早點回天家，因為她自覺身體健康日走下坡，每天要活在病痛的折磨中，要繼續活下去是艱難的。當我聽到她這樣說時，心裡感到難過，但也明白她的想望，感覺十分矛盾。為人子女，那有想自己母親早日離世，但同時又不想她受苦。

還記得每次跟她在醫院或護老院進行視像探訪時，我們家人總是給她正能量。藉著聖經的話語，詩歌，給她安慰。也為她祈禱，祈求神賜下足夠的恩典，賜她力量、平安與喜樂渡過每一天。我沒有求天父把她早日接去，只求那憐憫的主賜她力量過每一天。

她最近的離世，讓我想到神有祂時間，使萬事各按其時，成為美好。

首先，她離世的日子(香港時間:二月八日)，正是發生在我們教會週二祈禱會後。我深信是神聽了我們眾人的祈禱，按著祂美好的旨意，讓她息去地上的勞苦，安息在主的懷中。祈禱會後，我收到家人的消息，說老人院通知我們，媽媽失去知覺，送到醫院已證實死亡。

她在院舍當天早上洗過澡，吃了午飯，就休息。她應該是在睡夢中被主接去。沒有人知道，院舍的員工不知道，家人不知道，她自己也不知道，唯有神知道。

第二，週二祈禱會後正是星期三，剛好是我休假的安息日，我一個人踏著單車，去到樹林海邊安靜默想，邊走邊哭，我把抑壓的情緒釋放了。神讓我有一整天哀哭，心情慢慢平復過來。

第三，當我預備下週講道信息時，我是一早安排了講拉撒路復活的故事。神讓我藉著預備信息時，用祂的話安慰了我，約翰福音11:25「耶穌說：“我就是復活和生命；信我的人，雖然死了，也要活著。」神親自抹乾我的眼淚。

第四，回想媽媽離世前一星期與她視像，當時她表現良好，比任何先前探訪時候更有反應，有問有答。於是我鼓勵媽媽念主禱文給我們聽，她竟然一字不漏的背出來。（以前她只是在我們引導下，斷斷續續地跟著我們讀出來。）當天結束視像時，我為她祈禱，她以阿們來回應。雖然現在已不能再跟她談話，但這次的對話讓我看到神的恩慈，我感覺到沒有遺憾。

最後，在回港參加母親的安息禮一事上，神已為我開路。三月18/19日原先是編排了我講道，但那週同心圓敬拜隊會負責敬拜和講道信息，減輕了我的負擔。我已安排了3月13-17日回港，在兩個主日之間，對教會事工的影響減到最低。再者，因中港兩地全面通關，我們的舅父舅母等親人亦能從內地到香港參加安息禮拜，這是一個好機會讓他們聽到福音信息。願神使用母親的安息禮拜，成為見證福音的機會。

傳3:11「神造萬物，各按其時成為美好，又將永生安置在世人心裡。然而神從始至終的作為，人不能參透。」

願一切榮耀歸給我們在天上的父，阿們！

主僕
龔敏光牧師

2022.12.31/2023.01.01

From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev.Collins Kung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

RCAC is an English/Chinese/Mandarin trilingual church. We have five worship congregations yet we share the same goal – to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and fulfill the Great Commission. We demonstrate the unity of our church through our common theme and common preaching messages.

This weekend’s worship will cross two years, from 2022 to 2023. We will also start a new theme from the New Year:  “Deeper Life, Broader Vision”. I have chosen to use two words, “deeper” and “broader”, to emphasize our need for action, and not just slogans. We uphold the traditions of the Christian Missionary Alliance.  On the one hand, we believe that believers must grow in spiritual life and  Christ followers must learn His teachings and put His teachings into practice. Jesus Christ is our role model, we deepen our spiritual life through His words and deeds. On the other hand, we need to broaden our horizons and recognize who are our neighbors, so that we can embrace the world and obey the Great Commission declared by the Lord.

From January to April 2023, we will study the Gospel of John and take the life of Jesus as examples of life deepening:

Beginning with the incarnation of Jesus Christ, He humbled Himself from the position of God to the likeness of man. John 1:18 ” No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”  Jesus Christ manifests a life centered on God. Wherever he went, he preached the gospel to the people he met and challenging their beliefs and lives.

• He spoke to the Jewish teacher Nicodemus about the need to be born again.
• He talked to the Samaritan woman about the living water and made her realize the Messiah in front of her eyes.
• He fed 5,000 people with the miracle of five loaves and two fishes, exhorting people to pursue the bread of life.
• How He treated a woman caught in adultery and declared Himself to be the Light of the world.
• He declared Himself a good shepherd, willing to lay down His life for the sheep so that the sheep could have abundant life.
• He raised Lazarus back to life, declared that He is the resurrection and the life, and gave hope of resurrection to the world.
• According to the date prophesied in the Scripture, He entered Jerusalem meekly on a donkey, showing that He is the King of Israel who came in the name of the Lord.
• He shared the Last Supper with His disciples, washed their feet, and instituted the Eucharist for the disciples to remember the new covenant with Him.
• When the disciples were sad, He comforted them He is the way to God the Father.
• He emphasized to his disciples that the relationship with himself should be connected like the true vine with its branches, and they should remain in the Lord.
• Before going to the cross, He offered the High Priest’s Prayer to intercede for the disciples.
• In the end, He fully obeyed, was delivered into the hands of the religious leaders, and died on the cross for us by laying down His life.
• The story is not over yet…He resurrected on the third day and defeated death according to His prophecy to the disciples.
• After His resurrection, He appeared to His disciples, strengthened Peter, and charged him to follow the Lord’s example and shepherd the flock.

Let us study the Gospel of John from a deeper life perspective, learn to imitate the life of Jesus as an example to a deeper life, and exhibit the beauty of Christ. May glory and praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ, amen!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Collins Kung

 2022.12.31/2023.01.01

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

列宣家是一間兩文三語的華人教會，我們有五個崇拜群體，卻有著一個共同的目標，傳揚耶穌基督的福音，實踐大使命。我們透過同一的全年主題，同一的講道信息，展現教會的合一。

本週崇拜將橫跨兩個年度，由2022年過渡到2023年，從新的一年開始，我們亦開始新的全年主題，就是「進深靈命，擴闊視野」。我選擇了以兩個動詞「進深」和「擴闊」，為要強調我們需要行動，盼望我們不是停留於口號。我們秉承宣道會的傳統，一方面，我們認定信徒要在屬靈生命上長進，信徒跟隨耶穌基督，就要學習祂的教訓，並且把祂的道理落到實處。以基督為靈命進深的榜樣。我們要從祂的言行學習進深。另一方面，我們要擴闊視野，認清誰是我的鄰舍，使我們能胸懷普世，遵行主頒佈的大使命。

2023一月至四月，我們從約翰福音，學習以耶穌之生命為進深的典範：

由耶穌基督道成肉身開始，看到祂從神的位分降卑到成為人的樣式。約1:18「從來沒有人見過神，只有在父懷裡的獨生子把他彰顯出來。」認識耶穌基督是怎樣彰顯一個以神為中心的生命。祂所到之處，向所接觸的人傳講福音，挑戰他們現有的信仰及生活。

• 祂與猶太人的拉比尼哥德慕談論重生的必要。
• 祂與撒瑪利亞婦人談論活水，讓她認識到眼前的彌賽亞
• 祂以五餅二魚的神蹟令5000人吃飽，勸告人要追求生命糧。
• 祂怎樣對待一個行淫中被抓住的婦人，宣告自己就是世界的光。
• 祂宣告自己是好牧人，願意為羊捨命，叫羊得著豐盛的生命。
• 祂叫拉撒路復活，宣告祂就是就是復活和生命，給世人復活的盼望。
• 祂按聖經預言的日子，騎著小驢謙謙和和地進入耶路撒冷，表明祂就是奉主名來的以色列王。
• 祂與門徒共享最後晚餐，為他們洗腳，設立聖餐要門徒記念與祂所立的新約。
• 門徒憂愁時，祂安慰門徒祂就是通往父神之路。
• 祂向門徒強調與自己的關係要像真葡萄樹與枝子這樣連結，要常在主裡。
• 在上十架前，獻上大祭司的禱告，為門徒代求。
• 最後，祂完全順服，被交在宗教領袖手裡，為我們捨棄生命，死在十字架上。
• 故事還未完結…按著向門徒的預告第三日復活，戰勝死亡。
• 祂復活後向門徒顯現，堅固彼得，囑咐他效法主的榜樣，牧養群羊。

讓我們一起從進深靈命的角度研讀約翰福音，學習以耶穌之生命為進深的典範，彰顯基督的榮美。願榮耀頌讚都歸與我們的主耶穌基督，阿們!

主僕
龔敏光牧師