May 15-16, 2021
李耀全牧師

親愛列宣弟兄姊妹，

“到加拿大國慶日，所有人(12歲及以上)，將均已接種疫苗！” 在超過一年的COVID-19之後，這真是個好消息。自2020年3月中旬以來，我們一直生活在疫情大流行的陰霾之下，每天的死亡人數和死亡的總數也令人震驚，遠遠超越了我們以前所見過的人數。當我自己的女兒Sarah在一個月前被檢測出COVID呈陽性時，我們感到極為無助。師母和我必須分別隔離於自己的房間內14天！讚美主在那段考驗期間保護了我們。

但對我和我們中間許多基督徒而言，更困難的是，我們無法“回到教堂”去敬拜，我們無法可像在正常情況般，一同向神祈禱呼求，及在主內群體中得到鼓勵。也許我們終於能夠在隧道盡頭看到了曙光。最終，我們希望能很快重返神的殿裡去敬拜！

最近，我有機會在教主日學時研讀詩篇42篇(與43篇連貫）。就如在詩篇84篇中(我們上次所看的詩篇)一樣，詩篇42篇的標題與本詩一樣是由“可拉的後裔”所寫，其主題亦是“渴望在神的殿中”。神對詩人的父親(先祖)利未人可拉(Korah the Levite) 背叛神被審判，故此我們看到作者如何珍惜能夠在聖所中侍奉神的寶貴機會(代上9:19)。我們可從詩篇42和43篇中看到證據，證明其時他已被擄(43:1)，很可能這就是他不能去到聖殿敬拜神的原因。我們同時還看到他著受到不敬虔的人的迫害和嘲笑的證據(42:9; 43:2)，甚至他開始感到神已離棄了他(42:9; 43:2)。

在過去的一年中，美國前總統將病毒稱之為“中國病毒”，北美地區的反亞裔情緒日增。我們聽到有關在溫哥華和列治文，發生於許多無辜的人，如長者及婦女身上，在光天化日之下受到種族歧視和暴力的可怕故事。因此，除了擔心感染病毒外，許多在北美的亞裔人士還須應對在這個我們看為自己的國家-這個我們居住了多年的地方-所帶來的額外社會壓力。因而導致我們在身體和精神上，以及在身體及社交距離所承受的壓力上，更感疏離和孤立。雖然這與詩人於被擄時的經歷相去甚遠，但今天我們也正在經歷詩人所感受到的一些心靈衝擊。

詩人如何能從完全絕望中轉變成真正的盼望？他是如何將他的哀嘆變成讚美的誓詞？我要指出的是，詩篇中的幾個重要環節是詩人從絕望走向尊崇讚美神的過程。

1. 持守對神熱切的渴慕（42:1-2）
“神啊，我的心切慕你，如鹿切慕溪水。” (42:2) 這一切都始於我們的內心。圖畫描繪的是一隻鹿也許跋涉於乾旱的沙漠至溪水之地，一邊喘著氣，一邊滿足地享受著清涼的溪水。因此，儘管詩人的處境如此，但他仍然強烈地渴望親近被他稱為“永生神”的神。他的神是“活著的”神，因為祂是生命和盼望的源頭，祂是人生風暴中的錨。

2. 持守在神面前赤露敞開(坦誠)的心（42:3, 5a, 9a, 10, 11a; 43:1a）
詩人不怕在神面前傾嘆自己的哀傷，沮喪和內心的沖擊。事實上，我們有一位大祭司就是基督耶穌，祂深深明白我們所有的痛苦和苦困，因為祂本身曾經歷了最艱難的考驗和試探，並且戰勝了罪惡和死亡。神能明白理解我們的困境，因此我們可以毋須掩飾地將內心痛苦傾倒在祂面前，甚至包括我們對神的絕望和失望。

3. 持守(堅持)不忘神過往一切的恩典、信實和供應
詩人記念昔日到聖殿朝聖的美好時光(42:4），記念神創造的美麗和威嚴(42:6,7)，以及神晝夜的保護(8)。正如詩歌作者提醒我們：“主的恩典樣樣要都數，若把主的恩典從頭數一數，必能叫你驚訝主奇妙看顧。” 因此，今天在困難時期中，我們需要特別記住神在過去所有的恩典和賜福。在我們仍無法回到教堂裡敬拜時，讓我們記得能在過去如此行是神所賜何等的恩福。當我們感到低沉和沮喪時，看看自然界中神美好的創造並思想祂的偉大，就會知道祂從未離開過我們。

4. 持守在神面前禱告的心
儘管詩人的處境艱難，但他始終沒有停止誠懇地和熱切地向神禱告(42:9, 10; 43:1,2），他確認神是他的“拯救”，“磐石”和“避難所”。他抓著神的應許呼籲神的拯救，及按神自己的名(神的名聲/聲譽)和主權向神呼求(42:9, 10; 43:1,2)。我們越是感到絕望，我們的祈禱就越應堅定。好消息就是:神確實回應我們的禱告。

5. 持守在神面前敬拜的心
值得注意的是，詩篇作者不斷地督促自己，他再三地提醒自己要對神存著盼望，並且立誓要讚美祂(42:5b, 11b; 43:5)。儘管我們也處於相同的情況下，我們親近神的熱切渴慕，能使我們在神面前充滿敬拜讚美的心。我們知道，最要緊的是我們可在任何地方敬拜祂，也知道終有一天我們能夠與所有親愛的弟兄姊妹一起在神的居所中敬拜祂。這是詩人的祈禱，現在也應該成為我們的祈禱。“求你發出你的亮光和真理，好引導我，帶我到你的聖山，你的居所。我就走到神的祭壇前，到神、我極帶的喜樂那裡。神啊！我的神啊！我要彈琴稱讚你。” (43: 3,4)
阿們！

主僕,
李耀全牧師

May 15-16, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters,

“By Canada Day, all (age 12 and up) will be vaccinated!” What a great news after over a year of COVID-19. Since mid-March 2020, we have been living under the dark cloud of the pandemic, seeing the daily and total death toll in staggering numbers far beyond what we have ever seen in our lifetime. We had a taste of the deep helplessness when a month ago my own daughter Sarah was tested positive for COVID, Lydia and I both must be self-quarantined from her and each other, each in our own rooms! Praise the Lord for protecting us through that period of trial.

But for me and many of us Christians, the worse thing is that we cannot “go back to Church” where we normally can cry out to God for help in prayer and get the encouragement from our fellow brothers and sisters in the community of God. Maybe we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Finally, we have hope that we will return to worship in the house of God soon!

Recently I had the opportunity of studying Ps 42 (and 43 connected) in teaching Sunday School. As in Psalm 84 (which we looked at last time), Psalm 42 bears the name “of the Sons of Korah” as the psalmist and has the same theme of “yearning to be in the house of God.” We have seen how the author treasures the precious opportunity to be able to serve God in the sanctuary, despite the judgement of God on Korah the Levite, his father (I Chron. 9:19ff). Here we see in Psalm 42 and 43, evidence that he was in exile (43:1) which most probably was the reason why he could not go to the temple to worship God. We also see evidence of him being persecuted and scorned at by ungodly people (42:9; 43:2) to the point that he started to feel that God had abandoned him (42:9; 43:2).

Dubbed as the “China virus” by the former President of United States, anti-Asian sentiment has grown more and more over the last year in North America. We hear of horrible stories of racial discrimination and violence, against innocent people, many seniors and women, even in Vancouver and Richmond, often in broad daylight. So on top of all the fears from contracting the virus, many Asians in North America have to deal with this additional social pressure in this our adopted country, a place where we have called home for many years. Because of this, we feel even more alienated and isolated, resulting in physical and mental stress, from the physical and social distancing. While this is a far cry from what the psalmist experienced while he was in exile, some of the turmoil that the psalmist felt is being experienced by us today.

How did the psalmist go from total despair to real hope? How did he turn his lament to vow of praise? I would like to point out several important movements in the psalms that was the process by which the psalmist journeyed from desperation to exaltation.

1. Maintaining a strong thirst for God (42:1-2)
“My soul thirsts for God, the living God.” (42:2) It all starts with where our heart is. The picture is that of a deer perhaps travelling for a long time from an arid desert to the streams of water, panting and being satisfied by the cool and fresh water that he could drink. So despite his circumstances, the psalmist maintained a strong desire to be close to God whom he recognised as “the living God.” His God is the “living” God because He is the source of life and hope, therein lies his anchor in the storm of life.

2. Maintaining an honest heart before God (42:3, 5a, 9a, 10, 11a; 43:1a)
The psalmist is not shy about lamenting before God about his feeling sad, downcast, and full of inner turmoil. Indeed we have a High Priest in Christ Jesus who understands all our pains and suffering because He himself has endured the worst of trials and temptations, and has come through victoriously (over sin and death). God knows where we are and therefore we can pour our heart of misery before Him, with no pretense, including even our desperation and disappointments with God.

3. Maintaining a wholesome remembrance of God’s grace, faithfulness and provisions in the past
The psalmist remembers the good old days of pilgrimage (42:4), the beauty and majesty of God’s creation (42:6, 7), and the protection of God night and day (8). As the songwriter reminds us, “Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings and see what God has done,” so today we need to remember especially in hard times all the blessings of Gods in the past. When we cannot go back to worship in the sanctuary, let us remember how blessed we were when we were able to do so in the past. When we feel down and depressed, look at the beautiful creation of God in nature and ponder on His greatness, and know that He has never left us.

4. Maintaining a prayerful attitude before God
Despite his difficult circumstances, the psalmist never ceased to go to God in sincere prayer and earnest petition (42:9, 10; 43:1,2), recognising Him as his “salvation,” “rock” and “refuge.” He appealed to God’s promise of deliverance and God’s own name (reputation) and sovereignty (42:9, 10; 43:1,2). The more desperate we feel, the more persevering should our prayers be. The good news is God does answer prayers.

5. Maintaining a worshipful heart before God
It is remarkable to note the constant refrain of the psalmist where he reminds himself again and again to hope in God and vow to praise Him (42:5b, 11b; 43:5). Our strong desire to draw near to God leads us to a worshipful heart before Him, despite the circumstances we are in. “I shall again praise him” (42:5, 11; 43:5), says the psalmist. This we know, first we can worship Him anywhere, and also we will again one day be able to go and worship Him in His house, together with all our dear brothers and sisters. This is the prayer of the psalmist, and should be ours now, “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” (43: 3,4) Amen!

Your servant in Christ

Pastor Simon

May 01-02, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Do you yearn to be back at church? I do. It has been 14 months since the lockdown of the church due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When it started, I was hoping that it would last maybe till the end of the summer of 2020. Then it stretched to the end of the year and we had hoped with the beginning of vaccination, we should be back by the end of the summer of 2021. But now with the new variants of the virus spreading rapidly, with over 1000 cases each day, and the shortage of the vaccines, it seems the end is nowhere to be seen. I hope that we are all keeping well, but we all yearn for the day when it is safe to return.
The psalmist (of the Sons of Korah) once wrote of a remarkably similar experience of yearning, though of course in a very different situation, and we find it in Psalm 84. A probable scenario was the writer could not go to Jerusalem to worship, maybe to celebrate one of the three annual feasts (Ex. 23:17; 34:23), for whatever reason. His sole desire was to “appear before God in Zion.” (7) He “desperately want to (“my soul longs, it even pines for”) be in the courts of the Lord’s temple.” (2a) What can he do? How can he deal with such a hopeless situation? What can he teach us for our situation today?

1. Maintain your delight in the Lord (1-4)
In the pandemic, instead of sitting around bored and miserable, or trying to do all sort of things to fill the void, we can see how the psalmist maintains his focus on the delight of going to the temple to worship God. He describes the temple as “lovely” or “beautiful.” It is lovely not necessarily because of the architecture, important as that is, but because it is “the place where God (you) lives,” His house (4, 10) and the place where God’s glory dwells (Ps 26:8). Yet we also know that God cannot be contained in man-made buildings (Acts 7:45-50). So, while to pay special respect for the house of God dedicated for His worship and yearn to be there, we can also worship God anywhere. The heart of the psalmist is always yearning to worship, with joy, the living God (2). The psalmist is even envious of the birds and the swallow that can nest in the temple courts, to be near the altars of the Lord of hosts (the heaven’s army). By that he means that one is “blessed” to “live in your temple and praise God continually.” (4) So even though today we cannot physically be at the Church where we gather to worship as a community, we can still meet virtually together, or meet God personally wherever we are, enjoying being in his presence. We know that one day our delight and hope will become a reality. May it be soon.

2. Draw your strength from the Lord (5-8)
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (5, ESV) We find our strength in the Lord, and we can approach Him anytime as if there is a map to God (Zion) written on our hearts, and we can be like the pilgrims who are on their way. The number of pilgrims grows bigger as they drawn near to the temple. They have gone through the valley of Baca (weeping or affliction) that God has turned into a spring. The rain has covered the dry valley will pools of water. What a meaningful picture of God’s blessings on all who seek to draw near to God. Whatever difficulties or pain we are experiencing, God can turn them into fountains of joy. It is interesting to note that while the throngs of pilgrims travel together, we note that “each appears before God in Zion.” (7) We draw strength from drawing to God both as a community and as individuals. This we can continue to do in the pandemic.

3. Put your trust in the Lord (9-12)
The psalmist recognized that it is a blessing to be able to put his trust in the Lord of host. (12) To be in the house of God for a day is better that spending a thousand days elsewhere. (10a) It would already be a privilege to just stand at the gate (doorkeeper?) of the house of the Lord, and it is certainly much better than living in the tents of the wicked (10b). The fact that the psalmist was of the sons of Korah may give us a clue as to why he sees this as such an honour. Levites in their service also guarded the sanctuary (I Chron. 9:19). Korah was a Levite who rebelled against God and Moses and was slain (Num. 16:26). However, his children (sons of Korah) were spared and continued to serve at the temple (Num 26:11). Therefore, the psalmist declared, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (11) We are blessed by a God who is merciful and can be trusted, even though we are unworthy. No matter what background we may have or whatever past we have come from, we can always draw near to God. The only think we must do is to live with integrity. Many of us also recognize it is a joy to serve God whatever role we may have, be it big or small, even during this pandemic.

May we yearn to be in the house of God!

Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Simon Lee

May 01-02, 2021
李耀全牧師

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

你渴望回到教堂嗎？我肯定是。自從教堂因COVID-19大流行而被封鎖以來已經過去了14個月。當它開始的時候，我還希望它可以持續到2020年夏天就結束。但它一直延續到去年年底，我們便希望隨著疫苗接種的開始，我們應該在2021夏天結束前回去教會。可惜這病毒的新變種正在迅速傳播，每天有1000多例，而且疫苗又短缺，因此似乎回教會又遙遙無期了。我希望我們都安全健康，我們都渴望早日安全返回教會。

詩人可拉之子曾經寫過一篇非常相似嚮往回聖殿的經歷，儘管當時情況很不一樣，我們在詩篇84中找到了共鳴。也許是詩人乃出於想去聖殿慶祝猶太人每年三個大慶典之一，而不能成行（出23:17; 34:23），他唯一的願望是“出現在錫安的上帝面前”。（7）他“迫切希望（“我的靈魂渴望，甚至渴望”）在主殿裡的院子。（2a）他能做什麼？他如何應對這種絕望的局面？他給予我們今天的情況有些什麼教導？

1. 保持對主愛慕喜悅的心（1-4）
在疫情大流行中，我們可以看到詩篇作者的心如何保持專注於嚮往在聖殿敬拜神的喜悅，而不是沉緬於無聊苦悶和情緒低落之中，或試圖做各種事情來填補心中的空虛。他形容神的殿宇是何等“可愛”或“美好”。聖殿之所以可愛不在於其建築設計的美麗，而是因為它是“神的居所”、神的家(4、10)及神榮耀的所在(詩26:8）。但我們也知道，神不能被限制於人手所造的建築之中（徒7:45-50）。因此，在特別尊重敬拜上帝並渴望在聖殿上帝之家之同時，我們亦可以在任何地方敬拜上帝。詩人的心一直渴望快樂地敬拜永生的上帝（2）。詩人甚至羨慕可以在聖殿院子築巢的鳥兒和燕子，這些鳥兒和燕子可靠近萬軍之主（天國的軍隊）的祭壇。他的意思是說，一個“有福”的人，就是哪些可以“住在你的聖殿裡，不斷讚美上帝。”（4）因此，即使今天我們不能親自來到教會聚集, 一起進到社群行禮拜的教堂，我們仍然可以虛擬地相遇，或者無論身在何處，都可以親身到神面前，享受在他面前的喜樂。我們知道，有一天，我們的喜悅和希望將成為現實。可能很快就實現。

2. 從主那裡汲取力量（5-8節）
“靠你有力量，心中嚮往通到聖殿大道的，這人是有福的。”(5《新譯本》)我們在主裡找到了自己的力量，我們可以隨時親近他，就好像我們心中刻有走向上帝（錫安）的地圖一樣，我們可以像朝聖者在朝聖。當朝聖者靠近聖殿時，朝聖者的數量就不斷增加。他們經歷了巴卡（哭泣或苦難）山谷，上帝將它變成了泉源。雨水已經覆蓋了乾燥的山谷，積水成池。上帝對所有尋求親近上帝的人的祝福真是有意義的描繪，淋漓盡致。無論我們遇到什麼困難或痛苦，知道上帝都可以將它們變成喜樂的源泉。有趣的是，當朝聖者聚集在一起時，我們注意到詩人強調“每個人都出現在錫安的上帝面前”。 （7）無論是作為群體還是作為個人，我們都從親近上帝汲取力量。我們可以在大流行中繼續這樣做。

3.信靠耶和華（9-12）
詩人認識到能夠信靠萬軍之耶和華是一種祝福。（12）在神的殿裡一日比在其他地方一千日更好。（10a）僅僅站在主殿的大門上（作門衛？）已經是一種特權，而且肯定比住在邪惡的帳篷中要好得多（10b）。詩篇作者是可拉的兒子，這一事實可以為我們提供線索，說明他為何認為這是一種榮耀。原來在職的利未人也守衛著聖所（代上9:19）。可拉是一個利未人，背叛了上帝和摩西而被殺了（民16：26）。但是，他的孩子們（可拉的兒子）得以倖免，繼續在聖殿裡服事（民26:11）。因此，詩人宣稱：“因為耶和華上帝是太陽與盾牌。耶和華賜福與榮耀。他沒有阻止那些直立行走的人的好事。”（11）即使我們不配，我們也有一位仁慈且可以信賴的上帝的賜福。無論我們有什麼背景或有什麼過去，我們總是可以親近上帝。我們唯一必須做的就是過著誠信之生活。我們中的許多人也認識到，即使在這種大流行期間，無論大小事情，我們都可以侍奉上帝，這是一種喜悅。

願我們的心也羨慕渴想一起在神的殿敬拜與侍奉！

主僕,
李耀全牧師

Apr 10-11, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

The Easter of 2021 has come and gone, but the message that Jesus is risen lives on.

Every year we try to highlight the centrality of the Easter story, and this year it was made difficult again by the Covid 19 pandemic, now in its second year. Every year I struggle at these annual junctures when the same old story must be proclaimed again, as I feel duty-bound to lead our people to the cross of Calvary, lest we forget. I struggle because after preaching the same material over so many years, I feel I have nothing more to say that has not already been said. But this year was different.

For one thing, this year I asked the rest of the pastoral staff to preach on Good Friday and at each of the five services on the Easter weekend, and each pastor shared the load admirably and eloquently. Not only were the sermons fresh, clear and to the point, but they were also both devotional and evangelistic. The services were very creative, the music heart warming, and the messages uplifting. Thanks to all who made them possible and allowing me to sit back and enjoy my Easter this year by soaking in every word of the great story of Easter.

Another reason it has been different because I realized much more personally that the Easter story is made alive in the powerful stories of all the saints who lived and died believing the resurrection of Jesus was true and is live changing. One verse reverberates in my mind as I listened to each and every sermon, in all three languages: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (I Cor. 15:14, 20)

As I sat through each service, and as I was leading the communion in the English service, I think of how each of my friends and colleagues who have recently “fallen asleep” in the Lord, were filled with hope and peace, all because Christ has risen, He has risen indeed. As I prepare for the Celebration of Life for Pastor Matthew on April 10, his words “March into God’s Paradise” echo in my mind. As I was reading the parting thoughts of my UM university mate, Dr. Cynthia Chan, she talked about, in a matter-of-fact manner with peace in her heart, how the Lord used 6 years to train her to be a doctor, and now also 6 years to be a patient. They all lived by faith, in the promise of God, “… they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city of them.” (Heb. 11:16)

In our last quarter, following our theme for the year: “Crown Him with many crowns,” we have completed the survey of the kings of Israel and Judah, both the good and the bad. The Jews in their exile and in their return from exile were constantly looking to the coming of their “messiah” king, who would save them from bondage. Now, with Easter, the ultimate triumph of Jesus on the cross and with His resurrection from the dead has been declared. Christ was variously cheered by the mass as King (hosanna) and mocked as “the King of the Jews,” in the passion week. In this quarter we turn our eyes again to Jesus, and trace in more details how Jesus was truly the messiah king. We shall use as our text the book of Matthew, written mainly with Jewish readers in mind, to look at the early life of Jesus. We shall start with how the wise men came to find Jesus to worship Him, move onto how John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah, and then how Jesus the Messiah was tempted before He launched out into His mission, ending with the revelations of the identity of the Messiah.

As we study the life of Jesus through the lens of Jesus as the Messiah King, it is my hope and prayer that we start to appreciate how the eventual accomplishment of Christ in his death and resurrection was preceded by Jesus living a life each step of the way in obedience to God and in fulfilment of the Old Testament promises of God.

Crown Him with Many Crowns!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Simon

Apr 10-11, 2021
李耀全牧師

列宣家親愛的弟兄姊妹：

2021年的復活節已來臨，卻又已瞬息過去，但基督復活的信息仍然清晰地迴響在心中。我們在每年都試圖強調基督復活事實的重要性，鑑於本年正是疫情大流行的第二年，令我們傳達信息倍感困難。我在每逢遇到這重要時節，必須再次宣揚同樣的老舊信息，也難免掙扎一翻，因為自感到有責任領導會眾回到各各他的十架下，以免我們忘記主的大愛。每年我也努力地花費不少心血作準備，但因宣講了這麼多年的相同題料後，自覺已傾盡心思，無話可說了。可是今年卻不一樣。

在一方面，由於我今年邀請其他牧者同工分別負責傳講受難節和復活節崇拜的五次信息，容讓我能全心投入敬拜及享受各堂崇拜所傳達的復活節偉大故事。各位牧者也善於表達、令人讚賞地傳講信息。他們的信息不僅新鮮、清晰、切題，並且竭誠盡心、基要地宣講。感謝所有參與事奉的肢體，各堂崇拜的信息不但振奮人心，也極具創意，音樂也使人的心靈得著提昇。

令我今年的復活節不一樣的另一個原因是：我更切身地意識到復活節故事在所有相信耶穌真確復活的人來說，不論是在活著或已死的聖徒中，他們生命改變的有力見證，基督的復活得以栩栩如生地活現出來。正當我在參與三種不同語言的崇拜時，在聆聽講道中，一節經文迴響於腦際：“如果基督沒有復活，我們所傳的就是枉然，你們的信也是枉然，…現在基督已經從死人中復活，成為睡了的人初熟的果子。”（林前15:14, 20）

在我參加三種不同語言的崇拜，以及主領英語堂聖餐時，我想起最近在主裡“睡了”的每位朋友和同工，我的心充滿了盼望與平安，皆因基督已經確實復活了！當我為著4月10日為王允志牧師舉行的生命禮讚追思會作準備時，他所說過的話: “邁向神的樂園”在我的腦海中不住迴盪。更在我閱讀以往於緬省大學的同學陳兆儀醫生(Dr. Cynthia Chan)的離別贈言時，她以踏實的分享，流露出她內心的平靜，細訴陳述在過往，神怎樣以6年的時間訓練她成為一名醫生，現在又用6年的時間訓練她成為一名病人的體會。他們都如聖經所形容，憑著信，抓緊神的應許：“…他們所嚮往的，是一個更美的、在天上的家鄉。所以，神不以他們稱他為神而覺得羞恥；因為祂已經為他們預備了一座城。”(來11:16)

我們在上一季之內，按照本年度的主題：“擁戴我主為王”，完成了對以色列國王和猶大國王，包括好王與壞王的研讀的講道系列。猶太人從被擄到回歸，他們一直在等待“彌賽亞”君王的來臨，拯救他們脫離捆綁。在預苦期內，基督被群眾歡呼為王(和散那)，並被嘲笑為“猶太人之王”。現在，隨著復活節的到來，我們看到主耶穌在十架上的最終勝利與從死裡復活的宣告。在本季中，我們再次將目光轉向耶穌，並詳細探討耶穌如何真正成為彌賽亞君王。我們將透過馬太福音，主要針對猶太讀者而寫的書卷，來研讀耶穌的早期生活。我們先從東方博士如何尋找敬拜耶穌為君王開始，到施洗約翰如何為彌賽亞君王鋪路，接著是基督耶穌在實踐神使命之先如何面對試探，開始傳揚天國的福音至祂顯示祂彌賽亞的身份為止作一段落。

在我們透過耶穌作為彌賽亞君王的鏡頭以研究基督的生平時，我所盼望和禱告的，就是讓我們能開始去領會及欣賞耶穌如何藉著祂生命的每一步順服神，以應驗神在舊約中的應許，至終藉著祂的受死和復活去完成神的使命。

讓我們同來擁戴我主為王！

主僕,
李耀全牧師

Apr 3-4, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

First, happy Easter to you all. Easter is the most important day in our Church year when we remember and celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. The world celebrate Christmas, but we celebrate Easter above all. May this Easter be another new beginning for us all because Christ has risen, He has risen indeed.

The Coronavirus pandemic is still very much with us, and with a new strain of the virus and the number of confirmed new cases still over 900 daily, we are still very much in the pandemic and still deeply affected in our daily lives. This even though vaccination has started. We have been on a rollercoaster in the past year, as we began well with the lowest infection numbers in BC and just as we thought we were getting out of this pandemic at the beginning of the fall, we saw the rise in the curve and now when other provinces have started to get things under control, our number of cases tested positive for the virus is among the highest in Canada. We shall keep being vigilant and cautious in our own reopening and back to church schedule. We know that God is still in control because Christ has conquered death and gives us hope in His resurrection.

On a family level, the COVID hit closer to home when my own daughter Sarah was tested positive for Coronavirus after she was taken ill with many of the symptoms and had to go into quarantine for 14 days. The same quarantine had to be taken by my son-in-law Vernon and grandson, Elliott. Because Lydia was in close contact with Sarah, she had to be quarantined as well, which of course means that I too was affected and spent 14 days separated from her with her inside own room! To me that was what I was forced to give up during Lent. 14 days was like 40 days. It was nevertheless a good discipline. Eventually we all got through it. Praise be to God for His mercy and healing. We now treasure each and every day we have even more, knowing that each day is a gift from God.

These days I have been thinking about life and death a lot. A few days ago, we participated online in the first anniversary of the passing of Rev. Nick Tsang in a Celebration of Life. Nick was a dear friend of ours who gave up his prosperous business, in his words, to be engaged in the even bigger enterprise of God’s heavenly business. He was an energetic tireless servant of God and a mission pioneer, faithful to the end. Not long ago we also bade farewell to two of my esteemed teachers from Regent, Dr. JI Packer, Dr. Ward Gasque (also our colleague). I am privileged to have them as my teachers over 40 years ago. Another, my own most respected Regent classmate, Rev. Dr. Philip Yeung, who served together with me in the field of theological education in Hong Kong for 18 years also succumbed to pancreatic cancer, just like Nick. Another university mate from UM we had was Dr. Cynthia Chan (陳兆儀醫生), a brilliant family physician who served her patients and the Lord faithfully, also died of cancer. Nick, Phillip and Cynthia were all my peers, and they have all have finished the race set for them. There are many others faithful senior servants of God who had finished their journey, including Rev. Dr. Hay Chun Maak and Rev. Dr. Cyrus Lam, who were all my models in ministry.

Our latest loss, early this month, is in Rev. Matthew Wong, our dear colleague who definitely deserved to be called by God “a good and faithful servant.” It has been the privilege of Lydia and I to have known Matthew and Stella for over 45 years since our days in Winnipeg Chinese Alliance Church, where we served together in the Sunday school. When Matthew retired from the ministry several years ago (after many years in the business world), he never stopped to serve the Lord and was active serving locally in establishing new churches and also in short term missions, especially in helping the young Alliance Churches in KL, Malaysia. When we were without a pastor to take charge of the Putonghua ministries at RCAC, I phoned him to get him to help us on an interim basis. He agreed immediately with the one condition, that he could still visit and serve in Malaysia every year in the fall and the Spring. The success we have in this ministry owe a lot to his leadership and support. About a year ago, after his last trip to Malaysia, he was taken ill and later diagnosed to have pancreatic cancer. We shall miss him dearly. What impresses me most is that throughout his illness, he was always so encouraging to us, and he truly believed in prayer, and was totally submissive to the will of our Lord regarding the final outcome of his illness. In the end, he taught us to see heaven as God’s Paradise as he himself marched towards this eternal home. At the burial with only the family present, Stella mentioned how the burial site was a most profitable investment Matthew made many years ago, and to me it is so symbolic of Matthew’s life which was invested in eternity.

A hymn that Pastor Matthew loved was “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and it was sung by the family at the burial. The words are so precious”:

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

What a lovely hymn that came from the heart of our dear colleague, Matthew. Indeed, he is now home, led there by the hand of our precious Lord, even though he was tired and weak, he was led through the storm and through the night, to God’s eternal light.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
Yes, this we believe and therefore we have hope, because Christ has risen, He has risen indeed.

Your servant in Christ
Rev. Simon Lee

Apr 3-4, 2021
李耀全牧師

列宣家親愛的弟兄姊妹：

首先謹在此祝賀各位復活節快樂！復活節是教會年度中最重要的日子，我們必須謹記並慶祝主耶穌基督我們救主的復活。聖誕節是普天同慶的日子，但於我們而言，慶祝復活節更是首要。願今年的復活節讓我們能開啟另一新頁，因為基督已經復活了，祂確實已復活！

冠狀病毒蔓延仍然與我們息息相關，並且呈現新的病毒變異，每天確診的新病例持續超過900宗，我們仍然處於病毒蔓延的威脅中，並在日常生活中受其深遠的影響，儘管我們已開始接種疫苗。在過去的一年內，我們一直處於過山車狀態中，正當我們認為本省的感染率保持下降，以為在秋季開始時就可擺脫這病毒的威脅，我們卻看到了感染率曲線的上升。正當其他省份病毒疫情開始受控制時，我們檢測出的病毒感染例數是加拿大各省最高之一。對於教會可否重新開放實體聚會的時間，我們仍在密切注意，並保持警覺和謹慎。我們深信神仍在掌管一切，因為基督已經戰勝了死亡，並帶給我們復活的盼望。

在家庭層面上，我一家也切身地體驗疫情的威力。由於大女Sarah因身體不適，其後在冠状病毒病檢測呈陽性時，她不得不隔離檢疫14天，女婿Vernon及外孫Elliott也同樣必須隔離。師母Lydia亦因曾與Sarah密切接觸而需要在主人房間內自我隔離，這也意味我也被隔離在家。對我來說，這是我在大齋節期間迫於與師母分離的體驗。這14天有如40天般漫長。可是，這是一個很好的操練。隔離終於完成了，讚美主的憐憫和醫治。現在，我們更珍惜每一天，因為知道每一天也是神的恩賜。

近期，我一直在思考生與死的事實。數日前，在網上參加了曾湛光牧師(Rev. Nick Tsang) 逝世一周年的生命禮讚追思會。曾湛光牧師是我們親愛的朋友，以他自己的話來形容，他放棄了蓬勃的生意，轉而投入天上的神更大事業之事奉。他是神的一位充滿活力、孜孜不倦的僕人，也是宣教的先驅，為主盡忠不遺餘力。不久前，我也告別了兩位來自維真神學院，我尊敬的老師巴刻博士(JI Packer)及Ward Gasque博士(也是同事)，我有榮幸於40多年前受教於他們的門下。另一位與我一起於香港並肩在神學教育領域事奉18年、我甚為景仰的維真同學楊錫鏘醫生牧師，也像曾湛光牧師一樣，被胰臟癌所奪去。還有一位我們過往在緬省大學的同學陳兆儀醫生(Dr. Cynthia Chan)，她是竭誠事主、盡心服務病者的出色家庭醫生，也死於癌症。曾湛光牧師、楊錫鏘醫生及陳兆儀醫生都與我同輩，他們都已完成了世上當跑的全程。還有許多主內前輩，神忠心的僕人也完成了他們的人生賽程，其中包括麥希真牧師和林安國牧師，他們都是我的事奉佳模。

在三月初，我們失去了親愛的同工王允志牧師，他絕對堪稱為主所稱讚的“良善忠心僕人”。自從我們在溫城華人宣道會一起在主日學事奉開始，我們與王牧師和王師母相識，已超過45年。能與他們認識是我和師母的榮幸。王牧師於數年前退休後(之前他曾於商界從業多年)，仍馬不停蹄地為主擺上，並積極在當地服務建立新教會和短期事奉，特別是幫助位於馬來西亞吉隆坡新成立的宣道堂會。在本會欠缺普通話會眾負責同工時，我打電話給他，請他在短期內幫助我們。他立即首肯，只是其中的附帶條件，就是每年秋季和春季他仍可前往馬來西亞事奉。我們在普通話事工上的進展，在很大程度上，實在是出於他的領導和支持。大約一年前，他和師母在最後一次完成馬來西亞之旅後，王牧師患病了，後來被確診罹患胰臟癌。我們實在極為想念他。令我印象深刻的是，他在整個疾病期間，也一直在鼓舞激勵著我們，他確切地相信祈禱，並且完全順服主容讓他患病的旨意。在最後，他教導我們將天堂視為神的樂園，因他本人已邁向這個永恆的天家。在只限於家人在場的安葬禮上，王師母提到了安葬的墓地是王牧師於多年前最賺錢的投資，然而對我來說，這是王牧師將生命投資於永恆的象徵。

一首王牧師很喜歡的詩歌是：“親愛主，牽我手”，是他的家人在安葬禮上一同頌唱的。歌詞是可等的珍貴：

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
親愛主，牽我手，建立我，領我走；
我疲倦，我軟弱，我苦愁；
經風暴，過黑夜，求領我，進光明；
親愛主，牽我手，到天庭。

以上是來自我們親愛的同工王牧師發自內心的動人詩詞。確實地，他現在已回到天家，在我們寶貴主的手拖帶下，儘管他疲倦又虛弱，且走過了風暴和黑夜，帶領他安穩到達了神那永恆之光。

耶穌說：“我就是復活和生命；信我的人，雖然死了，也要活著。”
是的，這就是我們所確信的，因著基督復活了，我們有盼望，祂確實復活了！

主僕,
李耀全牧師

Mar 13-14, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Even as we human beings should be proud of the latest further exploration by the United States of Mars, one planet in the huge universe, we should marvel even more at all of God’s brilliant creation, created so long ago. Jesus is the Lord of time and space as we saw in “Crown Him the Lord of years” in our last article.

In the past 12 months I have been made painfully aware of the finiteness of our time on earth and of the brevity of human lives as several of my wonderful mentors, dear friends and colleagues are taken away to be with the Lord. They hit close to home because they either were Christian leaders that I admired or mentored me, or were personal friends that I have known for a long time, my contemporaries. They include faithful Senior veteran pastor, Rev. Dr. Hay Chyn Maak, my own brilliant classmate and fellow theological educator from Regent, Rev. Dr. Philip Yeung, former professor and teacher, Dr. J.I. Packer, dynamic missionary colleague, Rev. Nick Tsang, and our former co-worker (and teacher), Dr. Ward Gasque and others.  On March 5, our dear and respected co-worker, my long-time friend, Rev. Matthew Wong, after a year of battling cancer, marched victoriously into God’s paradise! First may God comfort and console Mrs. Stella Wong, their children Wendy and Pamela and their families. We will deeply miss our dear brother and pastor, but he has ceased his labour on earth and returned to the bosom of the Lord. May we carry on his dying wishes to build his Church especially the Putonghua ministries, and the mission work in Malaysia which he started.

With each of the passings of these personal models and good and faithful servants, I have been reminded of the Psalm of Moses to “number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom”:

For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty;

yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Ps 90:9-12)

Yes, may the Lord teach us to number our days, so that we may get a heart of wisdom to live for Him and crown Him with many crowns.

To worship Christ as the Lord of years is to recognize that our lives, no matter how short or long, are totally in the hand of God. We should first ask not for longevity of life but rather ask for the wisdom to live, in ways that will fulfill God’s mission for us on earth, and in ways that will glorify God.

Similarly, in the New Testament, because we live in evil days, Paul also urges us to “make the best use of the time” according to the will of the Lord: He says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time (KJV, redeeming the time), because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17) The same phrase is found in Colossians 4:5,6: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” We therefore understand that for Paul in “making the best use of the time,” he has in mind having the wisdom in knowing how to communicate and relate to others, like ambassadors of Christ. The NIV translation uses the phrase “making the most of every opportunity,” that is, always ready, to be a living testimony for Christ in our daily lives.

Jesus taught His disciples the necessity of redeeming the time: “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4) Jesus was constantly conscious of His mission on earth and always have in mind when “the hour” will come to glorify God the Father, in a life of obedience by going to the cross to die for our sins.

There is a song “Live Like You Were Dying” by American country music artist Tim McGraw (2004). The song was written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman based on stories of family and friends who learned of illnesses (cancers), and how their perspective of life change as a result. The story of the song is about a middle age man upon being told he had cancer and only had a short time to live, wanted to do all the fun things he missed. While the focus of the song is mainly on pursuing earthly fun things in the time we have left, the lyrics also make an important point with the concluding thought, as inspired after reading the Good Book (Bible):

“I finally read the Good Book, and I
Took a good, long, hard look
At what I’d do if I could do it all again…

Someday I hope you get the chance, to live like you were dying.”

Indeed, as Christians, we should live like we were dying and pursue all God has given us to do while we have time.  James reminds us that our earthly lives are like a fog that appears and then quickly evaporates. (James 4:1) Carpe diem, (Latin: “pluck the day” or “seize the day”) is a phrase used by the Roman poet Horace to express the idea that one should enjoy life while one can. But for us Christians, Carpe diem should mean rather that we live our life fully and give the best to the Master, for He is the Lord of years.

My thought goes back to my friend and UM university mate of 45 years and dear colleague at RCAC, Rev. Matthew Wong, came out of retirement, to serve as our Pastor of Putonghua Ministries while serving as a short-term missionary with his wife Stella to places like Panama and KL in Malaysia. He never missed a beat. In the past 12 months, even though he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he continued to be an encouragement to all of us, on what he called “The march to God’s paradise.” He has now finished his race. May the examples of the Wongs encourage us all to be faithful and “Crown Him (Christ) the Lord of Years.” May we at RCAC “Crown Him (Christ) with many Crowns,” this year and beyond.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Simon Lee

 

Mar 13-14, 2021
李耀全牧師

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

我們身為人類的一份子，即使會為美國最新探索火星，這宇宙中的巨大行星而感到自豪，我們更應讚嘆神在亙古以前的輝煌創造奇功。正如我們在上一篇“擁戴我主為萬世之王”文章中所看到的，耶穌是時間和空間的主宰。

在過去的12個月中，我的好幾位導師，摯友和同工的離世與主同在，令我痛惜我們在世上時間的有限，以及人生的短暫。他們之所以令我感受切膚之痛，是因為他們都是我所尊敬的出色導師及基督徒領袖，或是我深交的同輩友伴。其中包括忠心事主的資深前輩牧者，從事神學教育的麥希真牧師、我在維真神學院的傑出同學楊錫鏘醫生(Philip Yeung牧師)，及前教授兼老師巴刻博士(J.I. Packer)、充滿活力的宣教同工曾湛光牧師(Nick Tsang)，以及我們教會的前任同工及老師Pastor Ward (Ward Gasque博士)等。三月五日，我們敬愛的同工王允志牧師吾友經過一年與病魔爭戰後，凱旋進入神的樂園！首先求主安慰王師母與他們的女兒Wendy 和Pamela及家人。我們實在不捨得王牧師的離開，但他已息勞歸主，就讓我們延續王牧師的遺志，努力建立我們這個家、尤其是我們普通話的事工，和宣教的使命，特別是在馬來西亞的宣教事工。

每當遇到這些影響著我的佳模典範、良善忠心神僕的離去，總令我想起摩西的詩篇：“我們一生的日子都在你的震怒中消逝，我們度盡的年歲好像一聲歎息。我們一生的年日是七十歲，如果強壯，可到八十歲，但其中可誇耀的，不過是勞苦愁煩；我們的年日轉眼即逝，我們也如飛而去了。誰曉得你怒氣的威力，誰按著你該受的敬畏曉得你的忿怒呢？求你教導我們怎樣數算自己的日子，好使我們得著智慧的心。” (詩90:9-12）是的，求神教導我們怎樣數算自己的日子，好使我們得著智慧的心，使我們能為主而活，擁戴我主基督為王。

擁戴尊崇基督為萬世之主，就是要識意到我們的生命，無論長短，全在於神的手中。我們與其向神求長壽，不如首先向神祈求生活的智慧，以能在人生中實現神對我們在世上的使命，並且能榮耀神。

同樣，在新約聖經中，因著我們生活在邪惡的世代裡，保羅亦敦促我們要按照主的旨意“善用時間”：他說：“要謹慎你們的行為，不要像無知的人，要像智慧的人”(“要善用時間”(making the best use of the time)：英王欽定本譯作:“贖回時間”(redeeming the time)），因為現今的世代邪惡。不要做糊塗人，要明白主的旨意是甚麼。”(弗5:15-17–現代中譯)。歌羅西書4:5-6節中也有相同的教導：“你們要把握時機(making the best use of the time)，用智慧與外人來往。你們的話要常常溫和，好像是用鹽調和的，使你們知道應當怎樣回答各人。” 因此，我們瞭解到，保羅所說 “要把握時機(充分利用時間)”的意思是指，心中有智慧，知道怎樣與人交往，有如基督的大使，與人建立聯繫。新國際譯本(NIV)的翻譯是:“充分善用每個機會”，意即：我們要時刻作好準備，在日常生活中成為基督活潑的見證。

耶穌教導門徒必須贖回時間：趁著白晝，我們必須作那差我來者的工；黑夜一到，就沒有人能作工了。”（約9:4）耶穌在世時，一直在意識到自己於世上的使命，並時刻緊記著那“時候”的來臨，就是祂順服父神，為我們的罪釘死在十字架上的時刻。

美國民間音樂藝術家Tim McGraw在2004演唱了一首歌曲《過每一天，當過生命中最後的一天》(Live Like You Were Dying)。這首歌是由Tim Nichols 和Craig Wiseman根據家庭和朋友的故事而寫的，而這些故事讓他們瞭解患病(癌症)以及如何令他們的人生觀產生變化。這首歌的故事是關於一個中年男子，在被告知他罹患癌症並只有很短的生存時間時，他想做所有自己希望做到的有趣事情。雖然這首歌的重點是要在餘下生命裡追求塵世間的樂趣，但歌詞在總結時也含蘊著深遠意義，是他在閱讀“好書”(聖經）之後所得著的啟迪：

“I finally read the Good Book, and I
Took a good, long, hard look
At what I’d do if I could do it all again…
Someday I hope you get the chance, to live like you were dying.”

“我終於讀到「好書」(聖經)，
我好好地讀，用很長時間看，深入去讀
如果我能重頭再來，我應該怎麼做……
我希望您有機會能過每一天，當過生命中最後的一天。”

實在是的，作為基督徒，我們應該把每一天，都當”當過生命中最後的一天”，並在有生之年追求神所賦予我們的一切。雅各提醒我們：”你們的生命是甚麼呢？你們本來是過眼雲煙，轉瞬之間就消逝了”。(雅4:14) ， “Carpe diem”(拉丁語：“採摘一天”或“搶佔一天”)是羅馬詩人霍勒斯(Horace)所用的一句話，表達出一個人應該趁著尚可以的時候享受的生活。但是對於我們基督徒來說，“Carpe diem”的應該意味著我們要充實地生活，並要將最好的奉獻給主，因為祂是歲月的主宰，萬世之主。

再念與我於45年來交情甚篤的朋友和UM大學同學，亦是我在列宣的親愛同工，王允志牧師，在退休後擔任我們的普通話事工牧者，他從未錯失任何機會，於此同時，常偕Stella師母一起前往巴拿馬和吉隆坡及在馬來西亞等地作短宣。在過去的12個月中，即使他被診斷出罹患胰腺癌，他仍繼續成為我們所有人的鼓勵，他稱之為“邁向神樂園的進程”。王牧師已跑完當跑的路。願王允志牧師的榜樣鼓勵我們為主盡忠。願列宣家眾肢體在全年中及往後的日子裡能高舉主基督為王，“擁戴基督為萬世之主”。

主僕,

李耀全牧師