基督徒的身分 . 主日證道 2010-6-27

主題：基督徒的身分

講員：陳光健長老
經文：彼前二：9-11節

證道下載區
 http://220.132.177.91/Record/201006/#2010060627.mp3

牧人的竿 2010-6-27

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安！

1982年有一個名叫(The peacemaker)和平使者 的機構成立。目標是協助基督徒及教會運用聖經原則來處理人與人之間的衝突。今天要介紹他們出的一本書，書名是我們和好吧。道聲出版社有經銷。全書是以處理事情的4G作架構(榮耀神，除去眼中樑木，溫柔挽回，前去和談)，內容用許多真實案例連結，舉例合宜，翻譯的也很通順。


一開始，作者舉例，說他們有四個朋友去旅行，走到一處，溪橋因為融雪漲滿被沖走了。是否渡河，四個人竟有三種不同意見，有一個人覺得太危險應該回頭。另一個人覺得應該迎向挑戰，涉水而過。作者和另一朋友覺得這是很好的挑戰，他們仔細觀察，然後搬來一顆傾倒的樹，再小心的從岩石跨過，最後他們同心協力把背包傳遞過去，然後全數滴水未沾，安全過河。每個人都為此興奮不已。從這個故事引出：人們臨事有三種處理模式。A逃避式反應。B攻擊式反應。C.合睦式反應。


A. 逃避式反應:有三個部份：1.否認，假裝問題不存在。2.快速逃離，是另一種逃避衝突的方法。3.自殺，當人對解決問題的盼望喪失時，有可能會用自殺來逃避。


B. 攻擊式反應:看重輸贏勝過友誼的人常常會用這個模式來處理問題，缺乏安全感，害怕，軟弱無力時也可能採用此法。他也有三個部份。1.猛烈攻擊(包含口頭，訴諸暴力，損害別人財產或職務....)，接下來是2.訴訟，訴訟是努力把所有責任完全歸給對方，是聖經不鼓勵基督徒輕意採用的做法。最後是3.謀殺。這是另一個異於自殺的極端。


C. 第三種解決衝突方法是合睦式反應。在基督裡，神給我們能力去面對衝突，共有六種。寬恕，討論，磋商，居中調解，仲裁，教會懲戒。前三種是私人化的，生活中大半的問題都可以用其中的一個方法來處理。


最後願神賜福各位，讓我們越來越有智慧處理各樣挑戰。

植茗 牧師

合而為一的心 . 主日證道 2010-6-20

主題：合而為一的心
經文：腓立比1:5
講員：游福源 牧師

信息大綱：
一、同心合意興旺福音      合一的目的：同心合意興旺福音
1.上帝應許的祝福    2.信徒應有的責任  3.傳福音的動機

二、互相扶持
1.為福音同心同勞  2.與基督一同受苦  3.與基督一同復活
4.一同竭力追求  5.一同效法基督  6.一同喜樂

三、如何合一
1.領袖要先合一  2.幫助別人合一  3.同一心志齊心努力
4.與主合一  5.合一的品格

四、合一力量大
1.與 神合一  2.夫妻合一  3.團隊合一

證道下載區
http://220.132.177.91/Record/201006/#2010060620.mp3

牧人的竿 2010-6-20

親愛的弟兄姊妹，
再次藉著六段經文的查考(太13：19-22、 太15：19-20、 箴言6：16-19、 羅1：24-32、 加5：16-21、 提後2：24--3：7)，我們謹慎，仔細的觀看罪的特徵，歸納罪的類型，查考它所帶來的結果，除了自己得益，也期待我們的裝備，使鄰舍蒙福。

有一回和信徒查經，談到聖經要我們警醒度日，不要懶散。但從大衛睡到日頭平西，起來後去花園散步，我們看他的日子如何，力量也如何？果然他在城樓散步，望見拔示巴，竟繼續懶散，沒能警醒自己的心思意念，以致應了私慾暨懷了胎，就生出罪來這經文。後來他接著犯了姦淫的罪，玷汙了烏利亞的妻子。隨著拔示巴懷孕，他又開始想要掩蓋自己的惡，屢次讓烏利亞將軍放假，希望他回家和妻子同房，豈知烏利亞忠心為國，不願將士獨自在前線賣命，所以沒回家享受溫柔之鄉。此時的大衛沒能體會部將的忠心，只能以自我為中心，繼續設起惡謀，害死忠臣，犯了殺人的罪。最後上帝憐憫他，不讓他繼續再犯任意妄為的罪，所以派遣先知拿單向他說比喻，說他國境之內有位富豪不看自己數千頭牛羊，反而去霸佔民間弱者唯一的羊，大衛聽完竟然還自以為義，怒咒此人。豈料神就在此時，指出大衛眼中的樑木。後來大衛跪下認罪，寫下有名的悔罪詩篇。(詩篇51)。

我又再問那基督徒，亞伯拉罕說他妻子是妹妹，是什麼罪彰顯了。回答說，懼怕，說謊。我說很好，只要不自我中心，尊主的話跨出去，真誠去愛別人，愛裡就沒有懼怕了。信心之父也是要被神建造的。


我們都是蒙恩的罪人，在施工中要相互體諒，最好向捷運施工一樣，掛個牌子說為了美好的將來，請暫時忍耐種種的不便。的確，靠你我最近的人，常常是受傷最深的人。也是最能見證你我不是的人。經上說：我們原是祂的工作，在基督耶穌裏作成的。祂是陶藝家，我們是泥土。祂正在雕琢我們。葡萄枝子一面成長，可還要記得，我們的週圍，還有許多待琢的璞玉。我們都是主的僕人，要溫溫和和待人，或者，神給他悔改的機會也不一定。願你一面成長，一面多結果子。


植茗 牧師

牧人的竿 2010-6-13

親愛的弟兄姊妹，
帖撒羅尼迦後書3:2b說：“人不都是有信心，但主是信實 的，要堅固你們，保護你們脫離凶惡 ”. 這個星期天我跟成都的弟兄姊妹談到屬於固定的教會與家庭聚會的重要性。 最近我們當中有一個年輕的弟兄想換到另外一個小組。 原因本來不清楚。 後來我們進一步的問的時候，發覺他跟兩個姊妹的關係不很好。他不懂 他屬於另外一個小組的話，類似的人際關係的問題很可能會再發生。我們應該警醒。末世代人之間的信任的問題越來越多，信實這個聖靈的果子很難找到。參考路加福音18:8 “人子來的時候，遇得見世上 有信德（信心，信實）嗎 ？”希望在我們當中主耶穌再來的時候可以找到信實。從在小事情上忠信開始！我最近看到一個好的例子：因人多的關係所以我們招待部門最近特別忙。我看到兩個人他們特別早來打掃預備，聚會完場所完全整理好才離開，也不是偶爾，常常是這樣！感謝主我們現在有機會學習忠信！另外一個例子：一對夫婦去年常常主動的去幫助災區的人，今年繼續做災區的工作，也主動的拜訪教會的一些病人，照顧他們，爲他們禱告，鼓勵他們的家屬。每一個星期他們騰好幾個小時的時間來作這種的服侍！。已經很久了。好忠心！


關於我們成都的第二個場地（在西邊）我們找到適合的地方，但是房租還沒有談好。明天M王和劉勇牧師要確定這個事情。這個房子很大！一個月一次合併的時候還可以在那邊。我們最近都以堅持的態度爲西邊的場所禱告。整個成都會變成主的土地！魔鬼不喜歡這種信心。同時劉勇也忙他的母親生病的事。本來一直查不出來是什麽病。現在知道是末期的肺癌，開始藥物治療。我們也常爲這個家庭禱告。劉勇的爸爸與兩個姐姐還沒有信主，但是昨天她們兩個都陪媽媽來教會！


我們A的教會現在有自己的場所，可以容納 30 －40 個位子 （我們現在還不到 20 個人）。我們這個星期三可以開始在那邊聚會， 也可以作我們的辦公室。下個星期可以一起慶祝端午節，一面吃東西， 一面分享主的愛。G 和我剛剛很開心的打掃新的地方。下午和王莉一起賣家具。我們都很高興！


G 與我這個月底去荷蘭的時候，成都的一些小組長要輪流過來代替我們帶領聚會。主的教會在興起！在你們那邊也好，在Elsie 那邊也好，在全世界主的名應該得到很多的榮耀！！


願神幫助我們每一個人當作很忠心的僕人！


愛你們的 K& G.

神必用恩惠如同盾牌四面護衛我 . 主日證道 2010-6-13

主題：神必用恩惠如同盾牌四面護衛我


經文：詩篇 五：1-12
講員 : 吳英彥 長老


證道下載區
 http://220.132.177.91/Record/201006/#2010060613.mp3

An Open Letter to my Sisters in Christ

An Open Letter to my Sisters in Christ

Dear Sisters in Christ. Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I intend to write to you about a subject that is very much burning in my heart and that you will unlikely will find expressed inside the realm of modern church life. It is the issue of modesty. Modesty is a word that is applied whenever it comes to choices that express wisdom, tact, and maturity of judgement. Today I would like to express my concerns about women's clothing and appearance in church. I am writing to you as a man who is affected by this issues and I am expressing my thoughts and feeling for many fellow brothers.

Let me open my discourse with the followin verse from 1.John

2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

Summer is at the door and the temperatures are rising. We put our warm winter clothes away and put on lighter clothes. Usually, the choice of lighter clothing will also mean that women will potentially display parts of her body that are concealed during the darker and colder period of the year. Fashion nowadays dictates most womenfolk what to wear and what not. It is tiring and costly to keep up with today's trends. Bony Barbie dolls with body shapes out of reach for most mortal ladies teach you what you are to wear. You may not be able to go for their designer dreams but still their stylistic influence will quickly be adopted by the more budget driven mass market.

There was always fashion and their will always be fashion this side of eternity.. In the last couple of decades we have seen a general trend in fashion and that the fact that clothing aims at attracting men by highlighting their bodily features. It goes even further by appealing downright to the lust of their potential male admirers. For one it is the pressure of modern work life. The women wants to look attractive to make sure she can quickly secure favour with men in powerful positions. They are in a competitive environment and an attractive appearance may give you this little extra edge. There is also a striking biologic reason for it. In today's socio-economic climate, strong family bounds are more and more eroded and give way to relationships that are less committed and fleeting. People get in and out of relationships more quickly. The modern women does not want to be left out and make sure that wherever she goes she can potentially enter a relationship with a man if such a need should arise. I am speaking in general terms about the modern women in the world portrayed by media and seen in reality all around us.

Today there is much talk in Christian circles about contextualization of our faith. They tell you you have to be relevant and do not want to be seen as oddballs who live up to outdated legalistic standards. So go with the flow as long as you stay out of excesses and win people for Christ by showing them that you are just like one of then. You do not want to be a seen as a bible basher and turn people off by the way you dress. Sounds reasonable, heh? Here is my take: If you are follower of Christ you are in stark contrast to the world anyway. There is no way you can avoid to disclose your new identity in Christ. If you are truly saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, everything in and about you will point to your risen saviour. That is a strong statement, but consider, Dear Sister, when you are born-again, you opted to no longer to live for yourself but desire the appearance of your bridegroom Jesus Christ and be found as chaste virgin. You are saved to save others.

It would be good if an older sister would admonish you in these things as she may be more understanding than the male author of this letter though a male perspective on these matters may open you up to a perspective that she cannot take. We men are easily aroused by display of feminine features. The Greek word eros stands for physically attraction between a man and a woman. It was originally ordained by God to help us leave our mother and father and to seek a beautiful damsel. She would become our wife and her bodily features are only for our own exclusive private enjoyment inasmuch as we give our body to her ideally resulting in a number of godly children.

Satan, ever creative to steal, lie and kill perverted the God permitted attraction between husband and wife by suggesting her that she would gain many advantages to by showing her bodily features to the male public. The advantages are clearly seen. I observed in my office that ladies who display their bodily features are more frequented by colleagues and get more opportunities. I myself have interviewed ladies for job positions who showed up in seductive apparel. Satan's strategy for men is to try to make us feel good when we are exposed to female allure. We get flattered, thinking we are irresistible. Our thoughts wonder, our judgement about the real qualities of a particular woman can easily become distorted. In the work place, a man is tempted to give a position or opportunity to a women based on her external features rather then her real qualities and merits. It works as a bribe. In serious cases it may result in an adulterous or promiscuous relationship. The media is full of these stories, in fact they live of these stories. The damage is often great and irreparable. Families break up, divorce, costly lawsuits, dividing of shared property, poverty, bitterness, hurt children and violence or suicide can be the consequence of such behaviour.

We live in a sex-crazed world. In the sixties Satan sent out many of his prophets like the Beatles and Rolling Stones to promote sexual freedom promising freedom from a prudish and outdated morale codex. They worked hard to eliminate decency and modesty. Fashion that would have seen as scandalous in the fifties became accepted and popular, though not wide spread. The mini skirt became an icon of the sixties. Holidays on the beach were not an option for most classes came within the financial reach of the masses. Bikinis appeared on the scene and today are the de-facto beach wear of the average women. In some places they even go further than that. Imagine a women in a bikini beamed back into Victorian times. She would have been either arrested our put into an asylum straightaway.

Lust is one of the major temptations for us men. Lascivious images are all around us. We have to make a conscious effort to not expose yourself to them. A quick glance on an advertising billboard, a thoughtless mouse-click or a TV ad delivers you images with our without your consent. Most men are more or less addicted to internet porn. Living and working in a cosmopolitan city is like moving in a mine field of images that trigger lust in a man and cause him to sin. The first look is unavoidable, if you do not consciously look away but give it a second glance, you have already sinned. Only a man with a firm uncompromising faith can avoid these traps.

The bible exhorts us.

2. Tim 2: 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

How then should Christian 21st century women dress?

1 Timothy 2:9-10 (New King James Version)

9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

Dear Sisters, you can make a difference in this fallen world. By dressing modestly you can set a admirable example. A women can show that she honours God by concealing those parts of her body that could cause a men to lust after her. She does not have the need to allure men, for she is either committed to her husband, or if she is unmarried, believes that God will provide for her the right one. A godly woman does not have to impress others by making a statement about her wealth or status. Excessive jewellery or make up does not add to her self-esteem. Being esteemed by Christ is all she needs. She does not have to follow the latest trends and does not burden herself in keeping up with the rest of womenfolk. She is not bullied by the global fashion idolatry, she refuses to be dictated by fashion magazines and advertisements what goes and what doesn't.

Does this mean she puts on very base and cheep clothes or wrap herself up in a potato sack from head to toe? Not at all. There is nothing against displaying good taste. Modest clothing does not have to be boring, base or ugly. Neatness and tidiness go well along with modesty. The bible does not give you very clear guidelines what to wear and what not to wear. The New Testament gives us godly principles rather than a set of rules. You now have the Holy Spirit to aid you. May be the following thoughts can help you.

Wear clothes that does not draw attention to yourself.

Keep mandatory dress codes and abide by conventions of your work place.

Dress as a women and do not wear man's clothes Deuteronomy 22:5 (New King James Version)

“A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.

Imagine you are standing before the Lord Jesus himself.

Pray before you buy new clothes. Is it really necessary?

Mat 6:28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, ho w they grow: they neither toil or spin;

So what should we wear then?

So what is modest and what is immodest? Please understand that you do not just dress for yourself but that everybody else sees you in your clothes. Consider how you are effecting others; namely men. I will get more specific here, as for a women you may be unaware what effect your clothes have on other men.

Decollete - This is one of the primary areas a women should take care. A shirt or dress should conceal everything that could make a man stumble. No deep V-cuts, leave the buttons closed. I must say from experience, talking to a woman with a deep decollete is a real challenge. If you look at her face as you would do in any conversation you see more than you should, if you look away you are insulting her, too.

Length of skirt – I suggest you keep your knees covered.

Tight clothing – nowadays there is are a lot of trousers and shirts worn that a very tight. Some are as snug as a second skin and trigger lustful looks of men.

Low waistline trousers – can be extremely embarrassing to look at, especially when you sit down.

High heel shoes Makes you appear long legged and taller. Must be painful to walk in the for a whole day and it deforms your feet. Who do you want to attract anyway?

Why do you have to dress sexy or “kinky” as they call it nowadays? “Kinky” is actually even worse as it has sado-masochistic connotations. This is an invention by the devil and is simply not fitting for a godly woman. You exploit the weakness of your fellow brother, causing him to fall into the sin of lust. Jesus says

Mat 5: 28: But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Do you want to be guilty of causing men to commit adultery with their eyes? Why do you agree to participate in Satan's work? I believe we would have far less incest, rape, perversion, divorce, and adultery if women would dress more modest. Many women unknowingly send signals to men that they misunderstand as an invitation. Of course, the Christian man has no excuse and must master sin, just as Cain was commanded by God.

Hairstyles

The same can be said about hairstyles. You can spend a lot of time and money on hair-styles. Hair dyes, hair-extensions, perms, hair-straightening. So many options to choose from, so many extra worries to have and extra time away from your place of service. Simplicity and natural look is beautiful. The Lord has given you natural hairstyle that you do not have to be ashamed of. Can't you give thanks to the Lord for the hair you have as a natural beautiful covering? (1. Cor 11:15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory for her, for her hair is given to her as a covering).

Jewellery

Jewellery shows your social status. The intention behind wearing jewellery is to add value to your natural appearance. What better status can you attain than being a beloved daughter of God? Is your social status among unbelievers still important to you?

Designer Clothes

Designer clothes is a multi billion £ industry. You can spend an enormous amount of money trying to keep up with the latest trend. The models are always in the prime of their youth and courted by young men who made a fortune by the tender age of 25 and drive around in sports cars. They all look as if they have just woken up.

Make up

There is one women in the bible known for her make up. It was Jezebel, the wife of Ahab one of the most evil kings Israel ever had. She actually controlled him. Do you need to make yourself appear younger and more pretty than you are? Are you ashamed of your natural look and appearance? Make up suggests you make up for something that you do not have.

Hygiene and skin care

I recently made a discovery. I eliminated shower gel and shampoo. Guess what: My dandruff is almost gone and my skin is more healthy. I do not want to be tovertly harsh here. There are some products that are good for you and your needs. The bible make mention of applying oil to your skin. God's creation is full of good stuff that can be applied to your skin, but remember, there is a big industry out there manipulating you to buy their products.

Conclusion

Dear sister, allow me to appeal to you. Dress modestly so that you do not cause your brother in Christ to lust after you. Conceal your body parts that are not meant for the public to see. Be content with the way you look. Accept that you are ageing, it is not a shame. Spent your time and money in a godly way. A godly women's inner beauty is timeless and priceless and rare. Natural beauty has nothing to do with character and is short lived. You have far less worries if you do not concern yourself too much with all these things. We live in a fallen world, if you conform to it, you will fall, too. Dear sister, find your satisfaction in serving Christ. His robe of righteousness is never out of fashion and never wears out. As a spiritual virgin, adorn yourself with good deeds rather than with excessive jewellery. Dare to be different, set an example, Christ will honour you for that. A godly husband will be most pleased with such a wife.

Your Brother in Christ

Philip

禱告

耶穌在地上充滿困難，甚至許多人敵擋祂，但是祂凡事都藉著禱告。仇敵用各種方法敵擋我們，使我們想放棄離開神和教會、小組，但聖經說上帝掌管一切，祂的旨意一定會成就。讓我們禱告祂的旨意成就在你的困難中。凡事都藉著禱告，藉著禱告開會，藉著禱告上班，藉著禱告開拓，藉著禱告報告，藉著禱告決定，藉著禱告交託，藉著禱告生存，藉著禱告聚會，凡事都要藉著禱告。願藉著禱告，我們的團隊彼此連結你我在主裏。


福源

以斯拉查經-約書亞記

主題：約書亞記

討論題目：
1. 基督徒如何詮釋約書亞按 神旨意將所滅 城市居民“盡行殺    滅”一事？
2. 五章1~12節，在吉甲安營時，所作及發生的事情有何意義？
3. 七、八章(艾城一役)中，亞干一人犯罪，為何要懲罰全以色列人？
4.第五章13~15節，耶和華軍帥之地位為何？有何作為？又第六章，耶利哥一役有何重要性？又有何屬靈涵義？
5. 請將約書亞的一生(及約書亞這個人物的特質)，歸納成3至5  點來說明。
6. 第九章，基遍人的詭計，有何啟示？
7. 神如何帶領以色列人在與南方五王及北方聯盟的戰役中得   勝？(10~12章)
8. 神為何不將應許之地居民全數剪除後再分地？(參17章：  14~18節及23章)


共同分享題：
＊分享瑪基大洞的啟示(參郭美江牧師講義)，在個人生活中有 何意義及幫助？

下載區：
以斯拉-約書亞記(1)
以斯拉-約書亞記(2)

白浪滔滔我不怕 . 主日證道 2010-6-6

主題：白浪滔滔我不怕

經文：馬可福音四：35~41

講員 : 林永岷 弟兄

信息大綱：
*什麼是信心
*信心的根基
*信心的原則
*信心的四個階層

證道下載區 http://220.132.177.91/Record/201006/
檔名 #2010060602.mp3

牧人的竿 2010-6-6

親愛的弟兄姊妹，

六月一號牧長團契，我用了傳道書十章17節的內容謝飯禱告。高雄憶湘傳道問我章節，回答說：我只記得是在合和本聖經左上頁最後一行。請她用掌上電腦搜尋補力兩個字，她很快的找出來。邦國阿，你的王若是貴冑之子，你的群臣按時吃喝，為要補力，不為醉酒，你就有福了。


在榮美的大團隊裡，我們都是群臣，在基督身體裡面，榮美教會這個支派也是群臣。團隊服侍的成員按時吃喝，為要補力，不為醉酒，受服侍的團體就有福了。然而，在單一服侍上，當我們主領時，就必須學習做王，例如在花博特會的服事中，佩玉要學習做貴冑之子，在主日學，在主領小組查經....，每位肢體都有機會學習做貴冑之子。


如何作貴胄之子呢？以賽亞書十三章2，為貴冑之子做了很好的註腳。應當在淨光的山樹立大旗，向群眾揚聲招手，使他們進入貴冑的門。這章聖經，談到巴比倫的貪婪，提到耶和華審判的大日，眾星群宿，都不發光。還好在審判之前，神樹立大旗，向群眾揚聲招手。只要回應呼召的人，就進入貴冑之門，也成為第四節所說的大國之民，成為耶和華的軍隊。四月特會，唱了一首軍歌：我們是耶和華的軍隊....，當時大家踏步行軍，真像要一同審判天使的貴冑之子。


進了貴冑之門，有了貴冑之子的身分，如何操練貴冑之子的實際呢？路加福音六章47-48主說：凡到我這裡來，聽見我的話就去行的，我要告訴你們他像什麼人：他像一個人蓋房子，深深的挖地，把根基安在磐石上；到發大水的時候，水沖那房子，房子總不能搖動，因為根基立在磐石上。


八八水災時，有許多房子的工程都顯露出來。照樣，個人在主裡面的扎根，也會在耶和華大而可畏的日子臨到之時，或得獎賞，或召虧損。我看到北區榮美的弟兄姊妹，肢體彼此相顧，互相扶持，深知我們一起向著標竿直跑，也深信我們會一起得著從上頭召我們來得的獎賞。


曹植茗牧師