(Col 2:2, 西2：2，1 Peter 4:10, 彼前4:10， Isa 49:6，赛49:6) 

We’ve entered the season of ‘Prayer and Self-Denial” 2020. 我们已经进入了2020年的“祷告和舍己”主题期。Every year during this season, 每年在这个节期，Baptist churches of NZ pray and give money away to support our Tranzsend people who work for the NZ Baptist Missionary Society overseas.新西兰浸信会都会祷告并捐款给我们在海外浸信会的同工。For the prayer part, 祷告部分，we pray for the missionaries for their needs,我们为宣教士的需要祷告, and works that God’s light would work through them into the dark places. 为神借他们把光照进黑暗祷告。For the self-denial part,舍己的部分，we’ll give you a handout,我们发小单子，and a little thing that you can put your little money in. 还有一个小器具你可以装钱。You may save a little money you used to spend on coffee or whatever small things.就是你把平时喝咖啡或别的小开销省下来放这个里面。You also can transfer money to the Church bank account if you want give more.你也可以网上赚钱给教会。Please note a reference that it’s for self-denial. 标明这是给‘舍己’的。You also can buy these products which are put in the foyer.你也可以购买一些产品就是在外面走廊的，they are made by an organisation our missionaries are involved with in India.他们是由我们派出去的传教士在印度建的机构制造的。It employs woman to set them free from being “street girls”. 这个机构雇佣那些站街女，使她们得释放不再作妓女。And the money from selling the products goes to support the overseas missionaries. 而出售这些产品所得的钱将用于支持海外传教士。Let’s look at the video that NZBMS made for the Baptist family. 让我们来看一段NZBMS为浸信会大家庭制作的视频。 

We need to pray for our Tranzsend people who work overseas for the Kingdom of God, 我们需要为在海外服事神国的Tranzsend团队祷告，when we pray and give money to support them, 要是我们通过祷告和捐款支持他们，we are literally participating in the work they are doing as one body of Christ. 那样我们就真实的作为基督的身子一起参与他们的事工。This year we’re gonna spend three Sundays preaching on the same topic with our Baptist family. 今年我们将花三个主日与我们的浸信会大家庭一起宣讲同样的主题。On the fourth Sunday (9th August), we’ll collect the money and give it to NZBMS. 在第四个星期日也就是(8月9日)，我们将收集捐款并把它交给NZBMS。This year we have three sub-themes: 今年我们有三个副主题: 

1) Woven Together. 联于一体。We are different and unique in the body of Christ. 在主基督的身体里我们每个人都不同、也是独特的。And we all play a part in the masterpiece.我们在主的身体这个杰作里都扮演着一个角色。 2)  Mending the Mess. 修复损毁。This theme challenges believers to trust in God through the mess. 这个主题信徒经历混乱时信靠神。3) The Perfect Picture. 异象的完美。Though we will not see the completed masterpiece until Christ returns, 虽然我们要到基督再来的时候才能看见这完成的杰作，there are times God gives us glimpses of His Kingdom here on earth.但神有时会在地上让我们看见一点祂国度的样子。Each glimpse reveals to us more of His character and His heart for people. 每次的一瞥都更多地让我们认识父神和他怜悯我们的心。 

Today, we are looking at the first theme – “woven together” in three main bible verses. 今天，我们通过3章经文来看第一个主题——“联于一体”。Colossians 2:2, 歌罗西书2：2，NIV: "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ," 要叫他们的心得安慰，因爱心互相联络，以致丰丰足足在悟性中有充足的信心，使他们真知神的奥秘就是基督。 1 Peter 4:10, 彼得前书4：10: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.” “各人要照所得的恩赐彼此服侍，作神百般恩赐的好管家。" Isa 49:6, 以赛亚书49：6，he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. ”现在他说：“你作我的仆人，使雅各众支派复兴，使以色列中得保全的归回尚为小事；我还要使你作外邦人的光，叫你施行我的救恩，直到地极。” 

1, Grow together 共同成长

We start with Col 2:2, 先从歌罗西书2章2节来看。In Col 2:1, 在2章1节中，For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh我愿意你们晓得我为你们和老底嘉人，并一切没有与我亲自见面的人，是何等地尽心竭力, Paul the apostle describes his spiritual warfare for the Colossians as a great conflict, 使徒保罗把他为歌罗西教会属灵争战的祷告描述为尽心竭力，even though most of the Colossian Christians had never met him in person. 尽管他们中间大多数人从未见过保罗本人。Yet, he fought for them in his prayers. 但保罗为他们代祷。What’s his goal for them in his prayers? 目的是为何呢？a, Their hearts might be comforted. 叫他们心得安慰。b, they might be united in love. 因爱心互相联络。c, They might have the full riches of complete understanding to know the mystery of God – Christ. 丰丰足足在悟性中有充足的信心，使他们真知神的奥秘就是基督。 

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, 箴言4：23，for out of the heart are the issues of life一生的果效是由心发出. Coldness, 冷淡，indifference, 漠视，lukewarm-ness, 不冷不热，self-centredness,自我中心，can be huge problems which hinder God’s people from growing in the knowledge of God.这些都能成为阻挡人认识神的大问题。Paul knows that the hearts of God’s people often need encouragement by the power of God, 保罗知道信徒的心常常需要被神鼓励，because discouraged, downcast Christians are easily captured by indwelling sin and the temptations of Satan. 因为灰心丧气的基督徒很容易被内住的罪和撒但的试探所诱惑。But think about it,但试想一下，if you were serving the Lord overseas, 如果你在海外为神做工，if you heard that someone was fighting for you in his prayers, 如果你知道有人在恳切为你代祷，wouldn't your heart be encouraged and warmed by God’s love? 难道你不会被神的爱所鼓励而心被恩感吗？The answer is yes.答案是肯定的。 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” 所以，无论何事，你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人。(see Matt 7:12)马太福音7：12, This has come down to us as “The Golden Rule.” 对于我们来说这是“黄金法则”。 

In Col 2:2, 在歌罗西书2：2中，Paul also was concerned about their unity and their understanding. 保罗说他对信徒之间的不合和他们对真理的理解有担忧。Because he knew that unity among Christians wasn’t just a matter of love, 因为他知道基督徒之间的合一不仅仅是爱的问题，but also of growing in the understanding and knowledge of the truth of God. 也是在能否在认识神的真理上认知和成长的问题。We are members of one body in Christ. 我们在基督里成为一个肢体。You can’t say, 你不能说，“I spend time reading and praying every day,我每天花时间读经祷告，I apply the word of God in my life at all times, 并且在生活中也行这道，and I have intimacy with God, 我与神亲近，that’s all about growing in the knowledge of God.这就是认识神了。” No! 不是的！One branch can’t grow without connecting to the body of a tree, 一根枝子若不连着树的主干就不能生长，so one member also can’t grow apart from the body with the head who is Christ.同样的一个肢体若不联于以元首基督为头的身体，是不能成长的。

Paul says this in Eph 4:16, 保罗在以弗所书4：16节中说，From him (Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 全身都靠他联络得合式，百节各按各职，照着各体的功用彼此相助，便叫身体渐渐增长，在爱中建立自己。 It tells us that Jesus operates through every member, 这说到耶稣在每个肢体里运行，you and me,你和我，he and she, 他和她，and He has woven all of us together to play a part in the masterpiece,基督借着各肢体联络在一起，要促成这个神所造的杰作，that we all may grow together towards our mutual purpose from God, 使我们都能朝着神所赐的同个旨意同行，and we together turn from our own thoughts and ways, 让我们都不再顺从于老旧人的思想行为，to be united with Him and may together grow maturity in the likeness of Christs character. 与主联合，一起成长成满有基督耶稣身量的人。

2, Serve together, 彼此服侍

For this purpose, 为了这个目的，apostle Peter goes on: 使徒彼得如是说：Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.1 Peter 4:10. 各人要照所得的恩赐彼此服侍，作神百般恩赐的好管家  God never tells a lie. 神从不说谎。Every Christian is given spiritual gifts, 每个基督徒都被赐予属灵恩赐，to fulfil a special function within the body. 以完成基督身体不同肢体的功能。What’re the gifts you’ve received from Jesus? 你从耶稣那里得了什么恩赐?You need to discover the spiritual gifts you have. 你需要去发现自己的属灵恩赐。Because we are called, 因为我们蒙召，to be faithful stewards of God’s grace to serve one another. 要作神恩赐的好管家，彼此服事。I thank God each Sunday that we have people who serve us, 每个主日我都感谢神差人来服侍我们，by reading and intercessory prayers ; 有人读经，有人代祷;we have people who serve us by playing instruments and singing songs; 有人弹奏乐器和唱诗；we have people who serve us by cooking lunch, and so on. 有人为我们做午餐，等等。We are all serving. 我们都在服侍。No one is more important than another. 没有一个人比别人更重要。

God’s principle in terms of any gifts is:关于恩赐，神的法则是: “He who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48” “因为多给谁，就向谁多取；多托谁，就向谁多要。”（路12:48）We don’t have to compare our own gifts with others’ and say, 我们不必拿自己的恩赐和别人比较，然后说: “I’m less important.” “我没那么重要。”Everyone is needed to play his part in the body of Christ. 在基督的身体里，每个人都需要扮演自己的角色。If anyone among us has been given much, 我们中间若有人多得恩赐，much will be demanded from him. 必要向他多要。We receive different gifts according to our different calls, 我们的呼召不同，恩赐也不同，for the purpose of edifying the church. 都是为造就教会。I’ve witnessed both here among us and in the church I ministered to years ago, 我看见无论在这里和多年前我所服侍的教会，those who are called to be intercessors, 那些被呼召作代祷者的人，who receive visions and dreams about others, 他们得着关乎他人的异象和异梦，those who are entrusted to pray for others in compassion, 被神托付为他人怜悯代祷，and are strictly disciplined by the grace of God.他们都会在神的恩典中被严厉管教。 

If they instead satisfy the desires of their sinful natures, 他们若顺从自己罪性的私欲，dreams come to them immediately in the night to convict them of wrong thoughts or wrong actions. 很快夜里就有梦来指正他们错误的意念或行为。And if they continue to resist, 如果他们继续抵挡，something ‘bad’ happens afterwards,很快就有 “倒霉”事发生，until they turn from their own way to God’s way. 直到他们从自己的道转回神的道。Do you know why God gives those who are called to be intercessors so many dreams to correct them? 知道为什么神给那些被呼召作代祷的人许多梦来纠正他们吗? Because purity of heart is a key to see God, 因为清洁的心是得见神的关键，so that our intercessory prayers can be mercifully powerful to touch God’s heart, 这样我们代祷者的祷告才能带着怜悯有力量触动神的心，rather than accuse others. 而不是指责控告别人。Serving is a humble action. 服侍是一种谦卑的行为。Our Lord Jesus, 我们的主耶稣来，came to serve, 是要服侍人，not to be served, 不是要受人服事，and he also gave his life as a ransom for many (see Mark 10:45).并且要舍命，作多人的赎价。（可10:45） Serving others with your gifts, 用你的恩赐去服侍别人，means to pour out and lay down yourself,就是倾倒、舍了你自己，and your pride and honour to build others up.放下你的骄傲和荣耀去建立别人。 

Paul the apostle says, 使徒保罗说，we were called to be free. 我们蒙召是要得自由。But we shouldn’t use our freedom to indulge the flesh, 但我们不可将我们的自由当作放纵情欲的机会，rather, to serve one another humbly in love (see Gal 5: 13).总要用爱心互相服侍。参见（加5:13）Love is the best gift we need to pursue. “爱”是我们需要去追求的最好恩赐。In this season of Prayer and Self- denial, 在这个“祷告和舍己”的节期里，we think of our Tranzsend missionary workers, 想到我们的Tranzsend宣教团队，who have their part to play overseas using their gifts,他们在海外用他们的恩赐发挥自己的功用，to serve and help people find true Light and Hope in Christ.服侍和帮助人在基督里找到真光和盼望。 

We have our part to play using our gifts to serve and support them with prayers and finance.我们可以用我们 的恩赐参与服事支持，为他们代祷或奉献金钱。(if you don’t have money to support them, don’t worry, you can pray for them), （你若不能以金钱支持，不要紧，你可以为他们代祷），as we use the gifts we receive to serve in unity towards a common goal, 当我们使用各自的恩赐为共同目标，合一服事，the body of Christ – the church is edified, 教会，作为基督的身体，就被建立起来，and God’s name is glorified.  神的名就得了荣耀。 

3, A Light for the Gentiles 照亮外邦人的光 

Isa 49:6, he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” 现在他说：你作我的仆人，使雅各众支派复兴，使以色列中得保全的归回尚为小事，我还要使你作外邦人的光，叫你施行我的救恩，直到地极。(以赛亚书 49:6) 

Our Lord Jesus didn’t come to offer people wealth or success in this life, 主耶稣来，不为让我们得到财富或成功，he offers light and eternal life to sinful men. 他来，为叫罪人得着生命的光和永生。This is the prophecy from Prophet Isaiah referring to the Promised Messiah. 这是先知以赛亚预言了弥赛亚的话。When the Messiah came, 当弥赛亚来到，he would be the light and salvation for the Gentiles. 他要成为外邦人的光，并施行救恩。 

This prophecy applied to Jesus after he was born on his eighth day by the aged Simeon in Luke 2:32, 耶稣降生后第8天，年迈的西缅也如此预言耶稣。he spoke of Jesus as(路加福音 2:32 )他说耶稣是“a light for the revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. 是照亮外邦人的光，又是你民以色列的荣耀。” And Jesus Christ himself declared, 主耶稣自己也宣告说， ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 “我是世界的光。跟从我的，就不在黑暗里走，必要得着生命的光。” (约翰福音 8:12 和合本) 

Last Thursday, 上个星期四，we shared four specific points of following Jesus to have the light of life. 我们分享了跟从耶稣得着生命之光的4个具体步骤。V.12, Jesus emphasizes, 12节，耶稣强调，that he comes to offer light and life and salvation to this world, 他来要将光、永生和救恩赐给世界，if anyone follows him, 若有人跟从他，if anyone lets His light shine in their life, 若有人让他的生命之光照出来，and if anyone allows His life to rule in him, 若有人让耶稣在生命中掌权，he will not only find the way to peace and security in the storms of life, 他不但得平安，在各样风浪中得保全，but will also be able to offer the way to peace and security to the lost and the broken.还可把这平安和保全带给那些失丧和伤心的人。

Living in Asia, 生活在亚洲，you’ll find that there are a quite lot of broken relationships. 你会发现到处都是破裂的关系。Relationships have been broken within entire families, 家庭内部关系完全破裂，Relationships have been broken between husbands and wives. 夫妻关系破裂。Wives who have husbands who have relationship with other women, 已婚丈夫在外面有别的女人，and husbands who have wives who have affairs with other men. 已婚妻子有婚外情。Kids grow up in an environment where their parents quarrel a lot. 孩子在父母的吵闹声中长大。Broken and estranged relationship with their families brings so much painful memories both to the parents and their children. 破裂和疏离的关系，同时带给父母和子女许多伤痛的回忆。Who can heal them? 谁能医治？Where can they find remedy? 何处提供修补？Jesus is the light of the world. 耶稣是世界的光。All broken relationships are rooted in a broken relationship with Jesus.所有破碎的关系根源在于与耶稣关系的破裂。Without turning to the light, 若不转向光，all relationships are covered by darkness, sin, and death. 所有关系都蒙着阴影，被黑暗、罪孽和死亡遮盖。Anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, resentment, gossip, judgement, hatred, are all issues in the sinful and broken heart. 心中所存的尽是怒气、苦毒、不饶恕、怨恨、谗言、论断、仇恨。It is useless to try to mend our relationships even if we say sorry after having indulged our negative emotions. 发泄了负面情绪，就算道歉也没有用，关系补不好。Because our hearts have already been wounded. 因我们的心已经受伤了。unresolved wounds produce more anger, bitterness and unforgiveness to tear down relationships. 未处理的伤害产生出更多怒气、苦毒和不饶恕，越发撕裂关系。If you bury pain in your heart, 如果你在心里埋藏伤害， ‘a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” 一点面酵能使全团都发起来。（加拉太书 5:9）it will grow, expand, and overflow, 它会长大，扩大，会满溢出来，to hurt yourself more and hurt others more. 让你和他人更受伤害。The broken world needs healing and restoration.这破碎的世界需要医治和恢复。 

Malachi 4:2, “But for you who revere (fear) my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.” 但向你们敬畏我名的人必有公义的日头出现，其光线（原文是翅膀）有医治之能。 (玛拉基书 4:2 和合本) This points a way out for those who revere God,这为敬畏神的人指明一条路，will be healed and set free by the power of light in righteousness. 他们必因公义而被光医治释放。What does “revere Him” mean? 什么是“敬畏”？ Proverbs 8:13 tells us that “The fear of the Lord is to hate what is sinful. I hate pride, self-love, the way of sin, and lies” “敬畏耶和华在乎恨恶邪恶；那骄傲、狂妄，并恶道，以及乖谬的口，都为我所恨恶。(箴言 8:13 和合本)”。 The opposite of righteousness is sin. 公义的反面就是罪。God hates the way of sin, pride, self-love, and lies, 神恨恶恶道、骄傲、自爱和谎言，but loves the sinner. 但祂爱罪人。Jesus himself became like us and died for us the self-lovers, 耶稣自己成为我们的样子，为我们这只爱自己的人舍命，but he was raised within three days to offer his righteousness to those who believe. 却在第三日复活，将公义带给那些信祂的人。He is the light of the world. 祂是世界的光，Jesus calls us to follow Him by forsaking the way of self-love and lies, 耶稣召我们跟从祂，离弃爱自己的路，离弃谎言，因“Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” “跟从我的，就不在黑暗里走，必要得着生命的光。” (约翰福音 8:12 和合本)” 

We really need to understand what Jesus meant about following Him, 我们实在需要明白跟随耶稣的实际意义，so that we’ll NEVER be captives of darkness. 因此我们就再也不会被黑暗掳去了。Recently, I’ve been praying and preparing myself to counsel a couple, 最近，我一直在祈祷，准备好自己去服事一对夫妇，the husband was a pastor. 丈夫是传道人。Jesus our Lord commands us to serve one other, 主耶稣吩咐我们要彼此服事，and to wash one another’s feet.彼此洗脚。 

15 years ago, 15年前，when I was a new Christian called by the Lord to establish the home church,当我还是新信徒，蒙召建立教会 this pastor came to encourage me and prayed for my ministry and the church. 他来鼓励我，为我和教会祷告。He graduated from a sound Evangelical Seminary in the US, 他是美国正统神学院毕业的and was passionate in following Jesus by doing good in his eyes. 也很有热情的跟随耶稣，做他认为好的事。But the relationship between him and his wife has been getting worse and worse throughout the last 15 years, 但这15年中他和妻子的关系却越来越糟糕, a small unresolved problem has produced huge problems, 一个小问题不去解决生出很多大问题，and now their relationship has been completely broken,现在他们的关系是完全破裂，and the wife is seeking a divorce. 妻子提出离婚。Darkness covers this family. 黑暗笼罩这个家庭。Unforgiveness, blame, resentment, and hatred fill their hearts. 不饶恕，责怪，怨恨，仇恨充满他们的心。Whoever follows me will NEVER walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 若有人跟随我，就不在黑暗里行，也必得着生命的光   

Jesus says, NEVER 耶稣说，不再.  “I have followed Jesus, 我已经跟随了耶稣 why can’t I light the family by the light of life? 为什么我不能得着生命的光去照亮这个家？” The husband is puzzled. 这丈夫迷惘了。No relationship is beyond repair, 没有什么关系神不能修复，nothing is too hard for God!在神没有难成的事！But allowing God to mend our damaged relationships requires humility and faith. 但让神来修复我们破碎的关系需要谦卑和信。Reconciliation takes place through the death of Christ. 和睦是借着基督的死做成的。We are also called to follow Jesus by dying to the self and living to God (Romans 6:10-11). 神呼召我们借向罪死，向神活来跟随耶稣。（罗6:10-11）  

Following Jesus is not a way of self-love but a way of self-denial; 跟随耶稣不是自爱，而是舍己，Following Jesus is not a way of shifting the blame like Adam did,跟随耶稣不是去向亚当那样责怪他人，but a way of allowing God's word to penetrate our hearts in a way that leads to a life of deep, far-reaching righteousness; 而是让神的话扎我们的心，使我们的生命进入更深的基督的义。It’s not a way of looking at your spouse, your children or others with a ‘mirror’ – with human standards, 这不是一个拿镜子就是自己的标准照配偶，孩子和他人的路，but a way of putting a ‘mirror’ – the life of Christ, in front of yourself 而是拿耶稣这镜子照自己的路，who do you see in the mirror? 你在镜子里看谁？More like Jesus? 更像耶稣Or Adam?像亚当？ 

Following Jesus isn’t a way to manipulate or compel others to listen, 跟随耶稣不是去操纵和控制叫他人听自己，but a way of loving and serving with Christ humbly by crucifying the interests and passions of the self; 却是与基督一起去谦卑的爱和服事，把自己私欲的兴趣和喜好钉上十字架；following Jesus means to sanctify ourselves by the truth, 跟随耶稣意味着借真理叫自己成为圣洁，and allow His light to shine in and through our lives by paying the price to trust God like Christ did. 并借我们像基督那样付代价去信父，让光从我们生命里发出。The world needs light. 这世界需要光，“Who shall I send? 我们要差遣谁呢？Who will go for us谁为我们去?” “Here am I. Send me!” 我在这里，请差遣我！

The light of life has already been given to us. 生命的光已经赐给我们。The light, the life, 这光和生命，and God’s salvation have already been given to sinful man.上帝的救恩已经给罪人。Let us continually turn from the way of sin,让我们继续转离罪 ，self-love, and lies, 自爱和说话的道路，to trusting in Him by denying the self. 转向信而舍己的路。Let our life testimonies shine like the sun in the Kingdom of our Father. 让我们的生命见证像太阳在神的国里发光。Let His light shine in our lives,让他的光在我们生命里发出，so that people who are sitting in darkness may be set free through our prayers working together with other members of Christ who are serving overseas, 因此 借着我们的祷告与海外宣教士同工，让坐在黑暗中的人得释放，and with the light we carry,并且让我们带着这光， people around us may find true peace, hope and security in Christ in lives full of storms.  让我们周遭的人在生活的暴风雨中，在基督里找到这真平安，盼望和安全感。