Friday, 18th March 2022
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
Section One V1-6 Set Apart
V1-2 ‘Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.’ Peter was writing to the Gentile believers and reminding them to go into the world to preach the Good News but to stay away from the world and don’t let it influence their faith.
We are the ones being called, we must remember our identity and our blessings in the eternity, and do not desire the luxury of this world. Because at the end of the days we must give an account to God in the Judgement, therefore do not let the gates of the Heaven close for us.
Section Two V7-11 Be Serious and Watchful
V7 ‘But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers.’ Can we love those unlovable? It’s easy for us to love the people, who recognise us and acknowledge our feelings. But it’s not easy for us to love those oppose us, or those who try to give us teaching.
V8-9 ‘And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.’ We must learn to love one another; we all have different gifts, and we can serve one another without talents. God creates us uniquely and there will always be something we have that we can offer and serve others. V10 ‘As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.’ Do not underestimate the gifts and opportunities God gave to us, and do not use these talents on this world but in the Kingdom of God. When we use our talents in the right place, God will bless us, and we can fish for people for Him!
Section Three V12-19 Be Joyful to Receive
V12-13 ‘Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.’ What is in our mind? Do we still want to live a smooth and luxury life in this world? Do not think it strange when trial and suffering come, because there will always be suffering in this world, but in Jesus Christ we can receive peace.
V14 ‘If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.’ Jesus is always with us, even in the suffering, He will not leave us nor forsake us. Jesus is in our boat, He is with us during the hard times, and He is with us while we are in isolation. We are even more blessed when we are reproached for the name of Christ. Can we see gold in the waste? God’s leading us and blessing us, the world will fade away but God’s treasures for us are eternal.
V17 ‘For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?’ The judgement will start with us, because we have blessings and we have a mission, so are we following God’s direction and preach the Good News to those around us?
彼得前书 4 – 蒙召的道路
2022年3月18日 星期五
潘锡安牧师
我们信主后是否一路平坦？在这个黑暗困难、充满未知的时刻，我们要知道如何走前方这条道路。
一、v.1-6 分别为圣
V1-2 我们会看见前面的路困难重重，但若我们所跟从的主都受苦了，我们就不要追逐安逸的生活。神为我们预备是永恒里的祝福，我们在世上劳苦，在永恒里就得奖赏。基督在地上的三十三年时间不是在世上享福，而是面对试探、人的攻击、以及难过的事，但他都胜过了这些，所以我们若跟从他就不必惧怕。当我们倚靠神，即使面对动荡的大环境，我们都不会害怕。当我们不害怕，我们就不跟罪妥协，而愿意分别为圣，“不从人的情欲，只从神的旨意在世度余下的光阴”。
V3 神让我们进入世界传福音，但我们不是与世界的人同流合污。“荒宴”就是一群人聚在一起吃喝玩乐聊是非。我们与人一同吃喝是没有问题的，但是否有跟他们传福音、是否带人归主？
V4 属世的人会觉得我们分别为圣的行为很“怪”，我们是否也害怕被别人说我们“怪”、被当成异类？
V5-6 就算被别人说我们怪、被人拒绝，我们当做的事还是要做，因为那些人所做的事将来神要跟他们算账。不接受福音的其实都是必死的人，但无论得时不得时，我们都要传福音给他们，因为传福音是我们的使命，而分别为圣是我们自己的决定。我们若知道自己在这个世上只是寄居的过客，我们就不会斤斤计较，而是感恩自己所有的，并知道我们将来会有更好的。在这个会灭亡的地球村里，我们是否只想建立自己的安乐窝，还是在这里预备好自己，在将来跟神交账的时候，得到神称赞我们是“忠心又良善的仆人”？我们是否太留恋这个地球村而忘了自己的身份？我们蒙召的人不要放弃在永恒里的祝福，在这片本该工作的地方没有好好做工，将来就无法交账。我们是否愿意在世上靠主而活？
二、v.7-11 谨慎自守
V7 我们看到世上的好东西就想去拥有，因为没有想到“万物的结局近了”。在这个关键的时刻，我们要选择警醒祷告。
V8 我们很容易爱那些跟我们一国的人、或者那些会认同我们的人，但我们不喜欢那些教导我们的权柄，因为我们被他们提升的时候会觉得受伤、不被理解。然而圣经劝诫我们要彼此相爱。
V9 互相款待就互相去祝福。周围有确诊的人，我们会送东西去他们家，关心对方，“不发怨言”。
V10 每个人的恩赐不一样，每个人都可以用自己的恩赐在不同方面去帮助人。我们可能不会做好吃的给别人，但我们可以为人祷告、祝福他们。当我们去尊荣神的仆人，就是去尊荣神。我们要好好运用神给我们的恩赐，成为“神百般恩赐的好管家”。
V11 人若不知道恩赐是从神而来，就会用神给他们的恩赐去做属世的工作来为自己赚钱。用神给我们的恩赐在神国度里彼此服事才能得到真正的祝福。
三、v.12-19 欢喜面对
V12 我们是跟随主的态度是什么？是否只想要轻松没要求？这两节经文回应第1节说的“基督既在肉身受苦”。在地上受苦本来就是平常的事，我们不要以为跟从神就万事亨通，也不要想在这个世界一帆风顺，因为连我们的主在世时都受苦。当我们觉得困难、委屈的时候，圣灵会用说不出的叹气为我们祷告。我们受苦的时候，神没有撇下我们，所以不要害怕，只要感恩。
V13 即使是家人或自己确诊了，我们也能“欢喜”，感谢神让我们有机会可以跟家人建立更亲密的关系。神为我们预备的是永恒的祝福，所以不要留恋这世上暂时的好处。
V14 当我们因为家人确诊而被隔离时，我们是不孤单的，“因为神荣耀的灵常住在你们身上”。
V15-16 我们若为神的福音受苦，我们就是有福的。
V17 面对世界的逼迫，我们不要害怕，人虽然能让我们受苦，但神会给我们奖赏。审判的时候，神会先从我们开始。我们在世时是否忠心行出神给我们的使命？
V19 我们是会受苦、不舒服，比如家人可能会因为我们信主而不谅解甚至责骂我们，但我们仍要为主摆上，“一心为善，将自己灵魂交于那信实的造化之主”。当家人看到我们信主后生命不一样，我们就能荣耀主！