2. Manna issue 84 - Straight From The Heart 由心出發
Joshua Phoong—Ipoh, Malaysia
馬來西亞怡保 馮約書亞執事
Editor’s note: This article was adapted from a report written
for the 2016 Holy Work Symposium held by the International Assembly of the True Jesus Church,
which took place in Malaysia in March 2016.
編者按：
2016年三月，真耶穌教會聯總在馬來西亞舉行聖經研討會，
本文取自會後報告。
Every True Jesus Church believer knows these facts:
每一位真耶穌教會的信徒都知道這些事：
Our Lord Jesus entrusted us with the commission to preach to all nations and make disciples of all men.
主耶穌交託我們去向萬國傳福音，讓所有人都成為主的門徒。
This divine commission is of utmost importance
because once the true gospel of the kingdom has been spread throughout the world,
our task is done and the world will end.
這神聖的使命是至關重要的，
因為天國的真福音一旦擴散到全世界，
我們就完成任務，世界也會終了。
However, knowing these is insufficient.
More crucially, how do we go about fulfilling this commission?
As the True Jesus Church commemorates her centennial year,
this is a pertinent question for us all.
The signs that we have seen in recent times portend an imminent end.
How can we accomplish this task of preaching to the whole world?
然而，這些事只有知道是不夠的。
更重要的是，我們怎麼作，才能著手完成這個使命呢？
當真耶穌教會紀念傳教一百週年之時，
這是一個我們大家都切身相關的問題。
近期我們眼中所看到的徵兆，都預示者即將來臨的世界末了。
我們要怎麼作，才能完成向全世界傳福音的任務呢？
Half-Hearted Efforts? 三心二意的付出
World evangelism is a topic that has long been, and continues to be,
widely discussed at many different levels within the True Jesus Church.
We are, understandably, eager to live up to the role that our Lord has entrusted to us,
so we strategize and craft ambitious plans.
The strategic discussions we hold on world evangelism are appropriately expansive,
with such titles as:
“Globalization and Prospects of the True Jesus Church”
and “Global Evangelistic Strategies.”
在真耶穌教會裡面，一直以前，
世界傳道許多各個層面的的話題，都被廣泛的討論著，未來也會一直討論下去。
就我們所能了解的，我們都是很迫切想要扮演好主託付給我們的角色，
所以我們制訂各種策略，專研許多志向遠大的計劃。
我們一直在世界傳道各種策略的討論，確實是相當的廣泛，
就好像有這樣的主題：
"真耶穌教會的前景及全球化"，還有"全球傳教策略"。
But after all the discussions,
with our passionately articulated opinions recorded, what happens next?
A quick scan will reveal that nothing much has changed over the years.
The workers who were laboring in the fields years ago are the same few continuing today.
What has happened to those ambitious plans that were discussed and presented to the church?
但是經過大家儘力討論之後，所有一切充滿熱心的意見建檔之後，接下來有發生了什麼事嗎？
若是快速考察一下，就會知道這幾年過去了，但卻沒有很多事情有所改變。
幾年前，在禾場裡作工的工人，一直到了今日，還是一樣人數稀少。
而那些向教會提出來討論，非常具有企圖心的大計劃，結果又是如何呢？
We may point to the progress achieved.
The church has produced a full range of evangelistic pamphlets,
and a website accessible to the whole world.
We have a handful of workers toiling hard to bring the gospel to those
who have not yet heard the glad tidings.
By God’s grace, we continue to have baptisms in pioneering areas.
So whenever we report on gospel outreach,
we roll out statistics on the number of services conducted,
the number of service attendees, and maybe even the number of people baptized in these new areas.
These reassure us that we are heavily engaged in world evangelism.
我們或能指出已經完成事工的進展。
教會出版了一整個系列的福音手冊，
架設了教會網站全世界都看得到。
我們有一堆工人，努力工作，把福音傳給人，
讓他們可以聽到這另人欣喜的訊息。
因著神的恩典，在福音開拓地區都持續有人來受洗。
我們展開教會的統計數字圖，列舉了教會聚會次數，
參加聚會的人數，甚至或許也記錄著在這些新開拓地受洗的人次。
這些結果讓我們確保了，我們在世界傳道的工作上，有很努力付出。
But have we done everything we can?
On honest and deeper reflection,
we would admit that whatever we have done in world evangelism is only a token effort.
There is a huge gap between planning and execution because of several factors:
the lack of drive and passion, the lack of urgency, and the lack of sacrifice.
但是我們有沒有盡自已一切所能完成自已都能作的事呢？
若是誠誠實實深入的自我反省，
就會自行承認，不論我們在世界傳道上作了那些事情，只是不過是裝裝在努力的樣子而已。
在聖工的規劃和執行之間，有很大的落差，因為有好幾個因素：
缺乏向前的推力和熱情，沒有急迫感，不願意犧牲付出。
Problem 1: Lack of Drive and Passion
第一個問題：缺乏向前的推力和熱情
The problem is not a lack of awareness of our commission—
we have read Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16 umpteen times.
Nor is it a lack of ability.
We understand how to preach,
learning from biblical examples as well as through experiences at work and in life.
The first and fundamental problem is our lack of drive and passion to fulfill the commission.
We do not possess the deep conviction of our earliest workers to spread the gospel.
這個問題並不是缺乏對自已使命的警覺 -
我們無數次讀過馬太福音28章19節，和馬可福音16章16節。
而這個問題也不是個人沒有能力。
我們知道要怎麼傳福音，
聖經裡面有範例可以讓我們效法，
同樣地，在工作場合和生活中，也會個人的經驗而學會。
首先最根本的問題，就是我們沒有推力和熱情去完成這項使命。
我們並沒有像那些早期的工人一樣，心中懷抱著深深的信念要去傳福音。
This lack of drive can be seen at every level of the church organization.
For instance:
缺泛推力的情況，可以在教會團體裡面的各個層面中可以看到。
例如：
1. The International Assembly (IA) has held many discussions on evangelism.
But the execution of evangelistic work is weak.
Those who deliver impressive presentations on evangelism are nowhere to be found in pioneering fields.
Besides orators and teachers, we most need laborers,
and field supervisors who toil alongside and mobilize the laborers.
We entrust the leadership of the church to the IA Executive Council.
But how many of those elected to spearhead our evangelistic mission are out in the field?
Are we, in our commitment to proclaim the gospel, an example to the flock?
1.聯總對傳福音的工作，推出許多討貪。
但是福音工作，卻是執行不力。
那些對福音工作簡報讓人印象深刻的人，卻常在開拓地區看不到他的人。
教會除了需要演說家和教師之外，我們最需要的是願意工作的人，
還有現場的指導者，他可以一直都很努力，並且可以動員的了那些作工的人。
我們把教會領導的責任，交付在聯總的負責人會。
但是到底這些被選出來的人，有多少人成為福音工作的先鋒，願意實地出外傳福音呢？
我們接了傳福音的使命，是不是成為群羊的典範帶頭去傳福音呢？
2. The general assemblies and coordination boards of the church
are bogged down with a plethora of administrative and human issues.
Planning often centers on solving administrative issues,
and funds are channeled to physical assets.
How much energy and resources are left over for preaching?
2.教會的總會和協調委員會，常常因為行政或人事上過多的紛擾，而停滯不前。
規劃時常集中在解決行政的問題，而資金來源則涉到物質的資產。
但是這樣到底會留下多少的精力和資源來傳福音呢？
3. Local churches are trying their best
to keep up with the daily management of the church.
These include the many services, fellowships
and activities that are organized.
It is no easy task to keep the structured program of the church running.
But what about the immediate needs of sinners? Jesus Himself said,
“I must preach the kingdom to other cities also,
because for this purpose I have been sent” (Lk 4:43).
3.各地教會常試著儘力來維持教會日常的管理工作。
這包含了要組織，很多的聚會活動，團契活動，和各種活動。
要把教會已經建構好的各種活動，好好的執行下去，就不是一件容易的事。
但是許多罪人需要的幫助要怎麼辨呢？
耶穌自已告訴我們，
43但耶穌對他們說：我也必須在別城傳神國的福音，因我奉差原是為此。
(路 4：43)
4. Our preachers appear misnamed for they are more like theological lecturers and researchers.
What led to this? Is it the structure of the church organization?
Is it the type of training we give them?
Perhaps not enough effort has been put into the area of producing true evangelists.
4.我們的傳道者看起來被叫錯名字了，
因為他們比較像神學演說家，或是神學研究者。
難道這是我們經給予的訓練方式？
或許我們在這傳道訓練的方面，投入不足以產出真正的佈道家。
5. Our members enjoy edifying sermons week after week.
But why have these words not had their intended life-changing effect,
stirring us to arise and share these same words to our kith and kin?
5.一週過了一週，我們的信徒很滿足於聽道得到造就。
但是為什麼這些講道，不能帶來他們想要可以改變生命的效果呢？
不能激勵我們可以站出來和親朋好友分享福音呢？
Problem 2: Lack of Urgency
第二個問題：沒有急迫感
A second problem is our lack of urgency.
We approach the work of evangelism as if the Lord’s coming is not imminent,
as if we have plenty of time left to save souls.
We do not wholeheartedly commit ourselves to the task.
What we do accomplish appears to be done with just nominal effort,
undertaken to placate our conscience.
We comfort ourselves, saying,
“At least we have done something about the commission entrusted to us.”
第二個問題：沒有急迫感。
我們對待傳道的工作，就好像是神的再臨一點也不急，
就好像我們還有很多充足的時間可以拯救靈魂。
我們並沒有全心全力，自已投入在這項工作。
我們已經作的事，剛好就只是名義上的付出，是為了說服自已的良心而作的。
我們自我安慰說，
"最少我已經作了一些有關交話我要傳福音的事。"
But do we realize and remember that
every person who does not hear the gospel remains under the torturous burden of sin?
Are we moved with compassion—as our Lord Jesus was—when we see the multitude (Mt 9:36)?
但是我們真的知道，或是真的記得，
那些還沒有聽到福音的每一個人，都還是處在罪惡重擔的折磨呢？
就像我們的主耶穌一樣 - 當他看見許多人的時候，
我們有沒有因為同情而受到感動去傳福音呢？
We must arise quickly because there are perishing souls who await deliverance.
我們一定要很快站起來，
因為有很多要滅亡的靈魂，他們需要拯救。
Problem 3: Lack of Love
第三個問題：不願意犧牲付出
A third problem is the lack of a true spirit of service and a selfless heart of sacrifice.
Most of us live self-centered lives, where we aim to satisfy ourselves and the call of our flesh.
In many ways, we are no different from the people of our times—
heartless, selfish, complacent, and entrenched in our comfort zones (cf. 2 Tim 3:2).
第三個問題就是沒有真正要服務的精神，沒有一個願意犧牲無私的心。
我們大部份的人，過著自我中心的生活，
而自我中心就是朝著滿足自已一路走去，就是滿足自已肉體需要的聲音。
我們在許多方面，和同時代的人比起來，一點也沒有不同 -
同樣的無情，自私，自得意滿，只願意待在自已的舒適區裡面。
(參考，提後 3：2)
These words may seem harsh and unfair,
as many of our actions are borne out of personal choice.
But this is an honest observation and
evaluation of the actions that we exhibit.
We can see the inner intents of the heart through our observable actions—
do we act any differently from the world around us?
講出這些話來，或許看起來太過嚴厲，一點也不公平，
因為我們許多行為，都是個人自我的選擇。
這卻是根據大家表現出來的行為，非常直白的觀察和評語。
經由觀察我們表現的行為，可以看清楚自已內心的念頭 -
我們和身旁的整個世界相互比較而言，行為舉止直的有所不同嗎？
We are supposed to be a people who has been separated
and chosen to be different from the world.
As we have been enlightened by the Lord,
we must understand the hope of His calling,
and know the riches of the glory of His inheritance (Eph 1:18).
Why then have we not responded in love,
with haste and urgency, to the work of saving souls?
我們是不是有真的看起來，就是和這個世界的人比較起來，
真的有分別為聖，是特別被揀選出來要與眾不同的族群呢？
因為我們已經接受主耶穌的引領，
就一定要明白，神呼召我們所帶來的盼望，
要認知到，祂賞賜我們天國福份，所帶來豐盛的榮耀。
(弗 1：18)
那麼為何我們沒有感到很急迫，
速速的用愛來回應神拯救大家靈魂的工作呢？
A Change of Heart 變心了
When Moses spoke to the people concerning the building of the tabernacle
and the holy garments of the ministry, the response was immediate:
當摩西吩咐百姓關於如何建造會幕，如何編織聖職人員事奉的服飾之時，
大家馬上就有了回應：
Then everyone came whose heart was stirred,
and everyone whose spirit was willing;
and they brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting,
for all its service, and for the holy garments. (Ex 35:21)
21凡心裡受感和甘心樂意的都拿耶和華的禮物來，用以做會幕和其中一切的使用，又用以做聖衣。
(出 35：21)
The way ahead is clear.
To get the church out of this crisis of evangelistic lethargy,
all of us need a change of heart.
Our hearts must once again be strongly stirred by the conviction
that the world needs God’s word.
We must constantly refresh our drive to share God’s word with all whom we meet.
We must not allow our hearts to remain distant and numbed by the pleasures of the world.
前面要走的路是很清楚七。
若要讓教會脫離昏昏沉沉不想傳福音的危機，
我們大家都要改造自已的心。
一定要再一次讓我們的內心，
因著內心確信全世界都會需要神的話語，大大的再次火熱起來。
一定要不斷地補充自已分享神話語的動力，不論是遇到了誰。
也一定不讓自已的內心，因著世上的享樂，而逐漸變得冷漠和麻木。
This change of heart should happen at all levels of the church:
教會裡面各個年齡層，都要來改變自已的內心。
1. The IA: Instead of conducting further workshops or developing new plans,
we should revisit the decisions of past symposiums on evangelism and implement them.
The majority of the IA Executive Council are not involved in implementing the work of the IA.
We have to enlist these ministers to work in the fields.
1. 聯總：與其舉辨更多的研討會，作更多新的規劃，
我們應該重新翻開過去福音座談會所作的結論，並且把他們好好付緒實現。
聯總負責人會大部份的成員，一般都和實行聯總的工作事項無關。
我們要召募這些負責人來參與實地操作。
2. The church: The church must be mission-driven,
and we should identify leaders who can wholeheartedly focus on evangelism.
2. 教會：教會一定要有任務導向的觀念。
應該要認同那些可以全心全意專心傳福音領導教會長執。
3. Ministers: We must continue to stress the importance of personal evangelism to our members.
Preachers must lead the work of evangelism.
3. 服事神的人：我們一定要繼續對信徒強調個人佈道的重要性。
各個傳道者一定要帶領傳道的工作。
The Bible warns us that those who know the Master’s will
but do not carry it out will be severely punished (Lk 12:47–48).
No one can feign or claim ignorance—
the onus is on us to know the will of the Master and to accomplish it.
Only then can we claim to be wise stewards,
pleasing to the Master who, in turn,
will make us rulers in His household.
聖經警告我們，那些明白主人的用意，但卻不去實行的人，
將會受到嚴厲的處罰。(路 12：47-48)。
沒有人可以作假，說自已是無知的-
我們有責任要明白主人的想法，並且去完成它。
只有這樣，我們才可被稱為聰明的好管家，
讓主人很高興，接著，才會讓我們來管理祂的家。
May the True Jesus Church’s one-hundredth year
be the turning point in which we rekindle our zeal to fulfill God’s commission,
and stir up selfless love for those lost in sin.
希望真耶穌教會一百週年，可以是一個轉捩點，
在此時，我們點燃愛主的熱心，完成神的託付，
互相激勵，為那些失喪在罪中之一，發出無私的愛心。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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