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Manna issue 73 - Noble Vessels 英文嗎哪雜誌中譯 73 期 - 貴重的器皿

Audrey Chan—Leicester, UK 萊斯特，英國

God’s will is that we live a useful
life, to serve Him by carrying out
the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor
5:18) and shepherding His household
(Acts 20:28). These two things are, in
a nutshell, the key works appointed
by God for His church. They are
mammoth responsibilities, requiring
obedience and reliance on God.
For this reason, He needs a special
workforce—one where the workers
have prepared themselves for service
through a process of emptying
themselves and cultivating the right
spiritual disposition. Through His
Holy Spirit, God equips these workers
by giving them the power, spiritual
gifts, and guidance that they need.

神的旨意要我們過著造就人的生活；又將勸人與他和好的職分賜給我們來服事祂（林後 5:18）
並且要牧養神的教會（使徒行傳20:28）。
簡單來說，在教會裡這兩件事就是神吩咐給人的主要工作。
因為責任很重大，所以人對神，一定要順從和依靠。
正是這樣，神特別的工人 - 所有聖工人員都裝備自已來服事神，經過神的磨練，捨棄了自我鍛鍊出合宜的靈性。
靠著聖靈的幫助，神賜下了權柄和屬靈的恩賜，並引領他們當走的路。

reconciliation n. 和解，和好
in a nutshell 概括地說
obedience n. 服從，順從
reliance n. 依賴，依靠
cultivate vt. 培養；陶冶

EMPTYING OURSELVES

消除自我接納神

In the Bible, we see a commonality
among God’s faithful workers: they
were invariably people who emptied
themselves, making room for God to
use them. And they conducted their
lives in a way that demonstrated
this higher purpose. We see this
attitude in Noah’s obedience to
God’s commission to build the ark;
Abraham’s willingness to depart from
Ur for Canaan; Moses heeding God
to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt
and leading them on an epic forty year
journey through the wilderness;
and Joseph’s patient and silent wait
for God to show His hand while
incarcerated in an Egyptian prison.
All these examples stem from a clear
understanding of their relationship
with God and a willingness to submit
to His will—what He wanted them
to do and where He wanted them
to go. They were truly able to walk
humbly with their God (Mic 6:8–9).

在聖經裡，我們可以看到神忠心工人都有的共通性：
不約而同的是他們捨棄自已，給神使用。
他們過著有更高層次的生活目標。
諾亞依照神的吩咐來建造方舟時，我們看到了順服的態度；
亞伯拉罕順從神，離開吾珥到迦南地；
摩西聽從神，拯救以色列人出埃及，帶領他們走了四十年史詩般的曠野路；
當約瑟被下在監牢裡，他耐心安靜的等待神的拯救。
這些例子都根源於，他們有清楚認識到他們自已與神的關係，並且願意順服神的旨意 - 作神的工和走神的路。
他們實實在在存著謙卑的心，與你的神同行（彌 6：8-9）。

commonality n. 共通性
demonstrate vt. 顯示，表露
obedience n. 順服
incarcerate vt. 監禁
humbly ad. 謙遜地

With the right mindset, God’s
workers see life for what it really
is—a short and temporary journey to
a better place (Heb 11:9–10). Hence,
they have a discerning attitude
towards the personal assets they may
or may not have in this lifetime—be
it learning, wealth, or social standing.
They understand that these are of
little or no consequence in the grand
scheme of things, and, certainly, they
are not defined by them.
Paul was once a learned Pharisee
with standing and authority in the
Jewish community, but he put all this
aside once he came to know Christ
and began to serve Him.

有了正確的心態，神的工人會認清了人生的目的 - 只不過是到更美之地之前的短暫旅程而已（來 11：9-10）。
因此，他們能看清了今生所能擁有的資產，例如學識，名利。
因為他們了解，在神的偉大救贖經綸中，這些屬世的東西是微不足道的，當然也不會因此受到轄制。
過去保羅曾經是一個博學的法利賽人，在猶太人社會中，有地位，有權勢，
但自從認識了基督耶穌，他就拋棄了一切，開始服事祂神。

mind + set
discerning a. 有分辨力的
of little or no consequence 微不足道的
authority n. 權威

Yet indeed I also count all things
loss for the excellence of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whom I have suffered the loss
of all things, and count them as
rubbish, that I may gain Christ. (Phil 3:8)

不但如此，我也將萬事當作有損的，因我以認識我主基督耶穌為至寶。
我為他已經丟棄萬事，看作糞土，為要得著基督（腓 3：8）。

Such was Paul’s conviction that he
was willing to pay a high price to serve
His master: sufferings, persecution,
imprisonments, beatings, and dangers
to his life (2 Cor 11:23–28). In the
end, as history indicates, he even died
for Christ. Paul’s life was one of total
submission and dedication.

保羅的肺腑之言就是，他願意不計一切代價，就是要服事主：
多受勞苦，多下監牢，受鞭打是過重的，冒死是屢次有的（林後 11：23-28）。
歷史上記載，最後他也為主而死。保羅的一生，就是完完全全的順服和奉獻。

conviction n. 確信
dedication n. 奉獻

The ultimate example, however, is
Jesus Christ:
Let this mind be in you which was
also in Christ Jesus, who, being in
the form of God, did not consider
it robbery to be equal with God,
but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as
a man, He humbled Himself and
became obedient to the point of
death, even the death of the cross.
(Phil 2:5–8)

5你們當以基督耶穌的心為心：
6他本有神的形像，不以自己與神同等為強奪的；
7反倒虛己，取了奴僕的形像，成為人的樣式；
8既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服，以至於死，且死在十字架上。
(腓 2:5–8)

Jesus purposely emptied Himself of
His divine privileges to come to this
world as a man to bring salvation.

耶穌捨棄了自已天上的權柄，為了完成救贖，成為人的樣式來到世上。

Today, many believers are blessed with a high standard of
education, income, living, social standing, and so forth.
However, when we are called to serve God, can we empty
ourselves to work humbly?

如今，神祝福了我們，許多信徒有高水準的教育，豐厚的收入，優渥的生活，崇高的社會地位等等。
然而，當我們被呼召來事奉神時，我們能夠括棄自我，謙卑服事神嗎？

He swapped His heavenly glory for
a lowly upbringing in a carpenter’s
household; a ministry filled with
toil, tribulation and ultimately, death
on a cross. He did this obediently
to accomplish the ministry of
reconciliation for the heavenly Father.

他以天上的榮耀，換成在卑微的木匠家中長大；
一生的服事，不但充滿了勞苦和磨難，並且最後死在十字架上。
順服神，完成讓神與人和好的大工。

upbringing n. 養育；教養，培養
toil n. 辛苦
tribulation n. 苦難，磨難

Emptying ourselves entails selfdenial,
something that is counterintuitive
in this age where the
emphasis is on personal needs and
wishes. However, this is the secret to
serving God well and a pre-requisite
for obedience and submission. When
we put ourselves to one side, we
remove barriers and open ourselves
to God, letting Him use us as He
sees fit. This can be difficult to do,
and perhaps even more so when we
feel we have a lot to give up (Mk
10:21–23).

而捨棄自我也涵蓋了否定自我，與現今世上注重個人需求和期望，真覺上完完全全不一樣。。
然而，這就是能好好事奉神的奧秘，也是順服神的先決條件。
當我們把自己放一邊，就消除了阻礙，並把自己留給神，讓他安排我們做合適的工作。
這本來就不容易，所以當我們要放下一切時，或許就更加困難（可 10：21-23）。

counterintuitive adj. 與認知不同的
pre-requisite n. 先決條件
barrier n. 障礙，阻礙

Today, many believers are blessed
with a high standard of education,
income, living, social standing, and so
forth. However, when we are called
to serve God, can we empty ourselves
to work humbly? Are we willing to
serve others, or do we desire to be
served? Do we undertake whatever
tasks come our way, or do we pick
and choose? Do we listen to others,
or do we demand to be listened to?
Do we set the agenda, or do we
allow God to guide instead?

如今，神祝福了我們，許多信徒有高水準的教育，豐厚的收入，優渥的生活，崇高的社會地位等等。
然而，當我們被呼召來事奉神時，我們能夠括棄自我，謙卑服事神嗎？
我們願意服事別人，還是只想當大爺？
我們不論什麼事都作，還是只選好作的？
我們會聽別人說，還是別人要聽我的？
我們只選想作的，有求神帶領嗎？

Emptying ourselves also entails
shifting our focus away from
ourselves on to God. By the time
that God chose Moses to deliver
the Israelites, the once impetuous
Egyptian prince was living as a
refugee in the wilderness, with only
the livestock in his care for company.
The years had turned Moses into
a person who could only see his
inadequacies and who felt unequal
to God’s great commission to lead
Israel out of Egypt (cf. Ex 4:10). He
thought that he would have to rely
on his own ability, but God explained
otherwise: God would be with him
and empower him (Ex 3:11–12).
From then on, Moses learned to truly
empty himself—to look away from
himself and on to God. As a result,
God was able to use him mightily
to change the fortune of a whole
nation.

捨棄自我，也涵蓋把焦點從自已轉移到神身上 。
當神揀選摩西，要拯救以色列人出埃及的時候，這位過去衝勁十足的王子卻像難民一樣在曠野流浪，只有他的牲畜和他在一起。
多年以後，摩西終於了解自已的軟弱，也才察覺自已無法勝任帶領以色列人出埃及（出 4：10）
他認為可以依靠自已的才能，但神有不同的旨意：
神會與他同在，賜力量給他（出3：11-12）。
從此，摩西學會了真正的捨棄自我 - 不再關心自已，只看重神的事。
因此，神才能夠用祂的大能來改變整個國家的命運。

refugee n. 難民
inadequacies n. 不適當
fortune n. 命運

Today, when we fail to empty
ourselves, we will make the mistake
of assessing our own ability (or lack
thereof) to undertake God’s work.
We forget that the work belongs to
God, and that He is the one who will
equip the workers.

今時今日，如果我們無法捨棄自我，作聖工時，我們就會錯估自已的能力。
我們會忘了這是神的工作，神自會準備合用的工人。

assess vt. 估價

CULTIVATE THE CHARACTER OF A GOOD SERVANT

培養好僕人的品德

But in a great house there are not
only vessels of gold and silver,
but also of wood and clay, some
for honor and some for dishonor.
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself
from the latter, he will be a vessel
for honor, sanctified and useful for
the Master, prepared for every good
work. (2 Tim 2:20–21)

20在大戶人家，不但有金器銀器，也有木器瓦器；有作為貴重的，有作為卑賤的。
21人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿，成為聖潔，合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事。
（提後 2：20-21）

vessel n. 容器，器皿
sanctify vt. 使神聖化；使聖潔

God has high standards: He requires
vessels of honor, fit for His purpose.
According to Paul, we can actively
strive to be vessels of honor through
spiritual cultivation, by removing
lusts and pursuing righteousness,
faith, love, peace, and by avoiding
arguments and strife (2 Tim 2:21–
24). Paul adds that a good servant is
one who is gentle and humble.

神的標準很高：他要貴重的器皿，合乎主用。
保羅說，要逃避少年的私慾，同那清心禱告主的人追求公義、信德、仁愛、和平，
並且棄絕辯論和爭競，多多靈修就能成為貴重的器皿(提後 2：21-24)。
保羅又補充，好僕人是柔和而謙卑的。

The best way to reach God’s
standard is through consistent and
proactive spiritual cultivation. This is
how we can attain to the character
and mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). This
is essential for the growth of the
church, as it enables the workers to
see and approach church work as
Jesus would.

要達到神標準的最好方法，就是積極主動堅持不斷的靈修。
這樣才能得著基督的心性（林前 2:16）。
因此，工人才能從基督的角度來了解教會，處理神的工作，這對教會成長是非常重要的，。

consistent a. 堅持的
proactive a. 主動的

On a personal level, cultivation
enables us to be in a state of
readiness for doing God’s work. And
even if trials should come our way,
as they often do—be it an adverse
environment or opposition—we
will be in a better spiritual state to
overcome them. Conversely, if we
fail to do the groundwork, even a
minor difficulty will become a painful
challenge, discouraging us from
continuing to serve.

在個人層面上，靈修使我們隨時都準備好做神的工作。
即使要面對試煉，生活上就是這樣常常發生，一旦我們身處於窘境及逆境時，也能有更好的靈性來加以克服。
反之，如果我們沒作好基本功，即使是小小的困難度，也會變成痛苦的挑戰，阻礙了我們繼續服事神。

adverse a. 不利的
opposition n. 反對；對面的位置或方向

We all know what cultivation
entails; it is really a matter of whether
we have the resolve and self-discipline
to do it consistently. Sometimes, we
become so busy juggling life and
church work that we compromise
our spiritual cultivation. We devote
less time to prayers, we skip daily
Bible reading, and in church, we
become so distracted by a myriad of
tasks that we barely have time to sit
through a service or give the sermon
our full attention. And if this persists
over a period of time, it will impact
our spiritual well-being, and this will
show in our behavior.

我們都知道靈修是必要的；
這不過就是持續用決心和自律來實行。
有時我們忙著調整生活和教會工作的分配比例，但卻省略了自我的靈修。
會沒時間禱告，省略每日讀聖經，即使走進教會，也會很容易被各種雜事分心，
無法好好坐下來聚會，或留心聽道。
假如一直這樣下去，靈性就會被影響，行為舉止也會一一顯現出來。

juggle vi. 玩雜耍

How many of us have the
experience of being more impatient
and short-tempered with others
when we fail to allow God’s word and
the Holy Spirit to cleanse and renew
us? The carnal nature has a way of
surfacing insidiously. This is bad for
us, and if we continue down this
slippery slope, our very salvation may
be jeopardized. Hence, Paul speaks
of the need to discipline ourselves in
the course of working for God (1 Cor
9:27).

當我們沒有讓神的話和聖靈來幫我們潔淨和更新時，我們是否就因此也曾對別人不耐煩和發脾氣？
肉體上的軟弱，時常不知不覺中想要跑出來為害。
這很不好，若是我們再墮落下去，靈命就很危險。
因此，保羅說：在為神作工時，我是攻克己身，叫身服我（林前 9:27）。

carnal a. 肉體的
insidiously ad. 不知不覺地；暗中為害地
jeopardize vt. 危及

Furthermore, the emergence of the
carnal nature is bad for our working
relationships with others. Indeed,
it underpins a host of problems.
Arguments, murmurings, divisions,
jealousies, and power struggles are
all symptoms of a failure to curb
the carnal nature (Gal 5:16–21).
Instead of building up the church,
our attitude and behavior may
unwittingly create problems. Hence,
Paul exhorts us to put off the old
nature and to be renewed, that is, to
have a new mindset that is righteous
and holy (Eph 4:22–32), by relying
on the Holy Spirit.

再者，出現肉體的軟弱，會讓我們與同工的關係不好。確實也衍生了許多問題。
爭論，竊竊私語，結黨，嫉妒，權力鬥爭等等，所有的徵兆都表示我們不能控制肉體的軟弱（加 5：16-21）。
我們的態度和行為，不但不能造就教會，反而不知不覺中製造許多問題。
因此保羅勸勉我們，依靠聖靈，脫去你們從前行為上的舊人，將你們的心志改換一新，
並且穿上新人，有真理的仁義和聖潔（弗4：22-32）。

emergence n. 出現；浮現
unwittingly ad. 不知不覺地
exhort vt.規勸；告誡

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

聖靈的恩賜

God is gracious and does not leave
His workers to be without help.
When God instructed Moses to build
the tabernacle with all its ornate
furnishings, God selected His workers
and equipped them for the work:

神是恩慈的，不會撇棄祂無助的工人。
當神指示摩西建造會幕，並所有擺設的器具，
神也選擇了他的工人，並以祂的靈充滿他們，使祂們能做各樣的工。

Then the Lord spoke to Moses,
saying: ‘See, I have called by name
Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of
Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I
have filled him with the Spirit of
God, in wisdom, in understanding,
in knowledge, and in all manner
of workmanship, to design artistic
works, to work in gold, in silver, in
bronze, in cutting jewels for setting,
in carving wood, and to work in
all manner of workmanship. And
I, indeed I, have appointed with
him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach,
of the tribe of Dan; and I have put
wisdom in the hearts of all the
gifted artisans, that they may make
all that I have commanded you.’
(Ex 31:1–6)

1耶和華曉諭摩西說
2看哪，猶大支派中，戶珥的孫子、烏利的兒子比撒列，我已經題他的名召他。
3我也以我的靈充滿了他，使他有智慧，有聰明，有知識，能做各樣的工，
4能想出巧工，用金、銀、銅製造各物，
5又能刻寶石，可以鑲嵌，能雕刻木頭，能做各樣的工。
6我分派但支派中、亞希撒抹的兒子亞何利亞伯與他同工。凡心裡有智慧的，我更使他們有智慧，能做我一切所吩咐的，
（出 31：1-6）

The interesting point is how God’s
Spirit built up His workforce. Bezalel,
Aholiab, and the artisans already had
the basic skills for the work God had
in mind (Ex 28:3–4; 35:10–11; 36:1–
2)—the raw materials, as it were. But
for this monumental task, God knew
they needed spiritual gifts. Therefore,
He filled these workers with His Spirit
so that they had special wisdom,
knowledge, and enhanced skills. For
Bezalel and Aholiab, God’s Spirit
also endowed them with the ability
to teach the rest of the artisans so
that, together, they could implement
God’s intricate design (Ex 35:34).
This was important as the work had
to be done to exact standards and in
a coordinated way.

有趣的是神的靈建立了自已的工作團隊。
比撒列，亞何利亞伯和其他工匠，都已經對神想要作的工作具備了基本的技術（出 28：3-4;35：10-11;36：1-2）。
也可以說是對各種原始材料已經有了認識。
為了完成這個艱鉅的任務，神知道他們需要屬靈的恩賜。
因此，他以祂的靈充滿這些工人，讓他們有特殊的智慧，知識，能做各樣的工。
針對比撒列，亞何利亞伯二人，
神的靈還賜給他們能傳授給其他工匠的能力，
以便他們可以一起打造出神複雜精細的設計（出35:34）。
重要的是，工作上不但要互相協調，並且要以極度精確的標準來製作。

intricate a. 錯綜複雜的；複雜精細的

In God’s church today, which is the
body of Christ, God’s arrangement is
no different.

在今日神的教會，他是基督的身體，神的安排並無不同。

There are diversities of gifts, but the
same Spirit. There are differences of
ministries, but the same Lord. And
there are diversities of activities,
but it is the same God who works
all in all. But the manifestation
of the Spirit is given to each one
for the profit of all: for to one is
given the word of wisdom through
the Spirit, to another the word of
knowledge through the same Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit,
to another gifts of healings by the
same Spirit, to another the working
of miracles, to another prophecy,
to another discerning of spirits, to
another different kinds of tongues,
to another the interpretation of
tongues. But one and the same
Spirit works all these things,
distributing to each one individually
as He wills. (1 Cor 12:4-11)

4恩賜原有分別，聖靈卻是一位。
5職事也有分別，主卻是一位。
6功用也有分別，神卻是一位，在眾人裡面運行一切的事。
7聖靈顯在各人身上，是叫人得益處。
8這人蒙聖靈賜他智慧的言語，那人也蒙這位聖靈賜他知識的言語，
9又有一人蒙這位聖靈賜他信心，還有一人蒙這位聖靈賜他醫病的恩賜，
10又叫一人能行異能，又叫一人能作先知，又叫一人能辨別諸靈，又叫一人能說方言，又叫一人能繙方言。
11這一切都是這位聖靈所運行、隨己意分給各人的。
（林前12：4-11）

distribute vt. 分發；分配

The gifts of the Holy Spirit
mentioned here are not meant to
be an exhaustive list, for we see that
Paul goes on to talk about other
gifts and roles in the church (see for
example, 1 Cor 12:28). However,
once again, we should take note of
the gifts of wisdom and knowledge
mentioned and their importance for
church work.

這裡所提的聖靈恩賜，不是一張詳盡的清單，因為保羅繼續談論到其他教會的恩賜和職份。（參考，林前12:28）
不過，我們應該再一次注意到，智慧與知識的恩賜對聖工很重要。

exhaustive a. 徹底的；詳盡的

Today, the church will more than
likely have at her disposal, workers
with diverse skills acquired through
the education system, the world of
work, and life experiences. They
may be skillful in administration,
planning and management, finance,
pedagogy, customer service,
cooking, and so forth. Some of these
skills can be useful for church work,
but not all, as God’s work is different
from secular work. Importantly, God
knows His church best, including
what she needs in order to grow.
Therefore, if God wills, He can choose
to work with whatever human talent
there is in the church and to enhance
it by the power of His Spirit, adding
wisdom, knowledge, and faith. Or
else, if God decides that the church
would benefit from different skills,
He has the prerogative to bestow
new gifts to the workers. In this way,
God can equip and grow His church
in any way that He sees fit.

今日，在聖靈的安排下，教會通常有各種技能的工人，他們接受過教育，有職場歷練以及有豐富的生活經驗。
他們可能善於管理，規劃與營運，金融，教育學，客戶服務，烹調，等等。
其中有些技能可以幫助教會的工作，但不是全部都能幫得上忙，因為聖工和世俗的工作是不一樣的。
重要的是，神最了解他的教會，包括了她需要什麼才可以成長。
因此，如果神願意，不管那一種教會裡的才能，他都會同工，用聖靈的能力提昇人的才能，加添人的智慧，知識和信心。
要不然，如果神決定用各種不同技能來造就教會，他就有特權再給工人新的恩賜。
這樣，神會以祂看為美好的方法來裝備教會，使她成長。

disposal n.配置
prerogative n. 特權

It is not surprising, then, that
Jesus told His disciples to wait for
the power from on high prior to the
establishment of the church:
And being assembled together with
them, He commanded them not
to depart from Jerusalem, but to
wait for the Promise of the Father,
“which,” He said, “you have heard
from Me. (Acts 1:4)

耶穌告訴門徒，等候從上頭來的能力，比建立教會更重要，這並不奇怪。
4耶穌和他們聚集的時候，囑咐他們說：不要離開耶路撒冷，要等候父所應許的，就是你們聽見我說過的。（使徒行傳1：4）

The work of preaching the gospel,
baptizing people, and caring for the
members could not be accomplished
or sustained by human effort and
raw talent alone: the commission
and challenges facing the early
church were greater than the sum of
her workers. God’s work had need
of members who were adequately
equipped by the wisdom, power, and
gifts of the Holy Spirit. God would be
their guiding, driving, and sustaining
force. With man’s effort and resources
alone, the work would be in danger
of digressing or fizzling out.

傳福音的工作，為人施洗，關心信徒，不是單靠人的努力和天份，就能夠完成和持續下去的：
早期教會所面臨的託咐和挑戰，遠超過其工人所能承受的。
神的工作需要信徒用智慧，力量，聖靈的恩賜充份地作好裝備。
神將會給他們引導，激勵和支持的力量。
若只單靠人的努力和資源，聖工將有走偏差和最終失敗的危機。

digress vi. 走向岔道；脫離主題
fizzle out 虎頭蛇尾般結束或失敗

It is with good reason that the key
requirements for God’s servants are to
be filled with the Holy Spirit and with
wisdom (Acts 6:3). God’s principles
do not change: in the Old Testament
time, God filled the workers
commissioned to build the tabernacle
with His Spirit and wisdom; today,
God does the same for those who
are building His church. Through the
Holy Spirit, God bestows all manner
of spiritual gifts, apportioning them
as He sees fit (1 Cor 12:11). He does
this for the “profit of all” (1 Cor
12:7)—that is, for the benefit of the
church as a whole. Hence, when we
look around, we see this wonderful
arrangement: God provides us with a
talented workforce that is just right
for our church at a local, national,
and even international level. That is
God’s good planning and design.

神的僕人為何需要聖靈充滿和智慧充足，是有原因的（使徒行傳6：3）。
神不改變原則：舊約時代，神呼召工人，給他們充滿聖靈和智慧來建造會幕；
今日，神用同樣的方式，給他們充滿聖靈和智慧來建造教會。
靠著聖靈，本著祂的美意，神分派所賜下各樣屬靈的恩賜（林前12:11）。
是叫人得益處（林前 12：7），也就是說，為了使整體教會得益處。
因此，當我們環顧四周，我們看到這個美好的安排：
不論是為了地方教會，國內各教會或各國的教會，神都剛剛好預備有恩賜的工人。
這就是神美好的計畫和安排。

The best way to reach God’s standard is through consistent and
proactive spiritual cultivation. This is how we can attain to the
character and mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). This is essential for
the growth of the church, as it enables the workers to see and
approach church work as Jesus would.

要達到神的標準，最好的辦法就是不斷堅持，積極主動的靈修。
這樣，我們就可以有基督的性情及一個體會基督的心（林前2:16），
對教會的增長來說這很重要，如此，工人才可以用耶穌的方式，來了解並處理教會的工作。。

God knows His church best, including what she needs in order
to grow. Therefore, if God wills, He can choose to work with
whatever human talent there is in the church and to enhance
it by the power of His Spirit, adding wisdom, knowledge, and
faith. Or else, if God decides that the church would benefit from
different skills, He has the prerogative to bestow new gifts to
the workers. In this way, God can equip and grow His church in
any way that He sees fit.

重要的是，神最了解他的教會，包括了她需要什麼才可以成長。
因此，如果神願意，不管那一種教會裡的才能，他都會同工，用聖靈能力提昇人的才能，加添人的智慧，知識和信心。
要不然，如果神決定用各種不同技能來造就教會，他就有特權再給工人新的恩賜。
這樣，神會以祂看為美好的方法來裝備教會，使她成長。

To do the work, we need a heart
that is willing and motivated to do
God’s work, just like the artisans in
the time of Moses (Ex 36:2). God
will then grant us the spiritual gifts
we need while we faithfully serve.
Amazingly, the Bible reveals that the
more we do and the more faithful
we are, the more spiritual gifts God
will bestow upon us (Mt 25:29).
However, we need to remember,
it is never for our own glory and
embellishment but for God’s glory.

我們不但要有願作的心，也願意積極從事神的工作，就像摩西時代工匠（出36：2）。
神會給我們所需要的屬靈恩賜，只要我們忠心服事神。
很奇妙，聖經上說，我們作的越多，就會越忠心事主，神也會賞賜更多恩賜（太 25:29）。
但是，我們需要記住，這不是我們自已的榮耀和裝飾，而是神的榮耀。

embellishment n. 裝飾

HEEDING THE HOLY SPIRIT

留心聽聖靈的聲音

In the True Jesus Church, we are
blessed with the abidance of the
Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who guides
and directs us in the way we should
serve. However, we need to be close
to God in order to hear His voice. For
this reason, Paul exhorts us to pray
unceasingly in the Spirit (Eph 6:18)
and to be filled with the Holy Spirit
(Eph 5:18). In this way, the Spirit can
speak to us as we prepare to serve
and whilst we serve. Sometimes,
God’s voice is gentle, coaxing us to
do His bidding. At other times, it can
be like a fire burning in our hearts
until we have accomplished the
assignment.

在真耶穌教會，因為聖靈同在，我們是有福的。
神的靈會引導我們要怎麼服事神。
然而，我們要親近主聽祂的聲音。
為此，保羅勸勉我們要靠著聖靈，隨時多方禱告祈求（弗6:18）乃要被聖靈充滿（弗5:18）。
當我們準備要服事神，或是已經在服事了，通過這種方式，聖靈會和我們溝通。
有時，神的聲音的柔和的，安撫我譬遵照祂的旨意。
其他的時候，聖靈像火在內心挑旺，直到我們完成工作。

abidance n. 居住
unceasingly ad. 繼續地；不斷地
coax vt. 用好話勸，哄誘

Many years ago, I attended a
Bible camp overseas with several
brethren from the UK. We were in
a foreign place with members who
were strangers. I still remember
the emotions: nervousness and
excitement mixed with trepidation of
what lay ahead. Would I be able to
cope with the schedule, and would I
understand the lectures?

很多年前，我和幾個英國弟兄參加了一個海外聖經研習營。
我們在國外遇到很多不認識的信徒。
我還記得當時的心情：緊張，興奮又夾雜著對未來的不安。
我將能夠配合時間嗎？上課我聽得懂嗎？

trepidation n. 驚恐，慌張，不安

Faced with a class from different
backgrounds and language needs,
the lecturer had to speak in Chinese
and then interpret the message
into English by himself on the first
day. I began to wonder how long
he could sustain this, but there was
obviously no other arrangement
planned. During one of the prayers, I
interceded for the lecturer, asking God
to sustain him. Suddenly a thought
came to my mind that I should offer
to help. In the next prayer, the feeling
became stronger—I knew it was
the Holy Spirit urging me. At that
point, I experienced a great internal
struggle: I felt I was in no position
to help with my limited interpreting
experience; I felt there were better
qualified brethren in the room; it
did not feel appropriate, as I was
not from the hosting church. It was
such a dilemma, but the Holy Spirit
continued to stir my heart. In the
end, I decided I could not ignore the
Spirit’s prompting and offered my
help. I could only imagine that the
lecturer must have been somewhat
taken aback; in truth, so was I. As
it transpired, God mercifully opened
my ears and mouth to do the work.
Best of all, after I volunteered, others
came forward to do likewise. In
this way, different members pulled
together to make the Bible camp run
smoothly. In hindsight, that must
surely have been God’s will all along.
Hallelujah, praise God!

第一天，同一班裡，面對來自不同背景和不同國家的成員，
講員必須要先說中文，再自已翻成英文。
我心裡在想，他能這樣撐多久？但非常明顯地的是，教會也沒有其他更好的安排。
在一次禱告中，我就為講員代禱，求神幫助他。
突然間，我有一個念頭，要我去幫助他。
而且在下次禱告時，這個想法就變得更加強烈，我知道，聖靈正在感動我。
那時，我內心有很大的掙扎：我覺得，憑我有限的翻譯經驗，好像我幫不上忙；
我覺得這裡應該會有更合適的弟兄；因為我不是本地教會的人，如果這麼作了，好像也不太好。
正在兩難之中，聖靈再次激勵我的心。最後，我決定不再消滅聖靈的感動，主動提供協助。
我只能預料，講師一定有點被嚇到，說實話，我自已也嚇到自已。
當事情這樣發生時，神恩慈地開了我的耳，讓我聽得懂，也打開了我的嘴，讓我翻得出來，完成這件工作。
最棒的是，當我主動幫忙之後，其他人也同樣的主動幫忙。
就這樣，許多成員一起幫助，讓聖經研習營變得更加順利。
現在回想起來，一切都是神的美意。
哈利路亞，讚美神！

interpret vt. 口譯
intercede vi. 求情；代禱

NOBLE VESSELS

貴重的器皿

The church is a spiritual entity
entrusted with spiritual work. Hence,
her workers need spiritual qualities:
the ability to remove personal barriers
to make room for God to work; a
godly disposition for the sake of their
own salvation and for the benefit of
the church; the gifts of the Holy Spirit
to enrich the church and prosper
God’s work; and a willingness to heed
the Spirit’s voice. When we all strive
together to pursue these virtues, God
will have the use of noble vessels in
His house.

教會本質是屬靈的，所以被交託屬靈的工作。
因此，她的工人需要屬靈的特質：
除了要除去個人的內心的攔阻之外，要把清潔的心留給神來作工；
有神的良善的性情，可以使人得救和幫助教會；
有聖靈的恩賜，可以造就教會，興旺福音的工作；並願意仔細留心聽聖靈發出的聲音。
當我們能夠一起努力追求這些美德時，在神的家裡，就會有貴重的器皿為主所用。

entity n. 實體；存在

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