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Manna issue 69 - The Church— God’s Called-Out Assembly 神所選召的群體

Called for a purpose. 選召有其目的

Based on a sermon by Simon Chin—Singapore

參考，新加坡 陳西門傳道講道

INTRODUCTION 簡介

Normally, when people say they are
“going to church,” they refer to the
physical church building. In the context
of the Bible, however, the church refers
to an assembly of people called out
by God. It comes from the Greek root
word ekklesia, which means “called
out.”

一般來說，當有人說要"去教會"的時候，他們指的是物質上的教會建築物。
然而在聖經的內容裡面，教會指的是被神選召出來的一群人。
這個字來自希臘字根，ekklesia，意思是"called out 選召之人"。

We first see evidence of people being
“called out” in the Old Testament:

我們一開始看見舊約裡面，人們被"選召"出來的証據：

“For you are a holy people to the
LORD your God, and the LORD
has chosen you to be a people for
Himself, a special treasure above all
the peoples who are on the face of
the earth.” (Deut 14:2)

2因為你歸耶和華─你神為聖潔的民，耶和華從地上的萬民中揀選你特作自己的子民。
(申 14：2)

Back then, God told the Israelites
that they were a holy people, chosen
by God for Himself. There were many
other nations at that time, such as the
Philistines and the Assyrians, but God
did not choose them. God chose the
Israelites, and they became a people
called out from the world to belong
to Him. They were a special treasure
above everybody else. This was
amazing grace given to the people of
God.

在那時候，神告訴以色列人，
他們是一群聖潔的子民，由神親自所揀選的。
那時還有許多的其他國家，例如，腓利士人及亞述人，但神並沒有選他們。
神選了以色列人，他們就變成了屬於祂，從世界之中選召出來的子民。
他們比起其他人，在神眼中是一珍貴的寶貝。
這就是神選民所得到的奇妙恩典。

This unique status was also made
apparent to the world. The king of
Moab tried to bribe a false prophet,
Balaam, to curse the Israelites. But
Balaam could only speak what God told
him to speak (Num 23:7–8). Balaam
thus ended up blessing the Israelites,
referring to them as “a people dwelling
alone” (Num 23:9). Clearly, this nation
of God’s people is not a nation of the
world.

這種獨特的身份，也讓世上的人都很清楚。
摩押王試著想要賄賂假先知，巴蘭，來咒詛以色列人。
但巴蘭只能口說，神要他所說的話。(民 23：7-8)
最後，巴蘭以祝福以色列人收場，
指著他們說是"一群獨居的民"。(嚴 23：9)
很明顯地，這個神子民的國家，並不是世上的一個國家。

In the context of the True Jesus
Church today, we need to realize that
our church is not a church of the world;
she is a called-out assembly of God’s
people. Since the church is not of the
world, she must dwell alone. When
people ask what denomination the
True Jesus Church belongs to, we say
that we do not belong to any. Being
part of a Christian denomination—the
categorization of the churches of the
world—signals that we belong to the
world. We do not belong to the world
but to God.

在今日真耶穌教會本文之中，我們一定要明白，教會並不是世上的教會；
她是神選民所組成的一個團體。
因為教會不屬於這個世界，所以她一定要獨居。
當有人問起，到底真耶穌教會是屬於什麼教派的時候，我們會說，不屬於任何一派。
若是屬於任何基督教派的一部份， - 世上教會的分類，表示說，我們還屬於這個世界。
但我們並不屬於世界，而是專屬於神而已。

REDEEMED BY HIS BLOOD 用祂的寶血拯救

Some skeptics may challenge our claim
to be the church of the Lord. How do
we know we have really been called
out by the Lord? Let us examine how
God called His people out in the New
Testament.

有一些抱持著懷疑的人，就會質疑我們是不是屬於主的教。
我到底是怎麼知道，自已真的有被主來選召呢？
讓我們來看看，神在新約的時候，到底是如何選召出祂的子民的。

In a vision (Rev 5:9–10), Elder John
saw four living creatures and twentyfour
elders around the throne of the
lamb, singing praises to God. They
sang that Jesus Christ was worthy to
take the scroll and open the seal. Christ
was worthy because He was killed to
redeem people to God by His blood;
this group of people was made a
kingdom and priests to God.

在異象中，(啟 5：9-10)，約翰長老看見了四活物和24位長老，圍繞羔羊的寶座，唱歌讚美神。
他們唱著，耶穌基督配得卷軸，並且開啟封印。
基督能配得榮耀，因為祂被殺用自已的寶血來拯救出自已的子民；
這一群人就會形成一個神的國度，成為神君尊的祭司。

In other words, this church of the
Lord is an assembly of people called
out to the Lord by His precious blood.
That is why the church is so precious
in His sight. We must never think that
the church is just any organization and
that we belong to a mere organization.
We are all members of the church of
Christ because Jesus has redeemed us
with His blood. We are very precious
to Him.

換句話說，這個主的教會，是一群由主用來寶血呼召出來的一群人。
這也是為什麼，教會在祂的眼中，是那麼的寶貴。
我們一定不要想成，教會不過是任何的宗教組織而已，而我們只不過是正好屬於一個組織。
我們全部的人，都是基督教會的成員，因為耶穌已經用祂的血拯贖了我們。
對祂而言，我們是極其寶貴的。

Apostle Paul spent three years
providing pastoral care to the church in
Ephesus. Just before his departure, he
exhorted the elders there to shepherd
the church of God:

使徒保羅花了三年，在以弗所給教會牧養。
在他要離開的時候，他勸勉那裡的長老，要好好牧養神的教會：

“Therefore take heed to yourselves
and to all the flock, among which the
Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to
shepherd the church of God which He
purchased with His own blood.”
(Acts 20:28)

28聖靈立你們作全群的監督，你們就當為自己謹慎，也為全群謹慎，牧養神的教會，就是他用自己血所買來的（或作：救贖的）。
(徒 20：28)

“God” in this passage refers to
Jesus. The church that belongs to God
consists of the believers, whom Jesus
purchased with His own blood. This is
why the church is unique.

在這經節之中，"神"指的是耶穌。
屬於神的教會，是由信徒的組成的，而這些人都是耶穌用祂的寶血所買來的。
這就是為什麼教會是那麼的獨特。

A common question is whether there
is such a thing as the true church. The
answer is a resounding and definite
“Yes!” Many churches were established
by men, not by the will of God. They
were established by the power of
kings, priests or people who love the
Lord. These churches may be good
churches, but the blood of Christ does
not redeem them because they are
established by the hands of men. This
is the difference between the churches
of the world and the church of God.

一般會問的問題就是，在真教會裡面，是不是真的有這些事情呢？
這問題的答案，是清楚明白，絕對肯定的說，"是的！"
許多其他的教會是由人所成立的，不是靠著神的旨意而立。
他們會成立，是因為有君王的權力，祭司的權力，或是一些愛主之人的努力。
這些或許都是很好的教會，但基督的寶血並沒有用來拯救他們，
因為他們是由人之手所成立的。
這也是世上教會與神的教會之間的差異性。

[A]nd from Jesus Christ, the faithful
witness, the firstborn from the dead,
and the ruler over the kings of the
earth. To Him who loved us and
washed us from our sins in His own
blood, and has made us kings and
priests to His God and Father, to Him
be glory and dominion forever and
ever. Amen.
(Rev 1:5–6)

5並那誠實作見證的、從死裡首先復活、為世上君王元首的耶穌基督，有恩惠、平安歸與你們！他愛我們，用自己的血使我們脫離（有古卷作：洗去）罪惡，
6又使我們成為國民，作他父神的祭司。但願榮耀、權能歸給他，直到永永遠遠。阿們！
(啟 1：5-6)

Elder John tells us that the blood of
Christ washes away our sins. Believers
then become the church of the Lord;
a kingdom (the original text reads
“kingdom”) and priesthood dedicated
to serving God. This cleansing by the
blood of Jesus is essential if we are to
be part of God’s kingdom.

約翰長老告訴我們，基督的寶血會洗去我們的罪。
然後信徒才會組成主的教會；
一個國度或國家，(原文讀成國家)
君尊祭司的職份，專獻給神來服事祂。
若我們要成為神國度的一份子，由耶穌寶血所帶來的洗淨罪污的能力，是至關重要的。

We thank God that this grace is given
to the True Jesus Church. Baptism in
the name of Jesus Christ effectively
washes away our sins because the
blood of Christ is present. Visions of
blood during the baptisms conducted
by the True Jesus Church attest to this.

我們感謝神，真耶穌教會有得到這個恩典。
奉主耶穌基督聖名的洗禮，能夠有效地洗去我們的罪孽，因為有基督寶血的同在。
在真耶穌教會舉行洗禮的時候，會有看見水變血的異象，就見証了這件事。

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TRUE CHURCH 真教會的重要性

The “true church” is not just a
buzzword. It has great significance,
which we must understand.

"真教會"一詞，並不是一句流行話而已。
它隱含了更大的重要性，也是我們一定要知道的事。

(a) Called To Serve Him 被選召來服事祂

Firstly, God chooses us to serve Him,
the one true God.

一開始，神，這獨一真神，選召了我們來服事祂。

For even if there are so-called gods,
whether in heaven or on earth (as
there are many gods and many lords),
yet for us there is one God, the Father,
of whom are all things, and we for
Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom are all things, and
through whom we live.
(1 Cor 8:5–6)

5雖有稱為神的，或在天，或在地，就如那許多的神，許多的主；
6然而我們只有一位神，就是父，萬物都本於他；我們也歸於他─並有一位主，
就是耶穌基督─萬物都是藉著他有的；我們也是藉著他有的。
(林前 8：5-6)

Many people in Corinth were idol worshipers.
But the blood of Christ
called out the Christians who lived
among them. These believers could
tell the difference between Jesus, the
true God, and the idols. Today we have
been called out just like them. Through
Jesus, our Lord, are all things; through
Jesus we live. Hence we cannot serve
another God. The modern danger is
not any physical idol, but is represented
by the unseen gods we give our love
to. Such love belongs to the one true
God, and Him alone. But we often give
this love to the world. The Scriptures
say God is a jealous God. This means
that He treasures our love so much that
He does not want us to waste even the
smallest ounce of it in loving the world.
Only when we completely belong
to God, will we be set free from the
abominable things of the world.

哥林多有許多人都是拜偶像的。
但是基督的寶血，從拜偶像的人之中，把他們呼召出來。
這些信徒可以分別，耶穌，真神和偶像之間的差別。
今日我們也像他們一樣，被神呼召出來。
透過我們的主耶穌，他同存在萬事萬物之中；透過耶穌，我們得以存活。
所以我們不能再事奉其他的神了。
而現今社會的危險，不再是任何物質形象的偶像，
而是以一些看不見的崇拜方式來呈現，而我們偏偏又非常的喜愛他們。
這種只可以屬於獨一真神的愛，只有他才配得這樣的愛。
但是我們常常把這樣的愛給了世界。
聖經說，神是一個忌妒的神。
這就代表了，祂非常珍愛我們對祂的愛，
所以祂不希望我們把這其中的一小點，分給其他事物而浪費了，來愛世上的一切。
只有當我們完全屬於神，我們才能脫離這個世上的任何可憎之事。

Wickedness exists in this world
because there are those who do not
love God. They have no qualms doing
wicked things because they have no
fear of God. In contrast, those who
know the one true God have the fear
of God. They know that this is their
Father, and that through Him they have
life. Hence, they resolve to serve Him
with all their heart, soul, and mind. God
is not someone whom we seek only
during prayers or only when we have
problems and need a trouble-shooter.
Moses reminds us: “And now, Israel,
what does the Lord your God require
of you, but to fear the Lord your God,
to walk in all His ways and to love
Him, to serve the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul”
(Deut 10:12), and “The Lord delighted
only in your fathers, to love them; and
He chose their descendants after them,
you above all peoples, as it is this day”
(Deut 10:15).

邪惡的事，在這個世界上存在著，因為有許多人，他們不愛神。
他們作壞事的時候，不會感到自已的良心會受到譴責，因為他們不懂得敬畏神。
相反的，那些認識獨一真神的人，卻知道要敬畏神。
他們知道這是他們的天父，也因為有祂，自已才有生命的。
因此，他們決心要盡心、盡性、盡意來服事祂。
我們來尋求神，並不是只有我們在禱告的時候，
或是當我們遇到了問題，需要有人來幫忙解決問題的時候。
摩西提醒了我們：
12以色列阿，現在耶和華─你神向你所要的是甚麼呢？
只要你敬畏耶和華─你的神，遵行他的道，愛他，盡心盡性事奉他，
(申 10：12)
15耶和華但喜悅你的列祖，愛他們，從萬民中揀選他們的後裔，就是你們，像今日一樣。
(申 10：15)

Today, this is why we are called out
to be God’s assembly. People of the
world do not understand this special
and precious relationship—He is
our God, and we are His people. To
many, faith is human-centric, i.e., God
“exists” to serve them! So the business
people seek the deity of commerce to
bless them. Those who need wealth
flock to the god of prosperity to bless
them. They worship God in order to be
blessed.

今日，這就是我們被神選召出來成為神的子民的原因。
世上的人，不會明白這份又特別，又珍貴的關係 - 祂是我們的神，我們是祂的子民。
對許多人而言，信仰是以人為中心的，也就是說，神要"存在"才能來幫這些人的忙！
所以作生意的人會尋求生意的神祇來祝福他們。
那些想要發財的人，蜂湧至豐富之神前來尋求祝福。
他們為了得到祝福，才來敬拜神。

In contrast, our faith is—and must
be—God-centric. We serve Him
because we have been called out for
this purpose. Understanding this is very
important; it enables us to be joyful
as we serve God. Taking up the cross
and following Him is easy. We will not
murmur when we hit a rough spot.
Everything we do for God, we will do
with love. This is the grace we receive
from God when we serve Him. Those
who serve Him sincerely and fervently
will draw closer to God and be further
strengthened in their faith.

相反地，我們信仰的情況是 - 也一定要是 - 以神為中心。
我們來服事祂，因為已經這個目的，而被選召出來。
能夠了解這一點是很重要的；因為當我們服事神的時候，讓我們可以有喜樂之心。
背起十架架，跟從祂是容易的。
當我們遭遇困難的時候，才不會發出怨言。
所作的任何事，都是為了主，並且是以愛心為出發點而行。
這就是當我們在服事祂的時候，從神所得到的恩典。
誠心又熱心服事祂的人，會變得更加親近主，在信仰之中會得到更多的力量。

(b) Called to Enjoy His Abidance 被選來享受與祂同在的喜樂

God’s Abidance and Sanctification 神的同在，並且讓人成為聖潔

Secondly, God calls us out to abide in
us. Through His abidance, we become
holy. God will not dwell with people
of the world but only with His people.
God wants His people to come out
of this world undefiled. He will then
receive them; He shall be their Father,
and they, His children.

第二，神選我們出來，是要與我們同住。
因為有祂的同在，我們才能成聖。
神不會與世上的人同住，只會與祂的子民同在。
神要祂的子民走出世界，不受沾染。
然後祂就會接受他們；
祂會成為他們的天父，而這些人會成為祂的兒女。

The church of the Lord comprises a
people called out through the blood
of Christ so that they will be holy. To
sanctify men, God uses the truth and
the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts,
so that they can abide in God and He
with them, and the glory of God can be
manifested. Therefore, the church must
be cleansed by the word of truth and
the Holy Spirit in order to become holy.
When we are holy, the Holy One can
then abide with us and we with Him.
The result of such a life is glory in God’s
eyes and eternal life.

主的教會，是由一群用基督寶血，呼召出來之人所組成的，
因為這樣，他們才能成為聖潔。
為了使人成聖，神用真理和聖靈，在他們的內心作工，
所以他們可以與神同住，祂也與他們同在，而神的榮耀才能顯現出來。
所以教會為了要能夠成為聖潔，就要用真理的話和聖靈來加以潔淨。
當我們都變得聖潔之後，然後聖者就能與我們同在，而我們也與祂同住。
這樣的生活所帶來的結果，就是神眼中的榮耀，及永生。

Abide in the Truth 住在真理之中

Also, believers in God’s true church
must dwell in the truth:

而且，真神真教會的信徒，會沐浴在真理之中：

Since you have purified your souls in
obeying the truth through the Spirit
in sincere love of the brethren, love
one another fervently with a pure
heart, having been born again, not
of corruptible seed but incorruptible,
through the word of God which lives
and abides forever.
(1 Pet 1:22–23)

22你們既因順從真理，潔淨了自己的心，以致愛弟兄沒有虛假，就當從心裡（從心裡：有古卷是從清潔的心）彼此切實相愛。
23你們蒙了重生，不是由於能壞的種子，乃是由於不能壞的種子，是藉著神活潑常存的道。
(彼前 1：22-23)

Since we are reborn, we are no longer
our old selves. We are a new people.
In Christ, we are a new creation, and
we become people with the heart of
God, with His holiness, filled with the
word of the Lord. This is the church of
God. That is why she is called the pillar
of truth. Whatever the church does is
according to the truth. Truth must rule
over the church.

因為我們重生了，不再是舊我。如今是新人。
在基督裡，我們是新造之人，變成有神的內心，聖潔，並且充滿神的話。
這就是神的教會。
這也是為什麼，她會被稱為是真理的柱石。
無論教會作什麼事情，都是根據真理而行。
真理一定要是教會運作的中心。

Given this great importance of the
truth, we must esteem learning the
word of God. We come to church for
fellowship—with God. We need to
truly listen to the word of God and
accept this word into our hearts. Many
of us are physically in church, but our
hearts are not there. How then can we
have fellowship with God? How then
can we be the called-out assembly?
Coming to church for the sole purpose
of fellowship with men will keep us
from being born of the word of God.
And if we are not born of the word of
God, we cannot be the church of God.

因為真理有這麼大的重要性，就要帶著尊敬好好學習神的話。
我們來到教會可以團契，與神一同團契。
我們要真的把神的話聽進去，內心真誠的接受。
我們許多人在肉體上有來教會，但內心但不在教會。
那麼我們怎麼可能可以與神好好的團契呢？
那麼我們怎麼可以被叫作，由神選召出來的一群人呢？
若是來教會，只為了與其他人團契，就會讓我們不能藉由神的話來成長。
若我們不能藉由神的話語來成長，就不會成熟成為神的教會。

God chose us from the beginning
for salvation through sanctification
by the Spirit and belief in the truth (2
Thess 2:13–14). Belief in the truth is
receiving the truth into our heart and
becoming a new and holy person in
Christ. The Holy Spirit working in us
helps us to bear fruit for salvation. This
is why the truth and the Holy Spirit
are so important. Neither money nor
intelligence can gain us the truth and
the Spirit of God. Yet they are freely
given to us by grace. If we are ready to
believe, submit, and be humble before
Him, this grace of the truth and the
Holy Spirit will be given to us. Grace
is given to those who have faith. If we
have this kind of readiness, and if we
are baptized in the blood of Christ, the
grace of salvation will definitely result
in eternal life.

神藉著聖靈讓我們成聖，藉著對真理有確信，從一開始就選擇了我們。(帖後 2：13-14)
相信真理就是內心接受它，成為一個在基督裡又新又聖潔的人。
聖靈在我們裡面工作，幫助我們可以結出得到救贖的果子。
這就是為何真理和聖靈是如此的重要。
無論是金錢，或是聰明，就可以幫助我們得到真理和神的聖靈。
由於神的恩典，我們就白白得到他們 
若我們準備好要相信，順服，願意在神面前謙卑下來，
我們就會得到這個真理和聖靈的恩典。
那些有信心的人，就會得到這個恩典。
若我們已經準備到這種程度了，
若訝門已經領受基督寶血的洗禮，
救贖的恩典將一定會帶來莪們的永生。

(c) Called to Do His Will 選來完成祂的旨意

Thirdly, we must do God’s will.

第三，我們一定要完成神的旨意

[L]ooking for the blessed hope and
glorious appearing of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave
Himself for us, that He might redeem
us from every lawless deed and purify
for Himself His own special people,
zealous for good works.
(Tit 2:13–14)

13等候所盼望的福，並等候至大的神和我們（或作：神─我們）救主耶穌基督的榮耀顯現。
14他為我們捨了自己，要贖我們脫離一切罪惡，又潔淨我們，特作自己的子民，熱心為善。
(多 2：13-14)

When we are called out, we are
redeemed by the blood of Christ and
purified to be Christ’s own special
people. But we must also be zealous for
good works, i.e., not only must we do
deeds of charity to love one another,
but we must also preach the gospel.
This is why God chose us.

當我們被選召的時候，是透過基督的寶血來拯救，潔淨，成為基督自已特別的子民。
但是我們也一定要為祂的善工很熱心，例如
我們不但一定要作善事來彼此相愛，
而且也一定要去傳福音。
這就是為何神選了我們。

But you are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, His
own special people, that you may
proclaim the praises of Him who
called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light; who once were not
a people but are now the people of
God, who had not obtained mercy but
now have obtained mercy.
(1 Pet 2:9–10)

9惟有你們是被揀選的族類，是有君尊的祭司，是聖潔的國度，是屬神的子民，要叫你們宣揚那召你們出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。
10你們從前算不得子民，現在卻作了神的子民；從前未曾蒙憐恤，現在卻蒙了憐恤。
(彼前 2：9-10)

We are different from everyone
else—we are a chosen generation, a
holy nation, a royal priesthood, and
His special people. This is grace given
to us—once we were not the people
of God, but now we are the people
of God! Jesus tells us that we did not
choose Him, but He chose us. Out of
all the nations in the world, God chose
Israel, not because they enjoyed any
quantitative or qualitative superiority;
it was purely His choice.

我們和別人不一樣，是被揀選的族類，是有君尊的祭司，是聖潔的國度，是屬神的子民，\。
我們得到這個恩典 - 過去我們曾經不是屬神的人，現在已經是神的人了。
耶穌告訴我們，並不是我們選了祂，而是祂選了我們。
是從世上所有的國家裡面，神選了以色列，
並非因為他們本身數量上，或是人格品德上比較優秀；
這完全是祂的選擇而已。

But with this special status comes
responsibility. He has given us the
knowledge of the truth. It is thus our
duty to proclaim His marvelous light, to
tell the world of this Savior who called
us out of darkness into His light.

但這樣特別的身份，卻也帶來相應的責任。
祂已經給了我們真理的知識。
所以我們的責任就是要傳揚祂這奇妙的真光，
告訴世上的人，祂是救主，揀選我們脫離黑暗，進入祂的光明。

Today, there are many—both
Christian and non-Christian—who love
God. But not all of them were chosen
by God, even if they are Christians.
Whom God chooses is His sovereign
right as Creator and Lord of Life. We,
as chosen creatures and part of the
minority, can only be grateful for such
indescribable grace. Let us not take
this for granted but instead try to be
worthy of such marvelous grace and do
our duty of preaching the gospel.

今日，不只是基督徒，還有一些非基督徒，有許多人也很愛神。
但是他們之中，不是所有的人都能夠被神選上，即使他們已經有了基督徒的身份了。
神要選誰，是祂的主權決定的，是身為造物者及生命之主所擁有的主權。
我們身為受造之物，也同時是被選上的一小部份，只能對這樣筆墨無法形容的奇妙恩典，心存感激。
讓我們不要把這種受神恩召的恩典，當作理所當然，
反過來是，試著讓自已可以跟這得到奇妙的恩典相匹配，
盡我們的責任來傳揚福音。

First, to walk in a way worthy of
His grace requires us to remember at
all times that we are called to glorify
the name of the Lord. Offering a cup
of water to the least of our brethren,
sharing a quiet word of encouragement
or offering a simple prayer for our
brothers and sisters—this is a zealous
act when done sincerely and lovingly
for the Lord. Those who love the Lord
will naturally have a heart of mercy and
kindness towards others.

第一，要過著配得祂恩典的方式來處世為人，
我們就要記得，無論什麼時候，我們蒙召是要來榮耀主名。
為最小的弟兄姐妹奉上一杯涼水，私底下鼓勵別人，或是為了弟兄姐妹簡短的代禱 - 
當我們為了主用真誠的心及親切的態度來作，這就是熱心的行為。
愛主的人就自然而然會有一棵慈憐的心和和善的態度來對待別人。

Second, we must preach the gospel
in and out of season. As long as there
are people we can preach to, we
should. This is how Paul preached the
gospel. He did not prejudge people
as being “worthy” or “unworthy” to
receive God’s word. Thank God, we see
many today who remember that they
have freely received the grace of being
“called out”—preachers who zealously
relocate to very remote places to bring
this grace to other souls, and even
members who take leave from work
for a long period of time to follow
ministers in this good work. They
do not passively wait to be allocated
work, but instead actively seek the
opportunity to go. They often do more
than they are required to.

第二，無論我們得時不得時，都一定要傳福音。
只要有人我們可以傳福音，就應該去努力傳福音。
祂對人並不會有偏見，不會認為這個人"配得"或是"不配得"神的話。
感謝神，我們看見今日有許多人記得，
他們白白領天被"呼召"的恩典 - 傳道者熱心地到偏遠地區，把這樣的恩典帶給其他的靈魂，
甚至有信徒向公司請了長假，跟隨傳道者來作這些善工。
他們並沒有消極的等待別人來分配工作給他們，
但相反地，主動尋求這樣的機會來加入聖工參與。
他們常常作的比實際上所需要的工作，付出更多。

CONCLUSION: DO IT IN THE
NAME OF THE LORD

結論：奉主名來完成事情

As people called by the Lord’s name,
whatever we do, let us do it in His name
and to His glory. When we do things
out of the fear of God and according
to the truth, when we do so for God
and not for us, then we will not lose
our reward.

因為大家是因著主的名而被呼召而來，
無論我們作什麼事，讓我們奉祂的聖名來完成，並且榮耀祂的聖名。
當我們用敬畏神的心來為主作事，並且根據真理而行，
當我們這麼作是為了神，而不是為了自已，
那麼我們就不會失去所要得到的獎賞。

If we have the opportunity to
evangelize on overseas missionary
trips, be not afraid to launch out into
the deep. Yet not everyone needs to go
on overseas ministry trips. If we do not
have the opportunity to do so, let us do
good deeds within our local churches.
In all, seize every opportunity to
build up the body of Christ. If we do
a beautiful thing unto the body of
Christ, we will be like Mary anointing
Jesus with the fragrant ointment. God
will remember, and we will not lose our
reward.

若我們有機會去參加海外事工旅行去傳福音，
不要害怕出發，也不要害怕走了深處。
然而，並不是所有的人需要去參加海外事工之旅。
若我們沒有這樣的機會來這麼作，就讓我們在本地教會作好事就可以了。
總之，抓住每一次機會，建立起基督的身體。
若我們能在基督的身體上，作些美好的事情，
我們就會像馬利亞一樣，能夠把香膏抹在主的身上。
主就會紀念，我們也不會失去自已的獎賞。

小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com