12. Manna issue 64 - Taking Root in the Word 真道上紮根
Adapted sermon by Chin Aun Quek—Singapore 節錄自新加坡 Chin Aun Quek 講道
TESTING OUR ROOTS IN THE STORM 風暴中測驗自已的根基
There was once a large tree that fell in a storm,
much to the surprise of the locals.
When they dug up the roots,
they noticed that they did not extend very far into the earth.
Indeed, it was discovered that
the environment in which the tree had grown was very accommodating;
its soil was abundant in nutrients and water,
and locals would generously throw fertilizers around the tree.
The roots of the tree therefore had no need to strive
in search of nutrients or water for themselves.
There hadn’t been any past storms in the area,
so when a terrible tempest arose,
all the large and small trees that had short roots fell to the ground.
從前有一棵大樹在風暴中倒下，
令當地人大吃一驚。
當他們挖出樹根時，
他們注意到，樹根並沒有伸展到很遠的土地。
果然人們發現，
樹木生長的環境很舒適；
它的土壤富含養分和水份，
在樹周圍，當地人會很好心的撒肥料。
樹根因此無需努力，
去為自己尋找養份或水份。
該地過去並沒有任何風暴，
所以有一場可怕的風暴出現時，
所有紮根短淺的大小樹木，全部倒在地上。
Is our faith cultivated in a similarly protected environment?
If disaster unexpectedly brewed in our lives,
could our faith withstand the test of a storm?
Or would we realize, then, how shallow our roots really go?
我們的信仰是否同樣是，受保護的環境所培養出來的？
如果我們生活中的災難突然出現，
自已的信仰能否經得起風暴的考驗？
還是我們會意識到，自已的根基到底有多淺？
In Jesus’ parable of the seeds, some of the seed fell on stony ground,
where it did not have much earth;
and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
But when the sun was up it was scorched,
and because it had no root it withered away
(Mk 4:5–6).
耶穌種子比喻中，有些種子落在石頭地上，
那裡沒有多少泥土；
它立刻長出來，因為它沒有土的深度。
但是太陽升起時，它就被烤焦了，
因為它沒有根，就枯萎了
（可 4：5-6）。
Growing our roots has to start from a young age.
Without strong and deep roots, we will wither away when the sun comes up,
no matter how sturdy or beautiful we may appear to be on the outside.
Perhaps at present we are thankful for our belief in God,
for church and for pleasant circumstances.
Yet even though we might be living in times of peace,
we have to understand that hard times will inevitably come our way.
我們紮根必須從年輕時就開始。
沒有強壯而深厚的根基，在太陽升起時，我們就會枯萎，
無論我們外表看起來有多麼堅韌或美麗。
也許現在，我們要感謝自已有神的信仰，
有教會和有愉快的環境。
然而，即使我們可能生活在和平時期，
自已必須明白，困難時期無法避免地會臨到我們頭上。
Why do people forsake their faith during such times?
Often, it is because they have rooted themselves with a mistaken view of the church.
Some see the church as a mere social club,
a welfare organization or even a place for therapy;
they enjoy the sacred music, friendships and serenity.
When such members no longer find the pleasures for which they come,
and when they meet with temptations,
it is only natural that they become disappointed and uprooted.
為什麼人們會在這樣的時候，放棄自已的信仰呢？
通常，這是因為他們紮根時，自已卻對教會有錯誤的看法。
有些人認為教會只是一個社團，
福利組織，甚至是一個治療院所；
他們享受聖樂、友誼和寧靜。
當這些信徒，不再找到他們進來的樂趣時，
當他們遇到引誘時，
很自然的，他們會感到失望和失去根基。
STRENGTHENING OUR ROOTS 鞏固根基
How does a truly rooted faith come into being?
Does it germinate through prayer?
The disciples once asked the Lord to add to their faith,
and we too can certainly ask for faith in prayer.
Nonetheless, faith does not stem from prayer alone.
Perhaps God worked a miracle for us because of our prayer,
which we take as a reflection of our faith.
Yet, at the same time, many who once personally experienced miracles and signs
are also those who rebelled against God’s teachings.
In the end, they fell in the face of calamity and temptation.
Why was their faith not securely rooted?
真正根深蒂固的信仰，是如何形成的呢？
它會通過禱告而生長發芽的嗎？
門徒曾經求主加添他們的信心，
我們當然也可以在祈禱中，祈求信心。
儘管如此，信心並不僅來源自禱告。
也許因為我們的禱告，神給我們實行神蹟，
而我們認為，這是我們信心的反應。
然而與此同時，許多曾經親身體驗過神蹟和異象的人，
他們也是那些違背神教義的人。
最終，他們面對災難和引誘時，倒下了。
為什麼他們的信心沒有牢牢地紮根呢？
Paul tells us:
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”
(Rom 10:17).
保羅告訴我們：
“17可見信道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的。”
（羅 10：17）。
He also says to the Colossians:
他還對歌羅西人說：
He has reconciled you in the body of His flesh through death,
to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight
—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast,
and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard….
(Col 1:21–23).
22但如今他藉著基督的肉身受死，叫你們與自己和好，
都成了聖潔，沒有瑕疵，無可責備，把你們引到自己面前。
23只要你們在所信的道上恆心，根基穩固，堅定不移，
不至被引動失去（原文是離開）福音的盼望...
（西 1：21-23）。
In fact, it is the word of God that keeps us grounded in faith.
God’s word is spirit and life, a living hope.
With this living hope, we can have the strength
to face all kinds of temptations and setbacks,
which is why the church so often emphasizes the speaking of the word.
Sometimes we overlook the importance of listening to the word.
We cease to pay our undivided attention to sermons
and we find ourselves anticipating the arrival of the conclusion.
But let us remember that soaking in the word is crucial for our faith to take root.
We must humbly search into the word of Christ
through sermons, fellowship and our own personal Bible reading.
When we come across words that prick our consciences,
let us not feel irritated or, worse still, gradually quench the working of the Holy Spirit,
but allow the Holy Spirit to work in us through the word of God.
事實上，正是神的道理，讓我們的信仰紮根。
神的話語就是聖靈，就是生命，就是活潑的盼望。
有了這樣活潑的盼望，我們才能有力量，
來面對各種引誘和挫折，
這就是為什麼，教會經常強調講論神話語的原因。
有時候，我們會忽略了聽道理的重要性。
我們不再全神貫注於講道，
我們發現自己很期待講道結論趕快到來。
但是我們要記住，沉浸於神的道理中，對於我們的信仰紮根至關重要。
我們必須謙卑查考基督的道理，
藉著講道、團契，和我們自己個人的讀經。
當我們遇到刺痛我們良心的經節時，
請我們不要感到惱羞成怒，或者更糟的是，逐漸停止聖靈的工作，
但要讓聖靈藉著神的話語，在我們心裡作工。
Once we have soaked in the word of God through the Holy Spirit’s help,
we need to take root in it.
This process needs to be weaved into our daily lives.
Take decision-making, for example.
We face education, career and relationship crossroads,
as well as day-to-day behavioral choices.
If we neglect the word as our guide,
we grapple for what we feel we need based on our emotions or our worldly desires.
Many Christians wish to know the will of God for them in big decisions,
but we must first apply His word starting from the small, everyday choices.
一旦我們藉著聖靈的幫助，沉浸於神的話語之中，
我們就要在其中紮根。
這個過程需要融入我們的日常生活。
若以下決定為例。
我們面臨學業、事業和感情的十字路口，
以及日常行為的選擇。
如果我們忽視神話語，來引導我們，
我們會根據自己的情緒，或是自已世上的慾望，努力爭取自己覺得需要的東西。
許多基督徒希望，做出重大決定時，能夠知道神給他們的旨意，
但是我們必須首先，從日常小選擇開始，運用祂的道理。
To those around us, do we speak words of peace or of enmity?
Do we go out of our way to help others,
or are we in a rush to finish our daily tasks?
Are we actively involved in God’s work every day,
or only when there is time to spare?
If we make the conscious decision to consult the Bible for practical reminders
and act accordingly with the help of the Holy Spirit,
it is far easier to please God when it comes to making the bigger decisions in our lives.
As the word of God takes root in us
and we strive to make it common practice,
we naturally make God-centered choices in the big things.
While others worry over whether they made the right choice,
we will have the passion to glorify God and be a blessing to others,
whatever our situation.
We will be at peace, knowing that
God’s word is truly a lamp to our feet and a light to our path
—on a daily basis.
Once we start practicing God’s word,
we will experience His presence, guidance and love.
In this way, the word of God enables us to take root,
build up and abound in faith
(Col 2:6–7).
我們對於周圍的人，說的話語是平安，還是充滿敵意？
我們是否盡力幫助別人？
還是我們急於完成自已的日常任務？
我們是否每天積極參與神的工作，
還是只有我們時間有空呢？
如果我們有意識決定考查聖經，以獲得實用的提醒，
並且在聖靈的幫助下，採取相應的行動，
在我們生活中做出重大決定時，要取悅神就容易得多了。
因為神的話語在我們心裡紮根，
我們努力遵行神話語，成為日常習慣，
我們自然會在大事上，做出以神為中心的選擇。
當別人擔心他們是否能做出正確的選擇時，
我們將很有熱心榮耀神，並成為他人的祝福，
無論我們的情況如何。
我們會很平靜，因為知道
神的話話真是我們腳前的燈，路上的光
—因為每天都這樣。
一旦我們開始實行神的話語，
將體驗到祂的同在、引導和慈愛。
只有這樣，神的話語才能使我們紮根，
得到造就，並且充滿信心
（西 2：6-7）。
TAKING ROOT TOGETHER 一起紮根
Though we may have attended church for a long time,
we need to reflect on whether we have sought to be nourished directly
by the word during church gatherings.
Some youths enjoy activities during youth conventions merely
because they are ‘fun’, taking pleasure in the lively stimuli.
When these activities are in motion,
you may have noticed that participants are particularly enthusiastic.
But after the event, does this vitality and energy dissipate over time?
A musical ensemble or the mere memories of a fellowship cannot replace deep exploration into the Bible.
These activities may physiologically stimulate our senses,
but have our lives truly been edified with the rich word of God?
When we are faced with temptations in life, persecutions and death,
we need a faith that is not established simply by activities,
but by meditating on and practicing Christ’s teachings.
雖然我們可能已經參加教會很久了，
我們需要回想，教會聚會時，
自已是否尋求神的話語來直接滋養。
有一些青年只喜歡參加青年大會期間的活動，
因為各種活動很“有趣”，喜歡熱鬧刺激的活動。
當這些活動進行的時候，
您可能會注意到，參與者都特別熱心。
但是活動結束後，這股活力和動力，是否會隨著時間而消散呢？
一場音樂演奏，或是團契好時光的回憶，並不能取代深入探索聖經。
這些活動可能會在生理上刺激我們的感官，
但是我們的生命，是否真有神豐富的話語而得到造就？
當我們面對生命中的引誘、逼迫和死亡時，
我們需要有信心，不是由活動所建立起來的，
而這種信心，是通過沉思基督的教導和實踐而得的。
Thus, when we gather together, be it on a regular Sabbath day
or during a spiritual convocation,
the goal at the forefront of our minds should be to remind one another with Biblical teachings.
We must nurture a culture of frequently discussing Scriptures
and longing to gain deeper insight in God’s words.
因此，當我們聚在一起的時候，無論是固定的安息日，
或是靈恩會期間，
我們心中最重要的目標，應該是以聖經的教導彼此提醒。
我們必須培養出一種經常討論聖經的文化，
渴望深入獲得神的話語的認知。
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
(Heb 10:25–26)
25你們不可停止聚會，
好像那些停止慣了的人，倒要彼此勸勉，
既知道（原文是看見）那日子臨近，就更當如此。
26因為我們得知真道以後，若故意犯罪，
贖罪的祭就再沒有了；
（來 10：25-26）
The author of Hebrews points out that
if we do not gather together with members of the church
and exhort one another with the word of God,
this actually increases the chances of sinning willfully.
When our hearts are not set on God’s word,
we begin to lose sight of God’s will for us
and how He wishes us to behave on a daily basis.
Our fellowships need to be centered on the word,
with the help of spiritually aware brothers and sisters.
It is certainly not enough to just attend Sabbath worship.
Especially as youths and those young in the faith,
we need regular godly fellowship to be all the more sure of where we are planted.
希伯來書的作者指出，
如果我們不與教會信徒聚在一起，
並彼此以神的話語互相勸勉，
這實際上會增加故意犯罪的機會。
當我們的內心不在意神的話語時，
我們開始忽略神給我們的旨意
以及祂希望我們日常生活如何行事。
我們的團契，需要以神話語為中心，
有屬靈意識兄弟姐妹的幫助。
僅僅參加安息日聚會肯定是不夠的。
尤其身為為青年，和信心剛開始成長的人，
我們需要定期的神聖團契，才可以更加確定自已被種植的地方。
In a certain campus fellowship,
the process of growing and taking root in God’s word reaped benefits beyond the youths’ imagination.
Comprising students from various locations and backgrounds,
many of the weekly activities were largely geared towards entertainment,
in hopes of attracting all members and keeping the group together.
As a result, some of these fellowships were not necessarily based on God’s word,
but resembled mere social gatherings, based on plenty of eating and going out.
The leaders of the fellowship realized that
the group needed to refocus on God’s word, prayer and discussing one another’s personal walks with God.
Since many of the youths stayed over in church over the weekend,
they started to pray together each Friday and Saturday evening,
sharing their daily struggles, joys and encouragements from the Bible.
As a result, they experienced God in very tangible ways;
God poured down His Holy Spirit,
gave some of them uplifting visions and rekindled relationships with Him and each other.
Moreover, they became bonded through faith and intimate enough to draw on the word of God
as mirrors for each other’s behavior, attitudes and speech.
Enthused with God’s word, they reminded each other of areas for improvement,
building one another up in character and in faith.
在某個校園團契中，
在神話語中長大生根的過程，其收穫超乎了青年所能想像的益處。
由來自不同地區和背景的學生組成，
許多每週的活動主要是為了娛樂，
希望吸引所有成員，並使這個團體團結在一起。
結果，有些團契並不一定是依據神的話語，
而類似於純粹的社交聚會，基於大量的飲食和外出活動。
團契的領導者意識到，
該團體需要重新關注神的話語、祈禱和討論彼此個人與神同行的體驗。
由於有很多年輕人，周末都在教會過夜，
他們開始每週五和周六晚上一起祈禱，
分享自已每天的掙扎、喜樂和來自聖經的鼓勵。
結果，他們以非常可觸摸感知的方式體驗到神；
神傾倒下祂的聖靈，
給了他們中一些人鼓勵的異象，並重新點燃了與神和彼此之間的關係。
此外，他們因為信仰而合為一體，因為汲取神的話語而變得更加親密，
作為彼此行為、心態和言談的鏡子。
因為對神的話語充滿熱情，他們互相提醒彼此需要改進的地方，
在品格和信心上彼此互相造就。
PETER’S EXAMPLE 效法彼得
Everyone has a unique story of their journey to meeting Christ.
Everyone has a different motivation.
Do we remember Peter’s?
When his brother, Andrew, heard from John the Baptist that Jesus Christ had come,
he found his brother and said to him,
“We have found the Messiah”
(Jn 1:40–41).
Peter was drawn to Christ because he had been waiting and seeking for the Savior.
His faith was not rooted in healing, in miracles
or because he had his stomach filled,
but rather in the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah and in the words of Jesus.
Peter undoubtedly recognized that Jesus’ words are the source of life:
每個人遇見基督時，都有一個獨特旅程的故事。
每個人都有不同的動機。
我們還記得彼得的故事嗎？
當他的兄弟安德魯，從施洗約翰那裡聽說，耶穌基督已經來臨時，
他找到自已的哥哥，對他說：
“41我們遇見彌賽亞了。”
（約 1：40-41）。
彼得因為他一直在等待和尋找救主，而被基督吸引。
他的信心並非紮根於病得醫治，有神蹟，
或是因為他的腸胃可以吃得飽足，
而是舊約有關於彌賽亞的預言，和耶穌的話語。
彼得毫不遲疑的認識到，耶穌的話語是生命之泉：
Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
But Simon Peter answered Him,
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”
(Jn 6:67–69)
67耶穌就對那十二個門徒說：你們也要去麼？
68西門彼得回答說：
主阿，你有永生之道，我們還歸從誰呢？
69我們已經信了，又知道你是神的聖者。
（約 6：67-69）
What are our motivations for following Christ?
Do we believe because of our family, or because the Lord healed us?
Regardless of our initial reasons,
we must progress to personally rooting our faith in the word of life,
both individually and as a church.
In this way, when those whom we love depart from us,
when pains and hardships come upon us,
we will naturally remain and find strength in Christ who,
from the beginning, was the Word.
我們跟隨基督的動機是什麼呢？
我們信主是因為自已家人信主，還是因為主醫治了我們？
不管我們一開始的原因是什麼，
我們必須有進步，個人將自已的信仰紮根於生命之道，
無論是個人，還是教會。
同樣的方式，當我們所愛的人離我們而去時，
當痛苦和困難臨到我們時，
我們自然會保守自已，並且在基督裡找到力量，
基督從一開始，就是這道。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)