Names: Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Who Provides)
May 5, 2024 • Pastoral Intern Evan Ng • Genesis 22:1–14
Names: Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Who Provides) Scriptures: Genesis 22:1-14 Pastoral Intern Evan Ng And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:19 God is so high and beyond human comprehension that the divine names can describe real characteristics of God, but even then, the divine names are only analogical to the real essence and might of God. —Thomas Aquinas Questions to Ask Yourself: Do you know what your name means? Is there a situation in your life right now where you feel confused or frustrated? What are some ways that God has provided for you in your life or in the others you know?
福音主日——人生與角色
February 11, 2024 • 金弘傳道 • Genesis 1:26–28, Genesis 2:15–17, Genesis 3:1–7
福音主日——人生與角色 經文:創世記 1:26-28; 2:15-17; 3:1-7 講員:金弘傳道 講道大綱 引言 什麼是我們的人生與角色? 神說:「我們要照著我們的形象,按著我們的樣式造人,使他們管理海裡的魚,空中的鳥,地上的牲畜,和全地,並地上所爬的一切昆蟲。」神就照著自己的形象造人,乃是照著他的形象造男造女。神就賜福給他們,又對他們說:「要生養眾多,遍滿地面,治理這地,也要管理海裡的魚,空中的鳥,和地上各樣行動的活物。」(創 1:26-28) 1. 我們的角色是被造的,神才是創造者。 照著神的形象被造,人在神眼裡的重要性。 被造者要向創造者負責。 15耶和華神將那人安置在伊甸園,使他修理,看守。 16耶和華神吩咐他說:園中各樣樹上的果子,你可以隨意吃, 17只是分別善惡樹上的果子,你不可吃,因為你吃的日子必定死!(創 2:15-17) 人的責任:修理,看守,聽神的話 1耶和華神所造的,惟有蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。蛇對女人說:神豈是真說不許你們吃園中所有樹上的果子麼? 2女人對蛇說:園中樹上的果子,我們可以吃, 3惟有園當中那棵樹上的果子,神曾說:你們不可吃,也不可摸,免得你們死。 4蛇對女人說:你們不一定死; 5因為神知道,你們吃的日子眼睛就明亮了,你們便如神能知道善惡。 6於是女人見那棵樹的果子好作食物,也悅人的眼目,且是可喜愛的,能使人有智慧,就摘下果子來吃了,又給他丈夫,他丈夫也吃了。 7他們二人的眼睛就明亮了,才知道自己是赤身露體,便拿無花果樹的葉子為自己編作裙子。(創 3:1-7) 亞當和夏娃受了誘惑,做了違背神誡命的事,進入了原罪的核心 2. 耶穌基督作為我們的救主,解決了這個罪的問題。 結語: 我們需要耶穌的拯救。 我們需要有覺醒,只有靠著耶穌的拯救,我們才能戰勝撒旦的作為,走出罪的捆綁。
認識上帝
September 24, 2023 • 陳宗遠牧師, 楊方苑菁牧師 • Genesis 1:1–3
我們在天上的父(一):認識上帝 經文:創世記 1:1-3 講員:陳宗遠牧師、楊方苑菁牧師 講道大綱 ——— 引言 系列簡介 • 認識上帝 • 差傳信息(10月 揚帆差傳路) • 認識讀經(11/4 唐子明譯經講座) • 認識聖靈(11/16-18 郭鴻標信仰講座) • 聖誕信息 我們怎樣看神,就會怎樣看世界,也會怎樣看人 ——— 創造的主 (God is our Lord of creation) 虛無之中,從無到有 「1起初,神創造天地。2地是空虛混沌,淵面黑暗;神的靈運行在水面上。3神說:「要有光」,就有了光。」(創世記 1:1-3) • 空虛:本來一無所有,變得豐富多采 • 混沌:本來雜亂無章,變得井井有條 • 深淵:本來了無生氣,變得生氣勃勃 • 黑暗:本來黯淡無光,變得光暗有序 託付使命,重建伊甸 • 文化使命 「26神說:『我們要照著我們的形像、按著我們的樣式造人,使他們管理海裏的魚、空中的鳥、地上的牲畜,和全地,並地上所爬的一切昆蟲。』27神就照著自己的形像造人,乃是照著他的形像造男造女。28神就賜福給他們,又對他們說:『要生養眾多,遍滿地面,治理這地,也要管理海裏的魚、空中的鳥,和地上各樣行動的活物。』」(創世記 1:26-28) • 宣教使命 「18 耶穌進前來,對他們說:『天上地下所有的權柄都賜給我了。 19 所以,你們要去,使萬民作我的門徒,奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗 。20 凡我所吩咐你們的,都教訓他們遵守,我就常與你們同在,直到世界的末了。』」(馬太福音 28:18-20) ——— 歷史的主 (God is our Lord of history) 變局之中,從無到有 「當烏西雅王崩的那年,我見主坐在高高的寶座上。他的衣裳垂下,遮滿聖殿。」(以賽亞書 6:1) • 沒有勇氣,會得到勇氣 • 沒有力量,會加添力量 • 沒有喜樂,會變為喜樂 沒有方向,會找到方向 發出呼召,伸張主權 「我又聽見主的聲音說:「我可以差遣誰呢?誰肯為我們去呢?」我說:『我在這裏,請差遣我!』」(以賽亞書 6:8) • 洞察時機、能力、熱忱 • 定意在夾縫中實踐召命 ——— 愛我們的天父 (God is our loving Father) • 疏遠之中,從無到有 「你們從前遠離神的人,如今卻在基督耶穌裏,靠著他的血,已經得親近了。」(以弗所書 2:13) • 重塑,參與神的計劃 「我們原是他的工作,在基督耶穌裏造成的,為要叫我們行善,就是神所預備叫我們行的。」(以弗所書 2:10) ——— 結語 / 行動建議 • 重拾眼界:眼前世界,可以是刮刮卡 • 重拾初心:那年盛夏,我們如花綻放
神所設立的婚姻
September 10, 2023 • 劉珂傳道 • Genesis 2:18–25, Genesis 1:26–28
神所設立的婚姻 講員:劉珂傳道 經文:創世記 1:26-28;2:18-25 講道筆記 當今世代,敬虔的婚姻是一個具有巨大意義的主題,也是一個非常敏感的話題。 ——— 1. 婚姻的起源(創1:26-28; 2:21-22) 神說,我們要照著我們的形像,按著我們的樣式造人,使他們管理海裡的魚,空中的鳥,地上的牲畜,和全地,並地上所爬的一切昆蟲。神就照著自己的形像造人,乃是照著祂的形像造男造女。神就賜福給他們……(創1:26-28) 耶和華神使他沉睡,他就睡了。於是取下他的一條肋骨,又把肉合起來。耶和華神就用那人身上所取的肋骨,造成一個女人,領她到那人跟前。(創2:21-22) ——— 2. 婚姻的目的 耶和華神說,那人獨居不好,我要為他造一個配偶幫助他。耶和華神用土所造成的野地各樣走獸和空中各樣飛鳥都帶到那人面前,看他叫什麼。那人怎樣叫各樣的活物,那就是它的名字。那人便給一切牲畜和空中飛鳥,野地走獸都起了名。只是那人沒有遇見配偶幫助他。耶和華神使他沉睡,他就睡了。於是取下他的一條肋骨,又把肉合起來。(創2:18-21) “hesed” 忠誠、愛情、友誼 耶和華神就用那人身上所取的肋骨,造成一個女人,領她到那人跟前。那人說,這(這一次,終於)是我骨中的骨,肉中的肉,可以稱她為女人,因為她是從男人身上取出來的。 (創2:22-23) 當時夫妻二人赤身露體,並不羞恥。(創2:25) ——— 3. 婚姻的盟约 因此,人要離開父母與妻子連合,二人成為一體。(創2:24) 因耶和華在你和你幼年所娶的妻中間作見證。她雖是你的配偶,又是你盟約的妻,你卻以詭詐待她。(瑪2:14) ——— 總結: 讓我們的婚姻成為世上的鹽和光,成為一座無法隱藏的山上的城市,成為基督徒在這個拒絕基督的世界中作見證的一座燈塔。
Why rest from work?
June 4, 2023 • Pastor Stephen Hsu • Genesis 2:1–3
Sermon Notes Why rest from work? Pastor Stephen Hsu Gen 2:1-3 2 Questions: Why and How do we rest? ——— BIG IDEA: We rest from work because God made rest holy, so that we can love Him more. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. —Genesis 2:1-3 ——— WHY REST FROM WORK? 1. Because God stopped work on the 7th day. (v. 2-3) 2. Because God made the 7th day holy. (v. 3) 3. Because rest comes before work. (1-3) Busyness is the enemy of spirituality. It is essentially laziness. It is doing the easy thing instead of the hard thing. It is filling our time with own actions instead of paying attention to God’s actions. It is taking charge. —Subversive Spirituality, Eugene Peterson ——— HOW SHOULD WE REST? 1. Crawl: Be With Him (Mark 3:14) 2. Walk: Be Yoked to Him (Matthew 11:28-30) 3. Run: Delight In Him (Isaiah 58:13-14) If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day,If you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord…—Isaiah 58:13-14 ——— Conclusion: I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. —Song of Solomon 6:3
Why rest from work?
May 21, 2023 • Pastor Stephen Hsu • Genesis 2:1–3
Sermon Notes Why rest from work? Pastor Stephen Hsu Gen 2:1-3 2 Questions: Why and How do we rest? ——— BIG IDEA: We rest from work because God made rest holy, so that we can love Him more. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. —Genesis 2:1-3 ——— WHY REST FROM WORK? 1. Because God stopped work on the 7th day. (v. 2-3) 2. Because God made the 7th day holy. (v. 3) 3. Because rest comes before work. (1-3) Busyness is the enemy of spirituality. It is essentially laziness. It is doing the easy thing instead of the hard thing. It is filling our time with own actions instead of paying attention to God’s actions. It is taking charge. —Subversive Spirituality, Eugene Peterson ——— HOW SHOULD WE REST? 1. Crawl: Be With Him (Mark 3:14) 2. Walk: Be Yoked to Him (Matthew 11:28-30) 3. Run: Delight In Him (Isaiah 58:13-14) If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day,If you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord…—Isaiah 58:13-14 ——— Conclusion: I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. —Song of Solomon 6:3
WHY REST?
May 14, 2023 • Pastor Stephen Hsu • Genesis 2:1–3
Sermon notes WHY REST? Scripture: Genesis 2:1-3 Pastor Stephen Hsu 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. —Genesis 2:1-3 NIV Main Points We rest because God ceased working on the 7th day & made it holy. We rest to BE with Jesus. Questions What makes it difficult for you to rest? Why do you work? What is wearying you today? 28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. 29 Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30 Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” —Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus (The Message paraphrase)
The Theology of Work
April 30, 2023 • Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui • Genesis 1:26–28
Sermon notes Church at Work: The Theology of Work Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28 What is the story you’re living out? • Purpose: What is the universe all about? What am I doing on this planet? • Problem: Why are things not the way they should be? What obstacles should I overcome to accomplish this good and meaningful goal? • Solution: What is the main way to resolve what is wrong? How do I overcome the problem so I can fulfill my purpose? {note} What is Work in the Christian Story? 1. Purpose: Work is a means by which God extends His love to the world. a. We were created to resemble God b. We were created to represent God 2. Problem: Work has been corrupted by sin 3. Solution: Work can be redeemed. There are 3 purposes God calls us to fulfill (“Exiles on Mission” by Paul Williams) 1. The Creation Mandate (to fill, cultivate, and rule the earth), ie. "First Commission" 2. The Great Commandments (to love God and neighbour) 3. The Great Commission (to scatter, be witnesses, make disciples) a. See our work as redemption• displaying b. Treat our work as mission• advancing
The Theology of Work
April 23, 2023 • Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui • Genesis 1:26–28
Sermon notes Church at Work: The Theology of Work Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28 What is the story you’re living out? • Purpose: What is the universe all about? What am I doing on this planet? • Problem: Why are things not the way they should be? What obstacles should I overcome to accomplish this good and meaningful goal? • Solution: What is the main way to resolve what is wrong? How do I overcome the problem so I can fulfill my purpose? What is Work in the Christian Story? 1. Purpose: Work is a means by which God extends His love to the world. a. We were created to resemble God b. We were created to represent God 2. Problem: Work has been corrupted by sin 3. Solution: Work can be redeemed. There are 3 purposes God calls us to fulfill (“Exiles on Mission” by Paul Williams) 1. The Creation Mandate (to fill, cultivate, and rule the earth), ie. "First Commission" 2. The Great Commandments (to love God and neighbour) 3. The Great Commission (to scatter, be witnesses, make disciples) a. See our work as redemption• displaying b. Treat our work as mission• advancing
神的創造(十七):全然饒恕 與神同行
November 27, 2022 • 施繼坤傳道 • Genesis 45:1–15
全然饒恕 與神同行 講員:施繼坤傳道 經文:創世記 45:1-15 引言: 總的來看,約瑟的故事有一個核心教訓就是,耶和華與他同在,使他在不該承受的傷痛、背叛、苦難和試探中,成為更多人的祝福,這不只是為了讓他成為我們效法的榜樣,而是為了讓他作為指向耶穌的範式。 一、從約瑟的榜樣看饒恕的真義從苦毒和自憐中得釋放但你得好處的時候,求你記念我,施恩與我,在法老面前提說我,救我出這監牢。我實在是從希伯來人之地被拐來的;我在這裡也沒有做過什麼,叫他們把我下在監裡。」(創世記40:14-15 )不要叫神的聖靈擔憂,你們原是受了他的印記,等候得贖的日子來到,一切苦毒、惱恨、忿怒、嚷鬧、毀謗,並一切的惡毒(或譯:陰毒),都當從你們中間除掉;並要以恩慈相待,存憐憫的心,彼此饒恕,正如神在基督裡饒恕了你們一樣。 (以弗所書4:30-32)不讓人知曉冒犯者的言行約瑟在左右站著的人面前情不自禁,吩咐一聲說:「人都要離開我出去!」約瑟的弟兄們相認的時候並沒有一人站在他面前。 (創世記45:1)不讓人因你而擔憂或懼怕約瑟對他的弟兄們說:「我是約瑟,我的父親還在嗎?」他弟兄不能回答,因為在他面前都驚惶。(創世記45:3)愛里沒有懼怕,愛既完全,就把懼怕除去,因為懼怕裡含著刑罰,懼怕的人在愛里未得完全。 (約翰一書4:18)誠願冒犯者也能饒恕自己我是你們的兄弟約瑟,就是你們所賣到埃及的。(創世記45:4)現在不要因為把我賣到這裡自憂自恨,這是神差我在你們以先來,為要保全生命。(創世記45:5)顧全冒犯者的情感和顏面神差我在你們以先來,為要給你們存留餘種在世上,又要大施拯救,保全你們的生命。這樣看來,差我到這裡來的不是你們,乃是神。他又使我如法老的父,作他全家的主,並埃及全地的宰相。 (創世記45:7-8)饒恕乃是一生之久的承諾約瑟的哥哥們見父親死了,就說:「或者約瑟懷恨我們,照著我們從前待他一切的惡足足地報復我們。」(創世記50:15)約瑟對他們說:「不要害怕,我豈能代替神呢?從前你們的意思是要害我,但神的意思原是好的,要保全許多人的性命,成就今日的光景。 現在你們不要害怕,我必養活你們和你們的婦人孩子。」於是約瑟用親愛的話安慰他們。 (創世記50:19-21)那時,彼得進前來,對耶穌說:「主啊,我弟兄得罪我,我當饒恕他幾次呢?到七次可以嗎?」耶穌說:「我對你說,不是到七次,乃是到七十個七次。」(馬太福音18:21-22)為冒犯你的人祈禱或祝福約瑟對他弟兄們說:「我要死了,但神必定看顧你們,領你們從這地上去,到他起誓所應許給亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各之地。」 (創世記50:24)只是我告訴你們,要愛你們的仇敵,為那逼迫你們的人禱告。 (馬太福音5:44) 二、從饒恕的動力看福音的大能明白福音的核心內容我們犯罪得罪了聖潔的神,與祂為敵,而上帝在基督裡饒恕了我們,祂讓祂的兒子為我們的罪死,以至於我們可以與上帝和好。這就是神在基督裡叫世人與自己和好,不將他們的過犯歸到他們的身上,並且將這和好的道理託付給了我們。 (哥林多後書5:19)唯有基督在我們還做罪人的時候為我們死,神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。(羅馬書5:8)活出被神饒恕的生命倘若這人與那人有嫌隙,總要彼此包容,彼此饒恕;主怎樣饒恕了你們,你們也要怎樣饒恕人。 (歌羅西書 3:13)神饒恕了我們,我們當以同樣的方式完全饒恕他人。神在「仇敵」身上動工人所行的,若蒙耶和華喜悅,耶和華也使他的仇敵與他和好。 (箴言16:7)反思與應用:約瑟在與兄長完全和好前,就善待他們。如果你曾經受到傷害,不論你和家人、朋友或教會的弟兄姐妹是否已經和好,你打算怎樣善待他們呢?和約瑟不同的是,即使我們背叛天父,耶穌仍尋找我們,親自擔當我們的過犯。耶穌這樣的工作如何使我們得釋放,讓我們能給予饒恕和表達悔改呢?你打算如何將從神而來的饒恕恩典延申給周圍的人呢?
The Power of Forgiveness
November 27, 2022 • Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui • Genesis 50
Sermon Notes Making All Things New: Book of Genesis The Power of Forgiveness Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui Scripture: Genesis 50 ——— What is God’s providence? The often-imperceptible work of God to fulfill his good purposes. God’s Providence in Scripture (Phil. 2:13; Eph. 1:11-12; Romans 8:28) ——— What does trusting in God’s providence practically entail? (Gen. 50:19-20) 1. Leaving the righting of wrongs to God: God’s providential work IN us (v. 19) 2. Seeing God work for our ultimate good - God’s providential work FOR us (v. 20) 3. Forgiving those who hurt you and showing gratitude (and even) affection - God’s providential work THROUGH us (v. 21)
Learning from the rollercoaster of Joseph’s life
November 20, 2022 • Pastor Alex Chan • Genesis 37—50
Sermon notesLearning from the rollercoaster of Joseph’s lifeScripture: Genesis 37-50 Pastor Alex Chan Through the ups and downs of Joseph’s life, we see that the Lord was with him. Psalm 105:16-22 Be patient in your troubles, God’s word will be fulfilled. Genesis 41:52, 50:20-21 Even in our suffering, there can be fruit in our lives. God has a purpose for whatever you are going through.