牧者心聲
施慈恩的神使我們喜樂事奉
譚廣海牧師
2023 年 11 月 4 日 / 5 日
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在一次團契聚會中，弟兄姊妹分享他們對「生活安居樂業、共享天倫之樂」的想法。有些團友認為，需要擁有固定的居所、穩定的收入，才能減輕擔驚受怕、入不敷支的壓力。另外有些團友卻選擇與不同世代的家庭成員建立融洽相處、信任互助的關係，藉此享受天倫之樂。若從這些想法深思下去，我們會怎樣安排穩定在教會敬拜的生活？與教會群體連繫的時候，我們的共處與事奉神又有怎樣的關係？
今天災禍連連、戰亂頻繁，很多人會質疑「神仍是一位慈愛施恩的神」嗎？在順境的日子，我們比較容易讚美神，當苦困禍患出現時，基督徒的信心卻會隨之惡化，變得消沉。此刻，請聽詩人鄭重的宣告：神「在堅固城裡向我施展奇妙的慈愛」（詩三十一21），我們不禁會問：所謂的堅固城是指甚麼？我想起大衛的見證：「我們往耶和華的殿去，我就歡喜」（詩一二二1），我們從中看到：進入教會持續敬拜、穩定與神親近，能使信仰的生命得著喜樂。這就是永生神的教會被稱為「喜樂之城」的原因（參耶三十三9）。我見過一位弟兄進入康澤禮堂崇拜前是滿臉愁容，可是在崇拜結束後，他卻展現輕省釋然的笑容！我們相信，神樂意在敬拜中向祂的子民施展奇妙的慈愛。誠然，在祂的居所獻呈敬拜、聆聽聖言、感恩求恩，是我們得著生命美福的不二法門（參詩六十五4）。
主耶穌在受難前，給門徒彼此相愛的命令，同時也提醒他們：凡遵守這命令的，不但常在神的愛裡，也能將從主而來的喜樂存在心裡，並且藉所得的喜樂，使生命得著滿足（約十五9-11）。我們從中又看到：我們學習彼此相愛，能使教會群體「彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善」（來十24）。多年前，我聽到關顧癌病患者、服事傷健團契的弟兄妹妹表述事奉心志：「大家不要再被眼淚轄制、攔阻神對我們繼續施恩。祂已將事奉託付我們，起來！一同肩並肩、同心前行吧。」這使我們更多明白，神到如今仍然施恩給教會，激勵我們在各處顯揚基督的香氣。
但願現今的世代看到，敬畏投靠神的人，祂為他們所積存、所施下的恩惠是何等的大（詩三十一19）！又願神悅納我們的敬拜，向我們施展奇妙的慈愛與恩惠。我們不要憂愁，因祂所賜的喜樂，已成為我們投入事奉的力量（參尼八10）。
Once in a fellowship meeting, brothers and sisters shared their thoughts on the topic “Live in peace and contentment with a happy family life.” Some fellowship members thought that having a stable accommodation and a stable income will go a long way to relieve financial pressure and woes. Some others chose to establish a harmonious relationship with family members of different generations who would trust and help each other out, thus savoring the bliss of a family. Now supposing we think deep along these lines, how would we make arrangements for a stable worship life at church? In our connection with various communities within the church, how would our interactions with one another relate to our service to God?
Today, disasters are everywhere. Wars are rampant. Many people will ask: Is God still loving and gracious? In good times, it is relatively easier for us to praise God. But when hardships and adversities strike, our faith can easily fade away. Hear the psalmist’s firm proclamation: “Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city” (Psalm 31:21, KJV). We will wonder: What is the “strong city”? This reminds me of David’s testimony: “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ ” (Psalm 122:1, NIV) This we can see: Going to church for worship continually and drawing close to God consistently is the source of joy in our spiritual life. This is why the church of the eternal God is referred to as a city which is ‘a name of joy’ (see Jeremiah 33:9, KJV). I had seen a brother who was distressed before he entered the Main Church for the worship service. But when the worship service ended, he wore a smile of relief on his face! We believe that God is willing to impart His amazing lovingkindness to His people during worship. It is true. Worshiping in His courts, listening to His holy word, giving thanks and seeking His grace is a sure way to receive goodness and blessings in our life (see Psalm 65:4).
Before the passion of our Lord Jesus, He commanded His disciples to love one another. He also reminded them: If they keep this command, not only will they always remain in God’s love but the joy from the Lord will also remain in them. With this joy, there will be contentment in their lives (John 15:9-11). We can also see this: that if we learn to love one another, the church community will then take care of one another and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). Years ago, I heard the voice of brothers and sisters who serve cancer patients and the disabled fellowships: “Don’t let tears restrain us or obstruct the flow of grace from God. He has entrusted us with the ministry. Stand up! Let us proceed shoulder to shoulder with one heart.” This helps us understand better that God still gives grace to His church and encourages us to spread the aroma of Christ everywhere.
May our generation see how abundant are the good things that God has stored up and bestowed for those who take refuge in Him (Psalm 31:19)! And may God accept our worship and impart on us His wondrous love and grace. We will not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is our strength for serving (see Nehemiah 8:10).
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