Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 4 月【上帝的幽默感】分裂與復興

【上帝的幽默感】分裂與復興

 

Boat 1這次在臉書 Facebook 上看到一位弟兄畫的漫畫和上面的字令人頗有感觸。它說:"不是一直在為教會的復興禱告嗎?為什麼卻爆出一連串教會領袖出包的消息?或許,這就是上帝對禱告的回應吧......復興,不一定是你想像的那樣。——Andrew Chai"。

韓國名牧趙鏞基原被稱為 "全世界福音的管道",他創立了韓國的獨立教會汝矣島純福音教會,該教會已經擁有 80 萬信徒,成為全球規模最大的教會。但是因為他涉嫌在 2002 年利用其職權讓汝矣島純福音教會高價購買其長子、《國民日報》報社前社長所持的股票,令教會損失了韓幣 131 億元,因而被起訴。此外他亦涉嫌逃稅 35 億韓幣。

汝矣島純福音教會除了擁有 80 萬會友,還通過 3000 門徒開設 500 間教會,派遣宣教士 700 人,更設立大學、以基督教新聞為主的《國民日報》新聞社及慈善機構等。趙牧師的成就真的不同一般。

因此法庭指出趙牧師利用職權犯下罪行原應處理從嚴,但由於他作為神職人員對社會長期作出的貢獻,判他三年有期徒刑,緩刑五年,讓他日後補繳稅款,在逃稅方面酌情從輕判罰;而其長子才是案件的主導者,卻企圖逃避責任,將個人財產損失轉嫁予教會,又將責任轉嫁他人,因此判有期徒刑 3 年。

Boat 2趙牧師並不是第一位被兒女連累的牧者,在聖經裡的以利祭司和撒母耳,也都因為兒子不成器而受到連累。趙牧師如此辛苦耕耘神的教會,一位如此蒙神重用又敬畏神的僕人,晚年依然抵不住兒女情長,以致犯下貪污及瀆職的罪名,可見要學亞伯拉罕把兒子獻在祭壇上是一件多麼困難的事。越是神要使用的人,神必然更仔細鑑察;越是神要使用的事工,神也更不容許罪惡的侵入。因此在一個興旺的教會裡,我們經常看到有事情發生。我們期望看到復興,卻反而發生分裂。這分裂使我們看到自己平時隱而未現的罪。

不久前,我曾介紹一些朋友去一間教會,因為我覺得那間教會做得真好,不管是在栽培、傳福音或關顧方面,都算是目前做得比較好的一間教會。沒想到不久前,她也爆出一些聳人聽聞的事件。當教會裡有不當的行為被挖出來時,一定有分裂的傷痛。因為教會是神的家,大家相處已久已經有了感情,都像家人一樣;一旦有不當的行為必須處理時,必然有反抗和不滿。有時我覺得在教會久了,人對罪的感覺會麻木。大家每次見面時嘻嘻哈哈,都表現得十分友好,但是沒有人看見我們內裡的軟弱和需要。當有人抱怨時,我們也看不見事情的嚴重性,等到真的有事情發生了,我們才問:為什麼?

保羅鼓勵提摩太,"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 2:21)" 我非常相信,每一個奉獻給神的人一開始都存著如此的心志,願意自潔,脫離卑賤的事。但是日長天久,就很難繼續:"我將你的話藏在心裡,免得我得罪你"。我想每次我們為教會復興禱告時,聖靈也會開始鑑察,看看這個教會是否潔淨,能否作神貴重的器皿。這可能是教會發生分裂的原因之一,因為聖靈會挖出那些隱藏的罪,使我們看到,要先為教會的潔淨禱告,才有可能復興教會。當我們心裡還包容罪惡時,教會復興不起來。因為神不祝福,教會就不能復興。

神實在是回應了我們的禱告,藉著分裂讓我們看見人心裡的污穢,彷彿在提醒我們,若不自潔,就不能做貴重的器皿,也就是不能蒙神重用,不可能復興。唯有當我們願意省察自己,潔淨自己時,那才是復興的第一步。復興,要從我們自潔開始,而不是看見很多人來教會才是復興。我們回到神的面前,那才是復興。

亞伯拉罕當年獻以撒,神沒有允許他殺以撒,為他預備了公羊;但是神把自己的獨生子為世人獻上時,卻沒有撤手。耶穌真的被釘在十字架上死了。完全的獻上帶來完全的救贖,而天父希望我們留在這救贖的恩典裡,不要再犯罪,脫離卑賤的事,作祂合用的器皿。器皿用久了也會蒙塵埃,需要常常清潔;太髒的時候得用力擦或者用東西去除垢,那時會痛得流淚,卻也是希望的開始。

但願每一個分裂都使我們警醒,每一個人的跌倒都提醒我們要把神的話藏在心裡,尊主為大。因為有一天,我們要面見愛我們的主,寧可現在就天天自潔,也不要在見主面時,帶著一身的污垢去,多難看啊!為分裂感謝主,為他人的跌倒代禱,因為神所愛的,祂必管教,也必扶持。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

Go to top