Who will shepherd my people Israel.

William Woo 12/9/2018

HPCBC 聖誕禮拜

This week was an emotional week. We had the passing of a President. His funeral reminded us of his past accomplishments and failures. I read the following quote from my professor on the Internet. What he said lends well to the sermon this morning:

In the 1960s, I was a student in a small Baptist college in a deeply conservative Democratic State. My Grandfather prided himself in being a “Yellow Dog Democrat.” But my roommate was a member of the college’s very small “Young Republican” Club. He talked me into attending a campaign speech given by a young conservative Republican running for the U.S. Senate. I was impressed but I never told my Grandfather. I would have been disowned. That young Republican lost his race. In 1970, I was a Campus Minister/Bible Instructor in the very conservative, Democratic Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The same Republican showed up. He was running again for the U. S. Senate. He rolled up his sleeves, loosened his tie, and spoke. Again, I was impressed. Again, he lost. In 1980, the same man ran for President of the United States and lost in the Republican Primary. By now I had become not only a Republican, but greatly impressed with a man who knew how to lose but didn’t know how to quit.Finally, in 1989, George H. W. Bush became President of the United States. This week I will join millions of Americans in front of a TV set watching a funeral and a burial. I will likely shed a few tears. He was one of my heroes - a man who learned how to lose, but never learned how to like it, the last President from the Greatest Generation.[1]

[2]

What my professor wrote made me think about belief. What did President George HW Bush believe that caused him to keep on attempting to win the next election? 

In fact another president also had a similar history of defeat and there is a timeline of his success and failures, here were some of his failures: 1832 he lost a job and was defeated for state legislature, 1833 failed in business, 1835 sweetheart died, 1836 had a nervous breakdown, 1838 defeated for Speaker, 1843  defeated for nomination for Congress, 1849 rejected for land officer. 1854 defeated for Senate, 1856 lost nomination for Vice President, and 1858 lost election for Senate again. But he became President in 1860.  Who was that man? Abraham Lincoln.

[3]

I believe that there is a great biblical principle from:

Proverbs 24:16-18 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

¹⁶ Though a righteous person falls seven times,
he will get up,
but the wicked will stumble into ruin.

I know these stories lend well to a pep talk about not quitting.   I do want us to think about belief.  What we believe defines us.  Today’s sermon is not about believing in yourself but I want us to examine belief and more precisely your beliefs this Christmas season? And  the most important belief that anyone must deal with and that is- Who is Jesus?

Today’s sermon I want us all to think about Jesus Christ and what you believe about him. Do you KNOW Him or do you just know about Him?

Please turn in your Bibles to Matthew 2: 1-12. We will examine 2:1-12. This story is unique to Matthew’s Gospel .  Although the setting is after Christ’s birth this story is embedded in our Christmas traditions concerning his birth. 

As we read this morning, think about, “What does each character believe?” Notice the two main characters in this story. A King and the wise men.  What do they believe?  At the same time examine your belief- what do you believe?

Matthew 2:

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”^[a]

³ When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ would be born.

⁵ “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:

⁶ And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:
Because out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”^[b]

⁷ Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”^[c]

⁹ After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹ Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him.^[d]Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

From the first word in verse 1-“AFTER”  we see that this occurs after Jesus was born. 

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”^[a  

Our tradition lumps this passage in with Jesus birth narrative. 

(PC- Lifeway.com- Fisher Price Nativity Scene) 

The setting is now afterhe was born. We even find later in the passage the child (in the New King James Version they translate Young Child), or young Child[4]in the NKJV in a house.

As we move from verse 1 to verse 2, there is another strong  word that leads us into verse 2 and that word is the word saying.  The wise men had arrived in Jerusalem saying,“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews.  In the original language the word which is translated “saying” conveys continual action.[5]This word is not simply a past tense, or future tense word. The idea here is that the wise men were asking not just once but asking of everyone they came across – “Where is he who is born king of the Jews?”  “Where is he who is born king of the Jews” over and over. The wise men were tenacious in their pursuit of Jesus. Are you tenacious in your longing for the savior? Are your thoughts of Jesus confined to Sunday morning?

In contrast to the wise men we read about the King – Herod in verse 3 ³ When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

What a powerful sentence. Herod was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with Him!  I hate to say it but there is that sense today that a volatile President of the United States can cause us concern. I was a teen when President Reagan was caught joking about sending a nuclear missile to Russia. Jerusalem was  concerned and partly because Herod was disturbed, there is no telling what he would do. In fact “Herod was so wicked and ruthless that he had three of his own sons and a wife put to death in a jealous rage. Though 70 years of age he could not bear the thought of anyone usurping him as ruler of the Jews.”[6]  And I imagine that the people of Jerusalem were waiting to see what evil would occur as a result of this visit by the wise men. But also isn’t this an omen of how the world views Jesus.[7]

Herod’s treachery is seen later in chapter 2 verse 16:

¹⁶ Then Herod, when he realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. ¹⁷ Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

¹⁸ A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping,^[f] and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
and she refused to be consoled,

Notice in verse 8 that Herod tells the wise men that he wants to worship this child. This irony screams out at us! Because we know worship was the last thing on his mind.

⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”^[c]”

What about you this morning- is worship the last thing on your mind?

It is interesting that Herod consulted the Bible experts. Look at verse 4 of Chapter 2. ⁴ So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ would be born.

⁵ “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:

⁶ And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:
Because out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”^[b]

At this point in Jesus’ story, these priests and scribes are indifferent.[8]As you know later in Jesus life and ministry, these religious leaders would grow to oppose Jesus, but here we see no vitriol. In contrast notice the behavior of Herod. He secretly summons the wise men, and we already read why he would approach the wise men secretly. He was planning murder!

7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared.  I read that if Herod had taken better notes, we would know more precisely the time of Jesus birth.  Thinking that he can trick the wise men into giving him information we read in verse 8: 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”[c] As you read this  you want to scream to the wise men, “Don’t Tell Him.” And we read with relief in verse 12. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. The wise men are warned to not go back to Herod in a dream. This is perhaps one of the many times where the life of the Messiah could have been taken. To keep the Messiah alive, notice the use of supernaturalevents. Here the wise men are warned in a dream not to go back to Herod.[9]And in the very next verse 13 13 After they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to kill him.”  The other day, our mother church had a viewing of a new Billy Graham Documentary. We were reminded of that day while in the mountains outside of Los Angeles – Billy Graham had to deal with his belief about God and the Bible as the current around him was to disprove the veracity of the Bible. . Billy Graham  prayed- “Father, I am going to accept this as Thy Word—by faith! I’m going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be Your inspired Word!”*[10] We see in the bible these supernatural acts. Just in the story of Jesus, the use of Angelic messengers, warnings to the wise men and to Joseph -Mary’s husband – by way of dreams.  In terms of dreams  I believe this teaching is a good guide: God may communicate through dreams or visions even today, but we need to carefully check any such guidance we receive with Scripture and godly counsel to be sure it is from the Lord. Anything which contradicts Scripture is not from God. Our minds and even Satan are capable of producing great deception in such subjective areas. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 shows that God has revealed His will to us primarily through His Word. It says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”[11] Heeding the warning in the dream, the wise men have gone back to their home, Once again we see Herod’s inner belief come out in the next verse.  v. 16 16 Then Herod, when he realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. Herod didn’t really want to worship Jesus- did he? I like how the scripture describes the wise men’s search and encounter with Jesus: 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was*—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was.  *There it was- one commentary I read suggested that for a short time, the star they first saw in the east had disappeared and reappeared at this moment. Note also that the star led them- A supernatural event guiding the wise men to Jesus.  Next- their reaction v. 10 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him.[d]Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  They were overwhelmed with Joy, they Fell to Their Knees! They worshipped.  It has been contrasted how wise men from a foreign land had diligently sought after Jesus, yet Herod had wanted to kill him, the scribes and priests were indifferent, and the city of Jerusalem was troubled.[12] I hope that this Sunday we would be like the wise men, diligently seeking after Jesus. Definitely NOT like Herod. But perhaps we can be like the scribes and priest at this point—indifferent. Or perhaps like Jerusalem, concerned.  The question this morning is about your belief. Do you just know the Christmas story about Jesus or do you know Jesus? I read those words on the internet, that some people know the story but not the savior. Here is what my friend wrote[13]: Today at church my pastor talked about the meaning of Christmas songs and he dissected "O Holy Night," a favorite of mine [recorded] by Seven Day Jesus. Interestingly, it was written by Placide Cappeau, a French poet and wine merchant who walked away from the church, but was asked by his priest to write a poem for their Christmas mass. This was then put to music by Adolphe Charles Adam,a non-believer. The song was then banned from churches once people realized who wrote it, but by then it became too popular to stop. I wondered what would compel them to write a song about someone they didn't believe in. I did a little research and didn't come up with anything but the echoing words of my pastor, "People may know the story, but not the Savior."  This morning as we sing for our response song “O Holy Night”, will you respond to the Savior today? If your diligently seeking – text me at 323.236.4408 and I want to talk with you, pray, and connect you with our pastor and church leaders.If your indifferent or concerned---we’ll pray for you also! Let us worship our King, as we sing O Holy Night.[14] O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,  It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming, Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land. The King of kings lay thus lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friends. He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger, Behold your King! Before him lowly bend! Behold your King! Before him lowly bend! Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, With all our hearts we praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory ever more proclaim! His power and glory ever more proclaim!

---

[1]Crawford, Dan. Via Face Book. Accessed December 2, 2018.

[2]Picture Credit:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/george-h-w-bush/

[3]PC: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/abraham-lincoln/

[4]Young child as opposed to a baby.

[5]Note from MacArthur Study Bible for Matthew 2:2.

[6]Cox, Steven L, and Kendell H. Easley. “Harmony of the Gospels”, p. 35

[7]Believer’s Bible Commentary. Location 34905. The world views Jesus with concern.

[8]Believer’s Bible Commentary. Kindle Location 34903.

[9]Post sermon note: reader- who is it that gives this dream? What is the cause of the supernatural event?

[10]https://billygraham.org/story/the-tree-stump-prayer-where-billy-graham-overcame-doubt/Accessed 12/9/18.

[11]https://billygraham.org/answer/does-god-reveal-things-through-dreams-and-visions/Accessed 12/8/18.

[12]Believer’s Bible Commentary. Location 34905.

[13]Facebook Friend “DC”. Accessed Dec. 8, 2018. Edited by sermon author.

[14]https://www.newreleasetoday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=37435. Accessed 12/24/18.

證道回鍋: 最美的祝福

Sermon HPCBC

講道題目：最美的祝福

講道經文：詩篇九篇十節

讀經：箴言3: 5-10

我相信人生最大的福份就是知道自己為什麼而活、這樣才能活得有滿足的喜樂。

This beautiful picture show bountiful blessing.

海德公園浸信會在Hutto 附近有個福音站、聚會時㑹友最喜歡唱的一首詩歌就是「一生最美的祝福」、就是信靠主耶穌。參加聚會的人大部分都是第一次踏足在美國、前路茫茫、明天如何況且不知、只活一天算一天、對人生活着是為了什麼這個問題、怎能想得通、想得透呢？不過參加聚會的人大多數也是第一次聽到福音的、他們認識了耶穌基督、成為他們一生最美的祝福。他們唱歌的時候、不但很喜樂、而且很投入、好像是代表了他們的心聲。

美國有一個很有名的牧師、名叫華倫 Rick Warren, 他寫了一本很暢銷受歡迎的書叫「標竿人生」Purpose Driven Life . 這本書一開始、他作了一個很大膽而驚訝的宣告bold and surprise pronouncement、「你的人生標竿不是關乎你、一切都是從神開始。」The purpose of your life is not about you！It all starts with God.  你自己沒有要求生在這個世上、所以你不會知道你活在世上有什麼目的。你是被造的、只有創造宇宙萬有的神才知道你是為什麽被造。首先你要認識創造你的神、才能瞭解人生的意義、才能找到人生的標竿。 從來沒有人看見神、但藉著耶穌我們可以認識神（約1:8）認識了耶穌、人生才會有真正的意義。正如這首詩歌說、「這一生最美的祝福、就是能認識主耶穌；這一生最美的祝福、就是能信靠主耶穌。」

這首歌的歌詞和韻律不但是很美、而且對我人生的經歷中、更是越來越覺得真實。

聽過耶穌的名字、不等於認識耶穌基督。有些人聽到耶穌的名反覺得被冒犯、耶穌的名成為他們的絆腳石。認識耶穌是從經歷中知道耶穌是誰。在禱告祈求中得知他是聽禱告的神；在與主同行的經歷裏知道他的實在、這樣的認識主耶穌才真正是一生最美的祝福。 在我年青的歲月、腦海裏只有一條單軌路線的存在、人生的目標就是讀書：中學會考、大學聯考、集中精神、全力應付、過關斬將、一直往前衝、也沒有仔細去思想這條單程路會引到那裏去。只管往前跑、結果就是這樣單槍匹馬來到了大學的門前。在加拿大留學無親無故、更是前路茫茫。不過在那個年頭、我認識了主耶穌、這就是我一生最美好的祝福。在主裏是一個新造的人、主開了我的眼睛、讓我看到一條新的路、在這路上、當跑到人生的盡頭時、便是到達了一個更美的家鄕。從信主那天便開步跑上這一條新路、是一個新生命的開始、再不是只會埋頭讀書、我也喜歡參加教會、享受團契生活、學習事奉神、是一段最喜樂的時光。雖然這段時間裏、有成功也有失敗、也有失望、對前途有時也會感到徬徨。但奇怪的就是、信了耶穌以後、對人生又有另一看法、對於成敗得失、沒有看得那麼重。當然我還是有個人的所想所求、但得不到時也不至會覺得沮喪絕望、因為相信神有他旨意在我身上、而且在一些危機的經歷中回顧、便知道神在日後所成就的才是最美好的。初信時很喜歡唱詩、那時代唱的都是古典的聖詩：如耶稣恩友（What a friend we have in Jesus); 一路引領（All the way my Savior leads me!) 歌詞都是很令人欣慰的信息 reassuring messages。古典的聖詩、很多的歌詞都是引用聖經的話、或表達一些聖經的真理。我信主以後便開始讀聖經、從馬太福音開始。雖然在馬太福音裏有一些猶太人的背景不易明白、但耶穌的一般教訓倒是很容易明白的。認識主耶穌是一生最美的祝福、不但藉着他得與神和好、有將來與神共享永恆的確據、這就是我們被造的真正目的、信耶穌也就是一個新生命的開始。認識耶穌後、他便使我從一些觀念中釋放出來、使我的人生變得輕省愉快、並且看人生有着不同的標竿。我瞭解到人生不一定有錢才能活得痛快；事業有成professional success 也不是只因仕途順利academic achievements 才會得到滿足。耶稣說、「一個人不能事奉兩個主、不是惡這個愛那個、就是重這個、 輕那個。你們不能又事奉神、又事奉瑪門（瑪門就是財利的意思）。」（太6:24）好像是主給我看到了人生別的標竿、讓我好去作一個選擇。聖靈激動我、引導我去選擇事奉神。我在信主的第二年就決志把自己奉獻給神。奇怪的是、我真的慢慢把名利沒有看得那麼重、反而看重追求靈裏的長進、把握機會去服事神。在那一段聖經裏、耶穌接着還說、「所以不要憂慮說、喫什麼、喝什麼、穿什麼。這都是外邦人所求的。 你們需用的這一切東西、你們的天父是知道的。你們要先求他的國和他的義、這些東西都要加給你們了。」（太6: 31-33）雖然決志以後的那些年頭、也曾追求過名利、也會為生活擔憂、也會以別人的成功來和自己比較。感謝神保守我到如今仍沒有離棄我跟從主的志願。我雖然是小信、但神仍是可信的 、祂的話一句都不會落空。回想過去幾十年、多少次為工作擔心、爲生活憂慮、但神所賜的是豐富的、使我一無所缺。神也把我從追求名利的枷鎖釋放出來、讓我慢慢學會不跟別人比較了。這是一個最美的祝福、因為事奉一個主比事奉兩個主輕省多了。

認識主耶穌是最美的祝福；能信靠主耶穌更是大的福氣。保羅說、「我知道我所信的是誰、也深信他能保全我所交付他的、直到那日。」（提後1: 12b）「知道所信的是誰」就是認識主耶穌；深信他能保守所「交託」就是「信靠」主耶穌。這兩個「信」稍微有點不同：認識基督是基本的信、交託的信是學習而來的行動。首先信神「能」、也要信神「願意」這様作、才慢慢的學會放心去倚靠神。詩人大衛說、「耶和華啊、認識你名的人要倚靠你、因你沒有離棄尋求你的人。」（詩9:10）

能夠學到「信靠」耶和華便是一生最美的祝福。可惜現今世代、世人都偏向信靠自己、誇耀自己能控制自己的境遇 have got everything under control。越有才能的人便越會誇耀自己、以為萬事都在自己的掌握之中。thinking that he has it all together! 可惜世事是難以預料的、或者是忽然遇到經濟的危機、快將要破產；或是婚姻出了問題、甚至要鬧離婚、立時覺得生命突然失控了。腦子裏一片空白、不知所措、無所依靠弄到精神分裂、想不到出路便會想到自尋短見去自殺、或憤怒之下便去殺人。基督徒也不例外、若只會依賴自己的才華、有時候也會覺得失控。等到學會倚靠神後果便不一樣了。神的話語說、「你要專心仰賴耶和華、不可倚靠自己的聰明、在你一切所行的事上、都要認定他、他必指引你的路。」（箴3: 5）踏出大學校園後、在社會謀生的一段漫長歲月、這段經文便成為我隨時的幫助。我常常以這經文提醒自己、也用這經文勸勉別人。說實在的、信是比較容易、因為這只不過是理智的運作 only an intellectual exercise、從「信」以至產生「靠」translating faith into trust 卻是一個不容易學的功課。舉一個例子：一個人背着一個大背包、手裏提着很重的行李、在路上走、看到一輛公車、車牌寫着它要去的目的地、他就上車了。他相信那公車會帶他到目的地、不用他跑得那麽苦、這就是信。他可以放心把背包和行李放在車上、樂得輕省、這就是「靠」、但他可以信而不靠、仍提着行李背着重擔。正如「耶穌恩友歌」（What a friend we have in Jesus) 的歌詞所描述的、「多少平安屢屢失去、多少痛苦白白受、皆因未將各樣事情、帶到主恩座前求。」一生最美的祝福、就是「信」而且「靠」主耶穌。信靠的功課我仍是不斷在學習。最近在多明尼加查經聚會討論有關屬靈恩賜的問題、我告訴團契的團友、說、我沒有講道的恩賜。每逢上台講道都很緊張、太太在台下也同樣緊張。不過我鼓勵那些教會同工、在某方面雖然沒有恩賜、但不是一個不事奉神的藉口。難道牧師沒有講道恩賜就不講道嗎？無論在什麼崗位上事奉、總要信靠神、便會覺得事奉會輕省而且沒有那麼緊張了。就算在教導方面、我也常常犯上那些最容易犯的錯、就是在一些輔導的事奉上、當人家有些疑難時、往往自以為聰明、急急的提供個人的意見、想出很多人為的辦法去解決問題、卻沒有提議先把事情交託給神、信靠並順服神的旨意。倚靠自己的聰明是很自然的、但仰賴耶和華便需要有紀律和常常自我的提醒。

我們先要認識耶穌、他是我們最親愛的朋友、擔當了我們的罪與憂愁。無論我們走在高山深谷、我們也都相信他會伴我同行、信靠他是我們隨時的幫助、我知道這就是最美的祝福！

主僕

國昇

我們好像做夢的人

張國昇牧師 11/25/18

講道題目：  我們好像做夢的人

                      We were like men who dreamed

講道經文：  詩篇一百廿六篇一節

                      Psalm 126:1

讀經:             詩篇一百廿六篇

                     Psalm 126

張牧師分享差傳信息

過去一年來、你有沒有奇怪張牧時出現時消失？今天我略略告诉大家張公周游列國的故事。過去一年多張公帶着張婆到處跑個不停、從東到西、去過香港、廣州、星加坡、挪威、丹麥、英國；從北到南、足跡踏遍加拿大、多明尼加、澳大利亞。當然是退休後的享受、也是難得的宣教機會。現在不談玩樂、只跟大家分享一些宣教的旅程。

三訪英倫：

初訪劍橋：這個城市富有很獨特的風格、也是群英聚集之地。校園有三十個學院、都有華人學生。有名的學院的中國學者更是出類拔萃、是中國政府派來的學人、大學教授、研究員、系主任、也有博士生、超博士。他們逗留時間不久、幾個月到二年、但肯定要回歸的。福音工作有一校園團契、由宣道會的鄺牧師夫婦主持。我學到對這群體的福音工作、不是真理的辯論、而是關懷交友、讓他們在一個沒有壓力和偏見的環境下、認識真神、瞭解真神的愛。

再訪英倫、是與基督教華人佈道會（COCM)一起同工、探討福音工場。訪問過：Canterbury 的華人教會。他們是借用堂址、但很方便、鄰近市集校園。教會沒有穩定的牧者、現在的牧師是從加拿大去服務的、亦快回去了。學生事工用普通話。

London 大學校園團契由一英國宣教士主持、借用校園課室、缺點是沒有固定的聚會地方。唐人街有一華人教會、但很難顧及校園的學生。

Oxford牛津、是一有名學府、但不像劍橋、比較平民大眾化。從前我的一位加拿大同學在英國聖公會當牧師、幫助講普通話的學生工作。感謝神、現在教會有一位全職的牧師了。

  

Leicester 的華人教會很活潑、有自己的教堂、由馬來西亞的一女宣教士開始、建立很久了。有主任牧師、學生工作由一年青女傳道Connie 負責。先聚餐後聚會、好像我們教會一樣、feel at home.  青年的學生工作是用普通話的。

Bristol 有兩間華人教會、我們參加的是講普通話的、沒有牧師、由COCM 派人去講道。

這次給我的經歷、就是英國教會、普遍沒有全職牧師、有歷史的教會都是粵語華僑教會、照顧不了新一代講普通話的學生、學者。很缺乏全時間的工人。

三訪英倫：在高撤斯特Colchester 教㑹事奉三个月。算是代理牧師。

 Colchester 是英國最古老的城鎮。早在公元四十九年使徒保羅時代就由羅馬建立。到處都是羅馬古跡。這個市只能稱作鎮Town,不能叫城市City、因為沒有一所宏偉的教堂Cathedral.

高撤斯特教會是一講廣東話的教會、會友是從香港來的。他們也沒有牧師、但有當地一對宣教士Phillip 夫婦和COCM同工來服侍。他們也沒有自己的會堂、是借用救世軍堂址。弟兄姊妹很同心熱情。青年團由一對年青夫婦監督、有社區服務、街頭宿客的佈道事工。校園有獨立的學生團契、用普通話。宣教士Phillip 很熱心參與這事工。

教會每月有一次福音午餐的宣教、但很多時沒有講員、只看錄影、（u-tube.）。吸引很多平常沒有參加教會的華僑、辦得相當成功。

教㑹弟兄姊妹都很有追求的心、也很熱心參與事奉。可惜Phillip 已退休、青年部負責的夫婦亦將退去。他們很希望我們再回去。我們去年去的時候正是冬天、又是多年來最冷的冬天。他們希望我們今年夏天回去、說英國夏天很美、想來個夏令營。

多明尼加的呼聲：三次遊行佈道

初訪多明尼加是應美南浸信會華人海外宣教部之請、與宣教士Scott Harris 去探訪美南及Carribean 的工場。黃國興牧師領隊去秘魯、我們去多明尼加。這個地方很迷人、渡假勝地。教會是汪牧師建立、他大概六七年前去世後就一直沒有牧師。但每年都有訪問牧者、包括加拿大、美國東西岸的教會短宣隊。是個政治經濟穩定的國家、台灣政府在這裏立下不少汗馬功勞。

第二次短宣是想要明白當地教會的宣教異象。適時正當多明尼加與台灣斷交、和中國大陸建立邦交、大陸移民在那裏做生意的越來越多、我們都有同一異象向這一新群體傳福音、因此我們接受了多明尼加的呼聲。

三訪多明尼加是作兩個月的宣教工作。這次我們看到神特別安排的奇妙。

 出發前一星期、我腳部的痛風突發嚴重、寸步難行。吃止痛藥多了引至胃出血、醫生說這個樣子恐怕難以成行。但我禱告神说、再過兩天、神若讓我去我求神醫治、果然兩天後就不再痛了。於是照原定計劃成行。女兒們都很擔心。誰知神早就準備好這段行程、出發前才得知教會的主持人在台灣心臓手術、沒有辦法回來、我就當起代理牧師之職。這個職份也不是掛個名的、到達了不幾天、就被邀主持一個安息禮拜。每週都有禱告會和查經團契。會友又帶我們到處探訪。最奇妙的就是神安排我還掛上醫生的名義、去探望兩位急病患者。想不到一位遠路從西班牙來旅遊的客人、竟然患急症進了加護病房、讓我一個遠自從美國德州去的中國醫生牧師去看他、與主治醫師瞭解病情、為他禱告。我告訴他這並非偶然巧合、乃神奇妙的安排。他回去後給我們消息、他決心信耶穌了。另一次、一位中國大陸移民、也進了加護病房、又不懂西班牙語、不知所措。他們夫婦和朋友都不信耶穌的、在一起很難談福音。不過神安排一個機會可以單獨與病人談話。他的主治醫師懂英語、我們替他安排回國醫治、並醫生證明就可保留他的多明尼加移民權。我們向他傳福音、他並沒有馬上接受、但很留心聽、撒下了道種、求神叫種子生長吧。

早期的廣東移民在唐人街開餐廳、雜貨店。後來華人多從台灣來、最近更多華人來自中國。他們很多都是做生意的、大部份開批發店。一星期工作七天、星期天工作時間到下午兩點、因此很難有機㑹去教會崇拜。這次我們決定在一位很熱心的弟兄的店裏、開始了一月一次的福音晚餐工作、好讓他們商店關門後能參加聚會、有晚餐供應、可以舒暢一下。我們離開多明尼加前、還為其中一位姊妹舉行浸禮。

我們愛上了那兒的天氣、天然水果、更愛上了那教會、他們也希望我們快點再回去。

剛從多明尼加回來、不到兩星期又起程去澳洲墨爾本參加姪女的婚禮、旋風似的一週便回來。早上在墨爾本坐上飛機、在空中飛行二十小時、又同日午間回到美國達拉斯、還沒有機會回家、又趕去休斯頓參加小孫的生日會。兩天後終於回到Austin 坐在家裡、張婆婆感嘆的說、好想作了一場夢一樣。

我想起詩篇126 ：1 那句話、「當耶和華將那些被擄的帶回錫安的時候、我們好像作夢的人。」在夢裏見到的可能是幻想不真的美境；但當一些無法想像可能發生的事情、變成事實時、我們會驚訝得像作夢一樣、不敢相信。幻想多年的夢想竟然成為事實、身歷其境的那種喜樂就如作夢的人。耶和華果然為我們成了大事。

俗語說人生如夢、真的沒錯。人生就好像不斷的在追求一些夢想、年青的時候喜歡玩樂、隨波逐流、唐代詩人杜牧在楊州沉迷玩樂、發現那段日子如作了一塲夢、「十年一覺揚州夢、贏得青樓薄倖名。」說實的、我們年少時都曾作過類似的揚州夢、或許沒有那麽荒唐去找青樓妓女、但這花花世界實在太多可以滿足肉體享樂的門道。想當年的皮禮士理Elvis Presley 留著長長的黑鬢sideburn,拿着吉他唱搖擺樂、張某也長了sideburn 、張太也看過這樣的照片、只是没有音樂的天份、手裏沒有拿着吉他就是了。今天社會上一般人也同樣沉醉在追求享樂：Austin 有South by Southwest、F1 賽車、大學校舍常有狂歡派對、醉酒用迷幻藥等等⋯。到了中年、揚州夢醒、才會後悔那些荒唐的歲月、自私不負責任的人生、浪費了青春。聖經說、「你們要謹慎行事、不要像愚昧人、當像智慧人.  要愛惜光陰、因為現今的世代邪惡。」（弗5:15-16）”Be very careful, then, how you live⋯making the most of every opportunity…” 無論怎樣活都是有後果的、所以要活得有智慧。「愛惜光陰」不是單指不要浪費時間、而是要在這邪惡的世代、把握住每一個機會去明白神的旨意、去作主工。對年輕的基督徒、更是一些忠言。不可糊里糊塗的去作楊州夢、要把握神給我們的每一個機會去榮耀神。

楊州夢醒、繼續來就是黃金夢。清人曹雪芹說道、「世人都曉神仙好、只有金銀忘不了；終朝只恨聚無多、及到多時眼閉了。」大學畢業剛出來做事時、我也曾發過黃金夢、不過很快便夢醒了、因為自知不是發財的料。聖經對黃金夢有很多的提醒和警告。突然來的財富會帶來憂慮和麻煩、甚至奪去得財者之命。（箴1:19）不勞而獲之財很容易便消失、錢財如長出趐膀、便如鷹向天飛去、（箴23:5）留不住的。就算勞力得來的財富、也不值得花上生命去換取。（太16:26）就算積聚了財寶、也不過是給後人享用、（傳2:18；6:1-2）不過世人最喜歡作的夢卻是黃金夢、真是難以想像、有些人一生都在作黃金夢、甚至到眼閉時還沒有夢醒。大衛求神救他脫離世人對財寶的看法、說、「我醒了的時候、得見你的形像、就心滿意足了。」（詩17:16）保羅也這樣提醒基督徒、「因為我們沒有帶甚麽到世上、也不能帶甚麼去、只要有衣有食、就當知足。」（提前6:7-8）聖經記載一個少財主想要跟隨耶穌、是一等好人、循規蹈矩地遵守律法、可惜捨不了他的財寶、結果憂憂愁愁的離開了耶穌。保羅囑咐提摩太務要教導信徒不可貪財、「但那些想要發財的人、就陷在迷惑、落在網羅和許多無知有害的私慾裏、叫人沉在敗壞和滅亡中。貪財是萬惡之根、有人貪戀錢財、就被引誘離了真道、用許多愁苦把自己剌透了。」（提前6:9-10）

還有英雄夢。明太祖朱元璋寫了幾首豪放的詩流傳後世：他在瀟湘渡口、風雨蕭條悽凉的晚上、寫下這篇。「馬渡江頭苜蓿香、片雲片雨渡瀟湘；東風吹醒英雄夢、不是咸陽是洛陽。」朱元璋的英雄夢也是帝王夢、咸陽古都、歷史始於秦始皇統一天下、大敗匈奴、修建萬里長城、豐功偉績、英雄蓋世、是朱元璋嚮往的英雄夢。可惜東風吹醒英雄夢、醒來才知道自己身在洛陽而不是在咸陽、不禁忽然覺得有種一切成空的惆悵。雖然洛陽也是帝王都、歷史上有十三個正統王朝建都洛陽、但只不過是在改朝換代時、帝皇樂居在安逸富裕的城都。夢醒的朱元璋也許在思想、難道自己也只是這樣一個帝王嗎？聖經的傳道者說、「一代過去、一代又來.  地卻永遠長存。⋯已過的世代、無人記念、將來的世代、後來的人也不記念。」（傳1:4；11）我雖然沒有作過帝王夢、但也曾沉醉過在英雄夢中、要出人頭地、留名後世。一代過去了、現在退休了、同着其他退休人士大夥兒去旅遊、無論到了甚麼場所、一般售票員看見我的白眉毛、都會自動給我長者優惠、但有誰會有興趣去唸我曾發表過的科學文章、記念我曾當過臨床教授、對社會作過一點點的貢獻呢？退休的公司總裁、國會議員、街頭露宿的單身漢、閒來無事、坐在公園的長椅上、都是同樣無聊地餵鴿子罷了。英雄夢也是空虛的空虛。基督徒的一生、是為要作怎樣的一個受人讚賞的英雄呢？更需要俯心自問 、我們最終又是想要得到誰的讚賞呢？

最後還有一個天國夢。你說天國不應該只是個夢想吧！耶穌的門徒常常聽到他談論天國的道理。有一天西庇太兒子的母親來求耶穌、說、「願你叫我的兒子在你國裏、一個坐在你右邊、一個坐在你左邊。」（太20:21）聖經還記着、那十個門徒聽見、就惱怒他們的弟兄二人。為什麼耶穌的門徒會有這樣的表現呢？我想與耶穌最親近的門徒都在作天國夢！以為他們與耶穌的關係、在天國的榮耀裏、一定應該是掌權的！然而耶穌說、「只是在你們中間不可這樣.  你們中間誰願為大、就必作你們的用人；誰願為首、就必作你們的僕人。正如人子來不是要受人服事、乃是要服事人。」（太20:26-28）在天國裏不要夢想作左右承相；天國裏我們是僕人。換句話說、我們蒙恩得救是為了事奉We are saved to serve. 耶穌説、「若有人要跟從我、就當拾己、背起他的十字架來跟徒我。」（太16:24）這裡不是論天國的權利、而是捨去一些世人給我們應得的權利deny some legitimate privileges.並背起十字架、十字架本來就是一個受苦犠牲的記號。  前幾天我學到一個功課。我每天早上起來都有一個習慣先餵養我的小魚、那天早上我看見魚缸底的石頭上有一條剛出生的小魚、我高興得吵醒了太太和女兒、太太和我正看得入神、心裏想小魚真聰明、在石頭上、和石頭顏色一樣、大魚看不見它、又有那麼多的水草保護着、很安全、不用管它。誰知忽然它浮起來、往水中游去、不到半路就給大魚吞掉。女兒下樓要看個究竟、我還楞住想那小魚為什麼那麼笨、不好好躲起來、長大些才出來。只好跟女兒說、沒有啦、吃掉啦。剛說完我另外看見一條小魚、我馬上想要搶救它、有一種迫切感、不能讓大魚吃掉、於是就開始救魚：operation guppies rescue, 救了一條又看到另一條、結果整個早上在救魚、救了二十六條！太太說、那條小魚沒有白白犧牲。神給我們一個真理、我們從世人的角度看不清楚天國的奧秘、有時在神國裏不管是什麼樣的犠牲、也是為了成就神的旨意。耶穌說、「人子來是要尋找、拯救失喪的人。」（路19:10）這就是基督給我們的榜樣、這也是保羅宣教的異象。他「不求自己的益處、只求眾人的益處、叫他們得救。」（林前10:33）保羅勉勵提摩太說、「務要傳道、無論得時不得時、總要專心、⋯」天國夢不是要坐在主的左邊或右邊；信徒的天國夢就是教會能合一去作宣教工作、搶救失喪的人。先從教會學配搭事奉、實踐傳傳音的使命。

好了、講道也講完了、大概你們也睡了片時、從天國夢中醒來、不知自己在天上或在人間。正如被擄歸回的猶太人、好像作夢的人、醒來才知道神果真為他們行了大事。現在曾經痛苦流淚的猶太人決心要事奉真神、雖然眼前的環境還是苦難重重、但詩篇126篇用兩節很正面的話來描寫他們的心情、「流淚撒種的、必歡呼收割。那帶種流淚出去的、必要歡歡樂樂的帶禾捆回來。」（詩126:5-6）我們從前也是活在罪惡過犯中、被這世界擄去的、現在重生得救、歸回神的國、神果真也在我們身上行了大事。天國在人間、跟隨耶穌的也不免要受苦難、保羅說、「凡立志在基督耶穌裏敬虔度日的、也都要受逼迫。」（提後3:12）不過我們最大的安慰和鼓勵、仍然是這兩句話、「流淚撒種的、必歡呼收割。那帶種流淚出去的、必要歡歡樂樂的帶禾捆回來。」不要坐著那做天國夢、夢想一個安逸順利的人生；要趕快去撒種、忠心去作差我們者的工！