信心要有功效必须有德行配合,而勇气是其中的第一项!
一. 使徒彼得确实是有信心! (马太福音26:34-75)
1. 耶稣对彼得说,公鸡未啼之前,你要三次不认我.彼得说,就算死,我也不会,不认你!
其余的使徒也是这样说!
2. 彼得坐在外院里,一个使女来对他说,你是同加利利人耶稣一起的!26:69
彼得在众人面前否认耶稣. 26:70
3. 彼得在门口,另一个女人看见他,说,这个人是与耶稣一起的! 26:71
彼得发誓说,我不认识他! 26:72
4. 过后站在那里的人对他说,你真是他们一党的人,你的口音露出来了! 26:73
彼得立刻发咒起誓说,我不认识那人.立时公鸡就叫了! 26:74
5. 彼得听见公鸡叫,就想起耶稣对他所说的话,就出去痛哭! 26:75
二. 真智慧是存留给基督教会里的人!(箴言书2:1-7)
在美国居住的人能寻到基督的教会是有福的人!因为在这里你有机会发现圣经里的真理!
若不是的话,你以为,为什么,我们能发现彼得前书1:5节的正确意思?
照我们所知道,没有一本翻译的中英文圣经,将彼得后书1:5节翻译正确!
例如新国际本翻良善,标准本翻德行!我们发现,应该翻勇气才对!这篇讲章更证明这一点!
彼得说,人有了信心,要赶快并且努力的,在信心上,加上勇气.有了勇气,要加上知识...
是的,我们知道,彼得确实对耶稣有信心.但他也知道,他所缺乏的是什么!就是勇气!
所以他写彼得后书1:5节的时候,说,有了信心,要赶快并且努力的加上勇气!
就是因为他在否认耶稣的经验上受了教训!
从马太福音16和17章的记载,彼得亲眼看见耶稣变像,知道他就是要来的基督!
耶稣自己对他说,他承认耶稣是基督,是永生神的儿子,是天父亲自指示他的!
从这些经验,我们知道,他是有信心!他也知道,他所缺乏的是勇气!
三. 但以理是个既有信心又有勇气的人!
1. 身为一位被俘虏到异乡的人,他还是保持,他对神的信心!
并且敢与众人不同!正是我们中国人说,众人皆醉,我独醒!不与世人同流合污!(但1:4-16)
他立志不吃王的膳,不喝王的酒沾污自己,只吃素菜!
2. 敢将从神而来的真理传给王!
不单责备王自己,还责备王的父亲!(真是胆大包天!)(但以理书5:17-30)
你可以将礼物保留给自己,将赏赐给别的人.我却要为王讲解这人的手所写的意思!
至高的神赐给你父亲国位,大权,荣耀,威严.因神所赐的大权,各方,各国的人,都在他面前战惊,恐惧,
他能随意,生杀,升降.但他心意钢硬...行事狂傲,神革去他的王位,夺去他的荣耀.
赶他离开人间,给他兽心,使他与驴同居,吃草如走兽!直到他醒悟,知道,至高的神在人的国中掌权,凭自己的旨意立人治国.
你是他的儿子,也知道,这一切.却不知自卑,竟然向天上的主自高,与神为敌!...
你竟然赞美不能看,不能听,无知无识,金,银,铜,铁,木,石所造的偶像,
却没有将荣耀归与那手中有你的气息,管理你一切行动的神!
因此神叫人的手显现,写着说,你的国到此为止,你的命到今晚就完了!
在美国这样的环境,你有勇气持守你对神的信心吗?
请记得,信心要有功效,必须有德行与信心配合,而德行之中的第一项就是勇气!
愿神赐福保守你直到永远! 零八年三月二十日.
It takes virtue to make faith effective,and courage is #1!
A. The case of Apostle Peter! (Matt.26:34-75)
1. Jesus said to Peter:
Verily I say to you. This night before the cock crow, you will deny me 3 times.
Peter said to him, even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.
Likewise also said all the disciples. (Matt.26:34-35)
2. Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, a servant girl came and said,
“You were with Jesus of Galilee.” 26:69
Peter denied it before them all. 26:70
3. Peter went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said,
“This fellow was with Jesus.” 26:71
Peter denied it again with an oath! 26:72
4. A little while later those standing by went up to Peter and said:
Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.
Peter began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them:
I don’t know the man! Immediately the cock crowed! 26:73-74
5. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken:
Before the cock crow 3 times, you will deny me 3 times.
He went out and wept bitterly! (Matt.26:75)
B. Sound wisdom lay up for people in the church of Christ! Pro.2:1-7
Those who found the churches of Christ in America is truly blessed!
Here you are able to discover God’s sound wisdom!
Why do you think that we are able to discover the right translation of 2 Peter 1:5?!
Yes, one more time this is proof!
There, Peter wrote: for this very cause adding on your part all diligence,
in your faith supply “courage” and courage knowledge….
According to what we know, not one Bible existed translated it!
Yes, the NIV translated it as goodness and ASV put it virtue!
Yes, we know Peter has faith! He really believe Jesus is the Christ!
From Matthew chapter 16 and 17 we know he really had faith!
By the way he cried bitterly after he remember what Jesus said!
We know he had faith, but he knew what lacking is courage!
C. Daniel is a man with faith and courage!
1. As a captive in a foreign country, he kept his faith and dare to be different from all others! Dan.1:4-16.
Are we dare to be different even in America!?
2. Dare to present the truth as revealed by God! Dan.5:17-30
You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to others.
Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king …
The Most High God gave your father sovereignty, greatness, glory and splendor.
Because of the high position he gave him, all the people and nations dreaded and feared him.
Those he want to put to death, he put to death… those he wanted to humble, he humbled.
But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne…
He was given the mind of an animal, he lived with donkeys and ate grass like cattle…
until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over kingdoms…
But you his son, have not humbled yourself.
Instead you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven…
Therefore, God sent the hand that wrote these messages to you:
Your kingdom has come to an end and your life is required of you to night! March 20, 2008.