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THE GLORY OF THE RESURRECTION         Pastor Ron Ward

(We Shall Be Like Jesus)

復活的榮耀

(我們都會像耶穌)

 

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

哥林多前書 15:35-58

Key Verse: 15:49

金句 15:49

 

 

“And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.”

「我們既有屬土的形狀,將來也必有屬天的形狀。」

 

Greetings! We are glad to be here in Hong Kong this spring season.

你們好!我們很高興能夠在這春天親臨香港。

 

 

We are happy to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the hope that this gives us all.

我們喜樂慶祝基督的復活,和復活帶給我們的盼望。

 

It is the only hope for mankind.

這是人類唯一的盼望。

 

A few days ago I asked an AI generator, “Is there any way to overcome death?”

幾天前,我問了人工智能生成器:「有沒有方法 得勝死亡?」

 

The answer that came back was, “No. Humans can live 125 years at best.”

得回來的答案是:「 沒有。人類最多能活到125年。」

 

Death is inevitable. This thought robs us of enjoyment in the present and fills us with anxiety about the future.

死亡是無可避免, 這樣的思想奪走我們現今的滿足,也叫我們充滿對將來的憂慮。

 

The Bible calls death the last enemy of mankind.

聖經稱死亡是人類最後的敵人。

 

Before Jesus came, no one could defeat death.

在耶穌降世之前,無人能夠得勝死亡。

 

But Jesus Christ rose from the dead as the champion of mankind.

但耶穌基督從死裏復活,成為人類的得勝者。

 

In him we all have a glorious resurrection hope. Wow! A glorious resurrection hope!

在祂裏面,我們皆得着榮耀復活的盼望。嘩!榮耀復活的盼望!

 

Do you want to know more? Do you want to have it? Let’s learn the glory of the resurrection.

你是否想認識多一點?你是否想得著這盼望?讓我們一同學習復活的榮耀。

 

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We can summarize this passage in a few parts:

我們可以把今天的經文分作幾個部分:

 

we must accept the reality of death to have resurrection hope (35-36),

我們必須接受死亡的現實,才能有復活的盼望(35-36),

 

we can trust God’s transforming power and good purpose (37-45a),

我們可以相信神的改變能力和美好目的(37-45上),

 

 

Christ will make us like him (45b-50), death will be swallowed up in victory (51-58).

基督會使我們像祂一樣(45下-50),死將被得勝吞滅(51-58)。

 

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First, we must accept the reality of death to have resurrection hope (35,36).

首先,我們必須接受死亡的現實,才有復活的希望(35,36)。

 

Look at verse 35. “But someone may ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?’”

請看第 35 節:「或有人問:『死人怎樣復活?帶著什麼身體來呢?』”

 

 

The Corinthinans wondered how the dead would be raised. They tried to understand it with human reason and experience.

哥林多人想知道死人怎樣復活。他們試圖用人的理性和經驗來理解它。

 

Accordingly, they could envision a world of zombies.

因此,他們可以想像出一個殭屍世界。

 

They may have worried that resurrection life would be a mere continuation of life in this world with all of its agonies and sorrows.

他們可能也擔心復活的生命只是這個充滿痛苦和悲傷的世界人生的延續。

 

No one wants to relive all of their failures. To Paul, there was a fundamental flaw in their thinking.

沒有人願意重覆他們所有的失敗。對保羅來說,這種想法存在著根本性的謬誤。

 

 

So he rebuked  them: “How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies” (36).

於是他斥責說:「無知的人啊!你所種的,若不死,就不能生」(36)。

 

In Greek, the word translated “foolish” means “ignorant, senseless, without reason.”

在希臘文中,翻譯為「愚蠢」的字的意思是「無知、無意義、沒有理由」。

 

Why were they foolish? It was because they did not think based on the truth that death precedes resurrection.

他們為什麼愚蠢?因為他們沒有基於死亡先於復活的真理來思考。

 

We naturally recoil at the thought of death. We want to live in this world forever, even if we must suffer endlessly.

一想到死亡,我們自然就會退縮。我們想要永遠活在這個世界上,即使我們要承受無盡的痛苦。

 

 

Two years ago journalist Benjamin Hall was badly injured while reporting on the war in Ukraine.

兩年前,記者本傑明·霍爾在報導烏克蘭戰爭時受重傷。

 

He lost a leg, a foot and most of an arm. His quality of life will never be the same.

他失去了一條腿、一隻腳和大部分的手臂。他的生活素質從此將不再一樣。

 

However, he did not wish he had died. He was thankful to be alive.

但他並不希望自己死了。他很慶幸自己還活著。

 

The desire to live in this world forever is very strong in us. This desire prevents us from accepting resurrection hope.

我們內心深處渴望永遠活在這個世界。這種渴望阻止我們接受復活的希望。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The truth of resurrection is clearly manifest in nature. When we plant seeds, they die in the ground to produce new life.

復活的真理在自然界中顯而易見。當我們種下種子,它們會在地裡死去,孕育新的生命。

 

Simply speaking, without death there is no resurrection. “No pain, no gain,” “No suffering, no glory,” “No cross, no crown.”

簡單來說,沒有死就沒有復活。 “沒有痛苦,就沒有收成”,“沒有苦難,就沒有榮耀”,“沒有十字架,就沒有冠冕”。

 

Accepting this truth lays the foundation for right thinking about the resurrection.

接受這個真理是正確理解復活的基礎。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

A man named Nicholas Herman lived in 17th century France. He was poor.

一個名叫尼古拉斯·赫爾曼的人生活在 17 世紀的法國。他很窮。

 

So he joined the army as a young teenager in order to survive.

於是,為了生存,他十幾歲的時候就參軍了。

 

Once, he saw a leafless tree in the middle of a battlefield.

有一次,他在戰場中央看到一棵光禿禿的樹。

 

He felt like that tree, hopeless and barren. Then he realized that in just a few months the tree would be full of leaves and fruit.

他感覺自己就像那棵樹一樣,絕望而貧瘠。但幾個月後,他竟然發現這棵樹長滿了葉子和果實。

 

He found hope that his own life would be transformed. He believed in God who brings life from the dead.

他終於找到了轉化自己生命的希望。他相信 神能使死人復活。

 

Love for God began to burn in his heart.

對 神的愛開始在他心中燃燒。

 

Later he joined a monastery. He served many people with God’s love, sacrificially. He is known as Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection.

後來他加入了修道院。他以主犧牲捨己的愛,服侍許多人。他被稱為「復活的勞倫斯弟兄」。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Jesus’ top disciple Peter learned the resurrection principle in a different way.

耶穌的首席門徒彼得,以不同的方式,學習復活真理。

 

He followed Jesus with a clear commitment. At the same time, he dreamed of messianic glory on earth.

彼得懷抱著清晰的決志跟從耶穌。同時間,他夢想得着地上彌賽亞的榮耀。

 

When Jesus foretold that he must suffer, die and rise again, Peter rejected it.

當耶穌預告他關於他必須受苦、死亡並復活時,彼得拒絕了。

 

He tried to follow Jesus based on his own idea instead of Jesus’ truth. But he denied Jesus three times to save himself.

他想跟從耶穌,基於自己個人的想法,而不是耶穌的真理。但是,彼得為了救自己,否認了耶穌三次。

 

Then he broke down and cried. Finally he realized that Jesus’ teaching was true.

然後,他破碎了,痛哭了。最後,他承認耶穌的教訓是真理。

 

Only then could he understand the deep meaning of Jesus’ death for his sins.

直至這一刻,他才能明白,耶穌為他的罪死了的深刻意義。

 

Only then could he open his mind and heart to the resurrection.

直至這一刻,他才能敞開心門,迎接復活信仰。

 

When he did, it transformed him. He learned to embrace suffering and death in the hope of eternal glory.

當他這樣做的時候,他就改變了。他學會了懷抱苦難和死亡,盼望得着永恆的榮耀。

 

He became a good shepherd who was willing to suffer for God’s sheep (1Pe 5:2).

他成為了一位好牧人,甘心為牧養神的羊受苦難(彼前5:2)。

 

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As we accept the resurrection principle, we gain an eternal perspective.

當我們接受復活真理時,我們就得着永恆的視野。

 

St. Paul suffered a great deal to follow Jesus and carry out his God-given mission (2Co 11:23-29).

聖保羅為了跟從耶穌和承擔主所賜他的使命,遭受了極大的苦楚。

 

Yet he considered present sufferings not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed (Ro 8:18).

然而,他看現在的苦楚,與將來所要顯現的榮耀相比,不足介意(羅8:18)。

 

He wrote, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2Co 4:17).

他寫道:「我們這至暫至輕的苦楚,要為我們成就極重無比、永遠的榮耀。」(林後 4:17)

 

 

When we accept the truth of death and resurrection, we are filled with the glory of God and can serve him joyfully.

在我們接受死亡和復活的真理那時候,我們就充滿神的榮耀,可以喜樂地事奉主。

 

However, those who reject this principle are under the shadow of death and spend most of their time trying to avoid suffering.

然而,那些拒絕這真理的人,卻活在死亡的陰影之下,他們耗費自己大部份時間去逃避苦楚。

 

Let’s accept the truth of God: death precedes resurrection, and live by it.

讓我們都接受神所賜的真理:死亡先於復活,並跟從這個原則去生活。

 

 

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Second, we can trust God’s transforming power and good purpose (37-45a).

其次,我們當相信神改變的大能,並美善的旨意。

 

To plant truth about resurrection and assuage anxiety, Paul continues with his analogy of the seed, pointing to God’s power at work in creation.

為了植根於復活真理,緩解罣慮,保羅繼續以種子的道理作類比,指出神的大能,正在創造物中工作。

 

Look at verses 37-38. “When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.”

請看第37-38節:

37 並且你所種的,不是那將來的形體,不過是子粒,即如麥子,或是別樣的穀。

38 但神隨自己的意思,給他一個形體,並叫各等子粒,各有自己的形體。

 

Seeds look rather plain, but they have potential for new life.

種子看起來很平凡,但是,它們裏面潛藏着新生命。

 

They grow according to God’s invisible design until they become beautiful flowers and plants.

種子的生長,按照神無形的設計,直到它們成為美麗的花朵和樹木。

 

We cannot tell from looking at the seed what kind of body it will produce.

我們無法通過觀察種子,就預告它們將來會得着怎樣的形體。

 

Nevertheless, God’s miraculous creative power works to give it a body that is beyond imagination.

然而,神奇妙的創造大能,賦予了它一個超乎我們想像的形體。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

God’s creative power is also at work in higher life forms.

神創造的能力 也在高等生物形態中工作。

 

 

The flesh of people, animals, birds and fish are all different. The bodies of each were made to inhabit a specific environment.

人類、獸類、鳥類、魚類的身體也有不同,各自的身體被創造,以適合棲身在特定的環境。

 

 

Human bodies are so sensitive toward sunlight, temperature, air and water quality. We need well designed houses to survive.

人體對陽光、溫度、空氣和水質都敏感,我們需要精心設計的房屋才能生存。

 

 

Animals have many characteristics in common with humans, but are more suited to live outdoors.

雖然動物與人類有許多共同的特徵,但動物更適合在戶外生活。

 

 

For example, the Rhesus monkey is especially made to cross the ground quickly and climb big trees, where they find food.

例如,恒河猴能夠迅速穿越地面,爬上大樹,在那裡尋找食物。

 

 

Then there are birds with hollow bones and feathers that enable them to fly through the sky.

然後鳥類有空心的骨頭和羽毛,使它們能夠飛在天空。

 

 

Fish, with their fins, scales and gills are able to live underwater, swimming freely.

魚,帶著它們的鰭、鱗片和鰓能夠在水下生活、 自由地游泳。

 

 

The point is that God gave each kind of creature a body suited for its environment.

重點是  神給了每一種生物,適合其環境的身體。

 

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As Paul considers God’s wisdom and power in creating bodies, he turns toward the heavens. “There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another” (40).

因為保羅思想  神創造身體的智慧和大能,他仰望高天:「有天上的形體,也有地上的形體。但天上形體的榮光是一樣,地上形體的榮光又是一樣。」(40)

 

 

Heavenly bodies are inanimate but exhibit a celestial mystique. They can inspire the human mind with vision and hope.

雖然屬天的身體是沒有地上生命的,但表現出屬天的奥秘,以異象和盼望啟發人的心思。

 

 

When God wanted to encourage Abraham he told him to look up at the sky and count the stars (Gen 15:5).

當神想要鼓勵亞伯拉罕時,吩咐 他抬頭仰望天空,數算眾星(創 15:5)。

 

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In verse 41, Paul gets specific: “The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.”

在第 41 節中,保羅明確指出:「日有日的榮光,月有月的榮光,星有星的榮光;這星和那星的榮光也有分別。」

 

 

The sun is a giant ball of hydrogen and helium that has burned faithfully for centuries. It provides a steady supply of light and heat.

太陽是一個由氫和氦組成的巨大球體,忠實地燃燒了幾個世紀, 穩定地供應光和熱。

 

 

In contrast, the moon is like a giant rock. It does not have its own light; rather it reflects the light of the sun.

相比之下,月亮就像一個巨大的岩石。它沒有自己的光;而是反射太陽的發出光輝。

 

 

At the same time, its gravity helps orchestrate movements of oceans and seas.

同時,其重力有助於協調海洋和海域的潮漲潮退。

 

 

Stars are vastly different from each other in size, composition, orbital patterns, etc.

眾星在體積、組成、和軌道模式上都大有分別。

 

 

These heavenly bodies have moved in precise patterns for centuries to reveal the wisdom and power of God the Creator.

這些屬天的形體一直按照精準的模式運行,顯明了創造主神的大能。

 

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As Paul moves from earthly to heavenly bodies in creation, he is preparing to introduce the spiritual body of the resurrection.

當保羅從屬地的形體轉移到屬天的形體,他準備介紹復活的靈性身體。

 

The same God who created all things will also govern the resurrection.

同樣地,那位創造萬有的神也統管著復活的事。

 

Though the resurrection body is beyond imagination, we can know something about it.

雖然復活的身體是超乎我們能想象的,我們仍可知道一點點關於這復活的身體。

 

Paul teaches us, not by describing the resurrection body, but by contrasting it to the earthly body in terms of its nature and glory.

保羅教導我們,沒有形容復活的身體是如何的,倒是把復活形體的本質和榮耀,來跟屬地形體作一個比較。

So it is worthwhile for us to consider the glory of the earthly body.

因此,我們值得思想一下地上形體的榮耀。

 

It can be summarized as familial love, wealth, honor and fame. People exert great effort to achieve this glory and live their best lives in this world.

這可概括為親情、財富、榮譽和名聲。為了得著這份榮耀,並在世上過最好的生活,人們付出莫大的努力。

 

Nevertheless, it does not satisfy us. And we die too soon, before really enjoying it. God created us in the image of God with both body and spirit.

然而,它並不能滿足我們。況且,在我們還未真正享受這份榮耀之前,我們早已死去。神按照祂的形像創造了我們,賜給我們肉體和靈魂。

 

Just as we need the temporary glory of the physical body, we need the glory of the spiritual body. We were made for more than physical life.

正如我們需要肉體短暫的榮耀,我們也需要靈性身體的榮耀。我們被造並非只為了肉體的生命。

 

By God’s design, our bodies are just seeds of a resurrection body. As we accept this, we can live in joyful anticipation of heavenly glory.

按照神的設計,我們的身體只不過是復活身體的種子。當我們迎接這真理時,我們便可以歡喜期待天上的榮耀中過生活。

 

We can realize the eternal worth of our own lives, and each person around us.

我們可以明白到自己和身邊每個人生命的永恒價值。

 

We can be good stewards of our lives–the best spouses, parents and friends.

我們也可以成為自己生命的好管家——成為最好的配偶、父母和朋友。

 

Let’s trust God’s transforming power and his good purpose. He will transform our lowly bodies to be like Christ’s glorious body (Php 3:21)

讓我們確信神改變的大能和美善的旨意。祂會將我們卑賤的身體改變形狀,和基督榮耀的身體相似(腓3:21)。

 

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Let’s read verses 42-44a: “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”

請看第42至44節上:「死人復活也是這樣:所種的是必朽壞的,復活的是不朽壞的;所種的是羞辱的,復活的是榮耀的;所種的是軟弱的,復活的是強壯的;所種的是血氣的身體,復活的是靈性的身體。」

 

 

“Imperishable” means “enduring forever.” Our resurrection bodies will not be subject to sickness, an aging process or death.

「不朽壞的」意思是「永遠長存」。我們的復活身體不會生病、衰老或死亡。

 

We will never experience coronavirus, autism, arthritis, cancer, heart disease or the like.

我們也永不會經歷新冠病毒、自閉症、關節炎、癌症、心臟病等。

 

There will be no balding, wrinkled skin or memory loss.

也不會出現禿頭、皮膚皺紋或失憶。

 

These resurrection bodies will be glorious and powerful beyond our understanding.

復活的身體是榮耀和強壯的,超乎我們的理解。

 

We will be fully equipped to spend eternity with Christ as heavenly princes and princesses. What a glorious hope we have in Christ!

我們將會整裝待發,作為天國的王子和公主,與基督同享永生。我們在基督裏,擁有何等榮耀的盼望!

 

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Third, Christ will make us like him (44b-50).

第三、基督會使我們像祂一樣 (44下-50)

 

Paul was certain about the resurrection body: “If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body” (44b).

 

保羅確信必有復活的身體:「若有血氣的身體,也必有靈性的身體。」(44下)

 

His certainty rested on faith in Christ Jesus. He knew clearly what Jesus has done for humankind.

他的確信是基於對基督耶穌的信心。他清楚曉得耶穌為人類做了甚麼。

 

To explain this, he compares and contrasts Adam and Jesus. Adam and Jesus are alike in that they are the two distinct progenitors of the human race.

為了解釋這一點,他比較了亞當和耶穌。亞當和耶穌的相似之處,在於他們都是人類兩個不同的祖先。

 

 

Adam was the first man created by God. From him all people have received earthly bodies that age and die.

亞當是神創造的第一個人。所有人都從他承受了會衰老和死亡的地上的身體。

 

 

On the other hand, Christ came from heaven and is a life-giving spirit.

另一方面,基督是從天上來,是叫人活的靈。

 

He gives new spiritual life. This new life begins in our present physical bodies. It continues after our bodies die.

祂賜下新的屬靈生命。這新生命始於我們現在的肉體,在我們的肉體死後延續下去。

 

The same Christ who gives spiritual life also gives us spiritual bodies that are glorious beyond imagination.

這位賜下屬靈生命的基督,也賜給我們靈性的身體,其榮耀超乎想像。

 

Here we see how great the love of Jesus is, how mighty his power is, how vast his wisdom is, and how these are expressed in great concern for us.

在這裏,我們看到耶穌的愛是何等偉大、祂的能力是何等強大、祂的智慧是何等廣大,而這些又是如何通過對我們極大的關懷表達出來。

 

 

He gives each of us a glorious spiritual body by his life-giving power. Praise Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!

祂藉著賜生命的大能,賜給我們每個人榮耀靈性的身體。讚美耶穌!感謝祢,耶穌!

 

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Verse 49 reads, “And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.”

第49節說:「我們既有屬土的形狀,將來也必有屬天的形狀。」49下: 英文是“so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.”

 

 

Here the word likeness comes from the Greek work “icon.” It refers to the image of God imprinted within us.

在這裡,“likeness相似”一詞來自希臘語“icon”。

即神的形象會印在我們裡面。

 

The man from heaven is Jesus Christ. This means we will bear Jesus’ image from the inside out.

從天上來的人就是耶穌基督。這意味著我們將從內到外披戴耶穌的形象。

 

The Risen Christ also glorifies our inner man to be holy and beautiful like him.

復活的基督的榮耀在我們裏面,使我們像他一樣聖潔,美麗。

 

We will be as humble and gentle as Jesus. We will be as patient as Jesus.

我們將像耶穌一樣謙卑和溫柔。

我們會像耶穌一樣有耐心。

 

 

We will be as loving and compassionate as Jesus. We will be raised up in a glorious resurrection body and bear the image of Jesus.

We shall be like him.

我們將像耶穌一樣充滿慈愛和憐悯。我們將以榮耀的復活身體復活,並擁有耶穌的形象。

我們復活的時候將要像他。

 

 

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With this glorious hope Jesus invited all kinds of wretched sinners to himself.

耶穌懷著這榮耀的盼望,邀請一切可憐的罪人到他這裡來。

 

For example, when Jesus was hanging on the cross, shedding his blood for our sins, a criminal beside him was also being crucified.

例子: 當耶穌被掛在十字架上,為我們的罪流血時,一個罪犯在耶穌身邊, 也被釘在十字架上。

 

This man was convicted of crimes and he was receiving the punishment he deserved.

這男子是被判為有罪的,他正受他應得的懲罰。

 

Then he heard Jesus’ prayer, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” He glimpsed the love of God and his saving grace in Christ.

當他聽到耶穌的禱告說:「父啊!赦免他們;因為他們所做的,他們不曉得。」他看見了神的愛和他在耶穌基督裏的救贖恩典。

 

So he prayed, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

 

於是他禱告說:「耶穌啊,你得國降臨的時候,求你記念我!」

 

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:34-43).

耶穌對他說:「我實在告訴你,今日你要同我在樂園裏了。」(路加福音23:34-43)。

 

As his body died on the cross, his soul entered into eternal glory as a prince of God’s kingdom.

當這犯人的身體死在十字架上時,他的靈魂將進入永恆的榮耀裏,成為神國的王子。

 

And he will be raised with a glorious resurrection body. This is the glorious destiny of all who trust in Christ, no matter how wretched they may appear.

主再來時, 他也必帶著榮耀的復活身體復活。

這是所有信靠基督的人榮耀的結局, 不管他們在地上看來是多悲慘.

 

So we should have hope for ourselves in any situation, and for all kinds of people to be transformed as glorious children of God.

因此,在任何情況下,我們都應該抱有希望,並盼望無論何人都能改變為神榮耀的兒女。

 

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The hope of being like Jesus fills me with great joy, especially the hope to be as courageous, wise and loving as Jesus.

這可以像耶穌一樣的盼望使我充滿極大的喜樂,我尤其希望像耶穌一樣的勇敢、智慧和慈愛。

 

Though I was a natural leader as a young man–intelligent and talented, I often failed to exert myself because of inner fear.

雖然我年輕時是一個天生的領袖人才——聰明而且有才華,但我經常因為內心的恐懼而無法發揮自己。

 

But when I met Jesus, his love began to heal my heart. His love and power have enabled me to serve him.

但當我遇見耶穌時,他的愛開始醫治我的心。他的愛和能力使我能夠服侍他。

 

With his help, I can face a new year as the GD of UBF with God’s word “Have faith in God.” There are many real obstacles to confront this year.

我把握神的話 「你們當信服神。」,得着耶穌的幫助, 以UBF的General Director的身份面對新的一年。今年的確需要面對許多困難。

 

But as I walk closely with him, he will give me the love, wisdom and courage to serve effectively. And I have a hope to be fully transformed!

但當我緊緊跟隨耶穌與他同行時,我相信他會賜給我所需的愛心、智慧和勇氣,讓我得力服事他。我希望被耶穌徹底改變!

 

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Here in Hong Kong, many trials have come upon young people that are so challenging to deal with.

在香港,年輕人正面臨著許多難以應付的考驗,

 

These outward pressures exacerbate the wounds and sinsicknesses within us.

這些外在的壓力加劇了我們內心的傷痕和罪惡感,

 

Then we think and say and do things we deeply regret.

繼而我們所想、所言、所行都使我們深感後悔,

 

We become overwhelmed with shame and fall into sorrow, despair, and fatalism. Believing in Jesus can change this.

我們被羞恥感充滿,陷入憂傷、絕望和命運主義中。然而,相信耶穌可以改變這一切。

 

Jesus transforms us from the inside out. He can take away all unhealthy elements. He truly accepts us, loves us, protects us and blesses us.

耶穌從內到外改變了我們,祂能除去我們所有不良的因素,祂真正接納我們、愛我們、保護我們,並祝福我們。

 

He transforms us from the inside out until we will bear the full likeness of Christ and live with him in heavenly glory forever.

祂從內到外改變我們,直到我們擁有基督的形像,並與祂永遠活在屬天的榮耀裏。

 

Let’s believe in Jesus and pray for young people in Hong Kong.

讓我們一起相信耶穌,並為香港的年輕人禱告。

 

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Fourth, death will be swallowed up in victory (51-58). Our greatest and most glorious hope is far bigger than our personal salvation.

第四、死被得勝吞滅(51-58)

我們最大、最榮耀的盼望遠比我們個人的得救更大。

 

It is the second coming of Christ and the total restoration of the kingdom of God. Look at verses 51-53. “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.”

這就是基督第二次再臨,並要完全恢復 神的國。請看51-53節︰「我如今把一件奧祕的事告訴你們:我們不是都要睡覺,乃是都要改變,就在一霎時、眨眼之間,號筒末次吹響的時候。因號筒要響,死人要復活成為不朽壞的,我們也要改變。這必朽壞的總要變成不朽壞的,這必死的總要變成不死的。」

 

The last trumpet signals Jesus’ second coming. This time Jesus will not come humbly and gently as a servant.

「號筒末次吹響」代表著耶穌第二次的再臨。這一次,耶穌不再以謙卑柔和的僕人形像來到。

 

 

Jesus comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. Jesus said in John 5:28-29, “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.”

耶穌要以審判者的身份來到,審判活人死人。在約翰福音5:28-29,耶穌說︰「你們不要把這事看作希奇。時候要到,凡在墳墓裏的,都要聽見他的聲音,就出來:行善的,復活得生;作惡的,復活定罪。」

 

Many people say, “Where is God's judgment? Let's eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” It is a great mistake.

許多人說︰「 神的審判在哪裏呢?我們去吃吃喝喝吧,因為明天要死了。」這是很大的錯誤。

 

They abuse God’s long-suffering patience. When Jesus comes, there will be the bodily resurrection of all people.

他們濫用 神的長久忍耐。當耶穌來的時候,所有人的身體都要復活。

 

Those who thought death was the end of everything will find they were wrong.

那些以為死亡是一切終結的人要發現這是錯誤的。

 

The cowards, unbelievers, vile ones, murderers, the sexually immoral, magic artists, idolaters and liars cannot hide anymore in their graves.

那些膽怯的、不信的、可憎的、殺人的、淫亂的、行邪術的、拜偶像的和一切說謊話的,都不能再在墳墓裏躲藏。

 

They will be resurrected and judged according to what they have done.

他們都要復活,按著他們所行的受審判。

 

On the other hand, Jesus' people, bearing his image, will inherit the kingdom of God, and live forever with the Risen Christ in peace and love.

另一方面,屬耶穌的、擁有耶穌形像的人要承受 神的國,並要在平安和愛中永遠與復活的基督同活。

 

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Finally the last enemy, the power of death, is destroyed.

末了,最後的敵人─死亡的權勢被消滅了。

 

 

Death will be swallowed up in victory. So Paul cried out to this power of death, “‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’

死亡將在勝利中被吞噬。於是保羅向死亡的權勢呼喊說:「死啊!你得勝的權勢在那裡?死啊!你的毒鉤在那裡?」

 

 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” Sin stings like a bee, injecting a poison.

死的毒鉤就是罪,罪的權勢就是律法。罪就像蜜蜂一樣蜇人,注射毒藥。

 

 

The law works with this poison to cause death. The power of sin and death have crushed humankind.

律法與毒藥產生死亡。罪的權勢和死亡一直壓制著人類。

 

 

We could not defeat these enemies with our own wisdom or strength.

我們無法靠自己的智慧或權勢打敗這些仇敵。

 

 

But Christ died for our sins, rose from the dead, and will come in great power and glory to defeat death forever.

但基督為我們的罪受死,從死裡復活,將以大能和榮耀降臨,永遠戰勝死亡。

 

 

This is God’s love and one-sided grace for all who believe in Jesus. So Paul said, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

這是神對所有相信耶穌之人的愛和單方面的恩典。所以保羅說:「感謝神,使我們藉著我們的主耶穌基督得勝。」。

 

God gives us the victory through faith in Christ. Let’s give thanks to God!

神通過我們對基督的信仰賜下勝利。讓我們感謝神

 

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Look at verse 58. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

請看第58節。「所以,我親愛的弟兄們,你們務要堅固,不可搖動,常常竭力多做主工;因為知道,你們的勞苦在主裡面不是徒然的。」

 

 

 

The words “in vain” have a deep spiritual meaning. In light of eternity, labor in the Lord is never in vain.

「徒然」這詞有著深層的屬靈含義。在永恆的光照下,在主裏的勞苦永遠不會是白費的。

 

Worldly people make money and enjoy pleasures freely. But without resurrection faith, it is in vain. They live in deep inner despair over the power of sin and death.

世人以賺錢和隨心所慾地享樂。但是沒有復活的信仰,這都是徒勞的。他們生活在罪和死亡的權勢下而深深絕望。

 

On the other hand, labor for the Lord is most meaningful; it bears everlasting fruits.

另一方面,為主勞苦是最有意義的;這樣能結出永恆的果子。

 

So let’s stand firm in gospel faith, and always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.

因此,讓我們堅定不動搖地相信福音,並常常將自己完全獻在主的工作上。

 

 

Our future is very bright! Christ will clothe us in a glorious resurrection body and take us to his kingdom in eternal glory.

我們的未來非常光明!基督會以榮耀復活的身體作我們的衣裳,帶我們進入他永恆榮耀的國度裏。