Saturday, December 27, 2008

用財物和禱告扶持聖徒 Supporting the Saints

On December 28, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "用財物和禱告扶持聖徒 Supporting the Saints" form Romans 15:20-33

講題:用財物和禱告扶持聖徒
經文:羅馬書十五章20-33節


Related passages: 2 Corinthians 8

這聖誕節的嬰孩是誰?Who is the Christmas baby?

On December 21, 康牧師 Pastor Tim preached on "這聖誕節的嬰孩是誰?Who is the Christmas baby?" from 加拉太書四章4-7節 Galatians 4:4-7

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Christmas through the Bible

親愛的希望教會弟兄姊妹,

和家人慶祝聖誕節的好方法之一,是一起讀聖經中和聖誕節有關的經文。從現在起到元旦期間,可以每晚讀幾段相關經文。

Dear New Hope family,

A good way for you and your family to celebrate Christmas is to read together through Bible passages that tell part of the Christmas story. You can read a few each night through the New Year.


聖經中和聖誕節相關的經文:
創世記 3:15
創世記 15:6
創世記 22:6-8
創世記 22:18
創世記 28:13-15
創世記 49: 8-12
申命記 18:14-22
路得記 4:9-22
撒母耳記上 16:1-13
撒母耳記下 7
歷代志上 17
以賽亞書 7:13-14
以賽亞書 9:1-7
以賽亞書 11:1-10
以賽亞書 40
以賽亞書 42:1-9
以賽亞書 49:1-7
以賽亞書 52:13-53:12
耶利米書 23:1-6
瑪拉基書 4:4-6
馬太福音 1 & 2
路加福音 1 & 2
路加福音 3:21-37
約翰福音 1:1-27
希伯來書 1:1-14
希伯來書 2:9-18


Christmas through the Bible:

Genesis 3:15
Genesis 15:6
Genesis 22:6-8
Genesis 22:18
Genesis 28:13-15
Genesis 49:8-12
Deuteronomy 18:14-22
Ruth 4:9-22
1 Samuel 16:1-13
2 Samuel 7
1 Chronicles 17
Isaiah 7:13-14
Isaiah 9:1-7
Isaiah 11:1-10
Isaiah 40
Isaiah 42:1-9
Isaiah 49:1-7
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Malachi 4:4-6
Matthew 1 & 2
Luke 1 & 2
Luke 3:21-37
John 1:1-27
Hebrews 1:1-14
Hebrews 2:9-18

模範長老的特質 The Distinguishing Marks of an Exemplary Elder

On December 14, 2008, at 3:00 P.M. New Hope had an ordination service for 紀禮瑞 Larry Dilley, 何恩 Aaron Heidel, 柯班恩 Benjamin Kask -- who were ordained as ruling elders of New Hope. 康 牧師 Pastor Tim preached on "模範長老的特質 The Distinguishing Marks of an Exemplary Elder" from 使徒行傳廿章17-38節 Acts 20:17-38

這完美的嬰孩名稱為 Naming the Perfect Child

On the morning of December 14, 2008 (A.M.) -- 康 牧師 Pastor Tim preached on "這完美的嬰孩名稱為 Naming the Perfect Child" from 以賽亞書九章6-7節 Isaiah 9:6-7

你人生的目標是什麼?What do you want to accomplish in your life?

On December 7, 2008, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "你人生的目標是什麼?What do you want to accomplish in your life?" from 羅馬書15章14-16節 Romans 15:14-16



在基督裡得榮耀 Glorying in Jesus Christ

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Thanksgiving Day video

Thanksgiving 2008 -- courtesy of Michael Jefferies



Thanks Chris and Julia Harris for hosting us!

Friday, December 5, 2008

生命最重要的目的 Our Chief Purpose in Life

【Tâi-gí -- translated by Tīⁿ Jî-gio̍k Bo̍k-su 鄭兒玉】

Jîn-seng Chòe Iàu-kín ê Bo̍k-te̍k

"Tùi lán múi chi̍t-lâng kiám-chhái ōe-tit-thang kóng, lán ta̍k-lâng sìⁿ-mia tiong chòe iàu-kín ê bo̍k-te̍k, chiū-sī ēng lán só͘-ū lóng-chóng ê châi-lêng kap tì-sek, lâi koh khah jīn-bat siong-sìn Siōng-tè; ia̍h siōng-chhiáⁿ siū kám-tōng lâi o-ló kám-siā I."

Prof. J.R.R. Tolkien, 1969 -- Gû-tin-Tāi-ha̍k Anglo-Saxon Bûn-ha̍k-hē (Eng-tē ê le̍k-sú gí-giân-ha̍k-ka) ê Kàu-siū
kap "Chhiú-chí Ông" (Mô͘-kài) ê Chok-ka

【華語 -- translated by Melody Chen】

"我們可以說,對每個人而言,生命最重要的目的,就是盡己所能,用我們擁有的一切,來更加認識上帝,並且因為更認識祂而深受感動,發出讚美和感謝。"

- 托爾金教授("魔戒"的作者及牛津大學英國文學教授)寫於1969年


"So it may be said that the chief purpose in life, for any one of us, is to increase according to our capacity our knowledge of God by all the means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks."

-- Prof. J.R.R. Tolkien, 1969 -- Oxford University Professor of Anglo-Saxon Literature & Author of the Lord of the Rings 魔戒

Monday, November 24, 2008

把人放進你的心 Putting People in Your Heart

On November 23, 田天德 傳道 Caleb Tian preached on 「把人放進你的心」 Putting People in Your heart from 羅馬書14章19節–15章6節 Romans 14:19-15:6

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Ezekiel Class - Dr. Dean Ulrich


Dean Ulrich is teaching a class on the book of Ezekiel from November 2008 through February 2009. The recorded weeks can be found here: [Note we are missing the second week's audio.]



Class 1

Class 3

Class 4

Class 5


Ezekiel Christmas Special - Part 1


Ezekiel Christmas Special - Part 2


Summary of the first Half of Ezekial's Message -- Themes in Ch. 16, 23...

愛就完全行出了上帝的律法 Loving Others Fulfills God's Law

On November 2, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on 愛就完全行出了上帝的律法 Loving others fulfills God's Law from 羅馬書十三章7-10節 Romans 13:7-10

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Reformation Day 改革宗節快樂

Kái-kek-chong Chiat * Khoài-lo̍k 改革宗節快樂 Happy Reformation Day!



October 31, 1517

宗教改革紀念日快樂!

The Freedom We have in Jesus Christ

會前默想:韋斯敏斯德信條第二十章第一段

第二十章 論基督徒的自由和良心的自由

一、基督為福音時代的信徒所獲得的自由乃是免去罪的刑罰、神的忿怒以及道德律的咒詛;又使他們脫離這現今邪惡的世界、撒但的捆綁、罪惡的轄制、苦難的殘害、死亡的毒鉤、墳墓的勝利、並永遠的定罪;又使他們自由接近神、順服神,並非出於奴僕的心仍舊害怕,乃是出於兒子愛父的心,甘心樂意的順服。律法時代的信徒也同樣有這樣的自由;但在新約時代,基督徒的自由是更加擴大了,因他們已脫離服從猶太教禮儀的軛,更坦然無懼地接近施恩寶座,與神自由之靈有交通,這交通比律法時代的信徒平時所參與的更豐滿。


Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 20, Section 1

"The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the Gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation; as also in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a childlike love and willing mind. All which were common also to believers under the law.

But under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected; and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of."

Preparing your hearts for Sunday's worship

親愛的希望教會弟兄姊妹,

以下是和這禮拜天相關的報告事項:

1. 上禮拜天的講道「活在上帝的權柄之下」已經放在網站上,大家可以上網聽。

2. Ulrich 教授的成人主日學這禮拜天開始上課,內容是討論以西結書。主日學時間是中午12:15-1:15,地點在希望教會。上課方式以討論為主,互動語言主要是英文。如果有人希望用中文討論或問 Ulrich 教授問題,Melody 可以幫忙翻譯。

3. 這禮拜天我們要領聖餐。

4. 請大家花一些時間讀以下的經文,為主日預備心。這些經文跟禮拜天要講道的經文(羅馬書十三章7-10節)有關。主日講道的題目是「愛就完全行出了上帝的律法」。

經文:十誡(出埃及記二十章1-21節);耶穌所說浪子回頭的比喻(路加福音十五章11-32節);耶穌所說好撒瑪利亞人的比喻(路加福音十章25-37節)。

願上帝祝福大家,也願各位在信心生活上繼續成長,更加認識與服從上帝。

在基督裡,
印牧師

----------------

Dear New Hope family,

We have a few announcements for Sunday:

1. Last week's sermon, "Living under God's Authority" can be heard online.

2. Dr. Ulrich will begin the adult Bible study and discussion on Ezekiel this Sunday at New Hope from 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. The class is a discussion format, mainly using English. Melody can help facilitate communication for those who are better at speaking Mandarin, but would like to make comments or ask Dr. Ulrich any questions.

3. We will celebrate the Lord's Supper this Sunday.

4. To prepare for Sunday's worship service, please take some time to read the following Bible passages. They are all related to the sermon from Romans 13:7-10 about "Love: Fulfilling God's Law"

Please read the Ten Commandments:
Exodus 20:1-21

Please also read:

Jesus' parable of the prodigal son
Luke 15:11-32

Jesus' parable of the good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37

God bless you this week as you grow in your life of faith and of knowing and obeying God.

In Christ,

Pastor Joel

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

活在上帝的權柄之下 Living under God's Authority

On October 26, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "活在上帝的權柄之下 Living under God's Authority" from 羅馬書13章1-7節 Romans 13:1-7



Recommended Reading:
1 Peter 2:13-3:17, Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Saturday, September 27, 2008

回應上帝慈愛的計畫 Responding to God's Merciful Plan

On September 28, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "回應上帝慈愛的計畫 Responding to God's Merciful Plan" from 羅馬書十一章25-36節 Romans 11:25-36.

Suggested Reading: Isaiah 40, Psalm 2, Revelation 7:9-17

以賽亞書四十章 , 詩篇第二篇

認識上帝救贖萬國的計畫 Learning from God's Plan to Save the Nations

On September 21, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "認識上帝救贖萬國的計畫 Learning from God's Plan to Save the Nations" from 羅馬書十一章11-24節 Romans 11:11-24.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Preparing for Sunday worship

親愛的希望教會弟兄姊妹,

希望今明兩天,大家為主日的敬拜預備心時,可以花一些時間研讀以賽亞書四十章和詩篇第二篇。請大家也彼此代禱。

願上帝祝福大家!

在基督裡,
印牧師

Dear New Hope family,

As you prepare you hearts for worshipping God this Sunday, I hope you will take out a little time today or tomorrow to read Isaiah chapter 40 and also Psalm 2. Please also pray for each other in the church.

God bless you.
In Christ,

Pastor Joel

Saturday, September 13, 2008

9/14 worship service cancelled -- typhoon

中秋節快樂 Happy Mid-Autumn Festival

The September 14 worship service is cancelled because of the typhoon. People can gather at the Lintons' home tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M. for a small worship time with songs, prayer, sharing, and a short scripture devotional -- if you want to come. Please be careful of the winds and debris.

We will have our ordinary worship service on Sunday, September 21.

Monday, September 8, 2008

上帝的揀選 Chosen by God

On September 7, 康 牧師 Pastor Tim preached on "上帝的揀選 Chosen by God" from Romans 羅馬書 11:1-10.

羅馬書11章1-10節

Monday, September 1, 2008

傳揚耶穌基督的好消息 Telling the Good News of Jesus Christ

On August 31, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "傳揚耶穌基督的好消息 Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus" from Romans 羅馬書 10:1, 13-21.

Heaping Coals of Fire on an Enemy's Head

Is the expression "heaping coals of fire on an enemy's head" a good thing to do to them, or an action like revenge?

One perspective... I'll keep looking...
http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Puzzling_Passages/BurningCoals.html

Monday, August 25, 2008

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

罪:靈魂的毀滅與痛苦 Sin: The Ruin and Misery of the Soul - Jonathan Edwards

親愛的弟兄啊,你們是客旅,是寄居的。我勸你們要禁戒肉體的私慾,這私慾是與靈魂爭戰的。彼得前書 2:11

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." - 1 Peter 2:11 (NIV)

----
罪是靈魂的毀滅與痛苦,具有毀滅的本性。倘若神不對罪加以約束,無需再做什麼就足以叫靈魂陷入徹底痛苦之境。-愛德華茲(1741)

"Sin is the ruin and misery of the soul; it is destructive in its nature; and if God should leave it without restraint, there would need nothing else to make the soul perfectly miserable. The corruption of the heart of man is a thing that is immoderate and boundless in its fury; and while wicked men live here, it is like fire pent up by God's restraints, when as if it were let loose it would set on fire the course of nature; and as the heart is now a sink of sin, so, if sin was not restrained, it would immediately turn the soul into a fiery oven, or a furnace of fire and brimstone."

- Jonathan Edwards, A.D. 1741

----

Q: 罪是什麼?
A: 凡不遵守神的律法或是違背神的律法,就是罪。
--- 韋斯敏斯德小要理問答(十四)

Q: What is sin?
A: Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.

--- Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 14, A.D. 1647

質問上帝 Questioning God

On August 10, 康 牧師 Pastor Tim preached on "質問上帝 Questioning God" from 羅馬書九章14-29節 Romans 9:14-29.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Friday, August 1, 2008

Welcome and Congratulations!



Sunday, July 27, 2008: We rejoice to welcome new members to our church: Admitted to the Lord's Supper: Lori Lin, John and Vanessa Wang ; Non-communing members (baptized as children of believing parents) : Joyce & Rosie.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Gospel Message

福音很簡單,好像考試果然來了,可是都沒有同學認真念,大家一律都不及格。老師看到大家都不及格,就說要及格的話,只要拜託老師就可以及格。

大部分的同學不信,可是有幾個願意試試看:他們就很厚臉皮地去拜託老師,請讓他們及格,老師就讓他們及格。

那些不信的同學對那幾個厚臉皮的同學說,「為什麼老師讓你們及格可是沒讓我們及格呢?」

厚臉皮的同學回答說,「我們拜託老師,你們沒有拜託老師啊!」

- 何恩 長老


The gospel is very simple. It's like a class where no one has studied for the test at all and so everyone fails. The teacher sees this and says that anyone who wants to pass needs only to ask him to let them pass, and he will pass them.

Most of the students don't believe him, but a few students do take him up on his offer, swallow their pride, and go and ask him to pass them, and the teacher does pass them, just like he said he would.

The other students are jealous and say to them, "How come he passed you and not me?"

The students who asked to be passed reply, "Well, I asked and you didn't!"

- Aaron Heidel (a ruling elder of New Hope Christian Fellowship)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

愛是願意付上代價 Love that is Willing to Pay the Price

On July 27, 2008, Caleb Tian 田天德 傳道 preached a sermon on "愛是願意付上代價 Love that is Willing to Pay the Price" from Romans 9:1-5.
經文:羅馬書9:1-5;出 32:31-32
講道題目:愛是願意付上代價
田天德 傳道

This recording also includes:

1. the Old Testament Reading from Genesis 1 - Daniel Cohee 柯睿理 傳道
2. the testimony of John Wang 王嘉蓁

---------
On July 27, 2008,
林亮吟 joined New Hope
John and Vanessa Wang professed their faith and were baptized and joined the church
their children Joyce and Rosie were baptized on the basis of their parents' profession and joined the church as non-communing members.

在困難時刻信心滿滿 Conquering Faith in Perilous Times

On July 20, 2008, Pastor Tim preached on 在困難時刻信心滿滿 Conquering Faith in Perilous Times from Romans 8:31-39.

經文:羅馬書八章31-39節
主題:在困難時刻信心滿滿
1. 福音的好消息需要你的__________。
2. 在面對困難、__________、甚至_________時,你可以因著基督的______戰勝__________。
3. 你應該信心滿滿,知道__________能夠使你和神在基督裡賜給你的愛隔絕。


1. The good news of the gospel demands your ___________ .
2. In the face of difficulties, _____________, and even ___________ , you can conquer ______________ through the ____________ of Christ.
3. You should be completely confident that _______________ can separate you from the love God has for you in Christ.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Being Wary of False Teachers

In Galatians, Paul speaks about false teachers who teaching a gospel of another kind which is not really the Gospel at all.
We have false teachers in our age, too.

Below is a link to an article in Chinese written by Professor 吳道宗 at Central Taiwan Theological Seminary in Taichung that you can download which really helps Christians understand the problem and dangers of people who preach the "prosperity gospel". Taiwan Christians need to become more discerning about false teaching, instead of going to see anyone who is famous or popular or whose event seems exciting.

http://www.archive.org/details/BennyHinnCritique

Reading List to get to Know Your Faith

Reading List to get to Know Your Faith
以下的閱讀清單可以幫助你瞭解自己的信仰

-------------------------------------
In the Bible, here is a place to start:
讀聖經時,可以從這幾卷書開始讀起

1. 路加福音或約翰福音 read Luke or John
2. 使徒行傳 read Acts
3. 羅馬書或以弗所書 read Romans or Ephesians
4. 創世記 read Genesis
5. 出埃及記 read Exodus

(另外,讀詩篇或箴言也很有幫助)
(along with this, it is good to read Psalms and Proverbs)

-------------------------------------
有些基督教的好書也值得一讀,以下是清單:
There are other good Christian books to read. Here is the list.


† Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis 返璞歸真(or 如此基督教),路益師著,香港:海天書樓
† Reason for God - Tim Keller (not yet been translated)
† Reason to Believe - R.C. Sproul 教我如何不信祂,史普羅著,趙中輝譯, 改革宗出版(Reformed Press)
† Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis 地獄來鴻,魯益師著,香港:基督教文藝
† The Case for Christ - Lee Strobel 重審耶穌,史特博著; 李伯明譯,香港:海天書樓

† Westminster Confession of Faith 基督教信仰告白,趙中輝譯,改革宗出版
† Westminster Shorter Catechim 韋斯敏斯德小要理問答
† 基督教要道初階──要理問答精解(修訂版) The Shorter Catechism──First Steps in Christian Doctrine 魏廉森 G. I. Williamson,改革宗出版
† Westminster Larger Catechism 韋敏斯德大要理問答


† A Faith Worth Sharing - C. John Miller (not yet been translated)
† Outgrowing the Ingrown Church - C. John Miller (not yet been translated)
† The Golden Booklet on the True Christian Life - John Calvin 基督徒生活手册,約翰‧加爾文著,趙中輝譯,改革宗出版
† 盤石之上(The Christian Life-A Doctrinal Introduction), 辛克萊‧傅格森(Sinclair B. Ferguson), Virginia Yip譯 ,改革宗出版

† Passion and Purity - Elizabeth Elliot 郵遞真愛,伊莉莎白˙艾略特著,中國學園傳道會出版
† Through the Gates of Splendor - Elizabeth Elliot 奧卡人的新生,伊莉莎白˙艾略特著,大光出版社

† Chosen by God - R.C. Sproul 認識預定論,史普羅著,校園出版(Campus bookstore)
† The Holiness of God - R.C. Sproul 神的聖潔, 史普羅著,黃一亭譯,中國主日學協會 (缺貨)
† The Knowledge of the Holy - A. W. Tozer 認識至聖者,陶恕著,香港宣道出版
† The Pursuit of God - A. W. Tozer 渴慕神,陶恕著,香港宣道出版


Parenting
† Infant Care Book - Judy Linton 百歲醫師教我的育兒寶典,作者:林奐均
† To Train Up a Child - Michael Pearl


Booklets

† Biblical Baptism - George W. Marston
† Come Take a Walk with Me (Testimony) - Judy Linton
† Thinking about Idolatry 拜偶像 Pài Siâ-sîn - Tim Keller
† Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God - Jonathan Edwards
† Dating, Courtship and Marriage - Jim Neuheiser

Friday, July 11, 2008

God Removed Four Big Insecurities in Your Life as a Christian 上帝除去你人生四大疑惑

On July 13, Pastor Joel H. Linton 印主烈 牧師 preached on "God Removed Four Big Insecurities in Your Life as a Christian 上帝除去你人生四大疑惑" from Romans 8:28-37 羅馬書8章28-37節

Suggested Reading: 詩篇23篇 Psalm 23


親愛的希望教會弟兄姐妹,

請研讀並默想羅馬書八章28-39節和詩篇23篇,為禮拜天的講道預備心。
願上帝這禮拜祝福各位。


Dear New Hope family,

To prepare for the message on Sunday, please read and think about Romans 8:28-39 and also Psalm 23.
God bless you all this week.

In Christ, Joel 印主烈 牧師

在人生的幸與不幸之間找到意義 Making Sense of the Good and Bad in Your Life

On July 6, 康 牧師 Pastor Tim preached on "在人生的幸與不幸之間找到意義 Making Sense of the Good and Bad in Your Life" - from 馬書8章28-30節 Romans 8:28-30

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Café and Gallery Night




FOR AUGUST 2008, Cafe Gallery Night scheduled for August 9th.

First Saturday of each month.

Saturday 禮拜六晚上 7-10 P.M. Cafe and Gallery Night
No. 195, Sec 2, Hsin-Hai Rd, Taipei (台北市辛亥路2段195號)

Saturday, June 28, 2008

等候被上帝收養 Anticipating Adoption

On June 29, Romans 8:18-30 (focus on vs. 22-27) - "Anticipating Adoption 等候被上帝收養" - Pastor Tim

1. All ________________ groans with childbirth pain: 一切_____________一同嘆息,如同經歷產痛:

A. awaiting our ________________ as sons and 我們等候被_____________成為兒子,並且

B. ___________ to be set free from futility. __________ 脫離虛空。

2. We ourselves groan within ourselves eagerly awaiting our ____________ and the ______________ of our bodies.
我們心裡也嘆息,迫切等候被___________,等候身體得到 ________。

3. We _____________________ in hope and eager waiting. 我們在盼望與殷切等候中___________。

Saturday, June 21, 2008

上帝養子的產業 Our Inheritance as Adopted Sons of God

On June 22, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached from 羅馬書8章13-25節 Romans 8:13-25 on "上帝養子的產業 Our Inheritance as Adopted Sons of God"


Suggested reading: Titus 3:3-8

Monday, June 16, 2008

恨惡己罪的人有盼望 Hope for People who Hate their own Sin

On June 15, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "恨惡己罪的人有盼望 Hope for People who Hate their own Sin" from - 羅馬書7章24節 -- 8章13節 Romans 7:24-8:13

Suggested Reading: the book of 1 John 約翰一書

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Thinking about Idolatry 拜偶像 (拜邪神 Pài Siâ-sîn)

拜偶像

耶穌說上帝給我們最大的誡命就是要愛祂,因此最大的罪就是不愛上帝,這罪也叫“拜偶像”,就是愛其他人事物超過愛獨一真神、造我們的主。在紐約牧會的Tim Keller牧師說:“生命若不是以上帝為中心,必走向空虛,如果把生命建造在神以外的人事物上,不但渴望無法滿足時會受傷,就算渴望得到滿足,我們也一樣會受傷。很少人可以完全實現生命中所有偉大的夢想,因此人很容易會活在幻想中,以為他們如果能如願成功、致富、受歡迎或變的更美,他們就可以活的快樂又平安,但事實並非如此。” (Translated by Melody Chen)

Thinking about Idolatry

Jesus said that the greatest commandment from God was to love Him. Our failure to love God is our greatest sin. This sin is also called "idolatry": we love something else much more than our Creator, the true God.

Rev. Tim Keller, a pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, wrote: "A life not centered on God leads to emptiness. Building our lives on something besides God not only hurts us if we do not get the desires of our hearts, but also if we do. Few of us get all of our wildest dreams fulfilled in life, and therefore it is easy to live in the illusion that if you were as successful, wealthy, popular or beautiful as you wished, you would finally be happy and at peace. That just is not so." (The Reason for God - pp. 166-167)

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Functioning as the Body of Christ

On June 8, Daniel Cohee 柯睿理 傳道 preached from 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 on "Functioning as the Body of Christ."


Suggested Reading: Psalm 127

基督激勵的愛 The Compelling Love of Christ

On June 1, we had a special guest. Pastor Lâu Bîn-hô Bo̍k-su 劉民和 牧師 has devoted his life in Taiwan to preaching the Gospel to drug addicts and seeing God redeem their lives through its power. He preached from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 on "基督激勵的愛 The Compelling Love of Christ."

Monday, May 26, 2008

律法顯明人的罪性 Seeing the True Sinfulness of Sin

On May 25,田天德 傳道 Caleb Tian preached on 講道題目:"律法顯明人的罪性 The Law Exposes Your Sin" from 經文:Romans 羅馬書 7:7-20

Suggested Reading: Genesis 創世記 3:1-5
Genesis 3:1-5, Proverbs 9:17, Romans 3:23

Friday, May 16, 2008

是埋葬過往的時候了 Time to Bury Your Old Life - May 18, 2008

On May 18, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "是埋葬過往的時候了 Time to Bury Your Old Life" from 羅馬書7章1-6節 Romans 7:1-6

Recommended reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 4:2-4, Romans 6:19

你要事奉誰? Whom Will You Serve? - May 11, 2008

On May 11, Pastor Jim Gray preached on "你要事奉誰? Whom Will You Serve?" from 羅馬書6章15-32節 Romans 6:15-32

Either sin is your master, or Christ is your Lord.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

與基督合而為一 Implications of Being United to Christ - May 4, 2008

On May 4, 田天德 傳道 Caleb Tian preached on "與基督合而為一 Implications of Being United to Christ" from 羅馬書6章1-11節 Romans 6:1-11.

Recommended reading: 以弗所書二8-9 Ephesians 2:8-9

Death to Adam's People; Life to Jesus Christ's People - April 27, 2008

On April 27 - 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "Death to Adam's People; Life to Jesus Christ's People" from 羅馬書 5章12-21節 Romans 5:12-21

Recommended reading: 1 Corinthians 15:17-24

"Jesus Already Paid for Past, Present and Future Sins of His Sheep" - April 20, 2008

On April 20th, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "Jesus Already Paid for Past, Present and Future Sins of His Sheep" - from 羅馬書5章9-11節 Romans 5:9-11

Sunday, April 13, 2008

在上帝容許你受的苦難中喜樂 Rejoicing in the Suffering that God Allows You to Experience - April 13, 2008

On April 13, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel H. Linton preached on "在上帝容許你受的苦難中喜樂 Rejoicing in the Suffering that God Allows You to Experience" from 羅馬書5章3-5節 Romans 5:3-5

Recommended reading: Ecclesiastes, Hebrews 12, Romans 8

神慈愛的救贖 God's Saving Love - April 6, 2008

On April 6, 田天德 傳道 Caleb Tian preached on "神慈愛的救贖 God's Saving Love from Romans 5:6-9


講道題目:神慈愛的救贖
經文:羅馬書5:6-8;使徒行傳9:1-5;馬可福音2:17

Friday, April 4, 2008

為什麼人們應該行為良善?Why should people do good?

會前默想

為什麼人們應該行為良善? 為什麼人們應該改變他們的行為?

你改變行為的動機不應該是出於義務感或律法主義。律法主義想藉著遵守一連串的律法,來尋求上帝的接納。律法主義者會告訴你:“如果你想成為好基督徒,你應該做這做那,不然你就是個糟糕的基督徒。”

但是福音的訊息並非如此,聖經說上帝早知你是個糟糕的罪人,上帝喜愛並接納祂的子民是因為基督耶穌的緣故,而不是因為你做了什麼。如果你已信主,上帝就認你為祂的孩子,給你全新的心,上帝改變人是從內心開始。你若信了福音,就會想要改變,以更像愛你至深的救主。

- 印主烈 牧師
(Translated by Melody Chen)
------------------------------------------
Opening Meditation for Sunday:

Why should people do good? Why should they change the way they behave?

Your motivation to change should not be out of obligation or legalism. Legalism is trying to follow a list of rules in an effort to be accepted by God. Legalists will tell you, "In order to be a good Christian, you should be like this, or you ought to do that. Otherwise you are bad."

But the message of the Gospel is different. The Bible says that God already knows you are a bad sinner. But God loves and accepts His people because of Jesus Christ, not because of what you do. If you are a believer, God adopted you as His child and He gave you a new heart. God changes people from the inside. Believing the Gospel makes you want to change and be more like the One who loves you so much.

- Pastor Joel H. Linton

Monday, March 31, 2008

從孤兒變成上帝的孩子 From Orphans to Children of God - March 30, 2008

On March 30, 2008, Daniel Cohee preached on
從孤兒變成上帝的孩子 "From Orphans to Children of God"
from 約翰一書 1 John 2:28-3:3.

Some points:
* God the Father loves and has adopted all who believe in Jesus.
* An adopted child does not look like his adoptive parents, but as he lives longer in the family, he begins to act like them.
* A child is not like a slave or an employee. A child belongs to the home. He does not have to earn it.
* Christians are no longer slaves, but children. Even after they have been taken out of slavery, but it takes longer for the slavery to be taken out of their hearts and minds and attitudes.
* Are you relating to God like a slave or like who you are in Christ - a loved, adopted child of God?

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life 永生的源頭

Happy Easter!

Whatever you are depressed by, the ultimate hope is found in Jesus Christ, the one who rose from the dead to never die again.

Don't put your hope in things that will not last. Put your hope in eternal things, that will last beyond the grave. Put your hope in Jesus and the eternal life he purchased with his death for sinners like you.

On March 23, Pastor Joel preached on "永生的源頭 The Source of Eternal Life" from John 11:17-27 and Acts 2:22-24.

This link also has Ken and Lillian Huang's 黃德建 & 黃力蓮 Testimonies.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Congratulations to Marcie Lee and TJ Jiang on their engagement!


When? -- TJ asked Marcie to marry him on her birthday, March 2, 2008.

Please leave your personal congratulations by clicking on "comments" below.

Sermon D&R - 來到上帝的面前 Access to God; Standing in Grace

On March 9, Pastor Joel Linton (印主烈 牧師) will preach on "Access to God, Standing in Grace" 來到上帝的面前 from Romans 5:1-5, particularly verse 2 羅馬書五章1-5節.


(other verses --
2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give、not reluctantly or under compulsion、for God loves a cheerful giver."

(For further reading at home, read John Chapter 14-17)



• 從這段經文和今天的講道,你還學到什麼?
Are there any points you'd like to add that you learned from the Scripture passage and sermon?

Sermon D&R - 因信基督得以成為神的兒子 Standing as a son of God

On March 2, Caleb Tian 田天德 傳道 preached on 加拉太書三章26-29節 Galatians 3:26-29 that speaks about how we are 因信基督得以成為神的兒子 sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. In the first part of the sermon, Caleb spoke about how every person economic status or culture or race has equal dignity before God because we are united to Christ.

• 從這段經文和今天的講道,你還學到什麼?
Are there any points you'd like to add that you learned from the Scripture passage and sermon?

Monday, February 25, 2008

Sermon D&R - "與上帝和好了嗎 ? Are You at Peace with God?"

Yesterday, Joel (印主烈 牧師) preached on "與上帝和好了嗎 ? Are You at Peace with God?" from 羅馬書五章1-5節 Romans 5:1-5.
Please post your feedback or comments or share your thoughts in response to this sermon.

Some Highlights:
1. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict.
2. Peace is a personal relationship with God
3. This personal relationship is dependent on what Jesus Christ did. God sees Christians through Christ; He is well-pleased with us because God the Father is well-pleased with Jesus Christ, God the Son, who perfectly obeyed God and perfectly loved God. He presented his perfect record in our place, and took our record of sin on himself and received the punishment for our sin when he died on the Cross 2000 years ago.

• 從這段經文和今天的講道,你還學到什麼?
Are there any points you'd like to add that you learned from the Scripture passage and sermon?
• 有沒有哪個例子幫助你了解跟上帝和好的含意?
Were there any illustrations that you really thought helped you understand what it means to have peace with God?

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

More evidence for Noah's Flood and against evolution

I just read an article in the BBC online edition that yet again mentions fossils with soft tissue still intact, yet these scientists blindly believe that these fossils are tens of millions of years old, but somehow the soft tissue did not decay.

A much more natural explanation would be that their dating scheme is totally off, and that many of the fossils were formed around 4000 to 5000 years ago in the global flood that the Bible talks about where there would be high pressure from all that water, quick deposition, and low oxygen, so not much chance for the fossils to decay -- ideal conditions for fossil formation, and exactly the type of flood described in Genesis 8-9. This is also possibly where all the oil in the world came from. You have a massive amount of water washing all the vegetation into low-lying areas and then build up pressure and low oxygen so that it becomes oil, coal or natural gas instead of decaying.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Sermon D&R - Defining Your Christian Identity

On Sunday, February 17, 印主烈 牧師 Pastor Joel Linton will preach on -- "基督徒最好的形容詞 The Word that Really Defines Your Christian Identity" from 羅馬書5章1節 Romans 5:1.

Here is a hint -- look at the very first word in Romans 5.

How does that define what it means to be a Christian?

Stay tuned....

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Sermon D&R - New Life in Christ - Feb. 3, 2008

On Sunday, February 3, Caleb Tian 田天德 will preach on "除舊佈新迎新年" from Ephesians 4:21-24, 2 Corinthians 5:17 弗四章21-24 、 林後五章17.

I'm excited. It looks like because of the Lunar New Year, Caleb is going to be preaching to us about our new self and new life in Christ. It is so great to think about freedom from the past that Christians have! As Jesus said, "If the son has set you free, you are free indeed."

約翰福音八章36節「所以天父的子若叫您自由,您就真正自由了。」
Iok-hān Hok-im 8 chiuⁿ 36 chat: “Só͘-í Thiⁿ-pē ê Kiáⁿ, Iâ-so͘, nā hō͘ lín chū-iû, lín chiū chin-chiàⁿ chū-iû.”

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Creation vs. Evolution Discussion Group

After the service on Sunday, January 27, there will be a discussion group on Creation and Evolution. We will be watching a DVD documentary called: "Unlocking the Mystery of Life". It does several things: 1. Reviews Darwin's Theory of Evolution, 2. Considers the present issue of the fact that even inside cells, there are incredibly complex machines that could not have evolved from small random changes -- implies and Intelligent Designer 3. Considers the issue of the origin of cells themselves, and how the proteins and DNA's information require imply a Intelligent Designer. ... all of the Scientists interviewed are former believers in evolution who as they looked at the facts came to be confronted with the impossibility of evolutionary theory. They felt forced to conclude from the data that there must have been a designer.

The DVD does not discuss some related issues such as the methods of dating, the strata of the earth, the absence of transitional fossils. We can discuss this more in the meeting. But the DVD deals with some core issues that must be answered first before any further assumptions about evolution by natural selection can be considered.

Sermon Discussion and Response - January 27, 2008

On Sunday, January 27, Pastor Tim preached from Romans 4:9-25 羅馬書四章9-25節 on "Certain Faith in Hopeless Situations 在絕望的處境中信心堅定" .

Please make comments here, ask questions, give feedback, or share Bible verses, songs or experiences in response to this sermon.