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

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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