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Zion Bread of Life Christian Church

Luke 18 – The Life Following Jesus 跟從耶穌的生命

Wednesday, 22nd November 2023

Rev Daniel Xi An Poon

V1-14 Pray According to God’s Own Heart 合神心意的禱告

What is our prayer? Do we pray for what we need and what we want to resolve? Our prayers are very individualised, and Jesus wants us know how to pray. We are the chosen people and God hears our prayers. But how can our prayers please God?

我們的禱告是什麼？我們是否總是為我們需要的和我們想要解決的事情禱告？我們的禱告非常個人化，耶穌希望我們知道如何禱告。我們是被揀選的，神願意聽我們的禱告。但我們的禱告怎麼樣才能蒙神喜悅呢？

V6-8 “Then the Lord said, hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” God’s chosen people are those who are willing to follow Him and respond to Him. Do not be lied by Satan, do not think that we are not good enough to be the chosen ones. We have the identity as God’s children, we must stand firm in this God-given position and we must not stop praying day and night. Jesus is looking for those who have faith, to never stop praying and not to be defeated by this world.

V6-8 『 主說：你們聽這不義之官所說的話。 神的選民晝夜呼籲他，他縱然為他們忍了多時，豈不終久給他們申冤嗎？ 我告訴你們：要快快地給他們申冤了。然而，人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德嗎？』被神揀選的人就是那些願意跟隨祂、回應祂的人。不要被撒但欺騙，不要認為我們不夠好，不能成為被神揀選的人。我們有神的兒女的身份，必須站穩神賦予的這個地位，晝夜禱告不能停止。耶穌正在尋找那些有信心、永不停止禱告、不被這個世界擊敗的人。

V14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Furthermore, to pray according to God’s heart, we must humble ourselves. We are not praying to condemn people or to accuse others for their wrongdoings, then we can never reach the heart of God. Without praying our lives will be withered.

V14 『 我告訴你們，這人回家去比那人倒算為義了。因為凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。』此外，要合神心意的禱告，我們必須謙卑自己。我們禱告不是為了定罪人或控告別人的過錯，這樣我們就永遠無法達到神的心意。沒有禱告，我們的生命就會枯萎。

V15-30 Let Go According to God’s Own Heart 合神心意的撇下

V16-17 “But Jesus called them to Him and said, let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” We want to follow Jesus but we are taking so many things with us. Gradually we cannot catch up with Jesus’ steps. We should learn to be like children, let God help us, let God guide us, and let the Holy Spirit fill us so we can be reborn. We often Jesus with lots of knowledge, logics, and experiences of this world. We cannot let the Holy Spirit rebuild us, simply follow Jesus and let go of everything. When we learn to let go and be simple like little children, then we can easily follow Jesus and let Jesus take over.

V16-17 『 耶穌卻叫他們來，說：「讓小孩子到我這裡來，不要禁止他們，因為在神國的正是這樣的人。我實在告訴你們：凡要承受神國的，若不像小孩子，斷不能進去。』我們想跟隨耶穌，但我們帶著太多東西。漸漸地我們就跟不上耶穌的腳步了。我們應該學習像小孩子一樣，讓神幫助我們，讓神引導我們，讓聖靈充滿我們，讓我們重生。我們常常帶著很多關於這個世界的知識、邏輯和經驗來認識耶穌。我們的思維不讓聖靈來重建我們，所以我們要放下一切，單純的跟隨耶穌。當我們學會放手並像小孩子一樣單純時，我們就可以輕鬆地跟隨耶穌並讓耶穌接管。

V22-23 “So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, you still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.” The rich young man was sorrowful because he thought he’s done a lot for God. But Jesus knew what is really beneficial for him. When we think that we’ve done enough, it’s time we must examine ourselves. Are we too comfortable with our status quo and somehow stop following Jesus’ footsteps?

V22-23 『 耶穌聽見了，就說：你還缺少一件：要變賣你一切所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。他聽見這話，就甚憂愁，因為他很富足。』這位年輕的財主感到悲傷，因為他認為自己為神做了很多事。但耶穌知道什麼對他真正有益。當我們認為自己已經做得足夠的時候，我們就必須檢視自己了。我們是否對現狀過於安於現狀而停止追隨耶穌的腳步？

V29-30 “So He said to them, assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” When we say we are following God, can we really let go? We let go of the things that we don’t think are important, but we don’t let go of the things God wants us to let go. Do we believe that when we let go, we can walk more freely and we can follow God more joyfully?

V29-30 『 耶穌說：我實在告訴你們：人為神的國撇下房屋或是妻子、弟兄、父母、兒女，沒有在今世不得百倍，在來世不得永生的。』當我們說跟隨神時，我們真的能完全撇下嗎？我們會放棄那些我們認為不重要的事情，但我們不會放棄神要我們放棄的事情。我們是否相信，當我們放手時，我們就能走得更自由，就能更喜樂地跟隨神？

V31-43 Follow According to God’s Own Heart 合神心意的跟從

V34 “But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.” So often we want everything to be clear before us then we’ll follow. The disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying and they didn’t know where Jesus was going. They still followed Jesus everywhere He went. When we come to the House of God, are we willing to follow our church’s direction? Are we willing to follow with our heart even though we have not yet fully understood in our head?

V34 『 這些事門徒一樣也不懂得，意思乃是隱藏的，他們不曉得所說的是什麼。』我們常常希望一切都清楚地擺在我們面前，然後我們才去跟隨。門徒不明白耶穌在說什麼，也不知道耶穌要去哪裡。但無論耶穌走到哪裡，他們仍然跟隨祂。當我們來到神的家時，我們願意跟從教會的帶領嗎？即使我們的頭腦還沒有完全理解，我們是否願意用心跟隨？

V42-43 “Then Jesus said to him, receive your sight; your faith has made you well. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.” There is so much room for us to grow and to walk further. Are we willing to believe that Jesus will prepare the way and we don’t need to worry? Or are we follow Jesus with lots of complaints? True followed follow God with praises. This is the life that pleases God.

V42-43 『 耶穌說：你可以看見！你的信救了你了。瞎子立刻看見了，就跟隨耶穌，一路歸榮耀於神。眾人看見這事，也讚美神。』我們還有很大的成長空間，可以走得更遠。我們願意相信耶穌會為我們預備道路，而我們無需擔心嗎？或者我們跟隨耶穌時是否帶著很多抱怨？真正的跟隨者帶著讚美跟隨，這就是神所喜悅的生命。