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Zion Bread of Life Christian Church

Friday, 9th February 2024

How to Have a New Life? 如何活出新的生命

V20 Live for Christ 活著為基督

“According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”

「照著我所切慕、所盼望的，沒有一事叫我羞愧，只要凡事放膽，無論是生是死，總叫基督在我身上照常顯大。」

No matter how much money we have, how much stocks, how much saving, how much Bitcoin… we cannot take anything when we leave this world. But Jesus told us to gather the treasure in Heaven. Everything we do on this earth is making a deposit in the Heaven. Jesus has gathered the treasure for us in Heaven, and we don’t need to worry that we cannot bring anything with us when we die.

Paul knew that when he lived on this earth he would not be shame, because he lived for Jesus. We are afraid of being shame, we are worry about how others see us, and we don’t want people to look down on us. People can choose how they will look at us and how they will treat us, but we can choose what will make us feeling ashamed. We are the ones being called by God, He calls us not to follow other people’s emotions or opinions, but to focus on Him. We must not be influenced by others so easily. Keep our eyes on the One above, not in the things of this world. People cannot take away our joy and peace, just like what Paul said, let our hope and peace be in Christ.

V21-24 Live Out New Life 活著出新生命

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

「 因我活著就是基督，我死了就有益處。 但我在肉身活著，若成就我工夫的果子，我就不知道該挑選什麼。我正在兩難之間，情願離世與基督同在，因為這是好得無比的；然而我在肉身活著，為你們更是要緊的。」

As the followers of Christ, we all long for the eternal Heaven, we know the better world is waiting for us afterlife, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t live to wait for the day we die, there is a mission for us on this world. Jesus has given us the way home, but He also gave us a Great Commission, this is the truth, we are to disciple the nations, and preach the Gospel to the end of our life.

Paul also told us to bear fruits, to let our lives influence the lives of others. We are still on this world for the sake of those around us. Do we know that we must bear fruits? It’s not just for our physical children but also our spiritual children! What will we bring with us when we see Jesus? Do we share the Good News to those around us? Do we carry those who have fallen? We must bear fruits and live a new life.

V25-26 Bring Out Joyful Life 帶出喜樂的生命

“And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”

「我既然這樣深信，就知道仍要住在世間，且與你們眾人同住，使你們在所信的道上又長進又喜樂， 叫你們在基督耶穌裡的歡樂因我再到你們那裡去，就越發加增。」

Do we live a joyful life? We don’t just live a happy life but a joyful life. Happiness is from outward things, but joyfulness comes from within, it’s not about what we receive or what happens with us, but it’s being joy no matter what. This joy only comes from God, and we must be close to God, to have an enter with God, then we can have this true joy. We must know the Word of God, because the Word of God will give us true joy. We cannot lie and we cannot pretend, true joy will flow out naturally out from our lives.

We need the Word of God in our lives, everyday we must meditate on the Word of God, so we know if whatever we do is according to God’s Will. Christian life is not about a feeling, but about the Word of God. The Holy Spirit will activate the Word of God to talk to us, and that’s how we communicate with God. If what we hear is not according to the Word of God, then it’s not from God.