HOPE

往下扎根 , 向上結果

                             01-02-2011

經文 : 以賽亞書 37:30-31

大綱 :

    一 . 神的應許與計劃 - ( Isa.37:30)

        1. 今年 – 忘記背後, 努力面前 ( Phil.3:13-14)

        2. 明年 – 向着標杆直跑 

        3. 後年 – 異象 ( Prov.29:18)

    二 . 要往下扎根 - ( Isa.37:31)

        1. 選對種子 – 神的道 ( Mk.4:14 )

        2. 準備好土 – 人的心 ( Mt.13:21-23; Prov.4:23 )

        3. 信心等侯 – 盼望

    三 . 要向上結果 - ( Isa. 37:31)

        1. 是愛心的果子 – ( Gal.6:8-10 )

        2. 是生命的果子 – ( Gal.5:22-23)

        3. 一分耕耘一分收穫 -

結論 : 你們既然接受了 主基督耶稣, 就當遵祂而行, 在祂裏面生根建造,

      信心坚固, 正如你們所領受的教訓, 感謝的心也更增長了. ( Col.2:6-7)

信息題目：往下扎根, 向上結果

引用經文：以賽亞書 37:30-31

信息總結﹕

今天的經文; 以賽亞書37:30-31, 也是今年教會的主題。要了解這兩節簡短的經文, 我們要回到列王記下18-19章, 以及歷代志下29-32 章, 查考南國猶大的歷史。當時近東地區的強權亞述, 已經在主前722年攻取了撒馬利亞, 結束了北國以色列。二十年之後, 也就是主前702年, 亞述王西拿基立圍困耶路撒冷, 並且向城內的居民呼喊說 “難道耶和華能救耶路撒冷脫離我的手嗎?” 在國家面臨絕境, 耶路撒冷即將淪陷的情形之下, 神卻藉先知向耶路撒冷的百姓說出今天的經文裏的應許, 也就是 “你們今年要吃自生的, 明年也要吃自長的, 至於後年, 你們要耕種收割, 栽植葡萄園, 吃其中的果子。” 神不但要百姓繼續耕種, 甚至要 “往下扎根, 向上結果。” 我們都知道歷史上記載神如何行了奇事, 消滅了亞述大軍, 拯救了猶大人。在最危難時神的應許, 誠然是祂的兒女們最可貴的依靠。

面臨嶄新的一年, 我們當如何立志? 2010年也許有經濟的蕭條, 但聖經教導我們 “忘記背後, 努力向前, 向著標竿直跑。” (腓 3:13-14) 因為就如同耶路撒冷的百姓, 我們所憑藉的, 是神的應許與計畫, 而神的計畫裏有神的恩典。栽植葡萄, 不是一年, 兩年的功夫。 葡萄園中的果子, 需要三年才能長成。今天的經文教導我們, 對於信靠神的子民, 最黯淡的時刻, 也是開始預備未來的時刻。今年, 明年我們可以仰望神的恩典與供應 (如同耶路撒冷的百姓吃那些自生, 自長的), 而後年則是我們享受辛勤耕種的果實的時候。 

向下扎根的條件是要準備了好土 (也就是人的心) 並且有好的種子 (也就是神的道)。鼓勵弟兄姊妹們今年都能好好讀神的話。農民翻土的工作是辛苦的, 翻土都在冬天, 土翻了之後要打碎, 加上堆肥, 才能使秧苗長的好。然而深扎的根是向上成長結果的先決條件。我的後院裏種了幾顆絲瓜和苦瓜, 雖然不斷的澆水, 去年卻沒有好收成。請教一位有經驗的姊妹, 才知道我那些瓜苗都種在小盆裏, 瓜苗的根都太淺了! 同樣的, 研讀神的話語也要下很深的功夫。

神的話語和聖靈的帶領是那個好的種子。加 6:8-10 提到順著情慾撒種的, 必從情慾收敗壞, 順著聖靈撒種的, 必從聖靈收永生; 這些都是愛心的果子。加 5:22-23 也提到聖靈的九種果子, 這些是生命的果子。扎根在神裏, 神就賜一切的豐盛。在一個新的十年 (decade) 的起頭, 願我們都能在神裡面生根建造 (歌羅西 2:7)。

新的十年, 從今天開始。

我們深思的問題:

1. 你今年的願望是甚麼? 你希望今年能在聖經的話語上有長進嗎?

Topic: Take Root Below, Bear Fruit Above

Scripture: Isaiah 37:30-31

Summary:
Today’s scripture, also the theme of this year, is two short versus in Isaiah 37. To understand these versus, we need to study 2 Kings 18-19 and 2 Chronicles 29-32; namely, the history of Judah - the southern kingdom. The superpower of the near eastern region at that time, the Assyria kingdom, had conquered Israel – the northern kingdom in 722BC. Twenty years later, in 702BC, Assyrian king Sennacherib surrounded Jerusalem and proclaimed “How then can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” Under this most dangerous situation when the wall of Jerusalem was about to be broken down, God declared His promise through prophet Isaiah that “This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.” Not only did God require the residents of Jerusalem to continue with planting, they were asked to “take root below and bear fruit above.” History tells us that a miracle took place and Jerusalem was saved. Surely God’s promises in difficult times are our most precious reliance.
How do we set our minds when facing this new year? 2010 is perhaps one of the more challenging years, but Bible teaches “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, pressing on towards the goal …” (Phil 3:13-14) Like residents of Jerusalem, our reliance is God’s promises and plan, and in God’s plan there is God’s grace stored for us. Planting a vineyard and enjoying its fruits requires three years of labor. Today’s scripture teaches us that, for God’s people, the darkest moment is also the moment to plan for the future. This year and second year we can rely on God’s providence, and by the third year, we will enjoy our fruits of labor.
Two conditions are needed for taking deep root: good soil (men’s heart) and good seed (God’s word). Set your mind at diligently studying God’s word this year. Preparing the soil is hard, labor intensive work. After the soil is plowed, it still needs to be broken up to smaller pieces and mixed with fertilizer. Only so can one expect the root to develop firmly and deeply. But a well developed root system is a prerequisite for a healthy, fruit bearing plant. In my backyard I planted some luffa and bitter melon. Although I watered them daily, the harvest was not great. After consulting an experienced lady, I learned that all of my plants grow in little pots, and there is no possibility for them to develop a full root system! Likewise, it takes time and effort to take root in God’s word.
The good seed is God’s word and mentorship of the Spirit. Gal. 6:8 mentioned that “the one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” These are fruits of love. Gal. 5:22-23 talks about the nine fruits of the Spirit, all are fruits of life. Take root in God, and God will grant you all of His abundance. In the beginning of this new decade, may we set our mind at taking root in God and building up in Him (Col. 2:7).
The new decade begins from today.