A new and better society has been the constant dream of men and women. Communists (Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism…) sought to create a just and fare society, but failed miserably because it failed to change man’s sinful heart. Jesus comes and succeeds to change man’s heart. Many societies were changed for the better when they turn to Jesus. Ephesus was one such society 2000 years ago 一个新的,更美好的社会一直是世上的人的梦想。共产党 (印度教,伊斯兰教,佛教...)都在寻求建立一个公义和平 等的社会,但惨遭失败,是因为它无法改变人罪恶的心灵。 耶稣来了,成功改变了人的心灵。许多社区变得更好是因为 他们转向耶稣。在2000多年前,以弗所就是这样一个社会。 Ephesus was a city of importance in Asia minor which is called Turkey today. It was a city of idols, witchcrafts, sexual immoralities…. It was indeed a city of vices. This city was transformed by the power of Jesus as the result of Paul’s ministry of preaching, healing and deliverance in his second missionary journey. Many people accepted Jesus & gave up worshipping idols & witchcrafts (Acts 19:11-20) 以弗所是小亚细亚的一个重要城市,它是今天的土耳其。 这是一个原本充满偶像,邪术,淫乱的城市。这确实是 一个罪恶的城市。 耶稣的力量改变了这个城市,这是因为保罗的第二次宣 教旅程在这里讲道,医治和释放所得的结果。很多人接 受了耶稣和放弃拜偶像与巫术(徒19:11-20) Former Queen Elizabeth’s chaplain Rev Dr John Stott wrote his commentary on the book of Ephesians. He named it “God’s New Society” 女王伊丽莎白的前任牧师约翰斯托特博士对 以弗所书所写的注释书。他把它命名为“上 帝的新社会” God’s new society 上帝的新社会 The church at Ephesus 以弗所教会 Acts 徒 19:11-20 (NKJ) Miracles Glorify Christ 11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We[a] exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of.. a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered[b] them…so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 11 神借保罗的手行了 些非常的奇事,甚至有人从保罗身上拿手巾或围裙放在病人身 上,病就退,恶鬼也出去了.那时,有几个游行各处、念咒赶鬼的 犹太人,向那被恶鬼附的人擅自称主耶稣的名,说:“我奉保 罗所传的耶稣,敕令你们出来!” 做这事的,有犹太祭司长士基瓦 的七个儿子.恶鬼回答他们说:“耶稣我认识,保罗我也知道,你 们却是谁呢?”恶鬼所附的人就跳在他们身上…制伏他们,叫他们 赤着身子受了伤,从那房子里逃出去了 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totalled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.17 凡住在以弗所的,无论是 犹太人是希腊人,都知道这事,也都惧怕,主耶稣的 名从此就尊大了.那已经信的,多有人来承认诉说自 己所行的事.平素行邪术的,也有许多人把书拿来, 堆积在众人面前焚烧。他们算计书价,便知道共 合五万块钱.主的道大大兴旺… The church at Ephesus was born as the result of Paul’s preaching, healing and deliverance ministry in his second missionary journey to Asia minor. 以弗所教会的诞生,是因为保罗 的讲道,医治和释放所得的的结果。 People accepted Jesus instantly. But their lives were not changed instantly. Life transformation takes times. We must follow thru God’s teachings. 人很快接受耶稣。但他们的生活并没有立刻 改变。 生活的转变需要时间。 我们必须遵行神的教导。 Paul taught them 保罗教导他们 In God’s new society, they must learn to 在上帝的新社会,要学习 • Walk in Love 当凭爱心行事 • Walk in Light 当像光明的子女行事 • Walk in Wisdom 当像智慧人行事 Ephesians 以弗所书 5:1-7(CUVMPS) Walk in Love当凭爱心行事 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 所以你们该效法神,好像蒙慈爱的儿女一样。 2 也要凭爱心行事,正如基督爱我们,为我们 舍了自己,当做馨香的供物和祭物献于神。 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks3 至于 淫乱并一切污秽,或是贪婪,在你们中间连 提都不可,方合圣徒的体统。 4 淫词、妄语和 戏笑的话都不相宜,总要说感谢的话。 5 For this you know,[a] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 5 因为你们确实地知道,无论 是淫乱的,是污秽的,是有贪心的,在基督 和神的国里都是无份的;有贪心的,就与拜 偶像的一样。 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 6 不 要被人虚浮的话欺哄,因这些事,神的愤怒 必临到那悖逆之子。 7 所以你们不要与他们同 伙。 Walk in Light当像光明的子女行事 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit[b] is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 8 从前你们是暗昧的, 但如今在主里面是光明的,行事为人就当像 光明的子女9 光明所结的果子就是一切良善、 公义、诚实—— 10 总要察验何为主所喜悦的 事。 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. … 11 那暗昧无益的事不要与人同行,倒要责备 行这事的人, 12 因为他们暗中所行的,就是 提起来也是可耻的…. Walk in Wisdom当像智慧人行事 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 15 你们要谨慎行事, 不要像愚昧人,当像智慧人。 16 要爱惜光阴, 因为现今的世代邪恶。 17 不要做糊涂人,要 明白主的旨意如何。 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 不要醉酒,酒能使人放荡;乃要被圣灵 充满。 19 当用诗章、颂词、灵歌彼此对说,口 唱心和地赞美主。 20 凡事要奉我们主耶稣基督 的名常常感谢父神。 We are God’s new society, we must learn to 我们是上帝的新社会,我们要学习 • Walk in Love 当凭爱心行事 • Walk in Light 当像光明的子女行事 • Walk in Wisdom 当像智慧人行事 Walk in Love当凭爱心行事 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God …. 所以你们该效法神,好像蒙慈爱的儿女一样。 2 也要凭爱心行事,正如基督爱我们,为我们 舍了自己,当做馨香的供物和祭物献于神。 Walk in Light当像光明的子女行事 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 8 从前 你们是暗昧的,但如今在主里面是光明的, 行事为人就当像光明的子女 Walk in Wisdom当像智慧人行事 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 15 你们要谨慎行事, 不要像愚昧人,当像智慧人。 16 要爱惜光阴, 因为现今的世代邪恶。 17 不要做糊涂人,要 明白主的旨意如何。