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约翰福音 第十章(英文)

All of us have a role to play in caring for God's flock.

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What is our role in the fold of God?

A sheep of the fold

The earlier portion of John Chapter 10 largely illustrates a scene in the pastures. Sheep are known only to follow the voice of their shepherd. They are also highly social animals who will run from what frightens them and band together in large groups for protection.

We know the church of the last days will face many trials and persecutions (cf. John 15:18-21, 2 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Revelation 16:13-16). Being a part of the church, the flock of God, do we show care and concern for the body of Christ? When members face dangers or trials, what is our reaction? 

When the fold is in danger, like the sheep of the field, we ought to band together in the unity of faith to face the trial together, for if one part suffers, every part suffers with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). When we have schisms within the fold, let us esteem others better than ourselves, having the same love and being of one accord (Philippians 2:1-4).

A shepherd of the fold

Jesus talks about Him being the door of the sheep and the good shepherd in verses 9 and 11 respectively. Verses 11 and 13 contrast between a good shepherd and a hireling; the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep, but the hireling flees because he does not care about the sheep (v13).

Being the older ones of the flock, do we manifest the love of Christ through our actions to tend to the younger sheep as shepherds? Our Lord Himself has commanded us to look after His fold, just as He had commanded Peter to feed His lambs, tend His sheep and feed His sheep (cf. John 21:15-17).

Whether we are serving as sheep or shepherds, every one of us has a role to play in the unity of the flock. In all things, we need to put on the love of Christ and patiently oversee the growth of the lambs, the sheep and the fold. Let us heed the commands of God so that we will be given our due rewards when we return to our heavenly home.

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." (1 Peter 5:2-4)

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撒迦利亚书 第十一章 — 被定价三十块银子的牧人

撒迦利亚书 第十一章 — 被定价三十块银子的牧人

在撒迦利亚书11章中,神吩咐撒迦利亚扮演牧人的角色。特别是撒迦利亚书11:13节令人震撼:他被估价为三十块银子,被丢给了陶匠。这清楚地预示了犹大以同样的金额出卖耶稣,而这笔钱后来被用来买了一块陶匠的田。 虽然在之前的章节中提到耶稣是将要来临的好牧人,前来看顾他的羊群(撒9:9,撒10:2-3),但在第11章中语气发生了转变。这一章描绘了耶稣被犹太人背叛和拒绝的情景。这种拒绝带来了后果,撒迦利亚象征性地折断了两根杖:“荣美”,代表神与万民的约;“联合”,代表犹大与以色列之间的弟兄情谊。这可以理解为犹太人自己拒绝了耶稣所立的新约,而在公元70年耶路撒冷被毁时,他们被分散到世界各地。 这让我反思,拒绝主的代价是多么沉重。耶稣被卖三十块银子,不只是犹大的行为,也是那些拒绝祂的祭司、文士与犹太人所促成的结果。 他们拒绝牧人的后果是极其严重的。而圣经清清楚楚地将这件事记载下来,成为今天我们可以引以为鉴的教训。 我们可能觉得自己绝不会做出像钉死耶稣那样可怕的事。但当我们在心里拒绝祂的时候,后果是同样严峻的。就像那两根杖的折断,当我们拒绝基督时,我们与神的关系也破裂了,也破坏了我们与神子民之间的团契。 接着,神吩咐撒迦利亚扮演一个愚昧的牧人,取代之前的好牧人。这个愚牧不看顾羊群,反倒吞吃肥羊的肉,撕裂牠们的蹄子(撒11:16)。 以色列拒绝了好牧人基督,结果成了瞎眼的(罗马11:7-8),跟从那些不顾羊群的愚昧牧人。 当我们拒绝基督时,也会在生活中去寻找其他的“牧人”来依靠。这些可能是我们过度信赖的人,或是我们以为可以带来满足的偶像,比如金钱。但这些牧人就像撒迦利亚所说的无用牧人,并不真正关心我们的益处。 今天就让我们省察自己的心。有没有哪些地方,是我们在拒绝耶稣和祂的话语——也许是为了短暂的好处,如同犹大?或是出于骄傲,如同文士和法利赛人? 让我们记住耶稣在约翰福音3:16-18中的话语:

以西结书 第三十四章(英文)

以西结书 第三十四章(英文)

In Ezekiel 34, God brings a prophecy against the shepherds of Israel, whom God had instituted as spiritual leaders over the flock—His people. Not only had these leaders failed to nourish God’s sheep, they had also abused their power, reaping personal benefits at the sheep’s expense. “The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.” (Eze 34:4) You and I may not so be so bold to abuse God’s flock as these failed leaders had.  It would, however, be foolish of us to disregard these rebukes completely. You likely have others you can look out for in this journey of faith – your sheep. Let us consider: Whatever kind of a shepherd we now are, however our sheep may respond to us, Jesus wants us to always pray and not lose heart (Lk 18:1). The perfect Shepherd is ready to grant us an upright heart and a skilful hand to shepherd His people as David did (Psa 78:72).  More importantly, God is the perfect Shepherd. Where we may fail in our ministry, God can do infinitely more. Despite those shepherds’ failings, God says, “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick” (Ezekiel 34:16). Moreover, when you and I are in our darkest days, we have a perfect shepherd who restores our soul (Psa 23:3). Our Shepherd declares, “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God” (Eze 34:31). As you embrace your ministry of shepherding God’s sheep, never stop allowing God to shepherd you. All the sheep of His pasture fare so wondrously fine His sheep am I.

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我们是真耶稣教会,一间建立在耶稣与使徒们的教导上的全球性非宗派教会。藉由圣灵创立,我们的使命是把全备的救恩真理传向地极/世界尽头。

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We have four places of worship, and we gather for Sabbath and night worship services. We welcome you to join us for any of our in-person services!

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