Adam Road Presbyterian Church Podcast

The wrong expectations we have about who Jesus is may prevent us from recognising him for who he really is. Matthew 11:1-19 shows us the wrong kind of expectations that we should be aware of, and the correct kind of expectations that we should have in order to have faith in the Christ. 我们对耶稣持错误的期盼将阻止我们真正来认识耶稣。马太福音书11章1－19节就让我们看见对耶稣的一些错误及正确的期盼。唯有持对耶稣正确的期盼，我们才能够真正认识，信靠他。

Jesus enters into human history to bring about a new age.  Matthew 9 reveals how this new age confronts and challenges the cultural and religious norms in Jesus' time.  This new age brings God's good news and restoration to a people who are lost like sheep without a shepherd. 耶稣降世为人带来上帝的国度，上帝的新世代。马太福音9章让我们看见这崭新世代如何挑战当时的宗教权势。这世代更带来耶稣的福音，叫罪人（如同没有牧者带领，迷失的羊一样）能够重新与上帝和好。

Jesus is the LORD of the Kingdom of God.  He teaches the word of God with authority, He has also authority over diseases, sicknesses, death and Satan.  This is clearly presented by Matthew in this chapter.  However, when we are confronted with disease, death and decay in this body, will we continue to put our faith in the LORD who has overcome all these? 耶稣基督是上帝国度的君王。他不但有教导上帝话语的权柄，他更有权柄医治患各样病的人，将人从魔鬼撒旦的掌控里拯救出来，证实耶稣就是那位要为世人的罪被刺透的仆人。  借着自己的死，耶稣已经战胜罪恶，死亡，败坏，撒旦。然而，在等待上帝的国度完全显明时，在面对这肉体上的败坏，死亡，甚至罪恶时，我们是否仍信靠耶稣呢？

The greatest disaster that all men will face is the anger, the wrath which God brings.  God has brought about this wrath because men have suppressed the truth about God, who is the creator of this world.  Men demonstrate this rebellion by making and worshipping idols.  In rejecting God in their life, men find themselves sinning against each other, incurring further, the just punishment from God.  How can men escape from this coming wrath?  It is only through the gospel of Christ that Paul proclaims in the bible, it is only in the complete Cross work of Jesus Christ, that the sins and trespasses of men can be forgiven and the just wrath of God can be averted! 面对每一个世人最大的灾难是将来上帝必定带来的烈怒！上帝向世人显明自己的烈怒，因为世人没有将荣耀归给他，感谢他。世人用自己手所造的塑像，以人，动物，昆虫的形象代表上帝，来膜拜，侍奉他。因为没有遵上帝，荣耀他，人与人之间也出现了许多不义的事！也因这些不当做的事，世人要面对上帝带来公义的审判！世人要如何才能够免去上帝要带来的烈怒呢？唯有借着信，接受使徒保罗所传讲的福音。唯有借着基督的十字架，世人的罪才能够得赦免，免去将来要来的审判！

The mercy of the LORD has brought an end to the exile of the people of God, the Israelites, after 70 years.  This is the same merciful LORD to whom Daniel prayed to on behalf of the Israelites.  It will be the same mercy that will spare the Israelites of the coming wrath of the LORD. 上帝的怜悯叫那些被放逐到各处的以色列民，在70年的期限满足后，能够重新归回应许地，迦南地。  就凭这怜悯，但以理能够来到上帝的面前，代表以色列民向上帝呼求。唯有靠这怜悯，上帝的子民才能够免去将来上帝带来的公义审判，上帝的愤怒！

The will and the purpose of God is to put all things under the LORDship of Jesus.  This is now expressed in the gathering of God’s people, where we seek to live under the authority of Jesus.  All this is the mercy and grace of God through Jesus Christ, rescuing us from sins and our disobedience and now to receive in Christ all His rich blessings. 上帝的旨意是将天上，地上的一切都同归在基督名下。我们在教会里已经看见这将来要成就的事。我们能够来跟随主耶稣基督，今生能够活在他的旨意里，这一切都是上帝向我们显明的浩大恩典及怜悯。

Paul explains in this passage how we who are in Christ are to live out the law of Christ.  We do this by carrying each others burden.  使徒保罗解释我们当如何来彼此担当重担，这样就成就了基督的律法。

Paul explains in his letter that there is now a real choice for believers of Jesus Christ to live godly lives, bearing fruit of the Holy Spirit.  This has been made possible with Christ's death on the cross for our sins, and the enabling of the Holy Spirit who now lives in us!  保罗在他的书信告诉信徒，我们能够在主里作选择，活出圣洁的生命及结出圣灵的果子。  这一切是借着基督的十字架，叫我们的罪得赦免。 圣灵与我们同在更加添我们能力活出敬虔的生命。

We are believers in Christ through rebirth by the Holy Spirit, not by keeping the laws.  Paul explains why through his writing.  Are you truly born again? 唯有借着圣灵带来的重生，我们才能成为神的子民，领受神的祝福，而不是借着遵行神的律法。保罗借着这段经文解释这真理。你得到圣灵重生了吗？

How can one, who has been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, go on living godly lives?  Paul reminded the Galatia believers, not by returning to the law, but by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us, and who now lives in us.  We are not to forsake this grace. 一个得救的信徒如何在接下来的日子里过圣洁的生活？使徒保罗提醒加拉太信徒，不要再回到上帝的律法，而是借着信靠上帝的爱子，那位爱我们，为我们舍己，现在就住在我们里面的耶稣，不要废弃上帝的恩典.

The gospel that saves is the gospel of grace, where Jesus gave himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age.  Paul in this letter exhorts the Galatians not to depart from this grace, so must we!  保罗传讲的福音，述说了上帝借着耶稣基督带来的拯救，这一切都是上帝的恩典。保罗在书信中劝勉信徒不要离弃这恩典。同样的，我们也当持守这拯救的恩典！

The best gift of Christmas is the coming of Jesus Christ.  He has come to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, for through Jesus' death on the cross, our sins can be forgiven, and we can be saved from the LORD's coming Judgement.  圣诞节最佳的礼物，就是耶稣基督带来神悦纳人的恩年。我们能够借着信靠耶稣十字架上的死，罪得赦免，免去将来神带来的公义审判.

Why is the birth of Jesus such a joyous occasion, for which we must thank God? In this first of 3 Christmas talks, we see why Simeon and Anna gave thanks to God for the long-awaited Messiah, who fulfills the hope of Israel, and accomplishes God’s redemption for humanity. 为何耶稣这孩子来到世上，会是一件值得感谢的大事呢？从西面于亚拿对神的感谢的话语里头，我们看到了耶稣基督到来，实现了以色列人长久以来的盼望以及上帝为世人所预备的救赎。

Despite repeated setbacks, Christ’s gospel spread unhindered across the land in the book of Acts. Finally, Paul arrives at Rome, carrying God’s mission and eagerly sharing the gospel there. What significance and challenges does the gospel hold for us today? 虽然遇到连连挫折，耶稣的福音在神的眷顾下却能够通横无阻地在各地传扬。保罗带着神的使命，终于来到了罗马，并且迫不及待的在那里传福音。对二十一世纪的人来说，福音又对我们有着什么样的意义与挑战呢？

Paul's journey to Rome takes a terrible turn! Yet the LORD is with him, enabling Paul to witness Jesus even in the midst of danger, for that is what the LORD does best, bringing salvation to those who are still living in darkness. 使徒保罗往罗马的道路充满了惊险！但是神从未离开保罗，神更借着保罗拯救了船里的其他人，供二百七十六人！今天，神仍然在我们经历的绝望中，借着耶稣基督的福音，带来拯救，盼望，生机，活路！神也要使用我们在危机中继续为主耶稣做见证，你愿意吗？

The trials of Paul show that he is without guilt.  This is significant, given that the gospel of Jesus Christ is now going out into the nations through Paul.  The transformation of Paul's life opens up opportunity to declare the hope he has in Christ.  面对审判，保罗并没有被定下任何的罪状。这证明保罗所传讲的福音是合法的。保罗更借着福音带来的生命转变，与众人分享心中的盼望，见证那合情，合理的信仰.

After Paul’s third mission journey, he was led by the Spirit returning to Jerusalem. Though he knew that there would be chain waiting for him, he had no fear. He remembered the love of God that on the road to Damascus. God had revealed to him, and led him to know Christ. This conversion experience became Paul’s guiding marker in his life. Do you still remember the day when you became Christian? May your conversion experience help you to stay focus on Christ in your life. 在第三次的布道旅程结束后，圣灵指示保罗回去耶路撒冷，并预先让他知道将有捆锁等候着他。但是保罗完全顺服圣灵的带领。因为在大马士革的路上，耶稣亲自向保罗启示自己，让保罗能悔改归主。这经验也成为保罗一生的动力和引导，终身专注服侍主。愿耶稣向你启示祂自己的经验，也帮助你一生专注跟随服侍主。

The most important question in our lives is: “what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:6-18:22 recorded the apostles’ answer: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household”. But the Book of Acts also recorded the two possible responses of men to the Gospel: some accepted it while others rejected it.  What is our response? 人生最重要的问题就是：“我当怎样行才可以得救 ”。使徒行传16:6-18:22记载了使徒的回答：“当信主耶稣，你和你一家都必得救。”但使徒行传也记载了人们对福音的两种回应：有的接受，有的不然。我们的回应是什么呢？

How can one become a Christian?  This question which we may have today, has also been asked some 2000 years ago, in the early church.  Acts 15:1-16:5 records for us the conclusion which the apostles and elders who met in Jerusalem had come up with.  Their conclusion in this matter helps us to understand what is essential and what is not essential as far as our salvation is concern. Pastor Roger Chia preaches from Acts 15:1-21; 16:1-5. 一个人怎么样才能成为一个基督徒呢？这个问题也是两千年前，早期教会想要回答的问题。使徒行传15:1-16:5记载了使徒，长老和教会对于这个问题的讨论。他们的决定帮助们认识到什么是必要，什么是不必要的救恩要求。

The Bible reminds us that the world we are living in has been subjected to futility, decay and death.  Where can we turn to when we are confronted with tribulations and sufferings in this world?  圣经告诉我们，所有受造之物都被服在虚空之下。面对今世所看见的灾难及苦楚，我们当如何回应呢?