哥林多前书 第一章

哥林多是羅馬第四大城市，人口約有25萬；哥林多有不同的人種，有一半的人是從外面移民進來的，大部分是奴隸，因此在原住民和新移民之間，就會產生很多的矛盾。哥林多教會和我們台灣現在教會情形相似，神賜他們凡事富足，口才、知識都全備。所以哥林多教會所遇到的問題，也有可能是我們的問題，因此實在是感謝保羅寫下哥林多前後書，讓我們有從神來的教導可以遵循。哥林多前後書，一共有29章，是保羅所寫的書信裡面最長的，前書16章、後書13章，而哥林多前書又分二大段，1-6章是保羅所聽說的，是哥林多教會的問題，7-16章，則是講到這些問題的解決辦法。

　　當保羅在以弗所的時候，從革來氏家中聽見哥林多教會有紛爭的消息，就是他們分黨派，為何會分黨派，其實都有他的原因在。首先哥林多教會是保羅用了一年半的時間開拓、創立的，於是感念保羅的人就說他是屬保羅的。磯法(彼得)是猶太人，當時教會很多是猶太人，但有一些猶太人，雖然受了洗，對猶太人的律法念念不忘，覺得一定要受割禮、守安息日、分潔淨、不潔淨的，所以一些比較注重律法的人，就說他是屬磯法的。而亞波羅是個知識份子，比較有知識或重視知識的，都會比較支持亞波羅。

　　保羅說有人取笑十字架，自以為聰明，神就用人以為愚拙的方式，來救那些願意相信的人，你願意相信，才會明白這是神的大能。在世人看來，死在十字架上是羞辱的，君王怎麼可能死在十字架上呢？君王應該指揮千軍萬馬，打敗敵人。他們不明白神第一次來，是帶著恩典而來，最卑微的出生，最痛苦的死亡，但三日後復活，將神與人之間，被造的人類與創造的神，兩造之間的幔子裂開，使人跟神可以兩造合而為一，去掉了冤仇，所以我們現在才可以禱告神，稱神為我們的阿爸父。所以福音是二面，一面是神來到地上，為我們死在十字架上，流出寶血洗淨我們的罪，之後祂從死裡復活，賜給我們永遠的生命；另一面則是人需要悔改、接受主耶穌，才能得到救恩。

　　教會是行神的旨意的地方，我們不要去愛世界，這世界神已經放棄了，但是神沒有放棄世上的人，神愛世人，所以我們要去傳福音，為主多救一個靈魂。

2016/1/7 風美小組 葉長老信息 / 天運 摘錄整理

Corinthians 1

　　Corinth is the fourth largest city of Rome; in the city lived about 250 thousand people of different races. Half of its population were immigrants (mostly salves). Imaginably, there were many conflicts between the native people and the new comers. The situations of the church in Corinth are similar to the ones of churches in Taiwan nowadays. We have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge. It is likely that the problems the church in Corinth faced are the problems we are facing now, so we really should thank Paul for having written the first and the second Corinthians. Both of the books contain teachings from God for us to follow. There are 29 chapters in total (16 chapters in 1 Corinthians, 13 chapters in 2 Corinthians), which makes it the longest letter by Paul. The first Corinthians can be divided into two parts. The first part includes chapters 1-6, which describes the problems of the church in Corinth that Paul had heard of. The second part includes chapter 7-16, which provides solutions to the problems mentioned in the first part.

　　While Paul was in Ephesus, some people from Chloe’s household informed him of the conflicts within the church in Corinth. That is, there were divisions among the people in the church. There must be a reason why people are divided. Paul spent one-and-a-half year to establish the church in Corinth, so, some people believed they should follow Paul. Cephas (Peter) was a Jew, therefore, many Jews in the church, who didn’t want to let go of the Jewish laws (e.g., the circumcision, the Sabbath, and separating clean/unclean things), wanted to follow Peter. Apollos was an intellectual, so educated people, or those who valued knowledge more, supported Apollos.

　　Paul said that some people thought that they are so smart that they made fun of the cross. God then saves those who believe through a way that is considered foolish by the Gentiles. Only when you are willing to believe that you realize it is the power and wisdom of God. For people in this world, cross is a sign of shame; how can the king of kings die on a cross? He should be leading a magnificent army with thousands of men and horses and overcome His enemy. People couldn’t understand that when Jesus came to this world for the first time, He came with grace; He was born in a humble family, suffered a painful death, and resurrected three days after His death. He torn the curtain that barred men from their creator, so that people can be once again unified with God. The holy blood of Jesus Christ washed our sins away, that is why we can pray to our Lord now and call Him our heavenly father. Two things are essential for our salvation. The first thing is that Jesus Christ had to come to this world and be crucified for us; His holy blood cleans us of our sins, and His resurrection brings us eternal life. The second thing is that we have to accept Jesus Christ as our savior and repent. Our salvation can only be complete through these two things.

　　A Church should be the place where God’s will is fulfilled! We should not love this world. God has given up on this world, but He hasn’t forsaken the people. God loves everyone on earth! Therefore, we should spread the Gospel, and save as many souls as possible for God.

2016/1/7 Message by Elder Yeh

哥林多前书  第2章

保羅離開哥林多之後，知道了教會出現很多問題，要一步一步地解決，因此寫下哥林多書，為所有書信中最長的一篇。神給保羅的道路並不容易，保羅說自己在過程中既軟弱、又懼怕、又甚戰兢，因為他在做神的事工，做神的事工就是會有人來反對你、逼迫你，讓你跌倒、害怕。而保羅依靠神的力量、得著勇氣，順服神、寫下這篇長信，為後來的基督徒立下榜樣。

　　《哥林多前書》第二章，主要告訴我們什麼是神的大能。第一個重點，就是神的奧秘。保羅說，我不說高言大智，只宣揚神的奧秘。而神的奧秘就是耶穌基督。認識耶穌基督、認識神的真理，只有一條道路，就是十字架。而唯有在神的救恩裡面，才能走十字架的道路。

　　屬靈的人願意走十字架道路，以基督的心為心。身為基督徒的我們，每個人都要揹起十字架、跟隨主；因此在服事過程中可能會有受苦、會有眼淚，可能有人支持不住而逃走；但因為神的愛、神的不放棄，只要人願意，必能被神尋回。

　　當我們遇到困難，總是會選擇容易的道路，但容易的道路、自己喜歡的道路，未必是神計畫要給你的道路。也有些人會用世上的智慧去謀取地上的權位，這是走向滅亡之路。什麼是世上的智慧？就是那些自以為聰明的人，用自己的方法行事，獲取利益。而神是用人以為愚拙的辦法，去救那些願意、相信的人。自以為聰明的，不會了解這個道理。如果你跟一個不願意認識神、不願意更新的人講智慧，就是像《馬太福音》7:6說的，「把你們的珍珠丟在豬前、恐怕他踐踏了珍珠、轉過來咬你們。」

　　什麼是神的智慧？神的智慧，在完全的人裡面。而什麼是完全的人？屬神的人、被聖靈更新的人，是完全的人。所以聖經教導我們不是單要做好人，而是要做完全人，乃是做一個聖潔的人。因為在神面前，我們都是罪人。接受耶穌基督的救恩，承認自己的罪，即能得著更新與祝福，成為神喜悅的人。

　　另一種屬肉體的人，行為像孩子一樣，我行我素，不願意讓神的靈更新他。而屬血氣的人，沒有被聖靈更新，是不認識神、不屬神的人。屬血氣的人不明白屬神的事。如果聖靈沒有住在你裡面，你看所有事都是猜測的，當聖靈住在你裡面時，你就會明白一件事，神為人所預備的，是眼睛未曾看見，耳朵未曾聽見，人心也未曾想到的。只有屬神的人可以參透萬事，並且認識神、明白人。我們每個基督徒都有使命，依靠神的大能、照著神的旨意來做工，完成神的使命，成為屬於基督、屬於聖靈、屬神的使徒。

2016/1/14 葉長老風美小組信息 / 孝偲摘錄整理

1 Corinthians Chapter 2

　　After Paul left Corinth, he learned that the church there had a lot of problems which needed to be solved one by one. As a result, Paul wrote first and second Corinthians, the longest letters of all. God led Paul onto a path that was not easy to take. Paul described that he came to the church of Corinth “in weakness with great fear and trembling,” because he was doing the work of God. When you are doing God’s work, people will reject or oppress you; people would like to see you fall or scared. However, Paul gained courage from the power of God; he obeyed God, wrote these long letters, and set good examples for all Christians.

　　1 Corinthians 2 explains to us the might of God. The main idea of this chapter is the wisdom of God, which, to us, is a mystery. Paul said he did not approach the people in the church of Corinth “with eloquence or human wisdom,” instead, he merely proclaimed to them God’s mystery. In fact, the mystery of God is Jesus Christ! There is only one way people can know Jesus Christ and the truth of God－through the cross. We can only walk the path of the cross when we are in salvation.

　　People who belong to Christ are willing to walk the path to the cross and to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. As Christians, we all have to carry our cross and follow Jesus. We may face difficulties, we may suffer, and we may shed tears when we are serving God. Some people may fail to persist; they just run away. Nevertheless, God love everyone, and He will never forsake or abandon anyone. Hence, people can always turn to God as long as one is willing to.

　　When we encounter hardship, it is natural for us to choose the easier path. However, the easy way, or the path of your presence, may not be the one God has planned for you. Some people may fight for power or wealth with the wisdom of this world, but they are simply walking toward their doom. What is the wisdom of this world? It refers to those who are wise in their own conceit; those who try to make profits with their own means. God used a way men consider foolish to save the souls of those who are willing to believe. People who are too conceited to accept Jesus will never understand the truth. If you talk to someone who is unwilling to learn about God or to be renewed, remember what was written in Matthew 7:6; “Do not give dogs what is scared; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

　　What is the wisdom of God? It exists in people who are mature and blameless. What kind of people can be considered blameless? Those who belong to God and renewed by the Holy Spirit are the blameless ones. The Bible teaches us to be not only good, but blameless, holy, and pure. We are all sinners in front of God. Accept the salvation from Jesus Christ and confess our sins, and we shall be renewed and blessed. We shall please God.

　　Those who belong to this world act like children; they are selfish and they would not let the Spirit of God change them. They are not renewed by the Holy Spirit, they do not know God, and they do not belong to Him. They do not understand the wisdom and mystery of God. If the Holy Spirit doesn’t live in you, everything you perceive is through your speculation. When the Holy Spirit lives in you, you will realize the truth; the things God has prepared for those who love him are things no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind had conceived. People who belong to God searches all things and understand both human and God. As Christians, we all have a mission, a calling from God; we ought to complete the task God has given us and to fulfill His will through His power. We should all be an apostle who belongs to Christ, to the Holy Spirit, and to God.

2016/1/14 Message by Elder Yeh

哥林多前书 第3章

哥林多前書有十六章，後書有十三章，總共二十九章，保羅這封信寫得這麼長，是因為哥林多教會存在著很多問題。

　　保羅嚴肅的告訴哥林多教會：你們仍是屬肉體的。意指哥林多教會的人外表看起來是大人，但行為像嬰孩，受肉體的控制與支配，彼此嫉妒、紛爭。為何遲遲不受教？為何不能成長吃乾糧，仍需要人餵奶喝呢？

　　哥林多教會結黨爭競，有些人說自己屬保羅，有些人說自己屬亞波羅的。保羅問：耶穌基督是可以拆開分黨派的嗎？我播種，亞波羅澆灌，我們兩人只是神的僕人做神的事工，算不得什麼，重要的是那使你們生長的神啊！

　　其實我們都是被神耕種的田地，神鬆土、神撒種、神灌溉、神使之生長…，神翻轉了我們原本走向滅亡的生命，我們滿得祂的恩典，但是喝奶的嬰孩能否長成吃乾糧的大人，被耕種的田地能否收成百倍，端看我們願意被神翻轉嗎？

　　我們與神同工建造房屋；神為我們打下根基，那已經立好的根基就是耶穌基督，我們每個人要謹慎怎樣在上面建造，因為最後都要向神交帳，我們建造的工程會通過如火般的考驗和審判，這時各人事奉的態度顯露無遺，若你將神擺在第一位，是用金、銀、寶石去建造房子，火無法燒滅你的用心，你的事工會被神記念、賞賜，誇你是個忠心良善的僕人；若你將神放在可有可無的地位，建造房子用草木禾稭草草了事，經火一燒，曾經有的一切立時灰飛煙滅，雖然仍有神恩典可得救，但卻完全沒有任何賞賜。

　　這世界和其上的情慾都要過去，唯獨遵行神旨意的永遠常存。有些基督徒知道週日要聚會，卻不當一回事，只要有朋友邀約就去了，我們今生一直為那看得見的吃喝玩樂賣力，有一天見主面時，你會非常後悔，後悔當初為甚麼不認真一點？為甚麼不努力一點？為甚麼追求屬肉體的世界而不追求屬靈的生命？我們當明白現在建造的是甚麼，將來面對的就是甚麼！

　　我們的身體是神的殿，是何等聖潔尊貴。聖經裡說教會是身體，基督是元首是教會的頭，弟兄姊妹互為肢體，每個肢體都有功能、價值，都很重要。我們活在基督的身體裡，又知道祂是宇宙獨一的真神，就要用最好的來服事祂。

　　我們要長大成人，因為我們是神所耕種的田地，所建造的房屋，其中的豐盛與尊貴是看得出來的；同樣的，教會培訓我們、建造我們，美好的品質也是看得出來的。要成為神貴重的器皿，我們一定要傳福音，將人帶進能夠翻轉生命、建造生命的教會裡，讓人生命得著改變，讓神榮耀的旨意能夠在教會裡完全的彰顯。

2016/1/21 葉長老風美小組訊息/ 方儀摘錄整理

1 Chronicles 3

　　The first Corinthians consists of 16 chapters, and the second Corinthians consists of 13 chapters; there are 29 chapters in total. The reason why Paul wrote such long letters were because there were many problems in the church of Corinth.

　　Paul told the church in Corinth very seriously, “you are still worldly.” What Paul meant was that although the people in that church looked mature by their appearance, they were still acting like children; they were still controlled and dominated by their flesh. There were jealousy and quarreling among the people in the church of Corinth. Why couldn’t they learn their lesson? Why couldn’t they grow up and start eating solid food? Why were they still in need of milk?

　　People in the church of Corinth were divided. Some said that they followed Paul, so Paul asked, “can God be divided?” Paul also told the people that he planted the seed, and Apollos watered it, but they were doing nothing more than God’s work! They were merely God’s servants. Therefore, it is God who makes it grow that we should follow!

　　In fact, we are all lands which God has been farming. God loosens the soil, plants the seed, waters it, and makes it grow. God changed our lives so that we are no longer walking toward our doom. Instead, we are now bestowed God’s grace. However, whether we can grow from milk-drinking infants to food-eating adults, and whether we can produce a hundred times what was sown, depend on our willingness to be changed by God.

　　We are building a house with God, and God has already laid the foundation for us, that is, Jesus Christ. We must all be careful of what and how we build on this foundation, because we all have to answer to God. Our constructions will be tested and judged. When the Judgement Day comes, even our thoughts will be revealed. If you put God at the first place, you are building a house with gold, silver and diamond; your house will not be burnt down by the fire. If so, God will remember and reward you, and He will call you His good and faithful servant. If you consider God dispensable, you are building a house of wood and thatch; your house will be burnt down easily, and everything you have will be gone. If so, although you are still in God’s grace and are still saved, you will not be rewarded.

　　Everything, even our flesh and lust, will perish someday; only God’s words will last. Some Christians go out with friends on Sunday when they are invited even though they know they should go to church. If you spend your time eating, drinking and playing, you will regret when you see God; “why haven’t I taken God’s words more seriously? Why haven’t I worked harder? Why have I pursued worldly pleasures instead of God?” Please remember that someday you will have to answer for what you’ve built.

　　Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit; we are holy and dignified! It is said in the Bible that the church is the body, and Christ is the head. We are all part of this body, and we all have different functions and values. We are all important. We live in Christ, and we know that He is the only true God in the universe, so we need to serve Him with all our might.

　　We should grow up, because we are the farms of God, and the house God build; our prosperity and dignity are visible and distinguishable. In the same way, our churches train and equip us; our good qualities are also visible. We should become the valuable vessels of God! We should spread the Gospel and introduce people to the God that can change and cultivate their lives. We should help change the lives of others and let God’s glory show in His churches.

2016/1/21 Message by Elder Yeh

哥林多前书 第四章

哥林多前書有很多看似矛盾的話，但裡面卻有很多真理。保羅勸人不能自高自大，不要高舉人，但在林前4章16節，保羅說：「所以我求你們效法我。」這不是自高自大嗎？其實，保羅是要他們效法他對基督的「忠心」。

　　人往往喜歡斷章取義，不明白聖經中的真理，習慣在罪裡思考問題；我們若是直接套用聖經的話去教導人，用在不對的時候，可能禍從口出、像利劍傷人。傳福音要訓練，說的話才會像智慧人。馬太福音4章4節說：「人活著不是單靠食物，乃是靠神口裡所出的一切話。」這並不是要我們只讀聖經而不吃飯。火可以取暖、煮飯，但用的不好可能引發火災產生危險，但這並不代表火不好，端看你如何使用；藥物能治病，也能害命，所以需要謹慎使用。有系統的培訓、認識神的話語很重要，讓我們知道怎麼用神的話語來支取能力抵擋仇敵。

　　日本人紋身九條龍代表黑道，很兇悍，在國外紋身很多是運動員，紋身到底好不好呢？抽菸行不行呢？聖經並沒有規定不能抽菸。至於基督徒說不能拿香拜祖先，因為在台灣拿香多代表著是佛教徒和異端，我們的神是忌邪的，不可跪拜其他偶像，不可以將祖先當成神在拜。神要我們孝順父母，如果你用「花」取代「香」，把「拜」祖先改成「紀念」祖先，不是更好嗎？祖先是人不是神，絕對不能把他們當神拜，求他們的保佑。

　　所以紋身、抽煙、拿香，都是觀感的問題，如果在福音佈道會上，你露出紋身，一群人馬上受洗，那你就去紋身吧！如果你一抽煙，也一群人馬上受洗，那麼你就抽煙吧！身為基督教，觀感不好的事，就盡量不要去做。

　　許多事情也是一體兩面，香港的不良少年叫飛仔，台灣叫太保，飛仔聚眾滋事，看似剛強、實則軟弱；許多宣教士不畏艱難去危險的地方傳福音，被伊斯蘭國抓起來，沒有反抗一一被打死，看似軟弱、實則剛強。唯有生命讓耶穌基督來掌權，才能讓軟弱變剛強、貧窮變富足、卑賤變尊貴。

　　我曾經遇過一個人，他說他五子登科，什麼都有了，我跟他說：「你少了一子，少了耶穌基督的獨生兒子。」這句話射進他心坎裡，他受洗了。教會同時要用教導和愛，不可偏頗，保羅愛哥林多教會也教導他們，耶穌基督教導我們、也愛我們。「我們成了一台戲，給世人和天使觀看」，所以我們要竭力追求認識神，在一切所行的事上榮耀神。

2016 1/28 風美小組葉長老信息／育光摘錄整理

1 Corinthians 4

　　There seems to be many contradictions in the first Corinthians, and yet many truths lie in those contradictions. Paul advised us not to be proud or conceited, and he also suggested that we should not exalt people. However, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:16, “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” Was Paul being arrogant? In fact, Paul was merely asking people in the Church of Corinth to imitate his “loyalty” to Christ.

　　It is not unusual that people interpret a text out of its context. It is even more common for people to conceive sinful thoughts and misunderstand the truths in the Bible. When the timing is wrong, it could cause trouble or harm if we quote directly from the Bible to preach to people. Before we go out to spread the Gospel, we should be properly trained so the words of wisdom may come out of us. It is said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” This doesn’t mean that we should live only by reading the Bible, without having any food. Fire can be used to cook and to keep warm, and yet it can also bring disasters and dangers. This doesn’t mean fire is bad; it all depends on how you use the fire. We should be very careful with medicines, because they can both cure and kill. A systematic training and a deeper understanding of God’s words are important, because we need to know how to overcome our enemy with the power of God’s words.

　　In Japan, having the tattoo of nine dragons indicates that someone belongs to a gang, and that he/she is fierce and tough. However, in the western world, many athletes, not gangsters, tattoo themselves. So is tattoo good or bad? Can we smoke? The Bible doesn’t forbid smoking directly. Many Christians believe that we should not light incense to worship our ancestors, because in Taiwan incense represents Buddhism and heresy. Our God is a jealous God, so we cannot worship any other idol, and we certainly should not worship our ancestors as gods. God asks us to honor our fathers and mothers, but still we can replace incense with flowers. Wouldn’t it be better if we “commemorate” our forefathers instead of “worshipping” them? Our ancestors were human just like us, so we should never worship them or ask blessings and protection from them.

　　Therefore, tattoo and cigarette can only influence your impression on the others. If you can inspire people to receive baptism by showing your tattoo in a service, please go and get as many tattoos as you like. If you can persuade people to accept Jesus by smoking, please smoke! As Christians, we should try not to do things that will make bad impression on others.

　　Keep in mind that there are two sides to one coin. Gangsters are called Fei-zi in Hong Kong, and are called Tai-bao in Taiwan. Fei-zis gather to look for trouble; they are tough in appearance, but actually very weak. Many missionaries go to dangerous places courageously in order to spread the Gospel. They are captured by the ISIS, and are killed because they didn’t fight back. They are weak in appearance, but actually they are tough and strong. Only when Jesus is in control of your life can you turn weakness into strength, poverty into prosperity, and humble into honorable.

　　I’ve met a guy who told me he had everything he needed and wanted. I told him, “you are missing the one thing you need the most, Jesus Christ, the son of God.” My words moved him, and he was baptized. There should be both teachings and love in church; none of them is dispensable. Paul loved the people in the Church of Corinth, but he also preached to them. Jesus Christ loves and teaches us at the same time. “We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings,” hence, we should pursue God as hard as we can, and we should glorify God with everything we do!

2016/1/28 Message by Elder Yeh