1 Overcoming Adversity 1 Waiting 7 18 23

克服逆境 1: 等待 Overcoming Adversity 1: Waiting

讀經: 路加 7: 18 -23 Scripture: Luke 7: 18 -23

Luke 7: 18 -23 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask,

“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? ”

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, illnesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.

So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight,

the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised,

and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. ”

克服逆境 1: 等待 Overcoming Adversity 1: Waiting

逆境是生活中無法 避免的一部分。 Adversity is an inevitable part of life.

In fact, the original Buddhist philosophy is built on that question.

Because we Christians believe in a rational God, we can try to find answers to these questions.

面對逆境時，我們 通常的自然反應是： Our natural reactions when facing adversity:

a. 怪你自己 - “我做 錯了什麼? ” a. Blame yourself “What did I do wrong? ”

b. 對神和其他人生 氣 b. Angry at God and others

God does know and care, but He does not always work the way we want.

He may have a greater purpose for His kingdom, plans, others, or the community.

祂知道什麼是最適 合你的。 He knows what’s best for you.

Romans 8: 28 We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love

who have been called according to his purpose.

He knows the best timing – maybe there are great benefits if you wait a bit longer.

Maybe there is a lesson for you to learn, and your adversity will end sooner if you learn.

施洗約翰的故事 – 最偉大神僕人之一。 John the Baptist – One of the greatest servants of God.

Prophesized in Old Testament: • Isaiah 40: 3 • Malachi 4: 5 -6

Isaiah 40: 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord;

make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ”

Malachi 4: 5 -6 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.

He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents;

or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction. ”

他來是為彌賽亞(救 主)的到來做準備。 John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the Messiah.

他告訴人們他們期 待已久的救主將到。 He told people to their long-awaited Messiah is here.

他為耶穌施洗並向 世人宣告他。 He baptized Jesus and announced him to the world.

但是他得罪了希律 王，被送入獄。 But he offended king Herod and was put in jail for a year.

After a year, his faith was shaken and wondered if Jesus was Messiah.

約翰有可能在想什 麼？ What were possibly in John’s mind?

“If Jesus were the Messiah, then why am I in jail? Why doesn’t he get me out? ”

“我沒做錯任何事! 這不公平!” “I did nothing wrong! This is not fair!”

But John didn’t ask Jesus to get him out. He just wanted to make sure Jesus was the Messiah.

Maybe he knew suffering was normal, but wanted to know he did not make a mistake.

也許他知道他的 作已經完成了。 Perhaps he knew his work was done.

約翰 3: 30 - “他必興 旺，我必衰微。” John 3: 30 – “He must become greater; I must become less. ”

He knew he did the right thing and would not back down. Yet his faith was shaken.

Jesus’s response: I am the Messiah you were waiting for. Don’t lose faith.

但是耶穌為什麼不 救他出來呢？ But why didn’t Jesus get him out of jail?

施洗約翰是耶穌的 表兄！ John the Baptist is Jesus’s cousin!

He got Peter and Paul out of jail… (Acts 12 and 16)

Could John the Baptist been a great help to Jesus? Surely he was smarter than the disciples.

But John knew his work was done. God wanted him to wait and his faith was shaken.

Jesus said don’t lose faith. He didn’t say He will save John or do anything else.

We often don’t know God’s plan till it happens. Meanwhile we have to wait and not lose faith.

神: 我的沉默並不意 味著我沒與你同在。 God: My silence does not mean my absence.

信心最困難的一部 分就是等待。 The most difficult part of faith is the waiting part.

Maybe keeping up his faith during the waiting time is God’s lesson for John.

Elijah lost his faith when threatened by Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 19).

Why didn’t Jesus get John out and let John work for Him?

也許那會引起人們 的困惑。 Maybe that will cause confusion among the people.

人們必須非常清楚 耶穌是唯一的救主。 Jesus is the only Savior. It had to be very clear to people.

Don’t lose your faith while waiting. “Waiting” is a big part of the journey.

Sometimes, your answer can only be found in Heaven. Still, the “waiting” part helps you grow.

We can ask the Lord to shorten our waiting time, but let Him decide the right time to act.

Whatever that time is, we know it is the right and best time.

請記住: 在等待時， 請不要失去信心。 Remember: when you are waiting, don’t lose your faith.

這是我們通往神國 度中重要的課程。 It is an important part of our journey to God’s Kingdom.