牧师家书

弟兄姊妹平安:      

挪亞經歷了洪水毁滅大地，一家八口出了方舟，就築壇獻上燔祭敬拜神, 全家在祭壇旁感謝主, 思念神恩浩大。這燔祭是把祭牲全然擺上, 毫無保留的奉獻神。敬拜的對象是施行奇妙救贖的神。

以色列人從乾地走過了紅海，逃出了為奴之地，就立即歡呼雀躍，唱歌跳舞讚美神。敬拜神的人是有經歷的人，是真情流露，發自心靈獻上讚歌。

以色列人從前在埃及地受法老管轄，聽法老的話；「出埃及」是回應神的呼召，是要與神立約作神的子民，在這山上事奉他。神藉摩西頒令十誡，吩咐百姓建造會幕，並應許在會幕與祂的子民相會, 跟他們說話。凡進前來敬拜神的人，都當身心靈清潔。凡以色列民所做的一切，都要遵守山上的吩咐，都要遵照山上的樣式。敬拜神是以神的話語為中心，要我們去認識祂, 榮耀祂！

所羅門建造聖殿是重申與神立約的見證。以色列民若謹守遵行律例、典章、誡命，就享受神所應許的一切福份。但若遇上天災、飢荒、瘟疫流行，神曾應許：「這稱為我名下的子民，若是自卑、禱告，尋求我的面，轉離他們的惡行，我必從天上垂聽，赦免他們的罪，醫治他們的地。我必睜眼看，側耳聽，在此處所獻的禱告。」(代下7:14-15)到神面前來敬拜的人，是一個禱告的人。主耶和華如此說：「因我的殿必稱為萬民禱告的殿。」(賽56:7)
我們相約在主日崇拜聚集敬拜神，這是我們與神一生的約！
主內
王 興
16/12/2022

<Let us Worship the Lord>  16th December 2022

Dear brothers and sisters,

After the flood that destroyed the whole earth, Noah and his family of eight got out of the ark. They built an altar and offered burnt offerings to worship God. The whole family thanked the Lord and remembered God’s grace. This burnt offering is a total sacrifice to God, without reservation. The centre of worship is God, the ultimate Redeemer.

When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and escaped from the land of slavery, they immediately shouted for joy, singing and dancing to praise God. People who worship God have experienced God, singing praises to Him from their heart.

The Israelites were governed by Pharaoh in Egypt and had to obey him.  The Exodus was a response to God’s calling, making a covenant before the Lord to be His people, serving Him on this mountain. God revealed the Ten Commandments through Moses, He commanded the people to build the Tabernacle, and promised to meet His people there and speak to them. All who come to worship the Lord should be clean in and out. The Israelites must obey the commands and follow the pattern on the mountain. God’s Word is the centre of Worship, helping us to know Him and to glorify Him!

Solomon’s temple was a reaffirmation of the covenant with God. If the Israelites abide by the statutes, ordinances, and commandments, they will enjoy all the blessings promised by God. But in case of natural disasters, famines, and plagues, God has promised: ‘if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.’ (2 Chron 7:14-15) A person who comes to God to worship is a man of prayer. The Sovereign Lord says, ‘For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.’ (Isa 56:7)

Let us worship the Lord together every Sunday. This is our covenant with the Lord.

In Him,

Sam Wong