與眾不同的公民 Distinctive Citizen
與眾不同的公民
Distinctive Citizen
Well, no tuxedo for me this week. Sorry to disappoint some of you. But, it’s not about distinctive
attire. It’s about our distinctive lives.
好吧，这周我不会穿燕尾服。对于一些人来说可能会失望，抱歉了。但是，这不是关于独特的
服饰。而是关于我们独特的生活。
Last week we looked at the umbrella concept of love. It’s like Jesus held up that iconic red umbrella
often used by tourists and calls us to follow him – but not as tourists but as disciples!
上周，我们探讨了爱的总体概念。这就像耶稣拿起了那个常常被游客使用的标志性红色伞，呼
唤我们跟随他 - 但不是作为游客，而是作为门徒！
He shows us the way we are meant to stand out and be distinctive by the way we love. If you missed
it, you can go back and watch that message on youtube or podcast.
他向我们展示了我们应该如何通过我们的爱来脱颖而出，成为独特的人。如果你错过了，可以
去 YouTube 或播客上观看那个讲道。
Today, we want to talk about another area where we should stand out with distinction. It’s an area
that incredible relevant right now. It’s in politics!
今天，我们想谈谈另一个领域，在这个领域我们应该以卓越的方式脱颖而出。这是一个目前非
常相关的领域。那就是政治！
I realise the old rule: In conversations, stay away from talk about three things: politics, religion, and
money.
As a pastor, I’ve found it is very hard to stay away from the topic of religion. Funny that!
So, why not step into the political conversation too?
我知道有一个古老的规则：在谈话中避免谈论三件事情：政治、宗教和金钱。
作为一名牧师，我发现很难避免谈论宗教这个话题。真是有趣！
那为什么不也加入政治的对话呢？
When I mention this, some of you are beginning to squirm. Your heart is doing erratic things. Perhaps
there is a fear I am going to advocate for a political party or person. And let’s be honest -- some of
you would be delighted if I did that – as long as it was your party of choice! But, I won’t be
encouraging you to vote for a particular party or candidate. I never have. I hope I never will.
当我提到这个话题时，你们中的一些人可能开始感到不安。你们的心情可能变得不稳定。也许
有些人担心我会为某个政党或个人进行宣传。坦白说 - 如果我这样做的话，你们中的一些人会
感到高兴 - 只要那是你们选择的政党！但我不会鼓励你们投票给某个特定的政党或候选人。我
从来没有这样做过。希望我永远不会这样做。
Instead a bigger question to me is: How might we be distinctive when it comes to politics?
Some of you are still wondering -- ‘why would we even talk about this? JD – just stay away from it.’
相反，对我来说更重要的问题是：在涉及政治时，我们如何成为独特的人？
你们中的一些人仍然在想：“为什么我们要谈论这个？JD - 就别碰这个话题。”
As a church, we always seek to delete the invisible line that too often exists between faith and life.
We’re a church that says you can’t segregate faith to Sundays or services; After all faith affects
everything we do. And if following Jesus affects everything we do – then, that also extends to the
world of politics. You can’t get away from it.
作为一家教会，我们始终致力于消除信仰和生活之间经常存在的隐形界限。我们是一家教会，
认为你不能将信仰局限于星期日或礼拜仪式；毕竟，信仰影响我们所做的一切。如果跟随耶稣
影响我们所做的一切 - 那也包括政治世界。你无法摆脱它。
It’s in moments like this that Christians are meant to be stand out as distinctive citizens.
If you’re connecting with us today – and you’re not yet a Jesus’ follower, or you’re new to faith - you
might be wondering how do Christians vote. I mean – do they just support the Christian candidate or
a Christian party? Do they vote blue or red or green or yellow or black? Do Christians go to the polling
booth, pray and randomly select the first name they see? Is that how it’s meant to work?
在这种时刻，基督徒应该成为独特的公民。
如果你今天与我们建立了联系，但还不是耶稣的追随者，或者你对信仰还很陌生 - 你可能会想
知道基督徒如何投票。我的意思是 - 他们只支持基督教候选人或基督教政党吗？他们投票支持
蓝色、红色、绿色、黄色还是黑色？基督徒是否会去投票站，祈祷然后随机选择第一个看到的
名字？是这样运作的吗？
My purpose today is not to tell you who to vote for or even insinuate who to vote for. Instead, I have
two purposes:
1) I want you to think differently about politics – based on a fundamental idea Jesus teaches us.
We’ll look at that in the first half of the message.
2) I want you to behave differently when it comes to conversations about politics. We’ll reflect
on that in the second half of the message.
今天我的目的不是告诉你们该投票给谁，甚至不是影射你们该投票给谁。相反，我的目的有两
个：
我想让你们以耶稣教导我们的一项基本理念为基础，以不同的方式来思考政治问题。我们将在
讲道的前半部分讨论这一点。
当涉及到政治对话时，我希望你们表现出不同寻常的行为。我们将在讲道的后半部分反思这一
点。
If we 1) think differently and 2) behave differently – we will become distinctive citizens.
So – let’s begin by thinking differently about politics by considering what Jesus has to say about
politics.
如果我们 1) 有不同的思考方式，2) 行为不同寻常 - 我们将成为独特的公民。
因此 - 让我们首先通过考虑耶稣对政治的看法来以不同的方式思考政治。
Perhaps you haven’t seen this before, but Jesus had a political question thrown at him. As we
understand the way he responded, we begin to have a framework to help us navigate the political
terrain in front of us.
The question thrown to Jesus was designed to trap him:
Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something
for which he could be arrested. / Mark 12:13
也许你之前没有看到过，但耶稣曾经被问及一个政治问题。当我们理解他的回答方式时，我们
开始建立一个框架，以帮助我们在面前的政治领域中导航。
这个问题是为了陷害耶稣而提出的：
"以后，他们打发一些法利赛人和希律党人去陷害耶稣，要拿他的话来对付他。" / 马可福音
12:13
These two groups got together in the strangest of coalitions. One of the groups – known as the
‘Pharisees’ - were anti-Rome and would probably align with right wing conservatives of today. The
other group – ‘supporters of Herod’ or ‘the Herodians’ - were pro Rome and would probably align
with a more left or progressive side of politics.
These far right and far left groups differed on basically everything. But, here they have found one
thing on which they agree: a common enemy by the name of Jesus. His popularity with the people,
His preaching, the way He welcomes everyone – it’s all affecting the influence he has over people. So,
they align together in the first coalition of chaos and form a plot to trap Jesus in order to discredit
him and even have him arrested for treason.
这两个团体组成了一个奇怪的联盟。其中一个团体被称为“法利赛人”，他们反对罗马，可能会
与今天的右翼保守派结盟。另一个团体，“希律党人”或“希律的支持者”，则支持罗马，可能会
与政治的更左翼或进步派一边结盟。
这些极右和极左的团体在基本上一切事情上都存在分歧。但在这里，他们找到了一个他们都同
意的事情：一个名叫耶稣的共同敌人。他在人民中的声望，他的传道，他对每个人的欢迎方式
- 这一切都影响了他对人民的影响力。因此，他们在混乱的第一个联盟中结盟，并制定了一个
陷害耶稣的计划，以便抹黑他，甚至因叛国罪将他逮捕。
“Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You
teach the way of God truthfully. / Mark 12:14
Don’t be fooled by the compliments. Mark has already told us they’re trying to trap Jesus! There is a
reason why they are loading up the compliments.
Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?” / Mark
12:14-15
“老师，”他们说，“我们知道你是多么诚实。你是公正的，不偏袒任何人。你诚实地教导神的
道路。”
不要被这些恭维所迷惑。马可已经告诉我们他们试图陷害耶稣！他们之所以这样夸赞是有原因
的。
现在告诉我们，是否应该向凯撒纳税？我们应该交税吗，还是不应该？” / 马可福音 12:14-15
It’s the perfect question to trap Jesus.
On the surface of it is a question about tax. But, there is much more at stake. The background here is
a specific head tax that began 25 years earlier that everybody had to pay simply for the privilege of
being a subject in the Roman Empire under Caesar. This tax required everybody to pay an annual tax
of 1 denarius – the equivalent of one day of work for a minimum wage worker – so let’s say $180. But
the issue is not really the amount. It’s the idea of it.
这是一个完美的问题，可以陷害耶稣。
表面上是一个关于税收的问题。但实际上，牵涉到的远不止如此。背后的背景是 25 年前开始
的一项特定人头税，每个人都必须支付，只是为了成为凯撒统治下罗马帝国的臣民。这个税收
要求每个人每年支付 1 个银币，相当于一个最低工资工人一天的工资 - 换句话说，大约 180 美
元。但问题并不在于金额，而在于这个税收的观念。
When it was introduced 25 years earlier there had been an armed revolt led by Judas the Galilean. He
called on all Jews to refuse to pay this head tax because – as he said, ‘We don't need Caesar as our
king. God can be our king.’ With his rebel army, he cleansed the temple on the basis that once
injustice was gone, the kingdom of God could begin. But, Rome arrested him and had him executed.
These leaders see some similarities between Judas who led that revolt and Jesus.
在 25 年前引入这项人头税时，曾发生过一次由加利利的犹大领导的武装起义。他呼吁所有犹
太人拒绝支付这个人头税，因为 - 正如他所说，‘我们不需要凯撒做我们的国王。上帝可以做我
们的国王。’ 带领着反叛军，他清洗了圣殿，因为一旦不公正消失，上帝的国就可以开始了。
但是，罗马逮捕了他并将他处死。
这些领袖看到了犹大领导那次起义和耶稣之间的一些相似之处。
It makes sense because right before this story, Jesus has just cleansed the temple. Like Judas the
Galilean had done 25 years earlier! And, Jesus whole ministry is about the kingdom of God. When
they heard ‘the kingdom of God’, it was politically loaded language. When we hear these words
about kingdom, we might think of a spiritual kingdom in our heart. But, when Jesus speaks about it,
he speaks about dealing with real poverty, real injustice. A kingdom where the blind see, the lame
walk, the captives are released. Not just spiritually but physically, emotionally, relationally.
这是有道理的，因为就在这个故事之前，耶稣刚刚净化了圣殿。就像犹大领导在 25 年前所做
的一样！而且，耶稣的整个事工都是关于神的国度。当他们听到“神的国度”时，这是一个政治
上充满含义的词汇。当我们听到关于国度的这些词语时，我们可能会想到我们心中的属灵国
度。但是，当耶稣谈论这个时，他谈论的是处理真正的贫困，真正的不公正。一个国度，盲人
看见，跛子行走，被囚禁的人得以释放。不仅在属灵上，而且在身体上、情感上和人际关系上
都是如此。
“So, Jesus”, they ask, “what do you have to say about the head tax? After all, we’ve seen you cleanse
the temple. We’ve heard you talk about God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. So, are
you in the revolutionary party? Or, are you the party that supports the Romans?”
If asked today, the question may well be worded: “Jesus, which party gets your vote?”
It’s a carefully crafted trap.
If Jesus says ‘don’t pay it,’ He is effectively aligning himself with the zealot revolutionaries who led an
armed revolt. As before, it gives the authorities reason to step in and have him arrested.
But, if he says ‘pay it,’ the people will be disappointed that he no revolutionary. People are gathered
around him because he speaks like no other and points to a hopeful future.
“那么，耶稣”，他们问，“你对这个人头税有什么看法？毕竟，我们看到你净化了圣殿。我们
听到你谈论上帝的国度如何降临在地上，如同在天上一样。那么，你是革命党吗？还是支持罗
马的党派？”
如果今天提出这个问题，问题可能会被措辞为：“耶稣，你会投哪个党？”
这是一个精心设计的陷阱。
如果耶稣说“不要付”，那实际上是在将自己与领导武装起义的狂热分子对齐。与以前一样，这
给了当局理由介入并逮捕他。
但是，如果他说“付”，人们会对他不是革命党感到失望。人们聚集在他周围，因为他说话不同
寻常，并指向一个充满希望的未来。
What is He to do?
Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin,
and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied. / Mark 12:15-16
That Roman coin is known as a denarius. [@nathanael – find a picture with Caesars image on a roman
coin] You can go to museums and see them today – all with the image of Caesar.
At first, you might think this is similar to our 20cent piece that has the image of our late Queen
Elizabeth on it. [@nathanael – find a picture with of our 20 cent coin with the image of the Queen]
那他应该怎么做呢？
耶稣看穿了他们的伪善，说：“你们为什么试图陷害我？给我看一个罗马银币，我会告诉你
们。” 当他们递给他一枚银币时，他问：“上面刻着谁的图像和铭文？” “凯撒的，”他们回答。
/ 马可福音 12:15-16
那个罗马银币就是被称为“银币”的铜钱。你现在还可以去博物馆看到它们 - 上面都有凯撒的图
像。
起初，你可能会认为这与我们的二十分硬币类似，上面有我们已故的伊丽莎白女王的图像。
But, it’s not quite the same idea.
• For one, the denarius added inscriptions about Caesar: ‘Tiberius Caesar. Son of the god
Augustus. Pontifex Maximus. High Priest.’ These are big claims.
• Secondly, the coins were literally minted out of Caesar’s wealth. Technically, it actually does
belong to Caesar.
Jesus takes the denarius in his hand, shows the people the image of Caesar along with the inscription.
Listen to the way He replies:
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to
God.” His reply completely amazed them./ Mark 12:15-17
但实际上，这个观念并不完全相同。
首先，这个铜钱上刻有关于凯撒的铭文：“提比略·凯撒，奥古斯都之子，至尊大祭司。” 这些
都是很大的宣称。
其次，这些硬币实际上是用凯撒的财富铸造出来的。从技术上讲，它实际上是属于凯撒的。
耶稣接过这枚银币，向人们展示了上面的凯撒的图像以及铭文。请听他的回答方式：
“这样，”耶稣说，“凯撒的物当归给凯撒，神的物当归给神。” 他的回答使他们非常惊讶。/ 马
可福音 12:15-17
Normally, we get annoyed at people when they avoid answering the question directly. But, the
people here aren't annoyed. They are “completely amazed” at the wisdom of Jesus’ answer: ‘give
Caesar what belongs to him. It’s his printed money with his printed image. But, give God what
belongs to him – everything. Your ultimate allegiance.’ This is a brilliant answer.
What Jesus says changes the way we think about politics.
He wants us to live as distinctive citizens of God’s kingdom wherever you are.
He realizes that God’s kingdom is different to the kingdoms of people here and now – seen today in
political parties.
What Jesus says keeps clear of two common errors that Christians often make when they confuse the
distinction between the kingdom of heaven and political parties.
通常情况下，当人们回答问题时回避直接回答时，我们会感到恼火。但是，这里的人们并没有
感到恼火。他们对耶稣回答的智慧感到“完全惊讶”：‘将属于凯撒的归还给凯撒。这是他的印刷
货币和印刷图像。但将属于神的归还给神 - 一切。你的最终忠诚应属于神。’ 这是一个精彩的回
答。
耶稣所说的改变了我们对政治的看法。
他希望我们无论身处何地，都要成为上帝国度的独特公民。
他意识到上帝的国度与此刻这里和现在的人的国度不同 - 在今天的政党中可以看到。
耶稣所说的避免了基督徒常常犯的两个常见错误，即混淆了天国和政治党派之间的区别。
COMMON ERROR ONE:
We try to align Jesus to our political party
These right wingers and left wingers pressed Jesus for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. But, Jesus refuses to
give a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ The answer wasn’t that simple.
In the same way, it’s easy to assume Jesus would have the political learnings that you have. I hear
Christians who vote on the left and assume Jesus would do the same. Those who vote on the right
assume Jesus would do the same. Those who vote for a Christian party certainly assume Jesus would
do the same.
What tends to happen is that we look down on Christians who voted for a different party because in
our mind, Jesus is FOR our candidate, He’s FOR the party of OUR choice.
As one pastor said,
He’s so red. Or He’s so blue.
Jesus obviously agrees with YOU!
常见错误一：
我们试图将耶稣与我们的政党对齐
这些右翼和左翼分子逼迫耶稣给出“是”或“否”的答案。但耶稣拒绝给出简单的“是”或“否”的答
案。答案不是那么简单的。
同样，很容易假设耶稣会有与你相同的政治立场。我听到一些投左翼票的基督徒认为耶稣也会
这样做。投右翼票的人也认为耶稣会这样做。那些投票给基督教政党的人当然也认为耶稣会这
样做。
通常情况下，我们看不起那些投票给不同政党的基督徒，因为在我们的心目中，耶稣是支持我
们的候选人，他是支持我们选择的政党的。
正如一位牧师所说：
他是如此红色。或者他是如此蓝色。
显然，耶稣同意了你的观点！
Many times, we identify the 1 or 2 issues we think should concern Christians the most. Then, we
make the mistake of aligning Jesus to only these issues or values.
Sometimes these are worded as family values. It’s true – we find in Scripture very clear idea of the
way God esteems the life of the unborn highly (Jer. 1:5), the life and dignity of every human being
regardless of age or ability, and a biblical definition of marriage between a male and a female.
Around election, you it’s not uncommon to find lists that show how politicians vote around family
issues. It can be very helpful. If you only look at these values - it might cause you to vote a particular
way.
许多时候，我们确定了我们认为基督徒最关心的一两个问题。然后，我们犯了一个错误，只将
耶稣与这些问题或价值观对齐。
有时，这些问题被表述为家庭价值观。这是真的 - 我们在圣经中找到了上帝高度尊重未出生婴
儿的生命（耶利米书 1:5），无论年龄或能力如何，都要尊重每个人的生命和尊严，以及圣经
中对一男一女之间婚姻的定义。
在选举期间，很常见的是找到一些列出政治家在家庭问题上的投票记录的清单。这可以非常有
帮助。如果你只看这些价值观 - 这可能会导致你以特定的方式投票。
However, at the same time, the Bible also holds additional values that often don’t make it in some of
the lists I’ve seen. Like the way God demands radical care for the poor and compassion on foreigners.
The way he calls for radical forgiveness for people who have committed capital offences; The way He
rails repeatedly against the selfishness and abuses from the wealthy. You can add the way we are to
honour commitments and treaties that have been established in the past. You can hear this list and
it might cause you to vote a particular way.
Then, of course, you’re ready to vote - but then you read about God demanding work rather than
welfare for the able-bodied. About how He gives the state power to maintain law and order. How
God gives great wealth to some people and calls this good. If you take just those you can go in a
different direction.
然而，与此同时，圣经还包含了其他价值观，这些价值观通常没有出现在我看到的一些列表
中。比如上帝要求对穷人进行激进的关怀，怜悯外国人。他要求对犯有重罪的人进行激进的宽
恕；他一再抨击富人的自私和滥权。你可以将我们应该尊重过去建立的承诺和条约的方式加入
其中。你听到这个列表，可能会导致你以特定的方式投票。
然后，当然，你已经准备好投票 - 但接着你会读到上帝要求劳动而不是福利来维持劳动能力的
人的生活。关于上帝授予国家维护法律和秩序的权力。上帝如何将巨大的财富赐予某些人，并
称之为善。如果你只看这些，你可能会走向不同的方向。
Then, as you read the beginning of Genesis and throughout the minor prophets, you will see a biblical
mandate for careful stewardship of the environment. How God pronounces judgement on those who
destroy the land for greedy gain. These things might cause you to vote a different direction again.
The problem is that we can find verses that could fit with a more family values party, or a right
leaning or left leaning party, and then claim that such a party has the vision of Jesus.
But we need to avoid aligning Jesus to any political party.
That’s why when people ask me, “Is our church right-wing or left-wing?” my answer is typically,
‘we’re for the whole bird.’ We can’t align Jesus to any one party or candidate. He is distinct from all
of them.
然后，当你阅读创世记的开头以及小先知书的内容时，你会看到圣经中对环境的谨慎管理的要
求。上帝如何宣告对那些为贪婪而破坏土地的人进行审判。这些事情可能会再次导致你以不同
的方向投票。
问题在于，我们可以找到与更注重家庭价值观的政党、右倾或左倾政党更为契合的经文，然后
声称这样的政党代表了耶稣的愿景。
但是我们需要避免将耶稣与任何政党对齐。
这就是为什么当人们问我：“我们的教会是右翼还是左翼吗？”我的答案通常是：“我们支持整个
鸟（两个翅膀都要）”( 我们对各种政治观点和信仰持开放态度)。 我们不能将耶稣与任何一个
政党或候选人对齐。他与所有这些都是不同的。
Historian Mark Noll says that Christians fail to add value in politics when we simply pick up on one
value or group of values, and then paint the parties for that idea as ‘good’ and those against that
value as ‘evil.’ His assessment: it’s always more complex than right versus wrong. In fact, you might
have a good value but fail to grasp all the complexity and nuance. You might have a well-intended
legislation that will actually lead to appalling results if its implemented. When we condition people to
think that every bill is a battle between the forces of righteousness versus the minions of darkness,
we just don’t serve the political process well.
历史学家马克·诺尔（Mark Noll）表示，当我们只是选择一个价值观或一组价值观，然后将支
持这一观点的政党描述为“好的”，将反对这一价值观的政党描述为“邪恶”的时候，基督徒未能
在政治中增加价值。他的评估是：事情总是比对与错更加复杂。事实上，你可能拥有一个好的
价值观，但没有理解所有的复杂性和细微差别。你可能有一个出于善意的立法，但如果实施起
来，实际上会导致令人震惊的结果。当我们让人们认为每项法案都是正义力量与黑暗势力之间
的斗争时，我们并没有为政治进程提供良好的服务。
On top of that, candidates themselves are flawed individuals. That brokenness is often more evident
in some than others. And it’s not sufficient to say that voting for a Christian party or a Christian
candidate removes that brokenness. Sadly, if you look at political history, you can find stories of nz
Christian parties with candidates that were also tarnished with similar stories.
Just that should remind us that no party has a premium on Christian values and vision.
So, if one common error is trying to align Jesus to our political party… a second common error is…
What Jesus says keeps clear of two common errors that Christians often make when they confuse the
distinction between the kingdom of heaven and political parties.
COMMON ERROR ONE:
We try to align Jesus to our political party
此外，候选人本身也是有缺陷的个体。这种缺陷在某些人身上往往更加明显。而且仅仅说投票
给一个基督教政党或一个基督教候选人就可以消除这种缺陷是不够的。可悲的是，如果你看看
政治历史，你会发现新西兰的基督教政党中也有一些候选人，他们也有类似的故事。
这仅仅应该提醒我们，没有一个政党拥有基督教的价值观和愿景的专属权。
因此，如果一个常见的错误是试图将耶稣与我们的政党对齐...第二个常见的错误是...
耶稣所说的避免了基督徒经常犯的两个常见错误，当他们混淆了天国和政党之间的区别时
常见错误一：
我们试图将耶稣与我们的政党对齐
COMMON ERROR TWO:
We believe that real change comes through political coercion
Many Christians have been seduced into the idea that real change comes through political coercion.
So, they give their allegiance, loyalty, and hopes to a political party.
What I find interesting is that Jesus was offered political power and He refused it.
“the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their
splendour. ‘All this I will give you, ’he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me’” / Matthew 4:8-9
Do you hear the temptation? “Be relevant. Seize political power, and you can change the world.”
常见错误二：
我们相信真正的改变是通过政治强制来实现的
许多基督徒被诱导相信，真正的改变是通过政治强制来实现的。因此，他们将忠诚和希望寄托
在一个政党身上。
我发现有趣的是，耶稣曾被提供政治权力，但他拒绝了。
“魔鬼又带他上了一座最高的山，将世上的万国与万国的荣华都指给他看，对他说：‘这一切我
都要给你，你若俯伏拜我，我就都赐给你。’” / 马太福音 4:8-9
你听到了诱惑吗？“变得更有影响力。抓住政治权力，你可以改变世界。
How many Christian leaders fall for this same temptation? Or, perhaps would welcome it?
But Jesus refused it. He realized real power is not at the political level.
It’s not that Jesus and his followers are not interested in politics. It’s not saying Christians shouldn’t
get highly engaged in politics.
But our primary focus is on a different kingdom.
有多少基督教领袖陷入了同样的诱惑？或者，也许会欢迎它？
但是耶稣拒绝了它。他意识到真正的权力不在政治层面。
这并不是说耶稣和他的追随者对政治不感兴趣。也不是说基督徒不应该积极参与政治。
但我们的主要关注点在于不同的国度。
As Pastor Tony Evans has succinctly put it: “Jesus did not come to take sides. He came to take over.” /
Tony Evans
He came to bring His kingdom that continues to renew people and places throughout the world.
On that coin that Jesus held up - it was clear that Caesar was a king leading the Roman kingdom.
Jesus too is a King. But He is an entirely distinct type of king.
In fact, we get an inkling of the difference in the way Jesus even has to ask for a coin? Caesar owns all
the coins in the world – they are minted from his own wealth. But, Jesus is a king who doesn’t even
have any loose change! Jesus is all-together different king who came in poverty, born in a stable to
poverty stricken family.
And notice the way the kingdom of God doesn’t use the same power or tactics of political kingdoms.
Rather than using coercive political power, the way of Jesus uses the power of distinctive love.
正如托尼·埃文斯牧师（Tony Evans）简洁地表达：“耶稣不是来站队的，而是来接管的。”
他来传扬他的国度，这个国度继续在世界各地更新人和地方。
在耶稣举起的那枚硬币上 - 很明显，凯撒是领导罗马王国的国王。耶稣也是一位国王。但他是
一位完全不同类型的国王。
事实上，我们可以从耶稣要求一枚硬币的方式中窥见不同之处？凯撒拥有世界上所有的硬币 -
它们是由他自己的财富铸造出来的。但耶稣是一位甚至没有零钱的国王！耶稣是一位全然不同
的国王，他以贫穷的方式降临，出生在一个贫困的家庭的马槽里。
请注意，上帝的国度并不使用政治国家的相同权力或策略。与使用强制政治权力不同，耶稣的
方式使用的是独特的爱的力量。
We unpacked that distinctive love last week:
• Where Rome was cruel to the poor, the slave, the immigrant, it was followers of Jesus who
brought any and all into their circles and would say to a complete stranger ‘you are a brother.
you are my sister. They provided people a place to belong.
• Where Rome allowed infants to be left for dead if they had a deformity or were unwanted,
followers of Jesus recalled Jesus words, ‘let the little children come to me.’ So, they rallied
together and raised these children as their own.
• The kingdom of God is entirely different. The king of that kingdom must have our primary
allegiance.
我们上周详细讨论了这种独特的爱：
在罗马对贫困人、奴隶、移民残酷无情的时候，耶稣的追随者却将任何人都引入他们的圈子，
并对一个完全陌生的人说：“你是我的兄弟，你是我的姐妹。”他们为人们提供了一个归属的地
方。
在罗马允许有残疾或不被欢迎的婴儿被遗弃而死的时候，耶稣的追随者回忆了耶稣的话：“让
小孩子到我这里来。”因此，他们团结在一起，将这些婴儿抚养成为他们自己的孩子。
上帝的国度完全不同。这个国度的君王必须得到我们的主要忠诚。
Ultimately a government will decide such things as immigration quotas; what to do with the border,
what will be the minimum wage?’ How much we borrow? Where that money goes? Who do we tax?
How much do we tax?
We can all have different viewpoints about the merits of different approaches. Those debates are
healthy.
But, regardless of what the government does or doesn't do, if you are a follower of Jesus, you care
about the poor, you care about justice. You care about the sanctity of life. You care about good
stewardship in the environment. You care about the makeup of the family.
最终，政府将决定诸如移民配额、边境政策、最低工资是多少、我们要借多少钱、这些钱将用
在哪里、要向谁征税以及征多少税等等问题。
我们每个人都可能对不同方法的优点有不同的观点。这些辩论是健康的。
但是，不管政府做什么或不做什么，如果你是耶稣的追随者，你关心贫困，你关心正义。你关
心生命的尊严。你关心环境的善意管理。你关心家庭的构成。
Jesus sends you into this world to point people to life in the kingdom of God. He came to bring his
kingdom on earth as it is heaven. That what’s up there will come down here.
And that is why, in everything we do, we point people to the distinctive way of Jesus. To life in a
different kingdom where Jesus is making all things new.
So, Jesus helps us reframes the discussion:
“Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
Don’t align Jesus to your political party.
Don’t assume that real change comes through political coercion.
Instead,
Live as distinctive citizens of God’s kingdom wherever you are
耶稣派遣你到这个世界上，指引人们走向上帝的国度生活。他来传扬他的国度，使地上的事情
如同在天上一样。他让天上的事物降临到地上。
这就是为什么在我们所做的一切事情中，我们要指引人们走向耶稣的不同之路。走向在耶稣正
在使万物更新的不同国度的生活。
所以，耶稣帮助我们重新构思这个讨论：
“把属于凯撒的归给凯撒，把属于上帝的归给上帝。”
不要将耶稣与你的政党对齐。
不要假设真正的改变是通过政治强制来实现的。
相反，
在你所在的地方生活，作为上帝国度的独特公民。
Your ultimate allegiance is to Jesus.
This changes the way we think about politics.
But, how behave amidst the debates and heated conversations?
Personally, I’m finding these words from St Peter helpful. Writing to early Christians who were
marginalized by mainstream culture, he pens these words. They’re found in a letter called 1 Peter
found in the NT of our Bibles. He writes:
For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials
he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honour those
who do right.
It is God’s will that your honourable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish
accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an
excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the
king./ 1 Peter 2:13-17
你最终的忠诚是对耶稣的忠诚。
这改变了我们对政治的看法。
但是，在争论和激烈的对话中，我们该如何行为呢？
就个人而言，我发现圣彼得的这些话很有帮助。他写给早期受到主流文化边缘化的基督徒，他
写了这些话。这些话可以在圣经新约的一封名为《彼得前书》的信中找到。他写道：
“为了主的缘故，要顺服一切人的权柄，无论是国王作为国家的元首，还是他所任命的官员。
因为国王差他们来惩罚作恶的，奖赏行善的。要做上帝的旨意，使那些无知言谈的人因你们行
善作美的事而无话可说。因为你们自由，却不可藉着自由遮盖恶毒，总要用奴仆的心维持上帝
的荣耀。要尊敬众人，亲爱弟兄姊妹，敬畏上帝，尊敬君王。” / 彼得前书 2:13-17
There is a lot in these 5 verses. Let be highlight three behaviours from verse 17:
“Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.”/ 1 Peter 2:17
* Fear God = we’ve already discussed the need to give your ultimate allegiance to God.
这 5 节经文中包含很多内容。让我从第 17 节中强调三种行为：
“要尊敬众人，亲爱弟兄姊妹，敬畏上帝，尊敬君王。” / 彼得前书 2:17
敬畏上帝 = 我们已经讨论了需要将你的最终忠诚归给上帝的必要性。
Distinctive Citizens
# 1 “Respect everyone”
At the core of our faith, Christianity has the best foundation for respecting every single person. It
doesn’t matter whether that person identifies as a Christian or not. It doesn’t what code that person
lives by.
Secular society has no solid foundation to promote the respect for every citizen.
But Christians do.
Why?
We believe every person is made in the image of God. There is something in every single human
being that reflects God’s image, even amidst all the brokenness.
Because of that, the life of every single person matters. And every single person deserves respect
because they carry something of God’s image in them.
That’s why Christians should be the strongest promoters of warm dialogue and intelligent debate.
We should be the biggest advocates for freedom of speech and conscience.
We should ensure that every person in our society is protected and valued.
One way we should stand out as distinctive citizens is the way we respect everyone.
独特的公民
1 “尊敬众人”
在我们信仰的核心，基督教有最好的基础来尊重每一个人。无论那个人是否认为自己是基督
徒，无论那个人生活的道德准则是什么。
世俗社会没有坚实的基础来促进对每个公民的尊重。
但基督徒有。
为什么？
我们相信每个人都是按照上帝的形象造成的。每个人身上都有某种东西反映出上帝的形象，即
使在所有的破碎中。
正因为如此，每个人的生命都重要。每个人都应该受到尊重，因为他们身上带有上帝的形象的
一部分。
这就是为什么基督徒应该是温暖的对话和智慧的辩论的最强推动者。我们应该是言论和良心自
由的最大倡导者。
我们应该确保我们社会中的每个人都受到保护和珍视。
我们应该以尊重每个人的方式作为独特的公民而脱颖而出。
Distinctive Citizens
# 2 “Love the family of believers”
One of the many things I love about our church is our diversity - that includes our political diversity. I
have met people in our church who vote right across the political spectrum from the extreme left to
the extreme right. It shows me that it’s possible to disagree politically and still love one another
unconditionally.
This is the way it was with the 12 disciples. I’ve highlighted this before – that Jesus’ group of 12
included Simon the Zealot who hated the Romans and anyone who worked for the Romans.
Especially tax collectors. He was as far left as you could be at the time. Also on the list of disciples is a
man called Matthew. Matthew was a tax collector. He was on Rome’s payroll – as far right as you
could be. Now they have to serve on one team, together. They found a unity in Jesus that changed
the world. It wasn’t on the politics card. It was on the Jesus card.
独特的公民
2 “亲爱弟兄姊妹”
我喜欢我们教会的许多事情之一，那就是我们的多样性 - 包括我们的政治多样性。我在我们教
会中遇到过各种政治立场的人，从极左到极右，都有。这告诉我，在政治上产生分歧，仍然可
以无条件地彼此相爱。
这就是 12 个门徒的情况。我以前已经强调过这一点 - 耶稣的 12 个门徒中包括西门，他是一个
热衷于反对罗马的犹太民族主义者，憎恨罗马人和为罗马人工作的人。特别是税吏。他是当时
极左的代表。门徒名单上还有一个叫马太的人。马太是一个税吏。他在罗马的工资单上 - 是当
时极右的代表。现在他们不得不在同一个团队里一起工作。他们在耶稣里找到了一种改变世界
的团结。这不是因为政治立场，而是因为对耶稣的信仰。
When we do this – we stand out as distinctive citizens.
You may find it hard to understand how a Christian can vote for a party that is not your choice.
But, if we’re honest with ourselves, we have to admit that our political views are shaped by a variety
of things:
• Where we live
• How we were raised
• What we’ve been told
• What we’ve seen
• What we’ve experienced
• What we’ve seen others experience
• That’s before we even get to the weighting we place on a whole lot of biblical values seen
across the political spectrum.
当我们这样做时，我们就成为了独特的公民。
你可能很难理解为什么一个基督徒会投票支持不是你的选择的政党。
但是，如果我们诚实地对待自己，我们必须承认我们的政治观点受到各种各样的因素影响：
·我们居住的地方
·我们的成长方式
·我们听说过的事情
·我们见过的事情
·我们经历过的事情
·我们见过别人经历过的事情
·这还没有考虑到我们对一系列跨越政治的圣经价值观的权重分配。
Christian love is the bridge between those differences.
Jesus didn't command us to agree with one another when it comes to politics.
He commanded us to love one another.
When we do that, it shows we have a bigger commitment that is to Jesus. The more politically
divergent we are – the harder it is to love one another and therefore the brighter our light will shine.
Getting along with people who are just like you and think the way you think is normal.
When we choose to worship with and serve beside those unlike us, who normally may not even like
us, what divides us diminishes, and what unites us surfaces.
基督徒的爱是连接这些差异的桥梁。
耶稣没有命令我们在政治问题上要达成一致。
他命令我们要彼此相爱。
当我们这样做时，这表明我们有一个更大的承诺，那就是对耶稣的承诺。我们在政治上的分歧
越大，彼此相爱就越难，因此我们的光芒就会更加明亮。与那些与你相似，思维方式与你相似
的人相处是正常的。
当我们选择与那些与我们不同，通常可能不喜欢我们的人一起敬拜和事奉时，分隔我们的东西
会减少，而团结我们的东西会浮现出来。
Distinctive Citizens
# 3 “Respect the king”
When Peter uses the word “king” he is talking about political leaders and people in authority.
He says ‘Respect them.’
What makes this teaching so remarkable is that, at the time he wrote this, Peter and his readers were
living in an empire ruled by a tyrant named Nero. He is the ‘king.’
When you dig into history about Nero, here are some things that stand out:
Nero stabbed his mother to death after a failed attempt to drown her. He poisoned an aunt with a
laxative, kicked a pregnant wife to death in the stomach and executed another on a trumped-up
adultery charge. He married a boy named Sporius, whom he had castrated to make more feminine.
He was rumored to have sung an opera while Rome burned. And, he found a scapegoat in Christians
whom he had burned as human candles.
He is deplorable.
独特的公民
3 “尊敬君王”
当彼得使用“君王”这个词时，他是在谈论政治领袖和掌权者。
他说：“尊敬他们。”
这一教导之所以如此引人瞩目，是因为在他写这些话的时候，彼得和他的读者们生活在一个由
一个名叫尼禄的暴君统治的帝国中。他就是“君王”。
当你深入研究关于尼禄的历史时，有一些事情显得特别突出：
尼禄在试图淹死母亲后刺死了她。他用泻药毒死了一个姑姑，用脚踢死了一个怀孕的妻子，并
以杜撰的通奸罪名处死了另一个。他嫁给了一个叫斯波里乌斯的男孩，他已经阉割过，以使他
更加女性化。据传说，他在罗马失火时还唱了一出歌剧。而且，他找到了基督徒作为替罪羊，
将他们点燃为人型蜡烛。
他是可鄙的。
And yet, Peter instructed his readers to respect Nero and submit to those in authority.
Now, we live in a democratic society. So, we can speak up and challenge where necessary.
But, the fundamental idea of respect is to be true of everyone.
Respecting everyone – including leaders from political parties different to yours, and people who
vote for them.
How we speak about others, and how we convey respect for all people – will cause us to stand out as
distinctive citizens.
然而，尽管如此，彼得指示他的读者尊重尼禄并服从那些掌权的人。
现在，我们生活在一个民主社会。所以，我们可以在必要时发表意见并提出挑战。
但是，尊重的基本理念应适用于每个人。
尊重每个人 - 包括来自与你不同政党的领导人和投票支持他们的人。
我们如何谈论他人，以及我们如何表达对所有人的尊重 - 这将使我们成为独特的公民。
CONCLUSION
So, in 4 weeks time, we have an election. Early voting begins in just over 2 weeks.
There will be lots of debate. Lots of dialogue.
It’s in the real world of tensions and debates that we have an opportunity to stand out as distinctive
citizens of a kingdom that is not from this world. But, we follow a leader who stands out as the prince
of peace, and the king of kings.
If it helps – remember this.
结论
所以，再过 4 周，我们将举行选举。提前投票将在 2 周多后开始。
会有很多辩论。很多对话。
在现实世界的紧张和辩论中，我们有机会成为一个不属于这个世界的国度的独特公民。但是，
我们跟随的领袖是和平之君，万王之王。
如果这有所帮助 - 请记住这一点。
At the time of Jesus, Caesar Augustus was leading. He was one of the most successful political
leaders, reigning over sixty-five million people.
But, who would have ever guessed that the most celebrated and influential event to occur during his
reign would be the birth of a baby he never heard of in a province he probably never even visited.
Early in his life, Jesus could have been voted ‘least likely to change the world.’ As one person notes,
Jesus was a simple carpenter from a backward town called Nazareth. He never went to University. He
never wrote a book. He never travelled more than 250km from his home town. But, this is the one
who has made the biggest difference historically and globally, physically and spiritually. Two
thousand years later, we still give our children names like Peter, Paul, and Mary – names of his
followers. And, ironically, we call our dogs by the names of Caesar and Nero. The irony of history.
Let’s be a people that give Caesar what is Caesars and God’s what is Gods. Don’t align Jesus to any
political party. Keep your ultimate allegiance to Jesus. And behave as citizens of a distinct kingdom:
where we respect everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, and respect all those in authority.
PRAYER
CLOSE: Mention interviews this week with the PM etc.
在耶稣时代，奥古斯都·凯撒（Caesar Augustus）是统治者。他是最成功的政治领袖之一，统治
着六千五百万人口。
但是，谁会猜到在他的统治期间最值得庆祝和影响深远的事件之一将是一个他可能从未听说过
的地方生的一个婴儿呢？
在他的早年，耶稣可能会被选为“最不可能改变世界”的人之一。正如有人指出的，耶稣是一个
来自名叫拿撒勒的落后小镇的普通木匠。他从未上过大学。他从未写过一本书。他从未离开家
乡超过 250 公里。但是，这个人在历史上和全球范围内，无论在物质上还是在精神上，都产生
了最大的影响。两千年后，我们仍然给我们的孩子取像彼得、保罗和玛丽这样的名字 - 这些是
他的追随者的名字。具有讽刺意味的是，我们给我们的狗取了凯撒和尼禄这样的名字。历史的
讽刺。
让我们成为一个将属于凯撒的交给凯撒，将属于上帝的交给上帝的人。不要将耶稣与任何政党
挂钩。将你最终的忠诚交给耶稣。并且表现出作为一个不同国度的公民：在那里，我们尊重每
个人，爱上帝的家庭，敬畏上帝，尊重所有当权者。
祷告
结语：提及本周与总理等的采访
