態度

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Life can be hard at times, can’t it?! We need to know ‘how do we endure in the tough times?’

⽣活有时会很艰难，不是吗!我们需要知道“我们如何在艰难的时刻忍耐?””

Today, we’re going to hear three coaching tips that will help you finish the race well.

今天，我们将听到三个指导技巧，它们将帮助你顺利完成⽐赛。

Perhaps you heard this phrase before: “The Christian life is more a marathon than a sprint.”

也许你以前听过这句话:“基督徒的⽣命更像是⼀场⻢拉松赛⽽不是短跑。”

While it’s an apt description of the Christian life – the thought of a marathon scares me. I have never run a marathon. And it’s not something I have on my bucket list.

这是对基督徒⽣命的恰当描述——⼀想到⻢拉松我就害怕。我从来没有跑过⻢拉松。我的愿望清单上也没有这个。

It’s not that I dislike running. I actually love to get out for a jog and clear away a few cobwebs. But, I like to run at a pretty fast pace. So after 15-20 minutes - I’m done. I head home the colour of a beetroot and look like I have been dosed with a firehose!

并不是我不喜欢跑步。实际上，我喜欢出去慢跑，清除⼀些蜘蛛⽹。但是，我喜欢快跑。15-20分钟后，我做完了。我带着甜菜根的颜⾊回家，看起来就像被消防⽔管灌了⼀样!

So when I think a marathon – running for like 4-5 HOURS – that’s a crazy world!

所以当我想到⻢拉松——跑4-5个⼩时——那是⼀个疯狂的世界!

But, I have friends who love marathons. One of them is Campbell Forlong who lives in Raglan. He has completed 52 marathons over 52 weeks – so one a week! He has also competes in ultra-marathons – for fun! Are you familiar with ultra-marathons? They are longer than the 42kms of a standard marathon. So, he recently completed a 73km ultra marathon which 1) off road. … 2) Elevated. … 3) Along rough terrain.

但是，我有朋友喜欢⻢拉松。其中⼀位是住在Raglan的Campbell Forlong。他在52周内跑完了52场⻢拉松，所以是每周跑⼀次!他还参加过超级⻢拉松⽐赛——只是为了好玩!你熟悉超级⻢拉松吗?它们⽐标准⻢拉松的42公⾥还要⻓。因此，他最近完成了⼀场73公⾥的超级⻢拉松。1）它是越野……2)海拔⾼。3)沿着崎岖的地形。

So, when I wanted to know what’s the hardest part of a typical marathon, I checked in with people who know from experience about marathons. And I asked ‘what’s the hardest part?

所以，当我想知道⼀场典型的⻢拉松⽐赛中最难的部分是什么时，我咨询了⼀些有⻢拉松经验的⼈。我问‘最难的部分是什么?

The message that came through again and again is that the hardest part of a marathon is typically between 29 km and 37 km. While different for everyone, most say the hardest part is about 2/3s of the way in. You’ve run a long way. You still have about a third or quarter to go. You can’t see the finish line yet. As one person said, “It can be hard to dig yourself out of this self-wallowing hole. 13 km still to go! That’s over another hour! And I’m already exhausted! I don’t know if I can keep going like this.”

反复出现的信息是，⻢拉松最难的部分通常在29公⾥到37公⾥之间。虽然每个⼈的情况不同，但⼤多数⼈都说最难的部分是在路程的2/3。你跑了很⻓⼀段路。你还有三分之⼀或四分之⼀的路程。你还看不到终点线。就像⼀个⼈说的，“把⾃⼰从这个⾃我沉溺的洞⾥挖出来是很难的。还有13公⾥!还有⼀个多⼩时呢!我已经精疲⼒尽了!我不知道我能不能继续这样跑下去。”

The start is pretty easy. The race is still before you, great crowd around you. That’s also when it comes to this Christian marathon of life. The first few steps are pretty exciting. Getting to the starting line might be hard. Making that choice to be on the course can take a lot of musing. I’m conscious that some of you right now are at the point of exploring faith. If that’s you – it’s great to have you listening in and connecting like this.

开始很简单。⽐赛仍在你⾯前，⼀⼤群⼈围绕着你。这也是基督徒⽣命的⻢拉松。最初的⼏个步骤⾮常令⼈兴奋。到达起跑线可能很难。做出去⽐赛场地的选择需要很多思考。我意识到你们中的⼀些⼈现在正处于探索信仰的阶段。如果这是你的话，有你这样聆听和交流真是太好了。

Typically, when people make that choice to say ‘I’m in. I’m now a follower of Jesus’ - those first weeks can be full of excitement as you set off on a new adventure. It’s like you’re keeping in step with all these fellow runners. All moving in the same direction.

通常情况下，当⼈们做出选择说“我加⼊”时。我现在是耶稣的追随者了”——最初的⼏周会充满兴奋，因为你开始了新的冒险。就好像你和其他跑步者步调⼀致⼀样。都朝着同⼀个⽅向移动。

What’s true for a marathon can also be true in this Christian journey. Somewhere mid-way in the race, – wherever that might be – many Christians hit the wall when it comes to their faith.

适⽤于⻢拉松的道理也适⽤于基督徒旅程。在⽐赛中途的某个地⽅——⽆论那是什么地⽅——许多基督徒的信仰会碰壁。

Here in our reading today, it’s like Peter is taking the role of a coach on the side line – cheering us on when we feel like we’re about to drop out of the race.

在我们今天的阅读中，彼得就像在边线上扮演教练的⻆⾊——当我们觉得⾃⼰要退出⽐赛的时候，他会为我们加油。

Now, Peter doesn't use the image of running here in the passage but it’s a common image throughout Scripture to highlight the journey we’re all on. And Peter IS talking about endurance. When we think of a marathon we think of endurance. There is certainly much in Scripture that calls us to endure and persevere.

现在，彼得在这⼀段中没有使⽤跑步的意象，但这是贯穿经⽂的⼀个常⻅意象，⽤来强调我们所经历的旅程。彼得正在谈论耐⼒。⼀提到⻢拉松，我们就会想到耐⼒。经⽂中确实有很多东⻄呼吁我们忍耐和坚持下去。

Author Eugene Peterson once described the healthy Christian life with a beautiful phrase - A Long Obedience in the Same Direction/ Eugene Peterson. That has the sound like a marathon to me, not a sprint.

作家尤⾦·彼得森曾⽤“恒久专⼀的顺服”这句话来描述健康的基督徒⽣活。这听起来像是⼀场⻢拉松，⽽不是短跑。

It’s a long way – step by step – keeping to the course in front of us.

这是⼀个漫⻓的过程——⼀步⼀步地保持我们⾯前的道路。

The people Peter has in mind are Christians who are finding it tough. They’re feeling the pressure and assault from wider culture. They see the raised eyebrows. All this is beginning to take its toll on them.

They’re about to hit the wall or drop out of the race.

彼得指的是那些觉得困难的基督徒。他们感受到了来⾃更⼴泛⽂化的压⼒和攻击。他们看到了扬起的眉⽑。这⼀切正开始对他们造成伤害。他们要么会碰壁，要么会退出⽐赛。

So, what do we do when we’re about to hit the wall and want to give up?

How is it that we endure? How is it that we keep going?

那么，当我们即将碰壁，想要放弃的时候，我们该怎么办呢?

我们是如何忍耐的?我们是如何坚持下去的?

Peter has three coaching tips here in our passage. What he says here in 1 Peter 4 is designed to help us endure.

彼得在我们的经⽂中有三个指导技巧。他在《彼得前书》第4章说的是为了帮助我们忍耐。

Here is the first one:

这是第⼀个：

#1 Don’t be surprised when the race gets hard, but be encouraged that Jesus ran the same race

第⼀条:当⽐赛变得艰难时，不要感到惊讶，但要为耶稣参加了同样的⽐赛⽽感到⿎舞

He says:

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were

happening to you. / 1 Peter 4:12

他说

亲爱的，有⽕⼀般的考验临到你们，不要奇怪，似乎是遭遇⾮常的事； (彼得前书4:12)

Here is the thing: We all intuitively know that injustice is not the way it’s meant to be.

事情是这样的:我们都凭直觉知道，不公正不是它注定的样⼦。

And so, when you are accused of something you haven’t done, or someone calls you some derogative name that isn’t true– it hurts. It’s unjust.

所以，当你被指控做了⼀件你没做过的事，或者有⼈⽤⼀些不真实的贬损的名字称呼你-它很伤⼈。它并不公义。

So, it’s natural to feel slanted. To feel hurt. We want to push back and get a fair hearing.

所以，感觉有偏⻅是⾃然的。感觉受伤也是⾃然的。我们想反击，争取⼀个公平的听证会。

When it happens, you might be surprised by the kind of behaviour you have to endure as a Christian – because the experience of injustice is never the way the world was designed to be.

当这种情况发⽣时，你可能会对你作为⼀个基督徒必须忍受的那种⾏为感到惊讶—因为不公正的经历从来都不是这个世界本来被设计的样⼦。

But, Peter knows that this world IS broken in all sorts of ways. So he says – ‘don’t be surprised by some fiery trials that might come your way.’ He’s not saying it’s right. The truth is ‘it’s not right. It’s not just. It’s not fair.’

但是，彼得知道这个世界在各个⽅⾯都被破坏了。所以他说——“不要奇怪有⽕⼀般的考验临到你们“他不是说这是对的。事实是‘这是不对的。这是不公正的。这是不公平的。

Peter is trying to adjust our expectations because he wants us to stay in the race.

彼得正在努⼒调整我们的预期，因为他想让我们留在⽐赛中。

He knows there are going to be times when an obstacle is placed in front of you that seems way too hard to get over or around. Or you will face some hill that seems way too high to run – and your legs are already fatigued. Or, the terrain suddenly gets rough. Or you see that long stretch of road that never ever seems to end.

他知道，有时候，摆在你⾯前的障碍似乎很难克服或绕过。或者你将⾯对⼀座似乎⾼得跑不动的⼭——你的腿已经很累了。或者，地形突然变得崎岖不平。或者你看到那条似乎永远没有尽头的路。

It’s that 29km mark in our faith when we’re out of breath and then the challenge comes. The motivation to stay in this Christian journey is at an all-time low.

我们信仰会遇到像是跑了29公⾥的时候我们喘不上⽓来，然后挑战就来了。继续留在这个基督徒的旅程中的动机是空前的低。

Peter is trying to prepare us to face such times. He understands that if can adjust our expectations to assume we will face issues and difficulties – then we will be better equipped to keep running the race.

彼得想让我们做好⾯对这种时刻的准备。他明⽩，如果我们能调整我们的期望，假设我们将⾯临问题和困难，那么我们就能更好地继续⽐赛。

He’s not the sort of coach that says ‘you’re going to love every part of this marathon. It’s all going to be so much fun. What could be hard!?’ Rather, he is honest and upfront – Don’t be surprised when the race gets hard.

他不是那种会说“你会爱上这场⻢拉松⽐赛的每⼀部分”的教练。⼀切都会很有趣的。有什么难的!?相反，他是诚实和坦率的——当⽐赛变得艰难时，不要感到惊讶。

The apostle Paul said something similar:

使徒保罗也说过类似的话

“everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution..”/ 2 Timothy 3:12

其实，凡⽴志在基督耶稣⾥敬虔度⽇的，也都将受迫害。 (提摩太后书3:12)

I’ve never heard anyone having that as their life verse!

我从来没听过有⼈把这句话当作他们的⽣命经⽂!

It’s a clear and common theme through Scripture. Jesus himself said:

这是圣经中⼀个清晰⽽共同的主题。耶稣说:

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world…”/ John 15:19

你们若属世界，世界会爱属⾃⼰的；只因你们不属世界… (约翰福⾳15:19)

In other words, If you went with the flow, believed the same things as people in wider culture, if you didn’t stand out – the culture around you would love you as one of its own. But, the thing is – if you’re a follower of Jesus, you are not of this world. Jesus says ‘You are on my team. You bear my name. You stand out because of your distinctive way of life.’

换句话说，如果你随波逐流，和更⼴泛的⽂化中的⼈相信同样的事情，如果你不与众不同—你周围的⽂化会把你当作⾃⼰⽂化中的⼀员来爱你。但是，问题是——如果你是耶稣的追随者，你就不是这个世界的⼈。耶稣说‘你是我的队友。你印有我的名字。你与众不同的⽣活⽅式让你脱颖⽽出。”

Jesus went on: “I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? …Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you./ John 15:19-20

耶稣⼜说: “我从世界中拣选了你们，所以世界就恨你们。 你们要记得我对你们说过的话：‘仆⼈不⼤于主⼈。’他们若迫害了我，也会迫害你们，他们若遵守了我的话，也会遵守你们的话。(约翰福⾳15:19-20)

Remember what they did to Jesus? They shunned him. They cancelled him. So – don’t be surprised if they don’t listen to you, if they don’t respect you, or if the race gets hard.

还记得他们对耶稣做了什么吗?他们回避他。他们取消了他。所以，如果他们不听你的，如果他们不尊重你，或者如果⽐赛变得艰难，不要感到惊讶。

Then, Peter gives some encouragement:

然后，彼得给了⼀些⿎励:

Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will

have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. / 1 Peter 4:13 (NLT)

倒要欢喜，因为你们是与基督⼀同受苦，使你们在他荣耀显现的时候也可以欢喜快乐。 (彼得前书4:13)

Jesus was hit with the same challenges – and he got through them. When he finished the race, he was seated in the place of honour.

耶稣也遇到过同样的挑战，他都挺过来了。当他完成⽐赛时，他坐在了荣誉席上。

A couple chapters earlier Peter has already told us that Jesus is our example when it comes to enduring suffering:

在前⼏章，彼得已经告诉我们，耶稣是我们忍受苦难的榜样:

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps…When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly/ 1 Peter 2:21, 23 (NIV)

基督也为你们受过苦，给你们留下榜样，为要使你们跟随他的脚踪。...他被辱骂不还⼝，受害也不说威吓的话，只将⾃⼰交托给公义的审判者。 (彼得前书2:21,23)

Some of you right now feel like you’re at the end of yourself: mentally confused; emotionally drained; physically exhausted; spiritually spent. In those times, everything within us wants to give up.

你们中的⼀些⼈现在感觉⾃⼰到了尽头:精神错乱;情绪低落;身体疲惫;精神缺⽋。在那些时候，我们内⼼的⼀切都想放弃。

From a purely human perspective, we often think this is the worst possible situation to be in. But from a divine perspective, this is what actually can draw us closer to Jesus. In fact, we’re never more dependent on the Holy Spirit’s strength than when we’ve come to the absolute end of ourselves, or to use Peter’s language – when “we become a partner with Christ in his suffering.”

从⼈类的⻆度来看，我们常常认为这是最糟糕的情况。但从神的⻆度来看，这实际上能让我们更接近耶稣。事实上，当我们达到绝对的极限，或者⽤彼得的话来说——“我们成为基督的苦难中的伙伴”时，我们是最依赖圣灵的⼒量的。

Peter understands that there is an affinity we share with Jesus. And that your pain is providing you an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus, to have an affinity with him.

彼得明⽩我们与耶稣有⼀种相似之处。你的痛苦为你提供了⼀个接近耶稣的机会，与他亲近。

When we experience the pain that other people have faced – we tend to have an affinity with them.

当我们经历别⼈所⾯临的痛苦时，我们更会与他们有密切关系。

It might be the couple who has struggled to get pregnant and they meet in a support group.

Immediately, there is a connection – a shared understanding that comes through disappointment and pain. That’s the idea here - when we experience slander, loss, injustice – it gives us a greater affinity with Jesus.

这可能是⼀对努⼒怀孕的夫妇，他们在⼀个互助⼩组中相遇。很快，就有了⼀种联系——从失望和痛苦中获得共同的理解。这就是这⾥的想法——当我们经历诽谤、损失、不公时——这让我们与耶稣有了更⼤的密切关系。

Peter wants to encourage us by reminding us that Jesus ran the same race. That Jesus understands the pressure and pain points.

彼得想要⿎励我们，提醒我们耶稣也跑过同样的赛跑。耶稣了解压⼒和痛点

So how do we endure when the race gets tough?

那么，当竞争变得激烈时，我们该如何忍耐呢?

As a coach, hear Peter cheering you on from the side line:

作为教练，听到彼得在边线为你加油

#1 Don’t be surprised when the race gets hard, but be encouraged that Jesus ran the same race (vv 12-13)

第⼀条:当⽐赛变得艰难时，不要感到惊讶，但耶稣也曾参加过同样的⽐赛，这值得⿎励(12-13节)

Then, as a coach, he shares his next coaching tip:

然后，作为⼀名教练，他分享了他的下⼀个教练技巧:

#2 Don’t be ashamed about Jesus – but be honoured to be part of His team (vv 14-16)

不要以耶稣为耻——但要以成为他团队的⼀员为荣(14-16节)

Some of Peter’s original readers were finding life particularly hard.

彼得最初的⼀些读者发现⽣活特别艰难。

They may have been living good lives and being a blessing to others, but …

他们也许过得很好，也称为了别⼈的祝福，但是……

… Some of them were losing their jobs.

他们中的⼀些⼈失去了⼯作。

… Some of them faced mistreatment and abuse.

他们中的⼀些⼈遭到了虐待。

… Some of them had their good names trashed.

有些⼈的好名声被毁了。

… Later some of them would be thrown to the lions, burnt as human candles.

后来，他们中的⼀些⼈会被扔给狮⼦，像⼈蜡烛⼀样燃烧。

You see, throughout history and all around the world, followers of Jesus have faced difficulty.

你看，纵观历史和世界各地，耶稣的追随者都⾯临着困难。

Right now, there are Christians in other countries in prison because of their faith. It was illegal for them to meet and illegal to talk publicly about Jesus - but they did. They are now in prison.

现在，在其他国家有基督徒因为他们的信仰⽽被关进监狱。他们⻅⾯和公开谈论耶稣都是违法的，但他们确实这么做了。他们现在被关在监狱⾥。

Some of you can relate to this – because you can’t return to your country of origin because of your conversion to Christianity. I’ve heard your stories. I’ve been part of some of your immigration applications.

你们中的⼀些⼈可能会有同感，因为你不能回到你的原籍国，因为你皈依了基督教。我听过你们的故事。我参与了你们的⼀些移⺠申请。

But here in NZ - we’re not in the same situation. We are not being thrown into prison for our faith. In NZ, it’s legal to convert to Christianity. In NZ, we are able to meet legally and publicly as followers of Jesus. We don’t want to miss all the things we have to be thankful for or pretend that everyone is out to get us.

但在新⻄兰，我们的情况不⼀样。我们不是因为信仰⽽被关进监狱的。在新⻄兰，皈依基督教是合法的。在新⻄兰，我们可以作为耶稣的追随者合法和公开地⻅⾯。我们不想错过所有我们应该感谢的事情，也不想假装每个⼈都想要伤害我们。

Having said all this, let’s not minimize the increasingly hostility Christians are facing here in NZ.

说了这么多，让我们不要低估基督徒在新⻄兰⾯临的⽇益增⻓的敌意。

The public disdain is not a figment of our imagination. No amount of PR work is going to rescue the church from being thought by some as backwards and bigoted.

公众的蔑视并不是我们想象出来的。再多的公关⼯作也⽆法挽救教会被⼀些⼈认为是落后和偏执的。

The pressure may well get harder – making it feel like we’re at the 29km mark of the a long marathon.

压⼒可能会变得更⼤——让⼈感觉我们已经到了⻢拉松⽐赛的29公⾥。

With all this in mind, Peter writes:

考虑到这些，彼得写道:

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you./ 1 Peter 4:14.

你们若为基督的名受辱骂是有福的，因为荣耀的灵，就是上帝的灵，在你们身上。 (彼得前书4:14)

Though we use the name “Christian” quite commonly today, the name “Christian” appears only three times in the New Testament. We’re told in the book of Acts that “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” The term was most likely a derogatory title used by opponents of Christianity to “label” these disciples. Look at those ‘Christ-ones’ – the Christians.

虽然我们今天相当普遍地使⽤“基督徒”这个名字，但“基督徒”这个名字在《新约》中只出现过三次。使徒⾏传告诉我们，“⻔徒最初在安提阿被称为基督徒。”这个词很可能是基督教反对者⽤来“标签”这些⻔徒的贬义词。看看那些“属基督的⼈们”——基督教徒。

People love to put labels on others – then and today.

⽆论是过去还是现在，⼈们都喜欢给别⼈贴上标签。⽆论是过去还是现在，⼈们都喜欢给别⼈贴上标签。

Several names or descriptions tend to be thrown around these days: bigoted, irrelevant, fundamentalist.

这些天来，有⼏个名字或描述常常被扔来扔去:偏执的、⽆关紧要的、原教旨主义者。

In such times, it’s understandable we want to bail from the race.

在这种时候，我们想退出⽐赛是可以理解的

But coach Peter says: Don’t be ashamed about Jesus – but be honoured to be part of His team.

但是彼得教练说:不要以耶稣为耻，要以成为他团队的⼀员为荣

Where did he get this idea?

他从哪⾥得到这个想法的?

Wasn’t it Jesus himself who said that we are blessed when people persecute us?

Listen to these words from Jesus’ sermon on the Mount:

不是耶稣⾃⼰说过，当别⼈逼迫我们的时候，我们是有福的吗?

听⼀听耶稣在登⼭宝训的这些话:

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”/ Words of Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12

为义受迫害的⼈有福了！因为天国是他们的。“⼈若因我辱骂你们，迫害你们，捏造各样坏话毁谤你们，你们就有福了！ 要欢喜快乐，因为你们在天上的赏赐是很多的。在你们以前的先知，⼈也是这样迫害他们。”(⻢太福⾳5:10-12)

This has been the way for the people of God since the beginning.

神的百姓从太初就是这样⾏。

When people turn their back on you - remember many turned their back on Jesus\

当⼈们背弃你的时候——记住，许多⼈背弃耶稣

When people slander your good name – remember many did the same to Jesus

当⼈们诋毁你的好名声时——请记住，许多⼈对耶稣也是这样做的

When people seek to cancel you – remember they cancelled Jesus.

当⼈们试图废除你-记住他们废除了耶稣。

Jesus looks you in the eye and says “you’re blessed!” “Consider it an honour that you are part of my team and bear my name – a Christian, a Christ-one.”

耶稣看着你的眼睛说:“你是有福的!“把作为我团队的⼀员并印有我的名字当作⼀种荣耀——⼀名基督徒，⼀名基督教徒。”

The All Blacks Rugby team often talk about the pride they experience when they wear that black jersey and head onto Eden Park. They represent something, someone bigger than themselves. It’s like persecution is our Jersey. Jesus says, ‘wear it with pride. You are part of my honoured team.’

全⿊橄榄球队经常谈论他们穿着⿊⾊球⾐前往伊甸园公园时的⾃豪感。他们代表着某种东⻄，⽐⾃⼰更伟⼤的⼈。好像迫害是我们的球⾐。耶稣说:“满怀骄傲地穿上它。你是我光荣团队的⼀员。”

But Peter also knows that some suffering is actually deserved. So he says:

但彼得也知道有些痛苦是应得的。所以他说:

If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. /1 Peter 4:15 (NLT)

你们中间，不可有⼈因为杀⼈、偷窃、作恶、好管闲事⽽受苦。 (彼得前书4:15)

That kind of suffering is on you.

那种痛苦是你⾃⼰应受的。

Peter gives obvious cases – murder and stealing will of course have some justified penalties by the governmental authorities.

彼得给出了明显的案例——谋杀和偷窃当然会受到政府当局合理的惩罚。

Then he talks about moral and social offenses. How we can needlessly align ourselves with causes and activities that are not at the heart of the good news of Jesus. We can wrongly annoy and irritate our colleagues and neighbours. Or we can meddle unnecessarily into people affairs. Or we're tactless.

然后他谈到道德和社会过错。我们如何不必要地把⾃⼰与不是耶稣好消息核⼼的原因和活动联系在⼀起。我们可能会错误地惹恼和激怒我们的同事和邻居。或者我们可以不必要地⼲涉⼈们的事务。或者我们不明智。

See, if you’re talking about your Christian faith in an abrasive way, an insensitive way, a culturally inappropriate way, and people oppose you, don’t say, “I am being persecuted for Jesus’s sake!” No, you are being persecuted for your sake.

看，如果你在谈论你的基督教信仰时⽤⼀种粗暴的⽅式，⼀种漠不关⼼的⽅式，⼀种⽂化上不合适的⽅式，⼈们反对你，不要说:“我是为耶稣的缘故被迫害的!”不，你被迫害是因为你的缘故。

But coach Peter encourage us to keep on going for Jesus. So, he gives a couple of lines here that are absolutely treasures:

但彼得教练⿎励我们为耶稣继续前进。所以，他在这⾥写了⼏⾏绝对值得珍藏的经⽂:

But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!/ 1 Peter 4:16

若有⼈因是基督徒⽽受苦，不要引以为耻，倒要因这名⽽归荣耀给上帝。 (彼得前书4:16)

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you./ 1 Peter 4:14

你们若为基督的名受辱骂是有福的，因为荣耀的灵，就是上帝的灵，在你们身上。 (彼得前书4:14)

The same Spirit that rested on Jesus as a Dove – that same Spirit rests upon you.

就是那住在耶稣身上如鸽⼦⼀样的圣灵，也住在你们身上。

His power.

他的权⼒。

His presence.

他的存在。

He is able to sustain you.

他能⽀持你。

Jesus says ‘you are blessed. Wear that name ‘Christian’ with the realisation that Jesus honours you. His Spirit rests upon you. It’s a privilege to hear his name.

耶稣说:“你是有福的。带着“基督徒”这个名字，要认识到耶稣是荣耀你的。他的灵住在你身

上。能听到他的名字是我们的荣幸。

So how do we endure when the race gets tough?

那么，当⽐赛变得激烈时，我们该如何忍耐呢?

We’ve heard two chants from Coach Peter as he screams out to us from the side lines to encourage us: “keep on going!”

我们听到了彼得教练的两声呼喊，他从边线向我们⼤声呼喊，⿎励我们:“继续前进!”

#1 Don’t be surprised when the race gets hard, but be encouraged that Jesus ran the same race (vv 12-13)

#1当⽐赛变得艰难时，不要感到惊讶，但耶稣也曾参加过同样的⽐赛，这值得⿎励(12-13节)

#2 Don’t be ashamed about Jesus – but be honoured to be part of His team (vv 14-16)

#2不要以耶稣为耻——但要以成为他团队的⼀员为荣(14-16节)

He has one more thing to say:

他还有⼀件事要说:

#3 Don’t be short-sighted about this tough patch, but keep your eyes on the finish line (vv 17-19)

#3不要⽬光短浅得看待这个艰难的阶段，但要保持你的眼睛盯着终点线(17-19节)

When you hit that 29km mark – it’s easy to give up. So, Peter reminds us about what is to come.

当你跑到29公⾥的时候，你很容易放弃。所以，彼得提醒我们接下来会发⽣什么

He’s mentioned this before. Earlier in the chapter he has said:

他之前提到过。在本章的前⾯，他说过

Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead./ 1 Peter 4:4-5

在这些事上，他们⻅你们不与他们同奔放荡⽆度的路就以为怪，毁谤你们。 他们必须在那位将要审判活⼈死⼈的主⾯前交账。 (彼得前书4:4-5)

Perhaps you might feel like you’re losing out on something because of your faith.

也许你会觉得⾃⼰因为信仰⽽失去了⼀些东⻄。

Because of your faith, you maintain integrity at work. So you lose that account.

因为你的信仰，你在⼯作中保持正直。所以你失去了这个客户。

Or you advocate for someone that is mistreated unfairly – and the group turns on you.

或者你为受到不公平对待的⼈辩护——⽽这个群体转⽽攻击你。

Or because you don’t laugh at that joke about someone in the office –you’re accused of failing to be a team player.

或者因为你不笑办公室⾥某⼈的笑话——你被指责没有团队合作精神。

Or because You don't go to that party, you’re seen as a social reject.

或者因为你不去参加派对，你就会被视为社会弃⼉。

Or because you refuse to do things that others do - you miss out on being in the ‘in- group.’

或者因为你拒绝做别⼈会做的事情——你就错过了融⼊“圈⼦”的机会。

Your name might be trashed. You might be misunderstood.

你的名字可能会被毁。你可能会被误解。

It’s easy to ask in this times: is it worth it?

在这个时代，我们很容易问:这值得吗?

So, Peter says Don’t be short-sighted about this tough patch, but keep your eyes on the finish line.

所以，彼得说，不要对这艰难的时刻⽬光短浅，但要把你的眼睛放在终点线上。

You may not be able to see the finish line.

你可能看不到终点线。

Sometimes all you can see is the hill. It’s steep. Your body aches. You don’t know if you can make it.

有时你能看到的只有⼭丘。这是陡峭的。你的身体疼痛。你不知道⾃⼰能不能做到。

Sometimes all you see are the obstacles that stand in your way, making it hard to keep going.

有时你所看到的只是阻碍你前进的障碍。

Peter continues:

彼得继续说:

So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it./ 1 Peter 4:19 (MSG)

所以，照上帝旨意受苦的⼈要⼀⼼为善，将⾃⼰的灵魂交给那信实的造物主。(彼得前书4:19)

That word ‘trust’ means to place something in the care of another. You entrust them with what you value. It’s one of the last words Jesus cried from the cross:

“Father I entrust my spirit into your hands” / Luke 23:46 (NLT)

“信任”这个词的意思是把某物交给另⼀个⼈保管。你把你看重的东⻄托付给他们。这是耶稣在⼗字架上喊出的最后⼀句话之⼀:

“⽗啊，我将我的灵交在你⼿⾥！ (路加福⾳23:46)

We trust him with our education, our business, our finances, our families, our relationships, our happiness, our security, our families well-being…

我们在我们的教育、我们的事业、我们的财务、我们的家庭、我们的⼈际关系、我们的幸福、我们的安全、我们的家庭幸福上都信任他……

Rather than look at the obstacle or what we might be missing out on– we keep our eyes on the finish line. We entrust ourselves to him who will bring justice and make all things right.

我们的眼睛盯着终点线，⽽不是盯着障碍或我们可能会错过的东⻄。我们把⾃⼰托付给他，他会带来正义，让⼀切都变得正确。

The idea of a marathon might give you the impression that you need to try harder. That’s not the idea. It’s certainly got nothing to do with our running speed in life. Instead, it has everything to do with staying the course. Taking step after step after step; that long obedience in the same direction.

⻢拉松的想法可能会给你⼀种你需要更加努⼒的印象。不是这个意思。这与我们⽣活中的奔跑速度毫⽆关系。相反，它与坚持到底有关。迈出⼀步⼜⼀步;恒久专⼀的顺服。

We do that by entrusting ourselves to our Creator day-after-day. And keeping our eyes on the finish line.

我们通过⽇复⼀⽇地把⾃⼰托付给我们的造物主来做到这⼀点。⼀直盯着终点线。

This is how others were able to finish their race.

其他⼈就是这样完成⽐赛的。

I think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who said ‘‘No, we won’t bow to some statue. We will worship God alone.’ What happened? They were thrown into a fire.

我想到了沙得拉、⽶煞和亚伯尼歌，他们说:“不，我们不会向什么⾦像鞠躬。我们要单独敬拜神。然后发⽣什么了呢?他们被扔进了⽕⾥。

I think of Daniel who was told ‘you can’t pray to anyone but the governing king.’ What happened? He was thrown into a lion’s den.

我想起了但以理，他被告知“你不能向除了王以外的⼈祷告。”然后发⽣什么了呢?他被扔进了狮⼦坑。

I think of Esther who risked her position and life as Queen to protect her people from genocide. It was a scary time for her.

我想到以斯帖，她冒着⼥王的身份和⽣命危险保护她的⼈⺠免遭种族灭绝。那段时间对她来说很可怕。

I think of Peter and James who stood before the Sanhedrin who weeks earlier had orchestrated the crucifixion of Jesus. They were told to stop talking publicly about Jesus. Peter and John said - ‘no, we won’t stop talking about the One who is able to change lives.’

我想起了彼得和雅各，他们站在⼏周前策划了耶稣被钉死在⼗字架上的公会前。他们被告知不要公开谈论耶稣。彼得和约翰说:“不，我们⼀直在谈论那位能改变⼈的⽣命的主。

We’re told that what got all of them through the severe challenges that were thrown at them on their journey– was that they looked to the finish line.

我们被告知，是什么让他们在征途中经受住了严峻的挑战——是他们注视着终点线。

After talking about such people in the book of Hebrews, the author then looks at you and me and

says:

在希伯来书中谈到这些⼈之后，作者看着你和我说:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith./ Hebrews 12:1-2.

所以，既然我们有这许多⻅证⼈如同云彩围绕着我们，就该卸下各样重担和紧紧缠累的罪，以坚忍的⼼奔那摆在我们前头的路程， 仰望我们信⼼的创始成终者耶稣，他因那摆在前⾯的喜乐，轻看羞辱，忍受了⼗字架的苦难，如今已坐在上帝宝座的右边。 (希伯来书12:1-2)

So, Don’t be short-sighted about this tough patch, but keep your eyes on the finish line

所以，不要⽬光短浅得看待这⼀艰难的阶段，但要保持你的眼睛盯在终点线

After all, the Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint. When we hit that 29km mark – it can be rough.

毕竟，基督徒的⽣命是⼀场⻢拉松，⽽不是短跑。当我们到达29公⾥的时候，会很艰难。

My prayer for you is that you would run well and finish well.

我为你祷告，你能跑得好，完成得好。

That each of us can say what the Apostle said as he looked down the barrel of further suffering:

我们每个⼈都能说出使徒在⾯对更多苦难时所说的话:

I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace./ Acts 20:24

我却不以性命为念，只要⾛完我的路程，完成我从主耶稣所领受的职分，为上帝恩典的福⾳作⻅证。(使徒⾏传20:24)

What keeps you going is what Peter – as our coach – has said to us today:

让你们坚持下去的是我们的教练彼得今天对我们说的:

#1 Don’t be surprised when the race gets hard, but be encouraged that Jesus ran the same race

#1 当⽐赛变得艰难时，不要感到惊讶，但耶稣也参加了同样的⽐赛，这值得⿎励

#2 Don’t be ashamed about Jesus – but be honoured to be part of His team

#2不要以耶稣为耻——但要以成为他团队的⼀员为荣

#3 Don’t be short-sighted about this tough patch, but keep your eyes on the finish line

#3不要⽬光短浅得看待这⼀艰难的阶段，但要保持你的眼睛盯在终点线

Keep running a good race – that long obedience in the same direction.

保持跑好⽐赛——恒久专⼀的顺服