热情好客
I don’t know what comes to your mind or what you feel when you hear the word “church”, but my hunch is it’s a far cry from what the people in the first century thought of when they thought of that initial gathering.
我不知道当你听到“教会”这个词时，你会想到什么，或有什么感觉，但我的直觉是，这与⼀世纪时⼈们对最初聚会的想法相距甚远.
So, what comes to your mind when you think of ‘church.’?
那么，当你想到“教会”的时候，你会想到什么?
It might be a building.
Or, it might be bands.
Or, it might be budgets
它可能是⼀座建筑。
或者，可能是乐队。
或者，可能是乐队。
But, the early church had none of these things that start with the letter ‘b.’ At least in the way we have them today. Instead, at the very, very beginning, the church began as a dynamic movement. This movement was built around a very simple idea, that Jesus was, in fact, who Jesus claimed to be. That Jesus had promised to renew all things. And that they had seen the resurrected Jesus and his empty tomb. It was this event of his resurrection and it was the testimony by eyewitnesses to that event that basically launched the church.
但是，早期的教会没有任何这些以字⺟“b”开头的东⻄。⾄少没有像我们现在这样。相反，在最开始的时候，教会是以⼀场动态的运动开始的。这场运动建⽴在⼀个⾮常简单的理念上，那就是耶稣，事实上，就是耶稣⾃称的那个⼈。耶稣应许要更新万物。他们看到了复活的耶稣和他空空的坟墓。正是他复活的这⼀事件，以及⽬击者对这⼀事件的⻅证，基本上推动了教会的发展。
Sadly, we know from history that a dynamic movement can easily become a frozen institution. Perhaps you’ve seen that change before. It happens when people gets fixated on things like buildings, bands and budgets - or programmes, traditions, and personal preferences. None of these need be wrong. But, history shows us that when we place our primary focus on these things – we fail to experience church as a dynamic movement – and that everyone in this movement has a role to play.
可悲的是，历史告诉我们，⼀个充满活⼒的运动很容易变成⼀个僵化的机构。也许你以前看到过这种变化。当⼈们专注于建筑、乐队和预算——或者节⽬、传统和个⼈偏好时，这种情况就会发⽣。这些不⼀定是错的。但是，历史告诉我们，当我们把我们的主要注意⼒放在这些事情上时，我们就⽆法体会到教会是⼀场充满活⼒的运动，⽽在这场运动中，每个⼈都有⾃⼰的⻆⾊。
We have an underlying question that underpins this series on Seismic Shifts: ‘how did the early church not only survive but thrive amidst all the challenges the church faced?’
我们有⼀个根本性的问题来⽀持这个“巨变”系列:“早期教会如何在⾯临的所有挑战中不仅⽣存下来，⽽且茁壮成⻓?””
How did it survive 70 AD when all of ancient Judaism came to a screeching halt - when the temple was torn down, the city was invaded, and all the Jews were thrown out of Jerusalem? How did it survive the power of Rome and the power of Jewish Religious Leaders who sought to eradicate the church? And how did these largely uneducated people with such skimpy resources impact the wider culture of their day?
它是如何在公元70年，当所有的古代犹太教嘎然⽽⾄——圣殿被拆毁，城市被⼊侵，所有的犹太⼈被赶出耶路撒冷时幸存下来的?它是如何在罗⻢的势⼒和试图消灭教会的犹太宗教领袖的势⼒下存活下来的?这些资源贫乏、基本未受教育的⼈是如何影响他们那个时代更⼴泛的⽂化的?
I love the way Michael Green – the author of ’30 years that changed the world’ sums it up:
“In the years between AD33 and 64 a new movement was born. In those thirty years it got sufficient growth and credibility to become the largest religion the world has ever seen and to change the lives of hundreds of millions of people. It has spread into every corner of the globe and has more than two billion adherents. It has had an indelible impact on civilisation, on culture, on education, on medicine, on freedom, and of course on the lives of countless people worldwide. … It began with a dozen men and a handful of women: and then the Spirit came.” / 30 years that changed the world by Michael Green.
我喜欢《改变世界的30年》⼀书的作者迈克尔·格林的总结:
在公元33年到64年间，⼀场新的运动诞⽣了。在这三⼗年⾥，它得到了⾜够的发展和信誉，成为世界上有史以来最⼤的宗教，并改变了数亿⼈的⽣活。它已经传播到世界的每个⻆落，拥有超过20亿的追随者。它对⽂明、⽂化、教育、医学、⾃由，当然也对全世界⽆数⼈的⽣活产⽣了不可磨灭的影响。⼀开始有⼗⼏个男⼠和少数⼏个⼥⼠，然后圣灵来了。/迈克尔·格林著《改变世界的30年》。
So far in Acts, we’ve seen how the story began with a handful of people meeting in the upper room of a house with the message of the kingdom in their hands (seismic shift #1), and the Spirit of God dwelling in their lives (seismic shift #2), they poured into the streets of Jerusalem just two months after the resurrection. They declared that Jesus, who was crucified right outside these walls rose from the dead right outside these walls, and we are eyewitnesses to a resurrected Saviour. And suddenly, the city of Jerusalem was turned on its head.
到⽬前为⽌，在使徒⾏传中，我们已经看到了故事是如何开始的，⼀群⼈在⼀所房⼦的上层房间会⾯。在他们⼿中带着天国的信息(巨变#1)，神的灵居住在他们的⽣命中(巨变#2)，他们在复活后两个⽉就涌上耶路撒冷的街道。他们宣称，就在城墙外被钉上⼗字架的耶稣从死⾥复活了，就在城墙外，我们⻅证了这位复活的救世主。突然间，耶路撒冷城发⽣了翻天覆地的变化。
On the first day, three thousand came to believe. Within another couple of weeks, Luke tells us that number had multiplied (remember seismic shift #3) to over five thousand men, plus women and children. All of them had embraced the idea that Jesus was the Messiah of God, that he had died on the cross for the sins of the world, and had risen from the dead, and was offering them relationship, life and freedom.
第⼀天，3000⼈相信了。路加告诉我们，在接下来的⼏周内，这个数字翻了⼀番(还记得巨变#3吗?)，超过5000名男性，外加妇⼥和⼉童。他们都信奉耶稣是上帝的弥赛亚，他为世⼈的罪⽽死在⼗字架上，并从死⾥复活，给了他们关系、⽣命和⾃由。
What happened next?
I want you to notice here at the end of Acts 2 the simple and dynamic movement that the early church enjoyed: Luke says: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved./ Acts 2:42-47
接下来发⽣了什么?
我想让你们注意在使徒⾏传第⼆章的结尾早期教会喜欢的简单⽽有活⼒的运动：
路加说，他们都专注于使徒的教导和彼此的团契，擘饼和祈祷。众⼈都⼼存敬畏；使徒们⼜⾏了许多奇事神迹。信的⼈都聚在⼀处，凡物公⽤， ⼜卖了⽥产和家业，照每⼀个⼈所需要的分给他们。 他们天天同⼼合意恒切地在圣殿⾥敬拜，且在家中擘饼，存着欢喜坦诚的⼼⽤饭， 赞美上帝，得全体百姓的喜爱。主将得救的⼈天天加给他们。(使徒⾏传2:42-47 )
Did you notice where they met? They met in temple courts – until eventually they were kicked out. And, they met in homes. As you read through your Acts devotions this week, I want you to notice how much this idea of ‘house’ or ‘home’ comes up throughout this story of Acts.
153/5000
你注意到他们在哪⾥⻅⾯了吗?他们在圣殿的院⼦会⾯，直到最后他们被赶了出来。他们在家中聚会。当你们阅读这周使徒⾏传的灵修⼿册时，我希望你们注意到，在使徒⾏传的故事中，“房⼦”或“家”的概念出现了多少次。
153/5000
Luke tells us about the way they met in the house of Jason, and Justus and Philip. (Acts 17:5; 18:7; 21:8). He tells us about the way they met in homes for prayer (12:12), communion, (20:7), evangelism (10:22), for connection.
It’s summed up nicely here in Acts 20 where we read that:
“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly
and from house to house.”/ Acts 20:20
路加告诉我们他们是如何在耶孙，犹⼠都和腓利家⾥相遇的。(使徒⾏传17:5;18:7;21:8)。他告诉我们他们在家⾥聚会的⽅式，祷告(12:12)，擘饼(20:7)，传福⾳(10:22)，为了彼此联结。使徒⾏传第20章很好地总结了这⼀点
你们也知道，凡对你们有益的，我没有⼀样隐瞒不说的，或在公众⾯前，或在每⼀个⼈的家⾥，我都教导你们，
(使徒⾏传20:20)
Though they were a megachurch from day one – with 3000 people coming to faith - they found ways to stay small. It’s this idea of a ‘big little church’ we considered a couple of weeks ago. They were large – but they kept it relational.The way they did this is placing a high priority on the home as the central hub of this dynamic and attractive movement. It’s why when you read most of the NT letters – you will find comments like:
Give my greetings to …Nympha and the church in her house. / Colossians 4:15
Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house./ 1 Corinthians 16:19
The home was the centre of community life and mission.
虽然他们从第⼀天开始就是⼀个⼤教会——有3000⼈来信——但他们设法保持⼩规模。这就是我们⼏个星期前考虑的“⼤的⼩教会”的想法。它们是很⼤的教会，但它们保持相互关联。他们这样做的⽅式是把家庭作为这个充满活⼒和吸引⼒的运动的中⼼枢纽放在⾼度优先的位置。这就是为什么当你阅读⼤多数的新约书信时，你会发现这样的评论:
请问候…宁法，和她家⾥的教会。 (歌罗⻄书4:15 )
亚细亚的众教会向你们问安。亚居拉、百基拉，和在他们家⾥的教会，在主⾥热切地向你们问安。 (哥林多前书16:19 )
家是社区⽣活和传道的中⼼。
Many scholars point to this as one of the seismic shifts for the fast spread of the gospel. For instance, Russian scholar and author Johannes Reimer writes:
“The private house, characterized by intense relationships among family and friends, offered a platform for successful evangelisation and allowed unprecedented growth of the church. And the church consciously used family networks as a key for its missionary work. Evangelism and consequently church development were centred on family and friends.”/ Johannes Reimer
许多学者指出，这是福⾳迅速传播的巨变之⼀。例如，俄罗斯学者兼作家约翰内斯·雷默写道:
“私⼈住宅的特点是家庭和朋友之间的亲密关系，为成功的福⾳传播提供了⼀个平台，并允许教会获得前所未有的发展。教会有意识地将家庭⽹络作为其传教⼯作的关键。传福⾳和教会发展以家庭和朋友为中⼼。“/约翰内斯·雷蒙
You see, the early church was a dynamic movement that spread from house to house to house. It attracted people. People saw the difference Jesus had made in their lives and everything about their lives. So, what we do with this – and not do with this? Does this mean we need to sell our church buildings and focus only on homes? The answer is No. As we’ll see that later in our series – the NT is incredibly flexible in the way we gather and the way we structure ourselves - as long as mission is primary.
你看，早期的教会是⼀个动态的运动，从⼀家传到另⼀家。它吸引⼈。⼈们看到了耶稣给他们⽣活和⽣活中的⼀切所带来的改变。
那么，基于这点我们该做什么，不做什么?这是否意味着我们需要卖掉我们的教堂建筑，只专注于家庭教会?答案是否定的。正如我们将在稍后的系列讲道中看到的那样——只要传道是⾸要的，新约在我们聚集和组织⾃⼰的⽅式上具有难以置信的灵活性。
Having said that, this should be a wake-up call. Through this pandemic I have heard people say things like – “we can’t be church anymore because we are not meeting at ‘church’” – meaning the building where large gatherings take place. The truth is – ‘the early church didn’t have any special buildings for the first 300 years of its movement. It faced huge challenges. Yet, it thrived!”
话虽如此，这应该是⼀记警钟。在这次疫情期间，我听到有⼈说:“我们不能再做礼拜了，因为我们不再在‘教会’聚会”，“教会”指的是⼤型集会的建筑。事实上，早期的教会在最初的300年⾥并没有任何特殊的建筑。它⾯临着巨⼤的挑战。然⽽,它繁荣兴旺!”
I love the way we’re meeting in homes right now and will continue even when we have in-person services beginning in two weeks. Having our services stream into homes all around the place through church online – we’re gathering, we’re
connecting, we’re worshipping, we’re learning – together. Many of you are connecting at Gracecity at My Place. In homes, you are meeting week by week with others in your neighbourhood. In fact, this past Sunday, a new group began in Flaxmere – way down in the Hawkes Bay
– a shout out to Haritaki and Shona who I had the joy of connecting with this past week!
我喜欢我们现在在家庭中⻅⾯的⽅式，即使我们在两周后开始实体聚会，这种⽅式也会继续下去。
通过在线教会，我们的主⽇崇拜可以进⼊各个地⽅的家庭——我们在聚会，我们在联结，我们在敬拜，我们在学习——在⼀起。
你们中的很多⼈都在 Gracecity at My Place彼此连结。在家⾥，你每周都和附近的弟兄姐妹⻅⾯。事实上，在上周⽇，⼀个新的⼩组在Flaxmere开始了——在Hawkes Bay的另⼀边——向Haritaki和Shona问候，我在过去的⼀个星期⾥很⾼兴与他们联结!
While homes were important then and are now – I believe there is a seismic shift that needs to take place. We know it as hospitality. Author Henri Nouwen summed it well:
“If there is any concept worth restoring to its original depth and evocative potential, it is the concept of hospitality.”/ Henri Nouwen
尽管家庭教会过去和现在都很重要——我相信现在需要发⽣⼀场巨变。我们知道这就是热情好客。作家亨利·卢云总结得很好:
"如果有任何概念值得恢复其原有的深度和唤起的潜力，那就是熱情好客的概念。”
We saw this in our series called ‘The Invitation’ last year, unpacking a theology of hospitality.
Hospitality is the convergence of three ideas 1) It a warm and welcoming whānau, 2) An integrated way of life
where faith and life come together, and 3) an environment where everyone has a part to play.
At Gracecity, these three traits are so foundational, they are three of our values. So, let’s unpack them further.
我们在去年的“邀请”系列讲道中发现了这⼀点，分析了关于热情好客的神学。
热情好客是三个理念的融合:1)它是⼀个温暖和热情好客的家庭, 2)⼀种融合了信仰和⽣活的⽣活⽅式，3)⼀个每个⼈都可以发作⽤的环境。
在Gracecity，这三个特质是⾮常基本的，它们是我们的三个价值观。所以，让我们进⼀步分析它们。
Whānau. As whānau, we are authentic, loving and generous.
作为家庭，我们是真实的，有爱的和慷慨的。
Did you know there is a common phrase throughout the NT with two words: ‘one another’. Can you guess how many times that phrase is used? Over 50 times! Each time, there tends to be a different verb placed before it. It might be a call to pray for one another. Care for one another. Meet with one another. None of these things happen unless we are in community with ‘one another.’ That’s what these early believers were doing.Look again at the end of Acts 2, we see them…
你知道吗，在整个新约有⼀个常⻅的短语是由两个词组成的:' one another '。你能猜出这个短语被使⽤了多少次吗?超过50次! 每⼀次，它前⾯都有⼀个不同的动词。这可能是⼀个呼召让彼此祷告，彼此关⼼，彼此⻅⾯除⾮我们“彼此”在⼀起，否则这些事情都不会发⽣。这就是早期信徒所做的。再看⼀遍使徒⾏传第⼆章的结尾，我们看到…
Connecting with one another
Breaking bread with one another
Praying for one another.
Praising God with one another.
Sharing with one another – the idea of generosity we saw last week as another of our seismic shifts.
彼此联结
彼此擘饼
彼此祷告。
彼此赞美神。
彼此分享——上周我们看到的慷慨⼤⽅的理念是我们的另⼀个巨变
In their case, all this was taking place in homes around the city.
对他们来说，这⼀切都发⽣在城市周围的家庭教会中。
To understand why the home was so important to this movement, you need look no further than the architecture in their homes. While we don’t have VR goggles for us all today – here’s a model of what the homes tended to look like. Notice the way the houses are close together. You see, life took place in what was largely an open space – where everything you did was on full display. It’s quite different from today our homes tend to be places of retreat. We drive into our garage, the door comes down, and no one need see us until we drive out the next day. While kids used to play on the streets, they retreated to our back yards and now for many kids within their houses. All to say our family life is hidden, behind closed doors. This presents a challenge for the church.
要理解为什么家在这场运动中如此重要，你只需看看他们家庭的建筑。虽然我们现在还没有虚拟现实眼镜，但这⾥有⼀个家庭的模型。注意这些房⼦是靠得很近的。你看，⽣活发⽣在⼀个很⼤程度上是开放的空间——在那⾥你所做的⼀切都被充分展示出来。这和今天很不⼀样，我们的家往往是静养的地⽅。我们把⻋开进⻋库，⻔打开，第⼆天我们出来之前没⼈会看到我们。当孩⼦们过去在街上玩耍时，他们会躲到我们的后院，现在很多孩⼦都躲在他们家⾥。总之，我们的家庭⽣活被隐藏在紧闭的⻔后。这对教会来说是⼀个挑战。
For the Early Church, Your neighbours heard many of your conversations – the way you honoured one another, the way you were honest with one another, the way you raised your children, the way you looked after one another. There was no way you could hide your convictions. Your distinctive way of life as a follower of Jesus stood out. It was attractive to many. It ignited conversations about was triggering such a lifestyle. ‘Why do you think that? Why do you do that? Why do you treat him/her that way?’
对于早期教会来说，你们的邻居听到了你们的许多对话——你们彼此尊敬的⽅式，你们对彼此诚实的⽅式，你们养育孩⼦的⽅式，你们互相照顾的⽅式。你不可能隐瞒你的信仰。作为耶稣的追随者，你与众不同的⽣活⽅式脱颖⽽出。它吸引了许多⼈。它引发了关于触发这种⽣活⽅式的讨论。“你为什么这么想?”你为什么这么做?你为什么那样对他/她?”
They heard a community of people doing these ‘one another’s: encouraging one another, praying for one another. Their worship and their faith wasn’t kept secret or hidden away. What happened? People were attracted by the way the church came together as whānau.Author Rosaria Butterfield in her brilliant book ‘The Gospel Comes with a House key’ writes:
他们听⻅⼀群⼈在互相劝勉，为彼此祷告。他们的敬拜和信仰没有被保密或隐藏。发⽣了什么事?⼈们被教会⼤家聚集在⼀起的⽅式所吸引，并将其命名为教会⼤家庭。作家Rosaria Butterfield在她的杰作《福⾳从⼀把房⼦的钥匙开始》中写道:
“the table turns strangers into neighbours and neighbours into family. // Rosaria Butterfield
As a result of doing this, the church grew as a movement.
这张桌⼦把陌⽣⼈变成邻居，把邻居变成家⼈。/ /Rosaria Butterfield
这样做的结果是，教会成⻓为⼀场运动。
So, let me ask you a couple of questions:
First, To what extent are you vitally connected with others at Gracecity?
We all need a place where we feel like we belong. Where people know our names. They pray for us. They check in on us. We do the same for them.
No one can connect for you. My role as Pastor is ensuring there are opportunities where you can connect and that you understand the importance of doing so.
If you want to take a next step, here are three you might want think about:
让我问你⼏个问题:
⾸先，你在graccity与他⼈的联系有多密切?
我们都需要⼀个有归属感的地⽅。⼈们知道我们的名字。他们为我们祷告。他们关⼼我们。我们对他们做同样的事。
没⼈能帮你与⼈联结。作为牧师，我的⻆⾊是确保有机会让你们能建⽴联系，并让你们明⽩这样做的᯿要性。
如果你想迈出下⼀步，这⾥有三个你可能需要考虑的:
• Explore Gracecity – that’s the best step if you are new/newish to Gracecity
• Attend Gracecity at My Place
• Join a Connect Group
• Serve on a Ministry Team •
• 探索Gracecity——如果你刚来Gracecity，这是最好的⼀步
• 参加Gracecity at My Place
• 加⼊连接⼩组
• 在⼀个事⼯⼩组服侍
Details for any of these are on our website. It’s important to me that all of us have a place where we belong.
任何这些项⽬的详细信息都可以在我们的⽹站上找到。对我来说，我们每个⼈都有属于⾃⼰的地⽅，这很重要。
The second question: What one thing might you do differently to show another person/household hospitality.
This is where seismic shifts take place.
So, the first trait of this dynamic hospitable movement is whānau. The second trait is:
第⼆个问题:你会⽤什么不同的⽅式来表现对别⼈/家庭的热情好客?
这就是巨变发⽣的地⽅。
所以，这个动态好客运动的第⼀个特征是家庭。第⼆个特点是:
Wholeness. We seek the wholeness that Jesus brings through His Word, Spirit and Community.
完整性。我们寻求耶稣通过他的话语、圣灵和社区所带来的完全。
It’s a common thing today to divide our lives in segments. We have our home life, work life and church life. I don’t know why it happens this way. Perhaps it’s the way we think it’s meant to be, or something we have inherited from others. But, it’s pretty common, isn’t it? One of the reasons the early church was so attractive is that it was an integrated whole. Their identity as followers of Jesus affected everything – the way they related, the way they worked, the decisions they made in all areas of life.
今天，把我们的⽣活分成⼏个部分是很常⻅的事情。我们有⾃⼰的家庭⽣活、⼯作⽣活和教会⽣活。我不知道为什么会这样。也许这是我们认为它应该有的⽅式，或者是我们从别⼈那⾥接受的东⻄。但是，这很常⻅，不是吗?早期教会如此吸引⼈的原因之⼀是它是⼀个完整的整体。他们作为耶稣追随者的身份影响了⼀切——他们联系的⽅式，他们⼯作的⽅式，他们在⽣活的各个领域所做的决定。
Hone in on one of these houses of that time and we can begin to imagine what people would see and hear.
仔细研究当时的⼀所房⼦，我们就能想象⼈们会看到什么，听到什么
Upstairs there are living quarters without a lot of private space. So, when we read that the church gathered together in homes, they squeezed in – they sang and they conversed – and many times, the neighbours saw what was happening and heard what was happening. Do you notice the arches at the base of the home? Likely this is where you raised some animals and where you worked. Working from home was normal back then – as it is increasingly so for us. This was your workshop. Which means – your neighbours saw the way you worked. They saw the way you went about your daily job. The deals you did and didn’t do.
楼上是⽣活区，没有很多私⼈空间。所以，当我们读到教堂聚集在家⾥，他们在⼀起，他们唱歌，他们交谈，很多次，邻居们看到和听到发⽣的事情。你注意到房⼦底部的拱⻔了吗?这⾥很可能是你养动物和⼯作的地⽅。在家⼯作在当时是很正常的，对我们来说也越来越正常。这是你的⼯作室。也就是说，你的邻居看到了你的⼯作⽅式。他们看到了你⽇常⼯作的⽅式。那些你做过和没做过的交易。
So, let me ask you - To what extent do your colleagues and neighbours see the way your faith affects your home, work and leisure?
所以，让我问你——你的同事和邻居在多⼤程度上看到你的信仰对你的家庭、⼯作和休闲的影响?
At Gracecity, one of our values is wholeness. So, we seek to be whole people — clear in identity and purpose — with no line between faith and life. We believe the transformation in our lives touches our hearts, homes, workplaces and city. We believe that we live differently as we listen to Jesus through His Word, His Spirit and one another. Wholeness is one of the traits of early church. It’s this that led to this attractive movement that people wanted to be part of.
在graccity，我们的价值观之⼀是完整性。因此，我们寻求成为⼀个完整的⼈——有明确的身份和⽬标——信仰和⽣活之间没有界限。我们相信，我们⽣活中的变化影响着我们的⼼灵、家庭、⼯作场所和城市。我们相信，当我们通过耶稣的话语、他的圣灵和彼此聆听耶稣时，我们的⽣活就不同了。完整性是早期教会的特征之⼀。正是这⼀点导致了这场吸引⼈的运动，⼈们想要参与其中。
We’ve seen whānau and wholeness are recognisable traits of hospitality, so is Participation
我们已经看到了家庭，整体是热情好客的可识别特征，参与也是
Participation. We are empowered to participate in God’s renewal of our world.
参与。我们被授权参与神更新我们的世界。
When Jesus told his followers to be his witnesses - he had in mind everyone. Every one of these early believers owned the mission. They saw themselves as missionaries, church planters, people who were pointing others to the good news of Jesus through everything they did in life. A pastor friend of mine in Texas leads a wonderful church called Chaseoaks that Robyn and I were part of years ago while we were studying in Dallas, Texas. Jeff was telling me how he travelled across to Ethiopia where they were exploring a new global mission project. While there, he began talking to 100 of the leaders in this Ethiopian church community to hear their dreams and how they might help them. These leaders face tough times and a lot of persecution. Yet, they shared with Jeff their desire to start new churches for people to hear about Jesus.
当耶稣告诉他的追随者做他的⻅证⼈时，他想到了每个⼈。这些早期信徒中的每⼀个⼈都拥有这个使命。他们认为⾃⼰是传教⼠，是要植堂教会的人，通过他们⼀⽣中所做的每⼀件事，向别⼈指向耶稣福⾳的⼈。我在德州的⼀个牧师朋友带领着⼀个叫Chaseoaks的很棒的教会，⼏年前我和罗宾在德州的达拉斯读书时，我们就是其中的⼀员。杰夫告诉我他是如何穿越到埃塞俄⽐亚的，在那⾥他们探索⼀个新的全球宣教。在那⾥，他开始与埃塞俄⽐亚教会社区的100位领袖交谈，倾听他们的梦想，以及他们可以如何帮助他们。这些领袖⾯临着艰难的时期和许多迫害。然⽽，他们和杰夫分享了他们建⽴新教会的愿望，让⼈们听到耶稣。
So, Jeff asked one of them, ‘how many in your church of 100 people could you send out as missionaries and church planters to start new churches?’ Jeff said, this leader looked at him in a confused way and said, ‘well, 100.’ Jeff said, ‘no I don’t mean how many are in your church – but how many in your church of 100 people could you send out as missionaries to spread the gospel and begin new churches?’ The Ethiopian leader again looked confused and said ‘100. Every one of them.” It was like he was saying, ‘Isn’t that how all Christians are meant to be? Isn’t this the way it is where you come from?’ Jeff said he wanted to hide under a rock. This Ethiopian leader understood that mission is for everybody. God calls us all to embark upon this.
Everyone is involved in building relationships with people who do not know Jesus. It will look different for each of us, but Everyone needs to be actively involved sharing about Jesus to the wider community. Through the things we say and do, we can point people to Jesus.
于是，杰夫问其中⼀⼈，“你的教会有100⼈，你可以派多少⼈去当传教⼠或教会的种植园主，去创办新的教会?”杰夫说，这个领袖困惑地看着他，然后说，“哦，100。”杰夫说:“不，我不是说你的教会有多少⼈，⽽是你的教会有100⼈，你可以派多少⼈去传教，传播福⾳，开始新的教会?”埃塞俄⽐亚领导⼈看起来很困惑，回答说:“100。”每⼀个⼈。”这就像他在说，‘所有的基督徒不都应该是这样吗?你不就是这么来的吗?杰夫说他想躲在⽯头下⾯。这位埃塞俄⽐亚领袖明⽩，宣教是每个⼈要做的。上帝呼召我们所有⼈踏上这条道路。
每个⼈都在与不认识耶稣的⼈建⽴关系。这对我们每个⼈来说都是不⼀样的，但是每个⼈都需要积极地向更⼴泛的社区分享耶稣。通过我们所说和所做的事，我们可以将⼈们指向耶稣。
You might not know Jesus at this point – so we’re available to help you in your own journey.We believe this call infuses our lives with intention and passion. We recognise that, wherever we are, we can take part in the kingdom that is and is coming, in our city. We are part of something that demonstrates the attractive and transforming love of God.
在这⼀点上，你可能还不认识耶稣——所以我们可以在你⾃⼰的旅程中帮助你。我们相信，这⼀呼召让我们的⽣活充满了⽬的和热情。我们认识到，⽆论我们身在何处，我们都能在我们的城市中参与到正在和将要来临的国当中。我们是展示神的吸引⼈的和改变⼈的爱的⼀部分。
Have you ever seen the movie Madagascar? If you’ve got kids you probably know it.The movie begins with a bunch of “wild” animals in a zoo. All the spectators are in awe of these powerful and exotic animals. Of course, everyone’s favourite is the lion; the children go crazy, cheering every time he roars. Most of the animals love this setup. They’re extremely well cared for. Trainers wait on them hand and foot, bringing them everything they need and ensuring that their habitats, which are carefully designed to look like “the wild,” are safe and comfortable for the animals. But the zebra finds himself dreaming about the wild. He can’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t made to live in a zoo; he was made to roam free. His restlessness creates a situation where several of the animals escape the zoo and later find themselves stranded in the jungle of Madagascar.
你看过电影《⻢达加斯加》吗?如果你有孩⼦，你可能知道。电影以动物园⾥的⼀群“ᰀ⽣”动物开始。所有的观众都对这些强⼤⽽奇异的动物感到敬畏。当然，每个⼈的最爱是狮⼦;每次他吼叫，孩⼦们都为他欢呼雀跃。⼤多数动物都喜欢这样的设置。它们被照顾得⾮常好。驯兽师悉⼼照料它们，为它们提供所需的⼀切，并确保它们的栖息地看起来很“野⽣”，对动物来说既安全⼜舒适。但斑⻢发现⾃⼰梦⻅了荒野。他总觉得⾃⼰⽣来就不是⽣活在动物园⾥的;他被赋予了⾃由。他的不安创造了这样⼀个场景:⼏只动物逃离了动物园，后来发现⾃⼰被困在⻢达加斯加的丛林⾥。
The movie is hilarious, mostly stemming from watching domesticated animals trying to survive in the wild. After all, these animals were born to live free, born with the instincts and physical characteristics required to thrive. But their zoo environment had made them tame, useless in the wild.
这部电影⾮常搞笑，主要是看家养动物如何在野外⽣存。毕竟，这些动物⽣来就是⾃由⽣活的，⽣来就具有茁壮成⻓所需的本能和⽣理特征。但动物园的环境让它们在野外变得温顺，毫⽆⽤处。
I wonder whether you’ve felt like the zebra. You’ve been a faithful member of our church, but you keep feeling like you were made for something more. Maybe you’ve heard others speak about things they are doing, but you feel you can’t. It’s never the right time. You say to yourself, “I’ll do it when the job settles down, the kids get older, or the pandemic is past. Or perhaps you have experienced what it’s like to live in the wild, but that was in the past. It may have been on an overseas mission trip or while boldly reaching out in your own neighbourhood. You’ve known the joy of seeing your instincts kick in and allow you to thrive. But now you’re stuck in the zoo, where everything is comfortable, everything is programmed or controlled. And deep down you just want to get back to living in the wild.
我不知道你是否觉得⾃⼰像斑⻢。你⼀直是我们教会的忠实信徒，但你总觉得⾃⼰有更多的使命。也许你听别⼈说过他们正在做的事情，但你觉得⾃⼰做不到。时间总是不对的。你对⾃⼰说，“等⼯作稳定下来，孩⼦⻓⼤了，或者疫情过去了，我再做。”或者你可能经历过在ᰀ外⽣活是什么样⼦，但那是过去的事了。它可能是在⼀个海外的宣教旅⾏，或当⼤胆地接触你⾃⼰的邻居。你知道看到⾃⼰的本能发揮作⽤并让⾃⼰經歷茁壮成⻓的喜悦。但现在你被困在动物园⾥，⼀切都很舒适，⼀切都被程序化或控制。内⼼深处，你只想回到野外⽣活。
Author Francis Chan uses that movie as an illustration in his book Letters to the Church. Then, he writes:
“Church, the answer is not to build bigger and nicer cages. Nor is it to renovate the cages so they look more like the wild. It’s time to open the cages, remind the animals of their God-given instincts and capabilities, and release them into the wild.” / Francis Chan
作家弗朗⻄斯·陈(Francis Chan)在他的《致教会的信》(Letters to the Church)⼀书中以这部电影为例。然后,他写道:
“教会，答案不是建造更⼤更好的笼⼦。这也不是为了翻新笼⼦，让它们看起来更像野⽣的。是时候打开笼⼦，提醒动物们它们的天赋和能⼒，把它们放回野外。/弗朗⻄斯·陈
We have this wonderful opportunity to open our lives to others – to witness to this message of the kingdom, to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and proactively respond to those around us.
You can’t do everything. But, what do you sense the Spirit saying to you today?
Step into that. Follow his leading. Allow seismic shifts to take place.
我们有这个绝佳的机会向他⼈敞开我们的⽣活——⻅证这个天国的信息，跟随圣灵的提示，积极回应我们周围的⼈。
你不可能什么都做。但是，你今天感觉到圣灵在对你说什么?
⾛进其中。跟随他的引领。允许巨变发⽣。
I realise that there are a lot of challenges we are all experiencing right now. But rather than feel helpless, let’s look back to the early church. This community thrived even under persecution, even with limited resources, even at loss of jobs and reduced incomes. Whilst the world finds security in these things, ultimate security comes from a relationship with Jesus. We know we are seen and loved regardless of what we are experiencing. They used a different lens to see life. Their homes and their lives became a place of whānau, wholeness and participation. In their homes, they were able to belong-thrive and renew.
我意识到我们现在都⾯临着很多挑战。但与其感到⽆助，不如让我们回顾⼀下早期的教会。即使受到迫害，即使资源有限，即使失去⼯作和收⼊减少，这个社区仍然兴旺发达。虽然世界在这些事情中找到了安全感，但最终的安全感来⾃与耶稣的关系。我们知道，⽆论我们正在经历什么，我们都被看到，被爱着。他们⽤不同的视⻆看⽣活。他们的家和⽣活变成了家庭，⼀个完整和参与的地⽅。在他们的家中，他们能够归属——茁壮成⻓，不断更新。
The reason they did is summed up in SEISMIC SHIFT #5 Hospitality. Your home is a mission field where you
can welcome others into God’s ever growing whānau to journey in authentic love.
他们这样做的原因可以总结为巨变#5热情好客。你的家是⼀个宣教的地⽅，在那⾥你可以欢迎别⼈进⼊神不断成
⻓的⼤家庭，在真正的爱中旅⾏。
It’s about each of us embodying the mission and allowing our lives and our homes to be places of whānau, wholeness, and participation.
To help us take some next steps, we’ve got some questions here for you up on the screen. They will also be in the chat space. I’d encourage you to reflect on these questions and then discuss them when the service is over with your family or household or group.
这是关于我们每个⼈宣教，并让我们的⽣活和我们的家成为⼤家庭，完整和参与的地⽅。
为了帮助我们进⾏下⼀步，屏幕上有⼀些问题要问你。他们也将在出现在聊天空间。我⿎励你思考这些问题，然后在主⽇崇拜结束后与家⼈或⼩组讨论它们。
• How do people in your world recognise you are a follower of Jesus?
• Where have you appreciated/ experienced hospitality?
• How might you connect further at Gracecity?
• Decide one thing you can do differently to show one person/family hospitality.
• 在你的世界⾥，⼈们如何认出你是耶稣的追随者?
• 你在哪⾥感受过当地⼈的热情好客?
• 你在graccity有什么进⼀步的联结?
• 决定⼀件你可以向⼀个⼈或⼀个家庭展示热情好客的事情。
Ultimately, radical hospitality comes out of a heart of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us.
As I pray I’m going to take communion. You are welcome to join me wherever you are today. By doing this I am remembering all that Jesus has done for me. The way he brings us into whānau, the way His Spirit leads us to wholeness, and the way he invites all of us to be participants in all he is doing to renew all things.
从根本上说，热情好客源于对耶稣为我们所做的⼀切的感恩之⼼。
我祷告的时候，我们要开始领圣餐。⽆论你今天在哪⾥，都欢迎你加⼊我。这样做，我就记起耶稣为我所做的⼀切。他带我们进⼊⼤家庭的⽅式，他的圣灵引导我们⾛向完整的⽅式，他邀请我们所有⼈参与他所做的⼀切，以更新所有的事情的⽅式。
This is something we can do just at home by yourself or with those who you are with.
这是我们可以⾃⼰在家⾥或和同在的⼈⼀起做的事情
