TOGETHER: In Praise (Ephesians 1:3-14) “永远赞美万王之王”（以弗所书 1:3-14）
Sunday 14 July | Greenlane & Sunday 21 July | East
Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to church today! I’m so excited that we get to spend these next few moments together. Today, let's deepen our understanding of the blessings we have in Jesus - being chosen, redeemed, and sealed. But before we dive in, here’s my first thought - why don’t you ask yourself: what is something that you get really excited about? Take a moment and think about something that you could just talk about for hours on end. Maybe you can share it with the person next to you - and if you’re tuning in online, feel free to do that and hit pause. We all have things we’re passionate about, like hobbies or interests. These passions can reflect deeper values and motivations. I wonder how these passions can be an act of worship and gratitude to our King of Kings?
欢迎，欢迎，欢迎⼤家今天来到教会！我很⾼兴我们能⼀起度过这段时间。今天，让我们加深对 我们在耶稣⾥所拥有的祝福的理解——被拣选、被救赎和被印记。但在我们深⼊探讨之前，我有 ⼀个想法——你为什么不问问⾃⼰：有什么事情会让你特别兴奋？花点时间想想，有什么事情你 可以滔滔不绝地谈论⼏个⼩时。也许你可以和你旁边的⼈分享⼀下——如果你是在线收看，也可 以暂停⼀下，随意分享。我们每个⼈都有⾃⼰热衷的事物，⽐如爱好或兴趣。这些激情可以反映 出更深层次的价值观和动机。我想知道，这些激情如何能够成为我们对万王之王的⼀种敬拜和感 恩的⾏为呢？
I get really excited about music. It unites people and is deeply meaningful, which is why I love leading our music team. But it wasn’t always this way. At 17, I was an atheist, but friends I was hanging out with invited me to attend Easter Camp in Hamilton. The music there captivated me. Despite not believing in God, I found myself tearing up during worship. I’m not the most emotional person now, and I definitely wasn’t then, so I knew this was outside of my control. In the small group time I asked about prayer and every session I prayed silently for God to show me he was real. On the final night, I felt uncomfortable because people were responding to the move of the Holy Spirit - something really unfamiliar to me. The church I was with was also awkward about this kind of thing and had pre-warned us about it. If you’re here today and not sure about faith, know that my journey started with similar doubts. It’s okay to question and seek answers.
我对⾳乐⾮常有激情。⾳乐能把⼈们团结在⼀起，意义深远，这也是我喜欢带领我们的⾳乐敬拜 团队的原因。但事情并不是⼀直如此。17岁时，我是个⽆神论者，但和我⼀起玩的朋友邀请我参 加在哈密尔顿的复活节营会。那⾥的⾳乐深深吸引了我。尽管我不信上帝，但在敬拜时，我发现 ⾃⼰眼含泪⽔。我现在并不是⼀个⾮常情绪化的⼈，当时更不是，所以我知道这不是我能控制 的。在⼩组时间，我问了有关祷告的问题，每次聚会我都默默祷告，希望上帝能向我显明他的存 在。在最后⼀个晚上，我感到不舒服，因为⼈们在回应圣灵的感动——这对我来说⾮常陌⽣。我 of 1 17 所在的教会对这种事情也感到尴尬，并且事先警告过我们。如果你今天在这⾥，对信仰还不确 定，要知道我的旅程也是从类似的疑虑开始的。提出疑问和寻找答案是可以的。
So, the last thing I remember was looking for my leader to let her know that I didn’t want to be there anymore… but before I could do that, I ended up standing and bawling my eyes out. I have no explanation I can think of, other than God completely overwhelmed me at that moment. “Show me that you’re real” I prayed… he answered, “I’m real.”
我记得的最后⼀件事是我要找我的组⻓，想告诉她我不想再待在这⾥了……但在我找到她之前， 我最终站在那⾥，泪流满⾯。我想不到其他任何解释，除了上帝在那⼀刻彻底感动了我。“向我显 明你是真实的，”我祷告道……他回答说，“我是真实的。”
In that same session, I remember scanning my eyes across this large auditorium building, seeing 5000 young people raising their hands [BYM Easter Camp picture of this on screen], crying, responding in different ways to the songs that were sung. I still remember the lyrics so clearly at the time: “Take my life, I lay it down at the cross where I am found. All I am I give to you, oh God” [by Sam Knock, Hillsong UNITED]. It made me consider why so many people could sing these lyrics so deeply… “there must be something here” I thought. Then, I bounced out of that session - I was so joyful.
在同⼀场聚会中，我记得我环顾这个⼤礼堂，看到5000名年轻⼈举起双⼿ [屏幕上显示复活节营 会的照⽚]，哭泣着，⽤各种⽅式回应唱的歌。我仍然清楚地记得当时的歌词：“带⾛我的⽣命， 我将它放在⼗字架前，在那⾥我被寻到。我把我的⼀切献给你，哦上帝” [⼭姆·诺克，Hillsong UNITED]。这让我思考，为什么这么多⼈能如此深情地唱这些歌词……“这其中⼀定存在什么，” 我想。然后，我从那场聚会中⾛出来，感到⽆⽐喜乐。
Can you think of a moment when you felt God’s presence in a powerful way?
你能想到⼀个你能强烈感受到上帝同在的时刻吗？
After this camp, I threw myself into every ministry possible, and a few months later, became a Christian in a small gathering of senior high schoolers in an upstairs room at Northcross Church after discussing the proof of the resurrection of Jesus. I made a quiet commitment in my heart to follow the King who left His throne, who endured an immense amount of suffering, to save a stubborn, arrogant, self-righteous, disobedient girl like me.
在这个营会之后，我投⼊到所有可能的事⼯中，⼏个⽉后，在Northcross教会⼀个⼆楼房间⾥的 ⼀次⾼中⽣⼩聚会上，在讨论耶稣复活的证据后，我成为了⼀名基督徒。我在⼼⾥默默地承诺要 跟随那位离开宝座、忍受巨⼤痛苦、拯救像我这样⼀个固执、傲慢、⾃以为是、不听话的⼥孩的 君王。
I was so excited - I knew that there was a God, worthy to give my life to, and worthy to be praised. That began a hīkoi - a journey - of getting to know Jesus, and loving His Church and the people I get to do life with today. If you’re exploring faith, you’re welcome to join our Alpha course - a of 2 17 place where you can ask questions and learn more in a supportive environment, or a connect group to dive deeper with others in our church whānau. Let’s do this faith journey together.
我⾮常兴奋——我知道有⼀位值得我献上⽣命、值得被赞美的上帝。 这开始了⼀段旅程——⼀个认识耶稣、爱他的教会和我今天与之共度⽣命的⼈的旅程。如果你正 在探索信仰，欢迎参加我们的启发课程——⼀个可以在⽀持性的环境中提问和学习更多的地⽅， 或者加⼊⼀个⼩组，与教会家庭中的其他⼈⼀起深⼊探讨。让我们⼀起⾛这段信仰之旅。
Just like I was moved by the worship at Easter Camp, many of us have had moments that deeply touched our hearts, even when we didn’t expect it. These experiences can be powerful and transformative. This experience of feeling God’s presence relates directly to how Paul felt joy despite being in prison, highlighting the blessings we have in Jesus. So, let’s see how Paul’s message in Ephesians moves us today. Feel free to follow along in your Bible - we’re going to start in chapter 1 of Ephesians and find out together what the writer Paul is really excited about.
就像我在复活节营会的敬拜中被感动⼀样，我们许多⼈都有过深深触动内⼼的时刻，即使在我们 没有预料到的时候。这些经历可能是强⼤的和变⾰性的。这种感受到上帝同在的经历，与保罗尽 管身处监狱仍感到喜乐的情感直接相关，突显了我们在耶稣⾥所拥有的祝福。那么，让我们看看 保罗在以弗所书中的信息今天如何触动我们。请随时翻阅你的圣经——我们将从以弗所书第⼀章 开始，⼀起找出作者保罗真正兴奋的是什么。
Paul writes this letter to a church in the area of Ephesus, which is in Modern Day Turkey. He had been their Senior Pastor for 3 years and identifies as a “messenger” or someone who is sent by God with a mission to teach and preach the good news to people. But now he is in prison in Rome and is writing this letter as an encouragement to who used to be his church whānau. Before we dive into what he’s excited about, did you know that the words “in Ephesus” are not present in some of the early manuscripts? Since the letter has no specific references to people or problems in the Ephesian church, Paul may have intended this to be a circular letter to be read to all the churches in the area, or some may say, to the wider church in general. So, I wonder if we could read it like it’s for us here at Gracecity?
保罗写这封信给以弗所地区的⼀间教会，以弗所位于现代的⼟⽿其。他曾经担任他们的资深牧师 三年，并⾃称为“使者”或被上帝差遣去教导和传讲福⾳的⼈。但现在他在罗⻢的监狱⾥写这封 信，作为对曾经是他的教会家⼈的⼀种⿎励。在我们深⼊探讨他为何兴奋之前，你知道吗，“在以 弗所”这⼏个字在⼀些早期的⼿稿中并不存在？由于这封信没有具体提到以弗所教会中的⼈或问 题，保罗可能打算这是⼀封通函，给该地区所有教会阅读，或者有⼈说，是给更⼴泛的教会阅 读。所以，我想知道，我们是否可以以它是写给我们Gracecity教会的⽅式来读它？
As we dive into Ephesians, keep in mind that we’re exploring the amazing blessings we have in Christ. How can our lives reflect worship and gratitude to our King of Kings as we embrace these blessings?
在我们深⼊研究以弗所书时，请记住，我们正在探索在基督⾥所拥有的奇妙祝福。我们如何在接 受这些祝福时，让我们的⽣命反映出对万王之王的敬拜和感恩呢？
of 3 17 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
赞美我们主耶稣基督的⽗上帝！祂在基督⾥赐给了我们天上各样属灵的恩福。 (以弗所书1:3)
Hold on - for context, this is the beginning of what we call a “doxology” - like a chorus of praise to God. That’s what verses 3-14 are - in the original Greek, it’s actually one long, breathless sentence… I’m a worship leader, I sing so I can hold my breath for some time, but this is impressive. This whole segment… Paul has this contagious joy in worship! So, what’s the setting? Paul is in prison (because of all that he was doing to teach and preach about Jesus which often led to conflicts between the Jewish and Roman leaders), probably dictating this to someone who was writing it down trying to keep up with what he’s saying, and the writer is probably hoping Paul would take a breath at some point! This chorus is what will set the tone for the whole letter - some commentators call this an epic explosion of praise, or an avalanche of praise. So, let’s imagine that as we unpack why Paul is so excited to praise God.
等⼀下——为了提供背景，这是我们所称的“赞美⽂”的开始——像是对上帝的赞美合唱。这就是 第3⾄14节的内容——在原始希腊⽂中，实际上是⼀个⻓⻓的、⽓喘吁吁的句⼦……我是⼀个敬 拜领袖，我能屏住呼吸⼀段时间，但这真令⼈印象深刻。这⼀整段……保罗在敬拜中充满了这种 有感染⼒的喜悦！那么，背景是什么呢？保罗正在监狱⾥（因为他教导和传讲耶稣的所有⾏为， 常常导致犹太领袖和罗⻢领袖之间的冲突），他可能在给某⼈⼝述，这个⼈正试图跟上他所说的 话，⽽作者也许希望保罗能在某个时刻喘⼝⽓ ！这个赞美合唱将为整封信定下基调——⼀些评论 家称这是⼀次史诗般的赞美爆发，或者是⼀场赞美的雪崩。所以，让我们想象⼀下，在我们揭示 保罗为什么如此兴奋地赞美上帝时。
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
3 赞美我们主耶稣基督的⽗上帝！祂在基督⾥赐给了我们天上各样属灵的恩福。 (以弗所书1:3)
So, here’s why: Praise God because he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Paul’s joy in these verses shows us the depth of blessings we have in Christ. What he means is that he is so excited and highly values the fact that we have everything necessary for our salvation and spiritual growth in Jesus. The theme of this incredible chorus is that unity with Jesus is one of the greatest blessings. What does that mean? Well, one way to think about it is this - my husband, Jack, recently decided that he wanted another hobby, so he bought a race car. It’s a TQ midget, and he dragged me along to be his pit crew… so, I made a TikTok about it.
所以，原因在于：赞美上帝，因为他在基督⾥赐给我们每⼀个属灵的祝福。保罗在这些经⽂中的 喜乐向我们展示了我们在基督⾥拥有的祝福的深度。他的意思是，他对我们在耶稣⾥拥有拯救和 属灵成⻓所需的⼀切感到⾮常兴奋和重视。这个令⼈难以置信的赞美合唱的主题是，与耶稣的合 ⼀是最⼤的祝福之⼀。这意味着什么呢？可以这样理解——我的丈夫杰克最近决定想要⼀个新的 of 4 17 爱好，于是他买了⼀辆赛⻋。这是⼀辆TQ⼩型赛⻋，他把我拖去当他的维修团队……所以，我做 了⼀个关于它的TikTok视频。
Being the pit crew at the race day was fun - yes, I could admire his car and what he was experiencing from a distance, but I could only really enjoy it in its fullness, if I got into the car with him - not going to happen in this case because that’s scary and there’s only one seat…. But in the same way, Jesus shares his privileges, these blessings with those who are with him, like a driver would with his passengers. And these blessings are a result of being in relationship with Jesus and are made available to us through His work on the cross.
在赛⻋⽇担任维修团队很有趣——是的，我可以远远欣赏他的⻋和他所经历的，但我只有真正坐 进⻋⾥和他⼀起，才能完全享受这份乐趣——不过在这种情况下是不可能的，因为那很可怕，⽽ 且只有⼀个座位……但以同样的⽅式，耶稣将他的特权和祝福与那些与他同⾏的⼈分享，就像司 机与乘客分享⼀样。这些祝福是与耶稣建⽴关系的结果，并通过他在⼗字架上的作⼯向我们提 供。
How do you feel knowing that you have every spiritual blessing in Jesus?
知道你在耶稣⾥拥有所有属灵的祝福，你感觉如何？
As we continue on in this chorus - this long breathless, explosive song of praise, here’s what Paul thinks our greatest blessings are: 1. Being chosen by the Father (Ephesians 1:4-6) 2. Being redeemed by the Son (Ephesians 1:7-10) 3. Being sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:11-14)
在我们继续这段赞美合唱——这⾸⻓⻓的、⽓喘吁吁的、充满激情的赞美歌中，保罗认为我们最 ⼤的祝福是： 1. 被⽗拣选（以弗所书 1:4-6） 2. 被⼦救赎（以弗所书 1:7-10） 3. 被圣灵印记（以弗所书 1:11-14）
It’s interesting to see this “Father, Son, Spirit” theme come through here - we call this concept the “Trinity” in the Christian faith. And we actually sang about this earlier. The chorus goes: [sing] “Praise the Father, praise the Son. Praise the Spirit, three in one. God of glory, majesty. Praise forever to the King of Kings.”
有趣的是，这⾥体现了“⽗、⼦、圣灵”的主题——我们在基督教信仰中称这个概念为“三位⼀体”。 我们之前实际上也唱过这⾸歌。合唱部分是：[唱] “赞美⽗，赞美⼦。赞美圣灵，三位⼀体。荣耀 的上帝，威严的上帝。永远赞美万王之王。”
So first: of 5 17 Let’s praise the Father together.
那么⾸先： 让我们⼀起赞美⽗。
From verse 4: 从第4节： 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:4-6)
早在创造世界以前，祂已经在基督⾥拣选了我们，使我们在祂眼中成为圣洁⽆瑕的⼈。上帝因为 爱我们，就按照祂⾃⼰美好的旨意，预定我们借着耶稣基督得到做祂⼉⼥的名分。 我们赞美祂奇 妙⽆⽐的恩典，这恩典是上帝借着祂的爱⼦赐给我们的。 (以弗所书1:4-6)
So we read that before any of us chose to follow Jesus, God “chose us”. God chose us before creation, showing His intentional love and giving us a new identity as His children. Jesus says in John 6:37: “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37)
所以我们读到，在我们任何⼈选择跟随耶稣之前，上帝“拣选了我们”。上帝在创造之前就拣选了 我们，展现了他的有意之爱，并赋予我们作为他⼉⼥的新身份。耶稣在约翰福⾳6:37中说：凡⽗ 赐给我的⼈，必到我这⾥来。到我这⾥来的，我总不丢弃他。 (约翰福⾳6:37)
Remember, our goal today is to appreciate these blessings deeply—being chosen by God is a profound and intentional act of love that shapes our identity and worth. In what ways can we continuously show worship and gratitude to our King of Kings for choosing us?
请记住，今天我们的⽬标是深刻领悟这些祝福——被上帝拣选是⼀个深刻⽽有意的爱的⾏为，塑 造了我们的身份和价值。我们可以通过哪些⽅式不断向我们的万王之王表达敬拜和感恩，因为他 拣选了我们？
So what did God choose us for? What’s Paul so excited about?
那么，上帝拣选我们是为了什么呢？保罗为何如此兴奋？
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:4-6)
早在创造世界以前，祂已经在基督⾥拣选了我们，使我们在祂眼中成为圣洁⽆瑕的⼈。上帝因为 爱我们，就按照祂⾃⼰美好的旨意，预定我们借着耶稣基督得到做祂⼉⼥的名分。 我们赞美祂奇 妙⽆⽐的恩典，这恩典是上帝借着祂的爱⼦赐给我们的。 (以弗所书1:4-6)
I love what we read here: that with incredible generous love, God has chosen us for adoption into His whānau. He’s chosen us! It’s not based on anything we do or can do to earn or deserve it, but through his amazing love for us, he has chosen to unite us with Jesus, his beloved Son, and enjoy all of the same privileges as him. So what does that mean? Well, it gives us a new identity. We are no longer seen as outsiders, but sons and daughters of the Most High God. We’re God’s children. This is significant because it means we inherit all the rights and privileges of being in God’s whānau. Some of these include privileges like God’s promises and spiritual blessings; it means that we belong to a larger community of believers, God’s people, his Church, we’re part of His mission now - we represent Him… but it also means we have a personal relationship with the Father. He hears us. He’s not distant or formal, but he desires closeness and intimacy with his children, like a loving parent does.
我喜欢我们在这⾥读到的：上帝以难以置信的慷慨之爱拣选我们成为他的⼤家庭的⼀部分。他拣 选了我们！这并不是基于我们所做的任何事情或我们能做的事情来赢得或赔得，⽽是通过他对我 们的奇异之爱，他选择将我们与他所爱的⼉⼦耶稣联合在⼀起，并享有与他相同的特权。那么这 意味着什么呢？这赋予了我们⼀个新的身份。我们不再被视为外⼈，⽽是⾄⾼上帝的⼉⼥。我们 是上帝的孩⼦。这是重要的，因为这意味着我们继承了作为上帝家庭成员的所有权利和特权。其 中⼀些特权包括上帝的应许和属灵的祝福；这意味着我们属于⼀个更⼤的信徒群体，上帝的⼦ ⺠，祂的教会，我们现在是祂使命的⼀部分——我们代表祂……但这也意味着我们与⽗有个⼈关 系。祂倾听我们的声⾳。祂既不冷漠也不拘谨，但祂渴望与孩⼦亲密⽆间，就像⼀个慈爱的家⻓ 那样。
Early last year, Jack and I said goodbye to his mum, a loving parent, who passed away from a long journey with cancer. We had been married for only a few months, and no matter how grateful to God we could be for the time we spent with her, it was painful, and life was tough. So, we decided to get a puppy to cheer ourselves up! You know, come home to a little bundle of joy that would just love us as we cuddle him all day. Some of our friends thought we were too impulsive with the decision but we knew having a dog would be a lifelong commitment. So, this is Waffle Bacon Barker. We adopted him to be part of our family. There were so many options of different dogs, breeds and breeders to choose from, but we chose him. He had other littermates that were available, but we chose him. There’s nothing particularly significant about him, other than we chose him, and he’s ours.
去年年初，杰克和我告别了他的⺟亲，⼀位慈爱的家⻓，她因⻓期与癌症⽃争⽽去世。我们结婚 只有⼏个⽉，尽管我们对与她共度的时光感激不已，但这段经历是痛苦的，⽣活也很艰难。因 此，我们决定养⼀只⼩狗来让⾃⼰开⼼起来！你知道，回家就有⼀个⼩⼩的欢乐源泉会因我们整 天拥抱他⽽爱我们。我们的朋友中有些⼈认为我们这个决定太冲动，但我们知道养狗是终身的承 诺。这就是Waffle Bacon Barker。我们收养了他，成为我们家庭的⼀部分。在选择不同的狗、品 of 7 17 种和繁育者时有很多选项，但我们选择了他。他还有其他同窝的⼩狗可以选择，但我们选择了 他。他并没有什么特别之处，唯⼀的意义在于我们选择了他，他是我们的。
Just like adopting a pet brings joy and commitment, it also reflects a deeper sense of belonging and care. We chose him out of love, and he became part of our family, inheriting our name, love, and attention.
就像收养宠物带来快乐和责任⼀样，它也反映了更深层次的归属感和关怀。我们出于爱选择了 他，他成为了我们家庭的⼀部分，继承了我们的名字、爱和关注。
And I know this is just a dog. We’re talking about the Kingdom of God here and it can’t compare. Maybe you have a better understanding of adoption based on your experience personally, or from friends or family. Remember, our goal today is to deeply appreciate the blessings we have in Jesus. Just as we chose Waffle to be part of our family, God chose us before the foundation of the world to be part of His family.
我知道这只是⼀只狗。我们在这⾥谈论的是上帝的国度，这⽆法相提并论。也许你根据个⼈经历 或朋友、家⼈的经历对收养有更深的理解。请记住，今天我们的⽬标是深刻领悟我们在耶稣⾥所 拥有的祝福。就像我们选择Waffle成为我们家庭的⼀部分，上帝在创世之前就选择了我们成为他 家庭的⼀部分。
How does knowing that God chose you before the foundation of the world affect your sense of identity and worth?
知道上帝在创世之前就选择了你，这对你的身份感和价值感有什么影响？
Perhaps later today you could discuss with your family or household how you can live out your identity as God’s chosen people in your home and community. Maybe share the story of being chosen by God with your children, helping them understand their value in God’s eyes. You could plan a family or household activity that reflects God’s love and choice, like serving together in a community project or spending time in prayer and thanksgiving.
也许今天稍后你可以和家⼈或家中的⼈讨论如何在家庭和社区中活出作为上帝拣选之⺠的身份。 也许可以和孩⼦们分享被上帝拣选的故事，帮助他们理解⾃⼰在上帝眼中的价值。你还可以计划 ⼀个反映上帝的爱和选择的家庭或家庭活动，⽐如⼀起参与社区项⽬或花时间进⾏祷告和感恩。
Let’s praise the Father together for choosing us to be in his family.
让我们⼀起赞美天⽗，感谢他拣选我们成为他的家⼈。
As we continue, let's look at the next incredible blessing—being redeemed by the Son.
在我们继续的时候，让我们看看下⼀个令⼈难以置信的祝福——被⼦救赎。
Let’s praise the Son together.
让我们⼀起赞美圣⼦。
[sing] So, we praise the Father, and now Praise the Son.
[唱] 所以，我们赞美天⽗，现在赞美圣⼦。
We continue that long breath - that chorus we’re singing.
我们继续那段⻓⻓的呼吸——我们正在唱的副歌部分。
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:7-12)
我们借着祂爱⼦的⾎蒙救赎，过犯得到赦免，这都是出于祂的洪恩。 上帝⽤各种智慧和聪明把这 恩典丰丰富富地赐给我们， 照着祂在基督⾥所定的美好计划叫我们知道祂旨意的奥秘， 等所定 的时候⼀到，叫天地万物⼀同归在基督的名下。我们也在基督⾥被拣选成为祂的⼦⺠。这都是按 ⾃⼰旨意⾏万事的上帝预先定下的计划， 好让我们这些⾸先在基督⾥得到盼望的⼈都来颂赞祂的 荣耀。(以弗所书1:7-12)
So, there’s a lot here. Paul must’ve had some pretty big lungs.
所以，这⾥有很多内容。保罗⼀定有很⼤的肺活量。
We can sum this up with his second greatest blessing for being a Christian: Being redeemed by the Son (Ephesians 1:7-10) Jesus’ redemption frees us from guilt and shame, offering forgiveness and unity under God’s plan.
我们可以⽤它作为基督徒的第⼆⼤祝福来总结这⼀点：被⼦救赎（以弗所书 1:7-10）。耶稣的救 赎将我们从罪恶和羞耻中释放出来，在神的计划下提供宽恕和合⼀。
In the Bible, “redemption” refers to freedom from slavery when a ransom is paid. This means that a price needs to be paid for our freedom. So, what’s the price and what is this freedom?
在圣经中，“救赎”指的是通过⽀付赎⾦获得⾃由，摆脱奴役。这意味着为了我们的⾃由需要⽀付 ⼀个代价。那么，这个代价是什么，这种⾃由⼜是什么呢？
The Bible says, The price is the blood of Jesus. Outside of the church, in our current culture, this is pretty strange and even a bit gross to think about - I remember before I became a Christian, wondering why these church people so openly talked about the blood shed from a man dying on the cross… It was a bit weird. There’s even this song one of my old pastors recommended to me that goes “There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Emmanuel’s veins.” 😮 It’s so visual. I learned that this might seem strange today, but it reflects the sacrificial system in Exodus where the Israelites were freed by the blood of a lamb.
圣经说，代价是耶稣的⾎。在教会之外，在我们当前的⽂化中，这种说法听起来相当奇怪，甚⾄ 有点恶⼼——我记得在我成为基督徒之前，曾想过为什么那些教会的⼈如此坦率地谈论⼀个⼈死 在⼗字架上流出的⾎……这有点奇怪。还有⼀⾸我以前的牧师推荐给我的歌，歌词是：“有⼀股泉 ⽔充满鲜⾎，来⾃以⻢内利的静脉。”😮 这⾮常形象。我了解到，这在今天可能显得奇怪，但它 反映了《出埃及记》中以⾊列⼈通过羔⽺的⾎获得⾃由的祭祀制度。
So, that was the price, then what is this freedom he has paid for? We can see the bad news if we jump forward briefly to chapter 2, but to summarise: we all get caught up in stuff that we shouldn’t, and go against the life God has for us. So this freedom is God’s forgiveness.
所以，这就是代价，那么他为之付出的⾃由是什么呢?如果我们直接跳到第⼆章，我们可以看到 坏消息，但总结⼀下:我们都陷⼊了不该做的事情，背离了上帝为我们预备的⽣命。所以，这个⾃ 由就是上帝的宽恕。
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
我们借着祂爱⼦的⾎蒙救赎，过犯得到赦免，这都是出于祂的洪恩。 上帝⽤各种智慧和聪明把这 恩典丰丰富富地赐给我们， (以弗所书1:7-8)
We are forgiven for our sin. All our sins of thought, words, actions or neglect - whether past, present or future have been completely paid for. We don’t need to live in fear or guilt because Jesus paid our debt. Just like a parent paying off a child's debt, Jesus' sacrifice gives us freedom.
我们的罪得赦免了。我们所有的思想、⾔语、⾏为或忽视的罪恶——⽆论是过去、现在还是未来 ——都已经完全得到了偿还。我们不需要活在恐惧或内疚中，因为耶稣已经偿还了我们的债。就 像⽗⺟偿还孩⼦的债务⼀样，耶稣的牺牲给了我们⾃由。
But why would God do this? God loves us. Not because we earn it or deserve it, but because he is a good, and amazing God.
但上帝为什么要这样做呢？上帝爱我们，并不是因为我们赢得或配得，⽽是因为他是⼀位良善⽽ 奇妙的神。
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding…
7 我们借着祂爱⼦的⾎蒙救赎，过犯得到赦免，这都是出于祂的洪恩。 8 上帝⽤各种智慧和聪明 把这恩典丰丰富富地赐给我们， (以弗所书1:7-8)
It’s all happened in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. of 10 17 God redeemed us because he is abundantly wealthy in grace - his undeserved kindness and favour. It’s his costly gift to us in Jesus.
这⼀切都是按照上帝丰富的恩典⽽发⽣的，他以所有的智慧和理解慷慨地给予我们。 神救赎了我们，因为他有丰盛的恩典——祂不配得的慈爱和恩惠。这是祂在耶稣⾥给我们的昂贵 礼物。
This redemption means we can enjoy freedom from fear. Some of us have this fear that the stuff we have done in life will somehow separate us from God. Maybe we’ve seen this in our family or in relationships - I know I have. We do something wrong, even with the best intentions, but sometimes that doesn’t matter. Our families keep us trapped in shame and guilt which causes us to fear the future, for when something will happen again. Paul says ‘we are redeemed’. The price has been paid, so now we are free. We don’t have to fear that the evil one will point out our sins to God and demand that we are to be punished for them, either in this life, or eternally… because our debt has been paid by Jesus on the cross. We don’t have to feel like a constant disappointment to God, being desperate to try and impress him, and impress others. Our debt has been paid. We don’t have a list of sins and wrongdoings before God anymore - they’ve been deleted, cancelled. God now sees us as his son Jesus.
这种救赎意味着我们可以享受免于恐惧的⾃由。我们中的⼀些⼈害怕我们在⽣活中所做的事情会 以某种⽅式使我们与上帝分离。也许我们已经在家庭或⼈际关系中看到了这⼀点——我知道我 有。我们做错了⼀些事，即使是出于最好的意图，但有时这并不重要。我们的家庭让我们陷⼊羞 愧和内疚之中，这让我们害怕未来，害怕某些事情会再次发⽣。保罗说“我们被救赎了”。代价已 经付出，所以我们现在⾃由了。我们不必害怕那恶者会向神指出我们的罪，并要求我们为此受 罚，⽆论是今⽣，还是永⽣，因为我们的债已经被耶稣在⼗字架上偿还了。我们不必觉得⾃⼰让 上帝不断失望，不顾⼀切地想要给祂留下好印象，给别⼈留下好印象。我们的债已经还清了。在 上帝⾯前，我们不再有⼀张罪恶和错误的清单——它们已经被删除、取消了。神现在视我们为他 的⼉⼦耶稣。
Let’s reflect together on the areas where we need to accept God’s forgiveness. Confess and let go of any lingering guilt or shame you might feel today.
让我们⼀起反思需要接受上帝宽恕的地⽅。承认并放下你今天可能感受到的任何残留的内疚或羞 愧。
And we are not only redeemed from punishment, but also for something wonderful.
我们不仅是从惩罚中被救赎出来的，更是为了更美好的东⻄。 We read: 我们读到：
He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:9-10)
照着祂在基督⾥所定的美好计划叫我们知道祂旨意的奥秘， 等所定的时候⼀到，叫天地万物⼀同 归在基督的名下。(以弗所书1:9-10)
In Jesus we have been redeemed, we are free. We now participate in God’s great plan or his “mystery” which has been revealed to us - to ultimately resolve and restore all things in Jesus. When we know Jesus we know how the story ends - in the short term and in eternity. God has a plan and is working everything out according to it. So, we can relax! I can see why Paul is so excited about this. It’s like a sigh of relief.
在耶稣⾥，我们已经被救赎，我们是⾃由的。我们现在参与了神的伟⼤计划或他向我们揭示的“奥 秘”——最终在耶稣⾥解决和恢复⼀切。当我们认识耶稣的时候，我们就知道这个故事的结局—— 是短期的还是永恒的。上帝有祂的计划，并且照着祂的计划成就⼀切。所以，我们可以放松!我知 道为什么保罗对此如此兴奋了。这就像松了⼀⼝⽓。 I
s there something you’re worried about right now? Big or small… Maybe there’s something that comes to mind that you don’t know, or you can’t control, and it makes you feel anxious or uncertain.
你现在有什么担⼼的事情吗？⽆论⼤⼩……也许有些事情浮现在脑海中，你不知道或者⽆法控 制，这让你感到焦虑或不确定。
Our hope is that there is a sure and certain glorious future awaiting us who know Jesus - and knowing this may not take away the worry or fear right now, but this is why we journey together in faith. It’s why the church is so important. We’re here to remind each other that even in our current struggles and personal failures we may experience now, whether addiction or significant physical and mental health conditions, whether it’s marriage struggles, or singleness, or miserable jobs, divorce, death of loved ones, overwhelm with the world… Whatever we face, we can be sure that now and forever we have hope as we live in unity under Jesus.
我们的希望是，有⼀个确定的、荣耀的未来等待着我们这些认识耶稣的⼈——知道这⼀点可能不 会带⾛我们现在的担忧或恐惧，但这就是为什么我们⼀起⾛信仰的旅程的原因。所以教会才如此 重要。我们在这⾥提醒彼此，即使我们现在正在挣扎和经历个⼈的失败，⽆论是上瘾还是严重的 身体和精神健康问题，⽆论是婚姻的挣扎，还是单身，还是痛苦的⼯作，离婚，亲⼈离世，被世 界压倒……⽆论我们⾯对什么，我们都可以确定，现在和永远我们都有希望，因我们在耶稣⾥团 结⽣活。
Remember, our goal today is to appreciate these blessings deeply—being chosen is just the first of these incredible gifts, and being redeemed by the Son is another powerful aspect of God's amazing love for us.
请记住，我们今天的⽬标是深刻体会这些祝福——被拣选只是这些奇妙恩赐中的第⼀个，⽽被⼦ 救赎则是上帝对我们奇异之爱的另⼀个重要⽅⾯。
How can we live out our worship and gratitude to our King of Kings in light of the freedom and forgiveness we have received?
在我们所获得的⾃由和宽恕的背景下，我们如何活出对万王之王的敬拜和感恩呢？
Consider how you can integrate the blessings of being chosen and redeemed into your workplace relationships and decisions. Think about how you can show grace, understanding, and forgiveness to your colleagues, reflecting the freedom and redemption you have received in Christ.
考虑⼀下你如何将被拣选和被救赎的祝福融⼊你的职场关系和决策中。想想你如何向同事表现出 恩典、理解和宽恕，反映出你在基督⾥所获得的⾃由和救赎。
Let’s praise the Son together for redeeming us for unity.
让我们⼀起赞美圣⼦，因为他使我们得以合⼀。
Now, we’ve come to the final part. I love this because it’s the mark - what sets us apart - as Christians.
现在，我们已经来到最后⼀部分。我很喜欢这⼀点，因为这是标志——使我们作为基督徒与众不 同的地⽅。
[sing] “Praise the Father, praise the Son. Praise the Spirit, three in one.”
[唱] “赞美天⽗，赞美圣⼦。赞美圣灵，三位⼀体。” We read: 我们读到：
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
你们听过真理之道，就是那使你们得救的福⾳，⽽且也信了基督。你们既然信祂，就领受了上帝 应许赐下的圣灵为印记。 圣灵是我们领受产业的担保，直到上帝的⼦⺠得到救赎，使祂的荣耀受 到颂赞。(以弗所书1:13-14)
The Holy Spirit’s seal guarantees our inheritance and confirms our place in God’s family.
圣灵的印记保证了我们的产业，确认了我们在上帝家中的地位。
Paul says that “when you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised HS” A seal was a mark of ownership and protection, which in Roman culture was often branded upon cattle or slaves [picture of branded cattle]. God’s seal of permanent ownership and constant of 13 17 protection of his people is the HS of God himself. He’s like the birthmark of all God’s children. Amongst many things, his Spirit empowers us, guides us, and assures us of our place in God’s family.
保罗说：“你们既然信祂，就领受了上帝应许赐下的圣灵为印记。”印记是所有权和保护的标志， 在罗⻢⽂化中，通常被烙印在⽜或奴⾪身上。 上帝对他⼦⺠的永久所有权和持续保护的印记就是上帝⾃⼰的圣灵。圣灵就像所有上帝孩⼦的出 ⽣记号。在许多⽅⾯，祂的灵赋予我们⼒量，指导我们，并确保我们在上帝家中的位置。
So, if you believe in Jesus today, do you have a sense that the Holy Spirit is active in your life? Where do you notice him guiding, prompting, counselling you? His work is the reassurance that we belong to God.
所以，如果你今天相信耶稣，你是否感到圣灵在你⽣命中积极参与？你在哪些地⽅注意到他在引 导、提醒和劝导你？他的⼯作是让我们确信我们属于神。
I love the thought of being sealed with the HS as our “God-brand”. My mum loves collecting designer bags - a hobby I didn’t inherit from her, to her disappointment. She always asks me to raid her very large walk-in-wardrobe and custom-made designer bag display cabinet and use whatever handbag I want, but I politely decline because it’s just not my vibe. But she’s loved collecting Louis Vuitton over the years. Why does she pay so much for them? I guess it’s a brand that people respect, and maybe she likes what it says about her when she’s wearing it. Maybe it makes her feel special because she has it. But because of its brand, it does say something, right? All brands do.
我喜欢被圣灵印记作为我们“上帝品牌”的想法。我的妈妈喜欢收集名牌包包—— 这是我没有继承她的爱好，让她感到失望。她总是让我随便挑选她那间很⼤的步⼊式⾐橱和定制 的名牌包展示柜⾥的任何包，但我礼貌地拒绝，因为那不是我的⻛格。不过，多年来她⼀直热衷 于收集路易威登的包。她为什么愿意为这些包⽀付如此⾼的价格呢？我想这是⼀个受到⼈们尊敬 of 14 17 的品牌，也许她喜欢背它时给⼈留下的印象。或许拥有它让她感觉特别。但正因为它是个品牌， 它确实传达了⼀些信息，对吧？所有品牌都是如此。
Just like a brand signifies something special, the Holy Spirit’s seal signifies our unique and valuable identity in God.
就像⼀个品牌象征着特别的东⻄，圣灵的印记象征着我们在上帝中独特⽽珍贵的身份。
How much more special are we to know we are sealed with the HS, God’s presence, especially when we see him as active and noticeable in our lives?
我们知道⾃⼰被圣灵印记，拥有上帝的同在，这让我们多么特别，尤其是当我们看到祂在我们⽣ 命中积极⽽明显的⼯作时。
In verse 14 we read more about our hope:
在14节我们读到更多关于我们的盼望：
When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession —to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
你们听过真理之道，就是那使你们得救的福⾳，⽽且也信了基督。你们既然信祂，就领受了上帝 应许赐下的圣灵为印记。 圣灵是我们领受产业的担保，直到上帝的⼦⺠得到救赎，使祂的荣耀受 到颂赞。(以弗所书1:13-14)
It says that the HS is the “deposit” or in other words, the “first instalment” or “downpayment” of eternal life, guaranteeing the “full payment” or full “inheritance” in the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit with us is like the entrée of the most delicious feast that is to come. For those exploring faith, the Holy Spirit’s seal might seem abstract, but it signifies a deep and personal connection with God.
圣灵被称为“保证⾦”，换句话说，是“⾸付款”或“定⾦”，保证我们在上帝国度中的“全额付款”或完 整的“产业”。圣灵与我们同在就像是即将到来的丰盛盛宴的开胃菜。对于那些探索信仰的⼈来 说，圣灵的印记可能显得抽象，但它象征着与上帝之间深厚⽽个⼈的联系。
So, understanding this “deposit” helps us with two challenges of thought we might face: 1) We may think our joy in the presence of God is only for the future. Well, this passage tells us that we can already enjoy something of heaven now in a personal intimacy with God that is enabled by his HS. 2) Or we might think our current experience is all there is. This passage tells us that it’s only a deposit - it’s a taste of what is yet to come! Like, if we want to buy a house, we need the bank to help us with a loan to own that house - the house is ours, it’s in our name, and we’re responsible for it. But the bank needs a deposit to secure it for us. It gives them assurance knowing that this deposit is just a taste of what is to come, which of 15 17 is that we will pay the entire loan someday, owning the house completely without a mortgage. The HS in us is our deposit for the full inheritance in the kingdom of God.
因此，理解这个“保证⾦”可以帮助我们⾯对两个可能的思维挑战： 1) 我们可能会认为在神的同在中所感受到的喜乐只是未来的事情。然⽽，这段经⽂告诉我们，我 们现在就可以在与神的亲密关系中享受到⼀些天国的滋味，这⼀切都是通过圣灵实现的。 2) 或者我们可能认为我们当前的经历就是全部。这段经⽂告诉我们，这只是⼀个保证⾦——是未 来将要来临的预示！就像如果我们想买⼀套房⼦，我们需要银⾏的贷款来拥有这套房⼦——房⼦ 是我们的，登记在我们的名下，我们对此负责。但银⾏需要保证⾦来为我们保留这套房⼦。这让 他们有信⼼，知道这个保证⾦只是未来的⼀⼩部分，也就是我们将来会全额偿还贷款，完全拥有 这套房⼦，不再有抵押贷款。圣灵在我们⼼中是我们在上帝国度中完整产业的保证⾦。
The Holy Spirit’s seal confirms our place in God’s family, wrapping up the three blessings we’re focusing on today.
圣灵的印记确认了我们在神家中的位置，概括了我们今天关注的三个祝福。
How can you invite the Holy Spirit to be more active in your daily decisions and relationships this week?
你如何在本周的⽇常决策和⼈际关系中邀请圣灵更积极地参与？
Let’s praise the Spirit together for our seal. For God’s presence is with us, and that means so much more than we know.
让我们⼀起赞美圣灵，因为我们的印记。上帝与我们同在，这意味着⽐我们所知道的更重要。
As we finish today, let’s reflect on the incredible blessings we have in Jesus:
● We are chosen by God: Before the foundation of the world, God chose us in love to be part of His family, giving us a new identity and worth.
● We are redeemed by Jesus: Through His blood, we are forgiven and freed from guilt and shame, allowing us to live confidently in God’s acceptance and love.
● We are sealed by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit marks us as God’s own, guaranteeing our inheritance and empowering us to live out our faith.
在我们结束今天的讲道时，让我们反思在耶稣⾥所拥有的不可思议的祝福：
● 我们被神所拣选：在世界创⽴之前，神出于爱拣选我们成为祂的家庭的⼀部分，赋予我们 新的身份和价值。
● 我们被耶稣所救赎：通过祂的⾎，我们得到了赦免，从罪疚和羞愧中解放出来，使我们能 够⾃信地⽣活在神的接纳和爱中。
● 我们被圣灵所印记：圣灵标记我们为神的⼦⺠，保证我们的产业，并赋予我们能⼒去活出 我们的信仰。
If you remember one thing from today, let it be this: 'We are chosen, redeemed, and sealed by God’s love.'
如果今天你记住⼀件事，那就是：“我们被神的爱所拣选、救赎和印记。”
Let’s consider how we can reflect these blessings in our daily lives:
● At work, let the freedom and redemption you have in Christ guide your interactions. How can you show grace, understanding, and forgiveness to your colleagues?
● Within your family, live out your identity as God’s chosen people. Share the story of being chosen by God with your children and consider planning activities that reflect God’s love, like serving in the community or family prayer time.
● For everyone, take time each day this week to meditate on being chosen, redeemed, and sealed by God. Write it down and place it where you’ll see it often. Encourage someone close to you by sharing this truth and supporting them in their faith journey.
让我们考虑如何在⽇常⽣活中反映这些祝福：
● 在⼯作中，让你在基督⾥所拥有的⾃由和救赎指导你的互动。你如何能向同事展示恩典、 理解和宽恕？
● 在家庭中，活出你作为神所拣选之⼦的身份。与孩⼦分享被神拣选的故事，并考虑计划⼀ 些反映神爱的活动，⽐如参与社区服务或家庭祷告时间。
● 对每个⼈来说，这周每天花时间冥想被拣选、被救赎和被神印记的意义。把这些写下来， 放在你常常能看到的地⽅。通过分享这⼀真理，⿎励身边的⼈，并⽀持他们的信仰旅程。
As we leave today, let’s carry this question with us: How can we make our lives a continuous act of worship and gratitude to our King of Kings? Let this question guide our daily actions and reflect the incredible grace and love we have received. [sing] Praise forever to the King of kings.
在我们今天离开时，让我们带着这个问题：我们如何能使我们的⽣活成为对万王之王的持续敬拜 和感恩的⾏为？让这个问题指导我们的⽇常⾏动，反映我们所领受的不可思议的恩典和爱。 [唱] 《万王之王》。
