關係中的喜樂Joy in Partnership
關係中的喜樂
Joy in Partnership
Picture the scene with me...
和我⼀起想象这个场景......
A group of people have just faced a wave of difficulty.
● Waters from the floods ruined one of the rooms
● The cost of living has sky rocketed
● Students are facing the effects of teachers strikes, and still recovering from a months of
educational disruption during COVID
● Stresses at work
● Political debates
● Embroiled in relationship squabbles, quarrels, and grumbling.
⼀群⼈刚刚⾯对⼀波困境
● 洪⽔毁掉了⼀个房间
● ⽣活成本急剧上升
● 学⽣们⾯临着教师罢⼯的影响，他们刚刚从疫情期间的教育中断中恢复过来
● ⼯作中的压⼒
● 政治争论
● 陷⼊关系争执、争吵和埋怨之中
Someone steps in and says:
● “Don’t worry about anything”
● “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
● “Whatever happens… rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things.”
另外⼀些⼈介⼊，说到：
● “应当毫⽆忧虑。”
● “你们要靠着主常常喜乐，我再说，你们要喜乐。”
● “你们要靠着主喜乐。我写这些话给你们，在我并不困难，对你们却是妥当的。”
I think your response might be ...“I get tired of you telling me!”
我想你的反应可能会是...... “我听得够多了！”
What kind of heartless beast would say all this?! Whoever the person is – he or she must have no real
idea about hardship.
什么样的⼈会说出这些话呢？不管是谁，他/她⼀定对困难没有真正的了解。
Some of you are familiar with these words so you know that the writer is a guy named Paul. Often
known as St Paul. What he wrote forms much of the NT of the Bible.
你们中的⼀些⼈对这些话会很熟悉，这些话出⾃⼀个叫保罗的⼈，通常被称为圣保罗，他写的
东⻄构成了圣经新约⼤部分内容。
Each of those phrases are taken verbatim from a letter he wrote to a church in Philippi, that is found
in the NT of the Bible.
这些话语都是逐字逐句地摘⾃保罗写给腓⽴⽐教会的信，这封书信⻅于圣经新约。
Before you mutter about him being out-of-touch with reality– let’s take a bit some time to unpack
what is happening here, in case it is us who are missing something here.
在你嘀咕保罗与现实脱节之前，让我们花点时间来解读这⾥发⽣的事情，以防我们错过了什么
信息。
The people he is writing to are followers of Jesus in a church that he himself planted in a city called
Philippi.
保罗写作对象是腓⽴⽐教会的基督徒，这间在腓⽴⽐的教会是保罗亲⾃建⽴的。
Today Philippi is found in northern parts of Greece.
腓⽴⽐这座城市位于今天希腊北部。
In its day, Philippi was a significant city. It took pride in being – what we read elsewhere in the NT as
“a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony”/ Acts 16:12
在当时，腓⽴⽐是⼀座重要的城市，它为此⾃豪，我们在新约其他地⽅能够读到：
“是⻢其顿地区的⾸要城市，是罗⻢的殖⺠地。”（徒16:12）
I actually travelled to what remains of Philippi back in 2019.
我于2019年去过腓⽴⽐的遗迹。
It may not look all that impressive now – but it was a grand city in its day. As a Roman colony, you can
imagine there was a lot of patriotism for Rome.
它现在看起来可能并不那么令⼈印象深刻，但在当时却是⼀座宏伟的城市。作为罗⻢的殖⺠地
，你可以想象有很多⼈拥护罗⻢帝国。
Unfortunately, this led to some difficulties for followers of Jesus.
这给基督徒带来了⼀些困难。
Strong indications are that they are facing persecution. After all, the way of Jesus at times was not
compatible with the way of Caesar.
强烈的迹象表明，这些基督徒正⾯临迫害。毕竟，耶稣的教导有时与恺撒的命令并不⼀致。
Inscriptions can be found from Augustus Caesar in the way he declares himself as a divine saviour
who brings the gospel/good news to all of the Roman Empire. Following the way of Caesar is how you
were going to enjoy a golden age of flourishing – at least if you were a male Roman citizen.
But much of the way of Caesar was at odds with the way of Jesus.
从碑⽂中可以发现，恺撒宣称⾃⼰是神圣的救世主，为整个罗⻢帝国带来福祉。遵循恺撒的领
导，你就能享受⼀个繁荣的⻩⾦时代，如果你是⼀个男性罗⻢公⺠。
但恺撒的命令有很多是与耶稣的教导相悖的。
You can imagine what happens when these believers begin to talk about a kingdom that is greater
than Rome –that’s not patriotic. Their clients start to move their business. People move their trade.
They go to other stores. My guess is that some have lost employment.
你可以想象，当这些基督徒开始谈论⼀个⽐罗⻢帝国更伟⼤的天国时会发⽣什么，这并不是爱
国主义的表现。他们的客户不再光顾他们的⽣意，⼈们转去其他店铺。我的猜测是，有些⼈因
此已经失去了⼯作。
Indications are that they are struggling financially – and flirting with poverty raises all sorts of
questions.
有迹象表明，他们正在经济上挣扎，贫穷会引发各种问题。
External pressures often magnify the niggles we face in relationships with each other. Later in the
letter, Paul will tell them to do everything without complaining or arguing. Why? Because, that’s what
he is hearing going on. He calls out particular people who were probably finding it hard to be in the
same room with each other.
外部压⼒往往会放⼤我们在彼此关系中⾯临的麻烦。在书信的后⾯，保罗告诉他们做任何事都
不要抱怨或争论，为什么呢？因为，这就是他所听到的情况。他看出，⼀些⼈可能发现彼此很
难处于同⼀屋檐下。
The church in Philippi was likely 30-40 people in total. Of course, that means everyone knows what is
going on.
腓⽴⽐的教会可能总共有30 - 40⼈。这意味着每个⼈都知道彼此之间的事情。
Paul can see that they have lost their focus. They’ve lost their joy. Perhaps they’ve even at risk of
losing their faith. It’s not going well.
保罗看到，他们已经失去了焦点，他们已经失去了喜乐，他们甚⾄有丧失信⼼的危险。情况并
不顺利。
Paul doesn't deny or minimise the difficulties that are clearly going on. In fact later in the book, he will
speak about the challenges, the grumbling and the disunity.
保罗并没有否认或最⼩化所发⽣的困难。在书信的后⾯，他将谈到挑战、抱怨和不团结的问
题。
But even in the difficulties, he does say:
“Don’t worry about anything”
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
“Whatever happens… rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things.”
但即使在困境中，保罗仍然这样写道：
● “应当毫⽆忧虑。”
● “你们要靠着主常常喜乐，我再说，你们要喜乐。”
● “你们要靠着主喜乐。我写这些话给你们，在我并不困难，对你们却是妥当的。”
Before you write him off as an being insensitive, you need to realise that Paul is not immune to
extreme pain and difficulty.
在你把保罗说成麻⽊不仁之前，你需要知道，保罗对极端的痛苦和困难并不免疫。
He himself is writing from either a prison cell or most likely house arrest in Rome. He is waiting for a
hearing before Caesar’s court – one that would eventually lead to his death. It’s not going well for
him.
他⾃⼰是在罗⻢的牢房⾥、或很可能是在软禁中写作。他正在等待法庭的听证会，这将最终导
致他的死亡。这对他来说并不顺利。
Even before his current crisis, Paul was already familiar with suffering.
甚⾄在此危机之前，保罗就已经遭受过苦难。
In fact, the first time he preached in Philippi, it caused such disruption that some got really upset.
They had Paul arrested, beaten with rods, and thrown into jail.
他第⼀次在腓⽴⽐讲道时，引起了很⼤的轰动，以⾄于有些⼈⾮常⽣⽓，他们把保罗抓起来，
⽤棍⼦打他，然后把他扔进监狱。
That story is told in the Book of Acts in our Bibles.
“A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten
with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison.… So the jailer
put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks./ Acts 16:16-24
这个故事记载于圣经使徒⾏传中：
群众⼀⻬起来攻击他们（保罗和⻄拉），裁判官就剥去他们的⾐服，下令⽤棍⼦打他们。打了
很多棍，就把他们放在监牢⾥...... 把他们押⼊内监，两脚拴了⽊狗。（徒16:16-24）
I’ve sat in that prison amidst the ancient ruins of Philippi. When you read the history of what these
jails were like -well, it’s not a pretty picture.
我曾坐在腓⽴⽐古城废墟中的那个监狱⾥。当你读到这段历史时，眼前并不是⼀幅美丽的画⾯。
He’s been beaten… severely.
He is in stocks – so he can’t sleep.
His body is in pain.
His dignity has been stripped from him.
The conditions are gross.
保罗被殴打......很严重。
他被关在监牢⾥，他⽆法睡觉。
他的身体处于痛苦之中。
他的尊严已经被剥夺了。
这⾥的条件很恶劣。
If it were me – I would have been fuming at the injustice of being arrested for preaching the gospel,
even angry at God for allowing it all to happen. But that’s not how Paul and his companion Silas
respond.
如果是我的话，因传福⾳⽽被逮捕，并遭受不公正的待遇，我⼀定会很⽣⽓，甚⾄对上帝允许
这⼀切发⽣⽽感到愤怒。但保罗和他的同伴⻄拉不是这样回应的。
Instead… Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other
prisoners were listening./ Acts 16:25
约在半夜，保罗和⻄拉祈祷歌颂 神，囚犯们都侧⽿听着。（徒16:25）
Who does that?
谁会这样做呢？
Fast-forward a dozen years and Paul is again under arrest - now in Rome. He is facing immense
challenges. Most of us would associate his setting with misery and grumbling, the complete opposite
of joy.
快进了多年，保罗再次被捕，这次是在罗⻢，他⾯临着巨⼤的挑战。我们⼤多数⼈都会把保罗
的处境与苦难和抱怨联系起来，这与喜乐完全相反。
Yet this letter of Philippians is the most joyful book in the entire Bible. The apostle Paul uses the
Greek words for joy and rejoicing sixteen times in only 104 verses.
然⽽，腓⽴⽐书是整本圣经中最喜乐的书。使徒保罗在仅有的104节经⽂中使⽤了16次希腊语
“喜乐和欢欣”。
This is a paradox. It’s the complete opposite of what any of us expect.
这是⼀个悖论，它与我们任何⼈的期望完全相反。
Some people try to redefine joy in an attempt to make this work for us. But, I don't think that’s the
correct approach. When Paul sings songs – I think he is actually experiencing genuine joy. As he
thinks of his friends at Philippi- I think he is doing so with a smile on his face.
有些⼈试图重新定义喜乐，试图让它为我们所⽤。但是，我不认为那是正确的⽅法。当保罗唱
诗歌的时候，我认为他实际上是在经历真正的喜乐。 当他想到他在腓⽴⽐的朋友时，我想他是
发⾃内⼼的在微笑。
So, why can he experience joy? Why does he think the believers struggling in Philippi can experience
joy? Why can you and I experience joy amidst challenges, division, and difficulty?
那么，为什么保罗能体验到喜乐？为什么他认为在腓⽴⽐教会挣扎的基督徒可以经历喜乐？为
什么你和我能在挑战、分裂和困难中体验到喜乐？
It all comes down to how you see you situation.
这⼀切都归结于你如何看待你的处境。
It is not your situation that determines your joy.
It is how you see your situation that determines your joy.
不是处境决定你的喜乐程度。
⽽是如何看待处境决定了你的喜乐。
So many people hinge their joy on their situation?
那么多的⼈把他们的喜乐寄托在他们的处境上？
When the sun is shining, when people are friendly, when you get a low mortgage rate, when your
political party of choice is in government, when finances are increasing, when the forecast is good,
when your boss is listening to you, when you’re ticking off your bucket list … finally the situation is
such that we can begin to experience joy.
当阳光明媚时，当⼈们对你好时，当你得到低的抵押贷款利率时，当你选择的政党执政时，当
你的钱包增加时，当市场良好时，当⽼板听从你的意⻅时，当你在购物清单上打勾时......我们
可以开始体验喜乐。
But, when the opposite happens – when there’s a flood, where people slander you, when the
mortgage rates increase, when the opposition leads, when there is a recession, when your work
environment stinks … we assume we can’t experience joy until the situation changes.
但是，当相反的情况发⽣，当洪⽔发⽣时，当⼈们诽谤你时，当抵押贷款利率增加时，当反对
派领导执政时，当经济衰退时，当你的⼯作环境很差时...... 我们假设我们不能体验到喜乐，直
到情况有所改变。
Paul disagrees.
保罗并不同意。
He would say ..
It is not your situation that determines your joy.
It is how you see your situation that determines your joy.
他会说：
不是处境决定你的喜乐程度。
⽽是如何看待处境决定了你的喜乐。
Some of you might notice that I am getting a bit greyer and a bit older. In fact, I have one of those
birthdays next month that have an 0 at the end of a digit. I’m in denial about it.
你们中的⼀些⼈可能会注意到，我变得有点苍⽼。事实上，我下个⽉过⽣⽇，年龄后⾯会有⼀
个0，我并不愿意接受这个现实。
As I have got older, I have started wearing glasses. Without these, I can’t read what is in front of me.
Everything looks murky and grim. But, when I put these on – I can see the situation differently.
随着年龄的增⻓，我开始戴上了眼镜。没有眼镜，我⽆法看清眼前的东⻄。所有的东⻄看起来
都很模糊，很阴暗。但是，当我戴上眼镜时，情况完全不同。
It’s like Paul has gospel infused lens. So, when he places his gospel lens over any situation, he sees the
situation entirely differently. He sees that God is present. He sees that God is at work.
如同保罗有⼀副福⾳的镜⽚。当他戴上福⾳镜⽚时，他看到的情况完全不同，他看到上帝是存
在的，他看到上帝在做⼯。
This is what changes his attitude and his whole perspective. It’s why he can rejoice in the Lord always.
这就是改变他态度和整个视⻆的原因，这就是为什么他能在主⾥常常喜乐。
Research backs up this premise.
研究⽀持了这个观点。
One of the most popular TED talks is by Shawn Achor, the CEO of Good Think, a Cambridge-based
consulting firm. It has well over 20 million views. His premise is that only about 10% of happiness is
based on what is happening to you. 90% is based on your attitude/framework – the way your brain
processes the world.
最受欢迎的TED演讲之⼀是肖恩-阿乔尔（Shawn Achor）的演讲，他是剑桥的⼀家咨询公司
Good Think的⾸席执⾏官。它的演讲浏览量超过2000万。他的观点是，只有⼤约10%的幸福是
基于发⽣在你身上的事情，另外90%是基于你的态度/框架，你的⼤脑处理世界的⽅式。
It is not your situation that determines your joy.
It is how you see your situation that determines your joy.
不是处境决定你的喜乐程度。
⽽是如何看待处境决定了你的喜乐。
As we come to the first chapter today, we dive into a prayer that he prays for this church.
我们今天来看腓⽴⽐书第⼀章，其中有保罗为这个教会所做的祷告。
How Paul prays can help us learn how it is that Paul can experience joy in all situations. It happens in
three movements. We see how this gospel lens affects the way Pauls sees the 1) past, 2) present, and
3) the future.
保罗的祷告可以帮助我们了解到，保罗是如何在各种景况下体验到喜乐的，喜乐发⽣在三个⾏
动中。我们看到这个福⾳镜⽚是如何影响保罗看待1）过去，2）现在，和3）未来。
Seeing the situation differently
… by joyfully remembering God’s work in the past
以不同的⽅式看待处境
...... 喜乐地回忆上帝在过去的⼯作
This is what Paul does. He remembers God’s work in the past and how this church first heard the
gospel and came to his aid.
这就是保罗所做的。他回忆起上帝在过去的⼯作，以及这个教会如何第⼀次听到福⾳并来资助
他。
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you
with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you
first heard it until now./ Philippians 1:3-5
我每逢想到你们，就感谢我的 神；每次为你们⼤家祈求的时候，总是欢欢喜喜地祈求。为了
你们从头⼀天直到现在都在福⾳的事⼯上有分，我就感谢我的 神。（腓1:3-5）
It’s like Paul is scrolling through the mental photo albums. He can see the way God brought people
into relationship with him, and how the church was formed 10-12 years earlier.
这就像保罗在脑中滚动浏览过去的相册，他可以看到上帝如何带领⼈们信主，以及教会如何在
10 - 12年前建⽴。
In his mental mapping, he can see the first person he met in Philippi - a business woman by the name
of Lydia. We read about that first encounter in Acts:
在他的脑海中，他看到了他在腓⽴⽐遇到的第⼀个⼈，⼀个名叫吕底亚的⼥商⼈。我们在使徒
⾏传中读到了这次相遇：
The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her
household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she
said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us./ Acts 16:14
主开启她的⼼，使她留⼼听保罗所讲的。她和她⼀家受了洗以后，就请求说：“你们若认为我
是对主忠实的，就请到我家来住。”于是她强留我们。（徒16:14）
Just outside of Philippi there is a church that remembers the place Lydia was baptised.
就在腓⽴⽐城外，有⼀个教堂，⽤来纪念吕底亚的受洗。
Lydia was a business women selling purple cloth. Her customers would have been among the elite of
the Roman Empire – so think of the Gucci of the time. God was at work in her. She is a person of
peace. She responds to the message.
吕底亚是⼀个卖紫布的⼥商⼈。她的顾客应该是罗⻢帝国的精英，就像现在售卖Gucci商品。上
帝在她身上做⼯。她⼼存平安，对信息做出了回应。
The next person is a fortune girl he delivered. It was because of freeing her from the demons that
ravaged her life, that the people making money from her had Paul and his companions arrested.
之后，保罗⻅到⼀个⾏占⼘的⼥孩，保罗将⼥孩身上附着的巫⻤赶⾛，靠⼥孩赚钱的主⼈们使
保罗和他的同伴们被捕。
It was through that arrest that a Philippian jailor and his entire household came to faith.
正是那次逮捕，⼀个腓⽴⽐的狱吏和他的全家都信了主。
Sometimes the past has painful moments. This was true for Paul. Remember, the first time he
preached he was thrown into a Philippian jail cell. Unjustly arrested and beaten and humiliated.
过去有痛苦的时刻，这对保罗来说是真实的。他第⼀次讲道时，就被扔进了腓⽴⽐的牢房，被
不公正地逮捕，被殴打，被羞辱。
If this was any of us – we would have shaken the dust off my feet and slandered it from there on in.
如果这是我们中的任何⼀个⼈，我们会抖落我脚上的灰尘，并从那⾥开始诽谤。
But, Paul places on those gospel lens and joyfully remembers God work in the past.
但是，保罗戴着福⾳的镜⽚看待这些，喜乐地回忆起上帝在过去的⼯作。
All of us can recall stories from the past that are full of pain.
我们所有⼈都能回忆起过去痛苦的故事。
For many of my childhood years, I couldn’t pronounce certain letters – Ts, Fs, Ps. Rs. That really limits
ones vocabulary! Unfortunately, that meant I was teased a lot as a kid.
在我童年的许多年⾥，我不会某些字⺟的发⾳，⽐如T、F、P和R，这限制了我的词汇量，使我
⼩时候经常被嘲笑。
One incident would often plague me with my 6 years old self on a primary school playground with 3
kids unloading a barrage of words – teasing me about my speech impediment.
有⼀件事经常困扰着我，6岁的我在⼩学操场上被3个同龄⼈嘲笑，嘲笑我的语⾔障碍。
For years, that affected my confidence as a speaker.
多年来，这影响了我作为⼀个演讲者的信⼼。
It was only when I went back and considered that God was present there that day and heard what
was said and felt that too. And that God helped me in the process of working through words.
当我重新回想这些，上帝那天也在那⾥，听到了⼈们所说的话，也感受到了我的感受。⽽且，
在之后的岁⽉中，上帝⼀直在帮助我。
Even today, when I misprounce or come up with some new word, or ‘jonathan-ism’ as our team
affectionately calls them, I can see the situation differently.
即使在今天，当我发⾳错误或迸发出⼀些新词（我们团队亲切地称之为‘乔纳森词汇’时），我
也能以不同的⽅式看待这种情况。
For me, it’s no longer a time of pain because I have learned to see the way God was present and
working – even on that playground that day.
对我来说，这不再是⼀个痛苦的时刻，因为我已经学会看到上帝存在和做⼯的⽅式，即使是在
那天的操场上。
It’s not the situation that determines your joy.
It’s how you see your situation that determines your joy.
不是处境决定你的喜乐程度。
⽽是如何看待处境决定了你的喜乐。
It begins by joyfully remembering God’s work in the past
它始于喜乐地回忆上帝在过去的⼯作
There is a second movement Paul makes here.
保罗在这⾥有第⼆个⾏动。
Seeing the situation differently
… by joyfully thanking God for His work in the present
以不同的⽅式看待处境
…… 喜乐地感谢上帝在当下的⼯作
Paul sees God at work in the present, even though the church is facing persecution, experiencing
disunity, and he himself is facing a death sentence.
保罗看到上帝在做⼯，尽管教会⾯临迫害，经历不团结，他⾃⼰也⾯临死亡威胁。
One of the ways this happens is through looking for ways to thank God for His work in the present.
通过寻找不同⽅式⽅法来感谢上帝在当下的⼯作。
Someone has said, Good movement pushes out bad movement.
有⼈说过，好的⾏动推开了坏的⾏动。
I imagine we don’t want to defined by traits of grumpiness and complaining. No one wants to be that
person. You don’t need to elbow the person next to you to identify anybody. I think all of us have
work to do here.
我想我们不希望被视为暴躁和抱怨的⼈，没有⼈愿意成为这样的⼈。你不需要⽤肘击你旁边⼈
的⽅式来识别任何⼈，我认为我们所有⼈都有意义。
But, if we want to be free from grumbling, will power is not sufficient to stop it. Instead, we need to
replace it with something else – gratitude.
如果我们想从抱怨中解脱出来，意志⼒并不⾜够。 相反，我们需要⽤其他东⻄ - 就是感恩。
If your gratitude is bigger than grumbling, you will find that you experience more joy than misery.
如果你的感激之情⼤于埋怨，你会发现你经历的喜乐多于痛苦。
But I believe that good movement pushes out bad movement.
我相信，好的⾏动会推开坏的⾏动。
If you want joy to push out misery, one of the best ways to do that is to replace it with gratitude.
如果你想让喜乐推掉痛苦，最好的⽅法之⼀就是⽤感激之情。
It’s hard to be entitled and miserable when you are expressing genuine gratitude.
当你表达真正的感激之情时，你很难感受到痛苦。
Paul has learned that finding ways to be grateful pushes out the misery and grumbling that would
naturally come from the horrid situation he is in.
保罗已经认识到，感恩可以推掉他所处的可怕处境中⾃然产⽣的痛苦和埋怨。
So, Paul gives thanks to God for the way they are genuine partners.
所以，保罗为腓⽴⽐信徒在福⾳事⼯上有分感谢神。
I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have
been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ./ Philippians 1:3-5
我每逢想到你们，就感谢我的 神；每次为你们⼤家祈求的时候，总是欢欢喜喜地祈求。为了
你们从头⼀天直到现在都在福⾳的事⼯上有分，我就感谢我的 神。（腓1:3-5）
That word ‘partners’ is similar to a word some of you might have heard before – koinea. It’s the word
for fellowship, meeting together. But, the word develops here to be a partner in work. It’s not just
meeting together and hanging out but on mission together. Paul says ‘I give thanks because you are
genuine partners. We’re in this mission together. You’re sacrificing even by sending finance to help
churches get established into new places.
‘有分（partners）’这个词与另⼀个词相似 - koinea，你们可能听说过。它有团契、⼀起聚会的
意思。但是，这个词在这⾥发展为⼯作中的伙伴。它不仅仅是⼀起聚会和闲逛，⽽是⼀起完成
使命。保罗说，我感谢你们，因为你们是我真正的同伴，我们在这个使命中是⼀起的，你们甚
⾄通过资助的⽅式来帮助教会在新的地⽅建⽴。
Later in his letter, he talks about how unique this was:
在书信的后⾯，他特别说道：
As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you
the Good News and then travelled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in
Thessalonica you sent help more than once. / Philippians 4:15-16
腓⽴⽐的弟兄们，你们也知道，在我传福⾳的初期，离开⻢其顿的时候，除了你们以外，我没
有收过任何教会的供给。我在帖撒罗尼迦的时候，你们还是⼀⽽再把我所需⽤的送来。（腓
4:15-16）
You didn’t just partner when I was in your city when there might be something for you to gain from it.
But you sent an offering from a distance.
当我在你的城市时，你不只是同伴，你们没有从我这边得到些什么，但你们从远处送来了奉
献。
After Paul was released from the prison cell in Philippi, he went to Thessalonica to begin a church. It’s
about 150 km away. Though he isn’t physically with them, they still sent him aid.
保罗从腓⽴⽐的牢房被释放后，他去了帖撒罗尼迦，开始建⽴了⼀个教会。两个地⽅⼤约有
150公⾥的距离。虽然他没有和他们在⼀起，但他们还是给他送来了资助。
Right now, Paul is a long way from Philippi. Rome is the distance from Auckland all the way down to
Dunedin!
But, guess what?
This church tracked him down and sent him another gift. In that day, that meant sending someone
from their church – whose name was Epaphroditus – travelling for many weeks – to take him some
financial aid and help him out.
现在，保罗离腓⽴⽐更远。他在罗⻢，离腓⽴⽐的距离，相当于从奥克兰到但尼丁的距离。
但是，你猜怎么着？
教会追踪到保罗，并给他送去了⼀份礼物。教会差派⼀名信徒，他的名字叫以巴弗提，旅⾏了
⼏个星期，给保罗带来⼀些财政援助。
They are in this together. On mission together.
他们是在⼀起的，⼀起完成使命。
So, he writes:
所以，保罗写道：
So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You
share with me the special favour of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming
the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender
compassion of Christ Jesus./ Philippians 1:7-8
为你们众⼈我有这样的意念是很恰当的，因为你们常常在我的⼼⾥，⽆论我是在捆锁之中，或
是在辩护和证实福⾳的时候，你们都和我⼀同分享 神的恩典。我是怎样以基督耶稣的⼼肠，
切切地想念你们众⼈，这是 神可以为我作证的。（腓1:7-8）
Paul is full of gratitude for them because there is a real sense ‘we’re in this together.’
保罗对他们充满了感激，因为真正感觉到‘我们在⼀起’。
Perhaps you are in a difficult patch right now. One of the best things you can do is to look for where
God is at work in the present.
也许你现在正处于困境，你可以做的最好的事情之⼀，就是寻求上帝在当下做⼯。
Our leadership team met this week and we were reflecting on some of the challenges and difficulties
we were facing. At times, life can be overwhelming. I am prone to bouts of discouragement.
我们教会的领导团队本周开会，我们在⼀起反思所⾯临的⼀些挑战和困难。有时，⽣活可能让
⼈不知所措。我就很容易出现灰⼼丧⽓的情况。
But, then we paused as a team took time to ask ‘where do we see God at work right now.’
后来我们停顿下来，问‘我们现在看到上帝在哪⾥做⼯’。
Within 5 minutes, we filled an entire whiteboard with reminders of specific ways we could see God at
work. It didn’t take away challenges but it helped us see the situation differently.
在5分钟内，我们把整个⽩板填满，这提醒了我们，上帝在做⼯。这并不会消除挑战，但它帮
助我们以不同的⽅式看待所处的环境。
That’s true when it comes to circumstances. It’s also true when it comes to relationships.
处境如此，关系也是如此。
Remember this is a church that was facing relational difficulties.
请记住，这是⼀个⾯临关系破裂的教会。
Some of them are probably finding it hard to be in the same room with each other.
他们中的⼀些⼈可能发现彼此之间很难在同⼀屋檐下相处。
I think one of the reasons Paul prays like he does is that he is trying to say something to them about
their division and disunity. It like Paul is saying ‘shift your prayer life away from yourself to a genuine
affection for the other. If you want to break the dividing walls – move in the opposite spirit of what is
happening.
我认为保罗这样祷告的原因之⼀是，他试图对他们的分裂和不团结说些什么。这就像保罗在说
，把你的祷告从⾃⼰身上转移到其他⼈。如果你想打破分裂，为他⼈祷告。
It’s hard to remain hateful and hardened towards people when you are genuinely thanking God for
them.
当你真正为他⼈感谢上帝的时候，你很难保持对他⼈的仇恨和强硬。
Lord, even though I find that person ‘difficult’, even though I find it hard to be in the same room with
them, even though [fill in the blank]… I am going to find ways to thank you for specific things – even
about them.
主啊，尽管我觉得那个⼈很‘难缠’，尽管我觉得很难与他们同处⼀室，尽管[...... 填空]，我仍将
为⼀些事情感谢你，甚⾄为他们向你感恩。
Can you see how this might revolutionise a church who prays this way?
你能看到⼀个以这种⽅式祷告的教会，会发⽣怎样的改变？
I’ve been in situations when relational stresses and strains have taken an enormous toll on me.
我曾经遇到过这样的情况，⼈际关系对我造成了巨⼤的伤害。
It’s like the Spirit saying ‘can you say ‘thank you’ for them for any way they may have furthered the
work of the gospel.’ This doesn’t dismiss the genuine harm that might have been done.
这就像圣灵说，你能不能为他们⽽感恩，因为他们可能以某些⽅式推动了福⾳的⼯作。这并不
否定，可能已经造成的伤害。
But, it does do something in me, and changes my attitude. And allows me to experience joy rather
than bitterness.
但是，它确实在我身上做了⼀些事情，改变了我的态度，并使我能够体验到喜乐，⽽不是苦
闷。
Perhaps as you do, you may even find a growing sense of being able to be on mission together, or a
growing sense of affection over time.
也许在你这样做的时候，你甚⾄会发现能够⼀起同⼯的感觉越来越强，或者随着时间的推移，
感情越来越深。
Either way, I think you will experience less bitterness and more joy.
⽆论哪种⽅式，我想你都会体验到更少的苦涩和更多的喜乐。
It’s not the situation that determines your joy.
It’s how you see your situation that determines your joy.
不是处境决定你的喜乐程度。
⽽是如何看待处境决定了你的喜乐。
It begins by joyfully remembering God’s work in the past
It continues by joyfully thanking God for His work in the present.
它开始于喜乐地回忆上帝在过去的⼯作
它持续于喜乐地感谢上帝在当下的⼯作
But, let’s be honest. The challenges are still there. They haven’t gone away. Or He/she hasn't gone
away.
但是，让我们诚实⼀点。挑战仍然存在，它们并没有消失，或者说他/她还没有离开。
That’s where this final movement is so important:
这就是最后⼀个⾏动如此重要的原因：
Seeing the situation differently
… by joyfully anticipating God’s work in the future
以不同的⽅式看待处境
...... 喜乐地期待上帝在未来的⼯作
Paul is not denying the challenges of the present but he isn’t overcome with despair because he has
confidence that God will finish what He started.
保罗并不否认⽬前⾯临的挑战，但他并没有被绝望所征服，因为他有信⼼，上帝会成就祂所开
始的。
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is
finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns./ Philippians 1:6
我深信那在你们中间开始了美好⼯作的，到了基督耶稣的⽇⼦，必成全这⼯作。（腓1:6）
Who, what, and when
Who -- This is God’s work.
What – the good work. The work of transformation in your life.
When - Day of Christ – the day you will see Jesus face to face. There will be completion.
谁，什么，何时？
谁：这是上帝的⼯作。
什么：美好⼯作，改变你⽣命的⼯作。
何时：基督的⽇⼦，你将⾯对⾯看到耶稣的⽇⼦，上帝成全的⽇⼦。
Have you noticed that since COVID, we’ve found ourselves in situations when we are quick to give up
on things. We’re living in a time in our world when we have major commitment issues. We live in a
time when we are so used to scrolling so quickly through social media the next photo, the next video,
the next fix.. and we take that approach into the jobs we have, the relationships that we have, the
marriage that we have. We’re becoming a society that is letting go of commitments.
你是否注意到，⾃从疫情以来，我们发现⾃⼰很容易放弃。我们⽣活在⼀个缺失承诺的时代，
我们⽣活在⼀个习惯于在社交媒体上快速刷屏的时代，⼀张照⽚、⼀个视频...... 我们把这种⽅
式带⼊我们的⼯作、我们的关系、我们的婚姻。我们的社会正逐渐缺失承诺。
We’re so used to finding the things that satisfy.
我们习惯于寻找能够满⾜的东⻄。
So that when we are in a relationship or in a workplace where things get tense, we are so quick to let
go of the thing and move onto the next. We assume that new will be better and easier.
因此，当我们在⼀段关系、或在⼀个⼯作场所中事情变得紧张时，我们会迅速地放弃，转到下
⼀个。我们认为新的会更好、更容易。
We are so quick to give up on something based on present reality rather than a future hope.
We judge something on what is happening in the moment.
We assume agendas.
We don't ask ‘what might God be doing here? Where might he be at work?
我们如此快就放弃，是基于当前现实，⽽不是对于未来的希望。
我们根据当下正在发⽣的事情来判断某件事情。
我们假定有议程。
我们没有问，上帝可能在这⾥做什么？祂可能在哪⾥做⼯？
Instead, we bail.
相反，我们放弃了。
We can even spiritualise it.
我们甚⾄可以把它属灵化。
“I got into this because God called me and God led me into this. He gave me those confirming signs.
But then it got hard. So, God can’t be in this anymore. So, I will go over here. That looks easier. That
must be where God is at work.”
“我进⼊这个⾏业是因为上帝召唤我，上帝引导我进⼊这个⾏业，祂给了我印证。
但后来⼯作变得艰难，上帝不做⼯了。所以，我到这⾥来，这看起来更容易，这⼀定是上帝做
⼯的地⽅。”
Understandably, we want to avoid hardship and suffering.
可以理解的是，我们想避免困难和痛苦。
But Paul doesn’t bail just because he is suffering.
He didn’t give up on Philippi because he had been arrested, or because they were having squabbles
and issues.
Neither did it stop him experiencing joy.
但保罗并没有因为受苦就放弃。
他没有因为⾃⼰被捕⽽放弃腓⽴⽐教会，也没有因为他们有争吵和问题⽽放弃他们。
这没有阻⽌他经历喜乐。
Why?
为什么呢？
Because He believes God will finish it. So, don't give up on it.
因为他相信上帝会成就。所以，保罗没有放弃。
The church in Philippi is in danger of giving up on each other because it’s hard.
If they’re giving up on each other, the next phase may well be to give up on God.
腓⽴⽐的教会因为困难，正⾯临着互相放弃的危险。
如果他们互相放弃，下⼀阶段很可能是放弃上帝。
If God doesn’t answer my prayer here and now – I guess God can’t be trusted. God isn’t faithful. God
isn’t listening/ God isn’t there.
如果上帝不在此时此地回应我的祷告，我想上帝是不可信的，上帝并不信实，上帝没有听祷告
，上帝不在这⾥。
It comes when we want easy answers and easy options.
当我们想要简单的答案和简单的选择时，上述想法就来了。
Perhaps they are looking at Paul in prison and going ‘I don’t want to end up there.’
也许他们看着监狱⾥的保罗，并想‘我不想就这样结束’。
But we don't let persecution, prison, division ever limit our perspective of where God is at work.
Rather we believe God is at work and will complete his good work.
He can do it even through suffering.
There is a good work in you.
Call it out.
Call it out in others.
See it.
Thank God for it.
我们不要让逼迫、监禁、分裂限制我们对上帝做⼯的看法。相反，我们相信上帝在⼯作，并将
成全祂的善⼯。
上帝甚⾄可以藉着苦难来成就。
在你⾥⾯有⼀个上帝的⼯作。
把它召唤出来。
在别⼈身上呼唤它。
寻找它。
为它感谢上帝。
It’s hard to do this.
Looking for things to say ‘thank you God.
Looking for what God is doing.
这很难做到。
寻找可以说‘感谢上帝’的事情。
寻找上帝正在做的事情。
This work something is hard work.
这不容易。
But just because it is tough – doesn’t mean God isn’t at work in and through it.
它是艰难的，并不意味着上帝没有在其中和藉着它⼯作。
Because Paul believes God will continue to work, he prays for them.
保罗相信上帝会继续做⼯，所以他为他们祈祷。
His prayer is not about himself. He’s not even asking them to pray that he gets of prison so that he can
get back to the strategic plan he had to get to Spain.
他的祷告不是为了⾃⼰，他甚⾄没有要求他们为他出狱祈祷，这样他就可以重回到他的战略计
划，到⻄班⽛去。
No – instead, he prays for them. He is focused on what God is doing…and asking that God does
something deep in their hearts.
不，相反，他为他们祈祷。保罗专注于上帝正在做的事情...... 并请求上帝在他们的内⼼深处做
⼯。
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge
and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and
blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your
salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory
and praise to God./ Philippians 1:9-11
我所祷告的，是要你们的爱⼼，在充⾜的知识和各样的⻅识上，多⽽⼜多，使你们可以辨别是
⾮，成为真诚⽆可指摘的⼈，直到基督的⽇⼦，靠着耶稣基督结满了公义的果⼦，使 神得着
荣耀和赞美。（腓1:9-11）
Paul believes God finishes what He starts.
He prays about what really matters.
Ask God to keep working in their hearts and their lives- even in the pain.
But, he doesn’t give up on them just because of present difficulties.
保罗相信上帝会成就祂所开始的事情。
他为真正重要的东⻄祷告。
求上帝继续在他们的⼼⾥和⽣命中做⼯，即使是在痛苦中。
但是，他没有因为⽬前的困境⽽放弃他们。
That’s how Paul finds joy amidst the struggles of the present.
这就是保罗如何在当前的挣扎中寻找喜乐。
He is putting on his gospel lens that sees the end of the story.
他戴上了福⾳镜⽚，看到了故事的结局。
We so easily judge each other on what we see in the present reality rather than the future reality of
what God will do in us all.
我们很容易根据在现实中看到的东⻄来做出判断，⽽不是根据上帝将在我们身上所最终成就
的。
Paul is like – don’t judge something based on what it looks like now. Judge it on what God will do.
The enemy will seek to pull us down through pressure and disunity and persecution.
保罗是这样的，他没有根据现在的样⼦来判断某件事，⽽是依据上帝将要成就的来判断。
敌⼈会试图通过压⼒、不团结和迫害把我们拉下来。
If we bail every time we face difficulty, we will miss out on what God is going.
如果我们每次⾯对困难时都退缩，我们就会错过上帝要⾏的事。
Don't give up so easily. Don’t bail on the commitment you’ve made.
We can’t bail on a marriage just because it’s difficult.
We can't bail on a friendship just because of some tension.
We don't have to turn our back on a commitment just because it’s hard.
不要轻易放弃，不要放弃你已经作出的承诺。
我们不能因为婚姻的困难⽽放弃它。
我们不能因为紧张关系就放弃友谊。
我们不能因为⼀个承诺的难度就背弃它。
Perhaps the Spirit reminding you today – I will finish this. Don't give up.
也许今天圣灵提醒你，我将成就这个，因此不要放弃。
Maybe he is whispering: “Yes, I see the brokenness. I see it in them. You know I also see it in you. But,
I’m not giving up on you. Why would you give up on them?”
也许圣灵在低声说，是的，我看到了破碎。我在他们身上看到了它。你知道我也在你身上看到
了它。但是，我不会放弃你。你为什么要放弃他们？"
“Yes, I know the situation is hard – but why allow it to rob you of joy. Because I am at work.”
是的，我知道情况很困难，为什么允许它夺⾛你的喜乐呢？我在⼯作！
Wrap Up
总结
This week, you will find yourself in a situation that can rob of joy.
本周，你可能会遇到失去喜乐的时刻。
A choice to not be defined by the situation.
A choice to look at the situation differently.
A choice to choose joy regardless of the situation.
选择不被这种处境所捆绑。
选择以不同的⽅式来看待这种处境。
要喜乐，⽆论处境如何。
It might be as small as someone leaving an empty milk bottle in the fridge – but it’s a choice.
How will you respond?
它可能⼩到，⽐如有⼈在冰箱⾥留下⼀个空奶瓶，但你要做出选择。
你将如何回应？
It might be someone missed you off the email – either on purpose or not. How will you respond?
可能是有⼈在电⼦邮件中忘记@你，不管是有意还是⽆意。你将如何回应？
Is your joy only when everything is pleasant or good – or is it a joy that can be experienced amidst the
flood, amidst the loneliness, amidst the stress.
你的喜乐是只有在⼀切都很美好的时候才有的？还是在洪⽔中、在孤独中、在压⼒中能体验到
的喜乐？
What does it look like to shift your focus?
转移你的注意⼒如何？
It is not your situation that determines your joy.
It is how you see your situation that determines your joy.
不是处境决定你的喜乐程度。
⽽是如何看待处境决定了你的喜乐。
What does it look like this week to joyfully remember God’s work in the past
For me – it’s taking time to remember God’s goodness in small ways and in big ways.
本周喜乐地回忆上帝在过去的⼯作。
对我来说，就是花时间回忆上帝在⼤事⼩事上对我的恩惠。
What does it look like this week to give God thanks for His Work in the present.
For me – each day begins with thanking God for 3 specific ways I see him at work.
本周，为上帝在当下的⼯作⽽感恩。
对我来说，每⼀天为三件事情向上帝感恩。
What does it look like this week to anticipate God’s work in the future?
To even give thanks to God for that person who has hurt me.
And to pray a blessing that God will grow and bless that person who has hurt me.
本周，期待上帝在未来将成就的⼯作
为那些曾经伤害过我的⼈感恩。
求上帝做⼯并祝福那些曾伤害过我的⼈。
When we believe that God has been at work in the past,
That God is at work in the present,
And that God continue his work right into the future
… it’s then, that we see the situation differently.
It’s why, we can rejoice.
当我们相信上帝在过去做⼯、
上帝在现在做⼯、
上帝在未来继续成就祂的⼯作
...... 这样，我们就会以不同的⽅式看待⾃⼰的处境。
这就是我们可以喜乐的原因。
The band is coming to lead us in a final song today. It’s a prayer that calls on our own souls to be full
of gratitude.
敬拜队要来带领我们唱最后⼀⾸歌，这是⼀个呼吁我们⾃⼰的灵充满感恩的祷告。
Come on my soul
Oh don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
来吧，我的灵
不要对我害羞
唱出你的声⾳
因为你的肺⾥有⼀头狮⼦
起身赞美主
Do not underestimate how hard this can be.
Neither don't underestimate the joy that can come in this paradoxical response.
不要低估这可能是多么困难。
也不要低估这种悖论的反应所带来的喜悦。
