腓4:6-7; MCBC; 3/1/2020; Rev. Paul Wang 王保羅牧師
引言
這兩節經文是大家耳熟能詳、津津樂道的，對嗎？而且我也不止一次講這段經文了，還記得嗎？今天重新講同一段經文，會不會有不同的意義呢？我們來看第一點：
這是一個命令
命令，就是要去執行的，對嗎？為什麼保羅會下一道這樣的命令呢？首先，主已經近了。這不是我說的，是主自己透過保羅說的。而且還是上下文的關係，第五節：“當叫眾人知道你們謙讓的心。主已經近了（腓4:5）。”更加重要的是，在今天“應當一無掛慮”的前面還有一條命令，就是當叫眾人知道你們謙讓的心。你能體會出這其中的為道嗎？一個人能夠一無掛慮的前提，是有一顆謙讓的心。還不是一個人，乃是一群人。還不是隨便的一群人，乃是一群跟隨基督的人，就是教會。教會內的生命樣式是謙讓的嗎？保羅的意思是，沒有謙讓的生命，是無法一無掛慮的。
其次，要靠主喜樂。這也是主說的：“你們要靠主常常喜樂．我再說、你們要喜樂（腓4:4）。”沒有喜樂，又如何一無掛慮呢？可能馬上就會有人對我說：牧師，我就是沒有喜樂呀！又不能裝，就是滿臉愁雲慘霧的，怎麼辦？我說你問得好！就怕你不問，為什麼？因爲保羅並沒有說讓我們裝作喜樂的樣子，自欺欺人。乃是說要靠主喜樂，對不對？靠自己沒用！自己是靠不住的，同意嗎！什麼是靠主？就是放下自己的執著，接受神給我們的一切可能。
最後，你是我喜樂。其實，喜樂有一個奧秘，就是以別人生命的成長為我喜樂的原點。這是這個世界所陌生的價值觀，連撒但也不曉得的奧秘。你走出教會，就會聽見“人不為己，天誅地滅！”的聲音，對不對？這個世界教我們的，都是一些肥水不流外人田的道理。但是，今天的經文告訴我們：“我所親愛所想念的弟兄們、你們就是我的喜樂、我的冠冕．我親愛的弟兄、你們應當靠主站立得穩（腓4:1）。”保羅等於是顛覆了整個世界，翻轉了整個宇宙。如果我們的生命不與神的話語一同翻轉，我們就會在老我的地方原地踏步。我們看第二點：
這是一個經歷
你知道嗎，我們一信主，就在做一件事情，你知道是什麼嗎？就是今天經文中說的“將你們所要的告訴 神。”這是個問題，對不對？是個什麼問題呢？我們離神已經太遠了，已經陌生了，不知道怎麼將所要的告訴神了，所以，保羅就這個過程告訴我們，首先，就是禱告。禱告是什麼？禱告就是與神對話，你說話，也要聽神對你說話，就是讀經。禱告，不需要知道自己要說什麼，你就去說你心裡的真心話就好了。你也不必說得很華麗、很有口才似的，沒有必要，但也可以是美麗的，對不對？因爲你畢竟是和上帝在講話呀！當然，你也可以選擇默禱。你說我就是不會說出來，但我心裡在禱告。可以的！對神說話，只是禱告的一部分。因爲除了說，還要聽神說話。聽神說話，以讀經為主要的聆聽方式。當然，神也會用其他方式對我們說話。但是，請記住了，讀經絕對是主要的方式。一個平時不讀經的人，卻要告訴我他怎麼聽到神的話語的人，我通常會鼓勵他從讀經開始學習聆聽神的話語。否則，行差踏錯的機率是蠻高的。儆醒吧！
其次，就是祈求。祈求往往是我們禱告的主要內容，而即使是這樣，我們的祈求優先次序也是錯的。耶穌說：“你們要先求他的國、和他的義這些東西都要加給你們了（太:6:33）。”神是我們的天父，兒子向爸爸祈求什麼，何錯之有？當然沒錯！但是，我們必須按照神的心意來祈求，否則，就成了妄求。也不能在注重罪孽的前提下去向神祈求，聖經說：“我若心裡注重罪孽、主必不聽（詩66:18）。”
最後，就是感謝。這是我們最應該，也是最缺少的屬靈生命。從整個人類與神關係的現象來看，我們都屬於忘恩負義的白眼狼。話有些出粗魯，但是，理兒是這麼個裡兒。同意嗎？凡是不按神，乃是按自己的意思去行，感恩之心馬上就蕩然無存。看第三點：
這是一份牽掛
你知道神每時每刻都在牽掛你嗎？你知道祂也在期待著你對祂的牽掛嗎？首先，平安的意念。神透過先知耶利米告訴我們：“耶和華說、我知道我向你們所懷的意念、是賜平安的意念、不是降災禍的意念、要叫你們末後有指望（耶29:11）。”這是一個新的視角，從心發出的觀察。平時我們講平安，是以事情進展的結果為依據。但又不是憑感覺，乃是超越感覺的感知。
其次，基督耶穌裡。自從基督道成肉身，成為人的樣式後，就曉得我們行事為人的標準必須在基督裡。因為祂是道路、真理、生命，若不藉著祂，沒有人可以到父那裡去。無論我們做什麼，總要奉主耶穌基督的名。想一想此時此地，主會同意我這麼做嗎？
最後，心懷意念中。若無主的保守，我們的心懷意念都是邪惡的。聖經說，人心比萬物都詭詐，誰能識透呢？所以，接受神對我們心懷意念的保守，是我們屬靈生命成長的前提。說白了，就是與神彼此相愛、相互牽掛，別不把神當回事兒！祂可是那位為我們捨命的主啊！
結語
好，今天這堂“應當一無掛慮”之道，就講到這裡。神所賜下的命令，就是要我們透過經歷祂的恩典，與我們建立一個彼此相互牽掛的關係。你願意嗎？
我們一同禱告……
4:6 應當一無挂慮、只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求、和感謝、將你們所要的告訴 神。
4:7 神所賜出人意外的平安、必在基督耶穌裡、保守你們的心懷意念。
Do not be anxious about anything
Philippians 4:6-7; MCBC; 3/1/2020; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
These two verses are familiar and relish to everyone, right? And I have preached these verses more than once, remember? Today I will preach the same scriptures again. Would it have different meanings? Let’s look at the first point:
This is a command
A command is to be executed, right? Why did Paul give such a command? First of all, the Lord is near. This is not what I said, but the Lord himself said through Paul. And it’s still contextual, verse 5: “Let your gentleness be evident to all. (Philippians 4: 5).” First, The Lord is near. More importantly, there is another command before “do not be anxious about anything”. The command is to let everyone know your humility. Can you comprehend the truth in this? The premise that a person can be not anxious about anything is to have a gentle heart. Not just a single person, but a group of people. Besides, not just any group, but a group of followers of Christ, or the church. Is the life style in the church modest? What Paul meant was that without a humble life, one cannot be not anxious about anything.
Second, rejoice in the Lord. This is also what the Lord says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again, rejoice! (Philippians 4: 4).” Without joy, how can can we be not anxious about anything? Someone may say to me immediately: Pastor, I just have no joy! It cannot be pretended, that is, the face is full of sorrow and sadness, what should I do? I said, you asked well! I’m concerned if you don’t ask, why? Because Paul did not say that we should pretend to rejoice and self-deceived. It means rejoicing in the Lord, right? It is useless to rely on yourself! You are unreliable; do you agree? What is to rely on the Lord? It is to let go of your persistence and accept everything that God has given us.
Lastly, you are my joy. In fact, there is a mystery of joy, which is to take the growth of other people’s lives as the origin of my joy. This is a value unfamiliar to this world, a mystery that even Satan does not know. When you walk out of the church, you will hear the voice, “it would be against human nature should anyone ever refuse to care about himself.” Isn’t it? What this world teaches us is the selfish principle of “rich water should be kept in one’s own fields.” But today’s Scripture tells us: “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!”
(Philippians 4: 1). It is tantamount to overturning the entire world and flipping the entire universe. If our lives do not overturn with the Word of God, we will be standing at where our old nature is. Let ’s look at the second point:
This is an experience
Do you know that once we believe in the Lord, we are doing one thing, do you know what it is? That’s what is said in today ’s verse, “Present your requests to God.” This is a problem, right? What’s the problem? We are too far away from God, we are unfamiliar with Him, and we do not know how to tell God what we want, so Therefore, Paul told us about this process.
First is by prayer. What is prayer? Prayer is talking to God. and when you speak, you also need to listen to the words from God. That is to read the bible. As for prayer, you do not need to know what you are going to say, just say the words from your heart. You don’t have to use fancy words or eloquence. It’s not necessary. but it also can be beautiful, right? Because you are talking to God after all! Of course, you can also choose to pray silently. You said I just wouldn’t say it, but I was praying in my heart. This is okay! Talking to God is only part of prayer. Because in addition to speaking to God, you have to listen to God. Listening to God is by reading the bible as the main method.
Of course, God speaks to us in other ways. But remember, reading the Bible is definitely the main way. A person who usually does not read the Bible but tells me how he hears the Word of God. I usually would encourage him to learn to listen to God from reading the bible. Otherwise, the chance of making a mistake is quite high. Be alert!
The second is by petition. Often times petition is the main content of our prayers, and even then, our supplication priorities are wrong. Jesus said, but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew: 6:33).” God is our heavenly Father. Is there anything wrong for a son to ask something from his father? Of course, nothing is wrong. However, we must petition according to God’s will. Otherwise, we will become asking evilly. Nor can we pray to God on the premise of cherishing sin. The Bible says, ” If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (Psalm 66:18).”
Lastly, with thanksgiving. This is a must for the spiritual life and is also what we are short the most. From the perspective of the relationship between mankind and God, we allare ungrateful people. It is a bit rude to say so, but this is true. Agree? Anyone who does not follow God, but by his own will, the gratitude immediately disappeared. Let’s ‘look at the third point:
This is a caring
Do you know that God cares about you all the time? Do you know that he is also looking forward to your caring for him? First, plan to prosper. God told us through the prophet Jeremiah: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11).” This is a new perspective, an observation from the heart. We usually talk about peace based on the results of the progress of things. But it is not by feeling, but by the perception beyond feeling.
Secondly, in Christ Jesus. Since Christ became incarnate and became human, we have known that the standard by which we act must be in Christ. Because He is the way, the truth, and the life, no one can go to the Father without him. No matter what we do, we are always in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about it here and now. Will the Lord agree with me what I am doing?
Lastly, in heart. Without the protection of the Lord, our hearts and thoughts are all evil. The Bible says that the heart is deceitful above all things. Who can understand it? Therefore, accepting God’s conservatism of our hearts is the prerequisite for our spiritual growth. To put it plainly, it is to love and care for each other with God, don’t be careless about God! He is the One who died for us!
Conclusion
Okay, today ’s sermon of ” do not be anxious about anything” is finished. The command given by God is for us to establish a relationship to care for one another with Him through experiencing His grace.
Let’s pray together …
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
