QT 14/03/2024 Thursday Read Luke 17. Experience and share kingdom news. 体验及分享国度的讯息。
QT 14/03/2024 Thursday Read Luke 17. Experience and share kingdom news.
http://www.esvbible.org/luke17
Luke continues to portray the kingdom of God: Jesus journeys to Jerusalem to advance this kingdom to the next step.
The presence of sin seems inevitable. But may we not be the ones who birth it (17:1-3). Repentance is necessary, and when others repent, "you must forgive him" (Luke 17:4).
Faith in the reality of this kingdom is required. We can always pray, "Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). Genuine faith is preferred over "spectacular" faith.
Participation in this kingdom requires humility, fully acknowledge that we are neither kings nor queens in this kingdom but only "unworthy servants" (See Luke 17:7-10).
As unworthy servants having the unprecedented privilege to participate in this kingdom, we are to be thankful and praise God (Luke 17:15). This evidences the faith within us that has declared sincerely "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us" (Luke 17:13). The Samaritan (considered as an outcast then) is applauded by Jesus.
APPLICATION (1): There are people close to us who are not in this kingdom. Share the gospel to them before the door SHUTS. Let no one deceive us but stay prepared. Don't look back at the trappings of our past, like Lot's wife (Luke 17:31-32).
APPLICATION (2): "The kingdom of God is in the midst of you" (Luke 17:21) if our hearts and actions are prompted by love/forgiveness (Luke 17:1-10), gratefulness (Luke 17:11-19) and watchfulness for that kingdom's ultimate fulfillment (Luke 17:20-37). Embrace this kingdom now.
星期四 2024年3月14日 今日读经：路加福音17章. 体验及分享国度的讯息。
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Luk/17/
路加继续刻画神的国度:耶稣到耶路撒冷把这国度晋升到下一步。
罪的存在似乎是无可避免的。但我们未必是那罪的原生者(17:1-3)。悔改是必须的，而当别人悔改时，“你必须饶恕他”(路17:4)。
这个国度需要的是信心。我们可以常常这样祷告:“加添我们的信心”(路17:5)。真实的信心比“壮观”的信心来得更珍贵。
要参与这个国度需要谦卑的心，绝对认同我们在这个国度不是国王也不是王后，而只不过是“不配的仆人”(见路17:7-10)。
身为不配的仆人能够有幸参与这个国度，我们应该感恩并赞美神(路17:15)。这就应证在我们里面，以诚心宣告“主耶稣啊，可怜我们吧”的信心(路17:13)。那撒玛利亚人(算是被排斥的人)就得到了耶稣的赞许。
应用(1):有些与我们很靠近的人并不在这个国度里。在天国的门还没闭上前，快把福音传给他们。不要上任何人的当，但要预备好。不要回头看过去，就像罗得的妻子一样(路17:31-32)。
应用(2):“神的国就住在你里面”(路17:21)，如果我们的行为是出于爱/饶恕(路17:1-10)、感恩(路17:11-19)和警醒，让神的国度得到最终成全(路17:20-37)。现在就拥抱这个国度。
