Not a fan vs. Nonbeliever.
I’m going to show a short clip of 2014 world cup. (It will be the
clip from the final, if the sharing day passes the final date, July 13 2014)
I am not good at any sports or a fan of any kind of them. I never
thought that will be a fun thing to know anything about it. And it wastes time
and is bored to watch the games.
But because of preparing the sharing information of 2014 Brazil world
cup for the evergreen senior college (長春大學) , I spend some time to read and search all
the basic information and reports about it. I even watch some games on TV.
It turns out that I learn a lot about this sport, it is quite
interesting too. I have a lot more of topics to talk to friends, customers and
my kids, the relationships with them getting closer and better. Again learning
new stuffs are always benefits in certain ways.
Not just the games alone, the winning or losing that excite me.
The past recorders, the facts about it, the team works, the players’ emotions
and passion for it, the coaches’ teaching, the viewers who watch the live
competitions, mid-game commercials, sport analysts experts’ analysis, they all
caught my attentions. The sentiments when they either win or lose are so real.
They cheers, dances and give thanks to the Lord and the fans, coaches when they
win the game. They tears in front of the billions of viewers when they lose the
match.
All those get my memories about before I become a Christian. Dear
friends encourage and invite me to attend church services or events. I, always
answer them, in a not very polite way, “I’m not interesting it or I’m too busy
to go, please don’t bother me for that.” It is like saying, “I do not want to
waste my time on that.”
Until one day I finally walk into church for I somehow thought it
is good for my kids and soon touched by one of the hymns and become a Christian.
That is then I found out, going to church or become a Christian is
not a nonsense or boring decision at all. All the touching prayers are so real,
those hymns real move me, and pastors’ messages always teach and remind me on
something that I never pay attention about. The passions between fellowships, we
go outing together, the team works are amazing everybody take part of the work
in every event, those yummy potlucks, we cry and laugh and pray and worship
together, never need to face any troubles or holidays alone. I learn a lot of
things from them, cooking, dancing, singing, teaching, leading, sharing, taking
care of others, we grow in spiritual together, keep company and comfort each
other. We all walk alongside with our Lord in any situations that we confront.
Deuteronomy 31:6 申命記 31:6
be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for
the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
你們當剛強壯膽，不要害怕，也不要畏懼他們，因為耶和華你的神和你同去，他必不撇下你，也不丟棄你。」
Psalm 28:7 詩篇 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
耶和華是我的力量，是我的盾牌，我心裡倚靠他，就得幫助。
所以我心中歡樂，我必用詩歌頌讚他。
Psalm 55:14 詩篇 55:14
We who had sweet fellowship together, Walked in the house of God
in the throng.
我們素常彼此談論，以為甘甜，我們與群眾在神的殿中同行。
Romans 12:10 羅馬書 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to
one another in honor;
要以弟兄之情彼此相愛，以尊敬之心彼此謙讓
1 John 4:19 約翰一書 4:19
19 We love because he first loved us. 我們愛，是因為他先愛了我們。
Today I want to ask
you to join our team. Why? We have the best coach, our Lord. We have the best
team members, our brothers and sisters. And He wants to bless you and your
family forevermore.
And Peter said
to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.
彼得對他們說：「你們應當悔改，每個人都當奉耶穌基督的名受洗，使你們的罪得赦免，就會領受所賜的聖靈。
Ephesians 4:5以 弗 所 書 4:5
one Lord, one
faith, one baptism; 一 主 ， 一 信 ， 一 洗 ，
Acts 22:16使徒行傳 22:16
And now what are
you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on
his name.
現在你還等什麼呢？起來，當受洗！求告他的名，當洗去你的罪孽！
Galatians5:2-23加 拉 太 書5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness
and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
22 聖 靈 所 結 的 果 子 、 就 是 仁 愛 、 喜 樂 、 和 平 、 忍 耐 、 恩 慈 、 良 善 、 信 實 、23 溫柔，節制‧這樣的事，沒有律法禁止‧
Matthew 28:19 馬太福音 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, 所以你們要去，使萬民成為我的門徒；奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗；
