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[Bible Study] John 21 - Love the Lord Your God with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength

2016-11-10 89,338 John Eros Loving the Lord Your God with All Your Heart Soul and Strength Relational Love Giving

Introduction

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, is actually a central idea that John wanted to convey. At the end of the Gospel of John, he highlighted a story, a conversation between Jesus and Peter:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Through this story, the Apostle John wanted to express that the relationship between us and God is one of love. Love is wonderful. If a person lives a life without love, unable to give love to others, they will live a miserable life. Conversely, if the love within is lived out, life will be good. A characteristic of this world is that selfish people live very miserably.

Love is, in reality, giving and sacrifice. A crucial concept in our church's core value system is paying the price. Brothers and sisters, observe carefully: selfish people never live well. Today, let us also ask ourselves if we have love within us. If there is no love for others in one's heart, one cannot receive love either. If a person says, No one loves me, they are basically selfish and unlikely to receive love. But if we love God, we will surely live a vibrant life.

The Background of This Passage

Peter loved Jesus very much and was willing to lay down his life for Him. When Jesus called Peter to follow Him, they immediately left their nets and followed Him (see Matthew 4:20). Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (see John 6:68). After Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead, this was the third time He appeared during the forty days. In the days without Jesus, Peter became very lost and had no choice but to go fishing. That night they caught nothing (see John 21:3). When people are in a bad mood, they cannot catch fish either, even though Peter was very skilled at fishing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. (John 21:4)

As for why John wrote about Peter being naked, I think it was because Peter felt very uncomfortable. The days without the Lord Jesus were truly hard to bear. Those who have loved the Lord know this. Once there is no Lord Jesus to love, it is very painful. I find joy in serving God every day and do not know how to live without the Lord. Peter felt that fishing was meaningless, and he wanted to release what was inside him. So he took off his clothes and threw a tantrum. When he heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment and threw himself into the sea (see John 21:7).

This story is about Jesus appearing to them for the third time after His resurrection. Jesus had been with them for more than three years. Suddenly, the Lord Jesus was no longer among them. They loved the Lord but could not see Him, and their hearts were very troubled. Our Lord clearly understands our feelings. To love the Lord inwardly brings great satisfaction. Serving God with love, even though it involves sweat, tears, and blood, brings a wonderful sense of fulfillment. I hope our brothers and sisters can all understand this. Loving God is not about God needing our love, but about us needing to actively love Him. When we love God and serve Him, our days will be very fulfilling.

Always remember my words: Do not live in selfishness. Among us, there are some children who need to take university entrance exams. One of the sisters has had a very miserable life these past years, spending a million dollars and not obtaining any qualifications. I told her not to be selfish, otherwise she would be troubled, upset, and living a meaningless life. She needs to start learning to give and sacrifice. If you love God, you will surely live a flavorful life.

Do You Love Me More Than These?

Our God is a jealous God. We must not love anything more than Him. He is our only love, and only then can we live a better life. Peter was a professional fisherman. He loved fishing very much, and it was also his means of livelihood. Jesus said to Simon Peter:

Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? (John 21:15)

Today, we love our work, but we must never love it more than Jesus, otherwise our work will become our bondage. Whatever you love more than Jesus will become your bondage. When Jesus called Peter, Peter left everything to follow the Lord Jesus. If this were today, many people would think that Peter was irresponsible towards his family. Recently, Singapore has introduced a concept that puts family first, but the Bible does not teach this. Instead, it teaches the concept of Peter, who gave up everything. If our reaction to the Lord Jesus today is the same as Peter's, Jesus will say to you, Feed my lambs (see John 21:15).

In Shenzhen, I saw the pastors in the K district desperately praying for a brother who was suffering from kidney failure. I was deeply moved and saw the expression of loving God and paying the price in them. Christians who have not grown up are like immature lambs, and they need people's love and care very much. One of them, Sister MW, had a child who was coughing at night. She did not rest all night and got up the next day to take care of this brother. There were also several brothers and sisters who later took this brother to the hospital for dialysis, taking turns on duty and giving a lot. This also allowed their entire district to personally experience God's grace.

It turns out that God brought this brother among us so that we could learn a lesson: ask ourselves, do we love God more than the world? If we love God more than these things, God's lambs will not lose love among us. If we love the necessities of life more than the Lord, our necessities of life will become a problem.

Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37)

Because only when we love the Lord Jesus can our parents and children experience God.

What Exactly Is the Proof of Loving the Lord?

That is to say, serving is loving God. If you feed God's sheep, that is loving God. If you say, I don't know how to shepherd, then learn! Some people don't know how to shepherd, nor do they improve themselves to shepherd. Why is that? Because they lack love. If you truly love God, you will go and shepherd. Rick Joyner expresses the same theological concept in his books as John does. John says that love is supreme; in Rick Joyner's books, the highest mountain to climb is the Father's Garden of Love. In the Father's Garden of Love, there is a Tree of Life, and the fruit of the Tree of Life can be eaten freely.

It turns out that even if you have the faith to move mountains, can heal, and can deliver, because healing and deliverance are through faith, if you do not have love in your heart, do not have the heart to love God, God will not recognize you. The problem is not casting out demons, but not loving God. If a person has great power, great faith, but does not love God, that person is of no benefit. Therefore, Paul says this in 1 Corinthians: I will show you the most excellent way: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. That is to say, if you lose love, even faith is useless. At the top of the mountain of the Lord is the Father's Garden of Love.

To love the Lord is to serve the Lord. To love the Lord is to pay the price, to offer your life, to serve God. Serving God is to shepherd and feed God's flock. In the future, God will judge the effectiveness of our service in heaven, and the effect of our service will follow us all the way to heaven. You say, It doesn't matter, I will serve in heaven. There is no service in heaven, only service on earth. Therefore, if you do not have time to serve on earth, there will be no opportunity in heaven. That is to say, God puts us on this earth so that we can live out God's love, share it, and serve this generation, so as to shepherd God's flock and feed God's lambs. To serve is to love God.

Jesus Said, Follow Me

After talking about shepherding God's sheep, Jesus said this:

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:18-19)

The point I want to make is about following the Lord. What does it mean to follow the Lord? It means to imitate the death of the Lord Jesus, to imitate the Lord Jesus' complete offering of Himself, like a grain of wheat sown in the ground, which, though it dies, will yield many seeds. It turns out that the original intention of our lives is like this. Today, brothers and sisters, do not think that you will preserve your life. If you put your life in God's hands to serve God, you will gain your life, and your life will become prosperous. Imitating Jesus is the core value of our church. If a person wants to imitate the Lord, they must imitate the Lord's death, completely offer themselves, and die on the cross. If a person wants to preserve their life, they will lose it.

Reflect on whether you have a selfish heart. If you have a very selfish heart, you will definitely live a miserable life in this life. Do you want to live well or live miserably? Follow the Lord, imitate the Lord, and you will be exalted to the highest. Therefore, in the 201 course, we talk about obedience to the point of death, not caring about death. So, what do we proclaim in the church? What the church proclaims is how to live a good life, how to live out God's glory. If you rely on your own logical system, you cannot live well. So, brothers and sisters, do you really love God? If you love, offer yourself for God and serve God. Serving God is serving God's flock, and serving God's flock is offering your life. Offering your life is following Jesus and imitating Jesus.

I have met many Christians. When chatting, they always ask: What year were you saved? Oh, what year was I saved, what year did I believe in the Lord. But there is not a trace of Jesus in them. I don't know who they are following. They should be following the devil, with a pile of problems. Then they say: Why are there so many problems? It must be God giving them to me. Actually, it's not, it's because they don't follow or imitate Jesus. That is to say, if you really believe in God today, follow God, because that is the path of life.

The Lord Jesus has opened up a path of life for us, which is to take up our own cross and follow the Lord. If you want to be the Lord's disciple, you must follow the Lord and must imitate the Lord. Why? Because in the Lord Jesus there is eternal life. If a person lives well in this life but does not have eternal life and is heading to hell, their life is empty, really helpless. I think this is following the Lord. To imitate the Lord is to follow the Lord.

Focus on Following the Lord

At the Last Supper, Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved leaning close to Jesus' chest, asking Jesus: Lord, who is going to betray you? That disciple was John. When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus: Lord, what about him? I think his subconscious thought was: Why did you tell me to follow you, but you didn't tell him to follow you? Jesus answered very well:

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:22)

Don't ask some boring questions: Lord, what will happen to him in the future? Is he following you? Actually, whether he follows or not has nothing to do with you. I have developed a habit, I don't like to interfere in other people's business. As for someone who wants to follow, if it's not my flock, then it has nothing to do with me. Someone once asked me: Are there any other dragon-slaying churches in Singapore? I don't know! It's none of my business. I only care about the sheep God has entrusted to me, shepherding them well, and being a person after God's own heart. I just follow the Lord well. How wonderful it is to follow the Lord well!

I am a focused person. Why did I study well since I was little? Because I was focused! I rarely interfere in things that are not related to me. People play mahjong, smoke, what does that have to do with me? Therefore, brothers and sisters must be focused! I have found that many people who don't study well are unfocused people.

In our church, I like one of the more diligent children in our midst. She is very lovely and often says: Pastor, shall I make you a cup of coffee? I feel very comforted. When I am serving very hard, it is good to have someone bring me a cup of coffee! I said: Sister, thank you very much! Then someone saw it and was very unhappy: Pastor, why do you like this sister so much? I like her, what does it have to do with you? They will do some useless things that have nothing to do with them. Everyone must start understanding, paying attention to things that are related to us. What are you doing interfering in things that have nothing to do with you? For you, follow the Lord! Imitate the Lord! If the Lord Jesus wants you to pay the price, then pay the price! As for what happens to others, it has not much relation with you.

However, if it is the sheep you are shepherding, then shepherd them well. The sheep that others are shepherding are being shepherded by others. If you do not take care of your own vineyard, but look at other people's vineyards; if you do not eat the grapes in your own vineyard, but eat the grapes in other people's vineyards, thinking that the grapes in your own home are more sour and the grapes in other people's homes are sweeter. This is strange! Therefore, there are many other people's children in this generation. Later, I learned an idiom, which is other people's children, which means that other people's children look good.

Therefore, brothers and sisters must be focused today. Because I am a focused person, I think the books I write are the best, I think the websites I make are the most beautiful, I think my service is the best, and I think the church I build is the most after God's own heart. Others will say: How do you know? That's what I think! Never mind me, and I won't mind you! This is focus.

I think the songs we write are the best songs. To reveal a little inside information, many people have listened to our songs and come to find YX: Can your professional team help us create a song? We have become a professional team! However, I believe our team is also very professional. As for whether other people's teams are professional or not, it's not my concern. If you are a focused person, a person with a lot of character, you must focus on following the Lord.

When I was little, our house was very small, with seven people living in it. Neighbors came to our house and often saw me sitting on a small stool in the corner reading a book. They said: Don't look at this kid who doesn't make a sound, but he has ideas! I heard everything they said. I had a lot of ideas. You guys chat, it's none of my business, I'll study hard. When we were young, there was a saying, study math, physics and chemistry well, and you can travel all over the world. It's true! Today, learn to follow the Lord Jesus well, and you can travel all over the world.

Focus well. Focus is a person's character. For example, like FF, start practicing his focus. Genesis Chapter 1 is finished reading, isn't it? Read Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 again. A person who drifts, has no roots, drifting around is a problem of character.

Yesterday, a sister told me: Because the welfare benefits in New Zealand and Australia are particularly good, I want to get a degree and apply for a residence permit from them to become a resident there. I thought about it and said to that sister: Your thoughts are all selfish! Why didn't you think about making a contribution to that country? The welfare of other people's countries was not created by you either. The problem I am raising is whether you have the ability to create value.

It doesn't matter where a person is. The key is that a person must have a character, and that character is focus. She said: Pastor, only you tell me these things, otherwise I would think it is a matter of course. However, she thinks like this, and she really thinks it is a matter of course. Is the welfare of other people's countries for you to take advantage of? You always want to take advantage, but you never get to, how tangled you must be! I never want to take advantage of others. I only think about one thing: how can I give my life and be a blessing to this generation.

Brothers and sisters, you have to carefully ponder what John wants to tell us. Why focus on following the Lord? Brothers and sisters, what exactly is your focus? If your focus is on following Jesus, this kind of focused character can enable you to live a wonderful life.

To Love the Lord with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind is the Entirety of Our Life

To love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul is key, and you need not worry about anything in your life. This morning, during prayer, a sister asked me if she could open a Tuina massage shop, as she had learned Tuina and was seeking the Lord recently, but had not received any revelation. I thought, the 《Bible》 never speaks of such things. In the 《Bible》, Paul never prayed for anyone asking, Can I start a business? The 《Bible》 says that you should love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and all these things will be added to you.

The 《Bible》 records how to love God. During Solomon's reign, after Solomon became king, he prayed to God. God appeared to him in a dream, asking what he needed. He said, I want wisdom to govern the people of Israel. God was pleased and not only gave him wisdom but also honor, wealth, and things he did not ask for. This means that if we have wisdom, other things will come naturally.

Brothers and sisters, can we have this concept: Our needs in life are all within loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. I don't think everyone believes this. Do you believe it? You really must believe it! Jesus said:

When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? “Twelve,” they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” Jesus said to them, “Do you still not understand?” (《Mark》 8:19-21)

Do you understand today? Where is the bread? The bread is in Jesus Christ! Where is the loaf? The loaf is in Jesus Christ! All are in the blessing! Milk will be there, bread will be there, fish will be there, bread will be there, all are in Jesus Christ! You know that Jesus Christ stood on the shore, and when they came up, they saw Jesus there, baking bread and grilling fish. Where did the bread come from? Where did the fish come from? Jesus transformed them. It was impossible for Jesus to carry a bag of bread and a bag of fish after His resurrection. He said it, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

Think about it. If all our daily needs are in Jesus Christ, isn't loving the Lord the most normal thing? I often minister to people who encounter significant difficulties in their lives. I pray for them, their lives are released, and their problems are solved. After that, they return to the world to busy themselves with their affairs, because they do not know that in Jesus Christ, there is bread and fish, all that they need for life. This is the most foolish thing.

I once compared this to someone who discovered a gold mine, picked up a small piece of gold, and ran away, clutching that small piece of gold tightly, not knowing that there were five tons, ten tons, a hundred tons of gold in that gold mine. If he were a clever person, he would continue to dig, like me. If I found a gold mine, I would buy excavators and equipment to build a gold mine and continue to dig, one ton, two tons, three tons, five tons, a hundred tons, keep digging.

There are many treasures in Jesus Christ. Since I came to know Jesus Christ at the end of 1991 and was baptized in 1992, I knew I had found a treasure. I kept telling myself that this is a treasure, and I will never leave it. To this day, this focused character of mine has enabled me to receive great grace. This means that in Jesus Christ, there is abundant grace. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we enter into the blessings of Abraham. God will make us a great nation, and God will make our name great. If your name is great, what do you worry about? A small internet celebrity, with a not-so-great name, earns three million yuan a year. What do you worry about?

In the future, our church will definitely become a great nation. God will surely make our name great. God will surely lift us up above all nations. God will surely make us a blessing to others. We are also willing to bless them, and God will make us a blessing to all nations and peoples on earth. This is living out God's love. If this is the case, is the need for daily life still a problem? It's not a problem at all. Sister MW stopped working for several years to take care of her children. When she went out to find a job, she immediately found a leadership position. How can you reason with that? It infuriates those who do not love God. Those who love God, who love the Lord your God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, will lack nothing in life.

Health is in Jesus Christ, abundance is in Jesus Christ, living prosperously is in Jesus Christ, and living wonderfully is also in Jesus Christ. Where else are you going to look? Our good is not apart from Him. The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Where are you going to look! Turning back at every step, what are you looking at? There is nothing good in the world. There is no need to investigate further. Further investigations will only confuse you. This is what Jesus keeps asking us, Do you still not understand? I fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, and I fed four thousand people with seven loaves and four fish. Can't you see the essence of the facts? Actually, the few loaves and fish are not the point. The key is to know that in Jesus Christ, there is the answer to all our needs. This is great!

Conclusion: Love the Lord Your God!

Brothers and sisters, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. In Him, there is abundant grace and mercy. In Him, there are infinite treasures. He has given us the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Keys represent authority. Do you want to take up the keys of the kingdom of heaven, open the treasures of the kingdom, to meet all the needs on this earth? As long as you are a person who loves God, you will surely become wealthy, because there is no lack in Jesus Christ.

In closing, I would like to talk about a number: 153. You can check it online. This 153 is a wonderful number. These one hundred and fifty-three fish are also actually telling Peter that catching people is like catching fish. So many fish were caught in one net that it almost broke. In the future, we will also be like Peter, casting our nets in the right place. The net we cast is not Peter's net; we cast the Internet. Once this Internet is cast, it will be extraordinary. It will be more than one hundred and fifty-three fish. In the future, God will greatly raise up our church, making it a church that catches people like catching fish.

Because, we have the love of God in our midst. We have feeding and shepherding, a complete shepherding system, a shepherding system that will not miss any fish. It will surely catch all the fish. What are we building a complete shepherding system for today? To prepare to catch the fish. This is not a broken net; it is a complete net.

To love the Lord and serve this generation is our Mingding Destiny. To distribute God's love is our Mingding Destiny. Selfishness is not the way at all. To start serving God is the way. Brothers and sisters, start learning to be wise people today, and let's start running together on this road of catching people like catching fish!

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尽心、尽性、尽力、尽意爱主你的神,实际上是约翰所要表达的一个中心思想。他在《约翰福音》的结尾,突出了一个故事,就是耶稣和彼得的一段对话: 他们吃完了早饭,耶稣对西门彼得说:约翰的儿子西门,你爱我比这些更深吗?彼得说:主啊,是的,你知道我爱你。耶稣对他说:你喂养我的小羊。耶稣第二次又对他说:约翰的儿子西门,你爱我吗?彼得说:主啊,是的,你知道我爱你。耶稣说:你牧养我的羊。第三次对他说:约翰的儿子西门,你爱我吗?彼得因为耶稣第三次对他说:你爱我吗,就忧愁,对耶稣说:主啊,你是无所不知的,你知道我爱你。耶稣说:你喂养我的羊(《约翰福音》21:15-17)。 透过这个故事,使徒约翰要表达我们和神之间是爱的关系。爱是很奇妙的,如果一个人一生没有爱,不能够给别人爱,就会活出悲惨的一生。相反,里面的爱如果活出来就会活得好。这个世界有一个特点,就是自私自利的人活得非常惨。 **爱,实际上就是给予和付出**。我们教会的核心价值体系,有一个很重要的观念就是付代价。弟兄姐妹仔细观察,很自私的人,没有一个活得好的。今天我们也扪心自问我们里面有没有爱呢?里面没有爱别人的心,他也领受不了爱。如果一个人说:没有人爱我,他基本上是一个自私自利的人,他也不可能领受爱。但是如果我们爱神,我们一定会活得非常的精彩。

我们的神是位忌邪的神,我们爱任何事物都不能超过爱祂,祂是我们唯一所爱,我们才能活得更好。彼得是打渔专业户,他很爱好打渔,也是他谋生的手段,耶稣对西门彼得说: 约翰的儿子西门,你爱我比这些更深吗?(《约翰福音》21:15) 今天我们爱工作,千万不可超过爱耶稣,否则工作就会成为我们的辖制。你爱什么超过爱耶稣,它就会成为你的辖制。当耶稣呼召彼得的时候,彼得就舍了一切跟随主耶稣,如果放在今天很多人的眼里,他们会觉得彼得这种人不顾家。最近在新加坡推出了一个以家庭为首的观念,而《圣经》中没有这样的教导,反而是舍了一切的彼得的观念。如果今天我们对主耶稣的反应与彼得一样,耶稣会对你说,你喂养我的小羊(参《约翰福音》21:15)。 在深圳时,看到了K牧区里的牧者们面对一个患肾衰竭的弟兄,拼命的为他祷告,我很震撼,从他们身上看到了爱神付代价的表现。没有长大的基督徒,就是没有成熟的小羊,他们很需要人的爱与关怀。其中,MW姐妹的孩子晚上咳嗽,她整夜没有休息,第二天起来又开始照顾这位弟兄,还有几位弟兄姐妹,后来带着这位弟兄去医院透析,轮流值班,付出了很多,这也使他们整个牧区亲身经历了神的恩典。 原来,神将这位弟兄带到我们中间,是要我们学习一个功课:问问自己,我们爱神比爱世界更深吗?如果我们爱神比这些更深,神的小羊就不会在我们中间失去爱。如果我们爱生活所需比爱主更深,我们的生活需要就是一个问题。 爱父母过于爱我的,不配作我的门徒;爱儿女过于爱我的,不配作我的门徒。(《马太福音》10:37) 因为只有我们去爱主耶稣的时候,我们的父母,儿女才能够经历神。

也就是说,服侍就是爱神,如果你喂养神的羊,这就是爱神。如果你说:我不知道怎么牧养。那就学呗!有些人不知道如何牧养,也不知道提升自己去牧养。原因是什么?因为缺少爱。如果你真的爱神,你就会去牧养。雷克乔纳牧师书里表达的跟约翰的神学观念是雷同的。约翰说,爱是至高无上的;在雷克乔纳的书里面,大家攀爬的山,最顶是天父爱的花园。天父爱的花园里面有一颗生命树,生命树的果子可以随便吃。 原来,就算是有移山的信心,可以医治,可以释放,因为医治释放是透过信心,但是如果你里面没有爱心,没有爱神的心,神会不认识你。不是赶鬼出了问题,是不爱神出了问题。如果一个人有天大的能力,有巨大的信心,但却不爱神,这个人是没有益处的。所以,保罗在《哥林多前书》这么说:我把最妙的道告诉你们,那就是爱的道。也就是说如今常存的有信、望、爱,爱是最大的。也就是说,如果失去了爱,有信都没有用。在耶和华山的山顶,是天父爱的花园。 你爱主,就是服侍主。爱主就是付代价,把自己的生命摆上服侍神,服侍神就是牧养和喂养神的群羊。将来神会在天上判断你我服侍的果效,服侍的果效会随着我们一直到天上。你说,不要紧,到天上我再服侍。到天上没有服侍,只有在世上的时候才有服侍。所以,在世上你没有服侍的时间,到天上就没有机会了。也就是说,神把我们放到这个世上,好让我们把神的爱活出来,分享出去服侍这个世代,好牧养神的群羊,喂养神的小羊,服侍就是爱神。

讲完了牧养神的羊,耶稣这么说: 我实实在在地告诉你,你年少的时候,自己束上带子,随意往来;但年老的时候,你要伸出手来,别人要把你束上,带你到不愿意去的地方。耶稣说这话,是指着彼得要怎样死,荣耀神。说了这话,就对他说,你跟从我吧!(《约翰福音》21:18-19) 我想讲的这一点就是跟从主。什么叫跟从主呢?就是效法主耶稣的死,效法主耶稣完完全全摆上自己,就像一粒麦子种在地里,虽然死了,但是会结出许多子粒来。原来,我们生命的本意本是如此。今天弟兄姐妹千万不要以为,你会保全你的性命。你把你的性命放在神的手里来服侍神,你才能得着你的性命,你的生命才能成为兴盛。效法耶稣是我们教会的核心价值,如果一个人要效法主,就效法主的死,把自己完全摆上,且死在十字架上。如果一个人为了保全自己的性命,他必丧掉自己的性命。

反省一下,你是不是带着一个自私自利的心?如果你里面有一个很自私的心,你这辈子肯定会活得很惨。你要活得好还是要活得很惨?跟随主,效法主,那就会升为至高。所以,我们在201课程里面讲,顺服以至于死,死也不在乎。所以,我们在教会里传扬的是什么呢?教会里传扬的是如何活出美好,如何活出神的荣耀。如果你靠自己的逻辑体系,你不可能活得好。所以,弟兄姐妹,你真的爱神吗?爱,就为神摆上,服侍神。服侍神就是服侍神的群羊,服侍神的群羊就是把生命摆上,把自己的生命摆上就是跟随耶稣,效法耶稣。 我遇到很多基督徒,聊天一讲话就问:你哪年得救的?噢,我哪年得救的,我哪年信主。但是身上一点耶稣的样子也没有,我也不知道他跟随谁,他应该是跟随魔鬼,身上一堆的问题,然后还说:为什么会这么多问题?应该是神给我的。其实不是,是因为他不跟随,也不效法耶稣。也就是说,今天你如果真的相信神,就跟随神,因为那是一条生命的路。 主耶稣为我们开辟了一条生命的路,就是背起自己的十字架来跟随主,如果你要想做主的门徒,你就必须跟随主,必须效法主。为什么?因为在主耶稣那里有永生。如果一个人在今生活得再好,没有永生,然后奔往地狱,一生就是空虚,真的很无奈。我想,这是跟随主。效法主就是跟随主。

在吃最后的晚餐的时候,彼得转过身来,看见主耶稣所爱的那个门徒靠近耶稣的胸膛,问主耶稣:主啊,卖你的是谁?那个门徒,就是约翰。彼得看见他就问主耶稣说:主啊,这个人将来怎么样?我想他的潜台词是:为什么你告诉我跟随你,你怎么不告诉他跟随你?耶稣回答得非常好: 耶稣对他说:我若要他等到我来的时候,与你何干?你跟从我吧!(《约翰福音》21:22) 不要问一些无聊的事情:主啊,他将来会怎样?他是否跟随你?其实,他跟不跟随,与你一点关系也没有。我养成了一个习惯,我不太喜欢管闲事。至于有人要跟从,如果不是我牧养的,那跟我一点关系也没有。有人曾经问过我:新加坡有没有其他打龙的教会?我不知道!跟我没关系。我只关心神交托我的羊,好好牧养,做合神心意的人。我就是好好跟随主。好好地跟随主何等奇妙! 我是个专注的人,我从小为什么学习好?因为我专注!跟我不相干的事我很少管。人家打麻将、抽烟,关我什么事?所以,弟兄姐妹一定要专注!我发现很多学习不好的人,都是不专注的人。

在我们教会中,我喜欢我们当中比较勤劳的一个孩子,她很可爱,动不动就说:牧师,我给你冲杯咖啡?我觉得很受安慰。我服侍得很辛苦的时候,有一个人端杯咖啡来,我觉得很好呀!我说:姐妹,真的非常谢谢!然后有一个人看见了,就很不爽:牧师,你为什么会很喜欢这个姐妹?我喜欢,关你什么事呀?他们就会整些没用的事,跟他们一点关系都没有。大家一定要开始了解,关注一些跟咱们有关的事,跟你没关的事你整他做什么?对于你,你跟随主吧!效法主吧!主耶稣要你付代价,你就付代价吧!至于别人怎么样,跟你没有太大关系。 但是,如果是你所牧养的羊,你就好好牧养,别人牧养的羊,是别人牧养的。如果自己的葡萄园不好好看,去看别人的葡萄园;自己葡萄园的葡萄不吃,吃别人园的葡萄,觉得自己家的葡萄比较酸,别人家的葡萄比较甜。这很奇怪!所以,这个世代有很多别人家的孩子。后来,我知道了一个成语就是别人家的孩子,就是看着别人家的孩子好。 所以,今天弟兄姐妹一定要专注。因为我是一个专注的人,我写的书我觉得是最好的,我做的网站我觉得是最漂亮的,我的服侍我觉得是最棒的,我建立的教会我觉得是最合神心意的。别人会说:你怎么知道的?我就是这么认为的!你别管我,我也别管你!这是专注。 我觉得我们写得歌是最好听的歌,透露一点小道消息,很多人听了我们的歌来找YX:你们这么专业的团队能否帮我们创作一首呀?我们成了专业的团队了!不过,我自认为我们的团队也很专业,至于别人的团队专业不专业,也不太关我的事。如果你是一个专注的人,是一个很有性格的人,一定要专注地跟随主。 我小的时候,我们家那个房子很小,住了七口人,邻居来我们家,常常看到我在墙角处坐在小板凳上读书,就说:你别看这小子不吱声,可有主意了!他们讲的话我全听见了。我是很有主意,你们聊你们的,跟我没关系,我好好读书。我们小时候有一句话,学好数理化,走遍全天下。真是这样!今天,学好跟随主耶稣,走遍全天下。

好好地专注,专注是一个人的性格。比如像FF,开始练习他的专注力,《创世记》第一章这不就读完了吗?再读就第二章,第三章了。一个人漂,没有根,漂来漂去就是一个性格的问题。 昨天,有位姐妹跟我说:因为纽西兰、澳州的福利都特别好,我就想拿一个学位,申请一个他们的居留证,成为那里的居民。我想了想,对那个姐妹说:你的想法全是自私呀!你怎么没想过为那个国家做点贡献呢?人家国家的福利也不是你创造的。我说的问题在乎你是否有能力创造价值。 人在哪都不是关键,人关键是要有一个性格,这个性格就是专注。她说:牧师,只有你告诉我这些话,要不我觉得这么想是天经地义的事。不过,她这么想,她自己真的认为是天经地义的事。人家国家的福利是给你占便宜的吗?你老想占便宜,老是占不到,你得多纠结呀!我从来不想占人家的便宜,我只想一件事,我如何把我的生命付出去,成为这个世代的祝福。 弟兄姐妹,你要仔细揣摩约翰所要告诉我们的话。为什么要专注地跟随主呢?弟兄姐妹,你的专注到底是什么?如果你的专注是跟随耶稣,这种专注的性格,可以使你活出精彩的一生。

尽心、尽性爱主你的神是一个关键,你生活的全部根本不需要担心。今天上午带祷告的时候一个姐妹问我,学了推拿,最近在寻求主,也没有什么启示,是否可以开个推拿店。我想,《圣经》里从来没讲过这件事。《圣经》里,保罗从来没给人祷告:做一个生意是否可以呀?《圣经》写的是你要尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱主你的神,其他的全都加给你。 《圣经》里都是记载如何爱神,所罗门年间,所罗门做了王,他就祷告神,神在梦中向他显现,问他:你需要什么?他说:我要智慧,好管理以色列民。神就非常喜悦,不但给了他智慧,也给他尊荣,给他富贵,给了他其他没要的。也就是说,我们有了智慧,其他东西会自然而然来的。 弟兄姐妹,能否有这样一个观念,就是我们生活的需要都在尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱主你的神里面。这件事我觉得不一定每个人都相信,你相信吗?你真的要相信!

耶稣这么说: 我擘开那五个饼分给五千人,你们收拾的零碎装满了多少篮子呢?他们说:十二个。又擘开那七个饼分给四千人,你们收拾的零碎装满了多少筐子呢?他们说:七个。耶稣说:你们还是不明白吗?(《马可福音》8:19-21) 今天明白了吗?饼在哪里?饼在耶稣基督的里面!面包在哪里?面包在耶稣基督的里面!都在祝福的里面!牛奶会有的,面包会有的,鱼会有的,饼也会有的,都在耶稣基督的里面!你知道耶稣基督站在岸上,等他们上来一看,耶稣在那里烤饼,烤鱼。哪来的饼?哪来的鱼?那是耶稣变出来的。耶稣不可能从死里复活以后背着一袋饼,背着一袋鱼,祂说有就有,命立则立。 你想想看,如果在耶稣基督里面有我们所有日常生活所需,爱主不是最正常的一件事了吗?我经常服侍一些人,他们生活中遇到极大的困难,我为他们祷告,他们生命得到释放,问题得到解决,解决了以后就又回到世界去忙他那些事,因为他们不知耶稣基督里面有饼也有鱼,有他们生活一切的需要,这是最愚蠢不过的事了。

我曾经把这样的事比喻成一个人发现了金矿,捡到了一小块金子,撒脚就跑,紧紧握住那一小块金子,他就不知道那金矿里面有五吨、十吨、一百吨的金子。如果是一个聪明人,你继续挖呀,像我这样,如果我遇到金矿,我会买挖土机,买建金矿的设备,继续挖,一吨、两吨、三吨、 五吨、一百吨,一直挖。 耶稣基督的里面有很多的宝藏,自从我从1991年年底认识耶稣基督,1992年受洗,我知道找到了宝贝。我一直告诉我自己,这是一个宝藏,我永远不会离开。直到今天,我这种专注的性格,使我得着极大的恩典。也就是说,在耶稣基督的里面,有极丰盛的恩典,因着信耶稣基督就进到亚伯拉罕的祝福里面,神要使我们成为大国,神要使我们的名为大。如果你名为大了,你还愁什么?一个小小的网红,名还不是很大呢,一年收入三百万元,你愁什么呀? 将来我们教会一定会成为大国,神一定会使我们的名为大,神一定会抬举我们,使我们超过万民之上。神一定会使我们成为别人的祝福。我们也愿意祝福他们,神就会使我们成为地上万国万民的祝福。这就是把神的爱活出去,如果是这样的人,生活所需还是问题吗?根本不是问题。MW姐妹为了照顾孩子,停止工作好几年,出去找工作,一下就找到一个领导的位置,这到哪说理去?气死那些不爱神的人。爱神的人,尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱主你的神的人,生活会一无所缺。 健康在耶稣基督的里面,富足在耶稣基督的里面,活出兴盛在耶稣基督的里面,活出精彩也在耶稣基督的里面,你还往哪找?我们的好处不在他以外。少壮狮子还忍饥挨饿,但寻求耶和华的什么也不缺。你往哪找啊!一步三回头,往哪看?世界里头没有好的,不需要考察了,再考察就把自己考察晕了,这是耶稣一直在问我们的,你们还不明白吗?我五饼二鱼喂饱了五千人,我七饼四鱼喂饱了四千人,你们难道看不清楚事实的本质吗?其实几个饼、几条鱼那不是重点,关键是知道在耶稣基督里,有我们所有需要的答案。这太棒了!

弟兄姐妹,尽心、尽性、尽力爱主你的神,在祂里面有丰盛的恩典和怜悯,在祂里面有无穷的宝藏,祂已经把天国的钥匙给了我们,钥匙就代表权柄。你要不要拿起天国的钥匙?开启天国的宝藏,来满足这地上所有的需要?只要你是一个爱神的人,一定会成为富足,因为在耶稣基督里面根本就没有缺乏。 在结束的时候,我想给大家讲一下一个数字:153。大家可以在网上查一下,这153是个奇妙的数字。这一百五十三条鱼实际上也在告诉彼得,得人如得鱼,一网打上来那么多鱼,差点把鱼网撑破了。将来我们也要像彼得一样,向正确的地方撒网。我们撒的网不是彼得那个网,我们撒的是'互联网',这'互联网'一撒下去可不得了,那何止是一百五十三条鱼?将来神会大大地兴起我们教会,使我们教会成为一个得人如得鱼的教会。 因为,我们当中有神的爱。我们当中有喂养、有牧养,有一个完整的牧养体系,这个牧养体系就是不会漏鱼的网,一定会把鱼都捞上来。我们今天建立完整的牧养体系做什么呢?好预备把鱼捞上来。这不是一张破网,这是一张完整的网。 爱主,服侍这个世代是我们的命定,把神的爱分赐出去是我们的命定,自私自利根本就不是路,开始服侍神,那才是路,弟兄姐妹今天开始学习做一个有智慧的人,开始一起来奔跑这条得人如得鱼的路!
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