Who Died and Made You Boss?
Who Died and Made You Boss?
- Greg Waybright
- James 4:13-17
- Examining Our Ways
- 33 mins 20 secs
- Views: 1644
Pastor's Letter
Who Died and Made You God? - Week 8
This is Mothers' Day weekend 2014. At Lake Avenue Church, we are listening this year to what Pastor James of the 1st Church of Jerusalem had to say centuries ago to his church people. We have noted often how needed his words are for us in our world. At the same time, they are almost always hard-hitting and convicting. Because of that, I've wondered about what James might have to say that is appropriate for mothers. Providentially, we come to a text this weekend, James 4:13–17, that speaks of how we use our time and make our daily decisions. It speaks clearly to all people. However, I think that it has special importance for good parenting, including for both mothers and fathers. I say this because I know of no people who face more time demands and who render more non-stop decisions than parents. And, in traditional families in our country, mothers have had to bear most of the weight of these time-consuming and decision-making demands.
This is Mothers' Day weekend 2014. At Lake Avenue Church, we are listening this year to what Pastor James of the 1st Church of Jerusalem had to say centuries ago to his church people. We have noted often how needed his words are for us in our world. At the same time, they are almost always hard-hitting and convicting. Because of that, I've wondered about what James might have to say that is appropriate for mothers. Providentially, we come to a text this weekend, James 4:13–17, that speaks of how we use our time and make our daily decisions. It speaks clearly to all people. However, I think that it has special importance for good parenting, including for both mothers and fathers. I say this because I know of no people who face more time demands and who render more non-stop decisions than parents. And, in traditional families in our country, mothers have had to bear most of the weight of these time-consuming and decision-making demands.
Does faith in Jesus change the way we use our time and make our decisions? Today, we will see that James gives us profound and counter-cultural teaching about the transformation that a living faith makes in these specific areas. When we do not know God, we do things on our own and without reference to God. When our families are going well, ignoring God can lead to the kind of pride that thinks, "Look at how much better I am at this than others are." But, when trouble comes, we become filled with worry and anxiety as we have to carry the weight of the outcomes of our decision-making without God. Parenting without reference to God so often leads to ongoing wild swings between pride and anxiety.
James wanted his people (including those who were mothers) to be patient, peace filled, and steadfast no matter what happens in this world (see 5:7–11). So, both Christian and non-Christian must steward time and make plans. However, consider the difference it makes when God is at the center of each moment and each decision. It changes everything. James put it this way: "You do not know what tomorrow will bring...so you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live—and then do this or that...'" (James 4:14–15). Only when we learn to do that can we praise God in the good times and trust him in the tough ones.To His Glory,
Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor
Study Notes
Who Died and Made You God? - Week 8 - Study Notes
English
who died and made you God?
James 4:13-17
There are few things in our human relationships that are more dehumanizing than being ignored. Few things that drain you more than being in a setting and it's as if you are not there at all. This is particularly true when the one who is ignoring you is a person you love.
Let me illustrate what I mean: When I was a university president, I was invited to go to our gym to meet with a group of our minority students. We had just walked though some difficult times together so we had begun to learn to trust one another. At that time, the student body was mostly white and from suburban or rural communities while the students of color were mostly athletes. Of the many things the students told me that day, one was that it was hard to be in a place in which they felt like they were always avoided. One articulate football player said, "Mr. President, It's hard to express how hard it is to be on a campus when people don't even seem to see we're here except to avoid us as monsters. It's as if we aren't even human!"
Knowing that this is Mothers' Day weekend, I've spoken with a lot of Moms about this and I've been told one thing again and again, i.e., "One of the hardest things about being a mother is when we feel like we're investing our lives in our children and they hardly notice anything we do." So, I say to all of us here who still have mothers who are alive and whose mothers have sought to do their best, please tell them this weekend how much they mean to you – and do something loving for them too!!
This point brings us directly into a very personal part of God's Word today, James 4:13-17. Most of us who are in church this weekend believe that there is a God and that God is present with us. Speaking to people who claim to be Christians, Pastor James argues that it is a very serious think to say we believe in God and then to live as if he isn't real at all. As we continue in our series, "Examining Our Ways", I want us to examine whether our relationship with God actually is a factor that transforms the way we live.
#1. What the Problem Is – Living life without any reference to God.
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will... (4:13)."
Two things must be cleared up here immediately about what James is NOT talking about:
1. This passage is not a criticism of private enterprise as a system. James was not a first century socialist or communist complaining about the capitalist system. All business in James' day, indeed all business in both the NT and OT eras, was private business. In fact, it was almost always family-owned business. So engaging in business was not the problem.
2. This passage is not against planning for the future. In many places in the Bible, especially the book of Proverbs, we are directed to make plans. God has given us the ability to do that. What Pastor James is saying that the way most people tend to make plans is an offense to God.
Most American Bible commentaries write about this text as if it is only about money and doing business. But, look again. Even though James speaks of doing business, what he says can be applied to almost any decision we might make. He could just as easily have said, "Now listen, you who say, 'I'm going to graduate from high school next month, then I'm going to go to the university and then...'" You see it don't you? James is speaking about living life as if there is no God. He's writing about treating God as if he doesn't exist – as if he isn't here. James is writing about our tendency to put ourselves into the place of God in the practical ways we live our lives. That's why I've called the message, "Who died and made you God?"
What this passage addresses is failing to connect our lives with our professed relationship to God in such a way that God actually changes things about our daily living. It's worshiping God on Sunday and living as if there is no God on Monday through Saturday.
The Old Testament speaks of this problem as "forgetting God." When we do that, we act as if we and we alone are the lords of our lives. We live without any connection to God. One of the places this becomes so clear is in Jeremiah 2:32 -- Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number. I've done a lot of weddings and I've never had a bride show up in dirt-covered jeans saying, "Oh, I forgot I should dress up!" I've never seen a bride even forget her make-up! Why? Because this day and, especially, the groom, are important to her.
You and I remember what's important to us! It is terrible to be ignored. Christians believe that God is "Immanuel." He is always with us. When we live without reference to him, it's like a slap in his face.
#2. Why the Problem is So Serious – It breaks the 1st command and affects all of life.
You boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil (4:16).
In v. 16, James speaks strongly about this kind of life as being proud and evil. You may think, "Why is this such a big deal. It's not murder. Not stealing. Not adultery. Why does the Bible make such a big deal about this?" But, I think you might be able to grasp this point quickly. Just think of how you feel when you are in a place where everyone is ignoring you. On this Mother's Day, think of those times when your children or your husband ignore you.
When the Old Testament consistently calls you to "remember your Creator" and warns you about forgetting God, what really is happening is that God is applying the 1st commandment to our daily living. He is telling us to put nothing into his place. That commandment is the foundation for all other commands. It's when you break this command and start living without reference to God that you will begin breaking all the others. If you have no awareness of God, when a temptation comes, you will give into it. For example:
• You will read the 4th commandment and see God commands you to work 6 days and to rest on one. You will say, "But, if I do that, I won't get ahead at school or in my business. Soon, you will find your life is filled with endless and unrelenting activity. Work or study will become your God.
• You will read the 7th commandment and see that God calls you to be sexually faithful to your spouse and you will think, "Oh, that's too hard and it won't be any fun." You will give in to the temptation unless your greatest desire is to please the God who is present in your life.
I could show you how this plays out in every moral decision in your life. Let me give you an illustration: When I lived in Chicago, I got into a tennis league and played week by week with a group of men. One day, my partner, a Chicago attorney, stopped and asked me, "Greg, what do you do for a living?" I said, "Oh, don't you know? I'm a pastor." His face turned white. I could almost see every word he had ever spoken in my presence run through his brain. He shouted out across all the four tennis courts, "Hey guys – Greg is a man of the cloth!!" They seemed as shocked as he did.
In an infinitely greater way, God is present in your life right now. He knows every thought your think and every word you speak. To ignore that reality is to treat God as if he is nothing. The greatest incentive for us to live good and moral lives is to allow everything to be shaped by our desire to please God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." When our only fear is displeasing him, everything else will come together. When we ignore him, we will head away from him and toward pride and evil. It's serious.
#3. Why it is Good to "Remember" God -- Remembering God gives order and meaning to our lives.
You ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will... (4:15)"
This word "ought" in the Bible is an important one. "Ought" means there is a way of life that is good for us, a way of life that is far better than the way we often choose to live. And the God who made you and loves you says that the way you "ought" to live is to consciously seek his will over your own will. I know this is the opposite of the way everything in our world tells you to have a good life. Our world tells you, "Do more for yourself and you will love it." The Bible says, "No, that will mess up your life because you don't even know what tomorrow holds – or even if there will be a tomorrow." As Jesus said in Matthew 6, "Seek first God's kingdom and all that really matters will be added to you."
I could show you thousands of ways that this is true. But, let me just show you two:
Reason 1: For successful people (as we usually measure success) – Seeking God's will rescues from the Pride vs. Anxiety Syndrome.
This is a problem James is addressing in his letter. He was writing to people – probably mostly men -- who were quite successful here in their businesses. He lets us know that those who often are successful or productive in our work are particularly susceptible to one type of sin, i.e., boasting. V.16: As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. James says that when we are successful in the value-systems of the world, we tend to fall into a life of self-centered presumptuousness. We say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a week there. We'll carry on business and make profits."
In what ways is this presumptuous? It presumes on the availability of time. Today, tomorrow, booked though 2020!! God has no voice whatsoever in the planning. It presumes we have the power of ultimate choice. "We shall do this or that." It doesn't matter that Someone else may have another plan. It presumes success. "We shall make money." We think, "I've made it before and I can make it again!" This is confidence alright, confidence in our abilities to control things but it's precisely the kind of confidence in the future the Bible says is so perilous.
So, if we succeed, we say, "I did it." But, when the time comes and things go wrong, we often are filled with anxiety. We run to the pastor and say, "Pray that my business will be successful again." This way of life is never one that finds the shalom that comes from simply using our gifts as God has given them and resting in him even as we engage in the work to which he has called us. I've seen it over and over again – I've seen it among successful university presidents who, when things go well begin to believe that they could never go wrong – but then they do go wrong. I've seen it among businessmen whose business once was thriving –but now is not thriving as much as it once was. I've seen it among successful athletes who once felt invincible but begin to realize that the wonderful athletic skills won't last forever. This way of life in which we swing from pride to anxiety to pride to anxiety is not how God made us to live.
Pastor Jeff Liou pointed out to me a very different way that forgetting God plays out among other people – and, as I've asked people about this over the past week, I've discovered many Moms agree with Jeff:
Reason 2: The drivenness vs. emptiness syndrome --
One Mom (who asked to remain anonymous) told me, "Pastor Jeff is right. When I'm dealing with all the issues of my four kids, I sometimes think that I'm doing a good job, a better job than some Moms. But, then I get overwhelmed. I get frustrated. I get angry with my husband for not being present enough... My life feels so distracted. But, then when I stop, I look at all I'm doing and feel empty. So much of consumes me doesn't feel like it's very important. I swing back and forth between being frantic and being unfulfilled!"
I have no easy or pat response to this syndrome that swings between a life that feels frantic because of all you must do and emptiness because all that you are doing seems to be empty. But, I think the beginning point is finding the shalom of God is by knowing that God is present with you each moment of each day and then by asking, "Lord, at this place in my life, what is your will? What would you have me prioritize?" I find this helps me to see deep value in what the world doesn't always value. And, as Pastor Jeff told me, "Remembering God provides an organizing center for all we do and for who we are."
I'll stop there for now with this point. I want you to reflect on this and how it might apply to where you are right now in your stage of life. I am convinced that when you and I live each moment aware of God's presence, and we consciously and intentionally seek God's will, we will discover that he brings order and meaning to us both in good times and in tough times.
#4. How to go about living life remembering God – Some pastoral advice.
You ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that..." If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them (4:15,17).
I believe that living without reference to God is so pervasive in our lives that we probably aren't even aware of the fact that we ignore the Lord day by day. So, I've been considering prayerfully how I should apply this great passage of God's Word more fully to my own life first. And, I pray that you might find ways to allow it to change you moment by moment as well. I have three directives for us all:
• Live every moment with gratitude acknowledging the presence and sovereignty of God.
Notice how James puts its in v. 16, "If God wills we will live..." Isn't that an amazing statement? We only have life if the Lord wills. That means that each moment of moment of each day is a gift from God. Do you think that way?
God alone knows what will happen in the future. Our world may be out of control – but it is never out of his control. We don't know what tomorrow holds – but God does. He is our Father. And... he is at work for our good. May I show you this great and encouraging verse so much loved by God's people all over the world: We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). Learn to count on presence and sovereignty -- and to trust him.
• Learn to ask conscientiously and intentionally, "If God wills...?"
I know that motivational speakers always say that you should tell yourself you can do anything. But, the Bible says Christians have a different approach to life. We know we can do much with our human capability but we also know we can do nothing that lasts. We acknowledge that up front. That's what brought us to Christ in the first place. We couldn't really live well on our own so we sought a Savior.
So, Jesus-followers acknowledge the gifts God has created us with while, at the same time, we acknowledge our limitations. How do we live in the light of both those truths? In the early days of our country, people who had any Puritan roots would put the letters "DV" behind any notices of meetings. It means Deo Volente, God willing. Well, we never see such letters on notices in our day, do we. James is saying that, when it is meant sincerely and non superstitiously, it would be a good thing to do that behind every decision we make and every item listed on our schedules. We should put DV above every entry in our schedules because only an omniscient and omnipotent God can make a plan that will happen without fail.
Listen to me here: This is not a call to use religious jargon all the time. John Wesley, in his Directions to Young Preachers warned that they should avoid using religious sounding jargon and to speak simple language. I'm not saying that every LAC person should always say, "I'll see you at lunch, Deo Volente." "I'll meet you at school, Deo Volente..." That would be pretentious.
What God's Word means is that you and I do not know what will happen tomorrow and, because we don't know, we ought to acknowledge God with each plan we make. So in business we Christians should and must plan to do what you do in business: purchase land, hire employees, borrow capital. God has given us the ability and the charge to do that. But we must always know that time is not under our control. Things will happen that change what you do in that time. You do not know what will happen tomorrow. A Christian is one whose life is in the hands of the one who holds tomorrow so we are never shaken when a Stock Market falls or a deal falls through. We trust Him.
• Do what you sense God leading you to do
V.17 is a very important verse – but it seems out of place, doesn't it? It is not out of place. Let me tell you my experience. When you consciously acknowledge that God is present and you do not ignore him – you intentionally say, "Lord, I want to do whatever I do in a way that honors you and shows my trust in you." When you do that, you will sense that God is prompting you to do something. If you get to be so busy and preoccupied with your own things that you don't acknowledge God's presence at all, you won't have this happen. But, when you stop in the midst of your busy life and say, "Your will be done, O God. What would you have me do?" Then you will discover that there are things you know he would have you do. James says, "When that happens, do what he prompts you to do." If you know what God would have you to do and do not do it, it is sin. That's what verse 17 says.
I have been seeking to practice this for a number of years now. I stop in the midst of a day that feels out of control and ask, "God, is something missing? Is there something YOU want me to do?" And, almost without fail, something comes to mind. I've learned to just do what I think God would have me to do.
James is saying in v.17 that a genuine Jesus-follower is not just interested in avoiding evil but in doing the good God has created us to do. How will we do what God has created us to do if we forget him – if we live and plan and decide things without seeking his will? But, let me tell you this: When you live each day of your life knowing that God is with you and seeking to obey his promptings, life comes alive. Each moment – as mundane as it may have seemed – takes on meaning.
So examine your ways! As you do, make your plans and resolutions for the future but make them remembering God is with you. Inscribe on every day of your life, every entry in your schedule from now on, D.V. If it is God's will. And you will live life to the full. You will live it to his glory.
To His glory,
Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor
title="Chinese
在人類的關係中,沒有什麼比被忽視更讓人難受的事情。沒有什麼事情比好像你根本不存在更讓你感到失落。當忽視你的人是你心愛的人時,這種感受尤為強烈。
讓我舉個例子來說明:當我在大學做校長的時候,我被邀請到我們的體育館去會見一群我們學校的少數民族學生。我們曾經一起走過了一段艱難時刻,因此我們已經彼此信任。在那個時候,學校的學生主要是從城郊和鄉村來的白人,而有色人種的學生大部分是運動員。那天學生告訴我很多事,其中一件就是他們感到其他人都躲避自己,這讓他們感到很難受。有一個表達能力強的橄欖球運動員說,“校長先生,當人們在校園裡躲避我們像躲避怪物或者就當我們不存在的時候,這對我們來說是非常痛苦的。這就好像不把我們當人看!” 今天是母親節週末,我和很多媽媽講了這件事,我反復聽到一件事:“作為媽媽最痛苦的事情之一,就是你為孩子奉獻了一生,但他們根本沒有注意到你所做的。”所以,我今天對我們當中有媽媽的人和有媽媽還在盡全力付出的人說,這個週末你要告訴你的媽媽,她們對你來說非常重要,並且要去做一些向她們表達愛意的事情!! 這把我們直接帶入今天這段非常個人化的經文中,就是《雅各書》4:13-17。這個週末在教會裡的大多數人都相信,有一位神並且這位神與我們在一起。雅各牧師對那些自稱基督徒的人說:宣稱自己相信神,但實際生活的時候卻好像祂不存在,是一件非常嚴重的事情。當我們繼續我們的“審視自己”系列講章時,我希望大家審視一下:我們與神的關係是否真的成為轉變我們的生活方式的一個因素。
#1. 問題是什麼 – 置神於不顧的生活。
嗐!你們有話說,“今天、明天我們要……”(4:13)。” 必須先澄清,在這裡雅各不是在講下面的兩件事: 1.這一段不是在批評私營企業。雅各不是一世紀的社會學家或是共產主義者,他不是在抱怨資本主義。在雅各那個時代,其實在舊約和新約時代,所有的企業都是私營企業。實際上,所有的企業都是家庭所有。因此,參與企業不是個問題。 2.這一段不是反對為未來進行規劃。聖經裡的很多地方,特別是《箴言書》,都提到我們需要做計畫。神給了我們這種能力。雅各牧師在這裡是說,大多數人在做規劃時的方式,是冒犯神的。 多數美國的聖經注釋書在解釋這段經文時,好像它只是在講錢和經商的事。但是,再仔細看看。即使雅各在談經商,他所講的也能夠應用到我們做決定上。他只是簡單說:“嗐!你說,‘我下個月要高中畢業,我要上大學,然後……’”你是不是這樣?雅各就在講好像神不存在的生活。他在寫對待神就好像神不存在這樣的事情——就好像祂不在這兒。雅各是在寫我們的一種趨向,在我們的實際生活中,我們把自己擺在神的位置上。那就是我今天的講章為何起名叫“ 誰為你替死讓你變神?" 這篇信息要講的是,我們沒有與神建立一種我們所宣稱的關係,沒有讓神來實際地改變我們每天的生活。我們只是星期天來敬拜神,但星期一到星期五好像我們的生活中神並不存在。 舊約講了諸如“忘記神”的問題。當我們忘記神,我們自己好像成了生活的主人。我們活著,卻與神沒有關係。對此,《耶利米書》2:32有清楚的描述:處女豈能忘記她的裝飾呢?新婦豈能忘記她的美衣呢?我的百姓卻忘記了我無數的日子。我參加了很多婚禮,我從來沒有見過一個新娘穿著髒兮兮的牛仔褲出來說,“哎呀,我忘記打扮了。”我從沒有看見一個新娘忘記打扮!為什麼?因為這一天非常特別,新郎對她來說非常重要。 你我記得什麼對我們是重要的!被忽視是很可怕的事。基督徒相信神是"以馬內利"( 神同在)的。 祂總是和我們同在。當我們活著置祂於不顧,猶如往祂的臉上甩一巴掌。
#2 为什么问题如此严重-犯了头一条诫命,影响到整个的生命
现今你们竟以张狂夸口,凡这样夸口的都是恶的。 第16节,雅各用强烈的口气说到这样的生活是骄傲行惡。你可能会想:这没啥大碍。又不是杀人,偷盗,也不犯奸淫。圣经为啥对此大动文章。但是我想你很快就能掌握要点。只要想想你自己置于一处境中,人人对你视若无睹,你是怎样的感受。在这个母亲节的时候,你想想你的孩子们和你的丈夫忽略你的时候的感受。 旧约不断提醒" 要记在心上,耶和华是你的创造者",提醒你不要忘记神,实际上是神要你在日常生活中应用祂所頒布的第一條誡命。 祂要我們不可以任何的事物代替祂的位置。這個誡命乃是一切誡命的基礎。你犯了這條誡命,開始過一種不要神過問的生活,你就破壞了所有的誡命。如果你沒有意識神的存在,誘惑來的時候,就會妥協。比如:
你念到第四條的誡命,看見神命令你工作六天,休息一天。你會說,"我這麼做的話,我就不能在學業工作上名列前茅。很快地,你會發現生活中充滿了沒完沒了,永無休止的事務。工作和學習就成了你的神。
你念到第七條誡命,看見神叫你在性生活上要對你的配偶忠心,你會說,"這太難了,太無趣了。"如果你最大的渴望不是為了討神的喜悅,祂隨時在你生活中與你同在,你就會在誘惑面前妥協。
我幫助你來看,在你生活中面對每個道德的選擇的時候這是怎樣演繹的。 我給你一個比喻:我住在芝加哥的時候,我參加一個網球團體,周復一周和一群男人打網球。有一天我的同伴,一個芝加哥的律師駐足問我說," Greg,你是從事什麼職業的? " 我說,"噢,你不知道呀?我是一個牧師。" 他的臉一下變的慘白。我幾乎可以看見他在我面前說的每句話從他腦海中閃過。他衝著對面的四個網球場大喊到:" 嘿,哥兒們-Greg 是個牧師誒。他們看起來和他一樣吃驚。 這是無法比擬的, 神就在你的生活中與你同在。他知道你的每一個思想,你口中說出的每一句話。忽略這一事實就是把神看作無有。人要過一個美好的道德生活最大的動機就是讓一切成型圍繞著我們渴望討神的喜悅。"敬畏耶和華是智慧的開端。"當我們唯一的敬畏就是怕不討神的喜悅,其他一切都會匯流一處。我們忽略祂的時候,就會從祂那掉頭往驕傲和惡行而去。這是嚴重的事。
#3 為什麼"記念"神是好的 -記念神給你的生活帶來次序和意義
你們只當說,"主若願意.....(4:15) "當"在聖經中是很重要的一個字。 "當"意味著對我們來說有一種美好的生活方式。一種遠勝過我們自己選擇的生活方式。造你的神愛你,祂說你"當"在生活中有意識地尋求祂的旨意而不是你自己的意志。 我知道這與整個世界告訴人要過的美好生活的方式是相悖的。 我們的世界告訴你," 多為自己著想,就會心滿意足。"聖經說,"不,那樣會搞糟你的生活,因為你不知道明天會如何-甚至不知道有沒有明天。" 如同耶穌在馬太福音6章中所的," 先求神的國和神的義,這些東西都要加給你們了。" 我可以有千百個例子來告訴你這是真的。但在這裡我給你指出兩點原因:
原因1: 對成功之士( 我們通常衡量成功的標準)-尋求神的旨意會救我們脫離驕和焦慮在我們裡面的拉扯。
雅各在這封信上對付一個問題。他寫信給人-大概所有的人,特別是在事業上成功的人。他讓我們知道這些在工作上有成就的成功人士尤其容易陷入一種罪的當中,那就是,誇口。16節: 你們竟以張狂誇口。雅各說,我們在世界的價值系統中成功的時候,很容易落入自以為是的自我中心的生活中。我們說," 今天明天我們要往某城裡去,在那裡住一年,做買賣得利。" 哪兒體現自以為是呢? 自以為有時間。今天,明天,2020年都計劃好日程了!! 神在什麼計劃中都沒有說話權。自以為運策帷幄,胜券在握。"我們要做這事,做那事。"不管" 掌管的主可能有其他的計劃。 自以為成功。 "做買賣得利。"我們想,"我以前都做過了,我下次一定還會成功!" 這實在自信滿懷,自信我們的能力可以控制事態,但也就是這種對未來的自信,聖經說是非常危險的。 所以,如果我們成功,說"我做的。"但是,到了走岔路的時候,我們內心就充滿了焦慮。我們跑到牧師的面前說,"為我禱告,我的事業可以再次成功。" 這樣的生活方式永遠也找不到平安,惟有用從神而來的恩賜,在神裡面安息的心, 在神呼召我們所做的工作上參與的時候才有平安。我一而再再而三地看到這種情形-我見過成功的大學校長,一帆風順的時候以為萬無一失,-但是事與願違。我見過成功人士,有生意如日中天的時候,也有衰敗沒落的時候。我見過最優秀的運動員,看起來戰無不勝,但開始意識到最優秀的湧動員,他的技能也不可能持續長久。我們從驕傲到焦慮,再 從驕傲到焦慮之間的搖擺不是神造我們要過的生活。 Jeff Liu 牧師跟我指出一個很不同的方式,在其他一些人身上忘記神是怎樣演繹的- 我上個星期就此問了一些人, 我發現大多數的媽媽都會同意Jeff 的。
原因2:衝動相對於空虛症-
有一個母親(她叫我隱名)告訴我," Jeff牧師是對的。 當我面對我四個孩子的問題時,我有時候想我做的不錯,比起其他母親我做的夠好了。但是,我不堪重負。我覺得好沮喪。 我對著我的丈夫發脾氣,他常常不在.....我的生活中有太多分心的地方。但是我一停下來, 看看自己做的事,就覺得很空虛。 花去我這麼多精力的事看起來也不是那麼的重要。我在狂亂和不滿的中間搖擺!" 對這種在什麼都要做的忙亂和所做的事情的空虛的症狀,我沒有簡單輕易的回應。但是我想要從找到神的平安開始, 認識神在 每天每一時與你同在,問神,"主呀,在我生命中的這個地方,你的旨意如何?你要我怎樣來擺平優先次序?" 我發現這樣幫助我可以看見更深的價值,不是世界常常看為有價值的東西。就像Jeff牧師對我說的,"記住神供應人要做的事以及我們這個人的一個組織中心。" 在這點上我就停在這裡。我要你們來思想這一點,如何在現在你的人生舞台上應用這一點。我深信,當你和我活在神的同在的時刻中,我們有意識,並且下意識地尋求神的旨意,我們就會發現祂給我們帶來秩序和意義 ,不管是在順境還是在逆境。
#3 怎樣過一個記念神的生活-牧者的一些勸告。
你们只当说,“主若愿意,我们就可以活着,也可以作这事,或作那事……”人若知道行善,却不去行,这就是他的罪了。(雅各书4:15,17) 我相信,活着却置神的话语于不顾,这个现象在我们生活中是如此普遍,以致于我们可能都没有意识到一个事实,那就是我们一天又一天的忽略我们的主。所以,我一直在祷告中思考:我该如何将神的话这个重要的信息首先应用到我自己的生活中。并且,我祷告你也能找到方法来渐渐改变你。我给我们大家提供三个要点:
每一时刻用感恩的心来生活,承认神的同在与主权的事实。
请注意雅各是如何在16节中措辞的,“主若愿意,我们就可以活着……”这难道不是一句让人惊叹的话吗?如果主愿意,我们才可以活着。这意味着我们生活中每一天的每一分钟都是神的礼物。你是这么想的吗? 只有神知道将来会发生什么。我们的世界也许会失控——但是它从来没有离开神的控制。我们不知道明天会发生什么——但是神知道。祂是我们的天父。并且……祂是为了我们的好处在做工。我可以給大家这句又棒又鼓舞人的经文吗?这句经文受到全世界很多基督徒的喜爱:“我们晓得万事都互相效力,叫爱神的人得益处,就是按他旨意被召的人。” (罗马书8:28)学习信靠神的同在与主权——并且信靠他。
學會有意識且有目的地問, “主若願意…?”
我知道勵志演講者們總是說,你應該告訴你自己任何事你都能做到。但聖經說基督徒有不同的生活取向。我們知道以我們人類的能力我們可以做很多事--但我們也知道,我們所做的沒有一件事可以長久。我們坦率承認這一點。這就是首先把我們帶到基督裡的原因。依靠自己我們不能真正活得好,因此我們尋求一位救主。 所以,跟隨耶穌的人們承認神創造我們時賦予我們的恩賜,與此同時,我們也承認我們的局限性。我們如何生活在這兩種真理的光中?在我們建國早期,擁有清教徒血統的人們會把字母“ DV ”寫在所有會議通告的背後。它的意思是Deo Volente ,若神願意。然而,今天我們不再看到這樣的字母出現在通告的後面,是不是?雅各說的是,當這樣做是出於真誠且非迷信時,把它寫在我們所做的每一個決定和每一項日程安排的後面倒是件很好的事。我們應該把DV放在我們的日程表中的每一個條目上,因為只有一位全知全能的神才可以擬定一個不會失敗的計劃。 在這裡請聽我說:我不是在號召大家要整天使用宗教術語。John Wesley,曾在他写的《青年牧者导引》中警告他們要避免使用聽起來宗教化的術語,要說淺顯的語言。我不是讓每個LAC的人都要一直說, “我們午餐時見,Deo Volente 。” “咱們學校見,Deo Volente…”那就太做作了。
神的話的意思是,你我不知道明天會發生什麼,正因為我們不知道,我們應該承認神與我們做的每一個計劃同在。因此,在生意中我們基督徒應該且必須計劃的是那些生意中你當做的事:買土地,僱員工,借貸資本。神給了我們能力和職責來做這些。但我們必須始終明白時間不在我們的掌控之下。改變當時你所做的事情的事也時有發生。明天如何,你們不知道。基督徒的生活掌控在掌管明天的那位手中--所以當股市下跌或交易失敗的時候我們從不震驚。我們信靠祂。
做你感覺神帶領你去做的
V.17是一句非常重要的經文--但似乎有點不切合上下文,不是嗎?它并不是不切合上下文。讓我來告訴你我的經歷。當你有意識地承認神的存在,並且你沒有無視祂--你有目的地說:“主啊,我想在我所做的一切事上來榮耀你並表示我信任你。”當你這樣做時,你會感覺到神在提示你做一些事情。假如你非常忙碌,一心忙於自己的事,你不承認神的存在,那這種情況就不會臨到你。但是,當你在忙碌生活的中停下來,說:“願你的旨意成就,哦,神啊。你要我做什麼?”那麼你就會發現某些事情是你知道祂希望你去做的。雅各說,“當這種情況發生時,做祂提示你去做的。”若你知道神要你做的卻不去做,那就是罪。這就是17節所說的。 我一直在尋求這種操練有許多年了。我會在感覺失控的一天當中停下來,問: “神啊,我錯過了什麼嗎?有沒有什麼是你要我去做的?”而且,幾乎每次都不落空,就會有事情出現在我腦海。我已經學會了去做我覺得是神要我去做的。 雅各在17節中說,一個真正跟隨耶穌的人不只是樂於避惡,且要行善,就是神創造我們去做的。我們如何能去做神創造我們去做的,假如我們忘記了祂—假如我們在生活,計劃,決定中不去尋求祂的旨意?但是,讓我告訴你這一點:當你在生活中的每一天知道神與你同在,並尋求遵行祂的提示,生活將會變得生機勃勃。每一刻--看似平凡--卻具有意義。 因此,查驗你的生活方式!當你做這些,為未來做計劃和決定時--要記住神與你同在。在你每一天的生活中,在從現在開始的每一條日程安排上銘刻上, D.V. 若是神的旨意。你將會充實地生活。你會為榮耀祂而活。
荣耀归于神,
格雷格博士
主任牧师
Greg Waybright • Copyright 2014, Lake Avenue Church
Study Guide
Who Died and Made You God? - Week 8 - Study Guide
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Who died and made you God?
James 4:13-17
- James 4:13–17 speaks of living our lives as if God does not even exist. Why is it so easy for us to forget God and make plans and decisions on our own?
- Is James saying it's a sin to plan for the future (4:13–17)? Why or why not?
- Who would you say James has in view in 4:13–17, Christians or non-Christians? Why? Is it possible that we can claim to be Christians but make decisions as if we are not?
- V. 14 says that our physical lives are like a mist that quickly disappears. What does that mean? What other Scriptures come to mind that illustrate the same point?
- What is the chief sin James sets his sights on in 4:13–17? Sum up the teaching of 4:13–17 in your own words.
- How do you think v. 17 fits with the context that precedes it? What does it say, if anything, about seeking God in our planning and decision-making?
- V.17 speaks to what is called sins of omission. Which would you say is most common among Christians, sins of commission (willfully doing wrong things) or sins of omission (willfully leaving good things undone)?
- Discuss the most important lesson that this passage teaches and how you hope to apply it to your life this week.
2014 Study Series • Copyright © 2014, Lake Avenue Church