日期： 01/11/09

經文：歌羅西書 1:1-2

講題：一個新身份

主旨： 因基督已連接我們，故此信徒要認識到自己在祂裡既新又獨待的地位。

引言：

  當一對男女因婚姻而結合，許多改變也隨之而來。有些女性選擇冠夫姓，而有些則希望可以保留自己原有的姓氏；不論我們選擇改變與否，我們的身份都已經不再相同。當妳第一次被稱為某人的太太，不論是曹太太或是薛太太的時候，是不是也花了一段時間才適應？我們也才發現，原來結婚不只是兩個人的事，也是雙方兩個大家庭的事。我還記得多年前，在一個婚禮中，當證婚人問道：「是誰將這位女士許配給這位先生？」第二、三排的眾多親友同時起立回答：「是我們。」在那個時候，我替現場的新郎感到些許惆悵；一旦結了婚，與我們的配偶連結，一切便不再相同。我們的身份和家庭關係也經歷很大的變化。

這就好比是我們認識神的過程一樣。上個主日我們學習到一旦我們相信耶穌基督，我們便與祂連結上了。在這個連結後接連而來的眾多改變當中，最大的改變就是我們有了新的身份。今天早晨，我們要進入歌羅西書的學習；在這封信中，我們要學習那些隨著我們與神連結而來的改變。我們由最前面的兩節開始。我相信一般我們在小組查經或者團契裡面讀到書信的時候，往往不會花太多時間在前兩節經文上。我問過一位姊妹，通常她在主日學上使徒書信的時候花多少時間在講前兩節經文，她說，大多都以「這是保羅對某某地方的教會的問候…」幾句話輕輕帶過，然後從第三節開始看起。

這本書和保羅所寫其他書信中的首兩節經文都給我們一種印象：倘若是略過它們，可能會有失之交臂的遺憾；但若要把他們當作講綱，洋洋灑灑地寫成一篇可以說 25 分鐘的稿子，又似乎嫌空洞了些，如所謂的雞肋般「食之無味 , 棄之可惜。然而，若是我們細細玩味這看似簡單的兩節經文，卻慢慢可以從當中領悟出深藏不露地寶貴真理來。

當年保羅在寫信給歌羅西的信徒時，信徒們的生活正面臨一些衝突，因為他們沒有辦法把在基督裡的新生活和在歌羅西的現實生活連結在一起。在信仰上，他們傾向於奉行道德上的禁慾、苦行主義，並且在精神上崇尚玄想等神秘主義，然而這一切卻與周遭的生活事物脫節。他們熱衷的哲學思維雖然有助於發展出各種較私人且較隱密難解的基督徒靈修方式，但這些對於在歌羅西的非基督徒來說卻是風馬牛不相及；保羅是在這樣的前提之下寫信給歌羅西的基督徒的。

在信的開始，保羅先向他的讀者們介紹自己的身份，並且向他們問候。這樣的開場白與第一世紀時的書信起頭方式十分相似。然而，在引言中，保羅也加入了某些重要的理論概念，以便承接稍後所要傳達的訊息。從保羅用來介紹他自己和他的讀者的詞彙，就能讓我們對於自己在基督裡的身份有更深刻的瞭解，也讓我們對於與基督連結之後所發生的事有更多的認識。在這段經文裡我們會看見一個真理 : 因基督已連接我們，故此信徒要認識到自己在祂裡既新又獨待的地位。

I •  帶著使命的新身份

第一節「奉 神旨意作基督耶穌使徒的保羅，…」使徒的意思指的是見過耶穌基督並被祂差遣的人，耶穌基督透過這些使徒對世人說話。因為使徒傳講的道就是耶穌基督的道，所以他們的話語都具有權柄和力量。早期的教會將這當作是否要將他們的教導記錄在聖經正典中的條件。因此按照這個定義，現今的時代已經沒有使徒了。保羅也寫到，他是奉 神旨意做基督耶穌使徒的，不是自願的、也不是被群眾提名推派的。相反地，在他遇見耶穌基督前，他正努力地想要迫害教會，極盡手段地大肆摧毀。但在他去大馬士革的路上，耶穌基督向他顯現，並任命他做祂的使徒，向非猶太人宣教。保羅知道他是奉耶穌基督的命做使徒的。在他的其他書信，羅馬書 1 ： 1 、歌林多前、後書 1 ： 1 、加拉太書 1 ： 1 、以弗所書 1 ： 1 、提摩太書等，當中都提到這個事實，也就是他是奉神旨意作基督耶穌使徒的。保羅對他的使命有很清楚的認知。

這也呼應了耶穌基督在約翰福音 15 ： 16 中的教導：「不是你們揀選了我，而是我揀選了你們，並且分派你們去結果子，就是結常存的果子，… . 」耶穌基督在告訴祂的門徒們，是祂先檢選了他們，並且祂要差遣他們去結果子。耶穌基督不只揀選、差派 12 位門徒去結果子，要他們去向天下萬民傳福音；祂也同時揀選了我們每一個人。

祂沒有任命我們做使徒，但祂派我們到我們今天所在的地方。祂呼召某些人全職照顧家庭、也呼召另一部分人作研究員、教授、 和 醫師。祂把我們放在休士頓不同的大學、或者放在其他的城市裡，或把我們放在電力、資訊等不同的產業裡，也或者把我們放在許多的法律事務所或者公司行號當中。祂呼召、引領一部份的人在當地的教會投身做全職的事工，又或者差派他們到中國、台灣、香港、越南、喀麥隆、巴拿馬；在歐洲、中亞，甚至世界上的其他國家。目的是什麼？為什麼祂把我們放在我們所在之處？

在我們認識基督之前，工作就是工作，對吧？我們時而喜歡，時而討厭自己的工作。我們工作純粹只是為了養家活口，然而現在不同了。祂把我們放在我們所在的位置，是為了要我們結果子、向其他人傳講耶穌基督的福音的緣故。祂把我們放在這個充滿黑暗與破碎的世界裡，為要叫我們作鹽作光。祂差派我們到我們的工作職場或家庭裡，好叫我們身邊的人得以透過我們而認識祂、認識福音。好讓我們身邊的同事、朋友、家人可以知道什麼是真正的愛和饒恕。祂要我們教養我們孩子好讓他們可以繼續作這個世界的鹽和光，將祂的大能作為從一代傳到下一代。以數字的方式來看，包括學生，我們的教會有超過 700 位成人，遍布在休士頓的學校和職場中；假設我們每個人每天會遇到 5 個人，那麼每天就有約 3500 個人有機會接觸到福音。

我們在這裡，非出於意外或者偶然；我們在這裡因為神差派了我們。我們身負著使命：要結果子，好叫他人有機會聽見並認識福音。一旦我們與祂連結，我們便有了新身份，一個帶著清楚使命的新身份。

II •  滿有謙卑的新身份

你或許也遇見過一些身負使命的人。我記得在我服事過的另一個教會裡，有來到教會的一對夫妻，他們從一開始就清楚的感覺到神的呼召，要他們到一個中國教會去幫助中國人。他們是一對很愛神，也很忠心的信徒，也是因為那樣的使命和目標，他們對教會的投入非常熱衷，不容小覷。不幸的是，這樣的熱情也放射一個驕傲和超越的光環，兩年這後這對夫妻便離開了教會。

保羅呢？在第一節中，他稱呼提摩太為弟兄。事實上，保羅較提摩太年長了許多，而提摩太算是保羅屬靈上的晚輩。然而保羅卻對他以兄弟相稱。在帖撒羅尼迦書中，保羅稱提摩太為他的同工。是的，保羅知道自己是奉神旨意作使徒的，但並沒有階級之分，他並沒有因此而比其他人優秀。在其他的書信當中，不難看出雖然他自稱為神所差遣的使徒，但他同時也是以一種神的奴僕的姿態自處。在他的書信中寫到他是使徒當中最卑微的一位，並且是最大的罪人；他是一位謙遜的人，從未以自己的使徒身份自誇。他知道，這一切都是因為耶穌基督先揀選、差派了他，他成為使徒向外邦人傳講福音，都是因著神的恩惠而來的能力，不是出於他自己的能力或者功勞。在神的面前，他以罪人之首自居。

保羅的謙遜也讓我們看到了我們終極的榜樣耶穌基督和祂的使命感。耶穌知道是神差祂到這個世上，也知道祂的任務是要呼召 、聚集祂的兒女們。即便祂就是救世主，祂卻以柔和和謙卑的心來服事四周圍的人。

同樣地，在我們的生命裡，我們也要有那樣的使命感，但不要因這樣的使命感而自負或傲慢，而要像耶穌基督，有滿有謙卑的使命感。謙卑就是把自己看的比他人微小；一旦我們謙卑了，我們便可以做到順服，即便是在意見相左的情況下。一旦我們謙卑了，我們便能夠服侍那些受到神的帶領而來到我們生命當中的人：家人、同事、朋友。一旦我們謙卑了，我們更能夠持續為他人的幸福著想；我們不是為了履行我們的使命而存在，而是為了服侍周遭的人而存在。

III. 帶 有歸屬感的新身份

當我們與基督連結的時候，也會帶給我們與其他信徒間的新關係。當兩個人因婚姻而連結，他們也同時與雙方的家庭有了連結。而這樣的改變有時候令人難以招架，記得我曾經告訴外甥的妻子：「要適應這個新的大家庭要花妳一段時間喔。」保羅稱他的讀者為「在歌羅西的聖徒，和在基督裡忠心的弟兄」信徒之所以被稱為聖徒是因為神已揀選我們，把我們分別為聖。我們能成為聖徒，不是因為我們的能力，因為我們沒有成聖的能力；取而代之的是，因著祂的愛和揀選，使我們因著祂而成為聖潔的子民，所以我們可以因此稱頌讚美祂。歌羅西的聖徒們也被稱為在基督裡忠心的弟兄，或說弟兄姊妹，這裡我要提醒大家，通常在經文裡看到弟兄，指的同時是弟兄也是姊妹。保羅在這裡所用的詞彙「在基督裡」，反映著眾弟兄姊妹們同在基督理的那種親暱關係。當你我同與基督連結，我們也因而與彼此有了連結。因為每個人都在基督裡，所以我們都同在基督裡。在新約中，我們稱此為教會，也就是神的家。因為若我們每個人都與基督連結，就都成為神的家裡的一員。因基督耶穌的血，我們成為了弟兄姊妹。

在一個家庭裡，所有的成員彼此關心；當有一個成員受到傷害，其他的成員也都感同身受；在一個家庭裡，每當遇到令人焦慮的事，所有的人都一起聚集為彼此代禱；當某一位成員有身體上或經濟上的需要時，大家便同舟共濟。在一個家庭裡，當我們不小心傷害了另一個人，我們會饒恕他的過錯並向他懇求原諒。當我們有了這樣一個關係良好的家庭，我們也在當中找到了歸屬感。

  在這封信和其他信裡都可以看到的另外兩個詞彙是恩惠和平安。我們原本不配得恩惠，但神卻將它白白地賜給我們；我們不配得任何事物，但祂卻是供應我們所需的飲食、衣物、住所。我們所有的一切都是來自於神，及祂所賜的恩惠。至於平安，不只在個人內在的安寧，而是指我們因在基督裡而有的一切安適。這裡指的是我們與神和與人的和諧，而這樣的和諧也來自於神。

結語：

我們都知道一旦我們結了婚，與配偶連結，生命從此變得不同；我們學會調適自己以適應新生活。以前當朋友問你「要不要一起去喝杯珍珠奶茶？」你可以不假思索地回答『當然好啊！我 30 分鐘之內到。』結婚之後，如果你這麼做，麻煩就大了。聰明一點的方法是回答：「我先問一下我先生 / 太太。」之前，當你感覺到神呼召到亞洲去宣教你，你或許可以二話不說馬上行動；辭去目前的工作。但婚後，你的配偶或許會說「我還沒聽見神的呼召。」結婚之後，在生活上要考慮的因素比之前多了許多。

在我們認識基督之前，我們可以隨心所欲地去想去的任何地方，做想做的任何事。現在，因為認識了神，一切都不同了。一旦我們與祂連結，我們便有了新的身份，並且這個身份賦予我們的生命一份新的使命感。我們不再只任由命運安排或者因緣際會而來到這裡，而是因著神的旨意和差遣來到這個國家、城市、學校、和職場。祂要我們作真鹽作真光，好讓他人認識祂的樣式和形象；祂差派我們到這裡，好讓他人可以有機會聽到福音並對神做出回應。當我們與神連結，我們也與這個教會中的其他信徒有了連結，未來的幾個月我們將會繼續一起探索真理。

即便我們對那滿有謙卑和歸屬感的新身份已有些許認識，我們仍應以耶穌基督作榜樣。祂對祂的使命有清楚的認知，祂為了一個目的而降生來到世上，並且在十架上，祂說「成了」，因祂成就了祂來的目的。祂身為彌賽亞，然而謙卑地服侍他人卻是祂在這世上一生的寫照。祂呼召我們做祂的朋友，帶我們到彼此的面前，從此不再孤單，因我們在祂裡成為一家人。

Date:   01/11/09

Text:   Colossians 1:1-2

Title:   A New Identity

Theme: Since Christ has connected us to Him, the believers are to recognize our new and unique standing in Him.   

Introduction:

  When a man and woman marry, many changes begin to occur. Some change their last names to the husbands', while others continue with their maiden names. Whether or not we keep our names, our identity has changed. You remember when you first heard people said, Mrs. Tow or Mrs. Hsueh, it took you a while to realize that it was you. We also realized that marriage is not about the two of you, it included our immediate and extended families. I remember several years ago, in one wedding ceremony, the minister asked, “who gives this woman to be married to this man?” About 2 to 3 rows of the immediate and extended family members stood up and said, “We do.” I felt so sorry for the groom. J Once we are married, connected to our spouse, our identity and family associations undergo a big change.

  This is like coming to know the Lord. Last Sunday, we learned that once we put our faith in Jesus, we're connected with him. Among the many changes that occur after this connection, is our identity. This morning, we'll begin our study of the book of Colossians. From this letter, we want to learn of the changes resulting from our connecting with God. we'll begin with verses 1 and 2. I think in our small/fellowship group's bible study on Paul's letters, we usually don't spend too much time on the 1 st two verses. I asked one person how much time he spent on the first two verses of he epistles when he taught Sunday School. He said, “about one or two sentences; ‘this is Paul's greeting to the church at such and such place. Now let's move onto the 3 rd verse.'”

  The first two verses of this and other letters by the apostles can make us feel regret if we don't spend enough time on it. But when we do spend time, especially trying to develop a 25 minutes message, we're not sure what to do with it. Its kind of like the Chinese saying, “ ???? , ???? .” However, if we take time to study them, we'll begin to discover the wealth of truth buried in these seemingly simple words.

  When Paul wrote to the Colossian believers, they were facing some conflicts. They had difficulty connecting their lives in Christ with their lives in Colossae . Their religious observances tended toward moral asceticism and spiritual mysticism, which actually disconnected them from their surrounding world. Their interest in philosophical speculation gave rise to a variety of Christian devotion that was much too private and esoteric, and irrelevant to the unbelievers at Colossae . With this as back drop, Paul wrote this letter to the Colossian believers.

  Paul begins his letter by introducing himself and greeting his readers. In his introduction, Paul conveys some important theological content that helps to introduce his message later on. From the phrases Paul used to describe himself and his readers, we gain great insight about our identity in Christ. It tells much about what happens after we are connected with Christ. We see the truth that Since Christ has connected us to Him, the believers are to recognize our new and unique standing in Him.

I •  A New identity with a sense of Mission

In vs.1, “ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,..” The word apostle means someone having seen Jesus and being commissioned by him. Jesus spoke through the apostles. The apostles' words were Jesus' words, therefore, having authority and power. The early church used this as the criteria to accept the apostle's teaching being revelation from God, and included them in the Canon. Therefore, by definition, today there are no more apostles. Paul also wrote that he was an apostle by the will of God. He did not volunteer to be an apostle nor was he nominated by a certain group of people. On the contrary, before he met Jesus, he was persecuting the church violently and trying to destroy it. But on the road to Damascus , Jesus appeared to him and commissioned him to be an apostle to the gentiles, the non Jews. Paul knew he was sent by Jesus Christ. In his other letters, Romans 1:1, 1&2Cor 1:1, Galatians 1:1, Eph 1:1 and Timothy all expressed this truth that he was sent by God, he was God's apostle, with a clear sense of mission.

This echoed Jesus teaching in John 15:16, “ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, …” Jesus was telling his disciples that he had first chosen them, and he had sent them out to bear fruits. Jesus not only appointed and sent the 12 disciples to bear fruit, he not only commanded them to make disciples of all nations, but has also appointed and sends each one of us.

He has not appointed us to be apostles, but he has sent us to where we are today. He has called some of us to stay home full time to care for the family. He has called some to be researchers, professors and doctors. He has placed you in different universities in Houston and other cities. Some are working for different energy and computer related industries. He has also placed many of you in different law firms and companies. He has called and guided some of us into full time ministry in local churches. There are those he had appointed to be missionaries in China , Taiwan , HK, Vietnam , Cameron , Panama , in Europe, Central Asia plus many other countries around the world. What is the purpose? Why does he put us where we are?

Before we came to know Christ, a job is a job, right? Sometimes we enjoy what we do, and other times we may hate it. We work to make a living, supporting ourselves and families. But now it is different. We begin to understand that He puts us where we are so we can bear fruit, telling others the good news of Jesus Christ. He puts us there so we can be the salt and light in a dark and broken world. He appoints us to be at our work place or family, so people around us will have the opportunity to hear the good news and know Him. So our colleagues, friends and family member can see what true love and forgiveness is about. He wants us to bring up our children so they can continue to be the light and salt in their world. He wants us to tell of his great works from one generation to the next. Let's look at some numbers. We have over 700 adults, including students among us. We are scattered all over Houston ; schools and work place. Assuming that each one of us will come into regular contact with 5 people every day, then there will be over 3500 everyday with the opportunity to see the good news in action.

It is not by accident or coincidence that we are here. We are here because God has sent and appointed us. We are here with a mission: to bear fruit, so others will have the opportunity to hear and see the good news. Once we are connected with him, we have a new identity. This identity carries with it a clear sense of mission.

II •  A new identity marked by humility.

We may have met individuals with a clear sense of mission. I still remember the other church I served. A young couple came and joined the church. From the very beginning, they felt that God had called and sent them to a Chinese church to help the Chinese. They loved the Lord and were faithful followers of Christ. Their presence in the church could not be missed. There was that sense of mission and purpose, yet unfortunately, they also projected an air of pride. Two years later they left the church.

How about Paul? In vs. 1 he called Timothy, our brother. In the original Greek, it is ‘the' brother. Paul was many years older than Timothy. Timothy was Paul's spiritual son. Yet, Paul called him brother. In the Thessalonian letter, he called Timothy his co-worker. Yes, Paul knew he was called and appointed by God, yet there was no such class consciousness; that he is different and better than the rest. In other letters, after stating he was appointed by God, and in the same breath, he stated he was a servant, a slave of God. In his writings, he wrote that he was the least of the apostles, and the chief sinner. He never bragged or boasted of his apostolic status, he was a man of humility. He knew it was Jesus that had first chosen him and sent him out. It was God's grace that enabled him to be an apostle to the gentiles. It had nothing to do with his ability or merit. Before God, he was first among the sinners.

Paul's humility points us to Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of a person with a sense of Mission . Jesus knew it was God that sent him into the world. He knew his mission was to call and gather his children to himself. He did not come with that Messianic complex, even though he was the Messiah. Instead, he came to serve with a humble and gentle heart.

Yes, we need to have that sense of mission in life. Yet this must not turn into pride and arrogance. Like Jesus, humility is the mark of our mission. To be humble means to see other as stronger and better than I. When I am humble, I will submit myself to you, even if I may not agree with you. When I am humble, I will be serving those that God has brought into my lives: my family members, colleagues and friends. When I am humble, I will constantly have their well being in mind. It is not just I am here to do my mission, but here to serve those around me.

III.   A new identity with a sense of belonging.

  When we are connected with Christ, it will also bring about a new relationship with other believers. When two individuals get connected by marriage, they are also connected to each other's extended families. Sometimes it could be overwhelming. I remember telling my nephew's wife, “it will take you a while to adjust to this big extended family.” Paul described his readers as saints and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae . The believers are saints because God has set up apart for himself. We are saints not because of our merit, for we have none. Instead, because of his love and choice, he considered us as the holy ones, set apart for him, so we can proclaim him. The saints in Colossae are also called faithful brothers, or brother and sisters. It is important to remember that when the word brother is used in the scriptures, it often is inclusive of men and women in Christ. The term Paul used; in Christ, brothers and sisters reflect an intimate relationship among those who are in Christ. When I am connected with Jesus, when you are connected with Jesus, then we are also connected with each other. Because individually we are in Christ, all of us are in Christ. In the NT, we call this the church, the family of God. Because of our individual connection with Christ, we are all members of God's family. We are brothers and sister by the blood of Jesus Christ.

  In a family, members care for each other. When one member hurts, the rest will feel the pain. In a family, when there is anxiety, we come together to pray for each other. When one has physical and financial need, we come together to help each other. In a family, when we have hurt another person, unintentionally, or in a moment of anger, we ask for forgiveness. When we are hurt, we reach out and offer forgiveness. When we find ourselves in such a family, there is the sense of belonging.

  Another two words used in this and other introductions: Grace and Peace. Grace is what we don't deserve, yet God bestow upon us. We don't deserve anything, yet he provide us with food to eat, clothes to wear, a place to put our heads. Everything we have is from God, it is his grace. Peace is not about the personal inner tranquility. But a reference to the overall well being because we are in Christ. It is a reference to reconciliation with God and with each other. This can only come from God.

Conclusion:

  The moment we are married, connecting ourselves to our spouse, life can never be the same again. We learn to adjust to the new status. Previously when you friend called, “Can you come and hang out at the Juice Box?” Without blinking, you would say, “Sure, I will be there in 30 minutes.” Now that you are married, if you do that, you will be in big trouble. Being wiser, you would say, “I need to check with my wife first.” Previously, when you felt that God was calling you to serve in Asia, you probably got up and went. But now, your spouse may say, I haven't heard God's call yet.” Life became much more complicated after we are married.

Before we come to know Christ, we do whatever and go wherever we want. Now, having believed in him, life is different. Once we are connected with him, we have a new identity. This identity brings us a new sense of mission in life. Our being here is no longer fate or coincidence or accident, but because by the will of God he has placed us in this country, city, school and work place. He wants us to represent him so others can see the true light and taste the true salt. He puts us here so that others may also have the opportunity to hear the calling of the good news and respond to it. When we are connected with him, we are also connected with other believers in this church. We'll continue to explore truth in the coming months.

Even as we learn our new identity, the mark of humility and belongingness, it is good for us to look upon Jesus. He is the model of a person with a clear sense of mission. He came into the world with a purpose, and on the cross, he was able to say, it is finished, he completed his purpose. He was the messiah, yet his entire life was marked with service and humility. He called us to be his friends and he brought us to each other with His blood, so we are no longer alone, but members of his family.