新視域的力量
其他人也曾受苦
經文
彼得後書二4-10
4就是天使犯了罪，神也沒有寬容，曾把他們丟在地獄，交在黑暗坑中，等候審判。
5神也沒有寬容上古的世代，曾叫洪水臨到那不敬虔的世代，卻保護了傳義道的挪亞一家八口。
6又判定所多瑪、蛾摩拉，將二城傾覆，焚燒成灰，作為後世不敬虔人的鑑戒；
7只搭救了那常為惡人淫行憂傷的義人羅得。
8因為那義人住在他們中間，看見聽見他們不法的事，他的義心就天天傷痛。
9主知道搭救敬虔的人脫離試探，把不義的人留在刑罰之下，等候審判的日子。
10那些隨肉身、縱污穢的情慾、輕慢主治之人的，更是如此。他們膽大任性，毀謗在尊位的，也不知懼怕。
信息分享
今天，我們要繼續建立一個想法──與弟兄姊妹見面可以為我們原來的觀點帶來重大的改變。你曾否試過在去教會前感到有點不開心或沮喪，然後發現其他人曾經歷過比你更大的掙扎，這時你的心奇怪地得到了鼓舞，你的擔子似乎輕省了許多？
也許你遇到一個在獨力撫養幾個孩子的寡婦，當你看到她認真地唱詩讚美神的時候，不期然就用不同的眼光來回想自己的問題。又或你注意到某一個人，你知道他曾有過非常可怕的經歷，但他那誠心敬拜和稱頌神的態度，也讓你自己的看法得到了改變。
保羅在哥林多前書十章13節提醒我們：「你們所遇見的試探，無非是人所能受的，神是信實的，必不叫你們受試探過於所能受的；在受試探的時候，總要給你們開一條出路，叫你們能忍受得住。」撒旦所喜歡做的其中一件事是令我們相信自己經歷的考驗是少有的，但是當你接觸神的家庭其他成員的時候，你就會開始看到事實並非如你想像的那樣。你遇到一些人，你知道他們有過很痛苦的經驗，比你所要面對過的經驗更痛苦，但他們仍然繼續在高歌讚美神。你明白嗎？只有在教會我們才有機會清楚地領會哥林多前書十章13節的應許；我們才能夠體會這個真理的最高境界。其他人同樣的經歷往往能夠成為我們受苦時的鼓勵。
「其他人也經歷過我們的經歷」
進深研究
詩十1-7；王上十九10，十九14，十九18；提後四16
1. 以利亞想甚麼？
2. 神告訴他甚麼？
祈禱
天父，我越想到基督徒團契的好處，就越察覺您的目的是多麼充滿智慧和完善。求您幫助我不要忽略這奇妙和恩典的管道。奉耶穌的名祈求，阿們。
The Power of a New Perspective
Others have suffered too
Bible reading:
2 Peter 2:4-10
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them in chains of darkness[b] to be held for judgment;
5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless
8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh[c] and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;
Message
We continue developing the thought that meeting together with our brothers and sisters can bring about a radical change in our perspective. Tell me, have you ever gone to church feeling a little disconsolate or depressed and found, as you have looked round and seen people who have gone through much greater struggles than you, that your heart has been strangely lifted and your burdens have seemed lighter?
You see a widow, perhaps, who has been left with several children, and as you watch her singing praises to God you see your problem in a different light. You notice a man whom you know has gone through the most horrifying experiences, but he is still there worshipping and magnifying God. This again works to change your perspective.
Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." One of the things the devil delights to do is to persuade us that the trial we are going through is unique. When you come in contact with others in the family of God you begin to see that is just not true. You rub shoulders with people you know suffered extremely painful experiences - experiences more distressing than you have ever faced. Yet they still continue to sing God's praises. You see, in the church we have an opportunity to evaluate 1 Corinthians 10:13 in a clear light. The truth is seen in its highest form. Others have gone through what we have gone through, and the knowledge of this helps us in our suffering.
"Others have gone through what we have gone through"
Prayer
Father, the more I dwell on the benefits of Christian fellowship, the more I see how wise and considerate are Your purposes. Help me not to neglect this most marvellous and helpful means of grace. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.
Further study
Psalm 10:1-7
1 Kings 19:10; 19:14; 19:18
2 Timothy 4:16
1. What did Elijah think?
2. What did God say to him?
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