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“城造在山上，是不能隐藏的”（马太福音5：14下）。我们祈祷，求主使用小石城以马内利华语浸信会，使“这座造在山上的城”能“如日头出现、光辉烈烈”（士师记5：31），在新时代中为主发大光，照亮周围的人，使荣耀归于上帝。

我们诚挚地邀请您来参加我们教会的各项活动！让我们一同认识主，在祂的愛里彼此搀扶，共走天路。以马内利！

    李春海牧师

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3/30/25 牧者之言

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葡萄树

        我在哈尔滨认识的一位好弟兄家的儿子小名唤“葡萄”； 我们或许可以为小石城以马内利华语浸信会2025版更新的电子相册命名为“葡萄树”。 耶稣说：“我是真葡萄树，我父是栽培的人。凡属我不结果子的枝子，祂就剪去；凡结果子的，祂就修理干净，使枝子结果子更多”（约15: 1-2）。 葡萄树没有棕树的四季常青，没有松树的傲骨耐寒，更没有像香柏树那样成为圣殿中栋梁之材的良机。葡萄树盘根错节，枝蔓舒展，幽幽绿荫生长的唯一价值就是去结果子。 这果子是圣灵的果子，是生命的流露， 是得人如得渔的事工，是虔诚祈祷所发出的力量，是天国的影响力。 天父有美好的计划。1998年天父在以马内利浸信会栽种了这颗葡萄树，成为以马内利浸信会的福音堂。2021年11月14日，她正式成为独立的教会，全名为：小石城以马内利华语浸信会。2022年7月3日，她搬到Markham Street 崇拜。 耶稣是真葡萄树，天父是栽培的人。耶稣道成肉身，在十字架上成全救恩，三日后死里复活成了葡萄树的根基。主的大使命——传福音使万民做主门徒的是教会竭力追求的标杆，主的再来是我们警醒祷告、殷勤预备、彼此相愛、互相劝勉的动力和泉源。 圣灵供应葡萄树的养分，并适时修剪。圣灵如一把锋利的剪刀，他为了让我们结果子更多便不断忍心修理我们，除掉我们的自义、软弱、骄傲、狂妄、贪婪、和不洁。圣灵在我们犯罪时责备我们，迷茫时光照我们，难过时安慰我们，失脚时扶举我们，为要使我们见证主的圣名。 主给这颗葡萄树唯一的命令是：要常住在主里面——常住在主的话里，常住在主的爱里。 感恩，这颗葡萄树的标语是：“见证基督，影响世界！” 感恩，这颗葡萄树的异象是：“但圣灵降临在我们身上，我们就必得着能力，并要在小石城、阿肯色州、全美国，直到世界各地，做主的见证！” 感恩，这颗葡萄树的使命宣言是：“忠于圣约、敬虔崇拜、合一团契、真诚相愛、训练门徒，并广传福音。” 感恩，这颗葡萄树的核心价值是：“家庭、下一代、祈祷、愛心关怀、服侍、敬虔，圣洁和真理。” 感恩，这颗葡萄树正在以前所未有的活力继续传扬福音、建立教会，彰显主名，并整装待发、准备勇敢地迈向下一步。 我们有信心、我们有愛心、我们有盼望，因为我们是天父所栽种、耶稣所树立、圣灵所经营的葡萄树。小石城的春天百花开放，白鸟鸣叫的时候已经来到，斑鸠的声音在我们境内也听见了，无花果树的果子渐渐成熟，葡萄树开花放香，大好良机已经来到。 约瑟是多结果子的枝子，是泉旁多结果子的枝子，他的枝条探出墙外； 小石城以马内利华语浸信会是多结果子的葡萄树，是井旁多结果子的枝子，她探出墙外的枝条硕果累累！

The Vine

I have a dear brother in Harbin whose son’s nickname is “Grape.” Perhaps we could name the 2025 updated digital album of Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church “The Vine.” Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2). The vine does not have the evergreen nature of the palm tree, nor the proud resilience of the pine, nor the opportunity to become the beams of the temple like the cedar. With its intertwining roots and sprawling branches, the vine grows under the lush shade with only one purpose—to bear fruit. This fruit is the fruit of the Spirit—it is the outflow of life, the work of winning souls like fishers of men, the power of devout prayers, and the impact of the kingdom of heaven. The Father has a wonderful plan. In 1998, He planted this vine at Immanuel Baptist Church, establishing it as a “Mission Church.” On November 14, 2021, she officially became an autonomous church under the full name Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church. On July 3, 2022, the church moved to Markham Street for worship. Jesus is the true vine, and the Father is the gardener. Jesus became flesh, accomplished salvation on the cross, and rose from the dead on the third day, becoming the foundation of the vine. The Great Commission—to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations— is the goal that the Church strives to pursue. The Lord’s return is our motivation and source of encouragement to remain watchful in prayer, diligent in preparation, loving one another, and exhorting each other. The Spirit provides nourishment to the vine and prunes it at the right time. The Spirit is like a sharp pair of shears—He lovingly yet firmly prunes us so that we may bear even more fruit. He removes our self-righteousness, weakness, pride, arrogance, greed, and impurity. When we sin, He convicts us; when we are lost, He enlightens us; when we grieve, He comforts us; when we stumble, He upholds us—all so that we may glorify the name of the Lord. The Lord gives only one command to this vine: Remain in Him, that is, to remain in His Word, and remain in His love. With gratitude, we proclaim that this vine’s motto: Witness Christ & Impact the World! With gratitude, we uphold this vine’s vision: But we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on us; we will be the Lord’s witnesses in Little Rock, and in Arkansas and the United States, and to the world! With gratitude, we embrace this vine’s mission statement: Keeping the Covenant Faithfully, Worshipping the Lord Sincerely, Having Fellowship Harmoniously, Loving Each Other Genuinely, Making Disciples Continuously, and Sharing the Gospel Passionately. With gratitude, we cherish this vine’s core values: Family, Next Generation, Prayer, Love Caring, Service, Godliness, Holiness, and Truth With gratitude, we witness this vine moving forward with unprecedented vitality—spreading the gospel, building up the church, magnifying the Lord’s name, and preparing to take next step boldly into the future. We have faith, we have love, and we have hope, because we are a vine planted by the Father, established by Jesus, and nurtured by the Spirit. Spring has come to Little Rock—the flowers are blooming, the white birds are singing, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens with its early fruit, and the vine blossoms, spreading its fragrance. The time of great opportunity has arrived! Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climbed over the wall. LRICBC is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a well, and its branches extend beyond the walls, bearing abundant fruit!

3/23/25 牧者之言

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工作中的偶像崇拜
阅读经文：哈巴谷书2:6-20

对神忠心不是在工作中肤浅地口头上赞美神，而是把神的优先事项摆在首位。先知哈巴谷提醒我们：“惟耶和华在他的圣殿中，全地的人都当在他面前肃敬静默！”（哈2:20）。这种静默不仅仅是遵循一个宗教的仪式，而是让我们破碎的雄心、恐惧和动力保持静默，好让神圣约的优先事项成为我们的优先事项。那些利用他人弱点的人为自己招来审判。压迫或者利用他人的工作最终会导致自己衰败。
今天我们可能不会用贵重的材料来制作偶像，在其面前跪拜。但如果我们想像自己有能力实现自我的救赎，那麽工作也可能成为偶像。因为偶像崇拜的本质是“制造者倚靠自己铸造出来的偶像”（哈2:18），而不是信靠那带领并赐给我们能力去工作的神。
如果我们雄心勃勃的想要获得权力和影响力，是因为以为离了智慧、才能和领导力，我们的工作群体、公司、组织或国家就注定会失败，那我们的雄心就是一种偶像崇拜。相比之下，若我们志向远大的想要获得权力和影响力，是为吸引别人进入服事的网络关系中，在其中每个人都把神的恩赐带给世人，那么这样的雄心就是一种忠心。如果成功了我们洋洋自得，就是在拜偶像。如果我们向神感恩，就是在敬拜神。如果对失败的反应是沮丧，那么我们感受到的是偶像破碎之后的空虚。如果反应是不屈不挠，我们就正在经历神拯救的大能。
摘自：https://zh-hant.theologyofwork.org/work-through-whole-bible-devotional/#toc
3/23/25 Pastor’s Word

Idolatrous Work

Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 2:6–20

Faithfulness is not a superficial matter of uttering praises to God while we work. It is the act of putting God’s priorities first in our work. Habakkuk reminds that “the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him!” (Hab. 2:20). This silence is not merely a religious observation, but a silencing of our own broken ambitions, fears, and motivations, so that the priorities of God’s covenant can become our priorities. Those who exploit others’ vulnerabilities bring judgment on themselves. Work that oppresses or takes advantage of others ultimately brings about its own downfall.

Today we may not be literally crafting idols of precious materials before which we bow down. But work may also be idolatrous if we imagine that we are capable of producing our own salvation. For the essence of idolatry is that “its maker trusts in his own handiwork” (Hab. 2:18, NASB), rather than trusting in God by whose guidance and power we are created to work.

If we are ambitious for power and influence because we think without our wisdom, skill and leadership, our work group, company, organization, or nation is doomed, then our ambition is a form of idolatry. In contrast, if we are ambitious for power and influence so that we can draw others into a network of service in which everyone brings forth God’s gifts for the world, then our ambition is a form of faithfulness. If our response to success is self-congratulation, we are practicing idolatry. If our response is thankfulness, then we are worshiping God. If our reaction to failure is despair, then we are feeling the hollowness of a broken idol, but if our reaction is perseverance, then we are experiencing the saving power of God.
Prayer: Jesus, when I am tempted by the idols of pride and self-sufficiency in my work, help me instead to remember with thanksgiving that I have freely received all gifts from you. Thank you for making fruitful work possible. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Idolatrous Work (Habakkuk 2:1-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.
Cited from: https://zh-hant.theologyofwork.org/work-through-whole-bible-devotional/#toc

3/16/25 牧者之言

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2025 护教培训会议笔记

2025年3月8日星期六，我们的四位青少年参加了在以马内利浸信会举行的2025护教培训(Lead Defend) 会议。他们的笔记如下。

笔记整理：Benjamin, Joshua, Elaine, Yosef

钥节：

哥林多前书 15:17 – “基督若没有复活，你们的信便是徒然，你们仍在罪里。”

耶稣复活的四个“E”

  1. 处决（Execution） – 耶稣真的死了。从历史记录来看，没有人能在被钉十字架后生还。圣经之外的史料也证实了耶稣的死亡，包括《美国医学会杂志》的报道：“很明显，历史证据的权重表明，耶稣在肋旁被刺之前就已经死亡。”
  2. 早期记载（Early Accounts） – 复活事件被记录的时间太早，不可能是传说。 
    • 哥林多前书 15:3-8 详细记载了早期的目击者见证。
    • 雅各和保罗因耶稣向他们显现而信主。
  3. 空坟墓（Empty Tomb） – 即使是耶稣的敌人也承认坟墓是空的。 
    • 墓穴被封印并有士兵看守，然而仍然是空的。
    • 基督教的反对者承认此事实，并辩称门徒偷走了耶稣的身体。
  4. 目击证人（Eyewitnesses） – 多个来源证实了耶稣的复活。 
    • 500多人见过复活后的耶稣，因此“幻觉”理论站不住脚。
    • 早期见证者包括保罗、马太、马可、路加、约翰，以及教父革利免（Clement）和坡旅甲（Polycarp）。

信仰与得救

只在知识层面知道耶稣是不够的——必须要接受祂，才能成为神的儿女。

  • 约翰福音 1:12：“凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就赐他们权柄作神的儿女。”
  • 哥林多前书 15:17：“基督若没有复活，你们的信便是徒然，你们仍在罪里。”

我们的使命

  • 马太福音 28:19：“所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。”
  • 无神论者、不可知论者和非信徒不是我们的敌人，而是需要福音的人。

与非信徒交流的七个原则

  1. 你不需要知道所有答案。
  2. 人比项目更重要。
  3. 做一个撒种者（哥林多前书 3:6）。
  4. 认真倾听，理解对方的观点。
  5. 控制自己的情绪。
  6. 穿戴属灵的军装——为艰难的对话做好准备。
  7. 活出真实的信仰，言行一致。

十二个有效交流工具

  1. 预备自己
  2. 提出问题
  3. 灵活应对
  4. 让对方充分表达（不要急于打断）
  5. 揭示他们的策略（识别他们推理中的漏洞）
  6. 温和地指出其推理中的缺陷
  7. 选择合适的语言（既尊重又精准）
  8. 不断指向耶稣
  9. 分享福音
  10. 诚实承认自己不知道的事情
  11. 做好功课，不断学习
  12. 反复练习，提高对话技巧

邪恶的问题：邪恶是否证明神不存在？

  • 无神论者的论点：如果神是全能且完全良善的，祂应该消灭邪恶。但邪恶存在，因此神不存在。
  • 这一论点的缺陷：它假设神没有允许邪恶存在的理由。
  • 罗马书 8:28“我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按祂旨意被召的人。”
  • 神允许苦难，不是因为祂缺席或无能，而是要塑造我们，成就祂的美好旨意。

会议讲员的重要教导

  • Codey牧师： 即使不是牧师，每个人都可以传讲福音。关键策略： 
    • 认真倾听，理解对方的立场。
    • 控制自己的情绪。
    • 穿戴属灵的军装，为艰难问题做好准备。
    • 活出真实信仰，言行一致。
    • 与无神论者交谈时，尽量使用“信任”(trust)而不是“信仰”(faith)，“怜悯”(mercy) 而不是“恩典”(grace)。
  • Jamie Dew博士： 邪恶和苦难不能证明神不存在。神赋予我们自由意志，因此我们不是机器人。祂允许挣扎，为了要塑造我们的生命。
  • Sean牧师： 通过魔术表演展示人如何容易被欺骗，提醒我们不要因世界的幻象和诱惑而迷失信仰。

总结

  • 耶稣的复活有历史依据，是信仰的核心。
  • 基督徒应以耐心、智慧和爱心与非信徒交流。
  • 邪恶和苦难并不能否定神的存在，反而在神的计划中具有更深的意义。

       求主保守教会中包括青少年在内的每个家人都能不断在主的真理里学习进深，如彼得所提醒我们的：“只要心里尊主基督为圣，有人问你们心中盼望的缘由，就要常作准备，以温柔、敬畏的心回答各人”（彼前3：15），这样作既能坚固自己、也能与别人分享。

 

Lead Defend 2025 Conference Notes

On Saturday, March 8, 2025, four of our youth attended Lead Defend 2025 at Immanuel Baptist Church. Their notes are as follows.

Notes by Benjamin, Joshua, Elaine, and Yosef

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:17 – “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

The 4 E’s of Jesus’ Resurrection

  1. Execution – Jesus was truly dead. There is no historical record of anyone surviving crucifixion. Sources outside the Bible confirm Jesus’ death, including the Journal of the American Medical Association: “Clearly, the weight of the historical evidence points to Jesus being dead even before the wound to his side was inflicted.”
  2. Early Accounts – The resurrection was recorded too early to be a legend.
    • 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 details early eyewitness accounts.
    • James and Paul believed because Jesus appeared to them.
  3. Empty Tomb – Even Jesus’ enemies acknowledged the tomb was empty.
    • The tomb was sealed, guarded, and still found empty.
    • Opponents of Christianity admitted this fact by claiming the disciples stole the body.
  4. Eyewitnesses – Multiple sources confirm Jesus’ resurrection.
    • Over 500 people saw Jesus after his resurrection, making hallucinations an unlikely explanation.
    • Early sources include Paul’s writings, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Clement, and Polycarp.

Belief and Salvation
Knowing Jesus only on a knowledge level is not enough—one must also receive Him to become a child of God personally.

  • John 1:12: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
  • 1 Corinthians 15:17: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

Our Mission

  • Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Atheists, agnostics, and non-believers are not our enemies but people who need the Gospel.

7 Life Principles for Engaging Non-Believers

  1. You don’t have to know everything.
  2. People are over projects 
  3. Be a seed planter (1 Corinthians 3:6).
  4. Listen to understand.
  5. Control your emotions.
  6. Armor up—prepare for difficult conversations.
  7. Walk the walk—live out your faith authentically.

12 Tools for Effective Conversations

  1. Prep work
  2. Ask questions
  3. Shift gears
  4. Let them cook (let them share their views fully)
  5. Reveal their playbook (identify flaws in their reasoning)
  6. Gently poke holes in their logic
  7. Watch your language (be respectful and precise)
  8. Point back to Jesus
  9. Share the Gospel
  10. Admit when you don’t know something
  11. Do your homework
  12. Practice

The Problem of Evil: Does Evil Disprove God?

  • Atheists argue: If God is all-powerful and all-good, He would eliminate evil. Evil exists; therefore, God does not exist.
  • The flaw: This assumes God has no reason for allowing evil.
  • Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
  • God allows suffering to refine us and shape us for His purpose, not because He is absent or powerless.

Key Lessons from Conference Speakers

  • Pastor Codey: Even as a non-pastor, one can share the Gospel. Key strategies:
    • Listen to understand.
    • Control emotions.
    • Armor up (prepare for tough questions).
    • Walk the walk (live out your faith).
    • Use trust instead of faith and mercy instead of grace when speaking with atheists.
  • Dr. Jamie Dew: Evil and suffering do not disprove God. God created us with free will, meaning we are not robots. He allows struggles to shape us.
  • Pastor Sean: Showed a magic trick to illustrate how easily people are deceived. Warned against losing faith due to illusions and worldly distractions.

Conclusion

  • The resurrection is historically supported and foundational to faith.
  • Christians must engage with non-believers with patience, wisdom, and love.
  • Evil and suffering do not negate God’s existence but serve His greater purpose.

      May the Lord keep every family member in the church, including the youth, continually studying and growing deeper in His truth. As Peter reminds us: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15). By doing so, we can both strengthen ourselves and share with others.

 

 

3/9/25 牧者之言

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底波拉
读经: 士4: 1-24
参: 士 5: 1-31

         问：弟兄姐妹，在你信主的过程中，有多少姐妹影响了你的生命？
答：我们美南浸信会多半是以弟兄作领袖；然而，奇妙的是，其中影响力最大的人之一却是曾到中国山东去宣教的慕拉第（Lottie Moon），每年圣诞节都有以她的名义作为向海外宣教的奉献项目。在我信主的过程中，有许多姐妹曾深深影响过我的生命。在睡去的姐妹中，至少有三位是值得一提的：第一是赵桂芹（二姐）：她是传福音给我的人，她影响我建立晨祷会。第二，徐恩赐牧师：她是南京的一位老牧师，98年我去金陵读书时，她教我《圣经引读课》，带领学生们通读从《创世记》一直到《启示录》。她教导我熟悉圣经，奠定圣经基础。第三，裴斐老师(Faye Pearson): 她曾任美南浸信会驻亚洲区的总干事，在台湾和中国大陆宣教42年。她为到亚洲传福音放弃了自己的爱情，完全献上自己的一生。她影响了我的品格和如何作领袖。神在许多人的生命中预备了一些爱主敬畏主的姐妹，成为他们生命中的祝福。
今天我们讲的士师是第一位女士师底波拉——希伯来文意思是“蜜蜂”🐝，它提醒像蜜蜂一样卑微勤劳；同时，它也可以指蜂房中的王后带领领地。底波拉像蜂后一样，带领了她那个时代的人。她丈夫的名字很有意思。他叫拉比多，意思是“火炬” 或 “发光”，希伯来文中这个词“火炬”是阴性复数（士15：4火把），意为“光明的姐妹”或“火焰的姐妹”。这名字似乎暗示他的妻子是“火热的姐妹”。这名字似乎反应出他的妻子是为神所大用的人。
士4：1以笏死后，标志着又一个时代的结束。那个时代，神借着士师以笏——左手便利的人带来得胜与太平。那时，国中太平了80年。然而，像今天的我们一样，以色列人总了伤疤忘了疼。人的罪性非常顽固，就像一个恶性毒瘤，随时都有可能复发。当以笏去世后，以色列人重操旧业，远离神，行神眼中看为恶的事。
让我们看一下士师记第4章的几个角色。第一个就是耶和华。 这章经文反复提到耶和华（1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 14, 15, 7次耶和华；23，1次“神”），让我们看到神的主权。神是圣洁公义的神，他掌管历史，也掌管他子民的命运。神向我们所怀的意念都是好的，为了要赐平安，不是降灾祸。我们的神是有怜悯、有恩惠、不轻易发怒，且有丰盛慈爱的神，他不长久坏怒，也不永远责备。当神子民犯罪，神便管教。当神子民向神祈祷回转时，神便伸出拯救的手，兴起他所使用的人来搭救他们，使他们得胜，使仇敌失败。面对这位公正公义的神，我们永远不要说“神啊，求你站在我这边”；而要像林肯总统所祷告的那样：“神啊，求你让我们站在你那边。”神是历史的掌管者。我们的眼光永远不要定睛在某个君王身上，而要定睛在万军之耶和华那里。
当神的子民犯罪时，神不惜一切代价，甚至将他们交给敌人。这次，耶和华再一次将他们付于敌人。“付于”原文是“卖给”，表明是神主动把自己的百姓交给仇敌作奴隶。神付出了管教的代价。诗篇44：12你卖了你的子民也不赚利，所得的价值并不加添你的资财。神将他的子民卖给外邦人，神自己得到了什么？羞辱！神不惜牺牲自己的荣耀，把自己的儿女交在外邦人手里，这看似非常残忍、实则只有一个目的——使他们回心转意，再次归向耶和华。    
第二个角色：仇敌（4：2-3）
在夏琐作王的迦南王耶宾和他的大将军巴巴拉。“耶宾”是称号，就像中国的“皇帝”或埃及的“法老”一样。注意，在约书亚带领百姓征服迦南地的时候，他带领百姓完全征服了夏琐，并将那里的一切都放火焚烧了（书11：10-13）。然而，在士师记时，以法莲人在争战的时候不彻底，他们没有赶出在基色的迦南人（士1：29）。结果怎样？这里的迦南人经过100多年之后再次崛起，跑到曾彻底被征服的夏琐卷土重来，实力强大，便大大欺压以色列人，直到20年（4：3）。人罪性的顽固带来的后果何等可怕！也许我们在刚信主时通过将自己交托给主，我们的骄傲、自大、自以为义慢慢被改变，变得越来越谦卑。没过多久，由于我们不警醒祷告，逐渐贪恋世界，以至于我们又回到从前的骄傲、自大、自以为义，所有坏习惯又都回来了。很多时候，这些罪恶坏习惯导致的恶果就是仇敌的攻击。俄陀聂之前百姓受苦8年后想到呼求上帝；以笏之前百姓受苦18年后想到呼求上帝；底波拉之前百姓受苦20年后才想到呼求上帝。我们看到人心多么悖逆顽固和刚硬。
这次的敌人迦南王耶宾的一个特点是，他有一个大将军叫西西拉。西西拉住在外邦的夏罗设。与之相似，撒旦在地上也有差役，这个差役替它执行它邪恶计谋，并不断扩张它的领地。这次的敌人非常强大，他们拥有900辆铁车。铁车是当时的先进武器。AI 告诉我们，现代武器正在向 “智能化、无人化、高速化、精准化” 方向发展，未来战争可能更多依赖人工智能、网络战和定向能武器。士师时代的铁车，对于当时的人来说是无法逾越的。在1：19 讲到犹大支派能攻打山上的居民，“只是不能赶出平原的居民，因为他们有铁车”。这时的迦南王耶宾已经拥有900辆铁车，可以想象他们先进的程度在人看来已经不可战胜。
第三，神所兴起的人
1. 底波拉
首先，以色列人受仇敌欺压20年，百姓的生活叫苦连天，没有自由，没有平安。5：6 “在亚拿之子珊迦的时候，又在雅亿的日子，大道无人行走，都是绕道而行”。 以色列人被敌人剥夺了自由；大道被占有，他们只能苟且偷生，找小路行走。
那时百姓中每个人都信心软弱，众多弟兄中找不到一个合乎神心意的人。故此，神要兴起一位有信心的姐妹，神要借着她唤醒那个时代，带领百姓走出灵性的黑暗，进入神所赐的光明。这个姐妹在以法莲山地兴起；这地正是迦南人卷土重来的地方（1：29）。神的心意是，敌人在哪里兴起、神的仆人也在哪里兴起；我们在那里跌倒就在哪里爬起来，在哪里软弱就在哪里刚强。一位姐妹的兴起是一件不容易的事。在那个时代或任何时代都是这样，众人不太容易接受姐妹的带领。与男性领袖比较起来，姐妹必须有超乎众人、非同寻常的信心和服侍，才能被大家所认可。她可能要承受比弟兄更多的压力和负担。
底波拉是女先知，她明白神的心意，代替神传达信息。她又是女士师。士师的两项职责，一为在和平时替百姓断案；二为战争时带领百姓去与仇敌争战。神给她具体的使命是什么？神要她去呼召弟兄，让弟兄站起来服侍主！她遵行神的旨意去呼召弟兄服侍。
2. 巴拉
在4：6 底波拉打发人从那弗他利的基低斯那里呼召巴拉带领百姓与仇敌争战。基底斯位于敌人所在地夏琐更北一点。从头到尾，底波拉都不是在高举自己的权威或建立自己的影响力。底波拉没有武则天那么爱慕作皇帝的野心，也没有慈禧太后垂帘听政的专权，她所作的一切只为完成神所给她的托付和使命，恢复以色列人与神之间正确的关系。
神的话为何不直接临到巴拉？说明巴拉没有信心可以直接领受神的使命。他必须要借着更有信心的女先知（士师）领受神的使命。从某种意义上说，底波拉是拉巴的属灵导师，培养他站立起来为主服侍。我记得上个世纪末在南京给我们讲道的徐恩赐牧师（1930-2018）常说，我们要尊重上帝在教会中设立的次序。教会应该让弟兄来带领。如果弟兄不起来服侍，姐妹理应勇敢地站起来。她说：“如果是领主餐聚会，只要有可能的情况下，我愿意让弟兄来带领”。我们关键要强调的不是弟兄还是姐妹服侍，而是神兴起了谁、谁就应该去服侍。这里我们看到上帝的心意是先兴起底波拉，再使用她建立弟兄巴拉的信心。
面对神的呼召和命令，巴拉的反应是怎样的？他有信心吗？4:8 巴拉说：“你若同我去，我就去；你若不同我去，我就不去。” 他需要人的同在，他依靠这位属灵的姐妹底波拉过于依靠全能的神。从这里可以看到，他似乎有点儿不争气。这正应了中国的两句俗语：“烂泥扶不上墙”、“扶不起的阿斗”。 好的地方是他至少还是愿意去的，但他去是有条件的。如果你陪我一起去与仇敌争战，我就去；如果你不陪我，我就不去。我自己不行，我需要带领和鼓励。对于这位信心不足的门徒，底波拉没有贬低或轻视他，而是继续鼓励他。他说：我可以同你一起去，但最后你将得不到荣耀，因为神要借着另一个姐妹的手将仇敌彻底除去。接着，巴拉率领战士们上他泊山，底波拉跟随。这时，神又借着底波拉说话，命令巴拉行动起来，从他泊山下来（4：14）： 关键的时候，他们要从他泊山下来，到基顺河去迎敌。这是一个信心的突破。当时人们可能认为在他泊山比较安全，但到了平原就比较困难，因为铁车在平原上可以发挥极大的作用。然而，神掌管一切。正在他们下山的时候，很可能神使天上降下大雨（5：4），让巴拉的铁车无法前进。这样，巴拉带着大军彻底打败了仇敌，使他们大获全胜。
3. 雅亿
首先，雅亿是一个与以色列人同住的外邦人基尼人西百的妻子。民10：29-32讲到，摩西的内兄何巴是基尼人的祖先。当以色列人在旷野时，摩西曾邀请何巴留下来作眼睛帮助以色列人看安营之地，并应许说他们将要与以色列人同得耶和华的好处。他留了下来，并成为基尼人的祖先。士4：11特别插入这句话为介绍雅亿作铺垫，说明战胜仇敌的人选上帝早有预备。士4：17讲到 “夏琐王耶宾与基尼人希百家和好”，可能在强调夏琐王的政治策略，他也许认为基尼人不是以色列人，他为了与他们搞好关系而主动与他们求和。
第二，她是普通的家庭主妇。在那么多人中，神找不到一个合他心意的弟兄起来服侍，便兴起这位姐妹为主成就大事。面对这位逃命的大将军，她作了什么？她沉着冷静，遇事不慌。她热情接待。西西拉要水，她拿出奶子给他喝，她还用宝贵的盘子给他奶油吃（5：25）。她左手拿锤子，右手拿橛子，将敌人除死。据说，当时拆搭帐篷的工作是由姐妹来担当的。锤子和橛子是支搭帐篷的工具。这位姐妹以平日工作的方法将敌人除掉。
作为姐妹，雅亿冒着生命的危险完成了使命。这让我们看到的是她在争战中的勇敢。对于今天的基督徒来说，我们每天都面临着属灵的争战（弗6：10-17）。今天教会正在争战中！我们教会应当成为争战的教会，我们应当在主里高举耶稣，谴责罪恶，彻底悔改，带着勇敢的信心领人归主。举个例子，我们中间是否有人经历过梦魇？梦魇是指在半梦半醒中意识清醒但身体却无法动弹，并且伴随着恐惧、甚至有黑影压身，使你有一种无法呼吸的感觉。这个现象科学无法完全解释。我们基督徒知道，这就是一种属灵的争战。面对那个仇敌，你要像雅亿一样勇敢。你要凭信心奉拿撒勒人耶稣基督之名斥责仇敌，与仇敌争战，仇敌便会退去。
总结一下：  《士》4章主要强调两位姐妹，一个是底波拉——信心，一个是雅亿——勇敢。  然而，主并不是要高举男人或女人，而是要我们知道他的大能。巴拉开始时似乎没有多大信心，但随着他顺服神的旨意，在一步一步往前走的过程中信心得到了建立。神让他亲眼看到从优势的他泊山下到劣势的平原之地，上帝依然能使他们得胜。神也让他亲眼见证他的仇敌最终死在一位姐妹的手中（4：22）。在战争结束后，他和底波拉一起做诗歌称颂神的作为（5：1）。在《来》11章列信心见证人时，圣灵特别将巴拉列在其中（11：32）。我们会问，上帝公平吗？为何底波拉不在其中？其实，底波拉和巴拉都是作神的工作，这些人都是被神记念的。并且底波拉的使命是培养、建立巴拉的信心。当她看到巴拉成为信心的领袖时，这岂不是对她最大的安慰和肯定吗？
挑战：神能使用你！你需要兴起！
神可以兴起一切人为他服侍，神要使用你。神可以使用左手便利的以笏、神可以使用为人之妻的底波拉、也可以使用基尼人雅亿、神可以使用少年大卫打败歌利亚。神真正要找的是愿意顺服他，相信他的大能、并甘愿为他献上的人。神要使用你！有位参加祷告会的姐妹是作清洁工作的。她祷告说：“主啊，你不仅让我打扫外在的卫生，更要让我打扫人心灵的卫生；我要为整栋楼里人的灵魂守望祷告，为他们的救恩祷告”。这位姐妹就是天国的大祭司，她的服侍就是神所喜悦的！
有一段时间，教会晨祷会特别为更多弟兄兴起来祷告！感谢教会中所有姐妹的服侍，如果没有你们的服侍，教会无法运作。但我们要祷告主兴起更多弟兄能愿意为主甘心摆上服侍。有错误的观念认为，祷告是姐妹的事，服侍是姊妹的事。我们忘记了夏娃犯罪的最直接原因就是亚当失职，没有看管好伊甸园，而给魔鬼留下可趁之机。 如果弟兄不被兴起作领袖，家庭怎能得胜？教会怎能复兴？愿主在这个时代将更多弟兄兴起来，承担责任，带领家庭的敬拜，带动教会的事工，为基督影响这个时代。
最后，让我们向神祷告说：主啊，兴起我们，像你在古时兴起底波拉、巴拉和雅亿一样！“耶和华啊，愿你的仇敌都这样灭亡！愿爱你的人如日头出现，光辉烈烈”（士5：31）。阿门！                                                      （注：2025年3月2日讲章，李春海牧师）
 
 
 

Deborah
Scripture Reading: Judges 4: 1-24
Reference: Judges 5: 1-31

          Q: Brothers and sisters, how many sisters have influenced your life in your faith journey?
          A: Most of leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention are men; however, it is amazing that one of the most influential people among us is Lottie Moon, who was a missionary in Shandong, China. Every Christmas, there is a donation project in her name for world missions. In the process of my belief, many sisters have deeply influenced my life. Among the sisters who have fallen asleep, at least three are worth mentioning: First, Zhao Guiqin: She was the one who preached the gospel to me and influenced me to establish morning prayer meetings. Second, Pastor Xu Enci: She was a senior pastor in Nanjing. When I went to Nanjing Theological Seminary in 1998, she taught me the “Bible Introduction Course” and led the students to study from Genesis to Revelation. She taught me to be familiar with the Bible and laid a biblical foundation. Third, Professor Faye Pearson: She was the Director of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Church in Asia and served in Taiwan and mainland China for 42 years. She gave up her love and devoted her life to sharing the gospel in Asia. She influenced my character and how to be a leader. In many people’s lives, God has prepared some sisters who love and fear the Lord to become a blessing in our lives.
        The judge we are preaching today is the first female judge, Deborah. The Hebrew word means “bee,” which reminds us of humility just as bees are humble insects; at the same time, it can also refer to the queen in each hive, leading the territory. Deborah led the people of her time like a queen bee. Her husband’s name is also very interesting. His name is Lapidoth, which means “torch” or “light,” and the word “torch” in Hebrew is feminine plural (Judges 15:4 torches), meaning “sister of light” or “sister of flame.” It seems to refer to his wife Deborah as a “sister of fire.” This name seems to reflect that his wife was a person who was greatly used by God.
          Judges 4:1 The death of Ehud marked the end of another era. In that era, God brought victory and rest through Judge Ehud, a man with a left hand. At that time, the country was at rest for 80 years. However, like us today, the Israelites forgot the pain so fast. Human sin is very stubborn, like a malignant tumor that can recur at any time. When Ehud died, the Israelites returned to their old way, turned away from God, and did what was evil in God’s eyes.
        Let’s look at several roles in this passage. The first one is Jehovah. This chapter repeatedly mentions Jehovah (4: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 14, 15, in total 7 times; plus “God”1 time, 4:23), which shows us God’s sovereignty. God is a holy and righteous God. He acts in history. His will toward us is all good, to give us peace, not to bring disaster. Our God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness. He does not remain angry for long, nor does he rebuke forever. When God’s people sin, God disciplines them. When God’s people pray to God and turn back, God extends his hand of salvation and raises up the people he uses to rescue them, so that they can win over their enemies. Facing this just and righteous God, we should never say, “God, please stand on my side.” Instead, we should pray like President Lincoln: “God, please let us stand on your side.” We should never focus our eyes on a certain king/leader, but on the Lord of Hosts.
        When God’s people sinned, He demanded whatever it took, even handing them over to their enemies. This time, the Lord once again gave them over (sold them to) their enemies. The original word for “give” is “sold,” indicating that God took the initiative to hand over His people to their enemies. Psalm 44:12 “You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.” What did God gain by selling His people to foreigners? Humiliation! God sacrificed His glory and handed His children over to foreigners. It seemed very cruel, but in fact, God only has one purpose – to make them change their hearts and return to the Lord again.
 The Second Role: Enemies (4:2-3)
         Jabin, the Canaanite king who reigned in Hazor, and his commander Barbara. “Jabin” is a title, like the “emperor” of China or the “pharaoh” of Egypt. Note that when Joshua led the people to conquer the land of Canaan, he led the people to completely conquer Hazor and set everything there on fire (Joshua 11:10-13). However, in the Book of Judges, the Ephraimites were not thorough in their battles, and they did not drive out the Canaanites in Ephraim (Judges 1:29). What was the result? After more than 100 years, the Canaanites rose again and ran to Hazor, which had been completely conquered. They came back with great strength and oppressed the Israelites greatly until the 20th year (4:3). What terrible consequence the stubbornness of human sinful nature brings! Perhaps when we first believed in the Lord, by entrusting ourselves to the Lord, our pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness were slowly changed, and we became more and more humble. Before long, because we were not alert, we gradually became greedy for the world, so that we returned to our former pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness, and all our bad habits returned. Many times, these sinful habits lead to the attack of enemies. Before Othniel, the people thought of calling on God after suffering for 8 years; before Ehud, the people thought of calling on God after suffering for 18 years; and before Deborah, the people thought of calling on God after suffering for 20 years. We can see how rebellious, stubborn and hardened people’s hearts are.
        One characteristic of this enemy, King Jabin of Canaan, is that he has a commander named Sisera. Sisera lived in the Gentile country of Harosheth. Just like Satan has a servant on earth. This commander executed his master’s evil schemes and continued to expand their territory. This enemy was very powerful. They had 900 iron chariots. Iron chariots were equivalent to the most advanced weapons at that time. AI tells us that modern weapons are developing in the direction of “intelligent, unmanned, high-speed, and precise.” Future wars might rely more on artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and direct energy weapons. The iron chariots of the Judges era were insurmountable for people at that time. In 1:19, it is said that the tribe of Judah can attack the inhabitants of the mountains, “but they cannot drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they have iron chariots.” King Jabin of Canaan already had 900 iron chariots. It can be imagined that their advanced level was invincible in the eyes of people.
 The Third, the people raised up by God
        1. Deborah
       The Israelites had been oppressed by their enemies for 20 years, and the people’s lives were miserable, with no freedom and no peace. 5:6 “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, and in the days of Jael, the roads were abandoned; travelers took to winding paths.” The Israelites were deprived of their freedom by their enemies; the highways were taken away, and they could only live in misery and find narrow paths to travel. Everyone in the people had weak faith, and among the many brothers, there was no one who was in line with God’s will. Therefore, God raised up a sister with faith. Through her, God wanted to awaken that era and lead the people out of the spiritual darkness and into the light. This sister Deborah rose up in the mountains of Ephraim; this place was where the Canaanites made a comeback (1:29). God’s will is that where the enemy rises up, God’s servants will also rise up; where we fall, there we will arise; where we are weak, there we will become strong. At any era, it was not easy for people to accept the leadership of a sister. Compared with male leaders, she must have extraordinary faith and service to be recognized by everyone. She may have to bear more pressure and burden than brothers.
         Deborah was a prophetess who understood God’s will and conveyed messages on behalf of God. She was also a judge: the two duties of a judge were to judge cases for the people during peacetime and to lead the people to fight against the enemy during war. What was the specific mission God giving her? God wanted her to call one brother to stand up and serve the Lord! She followed God’s will.
         2. Barak
         In 4:6, Deborah sent people from Kedesh in Naphtali to call Barak to lead the people to fight against the enemy. Kedesh was located a little further north of Hazor, where the enemy was. From beginning to end, Deborah was not exalting her own authority or establishing her own influence. Deborah did not have the ambition to be an emperor like Wu Zetian, nor did she have the power of Empress Dowager Cixi to rule behind the scenes in China history. Everything she did was only to fulfill the mission given to her by God and to restore the correct relationship between the Israelites and God. Why didn’t God’s word come directly to Barak? It shows that Barak did not have the faith to receive God’s mission directly. He had to receive God’s mission through the prophetess, the judge, Deborah who had more faith. In a sense, Deborah was Barak’s spiritual mentor, training him to stand up and serve the Lord.
        I remember that Pastor Xu Enci (1930-2018), who preached in Nanjing at the end of last century, often stated that we must respect the order established by God in the church. The church should let brothers lead. If brothers do not stand up to serve, sisters should stand up bravely. She said, “If it is a Lord’s Supper, I would rather let brother(s) lead as long as it is possible.” The key thing we should emphasize is not whether brothers or sisters serve, but whoever God raises up should serve. Here we see that God’s work was to raise up Deborah first and then used her to build up brother Barak’s faith.
        How did Barak react to God’s call and command? Did he have faith? 4:8 Barak said, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” He needed his spiritual sister Deborah, and he relied on her spirituality more than on the almighty God. From this, he seemed a little disappointed. There is an old Chinese saying: “A rotten mud cannot be supported on a wall.” The good thing is that he was at least willing to go, but his going was conditional. If you accompany me to fight the enemy, I will go; if you don’t accompany me, I won’t go. I can’t do it myself; I need guidance and encouragement. Deborah did not belittle or despise this disciple who lacked faith but continued to encourage him. She said that I can go with you, but in the end, you will not get the glory, because God will use the hands of another sister to eliminate the enemy. Then Barak led the warriors to Mount Tabor. At this time, God spoke through Deborah again, commanding Barak to act and come down from Mount Tabor (4:14): At the critical moment, they had to come down from Mount Tabor to the Kishon River to meet the enemy. This was a breakthrough of faith. At that time, they might have thought that it was safer on Mount Tabor, but it would be more difficult to go to the plains because the iron chariots could work much better on the plains. However, God is in control of everything. Just as they were coming down the mountain, God might cause heavy rain to fall from the sky (5:4), making it impossible for Sisera’s iron chariot to move forward. In this way, Barak and his army completely defeated the enemy and won a great victory.
        3. Jael
        First, Jael was the wife of Zeber the Kenite, a Gentile who lived with the Israelites. Numbers 10:29-32 says that Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, was the ancestor of the Kenites. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, Moses invited Hobab to stay as an eye to help the Israelites see the location of camp and promised that they would share the benefits of the Lord with the Israelites. He stayed and became the ancestor of the Kenites. Judges 4:11 specifically inserted this sentence to pave the way for the introduction of Jael, indicating that God had long prepared the person who would defeat the enemy. Judges 4:17 talks about Jabin, king of Hazor, making peace with the house of Heber the Kenite, which may emphasize the political strategy of the king of Hazor: he may have thought that the Kenites were not Israelites, and in order to have a good relationship with them, he took the initiative to seek peace with them.
         Second, she was an ordinary housewife. Among so many people, God could not find a man with a strong faith to serve, so He raised up this sister to accomplish a great thing for the Lord. When this commander fled from failure, what did she do to the enemy? She was calm, composed, and never panicked. She was warm and welcoming: Sisera asked for water, and she gave him milk to drink, and she also gave him butter on a precious plate (5:25). She took a hammer in her left hand and a peg in her right hand and killed the enemy. It is said that the work of dismantling and setting up the tent was undertaken by sisters at that time. Hammer and peg were tools for pitching tents. This sister eliminated the enemy in the way of her daily work.
         As a sister, Jael risked her life to get rid of the enemy. This shows us courage in battle. For Christians today, we face spiritual battles every day (Ephesians 6: 10-17). Today the church is in battle! Our church should be a fighting church. We should exalt Jesus, condemn sin, repent thoroughly, and lead people to the Lord with courageous faith. For example, has anyone among us ever experienced a nightmare? A nightmare is a state of being half asleep and half awake, with a clear mind but unable to move, accompanied by fear, and even a dark shadow pressing on you, making you feel like you can’t breathe. This phenomenon cannot be explained completely by science. We Christians know that it is a spiritual battle. Can you be friendly to that enemy? No. You must remember to fight the enemy bravely like Jael. You must rebuke the devil in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, fighting with it, and it will retreat.
         To summarize: Judges 4 emphasizes two sisters, one is Deborah – faith, and the other is Jael – courage. The Lord does not want to exalt men or women, but to let us know His power. Barak did not seem to have much faith at the beginning, but as he obeyed God’s will, his faith must have been built up as he moved forward step by step. God allowed him to see with his own eyes that from the advantageous Mount Tabor to the disadvantaged plains, God could still make them victorious. God also allowed him to witness with his own eyes how his enemy eventually died at the hands of a sister (4:22). After the war, he and Deborah wrote a song to praise God (5:1). When listing the witnesses of faith in Hebrews 11, the Holy Spirit specifically listed Barak among them (11:32). We may ask, is God fair? Why isn’t Debora on the list? In fact, Deborah and Barak were both doing God’s work. In history, some people were mentioned and many were not. These people were all remembered by God. And Deborah’s mission was to cultivate and build Barak’s faith. Wasn’t it the greatest comfort and recognition for her when she saw Bara become a leader in faith?
          Challenge: God can use you! You need to rise!
          God can raise up all people to serve Him, and God wants to use you. God can use Ehud, who was left-handed, Deborah, a wife, Jael, the Kenite, and David, a young man, who defeated giant Goliath. What God is really looking for is people who are willing to obey Him, believe in His power, and dedicate themselves to Him. God wants to use you! A sister who participated in the prayer meeting was a custodian. She prayed, “Lord, you not only let me clean the outside, but also let me clean the hearts of people; I will watch and pray for the souls of the people in the whole building and pray for their salvation.” This sister is the high priest of the kingdom of heaven, and her service is what God is pleased with!
         For a while, our morning prayer meeting specifically prayed for more brothers to rise! Thank you to all the sisters in the church for your service. Without your service, the church cannot function well. But we must pray that the Lord will raise more brothers who are willing to serve the Lord voluntarily. There is a wrong concept that prayer is a sister’s business and service is a sister’s business. We forget that the most direct reason for Eve’s sin was Adam’s failure to take care of the Garden of Eden, leaving the devil with a room to enter. If brothers are not raised as leaders, how can families be victorious? How can the church be revived? May the Lord raise up more brothers, take responsibility, lead family worship, serve the church’s ministry, and influence this era for Christ.
        Finally, let us pray: Dear Lord, please raise us up, just as you raised Deborah, Barak, and Jael in ancient times! “So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But may those who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength” (Judges 5: 31)! Amen.
（Note: sermon on 3/2/2025, by Pastor Chunhai Li）