社群是… 不断在改变
保罗在这里的解释往往令我感到困惑，为了福音的缘故，他改变他的言行举止来影响别人，他这样做似乎有点虚伪（或者甚至在玩弄手段？）。然而，当我在社群中活得越久和我经历的境况越多时，我便觉得我渐渐能够明白他在说什么了。
假若我从社群和它能够成就的目标这个角度来解读这个信息，我便明白了。我今天需要在社群得到的，和我在十年或二十年前的需要不同；当我在念高中时，我面对父亲的死亡，那时我需要我的社群聆听我对神发怒、但仍然无条件地爱我。当我的孩子仍年幼时，太太和我需要找人代我们照顾他们，还有当我们想知道怎样教养他们时，我们需要有人来聆听我们的问题。到了今天，我们的需要仍然在改变。这个月在这里与我们分享他们的故事的每一个人也是一样，一年或甚至一个月之后，他们对社群也可能有不同的期待。
一个以耶稣基督的恩典去服事的基督徒社群，也可以在任何人面前做任何事；对那些受苦的人，我们可以来一起哀哭；对喜乐的人，我们可以一同庆祝。我们的社群可以做到很多事情，因为我们之间有非常深厚的关系。社群不断在改变，这样它才能够在我们周围这个不断改变的世代中反映出神究竟是谁。今天，无论你有什么需要，属神子民的社群，都会像基督那样在你身旁的。
主啊，我们在你子民的社群中找到那不断改变的处境下，始终不变深切的爱，我们感谢你。阿们。
哥林多前书 9:19-23
19我虽是自由的，无人辖管，然而我甘心做了众人的仆人，为要多得人。
20向犹太人，我就做犹太人，为要得犹太人。向律法以下的人，我虽不在律法以下，还是做律法以下的人，为要得律法以下的人。
21向没有律法的人，我就做没有律法的人，为要得没有律法的人；其实我在神面前不是没有律法，在基督面前正在律法之下。
22向软弱的人，我就做软弱的人，为要得软弱的人。向什么样的人，我就做什么样的人，无论如何总要救些人。
23凡我所行的，都是为福音的缘故，为要与人同得这福音的好处。
Community Is . . . Ever Changing
"I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." - 1 Corinthians 9:22
This explanation by Paul has often confused me. It seems like he was not being authentic (or maybe even manipulative?) by changing the way he acted in order to influence people for the gospel. But the longer I live in community and the more life circumstances I go through, the more I think I understand what he is talking about.
It helps if I look at this message in light of community and everything it can be. What I need from community today is different from what I needed 10 or 20 years ago. When I was in high school dealing with the death of my dad, I needed my community to listen to me rage against God and love me anyway. When my children were younger, my wife and I needed people to watch them for us and to listen to us when we wondered how to parent them. Today our needs are different still. The same could be said of everyone who has shared their story here this month. A year from now or even a month from now, they might describe community differently.
A Christian community, serving with the grace of Jesus Christ, can be all things to all people. For those who are hurting, it can come and cry alongside. For people who are rejoicing, it can celebrate. It can offer so much because it is so deep. It is ever changing to reflect who God is in the ever-changing world around us. Whatever you are in need of today, the community of God’s people is there to be Christ for you.
Lord, thank you for the ever-changing and deep love we can find in the community of your people. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
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