在探讨为耶稣作见证的含义时，我们必须谈谈作见证要付上的代价。在圣经中，“见证人”的希腊文是martyres，而“殉道者（martyr）”这个名词就是源自这个字的，你知道吗？
教会被建立后，基督教信仰一直都受到猛力的逼迫。新约圣经记载了很多基督徒被逼害的故事，到了今天，逼迫仍然在持续。根据《今日基督教杂志》的报导，每天大约有13个基督徒因他们的信仰被杀害。除此以外，还有12间基督教建筑物或教会被袭击，每天有12个基督徒被非法逮捕。全世界有超过3亿6千万的基督徒因他们的信仰在某些逼迫或压迫之下生活。他们都是见证人，他们为他们的信仰、为信靠耶稣是他们活泼的盼望和救主作见证人。
在提摩太后书2章中，保罗讲述他怎样受到逼害；他又说，“在基督耶稣里敬虔度日”的信徒，也都要受到逼迫，然而他也为他们带来希望。尽管要面对很多逼迫，保罗说：“主都把我救出来了。”
保罗又向我们保证，“圣经都是神所默示的，”在我们“因信基督耶稣”过生活时，它训练和装备我们去面对来自这个世界的各种障碍。
主啊，今天求你保护你在世界各地的仆人。他们遇到逼迫时，求你安慰他们，又使用他们让你的光照亮每一个地方的人。阿们。
提摩太后书 3:10-17
10但你已经服从了我的教训、品行、志向、信心、宽容、爱心、忍耐，
11以及我在安提阿、以哥念、路司得所遭遇的逼迫、苦难。我所忍受是何等的逼迫，但从这一切苦难中，主都把我救出来了。
12不但如此，凡立志在基督耶稣里敬虔度日的，也都要受逼迫。
13只是作恶的和迷惑人的必越久越恶，他欺哄人，也被人欺哄。
14但你所学习的、所确信的，要存在心里，因为你知道是跟谁学的，
15并且知道你是从小明白圣经，这圣经能使你因信基督耶稣有得救的智慧。
16圣经都是神所默示的，于教训、督责、使人归正、教导人学义都是有益的，
17叫属神的人得以完全，预备行各样的善事。
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted." - 2 Timothy 3:12
As we explore what it means to be witnesses for Jesus, it is important to talk about the cost of witnessing. Did you know that in the Bible the Greek word for "witnesses" is martyres, which also gives us the word "martyr"?
Since the beginning of the church, there has been strong opposition to the Christian faith. The New Testament includes many stories of the persecution of Christians. And persecution continues today. Christianity Today magazine reported that about 13 Christians worldwide are killed every day because of their faith. In addition, 12 Christian buildings or churches are attacked, and 12 Christians are unjustly arrested each day. More than 360 million Christians in the world live with some kind of persecution or oppression because of their faith. They all bear witness to their faith and trust in Jesus as their living hope and Savior.
In 2 Timothy, Paul describes the ways he was persecuted, and he says that believers can expect persecution for living "a godly life in Christ." But he offers hope too. Although he faced many persecutions, Paul said, "The Lord rescued me from all of them."
Paul also reassures us that "all Scripture is God-breathed" and that it trains and equips us to face all kinds of worldly obstacles as we live "through faith in Christ Jesus."
Lord, please protect all of your servants around the world today. Comfort them as they encounter persecution, and work through them to shine your light to people everywhere. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
