Time is precious. Once gone, it can’t be recovered, and we are never guaranteed more of it. Though we see no signs of approaching death, today may be our last (Job 16:22, 9:25-26; James 4:14). Nothing is more precious than time, and yet we waste it like nothing else.
 
Don’t waste time because God is near (Isaiah 55:6, 2 Corinthians 6:2). Don’t waste time on meaningless or useless things.
 
Don’t be lazy and merely talk, having nothing to share with those in need. (Proverbs 19:15, 23:21, 14:23, 18:9; Ephesians 4:28). Don’t spend time on evil things, hurting yourself and others, increasing eternal misery and damnation.
 
Don’t spend time only in worldly pursuits, neglecting your soul and eternity. What do we really gain from pursuing the world? This time is for the eternity that follows it.
 
Our welfare depends on how wisely we use our time. Have we filled our time with eternal good?
 
We are accountable to God for our words, deeds, and how we have used our time, because we are God’s servants (Matthew 12:36). When God asks for an account of our time, what can we give? Have we made the best use of it for God and for our soul?
 
So, hasten and don’t delay obeying God (Psalm 119:60). Make the most of our opportunities, particularly those more important for our eternal life. This includes Sunday public worship in communion with God and His words.
 
We should use time not just for ourselves, but also to rescue others from their evil ways. So, God may defer anger, allowing such people to be redeemed from destruction.
 
Work is good, but so is rest and recreation. Use them to refresh for the work you are called to do.
 
In any case, we may have already wasted a lot of our time. As we get older, our opportunity, availability, and ability to do good diminish. It will be too late if our eyes are finally opened on our death beds. Even worse, if after death we end up in the fire of hell, then we will be left only with sorrow and regrets.
 
Whether we are young or old, we should diligently redeem time.
 
Make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16). Use time to prepare for our eternity. Beware that the day of judgment is coming soon (Revelation 10:5-6).
 
Summary of a sermon by Jonathan Edwards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt6XUf5ikfQ

 

What does it mean to offer ourselves to God, as stated in Romans 12:1?
 
The Old Testament instructed the Jews to give 10 percent to support the Levites. The New Testament does not teach tithing. Instead, the New Testament teaches that we should offer our whole bodies to God, in view of God’s mercy (Romans 12:1).
 
God has given us so much. Our body was bought by God at a great price. It is also the house of the Holy Spirit, received from our heavenly Father (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
 
We should present our bodies to God, repent from our past ignorance (Acts 17:30), and use our bodies to honor Him. This is our worship.
 
Offering our bodies to God can be like the burnt offering in Leviticus 1, where an animal was cut up into pieces and offered to God. Now, we offer every part of our body as a living sacrifice, not a dead one. For example, give our eyes to God, instead of greedily yearning for other’s property, or looking at things God does not like. Our tongue is not our own anymore. Our ears should not be eagerly listening to gossip. Our hands should do things that honor God.
 
We can make our bodies do what they should through the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 9:27). We can remove bad habits and discipline ourselves. For example, we should control our appetite, instead of letting our appetite control us. Otherwise, we will live as enemies of Christ (Philippians 3:18-19). Fasting can get rid of intense passion for food and help us understand hunger. Similarly, keep sex within the limits that God has ordained (1 Corinthians 6:12-13).
 
Peter asked Christ what they would get for giving up everything to follow Him. Christ seemed to respond they should not expect to get more than those who followed Him right before death (Matthew 19:21-20:16). Our heavenly Father has already given us His beloved Son so we can have everlasting life.
 
Similarly, if we serve anyone in need, we do it for Christ (Matthew 25:34-40). Do not expect gratitude from them.
 
To conclude, in view of God’s mercy, we should offer our whole bodies to God.
 
Summarized from a sermon by Zac Poonen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve4c5xSx1eU&feature=youtu.be

 
罗马书第12章
 
罗马书12：1中所述的将身体献给上帝何解?
 
旧约教导奉献10％来支持利未人。新约重点不是十一奉献, 而是鉴于上帝的怜悯, 将整个身体献给上帝 (罗马书12：1)。
 
上帝赐给我们许多。我们的身子是祂付出了极大的代价买回来的。 我们的身子也是圣灵的殿, 从天父那里得到的圣灵的殿 （哥林多前书6：19-20）。
 
我们应该将我们的身体献给上帝, 从过去的无知中悔改 (使徒行传17:30)，并且用我们的身子尊荣上帝。这是我们的崇拜。
 
将我们身体献给上帝就好像利未记一章中的祭物。在那里动物被切成碎片，献给上帝。现在，我们将我们身体的各个部分献给上帝, 作为活祭献给上帝。例如，将目光投向上帝，不要贪婪地看着别人的东西，又或者看上帝不喜欢我们看的事物。我们的舌头不再是我们自己的。我们的耳朵不应该急于听八卦新闻。我们的手应该做荣耀上帝的事。
 
依靠圣灵使我们的身体做該做的事情 （哥林多前书9:27）。消除不良习惯。要自律。例如，控制我们的食欲，不能让我们的食欲控制我们。否则，我们将成为基督的仇敌 （腓立比书3：18-19）。学会禁食。禁食可以消除对食物的嗜好，并​​帮助我们了解饥饿。同样，保持性行为在限制范围内 （哥林多前书6：12-13）。
 
照顾好我们的身体，这是上帝的，也是上帝的家。上帝会帮助我们。 祂的恩典是足够我们用的 （哥林多后书2:9）。
 
如果我们将自己的身体献给上帝，不要指望从上帝那里得到更多。彼得曾问基督，他们放弃一切跟随基督将得到什么。 基督的回应似乎是，他们不应指望得到比临死前才跟随祂的人更多 （马太福音19：21-20：16）。 我们的天父已经给了我们祂的儿子基督，使我们得到永生。我们应該知足。
 
同样，如果我们为有需的人服务，那就像为基督而做吧 (马太福音25:34-40)。不要期待他们表示回谢。
 
总而言之，鉴于上帝的怜悯，将我们整个身体献给上帝吧。

Christ said that we are the salt and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). What does that mean?
 
These days, we worry about salt causing high blood pressure. But historically, salt was pivotal to the development of civilization.
 
Salt could preserve foods. So, salt enables distribution, allowing them to have different types of food all year round from different regions of the world. In addition, salt makes food taste good.
 
Like salt, we should help people flourish and enhance human relationships.
 
Light helps us see. We should put it high up so everyone in the house can see. Like light, we should let our good deeds shine before others. Then they may see them and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
 
Though we can be salt and light, others will still insult, persecute, and bear false witness against us (Matthew 5:11). Hopefully, these pains are not caused by our bad behavior or our trying to control others. If we suffer because of following Christ, then we should praise God (1 Peter 4:15-16).
 
Christ, following the will of God the Father, came to Earth poor. He died on the cross to take away our curse and punishment. Because of Christ, we can be the blessed children of God, rich and fulfilled.
 
In return, God the Father exalted Christ to the highest place. Billions of knees bow to Christ, and billions of tongues acknowledge Christ as Lord, to glorify God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).
 
Follow Christ. Be like salt and light. Help others so they may give glory to God. If persecuted because of Christ, rejoice because of your great reward in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12).
 
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
http://www.gospelinlife.com/free-sermon-resource
http://www.gospelinlife.com/counter-culture-for-the-common-good-9250

 
世上的盐和光
 
基督说我们是世上的盐和光 （马太福音5：13-16）。 这是什么意思？
 
现在，我们担心盐会导致血压高。但是从历史上看，盐是文明发展的一个重要关键。
 
盐可以保存食物。 食物在特定的季节出现。 但是有盐，他们一年四季都可以吃得不同类型的食物。 而且不同类型的食物来自世界不同地区。 但是因为盐，他们可以获得从远处来的食物. 因为盐的防腐性能，从而支持食品分销渠道。 另外，盐使食物的味道更好。
 
像盐一样，我们应该帮助人类蓬勃发展，增进人际关系。
 
光使我们就能看见。我们应该把它抬高，使屋子里的每个人都能看见。
 
像光一样，我们应该使善行让别人看见，荣耀我们在天上的父 (马太福音5：16)。
 
尽管我们可以是盐和光一样，但是其他人仍然可以辱骂, 逼迫，和捏造各样坏话毁谤我们 （马太福音5:11）。
 
希望这些痛苦不是由我们坏的行为或我们试图控制他人而引起。如果我们因为跟随基督而受苦，那就不要难过。相反，我们应该赞美上帝 （彼得一书4：15-16）。
 
基督听从父神。来在地上祂很穷，死在十字架上，从而带走我们的诅咒和惩罚。有了祂，我们成为上帝祝福的儿女，富有而充实。
 
作为回报，父神将基督升至至高处。让亿万膝盖向基督敬拜，亿万舌头承认基督是主, 使父神得到荣耀 （腓2：9-11）。
 
跟随基督。像盐和光, 帮助别人, 让父神得到荣耀。如果因为基督而受逼迫，就因我们在天上的大赏赐而欣喜 （马太福音5：11-12）。

Many consider life to be meaningless, full of despair and boredom, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. To fill the emptiness, some pursue happiness but can’t find it. What does the Bible say about happiness? Let’s look at Psalm 1.
 
Verse 1 says that happiness is not illusory. We could be blessed now and filled with joy.
 
Happiness depends on whom we hang out with or belong to. Do not hang out with the wicked and mockers, lest they own or control us (v1). They will not give us happiness.
 
Constantly think about and delight in the messages of the Bible. Think about how Christ became a man and died for us so we could be reconciled to God (v2). Then like a tree planted by streams of water, we will yield seasonal fruits, and our leaves will never wither (v3).
 
“Seasonal” implies there will be periods of cold and desolate winters. Bad things will happen. Evils exist. We will experience seasons of pain, suffering, and grief.
 
But even in deep distress, we can still rejoice (1 Peter 1:6) because we are God’s children forever. God constantly upholds us. So, whether our life is easy or full of suffering, God should be our center.
 
Happiness is always a byproduct of something else. Don’t seek it. If we focus on a happy marriage, we will not get it. Christ taught us not to worry. First seek what is important to Him and live as He wants us to. Then we will have happiness (Matthew 6:25-33).
 
In conclusion, bad people cannot bring us happiness. Instead, center on God. Constantly meditate on the messages in the Bible. Then we will yield fruits in season and our leaves will not wither.
 
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon, “Search for Happiness.”


 
寻找幸福
 
许多人认为生活毫无意义，充满了绝望和无聊，满了声音和愤怒, 仍然不能表示什么。为了填补空虚，一些人追求幸福，却找不到。圣经对幸福的看法是什么？让我们来看看诗篇第一章。
 
第一节说幸福不是虚幻的。我们现在可以得到幸福，充满喜乐。
 
幸福取决于我们与谁一起或属于谁。我们与恶人和嘲笑者一起吗？（诗篇1：1）。不要让他们拥有或控制我们。他们不会给我们带来快乐。
 
不断思考和喜爱圣经的信息。想想基督如何成为人并为我们而死，使我们可以被上帝接受 （诗篇1：2）。然后我们就像一棵樹栽在溪水旁边，按時候結果子，叶子永远不会枯萎（诗篇1：3）。
 
“按時候” 或“季节性”意味着寒冷荒凉的冬季，炎热干燥的夏季。坏事会发生。邪恶存在。我们会经历痛苦和悲伤的季节。
 
不过即使在极度痛苦中，我们仍然可以大大喜乐（彼得后书1：6），因为我们永远是上帝的孩子。上帝不断地支持我们。因此，无论我们生活是容易还是充满痛苦，让上帝成为我们的中心。
 
幸福总是其他东西的副产品。不要寻求它。如果我们专注于幸福的婚姻，我们将无法得到它。基督教导我们不要担心。首先寻求对基督重要的东西，并按照他的要求生活。然后我们将获得快乐 （马太福音6：25-33）。
 
总之，与坏人结伴，我们就没有幸福。相反，以上帝为中心。不断沉思圣经中的信息。然后我们将按時結出果子，我们的叶子也不会枯萎。

If someone wanted to meet us in San Francisco, we would ask, “Why?” Shouldn’t we also ask where we want to go in life? So why live? Why get up in the morning?
 
We exist for a very short time. Then we die and rot. Why does it matter whether one goes down hugging or mugging, kind or cruel? Does anything we do matter?
 
Why even try to do anything? In Greek mythology, Sisyphus is cursed to an eternity of rolling a large boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down. Some characterize hell as doing a pointless act, again and again, forever.
 
Some believe in no god, no way to know god, no heaven, and no hell. Some also believe that there is no basis for wrong and right. If one assumes everything ending in nothing, then just following one’s own desire also does not give life any meaning.
 
Some say that love, hate, and every emotion in us are just chemical reactions. But something inside tells us a human is different from a rock. Something inside tells us there is evil and good.
 
Popcorn machines should not make turkey. A sailboat should not run down main street. If we want to live a full and satisfying life, we must know ourselves, learn our reason to exist, and follow it.
 
According to Christianity, a designer designed and built the world. The designer came as a human being and lived among us, showing us His glory, grace, and truth. The designer loves us to the point of laying down His life for us (John 1:1-14).
 
Our meaning in life is found in Christ, the designer of life.
 
Know and love Christ. If we do so, we will “have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
 
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/a-reason-for-living-an-open-forum-8066/

 
为什么生存
 
为何活着？为什么早上起床？
 
如果有人想在旧金山与我们见面，我们会问，“为什么？” 那么为何我们不问生存为什么？
 
我们在世上生存很短的时间，最后我们死了，腐烂了。那么，去拥抱或抢劫，当善良还是残忍, 有分别吗？我们做什么会有区别？
 
甚至为什么尝试做任何事情？在希腊神话中，Sisyphus 每一天，直到永恒，被迫把一块巨石推上山，在几乎到达山顶之前那块巨石便滚下山坡来。有些人将地狱描述为必须做一个毫无意义的事，并且永远地继续做下去。
 
有些人相信没有上帝，没有办法认识上帝，没有天堂也没有地狱。有些人相信没有真理。 他们问，“对还是错是基于什么的？” 如果相信一切都是空虚, 遵循自己的愿望做事也不会给予生命任何意义。
 
有人说，爱与恨只是我们身上的化学反应。
 
但内心告诉我们人类与岩石不同。我们的心告诉我们世上有邪恶和善良。
 
爆米花机不应该用来烘烤火鸡。帆船不应沿着街道行驶。如果我们想要过充实而满足的生活，应找出我们存在的理由并遵循它。
 
根据基督教，有一个设计师设计并建造了这个世界。设计师成为了一个人来到我们中间，向我们展示他的荣耀，恩典和真理。设计师爱我们至为我们牺牲了祂的性命 （约翰福音1：1-14）。
 
我们在生活中的意义可以在这设计师， 基督，中找到。
 
了解和爱这位设计师。如果我们这样做，我们就会“得生命，並且得的更豐盛”（约翰福音10:10）。

Princess Diana and Mother Teresa died within days of each other. Mother Teresa is a hero we could learn from, but the outpouring of grief towards Diana far eclipsed that for Teresa. Some attributed this to people’s shallowness, but others found Diana to be more relatable and vulnerable. Some worship heroes and others distrust them. Let’s learn from Samson, a hero, in Judges 15:9-20.
 
Israel was at a dangerous time. Philistines were assimilating them (v11), and many Israelites liked to be ruled by them.
 
God used Samson to create a conflict with the Philistines.
 
Samson killed a number of Philistines, doing to them what they did to him. Three thousand Jews went to confront him because they didn’t want Samson to disrupt their peace. Samson made them agree not to kill him, but to hand him to the Philistines. Then, using the jawbone of an ass, he killed a thousand Philistines and made a joke out of it (v16).
 
Through one man, God saved Israel from losing their faith and culture. Samson led Israel for 20 years as a judge—not judicially, but as a hero-warrior.
 
As a Nazarene, Samson couldn’t cut his hair. When pressed by Delilah, he let her do it. Samson thought his strength guaranteed his success, but he didn’t know the Lord had left him (Judges 16:20). Then the Philistines seized Samson, gouged out his eyes, and humiliated him.
 
Later, Samson trusted in God’s sovereignty again. With his death, Samson killed more Philistines than in his lifetime because he wanted to “get revenge on the Philistines for [his] two eyes” (Judges 16:28). One main purpose of Samson’s life was to get even.
 
In a similar way, the Jews also rejected Christ and handed Him to the Romans. But unlike Samson, Christ follows God the Father. Christ didn’t leave heaps of dead bodies. Instead, Christ forgave them, and many later became His followers. Through His death, Christ destroyed the power of sin and brought salvation.
 
Learn from Christ. Don’t trust your abilities but depend on what Christ has done for us.
 
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/the-strength-of-samson-6516/

 
观察参孙。向基督学习。
 
戴安娜王妃和特蕾莎修女相继在几天内死亡。特蕾莎修女是我们可以学习的英雄。但哀悼戴安娜的人却远远超过特蕾莎的那些人。有些人将此归于人类的浅薄，但许多人认为戴安娜的脆弱使人们觉得和他们相似和更接近。 有些人崇拜英雄，而有些人则不信任他们。让我们从士师记 15：9-20中的英雄参孙那里学习。
 
那时以色列处于危险时刻。非利士人正在同化他们（士师记 15：11），许多以色列人也喜欢被非利士人统治。
 
上帝使用参孙与非利士人发生冲突。
 
参孙杀死了一些非利士人，因为他想以牙还牙来对付非利士人。三千名犹太人去找他，因为他们不想参孙破坏他们現有的平安！参孙让他们同意不杀死自己，而是将他交给非利士人。接着，参孙使用驴子的颚骨杀死了一千多名非利士人，并用这个事件开了个玩笑 （士师记 15：16）。
 
通过这个人，上帝使以色列免于失去他们的信仰和文化。参孙领导以色列20年，不是一位司法者，而是一个英雄战士。
 
作为拿撒勒人，参孙是不能剪头发的。当大 利 拉多次施压后，参孙让她剪了他的头发。参孙认为他的力量可以处理任何事情，但他不知道主已经离开了他 （士师记16：20）。然后非利士人抓住了参孙，挖出他的眼睛，并羞辱他。
 
后来，参孙再次相信上帝的主权。参孙去世时杀死非利士人的人数比他一生杀死非利士的人更多，因为他想为他的两只眼睛报复 （士师记16：28）。参孙一生主要的推动力是复仇扯平。
 
以类似的方式，犹太人也拒绝基督并将他交给了罗马人。与参孙不同的是基督一生跟随父神。基督没有留下大堆尸体。相反地，基督原谅了他们，后来他们也成为基督的追随者。通过祂的死，基督摧毁了罪的能力，拯救了我们。
 
向基督学习。依靠基督为我们所做的事。不要相信我们的能力。反而，要跟从基督。

Being down-to-earth with one’s feet on the ground is considered a good character trait. But Colossians 3:1-4 provides another point of view.
 
Many believe this world is all there is, and that when they die, there will be nothing left. Such belief leads some to focus entirely on their own worldly gain, ignoring right from wrong and raping the environment for treasures. Christians believe that the world is not all there is.
 
Many epic stories start with ordinary people going through larger-than-life events. After prevailing in a great battle over an evil empire against all odds, they return home. They live confidently and freely. Nothing at home could ruffle them. To them, their home is not all there is.
 
Following His Father’s will, Christ came to Earth, lived a pure life, suffered, died a horrible death, and was resurrected. Christ substituted Himself for us, and His death broke the power of Satan.
 
We and Christ are one. We died with Him and have been raised with Him (v1, 3). Now when the Father looks at us, He sees Christ. We have the greatness and honor of Christ, and we have the love from the Father to Christ. When Christ returns, we will appear with Christ in glory as God’s children (v4).
 
Since we and Christ are one, we have been through what Christ went through. We have been through Christ’s epic battle. After going through such tragic and glorious events with Christ, nothing on Earth can ruffle us. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
 
There are wonderful things on Earth we cherish, but they do not dominate us or control us. Our life on Earth is not all there is.
 
Focus on Christ. Constantly meditate on Christ and the Gospel. We must set our hearts and minds on things above (v1-2). This will help us live and do good on Earth with freedom and power.
 
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
 https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/christ-our-life-7362/
 

 
将我们的心与思放在天上的事
 
脚踏实地做人和做事通常都被认为是很好的性格。但是让我们从歌罗西书第3章1-4节看另一个观点与角度。
 
许多人相信这个世界就是一切。当他们死后，什么都没有了。这种信念引至一些人只完全关注自己的世俗利益，无视对错和损怀环境。基督徒相信世界并非我们一切。
 
很多伟大卓绝的故事开端于普通人生活在艰辛患难中。例如，某些人在不可能的情况下打败了邪恶的帝国。经历了这一场可怕的战争后，他们返回家乡，充满自信而自由地生活。在家里没有什么可以惹恼他们。对他们来说，他们的家乡已经不是一切。
 
基督遵循了天父的旨意。来到世上，过着纯洁的生活，受苦，然后经历了残酷的死亡，并为我们复活。他的死打破了撒但的权势. 天父非常爱基督。
 
在十字架上，基督取代了我们。我们和基督是一体的。我们与他同死，并与他一同复活 (歌罗西书 3:1和 3)。
 
现在，当天父看着我们时，祂看到了基督。我们有了基督的伟大和荣耀，我们也得到父神对基督的爱。当基督回来时，作为上帝的孩子，我们将与基督一同得到荣耀 (歌罗西书 3:4)。
 
既然我们和基督是一体的，我们就经历了祂所经历的事， 祂的浩大斗争。
 
在与基督一起经历了如此悲惨和光荣的事后，地上任何事都不会让我们感到沮丧。 “如果上帝是为了我们，谁能反对我们呢？” 罗马书 8:31。
 
我们珍惜地上美好的事物。但他们并不支配或控制我们。我们在世上的生活并不是一切。
 
专注基督。不断沉思基督和福音。
 
将我们的心与思放在天上面 （歌罗西书 3：1-2）。这可助于我们有自由和力量在世上生活和行善。