 (A sermon in January 2021)
Politically, we are paralyzed by bitter partisanship. Economically, millions are out of work. Internationally, our reputation is in shambles. Four hundred thousand people have died of COVID already. Our nation is broken and needs healing (Psalms 60:2-5). God promised Solomon: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. This promise is also applicable to Christians today. First, as Christians we must humble ourselves. Our worst problem is often pride; we assume ourselves self-sufficient and fail to recognize our need for God (James 4:6). We should judge ourselves critically, lest we come under God’s judgment (1 Corinthians 11:31, 1 Peter 4:17). Also, we should not judge others because we are also sinful (James 4:12, Romans 2:3). Second, we must stop complaining, start praying (Hosea 7:14), and not give up (Luke 18:1). Be sincere in our prayer (Colossians 4:2, Ephesians 6:18). Be specific with our requests and keep track of God’s answers, so that our faith might grow. Third, we should seek God earnestly (Hebrews 11:6). We spend too much time and effort seeking other things than God (Psalms 14:2-3), when He should be our highest priority and our passion. When we seek Him first, everything we need will be given to us (Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Matthew 6:32-33). Lastly, turn from our mistakes and turn to God completely. We and our culture are loaded down by all sorts of sins (2 Timothy 3:2-5). We often see others’ mistakes as we remain blind to our own (1 John 1:8). We should repent, confess our sins to each other, and pray for each other, so that we may be healed and refreshed (James 5:16, Acts 3:19). If we do the above, God promises He will hear our prayer, forgive our sins, and heal our nation (2 Chronicles 7:14). Change starts in us. Be humble. Judge ourselves critically. Keep praying. Seek God earnestly and repent. Place our hope in our only Savior, Jesus Christ. Summary of the Rick Warren sermon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZpnMLFl-fY. 上帝如何医治破碎的国家 2021年1月的讲道 在政治上，党派之间苦毒的争斗使我们陷于瘫痪。 在经济上，数百万人加入了失业的大军。 在国际上，我们的声誉变得一团糟糕。此外，已有40万人死于新冠病毒。这个破碎的国家需要医治 (诗篇60：2-5)。 上帝曾应许所罗门： “這稱為我名下的子民，若是自卑,禱告，尋求我的面，轉離他們的惡行，我必從天上垂聽，赦免他們的罪，醫治他們的地。” （历代志下7:14） 这个应许也适用于今天的基督徒。 首先，谦卑自己。最严重的问题是骄傲，以为能自给自足，不需要上帝的供应(雅各书4：6)。应该严格地自我反省, 免受上帝的审判（哥林多前书11:31，彼得前书4:17）。也不要论断他人，因为自己也同样犯罪（雅各书4:12，罗马书2：3）。 第二，停止抱怨，开始祷告 (何西阿书7:14)。 不断禱告，不可灰心 (路加福音18：1)。祷告要真诚（歌罗西书4：2，以弗所书6:18），要具体，要逐一记下上帝的回答，让信心不断增长。 第三，诚恳地寻求上帝 (希伯来书11：6)。我们花费许多的时间和精力，去寻求其它事物，而不是上帝。祂本应是我们最高的优先，激情的所在 (诗篇14：2-3)。如果先寻求祂，所需的一切都会加给我们 (申命记4：29-31, 马太福音6:32-33)。 最后，完全转离错误, 转向上帝。我们和我们的文化被各种罪恶压倒 (提摩太后书3：2-5)。 我们常常只看到他人的错误，对自己的却视而无睹(约翰壹书1：8)。当悔改，互相认罪，彼此代祷，使我们可以得到医治, 焕然一新 (雅各书5:16, 使徒行传3:19)。 如果做到以上这些，上帝应许聆听我们的祷告，宽恕我们的罪过，治愈我们的国家 (历代志上7:14)。 改变从自己开始。要谦卑，严格地自我反省；不断祈祷；诚恳地寻求上帝并悔改；将盼望寄托在唯一的救主耶稣基督里。
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