第37章 个人之工
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第37章 个人之工
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Chap. 37 Personal Ministry
§3
许多传道人在工作中讲道太多，与人促膝谈心太少了。我们更需要作个人布道之工。传道人应当带着基督化的同情接近每一个人，设法提醒他们关注永生的大事。他们的心地也许如踏硬了的道路一样；把救主介绍给他们似乎是徒劳无功。虽然理论感动不了他们，论据说服不了他们，但藉着个人的服务所表显的基督之爱，却有可能软化他们的铁石心肠，让真理的种子扎根。{GW 185.1}[1]
§4
In the work of many ministers there is too much sermonizing and too little real heart-to-heart work. There is need of more personal labor for souls. In Christlike sympathy the minister should come close to men individually, and seek to awaken their interest in the great things of eternal life. Their hearts may be as hard as the beaten highway, and apparently it may be a useless effort to present the Saviour to them; but while logic may fail to move, and argument be powerless to convince, the love of Christ, revealed in personal ministry, may soften the stony heart, so that the seed of truth can take root. {GW 185.1}[1]
§5
传道的工作不限于台上讲道，也包括认真的个人之工。地上教会的成员乃是一班容易犯错误的男女。他们需要牧人忍耐、苦心的帮助，使他们可以受到培训和锻炼，以便在今生作成可蒙上帝悦纳的工作，并在来生获得荣耀的永生冠冕。现今所需要的乃是忠心的牧人。他们一方面不会向上帝的子民说一些甜言蜜语，同时也不至苛刻地对待他们，却要拿生命的粮喂养他们。这些牧人必须在自己的生活中天天感受到圣灵更新的能力，并对于他们所牧养的人怀有坚强而无私的爱心。{GW 185.2}[2]
§6
Ministry means much more than sermonizing; it means earnest personal labor. The church on earth is composed of erring men and women, who need patient, painstaking labor, that they may be trained and disciplined to work with acceptance in this life, and in the future life be crowned with glory and immortality. Pastors are needed,--faithful shepherds,--who will not flatter Gods people, nor treat them harshly, but who will feed them with the bread of life,--men who in their lives feel daily the converting power of the Holy Spirit, and who cherish a strong, unselfish love for those for whom they labor. {GW 185.2}[2]
§7
作为牧者的人在教会里遇有离间、苦毒、嫉妒的事时，就必须机智地去应付，并且需要以基督的精神去作工，才能处理得当。他们不但必须在讲台上，而且要藉着个人之工忠心地警告人，责备罪恶，纠正错误。人们喜爱偏离正道的心理或许不肯领受上帝仆人的忠告，并对他产生误会，进行批评。在这种情形之下，作牧者的人务要记得：“惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平，温良柔顺，满有怜悯，多结善果，没有偏见，没有假冒。并且使人和平的，是用和平所栽种的义果”（雅3:17-18）。{GW 185.3}[3]
§8
There is tactful work for the under-shepherd to do as he is called to meet alienation, bitterness, envy, and jealousy in the church; and he will need to labor in the spirit of Christ to set things in order. Faithful warnings are to be given, sins rebuked, wrongs made right, both by the ministers work in the pulpit and by personal labor. The wayward heart may take exception to the message, and the servant of God be misjudged and criticized. Let him then remember that the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. [James 3:17, 18.] {GW 185.3}[3]
§9
福音工作者的任务乃是“使众人都明白，这历代以来隐藏在创造万物之上帝里的奥秘，是如何安排的”（弗3:9）。如果一个工人只拣选最不需要克己牺牲的工作，单在台上讲道，而让别人去作个人之工，他的工作就不能蒙上帝悦纳。基督所为之受死的人正因没有人为他们作有计划的个人之工而灭亡了；所以什么人若想作传道的工作，而不愿意作牧养羊群所必需的个人之工，他就是误解了上帝对他的呼召。{GW 186.1}[4]
§10
The work of the gospel minister is to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God. [Ephesians 3:9.] If one entering upon this work chooses the least self-sacrificing part, contenting himself with preaching, and leaving the work of personal ministry for some one else to do, his labors will not be acceptable to God. Souls for whom Christ died are perishing for want of well-directed personal labor; and he has mistaken his calling who, having entered the ministry, is unwilling to do the personal work that the care of the flock demands. {GW 186.1}[4]
§11
传道人无论得时不得时，都要把握和善用每一个机会，来推进上帝的圣工。所谓“得时”就是密切关注敬拜的地点和时间，以及人们谈论宗教题目的机会。所谓“不得时”，就是在炉边，在田间，在路旁或市场上，随时准备用适当的方式把人心转向圣经的重要题目，并以温柔热情的态度，勉励他们顺从上帝的要求。许多这样的机会，因为人以为“不得时”，以致未加利用而失之交臂。但如果此时用聪明的请求打动人的良心，则效果如何，又有谁能知道呢？圣经说：“早晨要撒你的种，晚上也不要歇你的手，因为你不知道哪一样发旺；或是早撒的，或是晚撒的，或是两样都好”（传11:6）。撒播真理种子的人也许心里担忧。有时他的工作也似乎不见效。但他如果忠心，就必看见自己工作的效果，因为圣经说：“那带种流泪出去的，必要欢欢乐乐地带禾捆回来”（诗126:6）。{GW 186.2}[5]
§12
The minister must be instant in season and out of season, ready to seize and improve every opportunity to further the work of God. To be instant in season is to be alert to the privileges of the house and hour of worship, and to the times when men are conversing on topics of religion. And to be instant out of season is to be ready, when at the fireside, in the field, by the wayside, in the market, to turn the minds of men, in a suitable manner, to the great themes of the Bible, with tender, fervent spirit urging upon them the claims of God. Many, many such opportunities are allowed to slip by unimproved, because men are persuaded that it is out of season. But who knows what might be the effect of a wise appeal to the conscience? It is written, In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. [Ecclesiastes 11:6.] He who is sowing the seeds of truth may bear a burdened heart, and at times his efforts may seem to be without result. But if he is faithful, he will see fruit of his labor; for Gods word declares, He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. [Psalm 126:6.] {GW 186.2}[5]
§13
【访问家庭】
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一个传道人在台上讲道之后，他的工作只不过才开始。他还必须进行个人之工，到各人家里去访问他们，认真而谦卑地同他们谈话，祈祷。有许多家庭若没有上帝恩典的执事进去向他们指明天路，他们就永不会接触到圣经的真理。但凡从事这种工作的人必须以基督的心为心。{GW 187.1}[6]
§15
【Visiting Homes】
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When a minister has presented the gospel message from the pulpit, his work is only begun. There is personal work for him to do. He should visit the people in their homes, talking and praying with them in earnestness and humility. There are families who will never be reached by the truths of Gods word unless the stewards of His grace enter their homes and point them to the higher way. But the hearts of those who do this work must throb in unison with the heart of Christ. {GW 187.1}[6]
§17
“你出去到路上和篱笆那里，勉强人进来，坐满我的屋子”（路4:23）。这一个命令意义深长。传道人务要到人们的家庭里去传讲真理，接近他们所要帮助的众人。当他们这样与上帝合作的时候，祂就必加给他们属灵的能力。基督必要指导他们的工作，并赐给他们所讲的话，使这话能深入人心。{GW 187.2}[7]
§18
Much is comprehended in the command, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled. [Luke 14:23.] Let ministers teach the truth in families, drawing close to those for whom they labor; and as they thus co-operate with God, He will clothe them with spiritual power. Christ will guide them in their work, giving them words to speak that will sink deep into the hearts of the listeners. {GW 187.2}[7]
§19
每一个传道人都应当与保罗一样说：“上帝的旨意，我并没有一样避讳不传给你们的。”“你们也知道，凡与你们有益的，我没有一样避讳不说的；或在众人面前，或在各人家里，我都教导你们；……证明当向上帝悔改，信靠我主耶稣基督”（徒20:27,20,21）。{GW 188.1}[8]
§20
It is the privilege of every minister to be able to say with Paul, I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, . . . repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. [Acts 20:27, 20, 21.] {GW 188.1}[8]
§21
我们的救主也曾挨家挨户，医治病人，安慰悲伤的人，抚慰痛苦的人，对忧郁的人说平安的话。祂把孩子抱在怀里，为他们祝福，并对困乏的母亲说希望和安慰的话。祂存着无尽仁慈与温柔的心，应付人类种种的灾难艰苦。祂劳碌不是为自己，而是为别人。祂是众人的仆人。祂的饮食就是将希望和力量带给祂所接触的人。当人们听见祂口所说的真理与拉比所教导的遗传教条大不相同时，他们心中就生出希望来。祂教导人时的诚恳态度，使祂的话带着感服人心的能力。{GW 188.2}[9]
§22
Our Saviour went from house to house, healing the sick, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the disconsolate. He took the little children in His arms and blessed them and spoke words of hope and comfort to the weary mothers. With unfailing tenderness and gentleness, He met every form of human woe and affliction. Not for Himself, but for others did He labor. He was the servant of all. It was His meat and drink to bring hope and strength to all with whom He came in contact. And as men and women listened to the truths that fell from His lips, so different from the traditions and dogmas taught by the rabbis, hope sprang up in their hearts. In His teaching there was an earnestness that sent His words home with convicting power. {GW 188.2}[9]
§23
我要对我传道的弟兄们说，要藉着个人之工到人们所在之处接近他们，与他们相识。这种工作不可让别人代作。贷款或施舍不能成就这工。讲台上的讲道也不能成就这工。到人家里讲解圣经是布道士的工作。这种工作应当与讲道相结合。若忽略这项工作，讲道会在很大的程度上失效。{GW 188.3}[10]
§24
To my ministering brethren I would say, By personal labor reach the people where they are. Become acquainted with them. This work cannot be done by proxy. Money loaned or given cannot accomplish it. Sermons from the pulpit cannot do it. Teaching the Scriptures in families,--this is the work of an evangelist, and this work is to be united with preaching. If it is omitted, the preaching will be, to a great extent, a failure. {GW 188.3}[10]
§25
要及时对寻求真理的人说话；因为撒但也在用试探对他们说话。你们在帮助别人的时候如果遇到拒绝，不要介意。你们的工作如果在表面上没有很好的效果，也不要灰心。要坚持工作；要谨慎；要知道何时当说话，何时当沉默；要为灵魂儆醒，好像要交账的人；要谨防撒但的诡计，免得你们被引诱偏离本分。不可因困难而灰心丧胆。当存坚强的信心，刚毅的宗旨，应付和克服这些困难。要凭着信心大量撒种。{GW 188.4}[11]
§26
Those who are seeking for truth need to have words spoken to them in season; for Satan is speaking to them by his temptations. If you meet with repulse when trying to help souls, heed it not. If there seems to be little good resulting from your work, do not become discouraged. Keep working; be discreet; know when to speak, and when to keep silent; watch for souls as they that must give an account; and watch for the devices of Satan, lest you be led aside from duty. Do not allow difficulties to dishearten or intimidate you. With strong faith, with intrepid purpose, meet and overcome these difficulties. Sow the seed in faith, and with an unsparing hand. {GW 188.4}[11]
§27
你们访问人时，与人会面的态度是大有关系的。你们与人握手寒暄时的表情，可以使人立刻信任你们，但若是冷若冰霜，也会使人以为你们是不关心他。{GW 189.1}[12]
§28
Much depends upon the manner in which you meet those whom you visit. You can take hold of a persons hand in greeting in such a way as to gain his confidence at once, or in so cold a manner that he will think you have no interest in him. {GW 189.1}[12]
§29
我们与穷人接触，不可摆出一副降格屈就的样子。他们在上帝看来与我们一样宝贵，所以我们也要这样看。我们的服装应该朴素简单，这样，我们在探访穷人时，他们就不会因与我们相形见绌而惭愧不安了。穷人所得到的喜乐往往有限。上帝的工人为什么不把光带到他们家中呢？我们需要基督的温柔同情，然后才能通达人心。{GW 189.2}[13]
§30
We should not act as if it were a condescension to come in contact with the poor. They are as precious in Gods sight as we are, and we must act as if we thought them so. Our clothing should be plain and simple, so that when we visit the poor, they will not be embarrassed by the contrast between our appearance and their own. The joy that comes to the poor is often very limited, and why should not Gods workers carry rays of light into their homes? We need the tender sympathy of Jesus; then we can win our way to hearts. {GW 189.2}[13]