第03章 教友应作之工
§1
第03章 教友应作之工
§2
Chap. 3—Work for Church Members
§3
我们有一道来自主的信息，要传与世人，这信息是必须在圣灵丰盛的大能之中传开的。本会的传道人应看出寻找拯救失丧之人的需要；应向那尚未悔改归正的人发出直接的呼求。当日法利赛人来问基督的门徒说：“你们的先生为什么和税吏并罪人一同吃饭呢？”救主回答说：“我来本不是召义人，乃是召罪人悔改”（太9:11,13）。这就是祂所给我们的工作。对于这工作的需要，从来没有比现在更迫切的了。{7T 18.1}[1]
§4
We have a message from the Lord to bear to the world, a message that is to be borne in the rich fullness of the Spirit’s power. Let our ministers see the need of seeking to save the lost. Direct appeals are to be made to the unconverted. “Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” the Pharisees asked Christ’s disciples. And the Saviour responded: “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”?Matthew 9:11, 13. This is the work He has given us. And never was there greater need of it than at the present time.?{7T 18.1}[1]
§5
上帝并未将整顿教会的任务交给祂的传道人。因为这种工作显然是刚刚作过，而又必须重作一遍的。教友们既受了如此的照顾，自然就成了宗教上的懦夫。假若把那用在已经明了真理之人身上的努力，十成中提出九成来，用在那尚未听见真理之人的身上，则圣工的进展该是如何的更为显著啊！上帝之所以保留，不赐下祂的福分，乃是因为祂子民所行的，未曾符合祂的指示。{7T 18.2}[2]
§6
God has not given His ministers the work of setting the churches right. No sooner is this work done, apparently, than it has to be done over again. Church members that are thus looked after and labored for become religious weaklings. If nine tenths of the effort that has been put forth for those who know the truth had been put forth for those who have never heard the truth, how much greater would have been the advancement made! God has withheld His blessings because His people have not worked in harmony with His directions.?{7T 18.2}[2]
§7
本会的传道人若将那原应用在尚未悔改之人身上的时间与才能，用在那些明白真理的人身上，就必使他们弱化。在本会许多城市的教会中，每逢安息日，往往总是由传道人来主讲；至于教友们，则只顾每安息日来到上帝的家中听讲，而从不开口述说他们将福分分授他人因而自己得福的事。他们在一周之中从未实行在安息日赐给他们的教训。教友们既不肯努力把给他们的帮助再给别人，结果自然造成灵性上极大的衰弱。{7T 18.3}[3]
§8
It weakens those who know the truth for our ministers to expend on them the time and talent that should be given to the unconverted. In many of our churches in the cities the minister preaches Sabbath after Sabbath, and Sabbath after Sabbath the church members come to the house of God with no words to tell of blessings received because of blessings imparted. They have not worked during the week to carry out the instruction given them on the Sabbath. So long as church members?make no effort to give to others the help given them, great spiritual feebleness must result.?{7T 18.3}[3]
§9
那能给予本会信徒以最大助益的，莫过于教导他们为上帝作工，只靠上帝，不靠传道人。要让他们学习作工，正如从前基督作工一样。更要让他们加入祂工人的阵容，为祂从事忠心的服务。{7T 19.1}[4]
§10
The greatest help that can be given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on Him, not on the ministers. Let them learn to work as Christ worked. Let them join His army of workers and do faithful service for Him.?{7T 19.1}[4]
§11
有时在合适的情形之下，本会的传道人也可于安息日，在会堂中作那富有基督之爱与生命的简短证道。但教友们不要指望在每安息日听到一篇讲道。{7T 19.2}[5]
§12
There are times when it is fitting for our ministers to give on the Sabbath, in our churches, short discourses, full of the life and love of Christ. But the church members are not to expect a sermon every Sabbath.?{7T 19.2}[5]
§13
但愿我们记得：你我在世是寄居的，是客旅，为要寻求一个更美的家乡——就是那属天的家乡。我们要如此的热诚，如此的献身，以致能吸引罪人也来皈依基督。那些已经在服务的约中与主联合的人，乃是在那高尚伟大的救人工作上与祂合作。但愿教友们在一周之中，克尽厥职，忠心作工，并在安息日述说出其所得的经验。这样，聚会就必如同应时的美肴一般，能将新的生命与精力带给凡赴聚会的人。何时上帝的子民看出了工作的重大需要，正如从前基督为使罪人悔改而工作一般，那么他们在安息日聚会中所作的见证，就必充满了力量。他们也必欢欢喜喜地，述说自己在为他人工作上所得的宝贵经验。{7T 19.3}[6]
§14
Let us remember that we are pilgrims and strangers on this earth, seeking a better country, even a heavenly. Let us work with such earnestness, such devotion, that sinners will be drawn to Christ. Those who have united with the Lord in the covenant of service are under bonds to unite with Him in the great, grand work of soul saving. Let church members, during the week, act their part faithfully, and on the Sabbath relate their experience. The meeting will then be as meat in due season, bringing to all present new life and fresh vigor. When God’s people see the great need of working as Christ worked for the conversion of sinners, the testimonies borne by them in the Sabbath service will be filled with power. With joy they will tell of the precious experience they have gained in working for others.?{7T 19.3}[6]
§15
本会的传道人不宜用时间为那早已接受过真理的人作工，他们应当因基督的爱而心里火热起来，前去赢得罪人归向救主。他们应当将真理的种子撒在各水旁。要一处一处地拜访，一个一个地建立起教会。要把接受真理的人组织成教会，然后传道人就可转到其他同样重要的园地去了。{7T 19.4}[7]
§16
Our ministers are not to spend their time laboring for those who have already accepted the truth. With Christ’s love burning in their hearts, they are to go forth to win sinners to the Saviour. Beside all waters they are[7]
§17
教会一经组织，传道人就要安排信徒工作。要教导信徒们怎样才能成功地作工。传道人应当多用工夫施教，少用工夫说教。他应当教导信徒怎样去将自己所领受的知识，转授他人。一方面要教导新近悔改的人，去向在工作上更有经验的人请教；同时也当教导他们，不要将传道人置于上帝的地位。传道人也只是凡人而已，是被软弱所困的人。只有一位是我们所当仰望及从而获得指导的，那就是基督。因为“道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满地有恩典、有真理。”“从祂丰满的恩典里我们都领受了，而且恩上加恩”（约1:14,16）。{7T 20.1}[8]
§18
to sow the seeds of truth. Place after place is to be visited; church after church is to be raised up. Those who take their stand for the truth are to be organized into churches, and then the minister is to pass on to other equally important fields.?{7T 20.4}[8]
§19
福音的能力要降在这班新信徒上，使他们胜任服务工作。一些新信徒将被上帝的能力所充满，立即参加工作。他们会殷勤服务，没有时间或意愿以苛刻的批评，使弟兄们心灰手软。他们一心一意将真理传到远方。{7T 20.2}[9]
§20
Just as soon as a church is organized, let the minister set the members at work. They will need to be taught how to labor successfully. Let the minister devote more of his time to educating than to preaching. Let him teach the people how to give to others the knowledge they have received. While the new converts should be taught to ask counsel from those more experienced in the work, they should also be taught not to put the minister in the place of God. Ministers are but human beings, men compassed with infirmities. Christ is the One to whom we are to look for guidance. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ... full of grace and truth.” “And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.”?John 1:14, 16.?{7T 20.1}[9]
§21
主已将城市中所必须完成的工作指示我。这些城市中的信徒可能在自己家庭附近为上帝作工。他们要安静谦虚地作工，无论何往，总要带着一种属天的气氛。如果他们隐藏自我，而随时随在向人指明基督，这样，人们就必感受到他们的感化力了。{7T 20.3}[10]
§22
The power of the gospel is to come upon the companies raised up, fitting them for service. Some of the new converts will be so filled with the power of God that they will at once enter the work. They will labor so diligently that they will have neither time nor disposition to weaken the hands of their brethren by unkind criticism. Their one desire will be to carry the truth to the regions beyond.?{7T 20.2}[10]
§23
一位工人若毫无保留地献身为主服务，就必获得经验，足以使他在为主效劳的事上，愈来愈见成功。那吸引他皈依基督的感化力，也必帮助他吸引别人来皈依基督。虽然那从事公开演讲的任务，或许永不会加在他的身上，但无可讳言，他也是上帝的传道人，而且他的工作证明他是从上帝生的。{7T 21.1}[11]
§24
The Lord has presented before me the work that must be done in our cities. The believers in these cities can work for God in the neighborhood of their homes. They are to labor quietly and in humility, carrying with them wherever they go the atmosphere of heaven. If they keep self out of sight, pointing always to Christ, the power of their influence will be felt.?{7T 20.3}[11]
§25
主的旨意并非要传道人担任最大部分撒播真理种子的工作。当鼓励凡未曾蒙召专任传道工作的人，要他们也各按自己的能力，为主效劳。目前千百闲散无事的男女，都可从事蒙悦纳的服务。藉着将真理传至自己的朋友和邻舍的家中，他们能为主作一番伟大的工作。上帝是不偏待人的。祂愿意使用谦卑献身的基督徒，即或他们未曾象别的什么人一样受过完全的教育，祂也不介意。但愿这样的人藉着挨家挨户的布道工作，也参加为祂服务。只要谦虚，谨慎，而且敬虔，他们就可坐在人家的炉边，与人查经谈道，较比一位按立的牧师，更能应付人家切实的需要。{7T 21.2}[12]
§26
As a worker gives himself unreservedly to the service of the Lord, he gains an experience that enables him to labor more and more successfully for the Master. The influence that drew him to Christ helps him to draw others to Christ. The work of a public speaker may never be laid upon him, but he is nonetheless a minister for God, and his work testifies that he is born of God.?{7T 21.1}[12]
§27
信徒们何以对于那些在基督以外的人，不表示更深切，更诚恳地关心呢？为什么不邀二三人一同聚集，特别为某一人得救的问题向上帝恳求，然后又再替另一位代求呢？在我们的教会中，应组织服务队；使各式各样的人都在工作上联合起来，作得人的渔夫。他们当致力于招聚生灵脱离世俗的败坏，进入基督救人的纯爱中。{7T 21.3}[13]
§28
It is not the Lord’s purpose that ministers should be left to do the greatest part of the work of sowing the seeds of truth. Men who are not called to the ministry are to be encouraged to labor for the Master according to their several ability. Hundreds of men and women now idle could do acceptable service. By carrying the truth into the homes of their friends and neighbors, they could do a great work for the Master. God is no respecter of persons. He will use humble, devoted Christians, even if they have not received so thorough an education as some others. Let such ones engage in service for Him by doing house-to-house work. Sitting by the fireside, they can—if humble, discreet, and godly—do more to meet the real needs of families than could an ordained minister.?{7T 21.2}[13]
§29
那位不能错误的主曾经指示我：形成小团体可作为基督徒致力工作的基本单位。如果教会的人数甚多，就不妨将教友分成若干小组，使之不但为教友作工，更是为不信的人作工。如果在一处地方只有两三位明白真理的人，也当自行组织成为一个小的工作队。但愿他们竭力维持这种结合，务使不致瓦解涣散；当用爱心团结一致，彼此鼓励，互相督促，使每个人都从他人的帮助获得胆量和能力。他们也当表现出有如基督一般的宽容忍耐，不说急躁的话，但用语言的恩赐，在至圣的真道上互相建立。他们更当本着有如基督一般的爱心，去为凡在羊圈之外的人作工，在努力帮助别人时忘却自我。当他们奉基督的名而祈求而作工时，他们的人数就必增加；因为救主说：“若是你们中间有两个人在地上同心合意地求什么事，我在天上的父必为他们成全”（太18:19）。{7T 21.4}[14]
§30
Why do not believers feel a deeper, more earnest concern for those who are out of Christ? Why do not two or three meet together and plead with God for the salvation of some special one, and then for still another? In our churches let companies be formed for service. Let different ones unite in labor as fishers of men. Let them seek to gather souls from the corruption of the world into the saving purity of Christ’s love.?{7T 21.3}[14]
§31
【世上荒凉之地】
§32
家庭应谦心依靠上帝，定居在祂葡萄园中荒凉之处。亟需有献身的男女，犹如多结仁义之果的树木，栽植于世上各荒芜之地。他们自我牺牲地散布真理的种子，必获得丰盛的收成作为报偿。当他们挨家逐户地去拜访，将圣经启导那些处在灵性黑暗之中的人时，许多人的心就必受到感动。{7T 22.1}[15]
§33
The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot?err. If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers. If in one place there are only two or three who know the truth, let them form themselves into a band of workers. Let them keep their bond of union unbroken, pressing together in love and unity, encouraging one another to advance, each gaining courage and strength from the assistance of the others. Let them reveal Christlike forbearance and patience, speaking no hasty words, using the talent of speech to build one another up in the most holy faith. Let them labor in Christlike love for those outside the fold, forgetting self in their endeavor to help others. As they work and pray in Christ’s name, their numbers will increase; for the Saviour says: “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.”?Matthew 18:19.?{7T 21.4}[15]
§34
有些地区，情形实在令人难堪。使人丧志，以致许多职工均视为畏途，拒绝前往；可是这种地方一经自我牺牲的平信徒加以努力之后，竟有了极其惊人的改进。这班谦卑的工人必大著成效，因为他们肯付出坚忍不拔的努力，不依靠人力，只依靠那向他们施恩的上帝。他们所成就的善工，也是在此世决不会为人所知的。{7T 22.2}[16]
§35
【The Waste Places of the Earth】
§36
In humble dependence upon God, families are to settle in the waste places of His vineyard. Consecrated men and women are needed to stand as fruit-bearing trees of righteousness in the desert places of the earth. As the reward of their self-sacrificing efforts to sow the seeds of truth, they will reap a rich harvest. As they visit family after family, opening the Scriptures to those in spiritual darkness, many hearts will be touched.?{7T 22.1}[16]
§37
【自养传道士】
§38
自养的传道士往往是极著成效的。虽然开始微小简陋，但他们既在上帝的灵引导之下向前迈进，则工作亦随之而扩大起来。但愿两个或两个以上的人，一起着手福音布道工作。他们可能得不到那些在工作上为首之人的任何特殊鼓励，应许给予经济上的援助；但他们仍应勇往直前地去祈求，歌唱，宣讲，活出真理。他们可以从事文字布道的工作。借此将真理介绍给许多的人家。他们一面推进工作，同时也必得到蒙福的经验。他们虽因感到无能为力而自觉卑微，但主却行在他们的前面，使他们在无论贫富之人当中都得到爱护和帮助。甚至于连这班献身传道者的穷乏，也成了与人接近的媒介。当他们进行之时，那些从他们接受灵粮的人，就必在许多方面帮助他们。他们传布上帝所赋与的信息，其努力也必得到成功的报偿。有许多人会因这般谦卑之教师的努力而被引领认识真理，否则他们原本无从蒙救来皈依基督。{7T 23.1}[17]
§39
In fields where the conditions are so objectionable and disheartening that many workers refuse to go to them, most remarkable changes for the better may be brought about by the efforts of self-sacrificing lay members. These humble workers will accomplish much because they put?forth patient, persevering effort, not relying upon human power, but upon God, who gives them His favor. The amount of good that these workers accomplish will never be known in this world.?{7T 22.2}[17]
§40
上帝呼召工人进入那庄稼就要熟透的田地去。难道我们竟因为库存空虚，因为那目前在田地中的职工还难以维持，便裹足不前吗？凭着信心前进吧，上帝必与你们同在，因为有应许说：“那带种流泪出去的，必要欢欢乐乐地带禾捆回来”（诗126:6）。{7T 23.2}[18]
§41
【Self-Supporting Missionaries】
§42
Self-supporting missionaries are often very successful. Beginning in a small, humble way, their work enlarges as they move forward under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Let two or more start out together in evangelistic work. They may not receive any particular encouragement from those at the head of the work that they will be given financial support; nevertheless let them go forward, praying, singing, teaching, living the truth. They may take up the work of canvassing, and in this way introduce the truth into many families. As they move forward in their work they gain a blessed experience. They are humbled by a sense of their helplessness, but the Lord goes before them, and among the wealthy and the poor they find favor and help. Even the poverty of these devoted missionaries is a means of finding access to the people. As they pass on their way they are helped in many ways by those to whom they bring spiritual food. They bear the message God gives them, and their efforts are crowned with success. Many will be brought to a knowledge of the truth who, but for these humble teachers, would never have been won to Christ.?{7T 23.1}[18]
§43
一事成则万事成。当借着恒切的努力以求成功，则工作自必前进，新的园地必开辟；许多的生灵也必被引领认识真理。所需要的只是对上帝有更大的信心。{7T 24.1}[19]
§44
God calls for workers to enter the whitening harvest field. Shall we wait because the treasury is exhausted, because there is scarcely sufficient to sustain the workers now in the field? Go forth in faith, and God will be with you. The promise is: “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come?again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”?Psalm 126:6.?{7T 23.2}[19]
§45
本会信徒虽已得到了大光，但可惜过去多半的传道力量都费在会众的身上，用来教导那些原应作师傅的人；照耀那些原应作“世上之光”的人；浇灌那些原应由之流出活水江河来的人；使那些可能成为真理宝矿的人致富；向那些散居各地、本应将上天的信息传给未曾听道者的人，重申福音的邀请；供养那些原应到大街小巷去喊着说：“请来吧，样样都齐备了”的人。{7T 24.2}[20]
§46
Nothing is so successful as success. Let this be secured by persevering effort, and the work will move forward. New fields will be opened. Many souls will be brought to a knowledge of the truth. What is needed is increased faith in God.?{7T 24.1}[20]
§47
那些已挣脱罪恶锁链，伤心痛悔地寻求主，又蒙主垂听其迫切求义之呼吁的人，是绝不致冷淡而无生气的。他们的心充满了对罪人的无私之爱，放弃了所有属世的野心与一切的私图。既与上帝深奥的事相接触，就使他们越来越象救主。他们因祂的得胜而欢腾；充满了祂的喜乐。他们乃是在日复一日地在基督里长大成人，满有成年男女的身量。{7T 24.3}[21]
§48
Our people have received great light, yet much of the ministerial force has been spent on the churches, teaching those who should be teachers; enlightening those who should be “the light of the world;” watering those from whom should flow rivers of living water; enriching those who might be mines of precious truth; repeating the gospel invitation to those who, scattered to the uttermost parts of the earth, should be giving the message of heaven to those who have not heard; feeding those who should be in the highways and byways giving the call: “Come; for all things are now ready.”?{7T 24.2}[21]