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14 我卻要常常盼望、並要越發 讚美你。
15我的口終日要述說你的公義、 和你的救恩．因我不計其數。
16 我要來說主耶和華大能的事． 我單要提說你的公義。
17神阿、自我年幼時、
你就教訓我．直到如今、我傳揚你奇妙的作為。
18神阿、我到年老髮白的時候、 求你不要離棄我、等我 將你的能力指示下代、將 你的大能指示後世的人。
解經:
我們到了遲暮之年就會認識到，多年來一直幫助我們的是 上帝。我們體衰力竭，就更需要上帝。
我們絕對不能絕望，無論我們受到
的體能限制是多麼嚴重，我們
都要繼續求助。對上帝的心存
盼望，能使我們繼續向前，
繼續事奉。不管年紀多麼大，
都仍然有事奉上帝的機會，
儘管年紀會限制我們一些體力活動，但是不會終止我們向上帝禱告，
也不會終止我們向別人
(尤其是兒童) 講述我們在生活中
看到的神的事情。
(聖經靈修版第468頁)
2.
尊敬與服務 :
經文: 提摩太前書5:1-8
1 不可嚴責老年人、只要勸他如同父親．勸少年人如同弟兄． 2 勸老年婦女如同母親．勸少年婦女如同姐妹．總要清清潔潔的。3要尊敬那真為寡婦的。4 若寡婦有兒女、或有孫子孫女、便叫他們先在自己家中學著行孝、報答親恩．因為這在 神面前是可悅納的。5 那獨居無靠真為寡婦的、是仰賴 神、晝夜不住的祈求禱告。6 但那好宴樂的寡婦、正活著的時候、也是死的。7 這些事你要囑咐他們、叫他們無可指責。8 人若不看顧親屬、就是背了真道、比不信的人還不好．不看顧自己家裡的人、更是如此。
解經: 教會之一部分喜樂有如一個大家庭，它是有各種不同經驗的人出現。依據那自然有組織、互相了解 和操作的重要關係。例如，年輕人 應勸誠尊敬年長者。清楚地，每個 人必需尊敬雙親，對待年長者也是 同等之敬老。年輕男女相待如同姐 妹般的愛護。教會是上帝的家， 基督徒的信心是尋找和支持他人 所需 (v. 3b). 例如，上帝有如孤兒之父、寡婦之保護者。詩人指出， 上帝也供應無處居住者 (神在他的 聖所作孤兒的父、作寡婦的 伸冤者。叫孤獨的有家 (詩篇68:5,6) 。
保羅激勵我們 “先在自己家中學著行孝父母、祖父母以報答親恩．
因為這在 神面前是可悅納的
(v. 4b)。一個人的信仰必不能與
服事家人之需要分開。” 保羅的
最強有力的說話是, 第八句，“ 人
若不看顧親屬、就是背了真道、
比不信的人還不好．不看顧自己
家裡的人、更是如此。” 強有力的經文是 信仰和行為，兩者清楚的擺
上。第一，保羅最喜歡作付之於人 之所需。第二，“尊榮和崇敬老人”
是信仰的表現，也是信仰的肯定 -
是耶穌基督的跟隨者。
3.
要點:
A
在愛的尊榮、崇敬和憐憫的服事
裏，是沒有分現在的 (過去的、將來的) 一代人之等級，或不容許的服務機會。
B
男女老幼是相互服侍的。
世界福音外展學校
是非營利機構
國稅局退稅號碼是: 20-4097640
您的經濟奉獻之助榮耀神！
奉獻信箱: WOTS, P.O. Box 1262
Monterey Park, CA
91754-9998
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14 But as
for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. 15 My mouth
will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I
know not its measure. 16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts,
O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours
alone. 17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and
to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when
I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to
the next generation, your might to all who are to come.
Commentary: As we
face the sunset years, we recognize that God has been our constant help in
the past. As physical powers wane, we need God even more, and we realize he
is still our constant help. We must never despair, but keep on expecting
his help no matter how severe our limitations. Hope in Him helps us to keep
going, to keep serving Him. A person is never too old to serve God never
too old to pray. Though age may stop us from certain physical activities, it
need not end our desire to tell others (especially children) about all we
have seen God do in the many years we’ve lived. (NIV)
2. Honoring and Serving: 1 Ti. 5:1-8, 1 Do not
rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father.
Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as
sisters, with absolute purity. 3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are
really in need. 4 But
if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all
to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so
repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all
alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask
God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure
is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, too, so that
no one may be open to blame. 8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives,
and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is
worse than an unbeliever.
Commentary: Part
of the joy of the church as a big family is the presence of a wide range of
people with varied life experiences. The organic nature of the church
depends upon understanding and navigating important relationships. For
example, younger people should exhort older individuals with respect.
Clearly one should respect their father and mother, treat all older men
with the same level of respect. Younger men and women should be treated as
brothers and sisters with love. The church is a household of the family of
God. The Christian faith seeks to support those in need (v. 3b). For
example, God as the father of orphans and protector of widows. The psalmist
indicates that God gives those who have nothing a place to live (Ps.
68:5-6.)
Paul urges
us “to put our religion into practice by caring for our own family and so
repaying our parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God” (v.
4b). One’s faith should not be separated from serving the needs of the
family.
Perhaps
the strongest statement made by Paul is, “Anyone who does not provide for
their relatives . . . has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”
(v. 8). The strong scriptural truth links faith with action. Two themes
are clearly set forth in this passage. First, Paul is interested in needs
being met. Second, honoring and supporting those in need is an expression
of faith. It is an affirmation of what it means to be a follower of Christ.
3. POINT: a. There are
no permissible generation gaps in love, respect, and compassionate
ministry. b. Men and Women. Young and old are to serve each
other
Worldwide Outreach Teaching
School is a non-profit organization. IRS Tax ID No.: 20-4097640
Your financial contribution
is greatly appreciated & used for glory of God.
Address: WOTS, P.O. Box 1262
Monterey Park, CA 91754-9998
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“尊榮和崇敬老人”“Honoring and Supporting Seniors"
