关于国内布道工作对我们教会的呼吁
1、教会有责任发光
真实的见证者基督对以弗所教会说：“然而有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的爱心离弃了。所以，应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，并要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去”(启2:4,5)。{PH007 3.1}
知道眷顾自己的日子的人多么少啊!甚至在相信现代真理的人中间，也多么少有人明白时兆，或在末日之前要经历什么啊。我们今日是在上帝的宽容之下;但上帝的天使要继续执掌四方的风到几时，不叫它们刮呢?我们确信在上帝的子民中间有心眼的盲目和心地的刚硬，尽管上帝已向我们显明了无法形容的怜悯。在基督的圣工中真正谦卑、献身、敬畏上帝的仆人多么少啊!他们的心充满了感激和感恩，因为他们蒙召参与上帝的工作，作耶稣基督的同工，与基督同受苦难! {PH007 3.2}
死在罪恶过犯之中
今日很少有人衷心地侍奉上帝。构成我们会众的大部分人在属灵上是死在罪恶过犯中的。他们来来往往就像门在合页上一样。他们多年来满足地听了最严肃、最激动人心的真理，却没有实践真理。他们对真理的宝贵与价值越来越没有感觉了，因为他们疏于实践那些令上帝喜悦的事。督责与警告的活泼证言没有唤醒他们。来自上帝藉着人口说出的最甜蜜的旋律——因信称义和基督的义——没有使他们产生爱与感激的响应。虽然那天上的商人将信心与爱心最丰富的珍宝摆在他们面前，尽管祂的声音邀请他们向祂买“火炼的金子，”和“白衣穿上，叫他们赤身的羞耻不露出来，”“又买眼药擦他们的眼睛，使他们能看见，”他们却硬着心反对祂，没能把他们的不冷不热换成爱心和热心;却自满地抱着手，作出信仰表白，却否认了真敬虔的能力。他们若是继续处在这种状况，上帝就会厌恶地弃绝他们。同时称赞世人和上帝，是决不蒙上帝悦纳的。在为时永远太晚之前，要觉醒，要觉醒。{PH007 4.1}
谁也不要在葡萄园中闲着
弟兄姐妹们，你们既然自称久已相信真理，我现在要问你们：你行事为人是否与上天所赋予你的亮光、特权，和机会相称?这是一个严肃的问题。人的信心为什么这样微小，属灵的能力为什么如此薄弱呢?愿意负基督的轭担祂的担子的人为什么这样稀少呢?为什么人们需要被督促才去为主作工呢?能够揭示救赎奥秘的人为什么如此寥寥无几呢?为什么号称是跟从基督的人不将祂所归与他们的义如同光照在人前呢?{PH007 5.1}
公义的日头已经出现照耀教会，教会的职责是要发光。那些与基督联络的人会在恩典和认识耶稣基督的知识上长进，长成成年男女的身量。每一个人的特权乃是取得进步。谁也不要在葡萄园中闲着。如果凡自称相信真理的人都充分利用了自己的机会和能力去学习他们有特权去学习的，他们原会在基督里变得刚强。无论他们的职业如何，若是农夫、技师、教师或牧师完全献身于上帝，他们原会成为有能力的媒介，为天上的主作工。{PH007 5.2}
与上帝同工
那些与教会联合的人应该作活泼的工作力量，传亮光给在黑暗中的人。他们应该宣扬上帝的真理，显明祂的爱与信实。当人们照着上帝的指示使用自己的能力时，他们的才干就会增加，能力就会增大，他们就会有属天的智慧去设法拯救那些失丧的人。然而当教会肢体们萎靡倦怠，疏忽天赐的责任时，还怎么能指望领受天上的财宝好分给他人呢?当自称的基督徒对于启迪那些在黑暗中之人的心思感觉不到什么负担时;当他们没能利用基督的丰盛恩典，而且停止传授他们已领受的知识时，他们就变得更加没有辨识力了，不再赏识天赋的丰盛，自己既不重视它，也就没能将它传给别人。只有当上帝看到自称为祂子民的人渴望与祂同工的时候，祂才能把亮光和恩典赐给他们;因为那时他们才会使一切的利益都从属于祂圣工的利益。这样的工人天上的生灵才愿与之合作。{PH007 5.3}
勤作主工
我们有没有被赋予圣灵，使我们可以用天上的智慧来应付这个时代的紧急情况，并尽可能地抵消这个世界的运动呢?现在不是守望者变得昏昏欲睡、不再作锡安城墙上的哨兵的时候。奇特而迅速的变化很快就会发生;要是教会没有睡着，要是跟随基督的人在警醒祷告，他们就能有亮光来了解和明白仇敌的行动。{PH007 6.1}
得人归于基督是我们的主要目标
上帝已赐给各人一件与祂的国有关的工作。每一个自称信奉基督之名的人，都应当是兴致勃勃的工人，准备捍卫公义的原则。福音的工作不应单单倚靠传道人;每一个人都应当积极参与推进上帝的圣工。然而，非但没有这样做，我们各大教会却有多少人来来往往像门在户枢上转动，感觉不到推进工作的责任，也没有兴趣拯救基督替死之人啊!他们并不向往将自己的宗教交织到自己的业务中。他们说，宗教是宗教，业务是业务;他们认为二者各有适当的范围，但他们却让两者分开。然而一个基督徒不论从事什么职业，都有工作要为主去做，向世人代表基督。不管我们的职业是什么，我们都是宣教士，得人归于基督是我们的主要目标。如果这不是我们的兴趣所在，我们就抢夺了上帝的影响力、时间、金钱和努力。我们既保留自己的心不侍奉主，就不能使同胞受益，从而就使上帝丧失了因使别人归主而归于祂的荣耀。{PH007 7.1}
训练儿女
自称跟从基督的人若是疏于以这样一种方式训练自己的儿女，以致他们愿意为推进基督的工作而约束自己在衣服上的欲望，避免一切的奢侈和炫耀，那么他们还能提出什么借口呢?当教育儿女，使之愿意同情年长者与受苦者，并愿设法解除贫困不幸之人的痛苦。他们应受教殷勤从事于布道的工作;并且从幼年起，就当谆谆教导他们为谋他人福利而克己牺牲的原则，以便他们成为与上帝同工的人。{PH007 7.2}
甚愿父母们能仔细地虔诚地看顾他们儿女的永恒福利!他们应当扪心自问：我们是不是粗心大意了?我们是不是忽视了这项严肃的工作?我们是不是让自己的孩子变成了撒但试探的玩物?我们是不是有一份严肃的账目要与上帝清算，因为我们竟允许自己的儿女使用他们的才干、他们的光阴和影响力反对真理?反对耶稣基督?我们是不是疏忽了我们作为父母的责任，增加了撒但的国民。{PH007 8.1}
需要转变
这种家庭中的布道工作，这种家庭的园地，已被可耻地忽略了，现在是时候提供神圣的资源和补救措施，使这种邪恶的状态可以治愈了。父母如果希望看到自己家庭的状况有所变化，就当将自己完全献给上帝。主必想方设法使他们家中发生改变。教会应当觉醒，每一个肢体都应开始从事其个人的工作，为那召他之主的名而辩护。应当以健全的信心与真诚的敬虔，代替怠惰和不信。一旦信心坚定地持住基督，则真理就必使心灵感到愉快，宗教就不会是一个枯燥乏味的事业了。你们的见证聚会现在虽是平淡乏味，了无生机，也必因圣灵而赋有活力;你们也必因力行所自称的基督教义而日日获得丰富的经验。{PH007 8.2}
面对可能做成的事，教会是要继续沉睡下去，还是要感受到上帝仁慈的天意所赋予他们的责任和尊荣，收集他们世袭的信任和目前亮光的优势，感到必需起来应付现在摆在我们面前的紧急情况呢?甚愿人人都能醒来并向世人表现出这是一种活的信仰，一个摆在世人面前的至关重要的问题，就是耶稣必定快来!要让人们看出我们相信我们是在永恒世界的边境了。{PH007 9.1}
PH007 - An Appeal to Our Churches in Behalf of Home Missionary Work
【It Is the Duty of the Church to Let Its Light Shine】
Christ, the True Witness, addresses the church at Ephesus, saying: “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”?{PH007 3.1}[1]
Oh, how few know the day of their visitation! How few, even among those who claim to believe in present truth, understand the signs of the times, or what they are to experience before the end. We are under divine forbearance today; but how long will the angels of God continue to hold the winds, that they shall not blow? Among the people of God there is blindness of mind and hardness of heart, although God has manifested inexpressible mercy toward us. How few there are who are truly humble, devoted, God-fearing servants in the cause of Christ,?whose hearts are full of gratitude and thanksgiving because they are called to act a part in the work of God, being co-laborers with Jesus Christ, partakers with Christ of His sufferings.?{PH007 3.2}[2]
【Dead in Trespasses and Sins】
Today there are few who are heartily serving God. The most of those who compose our congregations are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. They come and go like the door upon its hinges. For years they have complacently listened to the most solemn, soul-stirring truths, but they have not practiced them. They are less and less sensible of the preciousness and value of truth, because they neglect the practice of those things which are pleasing in the sight of God. The stirring testimonies of reproof and warning do not arouse them. The sweetest melodies that come from God through human lips—justification by faith, and the righteousness of Christ—do not bring forth from them a response of love and gratitude. Though the heavenly Merchantman displays before them the richest jewels of faith and love; though His voice invites them to buy of Him “gold tried in the fire,” and “white raiment that they might be clothed,” and “eyesalve that they may see,” they steel their hearts against Him, and fail to exchange their lukewarmness for love and zeal; but fold their hands in complacency, make a profession but deny the power of true godliness. If they continue in this state, God will reject them with abhorrence. To praise the world and God at the same time, is in no way acceptable to God. Awake, awake, before it is everlastingly too late!?{PH007 4.1}[3]
【No One Is to Be an Idler in the Vineyard】
Brethren and sisters who have long claimed to believe the truth, I would ask you, Have your practices been in harmony with your light? with your privileges? with the opportunities granted of heaven? This is a serious question. Why is it there is so little faith? so little spiritual power? Why are there so few who bear the yoke and carry the burden of Christ??Why do persons have to be urged to take up their work for the Master? Why are there so few who can unveil the mysteries of redemption? Why is it that the imputed righteousness of Christ does not shine through His professed followers as a light to the world??{PH007 5.1}[4]
The Sun of Righteousness has risen upon the church, and it is the duty of the church to shine. Those who are connected with Christ will grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, to the full stature of men and women. It is the privilege of every soul to make advancement. No one is to be an idler in the vineyard. If all who claim to believe the truth had made the most of their opportunities and ability to learn all that they were privileged to learn, they would have become strong in Christ.?No matter what may have been their occupation, if farmers, mechanics, teachers, or pastors, if they had wholly consecrated themselves to God, they would have been efficient agents to work for the heavenly Master.?{PH007 5.2}[5]
【Laborers Together with God】
Those who are united to the church should be living, working agents to impart light to those who are in?darkness. They should declare the truth of God, revealing His love and faithfulness. When men use their powers as God directs them to, their talents will increase, their ability will enlarge, and they will have heavenly wisdom in seeking to save those who are lost. But while the church-members are listless, and neglectful of their God-given responsibility, how can they expect to receive the treasure of heaven to impart to others? When professed Christians feel no burden to enlighten the minds of those who are in darkness, when they fail to make use of the rich grace of Christ, and cease to impart the knowledge they have received, they become less discerning, lose their appreciation of the richness of the heavenly endowment, and, failing to value it themselves, they fail to present it to others. It is only as God sees His professed people eager to be laborers together with Him, that He can impart to them light and grace; for then they will make every interest secondary to the interest of His work and cause. With such workers the heavenly intelligences will cooperate.?{PH007 5.3}[6]
【Diligence in the Master’s Work】
Are we endowed with the Holy Spirit, so that with heavenly wisdom we may meet the emergencies of this age, and counteract, as far as possible, the movements of this world? It is no time now for the watchman to become sleepy, and cease to be a sentinel upon the walls of Zion. Peculiar and rapid changes will soon take place; and if the church is not asleep, if the followers of Christ watch and pray, they may have light to comprehend and appreciate the movements of the enemy.?{PH007 6.1}[7]
【Winning Souls to Christ Our Chief Aim】
God has given to every man a work to do in connection with His kingdom. Each one professing the name of Christ is to be an interested worker, ready to defend the principles of righteousness. The work of the gospel is not to depend solely upon the minister;?every soul should take an active part in advancing the cause of God. But, instead of this, how many of our large churches come and go like a door on its hinges, feeling no responsibility for the progress of the work, no interest in the salvation of souls for whom Christ died. They do not dream of weaving their religion into their business. They say, Religion is religion, and business is business; they believe each has a proper sphere, but let them be separated. But in whatever calling a Christian is found, he has his work to do for the Lord in representing Christ to the world. Whatever may be our occupation, we are to be missionaries, having for our chief aim the winning of souls to Christ. If this is not our interest, we rob God of influence, of time, of money and effort. In withholding our heart’s service from the Lord, we fail to benefit our fellowman, and thus rob God of the glory that would flow to Him through the conversion of others.?{PH007 7.1}[8]
【Training the Children】
What excuse can the professed followers of Christ offer for neglecting to train their children in such a way that they will, for the sake of advancing the work of Christ, bind about their wants in dress, and avoid all extravagance and display? The children should be educated in?such a way that they will have sympathy for the aged and afflicted, and lend all the help in their power to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and distressed.?They should be taught to be diligent in the missionary work; and from their earliest years, principles of self-denial and sacrifice for the good of others should be inculcated, that they may be laborers together with God.?{PH007 7.2}[9]
Oh, that parents would look carefully and prayerfully after their children’s eternal welfare! Let them ask themselves: Have we been careless? Have we neglected this solemn work? Have we allowed our children to become the sport of Satan’s temptations? Have we a solemn account to settle with God because we have permitted our children to use their talents, their time, and influence, in working against the truth? against Jesus Christ? Have we neglected our duty as parents, and?increased the subjects of Satan’s kingdom??{PH007 8.1}[10]
【A Transformation Needed】
This home missionary work, this home field, has been shamefully neglected, and it is time that divine resources and remedies were presented, that this state of evil may be healed. If parents would see a different state of things in their family, let them consecrate themselves wholly to God, and the Lord will devise ways and means whereby?a transformation may take place in their households. Let the church awake, let every member take up his individual work, and vindicate the name of the Lord by which he is called. Let sound faith and earnest piety take the place of slothfulness and unbelief. When faith lays hold upon Christ, the truth will bring delight to?your soul, and religion will not be a dull, uninteresting enterprise. Your social meetings, now tame and spiritless, will be vitalized by the Holy Spirit, and your daily experiences will become rich as you practice the Christianity you profess.?{PH007 8.2}[11]
In the face of what might be done, will the church sleep on, or will they feel the responsibility and the honor that is conferred upon them through the merciful providence of God, and gather up their hereditary trusts and the advantages of present light, and feel the necessity of rising to the urgent emergency that now presents itself before us? Oh, that all may arouse and manifest to the world that this is a living faith, that a vital issue is before the world, that Jesus will soon come! Let men see that we believe we are on the borders of the eternal world.?{PH007 9.1}[12]
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