The Christian Apostle Church in Suzhou held its April 5, Palm Sunday worship service online. The sermon preached by Sheng Enci focused on three themes: Days of Joy, Days of Dedication and Days of Glory. The believers were reminded of the special days set by the Lord.
The first day of Holy Week is when Jesus enters the holy city of Jerusalem. And The Day Set by Jehovah is from Philippians 2: 5-11.
Days of Joy
When Jesus revealed his identity as the one who was foretold by the prophets, even if they were only the words that he used to command his disciples, they had a great influence on the hearts of the people. "Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord," cried his followers.
There is one more thing that can't be ignored on this joyful day of praise. As the Scriptures remind us, we are to take the heart of Christ Jesus as our own heart. Do we really rejoice for God's salvation? Do we really prepare ourselves to take up the cross with our Lord? Or do we look forward to a king who fits our own minds and ideas, just as some of the people at that time.
Taking the heart of Christ Jesus as our heart reminds us to think as Christ, that the mind of Christ Jesus needs to be in us. The mind of Jesus has already been revealed to everyone. He is not a conqueror, but a humble, obedient and peaceful king. Therefore, we should be more prepared to greet this peaceful king and experience the true joy of being with the Lord.
Days of dedication
Palm Sunday, which begins the Passion Week, tells us that Christ, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." What an example!
How many people are willing to be humble and obedient? Without saying whether it can be done, can we first consider whether we are really willing? It means that we will lose our own interests, experience the pain, and may feel uncomfortable.
The donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem was brought to him because he simply said, "The Lord wants to use it." In the same way, when God's salvation comes to us, will we dedicate our lives to the Lord? We do not do this to gain any benefit, but simply because the "Lord wants to use us."
Days of glory
What a glorious moment when the king entered the city of Jerusalem. All the people welcomed him by spreading their clothes and palm branches on the road, shouting and greeting the Messiah. We know that the people at that time did not honor Jesus as the Christ, but God elevated him to the highest position, and gave him the name above all names. Because of the name of Jesus, everything above heaven, earth and under the ground will bow their knees, and declare that Jesus Christ is the Lord, giving all the glory to the Father.
The Apostle Church also informed everyone that the spring Bible-study class will start soon. The believers that want to be baptized can be registered through WeChat or by phone. The course will be held online.
- Translated by Heirs Han
苏州一教会棕枝主日分享“耶和华所定的日子”
4月5日棕枝主日，苏州市基督教使徒堂举行线上崇拜。盛恩慈传道以“喜乐的日子”、“奉献的日子”、“荣耀的日子”三个主题带领会众默想“耶和华所定的日子”。
圣经中记录了圣周第一天耶稣荣入圣城耶路撒冷，众人欢呼迎接。盛传道以《腓立比书》2章5-11节的经文证道《耶和华所定的日子》。
喜乐的日子
当耶稣自己藉着先知的预言宣告自己的身份时，即使只是他吩咐门徒的话，在众人心中自然而然地就会产生极大的影响，他们口中便欢呼，奉主名来的是应当称颂的！高高在上和散那！
这欢喜雀跃称颂主名的日子里，还有一点不可忽略，也正是今天所读的经文提醒我们的，“当以基督耶稣的心为心”。我们当思想，我们是否真的因着渴望神的拯救而欢欣鼓舞呢？又是否真的预备自己与主同走十架路呢？还是和当时百姓中的一些人一样，仅是按自己的心意在期待这位在众人面前宣告的君王呢？
以基督耶稣的心为心，提醒着我们，当在基督里思想，我们当中所存的心思，当如在基督耶稣里一样。耶稣的心意早已向众人显明，他是和平的君王，绝非征服者的样式，乃是谦和、顺服的形象。所以，我们当更多预备，好在迎接这位和平的君王时，真实地与主同喜乐。
奉献的日子
棕枝主日，这一天也拉开了主受难的序幕，正如经上告诉我们“他本有神的形像，不以自己与神同等为强夺的，反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式。既有人的样子，就自己卑微，存心顺服，以至于死，且死在十字架上。”这是怎样的榜样！
甘心谦卑、存心顺服，是多少人做到的呢？不说能不能做到，能做到什么程度，我们可以先来想一想，我愿意吗？这样做，意味着我们会失去自己的利益、会经历人看来的痛苦，心里可能会有不舒服的感觉。
当我们愿意的时候，我们再来看看耶稣进城时所骑的驴驹，它被牵到主那里，是因为“主要用它”。今天的我们也是如此，神的救恩临到我们，我们愿意为主使用吗？不是为了得着什么好处，而是单单的因为“主要用我”，我就献上。
荣耀的日子
荣耀的王进入耶路撒冷城，合城都惊动了，铺衣服、棕树枝在道路上，前呼后拥迎接弥赛亚，这是多么荣耀的时刻。可是我们要知道，基督耶稣的荣耀绝不是靠此时人给的尊荣，而是神将他升为至高，又赐给他那超乎万名之上的名，叫一切在天上的、地上的和地底下的，因耶稣的名无不屈膝，无不口称耶稣基督为主，使荣耀归与父神。
此外， 使徒堂通知大家春季慕道班即将开课，预备受洗的肢体可通过微信公众号或电话方式报名，课程将以网络授课模式开展。
The Christian Apostle Church in Suzhou held its April 5, Palm Sunday worship service online. The sermon preached by Sheng Enci focused on three themes: Days of Joy, Days of Dedication and Days of Glory. The believers were reminded of the special days set by the Lord.
The first day of Holy Week is when Jesus enters the holy city of Jerusalem. And The Day Set by Jehovah is from Philippians 2: 5-11.
Days of Joy
When Jesus revealed his identity as the one who was foretold by the prophets, even if they were only the words that he used to command his disciples, they had a great influence on the hearts of the people. "Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord," cried his followers.
There is one more thing that can't be ignored on this joyful day of praise. As the Scriptures remind us, we are to take the heart of Christ Jesus as our own heart. Do we really rejoice for God's salvation? Do we really prepare ourselves to take up the cross with our Lord? Or do we look forward to a king who fits our own minds and ideas, just as some of the people at that time.
Taking the heart of Christ Jesus as our heart reminds us to think as Christ, that the mind of Christ Jesus needs to be in us. The mind of Jesus has already been revealed to everyone. He is not a conqueror, but a humble, obedient and peaceful king. Therefore, we should be more prepared to greet this peaceful king and experience the true joy of being with the Lord.
Days of dedication
Palm Sunday, which begins the Passion Week, tells us that Christ, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." What an example!
How many people are willing to be humble and obedient? Without saying whether it can be done, can we first consider whether we are really willing? It means that we will lose our own interests, experience the pain, and may feel uncomfortable.
The donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem was brought to him because he simply said, "The Lord wants to use it." In the same way, when God's salvation comes to us, will we dedicate our lives to the Lord? We do not do this to gain any benefit, but simply because the "Lord wants to use us."
Days of glory
What a glorious moment when the king entered the city of Jerusalem. All the people welcomed him by spreading their clothes and palm branches on the road, shouting and greeting the Messiah. We know that the people at that time did not honor Jesus as the Christ, but God elevated him to the highest position, and gave him the name above all names. Because of the name of Jesus, everything above heaven, earth and under the ground will bow their knees, and declare that Jesus Christ is the Lord, giving all the glory to the Father.
The Apostle Church also informed everyone that the spring Bible-study class will start soon. The believers that want to be baptized can be registered through WeChat or by phone. The course will be held online.
- Translated by Heirs Han
Suzhou Church Preaches "The Day Set by Jehovah" on Palm Sunday
