On June 7, Ningboshi Centennial Church, Zhejiang Province, held its first in-person Sunday service since the pandemic. In order to control the crowd, the church had four Sunday services instead of the usual three.
In the morning, Pastor Gao Jianwei preached at the first and second service. He quoted from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 to explain "God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
The three elements in the life of believers that Paul mentioned in the Thessalonian church were also what Christians needed to practice in life. These three aspects were the signs of a healthy Christian life.
Rejoice always
Joy is difficult to disguise, and there is no need to disguise it. Without joy, life would be painful, and the quality of life would decline. "Rejoice always" is a biblical lesson and the Lord's request. It is a testimony that confirms those who are calm and stable in the heart. Those who rejoice in the midst of trouble bring glory to His holy name.
Those who rejoice provide a good witness, the foundation which is peace. Christians should rejoice in the Lord.
Pray continually
Prayer is like breathing. Without breathing, life would end. We need air every day, which is similar to how Christians to maintain a good relationship with God. Our hearts should be filled with joy.
Prayer gives us strength. Paul said: "For this reason I kneel before the Father. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being." (Eph 3:14-16) Paul, a gifted and capable man, knelt and prayed in front of the Father every day. God wants to strengthen our hearts by the Spirit. Only by His help can the inner life be strengthened.
Pray for understanding of His will. Sometimes we don’t understand the things we encounter, but through prayer and reading the Bible, we can clearly understand the will of God. Joseph experienced troubles and did not understand, but when he looked up and trusted and God, then he understood. "God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen 50:20)
When a person understands the will of God, all burdens can be laid down and all problems solved. We often see the difficulties on the surface, not the good will of God behind the scenes. When we don’t understand, we need to step back and ask Him to open our eyes.
Give thanks in all circumstances
In our lives and work, no matter what happens, whether we are in trouble, illness or poor health, give thanks in all circumstances. Even a hair from our head cannot fall to the ground without God’s permission. Everything is under His control; if He doesn’t permit it, then nothing will happen whether good or bad.
No matter what happens, the intentions of God are good. Take Joseph as an example. The death of his father Jacob made his brothers very worried. They measured the heart of a man of integrity with their own poor standard and were afraid of his revenge. But Joseph said: “Don’t be afraid. Have I taken the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen 50:19-20)
Thanksgiving is a compulsory course. We should give thanks to our Lord every day.
It is reported that in order to control the number of people in each Sunday service, brothers and sisters could go to the reception office to make an appointment for next week's Sunday service.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
宁波百年堂恢复线下主日礼拜
6月7日，浙江省宁波百年堂举行了疫情之后的首次线下礼拜。为分流聚会人群，礼拜由原来的三堂改为四堂。
上午的两堂由高建伟牧师证道，高牧师在证道中引用帖前5:16-24的经文，讲解了“神向信徒所定的旨意”。
保罗向帖撒罗尼迦教会所论信徒在生活中的三要素，也是基督徒在生命成长中所需要操练的，这三个方面是健康基督徒生活中的标记。
常常喜乐
喜乐是很难伪装的，也没有必要伪装的；但没有喜乐是很痛苦的，生活质量将下降。“常常喜乐”是圣经的教训，是主对我们的要求，因为“常常喜乐”是一种见证，证明你的内心平静安稳，在患难中也能够喜乐，也使主的圣名得荣耀。
喜乐是一种好见证，平安是喜乐的根基，基督徒当靠主而喜乐。
不住祷告
祷告如呼吸。我们基督徒如果没有了呼吸，生命就停止跳动了。我们每一天都需要空气，基督徒每一天都需要与神保持美好的关系，这样一定会充满喜乐的心。
祷告可得力。保罗说，“我在父面前屈膝，求他按着他丰盛的荣耀，藉着他的灵，叫你们心里的力量刚强起来。”（弗3:14-16） 保罗这样一个有恩赐有能力的人，每天跪在父面前祷告仰望。神要借着灵，叫我们心里的力量刚强起来。内在生命的力量是借着圣灵的大能帮助，充满，我们才能刚强有力。
祷告明神旨。有的时候我们对所遇到的事情不理解，但是借着祷告和圣经，神会借着圣灵的感动和引导，让我们清晰明白神的旨意。约瑟经历坎坷波折，不明白神的旨意，但是当他仰望交托的时候，他就明白了神的旨意。“神的意思原是好的，要保全许多人的性命，成就今日的光景。”（创50:20）
当一个人明白神旨意的时候，一切的重担都能卸下，一切的问题都能解决。我们往往只看到表面的难处，没有看到背后神的美意。当我们不理解的时候，退到神面前去，神便开启我们的眼睛，明白祂的旨意。
凡事谢恩
在我们的生活中、工作中，无论大事小事、顺境逆境、健康疾病，我们都要谢恩，若神不允许，一根头发都不丢失。无论何事临到都是主的许可：主不许可，没有一件事会临到我们。
无论何事临到都有主的美意：约瑟的遭遇就是一例，父亲雅各离世，约瑟的哥哥非常担忧，他们怕约瑟报复，以小人之心度君子之腹，而约瑟说：“不要害怕，我岂能代替上帝呢？从前你们的意思是要害我，但上帝的意思原是好的，要保全许多人的性命，成就今日的光景。”（创50：19-20）
感恩教育是必修课。我们每一天都当向我们的主献上感谢祭。
据悉，为有效控制每场礼拜人数，弟兄姐妹可在散会时到招待同工处领票预约下周礼拜场次。
On June 7, Ningboshi Centennial Church, Zhejiang Province, held its first in-person Sunday service since the pandemic. In order to control the crowd, the church had four Sunday services instead of the usual three.
In the morning, Pastor Gao Jianwei preached at the first and second service. He quoted from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 to explain "God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
The three elements in the life of believers that Paul mentioned in the Thessalonian church were also what Christians needed to practice in life. These three aspects were the signs of a healthy Christian life.
Rejoice always
Joy is difficult to disguise, and there is no need to disguise it. Without joy, life would be painful, and the quality of life would decline. "Rejoice always" is a biblical lesson and the Lord's request. It is a testimony that confirms those who are calm and stable in the heart. Those who rejoice in the midst of trouble bring glory to His holy name.
Those who rejoice provide a good witness, the foundation which is peace. Christians should rejoice in the Lord.
Pray continually
Prayer is like breathing. Without breathing, life would end. We need air every day, which is similar to how Christians to maintain a good relationship with God. Our hearts should be filled with joy.
Prayer gives us strength. Paul said: "For this reason I kneel before the Father. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being." (Eph 3:14-16) Paul, a gifted and capable man, knelt and prayed in front of the Father every day. God wants to strengthen our hearts by the Spirit. Only by His help can the inner life be strengthened.
Pray for understanding of His will. Sometimes we don’t understand the things we encounter, but through prayer and reading the Bible, we can clearly understand the will of God. Joseph experienced troubles and did not understand, but when he looked up and trusted and God, then he understood. "God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen 50:20)
When a person understands the will of God, all burdens can be laid down and all problems solved. We often see the difficulties on the surface, not the good will of God behind the scenes. When we don’t understand, we need to step back and ask Him to open our eyes.
Give thanks in all circumstances
In our lives and work, no matter what happens, whether we are in trouble, illness or poor health, give thanks in all circumstances. Even a hair from our head cannot fall to the ground without God’s permission. Everything is under His control; if He doesn’t permit it, then nothing will happen whether good or bad.
No matter what happens, the intentions of God are good. Take Joseph as an example. The death of his father Jacob made his brothers very worried. They measured the heart of a man of integrity with their own poor standard and were afraid of his revenge. But Joseph said: “Don’t be afraid. Have I taken the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen 50:19-20)
Thanksgiving is a compulsory course. We should give thanks to our Lord every day.
It is reported that in order to control the number of people in each Sunday service, brothers and sisters could go to the reception office to make an appointment for next week's Sunday service.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
Ningbo Centennial Church Resumes Sunday Services
