A sermon on true peace was preached in a Christmas service in China’s coastal-eastern Jiangsu Province.
In the Suzhou Dushu Lake Church, the service began with praise on December 25, 2020. Presiding over the ceremony, Elder Wan led the congregation in reciting Bible verses and the Apostle’s Creed, confessing their Christian faith.
The choir presented three carols in a row, welcoming the birth of the savior.
Then Rev. Wang Tianlu shared on the topic of true peace in a sermon, citing John 16:33. He began by saying that we Christians may have many troubles like others, as there is nothing special about Christians. However, Jesus told us the good news that he had overcome the world, namely, even demons shall not defeat him.
The pastor added, “People who believe in God are at peace because we have a relationship with God and are able to face pain and anxieties in this world.”
“Because the Bible tells us that we can have true peace from God, not pretending to be peaceful or coming out of our understanding,” Wang stated.
He stressed that true peace is our precious gift, we could witness the power of the gospel even though in a harsh situation. For example, we were also able to testify to the glorious God under the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the past year.
Despite that the pandemic would last a long time, we should realize true peace lies in us and share it with those disturbed people around us, he concluded.
In the end, the pastor gave a benediction to all the participants, expecting the true peace from the Lord and bestowing it to all God’s people.
- Translated by Karen Luo
2020年12月25日，苏州独墅湖基督教堂举行了圣诞节礼拜。
在万长老的主礼下，礼拜以赞美开始，并诵读了经文和使徒信经来告白信仰。
接着，诗班的弟兄姐妹们献上三联唱，用赞美的声音欢迎庆贺主的降生。
随后，牧师以约翰福音16章33节的经文，为大家讲解了什么是真平安。
牧师讲到，在地上弟兄姐妹们可能有很多的忧虑，即便大家是基督徒也没有什么特殊的，同样有忧虑，不是说信主了这些忧虑和担心就不存在了。
但是在这段经文耶稣告诉了我们一个大喜的消息，就是他 已经胜过了这个世界。
所谓胜过这个世界就是连魔鬼也要听他的话。
因此信靠上帝的人本身就是在平安里的。
大家要确信，我们都是与神有关系的人，能面对这个世界上的痛苦和忧虑。
因为圣经上是这样告诉我们的。
我们也能有真正的平安。
这个真平安不是装出来的也不是自己悟出来的，而是上帝给的真平安。
这真平安是横木，是我们得到的宝贵的礼物。
即便面对艰难的环境，例如今年的疫情，我们也能够去见证福音的大能，见证荣耀的上帝。
牧师分享说，虽然我们每一个人很长一段时间都会面对疫情，但是同样我们也要认识到我们是一群有真平安的人。
希望弟兄姐妹们都成为耶稣一样的人，对周围不平安的百姓分享真平安，让我们基督徒成为这片土地、这个国家、这个社会的祝福。
最后，牧师祷告并祝福了在座所有来参加圣诞礼拜的弟兄姐妹，愿主的真平安归给属神的子民直到永永远远！
苏州独墅湖基督教堂2020年圣诞礼拜：平安从基督而来
A sermon on true peace was preached in a Christmas service in China’s coastal-eastern Jiangsu Province.
In the Suzhou Dushu Lake Church, the service began with praise on December 25, 2020. Presiding over the ceremony, Elder Wan led the congregation in reciting Bible verses and the Apostle’s Creed, confessing their Christian faith.
The choir presented three carols in a row, welcoming the birth of the savior.
Then Rev. Wang Tianlu shared on the topic of true peace in a sermon, citing John 16:33. He began by saying that we Christians may have many troubles like others, as there is nothing special about Christians. However, Jesus told us the good news that he had overcome the world, namely, even demons shall not defeat him.
The pastor added, “People who believe in God are at peace because we have a relationship with God and are able to face pain and anxieties in this world.”
“Because the Bible tells us that we can have true peace from God, not pretending to be peaceful or coming out of our understanding,” Wang stated.
He stressed that true peace is our precious gift, we could witness the power of the gospel even though in a harsh situation. For example, we were also able to testify to the glorious God under the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the past year.
Despite that the pandemic would last a long time, we should realize true peace lies in us and share it with those disturbed people around us, he concluded.
In the end, the pastor gave a benediction to all the participants, expecting the true peace from the Lord and bestowing it to all God’s people.
- Translated by Karen Luo
Christmas Sermon: Peace Is from Christ
