Companion for the Journey 旅程中的同行者 Romans 5:1–11 罗马书 5:1

Sermon Title: Companion for the Journey

讲道题目：旅程中的同行者

Scripture Passage: Romans 5:1–11

经文：罗马书 5:1–11

Sermon By Pastor Danny Chiew

讲员：赵振耀牧师（Pastor Danny Chiew）

Introduction

引言

In this sermon titled “Companion for the Journey,” Pastor Danny Chiew reflects on Romans 5:1–11 as part of the series “Renewed in Mercy.” He begins by acknowledging that the book of Romans contains deep theological concepts that may feel difficult to understand, such as the word “justification.”

在这篇题为 “旅程中的同行者” 的讲道中，赵振耀牧师分享了罗马书 5:1–11 的信息，这是 “在怜悯中得更新” 系列讲道的一部分。他首先指出，《罗马书》包含许多深奥的神学概念，例如 “称义”，这些词汇有时让人觉得难以理解。

However, the essence of justification is simple yet powerful: because all humanity has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), no one can earn righteousness through their own efforts.

然而，“称义”的核心却是简单而有力的：因为所有人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀（罗马书 3:23），所以没有人能够靠自己的努力获得公义。

Instead, righteousness is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, who became the sacrifice for our sins. Through Christ’s work on the cross, believers are declared righteous before God.

公义乃是 神的礼物，是借着相信耶稣基督而领受的；祂为我们的罪成为赎罪祭。借着基督在十字架上的工作，信徒在神面前被宣告为义。

This transformation reshapes our identity, our relationship with God, and how we live our daily journey with Him.

这种改变不仅是神学观念，更更新了我们的身份、我们与神的关系，以及我们每天与神同行的生命旅程。

1. Justification is a Gift, Not an Achievement

一、称义是礼物，不是成就

Scripture: Romans 5:1–2
经文：罗马书 5:1–2

Paul explains that believers are justified by faith, meaning they are declared righteous before God not because of their works but because of Christ’s finished work.

保罗解释说，信徒是 因信称义，意思是他们在神面前被宣告为义，不是因为自己的行为，而是因为基督已经完成的救赎工作。

This justification brings several profound blessings. First, believers now have peace with God. The hostility caused by sin has been removed, and a restored relationship with God becomes possible.

这种称义带来了许多宝贵的祝福。首先，信徒如今 与神和好。因罪带来的敌对关系已经被除去，人可以重新与神建立关系。

Secondly, believers have direct access to God through Jesus Christ. The barrier that once separated humanity from God has been removed.

其次，信徒借着耶稣基督 可以直接来到神面前。曾经隔绝人与神之间的阻隔已经被除去。

Because of this new relationship, believers are no longer merely servants but are called friends of God and children of God.

因此，信徒不再只是仆人，而是被称为 神的朋友和神的儿女。

Believers are encouraged to live as redeemed people rather than constantly defining themselves by their past failures.

信徒应当以蒙救赎的身份生活，而不是不断用过去的失败来定义自己。

2. Suffering Builds Character and Hope

二、苦难塑造品格并带来盼望

Scripture: Romans 5:3–5
经文：罗马书 5:3–5

Being justified does not mean believers are exempt from hardship. Paul teaches that suffering can play an important role in spiritual growth.

因信称义并不意味着信徒不会经历苦难。保罗教导说，苦难在属灵成长中扮演重要角色。

Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character produces hope.

苦难生忍耐，忍耐生品格，品格生盼望。

This hope does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

这盼望不会令人失望，因为神的爱已经借着圣灵浇灌在我们的心里。

Trials do not mean God has abandoned us. Instead, they remind us that Christ walks with us through every difficulty.

试炼并不代表神离弃了我们；相反，它提醒我们 基督在每一个困难中与我们同行。

3. God’s Love Demonstrated While We Were Sinners

三、神在我们还是罪人的时候显明祂的爱

Scripture: Romans 5:6–8
经文：罗马书 5:6–8

Paul highlights the depth of God’s love by emphasizing that Christ died for humanity while we were still sinners and powerless.

保罗强调神爱的深度，因为基督是在 我们还作罪人、软弱无助的时候 为我们而死。

Human love often waits for someone to become worthy, but God’s love reaches out even to those who are undeserving.

人的爱往往等待对方值得被爱，但神的爱却主动临到那些不配的人。

Understanding this truth should transform how believers treat others.

明白这个真理，应当改变信徒对待他人的方式。

If God showed such mercy to us, we are called to extend grace and forgiveness to others.

既然神向我们施展如此的怜悯，我们也被呼召 向他人施恩并饶恕他们。

4. Reconciliation and Security in Christ

四、在基督里得着和好与确据

Scripture: Romans 5:9–11
经文：罗马书 5:9–11

Through Christ’s death, believers who were once enemies of God are now reconciled to Him.

借着基督的死，那些曾经与神为敌的人如今 与神和好。

This reconciliation secures our future and assures us of eternal life through the resurrected Christ.

这种和好使我们的未来得着保障，并借着复活的基督保证我们得着永生。

Because Christ lives, believers can face life’s uncertainties with confidence.

因为基督活着，信徒可以带着信心面对人生的不确定。

We are assured that we will never walk alone, for the Holy Spirit is with us.

我们确信自己永不孤单，因为圣灵与我们同在。

Conclusion

结论

Pastor Danny reminds the congregation that through justification believers are renewed in mercy and never walk alone. Christ is our faithful companion through every season of life.

赵振耀牧师提醒会众，借着称义，信徒 在怜悯中得更新，并且不再孤单前行。基督在生命的每一个阶段都成为我们忠实的同行者。

During the Lenten season, believers are invited to reflect on the grace they have received and consider how they can extend the same mercy to others.

在预苦期中，信徒被邀请反思自己所领受的恩典，并思考如何把同样的怜悯带给他人。

The sermon also invites those who have not yet responded to the gospel to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ.

这篇讲道也邀请那些尚未回应福音的人，将自己的生命交托给耶稣基督。

Take-Home Message

带回家的信息

Because we are justified by faith, we can face life’s challenges with confidence, knowing that Christ walks beside us and our future in Him is secure.

因为我们 因信称义，所以能够带着信心面对人生的挑战，知道基督在我们身边同行，并且我们在祂里面的未来是稳妥的。

Reflection Answers Based on the Sermon: Companion for the Journey

根据讲道《旅程中的同行者》的反思回答

1. Are we still doing things to earn God’s approval or favour, thinking that it will save us? Share.

我们是否仍然在做一些事情，试图赚取神的认可或恩宠，以为这样就能得救？分享。

The sermon reminds us that salvation and justification are gifts from God, not something we can earn through our own efforts. Many believers may unknowingly fall into the habit of trying to prove themselves worthy before God by doing good works, serving more, or avoiding mistakes. While good works are important, they are the result of salvation, not the cause of it.

This reflection invites us to examine our hearts. Are we serving God out of gratitude and love, or out of fear that we must earn His acceptance? When we truly understand that Christ has already paid the price for our sins, we can rest in His grace and live in freedom. Our obedience then flows from a relationship with God rather than a desire to earn His approval.

讲道提醒我们，救恩和称义是神所赐的礼物，不是我们靠自己的努力赚取的。许多信徒有时会不知不觉地陷入一种心态，以为需要通过多做善事、更多服事或避免犯错来证明自己配得神的爱。虽然善行是重要的，但它们是 得救后的结果，而不是得救的原因。

这个问题邀请我们反省自己的内心：我们服事神，是因为感恩与爱，还是因为害怕自己不够好？当我们真正明白基督已经为我们的罪付上代价时，我们就能安息在祂的恩典中，自由地生活。我们的顺服便是 从与神的关系中自然流露，而不是为了赚取祂的认可。

2. Do you remember any particular suffering or tribulation that has allowed you to grow in your character? How long did you endure and was it easy?

你是否记得曾经经历过某些苦难或试炼，使你的品格得以成长？你忍受了多久？这容易吗？

Romans 5:3–5 teaches that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Many times, when we go through hardship, it feels painful and confusing. Yet in hindsight, we often realize that those difficult seasons shaped our faith and strengthened our dependence on God.

Enduring suffering is rarely easy. It may last weeks, months, or even years. However, during those seasons, believers often experience God’s presence more deeply. These trials become moments where we learn patience, humility, and trust in God’s timing. Looking back, we may see that what seemed like a burden was actually God refining our character and deepening our hope in Him.

罗马书 5:3–5 教导我们，患难生忍耐，忍耐生品格，品格生盼望。当我们经历困难时，往往会感到痛苦和困惑。然而，当我们回头看时，常常会发现那些艰难的时刻塑造了我们的信心，也让我们更依靠神。

忍受苦难通常并不容易。有时可能持续几个星期、几个月，甚至几年。然而，在这些时期中，信徒往往更深地经历神的同在。苦难教导我们学习耐心、谦卑，并信靠神的时间。回头看时，我们可能会发现，那些看似沉重的经历，其实是 神在塑造我们的品格，并加深我们对祂的盼望。

3. Will you allow Jesus to be your companion in your journey of life, especially during times of suffering? Share.

你是否愿意让耶稣成为你人生旅程中的同行者，尤其是在苦难的时候？分享。

The central message of the sermon is that Christ is our companion for the journey. Life will inevitably bring challenges, uncertainties, and suffering. Yet believers are never meant to face them alone. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ walks with us, guiding, comforting, and strengthening us.

Allowing Jesus to be our companion means trusting Him daily—bringing our fears, struggles, and uncertainties before Him in prayer. It means believing that even in suffering, He is working for our good and shaping our lives for His purposes. When we walk closely with Christ, we discover that His presence brings peace, courage, and hope, even in difficult times.

这篇讲道的核心信息是：基督是我们人生旅程中的同行者。人生必然会经历挑战、不确定和苦难，但信徒并不是被设计为独自面对这些事情。借着圣灵，基督与我们同行，带领、安慰并坚固我们。

让耶稣成为我们的同行者，意味着每天信靠祂，把我们的恐惧、挣扎和不安带到祂面前祷告。也意味着相信即使在苦难中，祂仍在为我们的益处工作，并塑造我们的生命。当我们与基督亲近同行时，我们会发现祂的同在带来 平安、勇气和盼望。

4. The Cross is the ultimate proof of God’s love for us. Are you thankful that Jesus died for you, and will you be able to extend mercy and grace to others?

十字架是神爱我们的最终证明。你是否感谢耶稣为你而死？你是否愿意把怜悯和恩典延伸给他人？

Romans 5:8 reminds us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The cross demonstrates the depth of God’s unconditional love. We did not deserve it, yet Christ willingly sacrificed Himself to reconcile us with God. This truth should fill our hearts with gratitude and humility.

When we truly grasp this love, it transforms how we treat others. Just as God forgave us, we are called to forgive those who have hurt us. Instead of holding grudges, believers are invited to show compassion, patience, and grace. Extending mercy to others becomes a reflection of the mercy we ourselves have received through Christ.

罗马书 5:8 提醒我们，当我们还作罪人的时候，基督就为我们死。十字架显明了神无条件的爱。我们原本不配，但基督却甘愿为我们牺牲，使我们与神和好。这个真理应当使我们的心充满感恩与谦卑。

当我们真正明白这份爱时，它会改变我们对待他人的方式。正如神饶恕了我们，我们也被呼召去饶恕那些伤害我们的人。信徒不再紧抓怨恨，而是学习以怜悯、耐心和恩典对待他人。向别人施怜悯，正是 我们领受基督怜悯的生命见证。

Opening Prayer (for Sermon & Discipleship Group Gathering)

Heavenly Father,

We come before You this day with grateful hearts. Thank You for bringing us together as brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather for this time of discipleship, fellowship, and reflection on Your Word, we invite Your Holy Spirit to be present among us. Open our hearts and minds so that we may understand Your truth and grow deeper in our faith.

Lord, as we reflect on the message that You are our companion for the journey, help us to remember that we are never alone. Strengthen us to trust You through every season of life, and teach us to walk closely with You each day.

We also thank You for this opportunity to gather in fellowship. May this be a joyful time where friendships are rekindled, love is renewed, and our unity in Christ is strengthened. Bless every conversation, every sharing, and every moment we spend together.

We give thanks for the food that has been lovingly prepared for us. We especially thank You for Sis Nancy Teoh and her delicious porridge, for the kopi-o, and for the church that has graciously allowed us to use the Ranger Hall and its facilities. May You bless everyone who contributed with generous hearts.

We dedicate this gathering into Your hands. May everything we do bring glory to Your name.

In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

Closing Prayer (after Sermon & Fellowship)

Gracious and loving Father,

We thank You for this meaningful time we have spent together in Your presence. Thank You for Your Word that reminds us that through Christ we are justified by faith and that Jesus walks with us as our companion in every journey of life. May the truth we have heard today continue to grow in our hearts and guide our daily lives.

Lord, we are grateful for the fellowship we have shared. Thank You for the laughter, the conversations, and the love among brothers and sisters. Continue to strengthen the bonds of friendship within our group so that we may support, encourage, and pray for one another.

We also thank You again for the food and the hands that prepared it, especially Sis Nancy Teoh for her delicious porridge, and for the coffee that refreshed us. Bless her and all who contributed in any way. Thank You also for our church and for the Ranger Hall and its facilities, which made this gathering possible.

As we leave this place, may Your peace go with us. Help us to walk faithfully with You in the days ahead, remembering that Jesus is always our companion on this journey. May we also extend the same grace, mercy, and love to others that we have received from You.

We commit ourselves into Your care.

In Jesus’ precious name we pray,
Amen.