Guided By The Promise 被应许引导 Gospel of John 3:1–17 约翰福音 3:1–17

 Sermon Title: Guided By The Promise

讲道题目：被应许引导

Scripture Passage: Gospel of John 3:1–17
经文：约翰福音 3:1–17

Sermon By: Rev Aaron Liu
讲员：刘亚伦牧师

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Sermon Summary

讲道摘要

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Introduction

引言

Rev Aaron Liu began by highlighting the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and teacher of Israel who came to Jesus at night.
刘亚伦牧师首先强调耶稣与尼哥底母之间的相遇；尼哥底母是一位法利赛人，也是以色列的教师，他在夜里来见耶稣。

Rev Aaron Liu explained that Nicodemus’ visit at night symbolized spiritual searching and uncertainty.
刘亚伦牧师解释说，尼哥底母在夜里来见耶稣象征着属灵上的寻求与不确定。

Although Nicodemus was knowledgeable in Scripture and respected among the religious leaders, he sensed that something deeper was missing in his spiritual life.
虽然尼哥底母熟悉圣经，并且在宗教领袖中备受尊敬，但他意识到自己的属灵生命中仍然缺少一些更深的东西。

Rev Aaron Liu reminded the congregation that many believers today may appear spiritually active outwardly—serving, attending church, and knowing Scripture—yet inwardly they may feel spiritually dry or incomplete.
刘亚伦牧师提醒会众，今天许多信徒在外表上看起来很属灵——参与服事、参加教会、熟悉圣经——但内心却可能感到属灵干渴或不完整。

The story of Nicodemus shows that intellectual knowledge alone does not guarantee spiritual transformation.
尼哥底母的故事表明，单有知识上的认识并不能保证属灵生命的转变。

Rev Aaron Liu stressed that Jesus did not reject Nicodemus for his questions, but instead welcomed his seeking heart.
刘亚伦牧师强调，耶稣并没有因为尼哥底母的疑问而拒绝他，反而接纳了他寻求的心。

In the same way, Christ invites believers to come honestly before Him and receive renewal through the Spirit.
同样地，基督也邀请信徒坦然来到祂面前，借着圣灵得着更新。

     

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Main Points

主要信息

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1. The Promise of New Birth

1. 重生的应许

Key Scripture:
关键经文：

“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” – Gospel of John 3:3
“我实实在在地告诉你，人若不重生，就不能见神的国。”——约翰福音 3:3

Rev Aaron Liu emphasized that Jesus immediately addressed Nicodemus’ deepest need: spiritual rebirth.
刘亚伦牧师强调，耶稣立刻指出尼哥底母最深的需要：属灵的重生。

Jesus’ words about being “born again” reveal that entering God’s kingdom is not about religious status, moral effort, or human achievement.
耶稣关于“重生”的教导表明，进入神的国并不是靠宗教地位、道德努力或人的成就。

Rev Aaron Liu highlighted that spiritual rebirth is the work of the Holy Spirit, not the result of human self-improvement.
刘亚伦牧师指出属灵的重生是圣灵的工作，而不是人靠自己改进而得来的。

Just as physical birth is something we cannot accomplish by ourselves, spiritual birth must come from God.
正如肉身的出生不是我们自己能完成的，属灵的出生也必须来自神。

Rev Aaron Liu reminded the congregation that Christianity is not merely about becoming better people, but about receiving new life from God.
刘亚伦牧师提醒会众，基督信仰不仅仅是成为更好的人，而是从神那里领受新的生命。

The Holy Spirit renews the heart and enables believers to live under God’s reign.
圣灵更新人的心，使信徒能够活在神的掌权之下。

He also stressed that new birth leads believers into a new community, where they live as one family, growing together in faith and obedience to Christ.
他也强调重生会带领信徒进入一个新的属灵群体，在其中成为一个属灵的家庭，一同在信心和顺服基督中成长。

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2. The Promise Beyond Understanding

2. 超越理解的应许

Key Scripture:
关键经文：

“You are Israel’s teacher… and do you not understand these things?” – Gospel of John 3:10
“你是以色列人的先生，还不明白这事吗？”——约翰福音 3:10

Rev Aaron Liu pointed out that Nicodemus struggled to understand Jesus’ teaching, asking, “How can this be?”
刘亚伦牧师指出尼哥底母难以理解耶稣的教导，因此问：“怎能有这事呢？”

This moment reveals that knowledge about God is not the same as experiencing God.
这一刻显明，对神的知识并不等同于真实经历神。

Rev Aaron Liu reminded listeners that it is possible to know theology and attend church regularly yet still lack true spiritual transformation.
刘亚伦牧师提醒听众，一个人可能懂神学、常常参加教会，却仍然缺乏真正的属灵改变。

Head knowledge without heart renewal can leave believers restless and spiritually unfulfilled.
只有头脑的知识却没有内心的更新，会让信徒在属灵上感到不安和空虚。

He stressed that true understanding comes through humility and faith.
他强调真正的理解是通过谦卑与信心而来的。

Jesus, the Son of Man who came from heaven, reveals the truth of God to humanity.
耶稣这位从天而来的“人子”向人类启示神的真理。

Rev Aaron Liu encouraged believers not to depend solely on intellectual understanding, but to trust Christ even when some mysteries remain beyond human comprehension.
刘亚伦牧师鼓励信徒不要单单依靠理性的理解，即使有些奥秘超越人的理解，也要信靠基督。

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3. The Promise of Profound Love

3. 深厚之爱的应许

Key Scripture:
关键经文：

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” – Gospel of John 3:16
“神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们……”——约翰福音 3:16

Rev Aaron Liu highlighted the central message of the gospel: God’s profound love for the world.
刘亚伦牧师强调福音的核心信息：神对世界深厚的爱。

He referred to the story of Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness so that those who looked upon it could live.
他提到摩西在旷野举起铜蛇的故事，使凡仰望的人都能得生命。

Rev Aaron Liu explained that in the same way, Jesus would be lifted up on the cross so that those who believe in Him may receive eternal life.
刘亚伦牧师解释说，同样地，耶稣也要被举起来在十字架上，使一切信祂的人得着永生。

Humanity is poisoned by sin and unable to save itself, but God provides salvation through Christ.
人类被罪所毒害，无法自救，但神借着基督赐下救恩。

Rev Aaron Liu reminded the congregation that God did not send His Son to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17).
刘亚伦牧师提醒会众，神差遣祂的儿子不是要定世人的罪，而是要拯救世人（约翰福音3:17）。

The cross therefore stands as the ultimate expression of God’s mercy and grace.
因此，十字架成为神怜悯与恩典最终极的彰显。

He encouraged believers to respond to this love by extending grace, forgiveness, and compassion to others, reflecting the love they have received from Christ.
他鼓励信徒以恩典、饶恕与怜悯回应这份爱，把从基督领受的爱活出来。

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Conclusion

结论

Rev Aaron Liu concluded by reminding the congregation that Nicodemus came to Jesus in the darkness but encountered the light of God’s truth.
刘亚伦牧师总结提醒会众，尼哥底母在黑暗中来到耶稣面前，却遇见了神真理的光。

Through this conversation, Jesus revealed the promise of new birth, the call to trust beyond understanding, and the depth of God’s love for humanity.
透过这段对话，耶稣启示了重生的应许、超越理解的信靠，以及神对人类深深的爱。

Rev Aaron Liu stressed that the invitation of Christ remains open today.
刘亚伦牧师强调，基督的邀请今天仍然向人敞开。

Anyone who comes to Jesus with humility and faith can experience spiritual renewal and eternal life.
凡谦卑并带着信心来到耶稣面前的人，都能经历属灵更新和永恒的生命。

He encouraged believers to reflect during the Lenten season, asking whether they have truly experienced the transforming work of the Holy Spirit or are merely relying on outward religious practices.
他鼓励信徒在大斋期中反思：自己是否真实经历圣灵改变生命的工作，还是仅仅依靠外在的宗教行为。

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Take-Home Message

带回家的信息

True spiritual transformation happens when we humbly come to Christ, receive the new birth through the Holy Spirit, and live in the light of God’s redeeming love.
真正的属灵改变发生在我们谦卑来到基督面前，借着圣灵领受重生，并活在神救赎之爱的光中。

Reflection and Discuss

反思与讨论

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1. In what areas of your life do you feel you are still living in the “night”, and how can you seek the light of Christ to illuminate these areas?

1. 在你生命的哪些方面，你觉得自己仍然活在“黑夜”中？你如何寻求基督的光来照亮这些地方？

Living in the “night” may refer to areas where we feel spiritually dry, uncertain, or distant from God even though we continue our outward religious activities.
活在“黑夜”中，可能指的是在某些生命领域里，我们虽然继续参与教会或服事，但内心却感到属灵干渴、不确定，或与神有距离。

These areas may include our personal prayer life, relationships, hidden struggles with sin, or moments where we rely more on ourselves than on God.
这些方面可能包括我们的祷告生活、人际关系、隐藏的罪，或是那些我们更依靠自己而不是依靠神的时刻。

According to the sermon, the first step is honest acknowledgement, just as Nicodemus came to Jesus seeking answers.
根据讲道内容，第一步是诚实地承认自己的光景，就像尼哥底母来到耶稣面前寻求答案一样。

We seek Christ’s light by turning to Him in prayer, meditating on Scripture, confessing our weaknesses, and allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts.
我们可以通过祷告、默想圣经、向神认罪，并让圣灵更新我们的心，来寻求基督的光。

When we bring our darkness to Christ, His truth exposes, heals, and restores us.
当我们把生命中的黑暗带到基督面前时，祂的真理会光照、医治并恢复我们。

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2. How can acknowledging your spiritual restlessness lead to deeper trust in Christ instead of merely seeking intellectual understanding?

2. 承认自己属灵的不安，如何能带领你更深地信靠基督，而不仅仅是追求知识上的理解？

Spiritual restlessness is often a sign that God is inviting us into deeper transformation.
属灵的不安往往是神邀请我们进入更深生命更新的记号。

In the sermon, Rev Aaron Liu reminded us that knowing theology or attending church does not automatically mean our hearts are transformed.
在讲道中，刘亚伦牧师提醒我们，懂得神学或经常参加教会，并不代表我们的生命已经改变。

Acknowledging our restlessness helps us realize that information alone cannot satisfy the soul.
当我们承认自己的不安时，我们会明白单有知识并不能满足灵魂。

Instead of trying to solve everything intellectually, we learn to surrender in humility and trust Christ even when we do not fully understand His ways.
我们不再试图只用理性解决一切，而是学会谦卑地降服，在不完全明白的时候仍然信靠基督。

This shift from knowledge to trust allows the Holy Spirit to move from our minds into our hearts, bringing genuine transformation.
这种从知识转向信靠的改变，使圣灵能从我们的头脑进入我们的心，带来真正的生命改变。

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3. What habits do you need to surrender or change to better position yourself for the Spirit to work in your life?

3. 为了让圣灵在你的生命中更好地工作，你需要放下或改变哪些习惯？

Rev Aaron Liu emphasized that we cannot control the Spirit, but we can position ourselves to receive His work.
刘亚伦牧师强调，我们无法控制圣灵，但可以调整自己的生命姿态来领受祂的工作。

This may involve surrendering habits such as excessive busyness, self-reliance, pride, or neglecting time with God.
这可能包括放下过度忙碌、过分依靠自己、骄傲，或忽略与神相处时间等习惯。

Instead, we can cultivate spiritual disciplines like regular prayer, Scripture meditation, repentance, and quiet reflection during seasons like Lent.
相反地，我们可以培养属灵操练，例如规律祷告、默想圣经、悔改，以及在大斋期中安静反思。

We may also need to embrace community by seeking accountability and encouragement within the church family.
我们也可能需要更深地参与属灵群体，在教会中彼此扶持与守望。

When we surrender these areas to God, we open space for the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into our hearts and guide us into the life God desires for us.
当我们把这些生命领域交托给神时，就为圣灵在我们心中带来新的生命和引导预备了空间。

Let us quiet our hearts before the Lord.

Gracious and merciful God,
as we come to the end of our time together in this Lenten DG gathering, we pause in stillness before You.
In the quiet of this moment, help us to lay aside our distractions, our worries, and the noise of our busy lives.

Lord, You see our hearts.
You know the places where we feel weary, the areas where we are restless, and the parts of our lives that still dwell in the night.
Shine the light of Christ into those places.
Renew us by Thy Holy Spirit and lead us into the new life You have promised.

Teach us during this Lenten season to humble ourselves before You.
Help us to surrender our pride, our self-reliance, and our hidden burdens at the foot of the cross.
Remind us again that You did not send Your Son to condemn the world, but to save us through Him.

Lord, we lift up Angie Low before You.
We pray for Thy healing hand to be upon her leg injuries.
Grant her comfort, strength, and a full recovery.
May Thy peace surround her and sustain her each day.

We also pray for Alex, Lord.
You know his struggle with the skin / body rashes. We ask for Thy healing touch upon his body.
Relieve his pain, bring restoration, and grant him patience and strength during this time of recovery.

We remember Rev Aaron, Pastor Danny and all Church Helpers &Volunteers before You as well.
Strengthen them, Lord, as they serve the church and lead Thy people.
Grant them wisdom, spiritual renewal, and Thy protection over their lifes, family, and ministry.

As we leave this meeting, guide our hearts to continue walking in Thy light.
Help us to trust You even when we do not understand,
to extend mercy as we have received mercy,
and to live as Thy people—one family, one faith, one mission under Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Now in this quiet moment, we offer our personal prayers to You.

(Silent prayer)

Lord, receive our prayers.
Fill us with Thy peace and renew our strength for the days ahead.

We commit ourselves and one another into Thy loving hands.
In  Jesus Christ's precious name we pray. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.

Amen.