The Message That Transforms 改变生命的信息 Romans 1:16–17 罗马书 1:16–17
Preacher 讲员： Bro. Yap Han Shawn 叶汉翔弟兄
Introduction 引言
Bro. Yap Han Shawn began by emphasizing that the Gospel is not merely a religious message or moral teaching, but the very power of God that transforms lives. Drawing from Romans 1:16–17, he highlighted Paul’s bold declaration: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” He explained that many Christians today struggle with fear, hesitation, or embarrassment when sharing the Gospel because they misunderstand what the Gospel truly is. The Gospel is not simply advice on how to live better; it is the announcement of what God has already done through Jesus Christ to save humanity.
叶汉翔弟兄首先强调，福音不仅仅是宗教教导或道德劝勉，而是神改变生命的大能。他引用罗马书1:16–17，指出保罗大胆宣告：“我不以福音为耻；这福音本是神的大能，要救一切相信的人。” 他解释，今天许多基督徒在传福音时会感到害怕、犹豫，甚至羞耻，是因为他们没有真正明白福音的本质。福音不仅是教人如何活得更好，而是宣告神已经借着耶稣基督成就了拯救人类的工作。
1. The Gospel is not merely Good Advice, but Good News 福音不仅是好建议，更是好消息
Bible Scripture 经文： Romans 1:16 罗马书 1:16
Bro. Yap Han Shawn explained that there is an important difference between “good advice” and “good news.” Good advice tells us what we should do, but good news announces what has already been done for us. The Gospel is not centered on human effort, self-improvement, or religious performance. Instead, it proclaims that Jesus Christ has died and risen again to save sinners.
He emphasized that the power of the Gospel is what frees believers from being ashamed of it. The Gospel changes hearts, restores broken lives, forgives sins, and gives eternal hope. Christians therefore do not need to rely on clever persuasion or human wisdom because the transforming power belongs to God Himself.
叶汉翔弟兄解释，“好建议”与“好消息”之间有很大的区别。好建议告诉我们“应该做什么”，而好消息则宣告“已经为我们成就了什么”。福音的中心不是人的努力、自我提升或宗教表现，而是耶稣基督已经为罪人死而复活。
他强调，福音的大能使信徒不再以福音为耻。福音能够改变人的心、修复破碎的生命、赦免罪恶，并赐下永恒的盼望。因此，基督徒不需要依靠人的智慧或口才，因为真正改变生命的大能属于神自己。
2. We are Messengers, not Editors of the Good News 我们是福音的使者，不是编辑者
Bible Scripture 经文： Galatians 1:6–9 加拉太书 1:6–9
Bro. Yap Han Shawn stressed that believers are called to faithfully proclaim the Gospel, not modify it to suit culture, comfort, or personal preference. He warned that when the Gospel is diluted or distorted, its transforming power is weakened. Some may avoid difficult truths such as sin, repentance, sacrifice, or the cross because they fear offending others.
However, he reminded the congregation that Christians are not called to remove the offense of the cross. The message of the cross may appear foolish or uncomfortable to the world, yet it is the very message through which salvation comes. Our responsibility is not to make the Gospel acceptable, but to proclaim it faithfully with love and truth.
叶汉翔弟兄强调，信徒蒙召是要忠心传讲福音，而不是按照文化、舒适感或个人喜好去修改福音。他警告说，当福音被淡化或扭曲时，它改变生命的大能也会被削弱。有些人为了避免冒犯别人，会刻意回避罪、悔改、舍己或十字架的信息。
然而，他提醒会众，基督徒并不是被呼召去除掉十字架的“冒犯性”。十字架的信息对世界来说可能显得愚拙或令人不舒服，但这正是神拯救人的方式。我们的责任不是让福音变得“讨人喜欢”，而是用爱心和真理忠心传讲。
3. True Evangelism 真正的传福音
(a) Boldness 刚强与勇敢
Bible Scripture 经文： Acts 4:29–31 使徒行传 4:29–31
Bro. Yap Han Shawn taught that one of the greatest obstacles to evangelism is fear — fear of rejection, fear of embarrassment, and fear of failure. Because of this fear, many believers remain silent even when opportunities arise.
He emphasized the importance of prayer in overcoming fear. Boldness is not natural human confidence but spiritual courage given by God. Through prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit, believers are strengthened to speak about Christ in ordinary conversations and daily life.
叶汉翔弟兄教导说，传福音最大的障碍之一就是惧怕——害怕被拒绝、害怕尴尬、害怕失败。因此，即使有机会，许多信徒仍然选择沉默。
他强调祷告的重要性。真正的胆量并不是人的自信，而是神所赐属灵的勇气。当信徒借着祷告依靠圣灵时，就能在日常生活和普通对话中勇敢见证基督。
(b) Trusting the Spirit 依靠圣灵
Bible Scripture 经文： John 16:8 约翰福音 16:8
Bro. Yap Han Shawn emphasized that the Holy Spirit convicts and transforms people — not human arguments or pressure. Christians are called to be faithful witnesses, but the results belong to God. Sometimes believers become discouraged when they do not immediately see visible outcomes after sharing the Gospel.
He reminded the congregation that evangelism is not about achieving measurable success or treating people as projects. Faithfulness is more important than visible results. God is already at work in people’s hearts, and believers are simply invited to participate in His mission.
叶汉翔弟兄强调，使人知罪并改变人心的是圣灵，而不是人的辩论或施压。基督徒被呼召作忠心的见证人，但结果属于神。有时候，信徒在分享福音后看不到立刻的回应，就会感到灰心。
他提醒会众，传福音不是追求“业绩”，也不是把人当作项目。忠心比结果更重要。神早已在人的心中动工，而信徒只是被邀请参与神的使命。
4. Personal Lives – Integrity 个人生命：真实一致
Bible Scripture 经文： Matthew 5:16 马太福音 5:16
Bro. Yap Han Shawn highlighted that the message believers proclaim must be consistent with the life they live. Christians cannot effectively share about Christ if their lives contradict the Gospel. Evangelism is not only spoken through words but also displayed through character, love, humility, forgiveness, and faith.
He encouraged believers to “live by faith” daily so that their lives become like a pleasing fragrance that draws people toward Christ. A transformed life itself becomes a testimony of God’s grace and power.
叶汉翔弟兄强调，信徒所传讲的信息必须与他们的生活一致。如果基督徒的生命与福音相矛盾，就无法有效地见证基督。传福音不仅是口中的言语，更是生命中的品格、爱心、谦卑、饶恕与信心。
他鼓励信徒每天凭信心而活，使生命像馨香之气一样吸引人归向基督。一个被改变的生命，本身就是神恩典与大能的见证。
Conclusion 结论
Bro. Yap Han Shawn concluded by reminding the congregation that the Gospel is the power of God that transforms lives. Christians are not called to edit, soften, or market the Gospel, but to faithfully proclaim it with courage, love, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. True evangelism flows from hearts that understand the Gospel personally and lives that reflect Christ authentically.
He encouraged believers not to be ashamed of the Gospel, but to trust that God is still using this message to save, restore, and transform people today.
叶汉翔弟兄总结提醒会众，福音是神改变生命的大能。基督徒不是被呼召去修改、淡化或包装福音，而是要带着勇气、爱心以及对圣灵的依靠，忠心地传讲福音。真正的传福音，是从真正认识福音的心，以及真实活出基督的生命中流露出来的。
他鼓励信徒不要以福音为耻，而要相信神今天仍然使用这信息来拯救、恢复并改变人的生命。
Take-away Message 带走的信息
The Gospel is not merely advice for better living, but the powerful Good News of Jesus Christ that transforms lives. As believers, we are called to faithfully live and proclaim this message with boldness, integrity, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
福音不仅是教导人如何活得更好，而是耶稣基督改变生命的大能好消息。作为信徒，我们蒙召以勇敢、真实和依靠圣灵的心，忠心活出并传扬这福音。
Reflection & Discussion Questions 反思与讨论问题
1. What is the difference between Good Advice and Good News in the context of the Gospel?
在福音的背景下，“好建议”与“好消息”有什么区别？
Answer 回答：
Good advice tells people what they should do to improve themselves, while Good News announces what Jesus Christ has already done to save humanity through His death and resurrection. Christianity is not centered on human effort but on God’s grace. The Gospel changes lives because it is God’s power, not merely human instruction.
“好建议”是告诉人应该做什么来改善自己；而“好消息”则是宣告耶稣基督已经借着祂的死与复活完成了对人类的救赎。基督信仰的核心不是人的努力，而是神的恩典。福音能够改变生命，因为它是神的大能，而不仅仅是人的教导。
2. “The way Evangelism Programs are done in Church is no different than any marketing campaign.” Discuss.
“教会里的传福音活动和市场营销没有区别。”请讨论。
Answer 回答：
Evangelism becomes unhealthy when people are treated merely as numbers, targets, or projects. Marketing focuses on gaining customers, but biblical evangelism focuses on loving people and pointing them to Christ. True evangelism depends on prayer, genuine relationships, and the work of the Holy Spirit rather than manipulation or performance. The goal is not church growth alone, but transformed lives and God’s kingdom.
当传福音只关注人数、目标或成果时，它就容易变成像市场营销一样。市场营销关注的是吸引顾客，而合乎圣经的传福音则是出于爱，把人带到基督面前。真正的传福音依靠祷告、真实关系以及圣灵的工作，而不是操控或表演。最终目标不是单单增长教会人数，而是生命被改变以及神国度的扩展。
3. What are the fears that are keeping you from sharing the Gospel? How can you overcome them?
是什么恐惧拦阻你分享福音？你如何克服这些恐惧？
Answer 回答：
Common fears include rejection, embarrassment, losing relationships, or feeling inadequate. These fears can be overcome through prayer, deeper understanding of the Gospel, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Remembering that God is responsible for the results helps believers focus on faithfulness instead of success or failure.
常见的恐惧包括害怕被拒绝、害怕尴尬、害怕失去关系，或觉得自己不够好。信徒可以通过祷告、更深认识福音以及依靠圣灵来克服这些恐惧。当我们记得结果属于神时，就能够专注于忠心，而不是成功或失败。
4. Name an aspect of your life that is inconsistent with what you proclaim in the Gospel. How can you overcome this inconsistency?
你生命中有哪些方面与所传讲的福音不一致？你如何克服这种不一致？
Answer 回答：
Possible inconsistencies may include impatience, lack of forgiveness, pride, dishonesty, or living without faith and dependence on God. Overcoming inconsistency begins with repentance, surrender, accountability, prayer, and daily obedience to Christ. The Holy Spirit gradually transforms believers so that their lives reflect the Gospel more clearly.
生命中的不一致可能包括缺乏忍耐、不愿饶恕、骄傲、不诚实，或没有凭信心依靠神而活。克服这种不一致，需要从悔改、降服、彼此监督、祷告以及每天顺服基督开始。圣灵会逐渐改变信徒，使他们的生命越来越真实地反映福音。
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for gathering us together once again for this discipleship meeting. Thank You for sustaining us through another week and for the privilege of coming before You as one family in Christ. Even though we meet through Zoom, we know Your presence is with each and every one of us.
Lord, we thank You for the sermon, “The Message That Transforms,” shared by Bro. Yap Han Shawn from Romans 1:16–17. Thank You for reminding us that the Gospel is not merely good advice, but the Good News and the very power of God that transforms lives. Help us not to be ashamed of the Gospel, but to live boldly and faithfully as Your witnesses in this world.
As we begin our discussion and sharing today, open our hearts and minds to hear Your voice. Teach us through Your Word and through one another. Let this be a time of encouragement, growth, honesty, and spiritual renewal. Help us to reflect Christ in our speech, attitude, and actions.
We also want to thank You in advance for the upcoming birthday lunch celebration for Mr. Loh on the 31st. Thank You for his life, friendship, and fellowship among us. May that gathering be filled with joy, love, laughter, and meaningful fellowship together. Continue to bless him with good health, wisdom, peace, and strength in the years ahead.
Lord, may Your Holy Spirit guide our conversation today. Unite us in love and help us grow deeper in faith and discipleship.
We commit this meeting into Your loving hands.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this wonderful time of fellowship, sharing, learning, and encouragement together this morning. Thank You for speaking to our hearts through Your Word and reminding us once again of the transforming power of the Gospel.
Lord, help us not to remain as hearers only, but to become faithful doers of Your Word. Give us courage to live boldly for Christ, wisdom to reflect Your love in our daily lives, and compassion for those who do not yet know You. Teach us to depend on the Holy Spirit as we share the Good News with others.
We pray for every member in this disciples group. Strengthen those who are tired, encourage those who are discouraged, comfort those who are struggling, and draw each of us closer to You. May our lives consistently reflect the Gospel we proclaim.
We also continue to thank You for the upcoming birthday lunch celebration for Mr. Loh on the 31st. May it be a blessed and joyful gathering filled with fellowship, unity, laughter, and thanksgiving. Bless the food, the conversations, the journey, and everyone who will be attending.
As we end this meeting and continue with the rest of our day, may Your presence go before us. Protect us, guide us, and help us to be salt and light wherever we are placed.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and always.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray,
Amen.
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