LOVE THAT STAYED UNCHANGED 爱从未改变 John 13:21–30 (NIV) 约翰福音 13:21–30（新国际版）
Sermon by Bishop Dr. T. Jeyakumar T. Jeyakumar 主教博士证道
31 May 2026
2026年5月31日
Introduction
引言
Bishop Dr. T. Jeyakumar shared that spiritual growth does not happen instantly.
杰亚库马主教分享说，属灵的成长并不是瞬间发生的。
Just as spiritual transformation takes time, spiritual decline also happens gradually.
正如属灵的改变需要时间，属灵的退步也是逐渐发生的。
Judas Iscariot serves as a tragic example of someone who stayed physically close to Jesus for more than three years, yet remained spiritually unchanged.
犹大·加略人是一个悲剧性的例子，他在肉体上与耶稣同行超过三年，但属灵生命却没有改变。
Although Judas listened to Jesus' teachings, witnessed His miracles, and lived in His presence, he eventually betrayed Jesus.
尽管犹大聆听耶稣的教导、见证祂的神迹，并与祂同在，他最终还是背叛了耶稣。
The Bishop reminded us that being near Jesus is not the same as surrendering to Jesus.
主教提醒我们，靠近耶稣并不等于顺服耶稣。
Remorse and regret are not the same as true repentance.
懊悔与遗憾并不等同于真正的悔改。
Key Scripture
关键经文
"As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night."
“犹大受了那点饼，就立刻出去。那时候是夜间。”
— John 13:30
— 约翰福音 13:30
Bishop highlighted that John was not merely describing the time of day.
主教强调，约翰不仅仅是在描述时间。
The phrase "it was night" also symbolized Judas walking into spiritual darkness after resisting the grace and love that Jesus continually extended to him.
“那时候是夜间”也象征着犹大拒绝耶稣不断赐下的恩典与爱之后，走进了属灵的黑暗。
1. Judas Failed to Accept Jesus
1. 犹大未能接受耶稣
Bishop shared that Judas could not accept Jesus for who He truly was.
主教分享说，犹大无法接受耶稣真实的身份。
Instead, he tried to make Jesus into the kind of Messiah he wanted.
相反，他试图把耶稣变成他所期待的弥赛亚。
Judas expected Jesus to establish an earthly political kingdom and overthrow Roman rule.
犹大期待耶稣建立一个地上的政治国度，并推翻罗马统治。
When Jesus did not meet his expectations, Judas became disappointed and attempted to force events according to his own plans.
当耶稣没有符合他的期待时，犹大感到失望，并试图按照自己的计划推动事情发生。
The Bishop reminded us that many Christians struggle with the same temptation.
主教提醒我们，许多基督徒也面临同样的试探。
We often want God to work according to our timetable, our expectations, and our desires rather than surrendering to His will.
我们常常希望神按照我们的时间表、期待和欲望来做工，而不是顺服祂的旨意。
Three reasons were highlighted:
提出了三个原因：
• Lack of Patience
• 缺乏耐心
Judas wanted immediate results. He could not wait for God's timing.
犹大渴望立刻看到结果，他无法等候神的时间。
Bishop reminded us that one of the greatest mistakes Christians make is becoming impatient with God.
主教提醒我们，基督徒最大的错误之一就是对神失去耐心。
When answers do not come quickly, we may try to manipulate situations ourselves.
当祷告没有立刻回应时，我们可能会尝试用自己的方式操控局势。
He encouraged us to remember:
他鼓励我们记住：
"God's delays are not God's denials."
“神的延迟并不是神的拒绝。”
God always works according to His perfect timing.
神总是按着祂完美的时间行事。
• Lack of Understanding
• 缺乏理解
Judas misunderstood Jesus' mission. Jesus came to save humanity from sin, but Judas wanted political liberation.
犹大误解了耶稣的使命。耶稣来是要拯救人类脱离罪，但犹大却想要政治解放。
Bishop highlighted that misunderstanding God's purposes often causes us to misinterpret what God is doing in our lives.
主教指出，误解神的旨意常常使我们误判神在我们生命中的作为。
Many believers carry unresolved emotional wounds, bitterness, anger, fear, pride, and insecurity, which prevent them from understanding God's work clearly.
许多信徒带着未解决的情绪伤痛、苦毒、愤怒、恐惧、骄傲与不安全感，使他们无法清楚理解神的作为。
• Lack of Trust
• 缺乏信任
Judas could not trust Jesus enough to leave matters in God's hands.
犹大无法完全信靠耶稣，把事情交托在神的手中。
Instead of waiting upon God, he acted independently.
他没有等候神，而是靠自己行动。
Bishop reminded us that true faith means trusting God's wisdom, sovereignty, and goodness even when we do not fully understand His plans.
主教提醒我们，真正的信心是即使不完全明白神的计划，也仍然信靠祂的智慧、主权与良善。
2. Judas Failed to Change
2. 犹大未能改变
Bishop shared that Judas remained fundamentally unchanged despite spending years with Jesus.
主教分享说，尽管犹大与耶稣同行多年，但他本质上仍然没有改变。
Simply being in church, attending worship services, or being around spiritual activities does not automatically transform a person.
仅仅在教会、参加崇拜或参与属灵活动，并不会自动改变一个人。
True transformation requires surrender and cooperation with God's work in our lives.
真正的改变需要降服，并与神在我们生命中的工作配合。
Several areas revealed Judas' lack of transformation.
以下几个方面显出犹大的生命没有改变：
• He Never Dealt with His Emotions
• 他从未处理自己的情绪
Bishop highlighted that Judas appeared to struggle with disappointment, anger, frustration, and disillusionment.
主教指出，犹大似乎长期受失望、愤怒、挫折与幻灭所困扰。
His unresolved emotional struggles eventually led him down a destructive path.
他未处理的情绪最终引导他走向毁灭的道路。
The Bishop reminded us that spiritual maturity requires emotional maturity.
主教提醒我们，属灵成熟也需要情绪成熟。
If we do not deal with our wounds, our wounds will eventually wound others.
如果我们不处理自己的伤口，这些伤口最终会伤害他人。
• He Never Dealt with His Insecurity
• 他从未处理自己的不安全感
Bishop contrasted Judas with the Apostle John.
主教将犹大与使徒约翰作对比。
John consistently described himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved."
约翰不断称自己为“耶稣所爱的门徒”。
This was not because Jesus loved John more than others, but because John was secure in God's love.
这不是因为耶稣特别偏爱约翰，而是因为约翰在神的爱中有安全感。
Judas, however, seemed driven by insecurity, constantly seeking significance, recognition, and validation.
然而犹大却被不安全感驱动，不断寻求价值、认可与肯定。
The Bishop encouraged us to continually remind ourselves:
主教鼓励我们不断提醒自己：
"I am a child of God."
“我是神的儿女。”
Our security must be rooted in God's love rather than human approval.
我们的安全感必须建立在神的爱中，而不是人的认可。
• He Remained Undisciplined
• 他缺乏自律
Bishop shared the famous "Marshmallow Experiment" as an illustration of self-control and delayed gratification.
主教分享了著名的“棉花糖实验”作为自制与延迟满足的例子。
He reminded us that spiritual growth requires discipline and the ability to say "no" to ourselves.
他提醒我们，属灵成长需要纪律，以及对自己说“不”的能力。
Transformation requires patience, obedience, and self-control.
改变需要耐心、顺服与自制。
• He Had Wrong Ideas About God
• 他对神有错误的观念
Although Judas lived closely with Jesus, he continued hiding sin in his heart.
虽然犹大与耶稣亲近，但他仍在心中隐藏罪。
Bishop highlighted that wrong ideas about God always lead to wrong living.
主教指出，对神错误的认识总会导致错误的生活方式。
He referred to an account from John Bevere's book, The Bait of Satan, where a convicted evangelist confessed:
他引用约翰·贝弗尔《撒但的诱饵》中的一则见证，一位悔改的传道人承认：
"I never stopped loving Jesus, but I stopped fearing God."
“我从未停止爱耶稣，但我停止了敬畏神。”
The Bishop reminded us that loving God without revering His holiness can lead to spiritual compromise.
主教提醒我们，爱神却不敬畏祂的圣洁，会导致属灵的妥协。
What we believe about God shapes how we live.
我们对神的认识决定我们的生活方式。
3. Jesus' Love Remained Unchanged
3. 耶稣的爱从未改变
One of the most powerful truths Bishop shared was that Jesus never stopped loving Judas.
主教分享的一个最有力的真理是：耶稣从未停止爱犹大。
Even in the final hours before His betrayal:
甚至在被出卖前的最后时刻：
• Jesus washed Judas' feet.
• 耶稣为犹大洗脚。
• Jesus warned Judas.
• 耶稣警告犹大。
• Jesus offered him the dipped bread, a sign of friendship and grace.
• 耶稣递给他蘸过的饼，作为友谊与恩典的记号。
• Jesus gave him opportunities to repent.
• 耶稣给他悔改的机会。
At every stage, Jesus extended mercy.
在每一个阶段，耶稣都施下怜悯。
Bishop emphasized that the tragedy of Judas was not merely that he sinned.
主教强调，犹大的悲剧不只是他犯罪。
The greater tragedy was that he continually resisted God's grace.
更大的悲剧是他不断拒绝神的恩典。
Jesus' love remained unchanged, but Judas refused to receive that love.
耶稣的爱从未改变，但犹大拒绝接受这份爱。
A Final Word
最后的话
Bishop reminded us that God's grace continues to reach out to us today.
主教提醒我们，神的恩典今天仍然不断向我们伸出。
Like Judas, we may struggle with impatience, insecurity, emotional wounds, lack of discipline, or wrong ideas about God.
像犹大一样，我们也可能面对不耐心、不安全感、情绪伤痛、缺乏自律或对神的错误观念。
Yet Jesus continues to pursue us with His unchanging love.
然而耶稣仍以祂不变的爱不断追寻我们。
The question is not whether God's grace is available.
问题不是神的恩典是否存在。
The question is whether we will receive it.
问题是我们是否愿意接受。
Jesus' love remains unchanged.
耶稣的爱始终不变。
May we surrender every area of our lives to Him, allow His grace to transform us, and choose to walk in His light rather than into darkness.
愿我们将生命每个领域交托给祂，让祂的恩典改变我们，并选择行在光中而不是黑暗里。
Conclusion
结论
Bishop reminded us that Judas' story is both a warning and an invitation.
主教提醒我们，犹大的故事既是警戒，也是邀请。
It warns us that spiritual proximity does not guarantee spiritual transformation.
它警告我们，属灵的接近并不保证生命的改变。
At the same time, it invites us to embrace the grace that Jesus continually extends to us.
与此同时，它也邀请我们接受耶稣不断赐下的恩典。
May we not resist His grace as Judas did, but instead respond with humble surrender, allowing Christ to transform us day by day for His glory.
愿我们不要像犹大一样抗拒祂的恩典，而是以谦卑降服回应，让基督天天改变我们，为祂的荣耀而活。
Reflection and Discussion Questions
反思与讨论问题及参考答案
1. In what areas of your life have you been trying to make God fit your expectations instead of surrendering to His will?
在你生命的哪些方面，你试图让上帝符合你的期望，而不是顺服祂的旨意？
Reflection
反思
Many of us desire God to answer our prayers according to our own timetable.
我们常常希望上帝按照我们的时间表回应祷告。
We may expect immediate healing, quick solutions, career success, financial provision, or restoration of relationships.
我们可能期待立刻得到医治、迅速解决问题、事业成功、经济供应或关系修复。
Like Judas, we can become frustrated when God does not act according to our expectations.
像犹大一样，当上帝没有按照我们的期待行事时，我们可能会感到失望和沮丧。
True surrender means trusting that God's plans are higher and better than our own.
真正的顺服意味着相信上帝的计划比我们的计划更高、更美好。
Suggested Answer
参考答案
I often want God to answer my prayers quickly and solve problems immediately.
我常常希望上帝迅速回应我的祷告并立刻解决问题。
Sometimes I become impatient when things do not happen according to my plans.
有时候，当事情没有按照我的计划进行时，我会变得不耐烦。
This sermon reminds me to trust God's timing and surrender my expectations to Him.
这篇信息提醒我要信靠上帝的时间，并将自己的期望交托给祂。
I want to follow God's will rather than asking God to follow mine.
我愿意遵行上帝的旨意，而不是要求上帝遵从我的意思。
2. Which of the areas highlighted in Judas' life (emotions, insecurity, discipline, or wrong ideas about God) do you need to bring before the Lord?
在犹大的生命中所提到的领域（情绪、不安全感、纪律或对上帝错误的观念）中，你最需要带到主面前的是哪一方面？
Reflection
反思
Spiritual growth requires honesty before God.
属灵成长需要我们在上帝面前诚实。
We need to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal areas that hinder our transformation.
我们需要让圣灵光照那些拦阻我们成长的领域。
Unresolved emotions, insecurity, lack of discipline, or distorted views of God can keep us spiritually stuck.
未处理的情绪、不安全感、缺乏纪律或对上帝扭曲的认识，都会使我们停滞不前。
Suggested Answer
参考答案
I need to bring my insecurities before the Lord.
我需要把自己的不安全感带到主面前。
Sometimes I seek approval from people instead of finding my identity in Christ.
有时候，我寻求人们的认可，而不是在基督里找到自己的身份。
This sermon reminds me that I am a child of God and that His love is enough for me.
这篇信息提醒我，我是上帝的儿女，祂的爱对我来说已经足够。
I want to become secure in God's love rather than depending on human validation.
我愿意在上帝的爱中建立安全感，而不是依赖人的肯定。
3. How can you grow in trusting God's timing when answers seem delayed?
当答案似乎迟迟未到时，你如何学习信靠上帝的时间？
Reflection
反思
Waiting is often one of the most difficult parts of the Christian journey.
等候往往是基督徒生命中最困难的功课之一。
God's timing is rarely our timing.
上帝的时间往往不是我们的时间。
However, Scripture repeatedly teaches that God is faithful and works all things for good according to His purposes.
然而，圣经不断教导我们，上帝是信实的，并且按照祂的旨意使万事互相效力。
Suggested Answer
参考答案
I can grow in trusting God's timing by spending more time in prayer and reading Scripture.
我可以通过更多祷告和阅读圣经来学习信靠上帝的时间。
I need to remember that God's delays are not God's denials.
我需要记得：“上帝的延迟并不等于上帝的拒绝。”
Looking back at God's faithfulness in the past helps me trust Him for the future.
回顾上帝过去的信实，也能帮助我信靠祂未来的带领。
I choose to wait patiently and believe that God's timing is always perfect.
我选择耐心等候，并相信上帝的时间永远是最完美的。
4. What does Jesus' unchanging love mean to you personally today?
耶稣不改变的爱今天对你个人意味着什么？
Reflection
反思
One of the most powerful truths from this sermon is that Jesus never stopped loving Judas.
这篇信息中最震撼人心的真理之一，就是耶稣从未停止爱犹大。
Even when Judas was moving toward betrayal, Jesus continued extending grace and mercy.
即使犹大一步步走向背叛，耶稣仍不断向他施予恩典和怜悯。
This reveals the depth and faithfulness of Christ's love.
这显明了基督之爱的深度与信实。
Suggested Answer
参考答案
Jesus' unchanging love gives me hope and assurance.
耶稣不改变的爱带给我盼望和确据。
Even when I fail, make mistakes, or struggle spiritually, Jesus continues to love me.
即使我失败、犯错或属灵软弱，耶稣仍然爱我。
His love calls me back whenever I wander away from Him.
每当我偏离祂时，祂的爱都会呼唤我回转。
Knowing that His love never changes gives me confidence to continue walking with Him.
知道祂的爱永不改变，使我有信心继续跟随祂。
Personal Response
个人回应
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your unchanging love.
主耶稣，感谢祢那永不改变的爱。
Forgive me for the times when I have been impatient, insecure, undisciplined, or unwilling to trust You fully.
求祢赦免我那些不耐烦、不安全、缺乏纪律以及不愿完全信靠祢的时候。
Help me to surrender every area of my life to You.
帮助我将生命中的每一个领域都交托给祢。
Teach me to trust Your timing, depend on Your grace, and walk in Your light.
教导我信靠祢的时间，倚靠祢的恩典，并行走在祢的光中。
May I never resist Your love as Judas did, but continually receive Your grace and be transformed into the likeness of Christ.
愿我不像犹大那样抗拒祢的爱，而是不断领受祢的恩典，被改变得越来越像基督。
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Opening Prayer (开会祷告)
"Heavenly Father, Almighty God, we thank You for gathering us together today as a discipleship group. As we prepare to dive into Your word in Isaiah 36–40, we ask that You open our hearts and minds. Lord, just as King Hezekiah faced overwhelming trials and chose to lay his fears before You, help us to trust in Your sovereignty when we face our own challenges. Forgive us for the times we grow impatient or try to handle things in our own strength. Remind us today that You are the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, who does not grow tired or weary. May Your Holy Spirit transform us during this study, so that we do not just stay close to You in body, but are truly surrendered to You in spirit. We commit this meeting into Your hands. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen."
“天父，全能的神，我们感谢祢今天召集我们在一起，开始我们的门徒小组聚会。当我们准备深入研读以赛亚书 36–40 章时，求祢开我们的心眼与心窍。主啊，正如希西家王面对极大的考验，选择将他的恐惧带到祢面前一样，求祢帮助我们在面对自己的挑战时，也能信靠祢的主权。原谅我们有时失去耐心，或试图靠自己的力量去处理事情。求祢今天再次提醒我们，祢是永在的神，是创造地极的主，祢并不疲乏，也不困倦。愿祢的圣灵在这次研读中改变我们，使我们不仅在肉体上亲近祢，更在心灵上真正顺服祢。我们将接下来的聚会交托在祢手中。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。”
Closing Prayer (闭会与庆生祷告)
"Lord God, thank You for the powerful reminders from Your word today. Thank You for Isaiah 40, reminding us that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. As we conclude our study and prepare to celebrate Loh Seng’s birthday, we thank You deeply for his life and the blessing he is to this group. We pray for Your continuous grace, strength, and joy to overflow in Loh Seng's life in this coming year.
We also lift up the nursing care staff who look after him. Bless them abundantly for their hands of service, patience, and dedication. May our celebration today be a testimony of Your love, light, and warmth to everyone in that care center. Keep us faithful, keep us humble, and help us to walk closely with You, always responding to Your unchanged love. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen."
“主神，感谢祢今天透过祢的话语带给我们的有力提醒。感谢祢在以赛亚书 40 章中应许我们，那等候耶和华的必从新得力，如鹰展翅上腾。当我们结束学习并准备为 Loh Seng 庆祝生日时，我们为他的生命以及他给这个小组带来的祝福献上深深的感谢。求祢在未来的这一年里，让祢的恩典、力量与喜乐加倍地充满 Loh Seng 的生命。
我们也将照顾他的疗养院员工交托在祢手中。求祢大大赐福他们，因着他们的服事、耐心与奉献赏赐他们。愿我们今天的庆祝活动能成为祢爱、光明与温暖的见证，感动疗养院里的每一个人。保守我们常存信心与谦卑，帮助我们与祢紧紧同行，时刻回应祢那永不改变的爱。奉耶稣宝贵圣名祷告，阿们。”
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