I think everyone in Taiwan has prayed for some protection. Whether it’s protecting health, protecting safety on the road, or protecting against ghosts, I think that must be a common Taiwanese prayer. This is “The Gospel to the Taiwanese”

我想在台灣，每個人大概都 曾經 向神明 求過 保佑。不管是求身體健康、出入平安，還是求神明 保護自己不受鬼怪或邪靈的侵擾，我想這樣的祈求在台灣很普遍。今天我想跟大家分享：「福音對台灣人來說到底是什麼？」

V12 “Giving thanks unto the Father”
又感謝父

There is one God, not many gods. The true God does share his throne with spirits. All spirits are subject to His. 

只有一位真神，不是有很多神。真神不會跟 任何靈共享 祂的寶座和權柄。一切的靈都服在祂的權柄之下。

Christians are a people who have somehow begun a child-parent relationship with this God. The relationship isn’t abstract. It is not unlike the parent-child relationships we see every day, except with one major difference. Our Earthly fathers are not perfect. But God as your Father is perfect in every way. 

基督徒就是那些與神 建立了 父子（或父女）的關係。這種關係不是抽象的，它就像我們每天看到的父子關係一樣。不過，兩者之間還是有一個很大的不同。我們地上的父親 都不完美，但是我們的天父 在各方面都是完全的。

God is the Father of his children, whom He loves perfectly. The Father nurtures, teaches, and admonishes his children perfectly. The Gospel to Taiwanese, at its conclusion, will invite you to become a child of God. 

神是祂兒女的父，祂也完全地愛他們。天父完全地養育、教導、管教祂的兒女。今天福音也要邀請每一位台灣人，成為神的兒女。

Just as the Taiwanese know how to honor their parents, so Taiwanese Christians have a Heavenly Father to honor with their lives.

 就像台灣人都知道要孝敬父母一樣，台灣的基督徒也應當用自己的生活來榮耀天父。

13 “which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” 

使你們配與眾聖徒在光明中分享  基業。

If you are already a believer, God has already given you your inheritance. The Gospel to the Taiwanese is good news because God, who is not your Father, wants to be your Father and give you his family’s inheritance. 

如果你已經信主了，神已經把祂的產業（或：基業）賜給你了。福音對台灣人來說是個好消息，因為那位原本不是你天父的神，願意成為你的天父，並且把祂家中的基業賜給你。

The good news for believers today is that you have access to this inheritance every day of your life. The inheritance isn’t realized after you’ve died and gone to heaven, but it is active for you now. You may enjoy this inheritance every day. 

對已經信主的人來說，好消息是我們天天都可以享用這份 產業。這份產業不是等我們將來離世、進天國以後才得到的，今天我們就已經擁有了。我們每天都可以享受這份產業。

Verse 13 begins right away with something believers can enjoy every day:

第十三節馬上就告訴我們一件信主的人每天都可以享受的 福分。

13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness”

“他救了我們脫離黑暗的權勢”

The first blessing of our inheritance is that Christians have been delivered from demonic power. 

首先，我們所得著的產業，其中一個福分就是我們基督徒都已經蒙拯救 脫離 黑暗 權勢。

Taiwan spends much of its effort in warding off evil spirits.

台灣人花了很多心思在避邪這件事上。

As I said in the introduction, I think everyone in Taiwan has prayed for protection.

就像我一開始所說的，我想每個台灣人 大概都 曾經求過保佑。

The good news to the Taiwanese is that Christ has already defeated these beings, and God’s children may walk freely from their influence.

對台灣人來說，好消息是基督已經勝過了這些邪靈，神的兒女不再受牠們的影響可以自由地生活。

Like many Taiwanese today, many American Indians also lived with a deep awareness of the spirit world. They worried about which spirit they faced, which charm they needed, which ceremony should be performed, and which words had power.

就像今天許多台灣人一樣，過去美洲的印第安人也同樣對 靈界 有很深的 認識。他們也常常擔心會遇到什麼樣的邪靈啊，要用哪一種護符啊，要舉行什麼樣的儀式呢，要念什麼咒語才有效啊。

But the gospel to the American Indians is the same as the gospel to the Taiwanese: Jesus has defeated the dominion of darkness.

但是，傳給美洲印第安人的福音和傳給台灣人的福音是一樣的：耶穌已經勝過了黑暗的權勢。

I do not trouble myself with the knowledge of demons, nor do I concern myself with what they might be doing to my family or me.

對我來說，我不會花心思去研究邪靈，我也不會擔心牠們會對我和我的家人做什麼。

I know that I belong to Christ, and as a son of light, I do not fear the powers of darkness. They are defeated foes. I rest safely at night knowing Christ, who loves me, has all authority over these demonic beings. They cannot do anything without His permission.

我知道我是屬基督的，我是光明之子，我不懼怕黑暗的權勢。牠們是已經被打敗的敵人。我每天晚上都能安然入睡，因為我知道 基督 就是那位愛我的主，祂掌管一切，也勝過所有邪靈。沒有祂的允許，牠們什麼都不能做。

As a father, I bring my family under Christ’s protection as well. I pray for my kids every day until they can understand and believe in Christ; they live in my home where Christ is present. 

身為一個基督徒父親，我也把我的家庭 交託 在基督的保守之下。我每天都為我的孩子禱告 直到他們能明白福音、相信基督。他們住在一個有主同在的家裡。

When you come into my home, you will not find charms hanging on the walls, spirit money, or objects meant to keep evil away.

當你走進我家的時候，你不會看到牆上掛著任何護符、金紙，或任何 用來 避邪的東西。

Our home is well protected. Our confidence is not in charms but in Christ, who has already conquered Satan and every power of darkness.

我們的家有神的 保守。我們的信心不是建立在護符上，而是建立在那位已經勝過 撒但和一切 黑暗權勢的 基督身上。

13…“and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”

遷移到他愛子的國度裏

The Gospel “translates” foreigners to be citizens of God’s kingdom, where Jesus rules as King. 

福音 使 原本是外人的人，成為神國的子民. 在那裡，耶穌是王。

When we first came to Taiwan, we had to learn very quickly. Language was different, food was different, rules were different, customs were different. But once we learned the language and the ways, we could enjoy living in Taiwan and appreciate the culture. 

我們剛來台灣的時候，我們很多事情都要很快學會。語言不一樣、食物不一樣、規矩不一樣，風俗也不一樣。但是，等我們慢慢學會了中文，也慢慢了解台灣人的 生活方式，我們就開始享受在台灣的生活，也越來越 欣賞 台灣的文化。

So it is when God saves a sinner. The sinner was once a foreigner to this kingdom, but the Gospel enables foreigners to become citizens, with a new King, a new way of life. They are already citizens, and they will learn more as they live in the Kingdom of God. 

神拯救罪人的時候也是一樣。那個罪人原本是神國的外人，但是福音使外人成為神國的子民，他們有了一位新的君王，也有了新的生活方式。他們已經是神國的子民了，並且在神的國裡慢慢學習如何生活。

We can quickly explain what this sentence means, but behind it is a lifetime of living day to day with Jesus as the focus of this new life. 

我們可以很快地解釋這一句話的意思，但真正活出這句話，卻是一輩子的事。一天一天地 以耶穌為這新生命 的中心。

People are used to religions helping them with tasks. A small help here and a small blessing here. Jesus does not merely help you ward away a demon, or help you with family trouble. 

人們已經習慣了宗教幫他們 解決生活 中的 各種問題。這裡求一點幫助，那裡求一點福氣。但是耶穌不只是幫你趕鬼，也不只是幫你解決一次家庭的困難。

Jesus transfers you into His kingdom, where your allegiance and citizenship are forever changed. That level of commitment is a massive difference. ‘

耶穌把你遷到祂的國裡，在那裡，你的身分 和忠心都完全改變了。這跟一般的宗教有很大的不同。

Just as it is a massive difference to live in another country with a different life, so it is when one belongs to Jesus.

這種改變，就像搬到 另一個國家生活一樣大。同樣地，一個人屬於耶穌以後，也是如此。

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins

藉著他的愛子，我們得蒙救贖，罪得赦免。

I think many Taiwanese with traditional backgrounds might struggle with understanding the cross. 

我想很多有傳統信仰背景的台灣人，不太容易理解 十字架的 意義。

Jesus died for my sin; how does that help me?

耶穌 為我的罪 而死，這跟我有什麼關係呢？

That was the question of my friend, the noodle boss. 

這就是我的 麵店老闆朋友 曾經問我的問題。

How does Jesus help me sell noodles? 

他問我說：耶穌到底怎麼幫我賣麵？

I noticed my friend has an Earth god in his shop, 土地公 for protection.  The Gospel to the Taiwanese is not to offer Jesus as a substitute for the Earth god. But Jesus defeats the kingdom of darkness by making their weapons useless by the cross. 

我注意到他的店裡 供奉著 土地公。對台灣人來說，福音不是要用耶穌 來取代土地公。福音乃是藉著十字架勝過黑暗的權勢，使黑暗權勢的武器 完全失去作用。

It would take another sermon to discuss what evil power can do to individuals, families, homes, and businesses. 

要解釋黑暗權勢對個人、家庭和 事業能造成哪些影響，恐怕需要另外一篇 講道才能 講完。

But to simply say it, Satan’s weapons are to entrap people into sin, for which they will be forever condemned and cursed. 

簡單來說，撒但的詭計，就是引誘人 犯罪 得罪神，使人因此 被定罪，落在神的咒詛之下。

Satan knows God’s laws better than anyone, and exploits situations in your life that would lead you further into condemnation. 

撒但比任何人都 更了解 神的律法，他會利用你生活中的各種事情，使你陷入更深的 定罪之中。

Sin is when we partake in actions that condemn us before God and thereby invite God’s curse upon ourselves. 

罪，就是人所犯的一切得罪神的事。使我們在神面前被定罪，也使我們落在神的咒詛之下。

This gives Satan and the powers of darkness to accuse you before God.  Like a prosecuting attorney in the courtroom, Satan accuses you before the heavenly court.  

這就給了 撒但和黑暗權勢一個機會，在神面前控告你。就像法庭上的檢察官一樣，撒但在天上的法庭 控告罪人。

Satan knows the outcome of sin is death, and therefore all sinners belong to the kingdom of darkness.

撒但知道罪的結局就是死亡，因此，所有的罪人都屬於黑暗的國度。

The eventual outcome of being under the curse of sin is death and eternal torment in hell. 

對活在罪的咒詛之下的人來說， 最終的結局就是死亡和地獄裡永遠的 刑罰。

But what if the curse could be removed? Who can remove it?

不過，如果這個咒詛可以被除去呢？誰能除去這個咒詛呢？

The world and its religions have tried.  They worship many kinds of spirits, trying to lift the burden of sin’s curse in all matters of life. 

世上的宗教一直都在嘗試 這樣做。他們敬拜各種不同的靈，想要除去人生 各方面 因罪所帶來的咒詛和重擔。

But no lord, or king, or charm can break sin’s curse. The Gospel to the Taiwanese is that Jesus broke the curse of sin through the shedding of his blood. 

但是，沒有任何的主、君王，或護符 能除去 罪的咒詛。對台灣人來說，福音就是耶穌 已經 藉著 祂所流的寶血，除去了罪的咒詛。

The power in His blood overcame sin’s power to condemn a person before God. So when a person belongs to Jesus, they are forgiven by His blood.

耶穌寶血的大能 已經勝過罪在人在神面前定罪的權勢。所以，當一個人屬於耶穌的時候，因著祂的寶血得蒙赦免。

They are no longer guilty of the many sins they’ve committed. And since they are no longer guilty of sin, Satan loses all of his accusing power over the individual. 

他們不再被定罪。而且，因為他們已經不再被定罪，撒但就失去了 控告這個人的 權勢。

Therefore, a Jesus figurine cannot simply replace an Earth god figurine. That person must present themselves to Christ and give themselves to Him fully with one’s heart. 

因此，人不能只是把耶穌的像 拿來取代土地公。一個人 必須來到基督面前，全心把自己交給祂。

Jesus gave Himself fully to redeem you. His wounds and shed blood is proof of a loving act to save you from the curse of sin. 

耶穌也全然把自己獻上，為要救贖你。祂的傷口和所流的寶血正是祂愛你的證據， 為了救你脫離罪的咒詛。

You may be indifferent to sin. You may sin and not feel anything. But remember next time you sin that Jesus gave his body because of your sin. 

你可能對罪 已經麻木了。你可能犯罪也沒有什麼感覺。但是，下次你 犯罪的時候，要記得耶穌正是因為你的罪，才獻上自己的身體。

His love was not just words, but He proved it by His suffering.  It is astonishing knowing that He is heaven’s royalty that He would care enough for you to suffer that way. 

祂的愛不只是說說而已，而是藉著自己的受苦，證明了祂對你的愛。想想看，祂雖然是天上的君王，卻仍然這樣愛你、顧念你，甚至願意 為你受這樣的苦，這真是令人驚嘆。

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 

愛子是那看不見的上帝之像，是首生的，在一切被造的以先

Jesus is God in human flesh. Humans can’t see spirits. But we can see Jesus, and when we do we see who God is and how God loves people. 

耶穌是神成了肉身。人看不見靈。但是，當我們看見耶穌的時候，我們就看見神是怎樣的一位神，也看見祂如何愛人。

When Jesus suffered for your sin willingly, he was showing us the heart of God for you at the same time. 

當耶穌甘心為你的罪 受苦的時候，祂同時也向我們顯明了神愛我們的心。

Though God is bound to punish sin, God wants to save us from sin’s curse, and it had to be done through His own suffering for our sin. 

雖然神必須 審判罪，神卻更願意拯救罪人脫離罪的咒詛，而這一切，必須藉著祂親自受苦才能成就。

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 

因為萬有都是在他裏面造的，無論是天上的、地上的，能看見的、不能看見的，或是有權位的、統治的，或是執政的、掌權的，一概都是藉著他為著他造的。 

In the hierarchy of the spirit world, Jesus is their creator. He is also our Redeemer with His own blood. 

在靈界的等級當中，耶穌是他們的創造主。祂也藉著自己的寶血，成了 我們的 救贖主。

My noodle boss friend finds help in Jesus, not by merely solving a single business problem, but by removing the curse of sin from his life. 

我的 麵店老闆朋友也能從耶穌得到幫助，不只是解決一次生意上的問題，而是除去他生命中 罪的咒詛。

Satan’s accusations lose all their legal weight. The Gospel to the Taiwanese is that when you belong to Christ, Satan has nothing to accuse you of and you are free to live in union with Christ. 

撒但的控告 就完全失去了法律上的 根據。對台灣人來說，福音就是：當你屬於基督的時候，撒但再也沒有任何理由控告你，你就可以自由地與基督同行。

You’re free to continue living in the light of truth with the rest of the saints. In the Light of Christ, there is no place for deception to work in the hearts and minds of Christians. 

你就可以自由地和眾聖徒一同活 在真理的光中。在基督的光中，欺騙在基督徒的心裡就沒有立足之地。

Today you’ve heard about two kingdoms. There is no third kingdom. Every one of us belongs either to the dominion of darkness or to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. My question is not whether you believe Jesus existed. My question is: To which kingdom do you belong?

今天你們聽見了兩個國度。除了這兩個國度以外，沒有第三個國度。我們不是屬於黑暗的國度，就是屬於神愛子的國度。我今天要問的，不是你相不相信耶穌曾經存在。我要問的是：你今天屬於哪一個國度？

If today you want to know how to become a Christian, when we finish in just a moment, please don’t leave. Come speak with me. I’ll stay here as long as necessary and open the Bible with you privately. 

如果你今天想知道怎麼成為基督徒，等一下聚會結束以後，請先不要離開。歡迎你來找我聊一聊。我會留在這裡，不管需要多久，打開聖經，和你一起看看神怎麼說。