二月十九日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/02/0219.mp3″]
经文: 他先找着自己的哥哥西门。(约翰福音一:41)
一旦人找到了基督,就会开始去寻找别人。尝到福音甘甜的人不会独自享受。直正的恩典不会成为属灵的独霸。安得烈首先找到了自己的哥哥西门,然后再去找别人。安得烈以找西门为开始是作对了。许多基督徒为别人的家庭开路,却不知应当也为自己的家人开路。有人投身于海外有益的工作,却忽略了自己的家园。你可能蒙召在某一特定地域向该地居民传福音,也可能没有特别的呼召。但是可以肯定的,你被召要关心看顾你自己的亲人和朋友。让你的信仰从自己的家开始吧。许多商人将最好的商品外销,但基督徒不当如此。他应当在任何地方都是勇士、见证人。但是他必定要把属灵生命中最美好的果子和见证呈给自己的家庭。当安得烈去找西门的时候,他不可能已经想到他的兄弟以后会成为重要的人物。从圣经的历史和收集到的资料中,我们发现西门复得的价值可能十倍于安得烈。然而,安得烈是带领他认识耶稣的器皿。你自己本身可能并非才华满溢,但是你可以成为将人吸引归向基督的导管,而使他们在恩典中茁庄,有能力事奉。你不一定能了解你所作之事的潜在力。你可能仅仅向一孩童讲一些简单的话,然而若他有一颗高贵的心,在以后的岁月中,他可能大大激励教会。安慰烈的才能是有限的,但是他找到了彼得。你也可效法他。
Evening, February 19
Scripture: “He first findeth his own brother Simon.”(John 1:41)
This case is an excellent pattern of all cases where spiritual life is vigorous. As soon as a man has found Christ, he begins to find others. I will not believe that thou hast tasted of the honey of the gospel if thou canst eat it all thyself. True grace puts an end to all spiritual monopoly. Andrew first found his own brother Simon, and then others. Relationship has a very strong demand upon our first individual efforts. Andrew, thou didst well to begin with Simon. I doubt whether there are not some Christians giving away tracts at other people’s houses who would do well to give away a tract at their own-whether there are not some engaged in works of usefulness abroad who are neglecting their special sphere of usefulness at home. Thou mayst or thou mayst not be called to evangelize the people in any particular locality, but certainly thou art called to see after thine own servants, thine own kinsfolk and acquaintance. Let thy religion begin at home. Many tradesmen export their best commodities-the Christian should not. He should have all his conversation everywhere of the best savour; but let him have a care to put forth the sweetest fruit of spiritual life and testimony in his own family. When Andrew went to find his brother, he little imagined how eminent Simon would become. Simon Peter was worth ten Andrews so far as we can gather from sacred history, and yet Andrew was instrumental in bringing him to Jesus. You may be very deficient in talent yourself, and yet you may be the means of drawing to Christ one who shall become eminent in grace and service. Ah! dear friend, you little know the possibilities which are in you. You may but speak a word to a child, and in that child there may be slumbering a noble heart which shall stir the Christian church in years to come. Andrew has only two talents, but he finds Peter. Go thou and do likewise.