十月十二日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/10/1012.mp3″]
经文: 保惠师,就是……圣灵。(约翰福音十四:26)
我们活在能经历圣灵浇灌的世代。虽然在那荣耀的日子祂将显现;但耶稣没有以祂的肉身显现来安慰我们,祂以教会的保惠师,圣灵的内住和不断的同在来安慰我。安慰上帝百姓的心是圣灵的工作。祂使人知罪,照亮人心并指示人当行的。祂主要的工作还包括使更新的心喜乐、教软弱的获力、高举所有谦卑的。祂的方法是向他们启示耶稣。圣灵作安慰人的工作,但基督才是那安慰。可以这样解释,圣灵是医生,而耶稣是良药。祂藉着基督之名并用恩典的圣膏来治愈创伤。如果我们称圣灵为保惠师或中保,那么我们会从心中将赐福的主耶稣冠以安慰和劝导者的头衔。基督徒既有如此丰富的供应,为何还要忧伤胆怯呢?圣灵已经恩降作你的安慰者。软弱颤惊的信徒啊,你以为祂会忽略祂的神圣使命吗?祂所担负的是祂不能或不愿作的吗?倘若祂的工作是为了坚固你、安慰你,你以为祂会忘记祂的工作,或认为祂无法完成这爱的使命吗?不要小看赐福的圣灵和祂的温柔,祂名为保惠师!祂乐意将喜乐之油给忧伤者,将赞美之外袍给心灵沉重的人。信靠祂,祂必会安慰你,直至悲哀之门永远关闭,婚宴开始的时候。
Evening, October 12
Scripture: “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost.”(John 14:26)
This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus cheers us, not by his personal presence, as he shall do by-and-by, but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Ghost, who is evermore the Comforter of the church. It is his office to console the hearts of God’s people. He convinces of sin; he illuminates and instructs; but still the main part of his work lies in making glad the hearts of the renewed, in confirming the weak, and lifting up all those that be bowed down. He does this by revealing Jesus to them. The Holy Spirit consoles, but Christ is the consolation. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ’s name and grace. He takes not of his own things, but of the things of Christ. So if we give to the Holy Spirit the Greek name of Paraclete, as we sometimes do, then our heart confers on our blessed Lord Jesus the title of Paraclesis. If the one be the Comforter, the other is the Comfort. Now, with such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad and desponding? The Holy Spirit has graciously engaged to be thy Comforter: dost thou imagine, O thou weak and trembling believer, that he will be negligent of his sacred trust? Canst thou suppose that he has undertaken what he cannot or will not perform? If it be his especial work to strengthen thee, and to comfort thee, dost thou suppose he has forgotten his business, or that he will fail in the loving office which he sustains towards thee? Nay, think not so hardly of the tender and blessed Spirit whose name is “the Comforter.” He delights to give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Trust thou in him, and he will surely comfort thee till the house of mourning is closed for ever, and the marriage feast has begun.