A New Spirit, A New Heart 新灵肉心
Author: Rev Ng Eng Keng
Translate: Sis Charis Ong
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
The theme for our church this year is “A New Spirit, a New Heart”. I wrote in my first pastoral sharing this year, that we need to approach this theme with the innermost nature of our lives, otherwise, it would be a mere slogan!
Our “innermost nature” refers to the innate characteristics of an object or person. It is not visible to the eye, but apparent when expressed through external actions. When I say I am someone full of compassion, then I will definitely exhibit compassionate qualities in my daily interactions with others!
We may be full of Biblical knowledge; understand all theological teachings and be thoroughly familiar with the Jesus’ principles on dealing with people and matters. Yet, these wonderful teachings are but head knowledge unless applied to life!
“A New Spirit, a New Heart” emphasizes on a life that while being full of zest and energy, also possess the qualities of gentleness and willingness to be taught. Goodness flows from such lives and others see God’s love through them.
Year 2020 is a year fraught with challenges. The onslaught of the pandemic was felt all over the world, and most definitely within our church. Our modus operandi for missionary work, evangelism, worship and even pastoral care had to change in response to the pandemic situation!
Beloved brothers and sisters, let us stand firm upon our Rock of faith so that we may, in this unpredictable world, not be shaken but in turn, be of help to others!
文/黄永庆牧师
“我要把一颗心赐给他们，把新的灵放在他们里面；我要从他们肉体中除掉石心，赐给他们肉心。”
“新灵肉心”是教会今年的主题。我在第一个主日的牧者感言中说到，思想这个主题必须从“生命本质”的角度来切入。不然，那就只是一个口号而已！
所谓“本质”，乃是指某种事物存在，并得以与其他事物区分的内在根本属性。“本质”是隐藏的，它必须透过外在行为把它表彰出来。当我说自己是一个“好怜悯”的人，那在我与人的相处中，就必然有“怜悯”人的行为表现！
今天，我们可以懂得很多圣经知识；掌握所有神学课题；熟透所有耶稣教导有关处事待人的原则，但若我们没有将这许多美好的教导，实践在生活中，那也不过是知识罢了！
“新灵肉心”所强调的是一种活泼、充满能量，且是一种柔和、受教的生命。它是一种发自内心、自然流露的生命，也是一种让周边的人感受到神的爱的生命！
2020年可以说是充满挑战的一年。因为疫情的来袭，带给全世界前所未有的冲击，当然教会也不例外。教会几十年的宣教模式、布道策略、崇拜形式、甚至牧养的方法，都因此必须有所改变与调整！
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，让我们扎稳我们信心的脚步与信仰的根基，好让我们能够在这充满未知的世界里，因着有那稳固的“磐石”，以至于我们不但不会受到动摇，还能够成为别人的帮助！