王与造王者 King and Kingmaker

题目：王与造王者
日期 : 2022年12月18日
讲员：吕毓菁长老

4000 年前，以色列人大卫逐渐巩固势力，日后成为君王，统治自己的子民。登基之初，他向上帝祈求。大卫的祷告文是我们今早证道的经文。诗篇144
我们从 5 方面来反思称王之道。（一）称王必须备有那些资源？（二）对谁问责？（三）接受那些培训？（四）王的军师是谁？（五）为什么缘故战斗？

1. 王具备哪些资源？
你我拥有什么资源？我们的影响力来自那方面？
当今世上最富有的人Elon Musk 10 月份以 440 亿元的价格收购媒体平台Twitter。他说要把言论自由还给人们。或许，他更真实的动机是透过大众媒体，掌控言论信息，塑造他人观点，最终影响人们的思想和行为。
有的人因为财富而获得权势。有的人透过被赋的地位，获得权力执行任务。比如，公司的总裁。比如，朝鲜的金正恩：透过家族继承权力，成为自己国家的最高领导人。
大卫呢？大卫有什么资源？凭什么统治子民 ？
古时代的君王，权力来自军事和土地。有了军队、肥沃土地、子民，就能多方生产，自供自养之外，倍增资源。
大卫一生得人心，有忠诚战士跟随他。但他知道自己并不是靠自身才德才干获得能力。他深知所拥有的都来自神。神是他资源的源头，丰富供应他一切，让他成为君王。神对他的忠爱和恩惠令他惊讶、无法测度。
3神使我的百姓服在我以下。4耶和华啊，我算什么，你竟认识我！世人算什么，你竟顾念他！10你是那拯救君王的；你是那救仆人大卫脱离害命之刀的主！
一个认识和敬畏神的领导人，有自省：清楚知晓自己地位。他不自夸，不胆怯。他深信神会供应和资助他，让他完成使命。
你在执行任务时缺了什么吗？来求告大能的神！他比你更知道你真正需要的什么。他为你提供的，必超乎你所想所求的。

2. 王对谁问责？
有资源就有问责。有权力就有责任。
前英女王伊丽莎白二世 25 岁登基，成为英国联邦君主。她是基督徒。 在1953 年的加冕典礼上向子民情愿和祈祷：
“我请求众人，无论宗教信仰，在我加冕之际为我祈祷：祈求神赐予我智慧和力量，履行我应许承担的。我真诚承诺服事你们，就如你们承诺效忠我。我在一生中，必全心全意努力，不辜负你们的委托和信任。“
伊丽莎白被赋予地位和影响力。她没有把特权视为理所当然。她清楚自己的角色是敬畏神，服事子民，不是统治压迫他人。 女王在位 70 年，兑现了她余生的承诺。
大卫呢？他怎样祷告？大卫祈求在他的管治下，子民和后代都以神为首、尊主为大。因为凡侍奉耶和华的，都蒙恩惠、享福乐。15有耶和华为他们的神，这百姓便为有福！
大卫清楚自导自己由始至终向神负责。他在诗篇51：4如此祷告：神啊！我得罪了你，唯独得罪你！
大卫犯错谋杀他人之后，求神按公义审判他，求神怜悯赦免他。

3. 王的军师是谁？
在你的生命中，谁对你的影响最深远？
当今有一种职业称为网络红人。 他们经营社交或影音网站，提升知名度，吸引大批粉丝。
当今的网红排名，你认识几个？他们透过自身魅力和平台，引导追随者改变生活方式和方向，音响力不容忽视。
当然，也有令人啼笑皆非的。今年6月，岛国网红Rachel Wong因诽谤案闹官司。法官对她的评语毫不留情：原告自称全职网红、演员、模特、主持人；拥有一个 Instagram 账户，自称有4万人追看。她因而自认有资格称为名人celebrity。
你呢？你认为必须拥有多少跟随着才算有影响力？谁是影响你生命的人呢？
大卫的军师是耶和华神。他如此描述这位生命导师。你想不想要这样的导师来带领你、塑造你？
1耶和华是我的磐石！他教导我的手争战，教导我的指头打仗。2他是我慈爱的主，我的山寨，我的高台，我的救主，我的盾牌，是我所投靠的。
你看到什么关键词和描述语吗？
首先, 重复出现我的。这揭示大卫与神之间的关系亲密。大卫很确信神真心关怀他。神一直与他同在。大卫的培训，不是远程授课，导师没有高高在上，抽离传授技能。不，对大卫而言，全能神就是他的个人教练，私人导师。
神是你的个人生命导师！有了这样的认知，你对生命有新的期望吗？
第二。大卫说他的军师强大有力。形容名词有：岩石、山寨、堡垒、高台、盾牌、避难所。综合起来，就是牢固的力量。神是我们的保护和保障。他总会把我们置于安全、稳妥、远詹性的位置。
当今世界的领导人，都想方设法巩固个人势力。马国选举，各党拉拢人马，甚至与昔日敌人联手，为要成为首领。习近平，近日连任第三期党主席和国家领袖，打破五年任期的规定。当权者往往安置拥护者在核心圈子，牢固自身的权力。人们往往或出于自身利益、或出于害怕，向势力而屈服。
第三，让人吃惊的是，大卫称呼他的军师为对我坚定不移的爱（2）。神是何等全能伟大，却从来没有忽视大卫，没把他视为渺小的棋子。相反的，神对大卫的爱戴与怜悯，何其细心温柔。他将大卫视为挚爱的朋友。因此，大卫描述神为坚定不移的爱hesed。是他的生命伙伴，无条件和无止境的大爱。大卫深深感动，不断赞美神！
第四，大卫引用视觉画面描述这位生命导师的大能。v 5-6：耶和华使天下垂，亲自降临！摸山，山就冒烟！耶和华发出闪电，使敌人四散！耶和华射出箭，使敌人扰乱！
大卫生动地将我们带回了西奈山脚下的情景。当时，众人强烈感受到神既贴近又威严恐怖的大能。在场的，既害怕又敬畏。他们不再犹豫，深信神有能力履行对他们的承诺，带领他们脱离黑暗，进入美好。顺服神的必蒙祝福，敌对神的将会彻底毁灭。
朋友，每当你面临考验而感到沮丧，不知所措，请记住神是你的军师、生命导师、策略者。他是慈爱与能力，与你同行，带领你度过一切。

4. 王承受怎么样的锻炼？
没有人天生就会领导他人。我们工作的公司和组织，都注重招募人才、培育领导接班人、为他们提供适当的培训。
看看大卫上了什么领袖课程。最初，他没有战斗经验。他是放羊的牧人，也是弹奏乐器的音乐人。他甚至不知道如何穿盔甲。第一件战斗武器是弹弓和一些石头。
但是神拣选了大卫。神不看外在明显的条件，却看人的内心和真实潜能。大卫的后代形容他为合神心意的人。（撒上 13:14；徒 13:22）神找寻和培育的领袖，是敬畏神的人。此人动机纯洁、正直、不为私利。一心执行神的旨意，不偏离走自己的路。
在我工作的组织，员工都有个人的发展计划蓝图IDP Individual Development Plan。公司投入培养人，期待促进组织的持续发展和成功。
在与神同行的成长中，你我的IDP发展计划蓝图会是怎样的？是否投入时间精力培养？
神如何建立大卫的生命？v7-8
在众多的日子，甚至到他晚年，大卫经常陷入危险和患难；遭遇追杀、逼害；敌人的圈套，亲友的背叛，甚至面临死亡。一波未平一波又起，时刻充满刺激的挑战、未知。大卫都亲身经历了神对他的拯救。神确实是信实、怜悯的，没有离弃大卫。这些经历的累积，都是大卫人生训练，使他成为更佳的领袖。
我们时常祈求：神啊，求赐我智慧！力量！神的答复可能超乎你想象的。神是最佳的培训导师，也是你个人的生命教练，他清楚知道你需要什么。无论你面对什么情况，都不要恐惧或失去盼望。
患难建立韧性，失败吸取教训，等待培养毅力。在神的恩典慈爱里，都成了锻炼的机会。神必让你成为更坚强、美好的人。

5. 抗战的理由和动机
人都为了什么而争战？
2月份，俄罗斯入侵乌克兰，战争导致数千人丧生，家庭分离。
金融业的加密货币cryptocurrency也明争暗斗。最近10月，年轻的加密货币总裁Sam Bankman Fried宣告公司收盘、破产。一周之内，从320亿的身价变为一无所有。
在伊朗，一个年仅22 岁的小妹子，因戴头巾的事丢了性命，引发另一类战斗。人民纷纷站出来，抗议浪潮席卷全国。各区域的女性，透过剪发、摘下头巾参与示威，为伊朗妇女寻求更公平的待遇和权利。
战争的代价是高昂的。危在旦夕的是人命。我们参与战斗之前，必须扪心自问，到底为什么缘故，值得吗？是什么价值意义？
大卫王一生争战，他的目标和动力是什么？大卫渴慕建立一个和谐美好的家园。身为君王，他为国家祈求繁荣昌盛、无战争、享和平；为子民祈求和睦共处、远离苦难。
这是大卫异象中的情景：（用新的中文翻译）
12 我们的儿子，就仿佛树苗迅速成长，我们的女儿有如雕花的柱子，成为宫殿的装饰。13我们的谷仓满溢，粮食样样不缺；我们的羊在户外增加千倍万倍。14 我们的牛都怀了胎，平安无事*，没有流产；我们的广场上没有人哀号。15 这样的人多么有福！
合神心意的领导人，为平安而奋斗。Shalom 不单是指和平、没有战争。 Shalom是修复一切成为完整wholeness ，最终带来医治、和谐、喜乐。这是神起初创造世界的美好旨意。合神心意的领导会不惜一切顺服神，迈向异象。

6. 国度、权柄、荣耀
神是大能战士，坚定不移的爱。是你我的生命教练，永远站在我们这一边，从未放弃为我们而战。
两千年前，圣诞日期间，至高之神，万军之王降生在世上。他出生和成长在卑微可怜的人群中。 他的名字叫耶稣，就是拯救者的意思。也称呼以马内利，神与我们同在。
耶稣大君王来到我们当中，只有一个目的：救赎失丧灵魂，叫人得生命（路19:10）
我们如大卫一样惊喜感叹v4：耶和华啊，人算什么，你竟认识他！世人算什么，你竟顾念他！你叫他比天使低微一点，赐他荣耀和尊贵作冠冕。你派他管理你亲手造的万物，使万物降服在他脚下（诗篇8：6-8）
这个君王，谦卑柔和，以牧羊人爱护羊群的心态，治理子民。
这是他的宣言和承诺：（结34：11-16）
看哪，我必亲自寻找我的羊，将他们寻见。羊在密云黑暗各处！我从那里救回他们。我从万国万民中领他们出来，在溪水边、草场上，牧养它们。领他们回归，在安稳之处歇息，在佳美之处丰盛。失丧的，我必寻找！被逐的，我必领回！受伤的，我必缠裹！有病的，我必医治！邪恶败坏，我必消灭，秉公义处理。
这个君王，没有强大军队和资源。他的是怜悯和宽恕。他的导弹包括坚守真理、以爱待人，背负苦难、承担不公。摆上自己生命，牺牲服事人。
这个军王，从死里复活，战胜罪恶死亡，如今活着在你我当中。他呼召我们成为天国子民，赐给我们新的丰盛生命，授权我们行公义、好怜悯。
降临节，让我们迎接所爱戴的大君王，耶稣基督。与他同心同行，完成救赎使命。
7. 继续奋斗
耶稣基督已经得胜。但一切战斗还未结束。在结束今早分享，我以使徒保罗的提醒来勉励众人（以弗所书 6:12-18）：
12因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。
10你们要靠着主，倚赖他的大能大力作刚强的人。 11要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。13所以，要拿起神所赐的全副军装。14所以要站稳了，用真理当作带子束腰，用公义当作护心镜遮胸，15又用平安的福音当作预备走路的鞋穿在脚上。16此外，又拿着信德当作?牌，可以灭尽那恶者一切的火箭；17并戴上救恩的头盔，拿着圣灵的宝剑，就是神的道；18靠着圣灵，随时多方祷告祈求；并要在此儆醒不倦，为众圣徒祈求。
让我们连于元首耶稣基督，一共为真理而战，为救赎灵魂而奋斗。 
诗篇144（大卫的诗。）
1耶和华─我的磐石是应当称颂的！他教导我的手争战，教导我的指头打仗。
2他是我慈爱的主，我的山寨，我的高台，我的救主，我的盾牌，是我所投靠的
3他使我的百姓服在我以下。
4耶和华啊，人算什么，你竟认识他！世人算什么，你竟顾念他！
5人好像一口气；他的年日如同影儿快快过去。
6耶和华啊，求你使天下垂，亲自降临，摸山，山就冒烟。
7求你发出闪电，使他们四散，射出你的箭，使他们扰乱。求你从上伸手救拔我，救我出离大水，救我脱离外邦人的手。
8他们的口说谎话；他们的右手起假誓。
9神啊，我要向你唱新歌，用十弦瑟向你歌颂。
10你是那拯救君王的；你是那救仆人大卫脱离害命之刀的。
11求你救拔我，救我脱离外邦人的手。他们的口说谎话；他们的右手起假誓。
12我们的儿子从幼年好像树栽子长大；我们的女儿如同殿角石，是按建宫的样式凿成。
13我们的仓盈满，能出各样的粮食；我们的羊在田间孳生千万。
14我们的牛驮著满驮，没有人闯进来抢夺，也没有人出去争战；我们的街市上也没有哭号的声音。
15遇见这光景的百姓便为有福！有耶和华为他们的神，这百姓便为有福！

诗篇8：4-6
4人算什么，你竟顾念他！世人算什么，你竟眷顾他！
5你叫他比天使低微一点，赐他荣耀和尊贵作冠冕。
6你派他管理你亲手造的万物，使万物降服在他脚下：

弗6：10-18
10你们要靠着主，倚赖他的大能大力作刚强的人。
11要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。
12因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。
13所以，要拿起神所赐的全副军装，好在磨难的日子抵挡仇敌，并且成就了一切，还能站立得住。
14所以要站稳了，用真理当作带子束腰，用公义当作护心镜遮胸，
15又用平安的福音当作预备走路的鞋穿在脚上。
16此外，又拿着信德当作?牌，可以灭尽那恶者一切的火箭；
17并戴上救恩的头盔，拿着圣灵的宝剑，就是神的道；
18靠着圣灵，随时多方祷告祈求；并要在此儆醒不倦，为众圣徒祈求。

以西结34：11-16
11看哪，我必亲自寻找我的羊，将他们寻见。
12牧人在羊群四散的日子怎样寻找他的羊，我必照样寻找我的羊。这些羊在密云黑暗的日子散到各处，我必从那里救回它们来。
13我必从万民中领出它们，从各国内聚集它们，引导它们归回故土，也必在列国之上，一切溪水旁边、境内一切可居之，牧养它们。
14我必在美好的草场牧养它们。它们的圈必在高处的山上，它们必在佳美之圈中躺卧，也在全地肥美的草场吃草。
15主耶和华说：我必亲自作我羊的牧人，使它们得以躺卧。
16失丧的，我必寻找；被逐的，我必领回；受伤的，我必缠裹；有病的，我必医治；只是肥的壮的，我必除灭，也要秉公牧养它们。

Title: The King and his King-Maker
Date: 08 January 2023
Preacher: Elder Lui Yook Cing

4000 years ago, David came into great power. He was soon to be king and rule over a nation of people. He prayed to his God and his prayer is our passage for this morning's sermon, Psalm 144.
In context of this morning’s readings regarding becoming a ruler with exceeding power, I’d like to draw our reflections on 5 aspects: What resources do you have? Who are you accountable to? What kind of training are you receiving? What kind of coach do you have? What cause are you fighting over?

1. What Resources do you possess?

What resources do you have to exert influence?
In Oct this year, the richest man on earth Elon Musk acquired Twitter at 44 billion. Someone who has control over mass media and information, has the upper hand to shape conversations and opinions, influence people's thoughts and behaviors.
Some people yield power through their wealth. Others exercise their authority through status accorded to them. Such as an organization’s CEO, political leaders. Kim Jong-Un is supreme leader of his people by default of family succession.
What about David? What resources did he have to rule others?
In ancient days, military strength and land adds power to kings. Armies allow kings to acquire more land and people, to produce food and further resources for livelihood.
Whilst David had his many loyal mighty warriors, he knew his resources come from God. He acknowledges that he did not acquire anything by own strength. Everything he has comes from God. He is so amazed by God’s favor toward him, beyond comprehension. Davie breaks into praise and worship.
Blessed be the LORD, my rock! (v1) Who am I that you regard me with favour? I am just a created human with fleeting presence (v3-4)! I will sing a new song to you, O God! I will play music to worship you. (v9-10)
When a leader is a person of God, he knows his place before God. He does not boast. He trusts in God to provide him with all that he needs to complete his work.
What may you be lacking to accomplish a task given you? Ask of God and expect to receive from Him. God is our resource provider. He knows exactly what you need.

2. Who are you Accountable to?

With resources comes accountability. With power comes responsibility.
Elizabeth was 25 years old when she became Queen of the UK and its Commonwealth. A woman of Christian faith, she prayed on her coronation in 1953:
“I asked you all, whatever your religion, to pray for me on the day of my Coronation - to pray that God would give me wisdom and strength to carry out the promises that I should then be making. I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”
Elizabeth did not take her given position of influence for granted. Her role was to serve, not to dominate. History tells us Queen Elizabeth honored her promise for the rest of her life with the 70 years of reign given her.
How would you pray? Our petitions to God reveal our motives. David prays that under his leadership, people and generations after them enjoy great blessings.
12 May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace; 13 may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; 14 may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
David prays provisions, success, and fruitfulness for his people. In today’s language, we may paraphrase as praying for life together that flourish in abundance, and peace, free from suffering.

3. The King-Maker

Who influences you to highest potential for good? Who is your life coach?
There is a job role in our world today called influencer. He/she attracts large numbers of followers and change their behaviors. Some are celebrities. The likes of Oprah Winfrey, Rafael Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo. People are inspired by their stories to emulate them.
Others are self-professed Influencers who seek to impact by growing their presence and brand. To reach out to wider audience and garner followers, many use social media platforms.
Singapore has our own influencers. Like a certain Ms Rachel Wong who was recently in the news due to a defamation case. The Judge’s description of her drew some amusement. “The plaintiff describes herself as “a full-time social media influencer, actress, model and host”. She maintains an Instagram account that she claims has 41,400 followers. That, I suppose, entitles her, in her estimation, to be a celebrity."
How may followers do you need to be influential? Who influences you today?
David did not set out to build fan-base to influence others. Rather, he was influenced by one, his mentor God.
God was the King Maker. Here is how David describes his trainer. Won’t you want a mentor like this to coach you in life?
1-2 My mentor is the Lord. He is my rock. He trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle. My mentor is my steadfast love, my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. He is my shield. In him I take refuge.
What are the key words and descriptors that stand out?
First, the repeated references my. This reveals the intimate relationship between David and God. David is very aware that God cares for him. God is with him. David did not receive his training through distant learning, or from some guru who imparts skills in a detached manner. No, for David, God Almighty is his personal trainer.
How would that re-shape your perspective knowing that God is your personal coach?
Second, the personal coach is solid. The nouns used to describe him include rock, fortress, stronghold, shield and refuge. Cumulatively, this signifies strength. We are assured of protection and safety. We are confident that God places us in positions of security, stability and strategy.
Some leaders build fortresses to solidify personal power. Some people in people surround themselves with yes-man in inner circle to consolidate control. Some leaders rule by making others fear them. President Xi Jinping recently secured his right to lead his Party and country for a third term, breaking the 5-year term rule.
What blows our mind when David describes his coach also as hesed “my steadfast love” (v2). Whilst God has his larger agenda to fulfil, he does not disregard David as just a pawn in to achieve his own goal. Rather, God overflows with personal love and mercy and tenderness toward David. All that God does stems from his care and concern for David whom he regards as personal friend. David describes God as hesed, his life partner of unconditional and unrelenting compassion.
Fourth, the personal mentor is powerful in action and gets the job down. 5 Bow your heavens, Lord, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke! 6 Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them! 7 Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters, from the hand of foreigners, 8 whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

Vividly, David brings himself back to the scene at the bottom of Mount Sinai. There, the people experienced God’s power so intense and imminent. Those present were in awe and terrified. There was no doubt of God’s might to fulfil His promise to them – blessings for obedience and utter ruin for those who defied Him, His enemies.

Whenever you feel intimated by the tasks ahead, be reminded that God is with you. He is for you. He is above you. He is in you. He surrounds you.

4. What Training did you receive?

None of us come into leadership in an instant. Often, in organizations, there is talent hunting, succession planning, grooming for the role.
At onset, David had no experience fighting battles. He was a shepherd and a musician who played the harp. He did not even know how to put on his armor. His first war weapon was a sling and some pebbles.
But God chose him. Beyond a person’s current evident abilities, God sees the heart and true potential. For his legacy, his descendants acknowledged him as “a man after God’s heart” (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). This is what God looks for in the making of a good leader. This person’s motives are pure and upright, not for selfish gains. He seeks God’s agenda, not his own.
At work, many organizations have individual career development Plan for talent management. The company invests in staff to develop people for the organization’s continual growth and success. How would our IDP look like for our personal life and walk with God?
Let’s see the kind of development training David receives from God.
For decades, right up to his old age, God puts David through various training departments, comprising “unpleasant situations”, “life-threatening encounters”, “uncertainties, “new challenges”. V7-8, 10-11.
Through these experiences, David had first-hand encounters of God’s deliverance.
It has been said: Every storm is a school. Every trial is a test. Every experience is an education. Every difficulty is for your development.
Whenever we pray, “God, give me wisdom and strength for battle!” God’s answer may be to put your through hardships to build resilience, through failures to learn from mistakes and grow wiser. Whatever circumstances you are undergoing now, do not fear and lose trust. God has a purpose for you and is training you to get there.

5. The Battle Cause
Why do people war? What do we fight for?
Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb 2022. The ensuing war has led to thousands of lives lost, families separated and uprooted.
Over in Iran, a young lady’s death in police custody for wearing the hijab incorrectly led to a wave of protest across the country. The quest for fairer treatment and rights for Iranian women.
There are battles for power. There are financial battles. There are personal battles.
Wars are risky and costly. It is not a game. At stake are human lives. Before we engage, we should ask ourselves whether our battle is for a worthy cause.
For king David, the cause was for his people to enjoy the full blessings of God v15. Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
For the leader after God’s heart, what greater cause than to restore shalom to his people? Shalom is beyond peace. Shalom is restoration to wholeness that leads to fullness of harmony and joy. This has always been God’s intent for the world and living beings He created. The person after God’s heart will take whatever it takes to obey God and contribute this cause to its fruition.
We also have personal battles. The times in our lives when we come under ‘attack’. When everything seems to go against us. We face health issues, financial difficulties, painful relationships. We are stifled by temptations, doubts, fear, hopelessness.
Know for fact that the Maker of heaven and earth is on always on our side. Continue to trust that God will free you from these traps. He will not leave you defenseless.

6. Dominion, Kingdom and Glory
God the loving steadfast warrior coach never stops fighting for us. He is on our side.
In this season of Advent, let us draw our focus to Jesus the sovereign King. Birthed two thousand years ago, his entry was humble, make known only to a selected few of lowly status. His name was Jesus, savior of the God; Emmanuel, God is with us.
King Jesus came with one sole purpose. To seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). To abolish sin and evil, to restore meaningful and flourishing life to people.
This is his pledge (Ezekiel 34:10-16)
11 I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock, so will I seek out my sheep, and rescue them from all places where they have been scattered in thick darkness. 13I will bring them out and gather them to the fruitful land. 14 I will feed them; they shall lie down in good grazing land, and feed on rich pastures. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep. 16 I will seek the lost, I will bring back the strayed, I will bind up the injured, I will strengthen the weak. The corrupt and evil ones I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
This King had no great army or wealth. His weaponry was compassion and mercy. His missiles were stating the truth, enduring injustice, treating people with dignity. The triumphant blow was the outpouring of his life for one and all, his sacrificial death.
Jesus’ victory was defeating sin and evil. He has overcome death and is alive today. Vindicated by God, he was conferred with supremacy to pardon transgressions and liberate people from sin’s bondage.
This Christmas, we join our savior Jesus in his life-giving mission. Even as Jesus heals and reconciles us, He sends us out to love and restore lives. We join our Lord and King to combat injustice and overcome evil in the manner He has shown us.
The battle is won. We claim Jesus’ victory over every aspect of our personal lives. We proclaim Christ’s lordship over every corner of the world He has placed us in.
God has conferred great authority upon us to rule and take care of His creation.
“What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.” Psalm 8:4-6
We join our Lord and King in the combat for Truth and to defeat evil.

7. Winner’s Gear
The battle is won. But it is not over. In closing, let me use the words of the apostle to encourage us carry on (Ephesians 6:12):
12 Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
10 Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11/13 Put on the full armor of God to stand against the evil one’s schemes.
14 Stand firm. Fasten on your waist the belt of truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 Wear on your feet readiness to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 Take up the shield of faith to extinguish all kinds of ammunition by evil one. 17 Put on the helmet of salvation, take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of petitions. At all times, be alert, always praying for all the Lord’s people.

May God lead us in victorious battle with Jesus our glorious King. Amen.  
1 Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples[a] under me.
3 O LORD, what is man that you regard him,
or the son of man that you think of him?
4 Man is like a breath;
his days are like a passing shadow.
5 Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down!
Touch the mountains so that they smoke!
6 Flash forth the lightning and scatter them;
send out your arrows and rout them!
7 Stretch out your hand from on high;
rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,
from the hand of foreigners,
8 whose mouths speak lies
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9 I will sing a new song to you, O God;
upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,
10 who gives victory to kings,
who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.
11 Rescue me and deliver me
from the hand of foreigners,
whose mouths speak lies
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
12 May our sons in their youth
be like plants full grown,
our daughters like corner pillars
cut for the structure of a palace;
13 may our granaries be full,
providing all kinds of produce;
may our sheep bring forth thousands
and ten thousands in our fields;
14 may our cattle be heavy with young,
suffering no mishap or failure in bearing;[b]
may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
15 Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!

华语崇拜视频链接：https://youtu.be/6pIa6p1Yuik
Sermon video at Bilingual service: https://youtu.be/8SmLkldDVJI