Introductory remarks

Friends, we come together in this holy place to share with ___________ and ___________ a most important moment in their lives. Marriage was instituted by God in the Garden of Eden when He saw that it was not good for man to be alone. Christ beautified marriage with His presence in Cana of Galilee when He wrought His first miracle. It is commended by the Apostle Paul who likened it to the holy union which exists between Christ and His Church, in which our Lord Jesus is called the Bridegroom and His Church, the Bride.

Prayer

Opening Remarks

We have been invited to hear ___________ and ___________ promise to face the future together as husband and wife. __________ and _________, you must recognize that this covenant is more than a legal contract. This is a bond of union made in heaven. It is to be entered into with reverence. You are about to assume mutual relationships and responsibilities and to promise undying devotions. Nothing is easier than saying words, nothing harder than living them day by day.

Love between a Christian man and wife means caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about yourself. You will be looking in the same direction together. Burdens will be lighter because you divide them. Joys will be more intense because you share them. No other human tie is more tender, no other vows more sacred than these you are about to assume. Now as you stand in the presence of God, you must remember the responsibilities of a Christian man and wife.

Wedding Vows

Pastor to Groom -- ___________, you are to love ___________ as Christ loved the Church. You are to be the head of your wife. You are to respect and comfort her. Will you take ______ for your wife?

Groom -- I will.

Pastor to Bride -- ___________, your duty as a Christian wife is to submit to ___________. You are to be his helpmate. You are to obey, serve, and honor him. Will you this day take ___________ as your husband?

Bride -- I will.

Prayer

Giving away of Bride

Pastor -- Who is bringing ___________ to be united to ___________?

Father of the Bride -- Her mother and I.

Pastor to Bride's Parents -- Mr. and Mrs. ___________ are you willing now and always to support and strengthen this marriage by upholding ___________ and ___________ with your concern?

Bride's Parents: We are.

Pastor to Groom's Parents: Mr. and Mrs. ___________ are you willing now and always to support and strengthen this marriage by upholding ___________ and ___________ with your concern?

Groom's Parents: We are.

Ring Vows

Pastor -- ___________ and ___________, do you have tokens of the sincerity of these vows?

Bride and Groom -- We do.

Pastor to Groom -- What token do you give of the vows you have made?

Groom -- This ring.

Pastor -- Bless this ring, O Lord, that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in Thy peace, and continue in Thy favor, unto their life's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Groom to Bride -- ___________ I give you this ring as a pledge of the sincerity of my vows. (Groom places ring on bride's finger.)

Pastor to Bride -- ___________, what token do you give of the vows you have made?

Bride -- This ring.

Pastor -- Bless this ring, O Lord, that she who gives it and he who wears it may abide in your peace, and continue in your favor, until their life's end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bride to Groom -- ___________ I give you this ring as a pledge of the sincerity of my vows. (Bride places ring on groom's finger.)

Pastor -- You, ___________ and ___________ have pledged your devotion to each other. It is not these words that have made your marriage real, but the God of love, who has welded your hearts together as one. He has said, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife and the two shall become one flesh."

Kneel for Prayer

Solo

Pronouncement

Ministering in the name of the Lord Jesus, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May Christ be the Head of your home. May He be the unseen Guest at every meal, the Listener to every conversation. May Christ's love rule your hearts and lives.

Benediction

Embrace

Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you: Mr. and Mrs. ___________

Recessional

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Introductory Remarks

We learn from the inspired record that the Lord Jesus honored the marriage ceremony with His presence working there the beginning of His miracles. These miracles indicate that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the Sovereign and the Creator of the universe, and the wedding ceremony was the first used to demonstrate this glorious fact.

His purpose on earth was to "seek and to save that which was lost," As the scriptures declare, "God commended His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." The one who sanctifies the marriage union is the Savior of the universe. And the scripture says, "neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." And therefore His invitation to all who witness the wedding ceremony is to "come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.", "And Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out."

The Bible, which is the Word of God declares marriage to be honorable. It was ordained of God in the time of man's innocency, before he had sinned against the Lord. Since marriage has always been a divine institution, it is to be entered into soberly and discreetly, as in His sight.

God Himself united the first members of human family, which fact alone should abolish all light and frivolous views of marriage. The bridegroom and bride are partners in life, each forsaking mother and father to cleave unto the other. They share a common name, a united household, a common experience, and a love which blesses and transcends all the cares and trials of life. The mathematics of love--Add and multiply joys while subtracting and dividing the sorrows.

___________ and ___________ You now have common interests and occupations. You've become co-workers for common ends. You hold property and possessions in common, and you have essentially one history and one destiny. Inscribed in the Word of God is the counsel you will need for this mutual and blessed relationship. The vows are to be broken only by death.

In token of having chosen each other as partners for life, you may now join your right hands.

Wedding Vows

Pastor to Groom -- Do you, ___________, take ___________ whom you hold by the right hand to be your lawful and wedded wife?

Groom -- I do.

Pastor to Groom -- Do you promise to love, to cherish, to honor to protect, forsaking all others, in sickness as well as in health. In adversity as well as in prosperity. For better or for worse, and to cleave only to her so long as you both shall live?

Groom -- I do.

Pastor to Bride -- Do you, ___________, take ___________ to be your lawful and wedded husband?

Bride -- I do.

Pastor to Bride -- Do you promise to love, to cherish, to honor, to obey, forsaking all others, in sickness as well as in health, in adversity as well as in prosperity, for better or for worse, and to cleave only to him so long as you both shall live?

Bride -- I do.

Giving away of Bride

Pastor -- Who giveth ___________ to be married to ___________ ?

Bride's Father -- Her mother and I.

Ring Vows

Pastor to Groom -- ___________, What token do you give to show that you will faithfully perform these vows?

Groom -- A ring.

Pastor -- The circle which forms this ring is the emblem of eternity, and the beautiful metal out of which it is wrought is the type of that which is least tarnished and most enduring. It is to show how lasting and imperishable, the faith now mutually pledged. You will place this ring on ___________ 's finger and repeat after me . . . "WITH THIS RING . . . I PLEDGE MYSELF TO THEE . . . WITH ALL THE AFFECTIONS OF MY HEART . . . SO LONG AS WE BOTH SHALL LIVE."

Pastor to Bride -- And, ___________, what token do you give to show that you will faithfully perform these vows?

Bride -- A ring.

Pastor -- Please place your ring on your Groom's finger and repeat after me. "WITH THIS RING I PLEDGE MYSELF TO THEE . . . WITH ALL THE AFFECTIONS OF MY HEART..SO LONG AS WE BOTH SHALL LIVE."

Prayer

Let us unite in Prayer. We thank Thee, heavenly Father, for this home that is now called into existence, and we ask Thy blessings upon ___________ and ___________ all the days of their lives. That as unite into one family, they might glorify thee. That they might serve Thee acceptably, and that their lives together, might present the glorious truth of God's Word--the union of Christ and the Church. Bless them to this end, for we ask it in the name of the Kind of Kings and Lord of Lords, even Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen.

Pronouncement

The scripture declares love is forbearing and kind; love knows no jealously, love does not brag, is not conceited. She is not unmannerly, nor selfish, nor irritable, nor mindful of wrongs. She does not rejoice in injustice, but joyfully sides with the truth. She can overlook faults. She is full of trust; full of hope; full of endurance. Love never fails.

Having heard the pledges of your affection, and the vows of your fidelity, I do therefore by virtue of the authority invested in me by the laws of the State of ___________, before God, whose grace to you is unmeasured, and before these witnesses, pronounce you husband and wife, and what God hath joined together, let no man put assunder.

Benediction

Embrace

Presentation of Bride and Groom

Ladies and Gentlemen; May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. _______________.

Recessional

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(Involving children of Bride and Groom)

Preliminaries

Bride's children come down the aisle and face rear of chapel, standing on left side.
Groom's children come down the aisle and stand on right side, facing rear of chapel.
Groom and Pastor enter, down the aisle, and stand in the center, facing the rear.
Bride enters with escort
Escort sits down after they reach the front.
Wedding party assembles, facing front.
Pastor moves up on platform.

Introductory Remarks and Welcome

Introduce Families

As we share in this wedding ceremony, it is well that we remember that in the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, He concluded, "It is not good for man to be alone." So, He created woman to share in man's life--to assist in man's striving--to satisfy man's need. He also created the woman to be loved, honored and appreciated by man.

This is marriage, and it is for the purpose of joining ___________ and ___________ in marriage that we have come together today. The marriage of two Christians is viewed by God as an occasion of great joy since it marks the beginning of a relationship that is second only to our personal relationship with the Lord Himself. BUT IT IS ONLY THROUGH CHRIST that marriage becomes what God intends it to be. Let us acknowledge His place in this ceremony and see His blessing on this union.

Prayer

Giving Away of Bride

Pastor -- Who presents ___________ to be joined in marriage to ___________ ?

Escort -- "I do."

Wedding Vows

The essence of any marriage relationship is love. Much of what we call love is really self-centered response, which will never form an adequate foundation for marriage. Love, by its very nature, is active and giving, not self-oriented and self-serving.

Jesus Christ is the true example of love, and He has commanded us to love each other as He loves us. And how does He love us? First, He gives all for our sake, without hesitation or concern for Himself. In other words, love puts the needs of the one loved ahead of the needs and desires of the lover.

Next, from Christ's example, we see that love shares all. There are no secret compartments, no hidden rooms, no locked closets in a successful love relationship. There is only openness and, as a result, trust, when husband and wife truly love each other.

Finally, the Lord Jesus teaches us that love provides all. It provides security, it seeks to develop ability, and it shares the common purpose of obtaining what is best for the one loved. Such love is not merely impossible, it is supernatural. ONLY JESUS CHRIST can love this way, and we can only love this way if we submit to Him and depend on His Spirit to love through us.

Therefore, as marriage partners, you must continually allow Christ to exercise His Lordship in your lives because He, and His indwelling Spirit, will enable you to be a proper husband and good wife. Earlier I said that the essence of any marriage relationship is love, but when we understand what love really is, we must recognize that the essence of any marriage relationship is our spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, because without Him there is no real love.

The Apostle Paul gives us an additional description of love in God's Word: "This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience; it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive; it is neither anxious to impress, nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance. Love has good manners, and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all men when truth prevails. Love knows no limit to its endurance; no end to its hope. It can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the only thing that still stands when all else has fallen." (I Corinthians 13)

Pastor to Bride -- We must also realize that marriage is designed to be a picture of Christ and His relationship with those who believe in Him. In this picture, you ___________, as you give yourself in submission and dependence to ____________, portray the role of the Christian who also gives himself in submission and dependence to Christ.

Pastor to Groom -- On the other hand ___________, as you love and keep ___________ , you portray the love of the Lord Jesus as He expressed it toward the Christian. In view of this picture, there are specific instructions to both husbands and wives.

Pastor to Bride -- To the wife God says, "Wives, be subject to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church.." ___________, this is the command of God in His Word and is designed to make your marriage relationship a thing of beauty and joy. So, in acceptance of this principle of God's Word, do you now commit yourself to ____________, to be his wife, to join your lives together in living, permanent union as Christ is to His church?

Bride -- "I do."

Pastor to Bride -- Then repeat after me: "I commit myself to you ___________, before God, to be your faithful and loving wife for all the years of our earthly life, to cherish our relationship in Christ and God's order for the family."

Pastor to Groom -- __________, the command of God to husbands is, "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave His own life for it." Loving as Christ loved is the key to the enjoyment of all that God designed marriage to be. Without His love the fullness you seek will turn into emptiness, the satisfaction into dissatisfaction. Therefore, do you willing express your desire and intent to fulfill God's command to husbands, counting on the enabling ministry of the Spirit of God, and do you now commit yourself to ___________ to be her husband?

Groom -- "I do."

Pastor to Groom -- Then repeat after me: "I do commit myself to you, __________, before God, to be your faithful and loving husband for all the years of our earthly life, to seek to love you even as Christ loves the church which is His bride."

Prayer

Ring Vows

As you exchange rings let them be to each of you a constant reminder of these commitments you have made.

Pastor to Bride -- Please repeat these words after me: "I give you this ring, ___________ , as a symbol of my love, and with it pledge my loyalty and devotion as long as we both shall live."

Pastor to Groom -- Please repeat these words after me: "I give you this ring, ___________ , as a symbol of my love, and with it pledge my loyalty and devotion as long as we both shall live."

Exchange Kiss

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麥佐治(George Muller)是一個大有信心的人，他一手創辦英國的孤兒院事工。讓我告訴您一些他的事蹟。

佐治於1825年在 University of Halle 畢業，唸大學時，他對女人、飲酒及其他物質享受比唸書更有興趣，對基督教的興趣差不多一點也沒有。但神在佐治的生命作工，他開始思想聖經中主耶穌對信心的應許：「耶穌說關於祈求的應許是真的嗎？」

一天，佐治在房中外望，從鎮上遠望海際，想到一些他認識的人懼怕生命，懼怕作大膽卻能改變生命的嘗試。

當他想到耶穌對信心的應許及那些生命空虛的人，他看到下面石板路上有兩個幼小的孤女，無人照顧。她們的父親出海時在 Magellan Straits 沉船喪生，兩星期前, 母親又因癆病死去。佐治知道她們只有十一及十三歲，家中還有三個年幼的弟妹需要照顧。佐治感慨：「他們會變成怎麼樣呢？」

佐治轉身桌上一本打開了的聖經，忽然間，神藉着聖經向佐治說：「我是耶和華 ─ 你的神，曾把你從埃及地領上來，你要大大張口，我就給你充滿 (詩篇81:10)。」慕拿低頭禱告說，他要張口尋求神的指引，承諾去做主要他做的事。

1830年，他與古瑪利 (Mary Groves) 結婚，決意放棄一切財產，只尋求神的供給。他們將財產送給別人，沒有將原因告訴任何人。

1836年4月21日，佐治在一所租來的房子開辦第一所孤兒院。不消幾天，他們已收容了四十三個兒童。佐治和他的同工向神承諾：他們永不需募捐，永不需舉債，每年還要核數一次。

佐治不住祈求神的祝福，並忠心依靠衪使孤兒院事工發展迅速，由最初在一座租來的房子收容四十三個兒童，發展到共有五所新房子，一百一十個同工和二千零五十個孤兒。

當佐治開第一所孤兒院時，他告訴天父只要有一個孩子有一天捱餓，他的工作便算失敗。

神的祝福是滿滿的。孩子們不但得到基本所需，還有豐富的供給，每人有三對皮鞋，每個男孩有三套衣服，每個女孩有五條裙子。還有，晚飯時，餐檯總是鋪上白布的，遇上開花的時節，檯上還有鮮花呢！

正如佐治在手記中寫道，神奇妙回應他和瑪利的信心，大大賜福六十多年。

當佐治七十歲時，他四出傳揚神的作為，在四十二個國家向信徒分享神如何賜福他的事工。

佐治的一生大大見證神對信心的祝福及信心帶來的祝福^[1]。他活脫是聖經中的聖人典範。在他的時代，很少有像他如此信靠神的。難怪很多人稱他為大信的人 。

但是，佐治的信心是從那裏來的？我們怎樣可以建立如此大信？佐治或許擁有特殊的信心恩賜(哥林多前書12:9)，但無論如何，我們全都需要增長對神的信心。誠然, 佐治的信心是因需要而生的，卻是什麼賦予他這麼驚人的信心呢？無可否認，他的信心最初是從很多禱告和經歷中孕育出來的，但最終他的大信肯定是從默想經文而成就的。

我們也可從聖經找到建立信心的根基和模範，可以看見信與不信是什麼樣子。因為從聖經中我們清晰看見我們信靠的那一位神，所以我們要往聖經中尋找。保羅論及舊約時說：「從前所寫的聖經都是為教訓我們寫的，叫我們因聖經所生的忍耐和安慰可以得着盼望 (羅馬書15:4)。」 所以我們現在要看一看信心之父亞伯拉罕一些事蹟。讓我們全心全意思想他的故事，希望有一天它也成為我們的故事。以他的信心批判我們的不信，激勵我們要有堅定不移的信心，改變我們的世界。

我們特別要看看創世記11:27至12:9，經文如下：

「11:27 他拉的後代記在下面。

他拉生亞伯蘭、拿鶴、哈蘭，哈蘭生羅得。11:28 哈蘭死在他的本地迦勒底的吾珥、在他父親他拉之先。 11:29 亞伯蘭、拿鶴各娶了妻，亞伯蘭的妻子名叫撒萊，拿鶴的妻子名叫密迦，是哈蘭的女兒，哈蘭是密迦和亦迦的父親。11:30 撒萊不生育、沒有孩子。 11:31 他拉帶著他兒子亞伯蘭和他孫子哈蘭的兒子羅得，並他兒婦亞伯蘭的妻子撒萊，出了迦勒底的吾珥，要往迦南地去，他們走到哈蘭，就住在那裏。 11:32 他拉共活了二百零五歲，就死在哈蘭。

12:1 耶和華對亞伯蘭說，你要離開本地、本族、父家，往我所要指示你的地去。12:2 我必叫你成為大國，我必賜福給你，叫你的名為大，你也要叫別人得福。 12:3 為你祝福的、我必賜福與他，那咒詛你的，我必咒詛他，地上的萬族都要因你得福。

12:4 亞伯蘭就照著耶和華的吩咐去了，羅得也和他同去，亞伯蘭出哈蘭的時候，年七十五歲。 12:5 亞伯蘭將他妻子撒萊和姪兒羅得，連他們在哈蘭所積蓄的財物、所得的人口，都帶往迦南地去，他們就到了迦南地。

12:6 亞伯蘭經過那地，到了示劍地方摩利橡樹那裏，那時迦南人住在那地。 12:7 耶和華向亞伯蘭顯現，說，我要把這地賜給你的後裔。亞伯蘭就在那裏為向他顯現的耶和華築了一座壇。

12:8 從那裏他又遷到伯特利東邊的山，支搭帳棚，西邊是伯特利，東邊是艾，他在那裏又為耶和華築了一座壇，求告耶和華的名。 12:9 後來亞伯蘭又漸漸遷往南地去。」

因信心完全順服神
(創世記12:1)

讓我們先看創世記12:1。神給亞當及他後裔的應許並不是突然而來的，我們讀到時也不會對此感到驚奇。為什麼呢？因為聖經已在先前的經文提示了。其中有兩處在11:27，其實第12章記載神的應許應該打從11:27開始看^[2]。11:27-32為12:1-9的發展鋪路。特別要提出兩點。

第一，記在下面(11:27)是一條公式 。我們在那裡見過這公式呢，它又有何意思呢？整個創世記中，我們見到記在下面出現過幾次，最後一次在6:8，神為挪亞及其眾子開展了新天新地。這暗示由11:27開始，亞伯蘭的生命有着極大的變化。

第二，聖經記載了他拉三個兒子的名字，這也是一個模式。之前聖經也記載了亞當和挪亞三個兒子的名字，在神對待人類的歷史中，亞當和挪亞都是重要的印記。所以，在11:27和12:1，當神呼召亞伯蘭踏上新的旅程以完成祂的應許和救贖計劃時，我們不需感到驚奇。

現在，我們要看亞伯蘭如何藉信心順服神。創世記12:1說：「耶和華對亞伯蘭說：你要離開本地、本族、父家，往我所要指示你的地去。」雖然字面上沒有提及信心，信心就是亞伯蘭順服的原因。去就是指自己去，強調了 孤單、隔絕 ，亦暗示了 分離、隔離的意思。亞伯蘭在找尋並建立自己的身分，他需要離開熟悉的社群，找尋自己的地方 (創世記21:16, 22:2, 出埃及記18:27, 雅歌2:10,13, 4:6)^[3]。創世記22:2也用了相同的字眼，神吩咐亞伯蘭將兒子獻為燔祭，他清早起來，自己帶着兒子往神所指示他的地方去。

創世記12:1強調亞伯拉罕的孤單。雖然他帶同妻子、姪兒和在哈蘭所得的人口往迦南，亞伯拉罕卻離開了他的本地、本族和父家。這正顯明順服是需要徹底完全的代價。亞伯蘭因信耶和華神而完全順服。

亞伯蘭的本家在迦勒底的吾珥，位於伊朗南部，當時是一個繁盛的Sumerian城市。教育良好，學生學習閱讀、書寫和數學，航海業令當地商業蓬勃，商船經波斯灣進入吾珥，帶來金、銅、象牙和各式各樣的木製品。 Mesopotamia和吾珥的人篤信宗教，吾珥的人建築祠廟，信奉月神Nanna，在大部分房子的牆上都有偶像。

所以，亞伯拉罕本身是一個拜偶像的人，但他隨從神的命令，離開哈蘭往一個他從未見過的地方。雖然看不見前路是什麼，他憑信心回應神的呼召 (神常都是啟動者) 而離開本家。事實上，他當時身處的環境，是一個叫人留戀、不會去迦南的地方。

白德森 (Ben Patterson) 寫作(Writing)一書中回憶一段關於攀山的故事：

「1988年，我和三個朋友攀爬幽山美地國家公園 (Yosemite National Park) 的最高峰 Mount Lyell。我們的營地在距離山頂少於二千英呎的地方，但由於要橫越冰川才能到山頂，所以來回山頂得用上大半天。早上開始攀山時，我們還輕輕鬆鬆，談天說笑。過了一段時間，兩個攀山經驗較好的同伴逐漸拋離我和另一個經驗較少的同伴。

好勝的我開始找尋捷徑想比他們早到山頂。我看到一塊突出的岩石，以為右邊是一條捷徑，雖然同伴勸阻，我卻置若罔聞走了過去。

或者，是高緯度影響我的判斷，但我完全沒有想到為何另外兩個經驗豐富的攀山同伴沒有選擇這條路。三十分鐘後，我發覺自己被困在那塊岩石的死胡同內，原來那塊岩石是45度角插進 Lyell 冰川，下面是數百呎的阧峭冰川。只十呎遠，便有一塊石頭可作安身之所，但是稍滑步，我便會一直滚下五十哩下的谷底。那時差不多中午，和暖的太陽烘得滑溜的冰川閃閃生光，我進退維谷，十分害怕。

過了一句鐘，經驗豐富的同伴才找到我。他們站在我想跳到的石頭上，其中一個縱身向外用冰斧鑿出兩個小腳踏。接着，他教我說：白，將一隻腳踏出來，放在第一個腳踏上，然後，另一隻腳便要毫不猶疑跳過來，踏在另一個腳踏上，同時，您要伸出手，我會捉着它，拉您到安全的地方。

這辦法聽來甚好。但他接着說的話卻令我驚徨萬分：但你小心聽着，當你踏過來時，千萬不要貼向山，無論如何要向外傾斜些少，否則，您的雙腳會失去重心跌下去的。

在懸崖邊時，我的直覺是躺下貼近山，與山成為一體，而不是斜身向外。但這正是我好友要我做的，一瞬間，純粹因為相信這位朋友是出於好意和正確判斷，我決定向我的直覺說不，抑壓要貼向山才感覺安全的衝動，往外斜身踏出腳，跨過冰川跳到安全的地方。只兩秒鐘，便知道信心是否正確！」

您想這不正是亞伯拉罕蒙召時的心情嗎？這不正是當神吩咐我們做一些世人覺得不合常理的事時的心情嗎？我肯定地說，亞伯拉罕會願意留在哈蘭，或遷回他熟悉的吾珥老家，那裏，是他娶妻的地方，也是整個家族可以共聚一起的地方。但正如白德森聽從另一把聲音，是主的聲音，然後斜身而出，不理會是否合乎常理，因他信靠主。您是否願意同樣做呢？當你裏面所有聲音都阻止您，您還會向坐在身旁的人分享您的信仰嗎？您會否願意回應更高的呼召，放棄工作而走向未知的將來呢？信心會叫人完全順服。 亞伯拉罕選擇信靠神，神便大大賜福與他 (參看創世記12:2-3)。

信心順服 使人蒙福

(創世記12:2-3)

亞伯蘭信靠神，神回應亞伯蘭。亞伯蘭的信心如山般大，神的回應是如宇宙般浩瀚的福氣。12:2-3經文的重點是應許和祝福。應許和祝福加給亞伯蘭，因為他把神放在首位，因信心順服 (馬太褔音6:33)，離開哈蘭，往迦南去。讓我們仔細看看2-3節經文，神的應許有兩方面：賜福和咒詛。

先看賜福。應許亞伯蘭的福不單是個人和整個民族的，範圍和重點也是世界性的。第三節說「地上的萬族都要因你得福。」這不正是神定意要賜福我們嗎？亞伯蘭是個拜偶像的人，但神呼召他為要賜福與他，也賜福所有地上的人。在2-3節經文中，福字出現了五次。 神要賜福給他的子民。 如果你還記得，神創造天地萬物，賜福亞當和夏娃 (創世記1:28)，及後，5章2節重覆同樣的祝福。

神也賜福挪亞，重申造物時的旨令，就是人要治理這地(9:1-2)。神的計劃就是要賜福整個世界。

福字在創世記中出現了88次，比聖經內任何經卷都多，整個舊約中福字只出現過總共310次。 福字希伯來文是barak，意含神的豐盛供給，叫人得安康、長壽、財富、平安、豐盛五穀、兒女、及認識神和祂的道。

不錯，神的計劃是要賜福全世界。但是，不是全世界的人都要祂的福氣，或願意接受祂賜福的方法。總有人會咒詛、侮辱或指控亞伯蘭，這樣做的人，神的審判和咒詛會臨到他們頭上。他們會被剪除，沒有得福的盼望。

創世記十二章一至三節的應許塑造了以色列人列祖的生命，亦塑造了整個舊約的發展。神應許亞伯蘭的名為大，藉着給亞伯蘭後裔大衛的應許 (撒母耳記下7:8-16) 發展起來，拯救的方法亦在耶利米書三十一章提到：「我要與以色列家和猶大家另立新約。」亞伯蘭一生最重要的是他認識神。他親身經歷神，學習將一切交託神，只有神一位。

牧師梅朗 (Ron Mehl) 在著作醫治憂傷的心中寫道：

「我聽見有一位可親、與主同行的老太太，她漸漸失去記憶，思想開始模糊。她的一生鍾愛神的話語，靠它得力，可背誦多段聖經經文。

提摩太後書一章十二節是她最喜歡的：因為知道我所信的是誰，也深信他能保全我所交付祂的，直到那日。

最後她要住老人院，不能下床。家人知道她永不會活着離開那地，當家人探望她時，她間中會背起聖經經文，背得最多是提摩太後書一章十二節。但隨着時間過去，她連這段最愛的經文也開始忘記了。

她念：因為知道我所信的是誰他能保全我交付他的

她的聲音漸漸衰弱，也漸漸短促。我交付他的

臨終時，她的聲音實在太弱，家人要彎腰到她唇邊聽她那隻字片語。最後，一生的金句只剩下一個字，就是祂。

站在天國的門檻上，她一次一次的輕輕細說：祂祂祂。

剩下的就只是這些，這些也是唯一需要的。」

親愛的朋友，亞伯拉罕得到的祝福就是能親身經歷神，親身認識我們的救主，那位對我們的愛永不磨滅的主。這正是神藉亞伯蘭賜福全人類的最終目的。這位救主走進我們的黑暗中向我們顯明祂就是生命。 「認識您 ─ 獨一的真神，並且認識你所差來的耶穌基督，這就是永生。(約翰福音17:3)」

保羅在加拉太書中清楚說明這點。他說，如果你信主，你便能和亞伯蘭一同得福。亞伯蘭的故事會成為你的故事，他的神也是你的神，他的福也是您的福，在基督裏，我們的福更多。加拉太書三章二十九節中，保羅說：「你們既屬基督，就是亞伯拉罕的後裔，是照着應許承受產業的了。」當我們活在基督裏，順服他，我們會享受極大的福分，包括親身認識神，試煉得幫助，祈禱蒙應允，並且，按神的恩典得到很多物質上的福分。

在神給亞伯拉罕的救贖全人類應許上，我們想多加一點。 身為這個應許的後嗣，並基督的追隨者，我們已經與亞伯蘭聯成一體，就是向人宣告耶和華是獨一真神，悔改並信靠祂。我們要使萬民作基督門徒的使命，源自神給亞伯拉罕的應許，而這應許正源自神創造天地時要賜福人類的旨意 (馬太福音1:1, 28:19,20)。 基督是亞伯拉罕最大的後裔，拒絕基督救恩的，要經歷最終與主分離的咒詛 (帖撒羅尼迦後書1:8-9)。 讓我們隨着基督的福音和愛的榮光進入神的國度。我們是蒙福的，讓我們能用神所賜的福叫他人蒙福 (馬太福音5:16, 哥林多後書1:3-4)。

亞伯拉罕因信靠神得進入神的祝福。但是，未經過試煉的信心是不夠真確，不夠成熟的。這樣的信心仍在萌芽階段。

信心須經歷神的試煉
(創世記12:4-6)

亞伯蘭顯示無比的信心回應神的呼召，蒙神大大賜福。同樣，當我們信靠主基督，我們也會蒙福。但，這並不表示我們會事事順境。事實卻剛剛相反。讓我們看看4-6節。

這幾節經文有很多值得討論的地方，但我只會集中討論幾點，顯明亞伯蘭信心的真確，並這信心是從生命的歷練中磨煉出來的。這是神動的善工，並會成全這工 (腓立比書1:6)。

首先，要注意第四節經文說亞伯蘭出哈蘭的時候已經七十五歲。這裏，有兩個重要事實。第一，雖然他已經七十五歲，亞伯蘭決意跟從主往迦南，並不是出於不懂世事，年紀並不能阻礙為主作大膽決定的信心。事實上，神藉他們年紀老邁，向亞伯蘭和撒萊顯明祂是無所不能的神。第二，亞伯蘭的父親還在世，已經一百四十五歲了，距離世還有六十年。故此，亞伯蘭為回應神的呼召離開父家，確實付上很大代價。詹雅諾 (Jim Elliot) 曾說：「他放棄不能保存的，贏取不能喪掉的，實在不是傻瓜。」

還有下文。試看第五節說，亞伯蘭帶妻子撒萊一起往迦南。於此，亞伯蘭內心的掙扎必然愈來愈大。十一章三十節說撒萊不能生育，連一個孩子也沒有。十二章二節卻說神必叫亞伯蘭成為大國。明顯地，這個大國不能從撒萊而來，因她不能生育，那麼，必定「另有其人」。但十二章五節指明不是「另有其人」，因為亞伯蘭帶撒萊同往。縱然心中掙扎，亞伯蘭定是確信神的應許。雖然，後來撒萊因不能生育而催促亞伯蘭試圖以夏甲應驗神的應許，神卻應驗要給撒萊一個兒子的應許。可見他們的信是經過受苦掙扎熬煉而來的。

有時，我們會忘記在古時近東一帶，不育是何等痛苦的事。這包括羞恥、社會的譏笑。不育的女性及夫婦會被視為神不喜悅的。當耶和華向亞伯蘭立下必使他成為大國的應許時，一切似乎遙不可及，因他們連一個孩子也沒有！為何要信神呢？有時，我們掙扎是否信靠神和祂的應許時，也會跟兒女有關的。

佘馬素(Marshall Shelley)曾痛失兩個孩子，在領導才能雜誌中寫道：

「當我還是小孩時已經很愛閱讀，我很快便知道小說最初的幾章最容易叫人混淆，因為有新的人物，發生的事也似乎毫無關連，一些旁枝情節複雜，似乎跟故事主幹毫無關連。

但我學懂要看下去。為什麼？因為如果作者是能手，他們會在故事結局時將所有情節貫連起來。最後，每一個環節都是有意思的。有時，選擇讀下去是要有信心的。

縱然我不能解釋為何我的兒子會患上絕症，以致不能在世上活過兩分鐘縱然我不能明白為何我們的女兒要忍受兩年極度痴呆和不斷抽搐

我選擇相信在(我)這本書完結前，作者必定將事情顯明出來。」^[4]

亞伯蘭和撒萊就是有這樣的信心。誠然，他們一路上都有犯錯，但他們相信無所不能的神。您信神會作些什麼只有祂能作的呢？我們必須超越眼前的障礙和痛苦，信靠神，才能使信心成長。

還有另一件事，比亞伯蘭和他妻子的生命和信心更嚴重。第六節說亞伯蘭到了摩利橡樹那裏，那時迦南人住在那地。這兩點在神賜那地給亞伯蘭為業的應許上顯得極為重要。因為迦南人必須被趕走，但這不是這節經文要說的。它要說的是亞伯蘭對耶和華的信心將要被考驗。離開哈蘭帶來的損失，及想到終會老而無子的痛苦(創世記15:1-2)都是給亞伯蘭內心的試煉。 迦南人卻是外來的掙扎，因為他們可能會更快滅絕亞伯蘭一族，並亞伯蘭對耶和華的信心。您被主逼到無路可走，又要信靠祂時，感覺是否很奇妙呢？

希伯來文摩利意指老師，這裏可能是一座遠古的神龕，或迦南祭師獻祭的地方。何西亞書四章十三節論到用橡樹拜祭偶像。如此，與拜偶像的人居住將會測試亞伯蘭的信心。亞伯蘭以前拜偶像，極容易重蹈覆轍，這對他和家人都是很危險的。此外，從約書亞記和舊約其他的描述，迦南人是極難對付的敵人，希伯來人是不易趕走他們的。

問題是：亞伯蘭是堅持，還是退縮呢？ 您又會怎樣呢？您會忠於神，還是忠於這世界？信心不獨是信神會成就大事並回應祂的應許，信心且是在神允許的處境中盡力活出神喜悅的生命。信心建立人的品格。

白露沙 (Rosa Parks) 是民權活動之母，在1955年因拒絕在巴士上讓位給一個白人男人而被捕。杯葛及抗議行動接踵而來，結果，最高法院裁決種族隔離是違反憲法的。在沈默力量一書中，她寫道：

「在過去的日子，我學懂凡必須要做好的，須無所畏懼去做。那天，我坐在巴士上，完全沒有想過將會創造歷史，一心只是想着回家。但我決定要這樣做。多年來，我們被人欺負。這刻無論要面對什麼後果，都已經不再重要，我就是不讓座。坐着，我一點也不怕，無論要面對什麼，我感覺主會給我力量去承受。是時候要有人站起來 ─ 或在我的例子中，坐下來。所以我拒絕走。」^[5]

這是何等的大信和令人佩服的品格。白露沙知道什麼是對的，因着信，她並不退縮。亞伯蘭也是如此。他知道神呼召他到新天地，雖然他並不知道要往那裏去，信心給他勇氣及決心，在外邦人的地方為神而活。因着信，他克服離開父家、妻子不育、和異地人仇視的掙扎和試煉。因着信，他獲得高尚的品格，沒有向身邊不信的人屈服。他口所說的，與活出的生命一致，我們又如何呢？

信心要神的鼓勵
(創世記12:7a)

要在試煉中建立堅強的信心，必須聆聽神的聲音，經歷那賜應許的大能者的同在。神知道我們只不過是塵土，需要不住的鼓勵，故此，當亞伯蘭在異地作客，面對不同的語言、風俗、信仰和生活模式，神重申賜他後裔及賜那地給他為業的應許。神藉着聖經對我們說話，活在我們當中的聖靈將神的話語帶到我們心中，神卻選擇向亞伯蘭顯現，向他說話。在試煉中，沒有什麼比我們天父的聲音更清晰，比天父的同在更叫我們心安。

本世紀上旬，石高科爵士 (Sir Ernest Shackleford) 開展南極之旅。坐狗車橫越二千一百里荒原是他的心願。但是他走不到那麼遠。途中，船撞冰沈沒。他和隨從要越過漂流的冰塊嘗試登上最近的陸地，但這在差不多二百里之外，而最近有人住的地方也在一千二百里之外。他們還要拖着差不多一噸重的救生艇呢。當他們最後走到沒有冰塊的海水可以划船時，卻要面對九十尺高的巨浪。最後，他們到達喬治亞島，發覺這地是從沒有人到過的。啟航差不多七個月後，他們終於到達目的地，飽受風霜，朋友們跟本認不出他們。那些完成整個旅程的人事後說，他們感覺有一個眼目不能見的大能者引領他們走過危險的路程，知道他們並不是孤軍作戰的。

生命之旅中，我們是客旅，是寄居的 (彼德前書2:11)，我們要知道那大能者會帶領我們安全到達指定的目的地。我們要在聖經和禱告中聽祂的話語。神向亞伯蘭顯現，重申那重要的應許：「我要把這地賜給你的後裔。」創世記十五章一節中可見這正是最困擾亞伯蘭的問題。

當我們有需要的時候，神會鼓勵我們：「你不要害怕，因為我與你同在；不要驚惶，因為我是你的 神。我必堅固你，我必幫助你；我必用我公義的右手扶持你。」(以賽亞書41:10) 這是何等大的鼓舞！

信心使人在俗世彰顯神的作為
(創世記12:7b-9)

因信稱義的信心，像亞伯蘭的信心，會叫人完全順服，在神的應許中有盼望，並且在試煉中成長。信心叫人不斷在世上彰顯神的作為。

在第七節，亞伯蘭以敬拜回應神向他顯現和重申應許。經文說「神向亞伯蘭顯現，說亞伯蘭就在那裏為向他顯現的耶和華築了一座壇。」雖然經文沒有明言他獻燔祭，但我們從第九章挪亞獻祭和第二十二章十三節亞伯蘭獻祭的記述中肯定一點，就是亞伯蘭向神獻燔祭。

敬拜是回應神話語的第一反應，接着是順服和宣告神的救恩和大能，就像春雨後的彩虹。

因此，敬拜神是有果效的。第八節說亞伯蘭在伯特利和艾之間支搭帳棚，這或許顯示他在那裏住了一段時間。當中，他築了一座壇敬拜神。但要注意，經文說亞伯蘭「求告耶和華的名」。這句在創世記4:26,13:4,21:33,26:25等經文中出現過，意思不止於敬拜而已。它包含「好求告我 ─ 耶和華的名」 (西番雅書3:9) 的意思。神應許叫亞伯蘭的名為大，而這裏，亞伯蘭使神的名在迦南為大，這不是很有趣嗎？在外邦異地，亞伯蘭築壇，並在此求告耶和華的名，是何等奇妙的信心！在這悖亂的世代中持守永生之道真如明光照耀長空。(腓立比書2:16)

亞伯蘭要傳揚神的名，相反示拿人卻要傳揚自己的名(創世記十一章)^[6]。 到頭來，示拿人真的揚了名 ，但他們的名卻是列於神審判的名單(創世記11:4)。我們為一己私利營役時，同樣要接受審判。不要為自己追求什麼，亞伯蘭不求自己的榮耀，只求傳揚神的名，所以在創世記及整本聖經中，神高度讚揚他的行為 (雅各書4:10, 彼德前書5:5-6)。

金獲加 (Ken Walker) 在運動光譜一書中記述，在1990年的一個星期一晚上，美式足球賽完結後，幾個運動員做了一件當時破天荒但過後人人習以為常的事。當三藩市四十九隊和紐約巨人隊的賽事結束後，兩隊中有幾個球員走到球場中央接近分牌的四十碼線上，讓全場觀眾看見他們跪在地上，以主基督耶穌之名祈禱。

以後，在很多賽事中都有簡短的祈禱會，但在幾年後才引起廣泛注意。1997年，韋云積 (Reggie White) 和他屬的超級碗冠軍綠灣人隊於賽後祈禱，事後，一個隊員羅便臣 (Eugene Robinson) 解釋祈禱會的目的時說：「我們不是求告誰勝誰負。我們祈禱，是認定我們信的那位是神，且叫人看見祂的確存在。」

為這宣言，隊員受到多方批評。 體育說明雜誌勸告隊員不要在公眾面前禱告，足球聯會也吱喳了一會兒，似要禁制這公眾活動。但隊員堅守立場，有些還說他們願意為公眾祈禱繳交罰款，祈禱會結果繼續下去。^[7]

像亞伯蘭，這些球員嘗試為主耶穌基督 ─ 不是自己 ─ 傳揚名聲。對他們來說，藉主耶穌基督敬拜神，宣揚神的存在和救恩，是最自然不過的事。信心叫人不能不宣揚所看見、所聽到的。

麥佐治 (George Muller) 如何建立如此堅強勇敢的品格呢？他容讓聖經建立他對神的熱心和信心。他默想聖經中如亞伯蘭的信心榜樣。亞伯蘭憑信活出的生命激勵我們要以順服回應神的呼召，耐心等候神的祝福，克服試煉，且在這個非常墜落的世界宣揚神的道。