教會的灰姑娘故事

李業基牧師 1/4/2026 以弗所書 1:1-19

神的永遠計畫

• 神的計畫是要萬有在基督裡合一 (以弗所書1:8-10)
• 教會示範在基督裡合一的榮耀(以弗所書3:10-11)
• 基督成為元首因為祂愛教會(以弗所書1:12)

教會的灰姑娘故事

• 灰姑娘的第三個共同元素
  • 救贖
  • 加冕
  • 變身
• 王子如何選中灰姑娘? 一見鍾情?
  • Graciousness
  • 神怎樣選中教會? 未見鍾情?
  • 揀選完全出於神主動的愛和恩典(以弗所書1:4-6; 羅馬書 9:15)。
• 救贖(以弗所書1:7-10)
• 加冕(以弗所書1:11-12)
  • 三一真神與教會
    • 父子
    • 夫妻
    • 靈魂身體
• 變身(以弗所書1:13-14)
  • 聽見福音真理
  • 相信耶穌基督
  • 領受聖靈。

經歷神(1:17-19)

• 屬他召喚的盼望
• 繼業榮耀的豐盛
• 能力的無限偉大

六個標題來明白以弗所書

1. 天地萬有同歸於一
2. 遠近聖徒成為一體
3. 一同明白歷代奧祕
4. 竭力保持身體合一
5. 脫去舊我穿上新我
6. 模範夫妻基督教會

討論問題

1. 為什麼抽象的聖經概念需要用故事去解釋?
2. 用故事解釋抽象的概念限制在那裡?
3. 為什麼不同民族的民間傳奇會有共通的地方?
4. 明白真理和體驗真理有什麼分別?

The Cinderella Story of the Church

God’s Eternal Plan

• God’s plan is to unite all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:8-10)
• The church demonstrates the glory of unity in Christ (Ephesians 3:10-11)
• Christ became the Head because He loved the church (Ephesians 1:12)

The Cinderella Story of the Church

• Three Common Element in Cinderella Stories
  • Redemption
  • Coronation
  • Transformation
• How Did the Prince Choose Cinderella? Love at First Sight?
  • Graciousness
  • How Did God Choose the Church? Love Without Seeing?
  • Election is entirely God’s initiative of love and grace (Ephesians 1:4-6; Romans 9:15).
• Redemption (Ephesians 1:7-10)
• Coronation (Ephesians 1:11-12)
  • The Triune God and the Church
    • Father and Son
    • Husband and Wife
    • Soul and Body
• Transformation (Ephesians 1:13-14)
  • Hearing the Gospel Truth
  • Believing in Jesus Christ
  • Receiving the Holy Spirit.

Experiencing God (1:17-19)

• Hope of His Calling
• Inheritance of Glorious Riches
• Infinite Greatness of His Power

Six Headings to Understand Ephesians

1. All Things in Heaven and Earth United as One
2. Saints Near and Far United as One Body
3. Together Understanding the Mystery of the Ages
4. Striving to Maintain Unity of the Body
5. Putting off the old self and putting on the new self
6. Christ as the model for the church

Discussion Questions

1. Why do abstract biblical concepts need stories to explain them?
2. What are the limitations of using stories to explain abstract concepts?
3. Why do folk tales from different cultures share common elements?
4. What is the difference between understanding truth and experiencing truth?