Sunday – 2nd September 2012

Words by Bishop John Yeo

Diocesan Vocation Sunday

In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3)

Every year the Diocese sets aside the first week of September to be Vocation Sunday.  It is a time for all churches to reflect on the call of God to full-time vocation and also to give towards the training of future pastors, priests and missionaries of our Diocese.

While all are called into the priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:9), the Scripture also shows us that the Lord specifically calls some to full-time ministry. We see this in Mark 3:14-15 – Jesus appointed twelve–designating them apostles–that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.  Another example is the calling of Paul through a vision (Acts 26:16,19). In Acts 13:1-5, we see Paul and Barnabas being set apart for the task of missions.

Our Diocese tirelessly recruits and train workers for both the present and future generations.  Today, we call on every church to be like the church in Antioch (Acts 13).  When our relationship with God is right, then we will hear His voice.  Some will hear the call to go, while others hear the call to support.  If you sense the Call of God in your life, do share with your pastor or priest who will guide you further.  Your obedience and faith in the Lord is required.  To those who may not be called to go, we encourage you to sow into the lives of the men and women who responded to the call of God.  Your prayer and support are important to them.

Once again, we call on the whole church to pray.  Jesus Himself said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

教区圣召主日

在安提阿的教会中,有几位先知和教师,就是巴拿巴和称呼尼结的西面、古利奈人路求,与分封之王希律同养的马念,并扫罗。他们事奉主、禁食的时候,圣灵说:「要为我分派巴拿巴和扫罗,去做我召他们所做的工。」於是禁食祷告,按手在他们头上,就打发他们去了。 (使徒行传 13:1-3)

教区每年都会定下九月的第一个星期为圣召主日。这是一个让所有教会思考神全职呼召的时刻,同时也奉献于训练我们教区的未来传道、牧师及宣教士。

虽然所有相信的人都被呼召成为祭司(彼得前书2:9),但经文也让我们看见神特别呼召一些人进入全职事奉里。我们能够在马可福音3:14-15看到–耶稣就设立十二个人,要他们常和自己同在,也要差他们去传道,并给他们权柄赶鬼。另一个例子就是神如何透过一个异象来呼召保罗(使徒行传26:16,19)。在使徒行传13:1-5,我们看见保罗及巴拿巴被分派出来做宣教的工作

我们的教区一直不断地为现代及未来招募及训练更多同工。今天,我们呼吁每间教会成为安提阿的教会(使徒行传13)。当我们与神有正确的关系,我们就可以听见他的声音。一些将会听见出去的呼召;而其他的将会听见支持的呼召。如果您感受到神对您生命的呼召,请向您的牧师或传道分享,他们能够进一步引导您。您必须对神有信心及顺服。至于那些可能没有被呼召出去的人,我们鼓励您投资在那些回应神呼召之弟兄姐妹的生命里。您的祷告及支持对他们非常重要。

再一次,我们呼吁教会全体一起祷告。耶稣本身对他的门徒说:“要收的庄稼多,做工的人少。所以,你们当求庄稼的主打发工人出去收他的庄稼。(马太福音9:37-38)。