No good deed goes unpunished 好心沒好報

Are we expecting rewards for what we are doing? 我們是不是在期待從我們的行為獲得報償？

The English title is a popular but tricky expression, whether the originator is recognized or not. Try this: "No Good Deed" Goes Unpunished. 這個英文標題有點詭異。試著這樣讀看看「『沒有善行』就不會被罰」。

From the ancient era, religions, the man-made doctrines, have been considered social institutions to promote good deeds. They all have bosses to rule and judge the deeds. 從亙古以來，宗教，那些人造的教條，一直是被期待是用來鼓吹善行的「社會制度」。那些「宗教」都有老闆在規範甚至裁決「行為」。

----- 這是昨天的講道的最後一段：

我們從這個故事中學到的一件事是，就像耶穌一樣，我們的善行可能不會得到所有人的讚賞。我們也可能面臨批評和拒絕。有時（那些批評和拒絕）可能是我們該得的。如果我們祈求，試著與上帝同行，希望那樣的機會就會很少。

但是無論如何，我們可以確信，就像保羅在羅馬書8章中所說的那樣：「 28 我們知道，上帝使萬事互相效力，叫愛上帝的人─就是他按照自己的旨意呼召的人都得益處「 （第28節）

這並不意味著壞事不會發生在好人身上。這意味著無論發生什麼事，我們都可以信靠上帝來渡過，而上帝會以某種方式使它成就神為我們和為全世界預備的旨意，就像神預備耶穌的十字架一樣。

由於對於新冠狀病毒的恐懼、支配著我們的生活，這是今天很難持守的事情。然而，即使在困難的環境中，你們的長執、教師繼續在教會工作上美好的事奉，也證明了聖靈正透過我們、以及在世界各地的其他教會中、大大地作工。

我們正以美麗的新方式彼此聯繫，聖靈也比以往任何時候、都更加顯明！苦難將繼續，但也希望上帝的子民將繼續支持、在信仰裡與信仰外的人。讓我們繼續祈求上帝的幫助、力量、和指引，不僅為我們自己，也為所有人。

感謝上帝。阿們

This is the ending paragraph of the sermon delivered virtually yesterday.
（All the growth and achievements came from uncomfortable experiences. 人間的一切成長與成就都是從痛苦而來的。）

[What About Us?]

One thing we learn from this story is that, like Jesus, our good deeds may not be appreciated by everyone. We too might face criticism and rejection. Sometimes we might deserve it. If we are prayerfully trying to walk with God, hopefully those times are few.

But no matter what, we can be confident that, as Paul says in Romans 8, “28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (vs. 28)

This does NOT mean that bad things don’t happen to good people. It means that whatever happens, we can trust God through it, and God will somehow make it serve God’s purposes for us and for the world, just as God uses the crucifixion.

This is a difficult thing to hold onto today, with the fear of Covid 19 dominating our lives. However, the wonderful work of your leaders to continue the work of this church even in difficult circumstances is evidence that the Holy Spirit is working powerfully through us, and within other churches here and around the world.

We are connecting with one another in beautiful new ways, and the Holy Spirit is more obvious than ever! Suffering will continue, but hopefully, God’s people will continue to support others both within and outside their communities of faith. Let us continue to pray for God’s help, strength, and guidance not just for ourselves, but for all.

end of the sermon ------

How blessed we are to witness the largest and widest wars against the micro-beings and who-know-what! Have we conceived the messages from the above? 我們何等有幸參與/見證到史上最大的「莫名其妙」戰爭，跟看不見的微生物以及不知道是「誰在哪裡」的敵方打戰。我們已經從上主接收到什麼訊息了嗎。

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From: Bulletin TPC <ebulletin@stltpc.org>
Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2020 at 4:48 PM
Subject: March 29 TPC Bulletin Announcements

Dear All,

We continue to lift up everyone's health and the ongoing pandemic in our prayers. Surely some of us are feeling overwhelmed by the information overload in the last few weeks. The Lord says in quietness and trust is our strength. We encourage you all to set aside a few moments of quietness each morning to find the daily strength we need from our loving Father.

親愛的兄姊們，

我們持續為每位兄姐的健康和這疫情來代禱。相信我們當中有些人這幾個禮拜以來對於資訊轟炸已經開始有點疲憊。我們上主說我們得力在乎平靜安穩。所以我們鼓勵每一天早晨安排至少幾分鐘的安靜時間與主親近，從天父得到我們每天需要的力量。願主賜福與每一個人。

God Bless You,

http://stltpc.org/ 

Bulletin Team 

聖路易台灣基督長老教會 

Taiwanese Presbyterian Church of Greater St Louis  

542 Ries Rd • Ballwin, MO 63021 / 636.546.7022