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奧克蘭教會 沈喜樂（James Shen）
一.進入真教會
小弟出生在一般的基督徒家庭中，雖然談不上虔誠，但對於有關相信耶穌、敬拜真神的信仰生活卻很熱心。因此，平時就養成喜歡上教堂聚會的習慣。
1996年11月，我和太太黃寧芳以技術移民的身分從中國廣州市移民到紐西蘭的奧克蘭市居住，這是我們第一次出國，也是神引導我們進入真教會的開始。
有一天，剛好是星期六早上，太太看到中文報紙上有真耶穌教會的聚會廣告，就問我說：「今天這個真耶穌教會有崇拜聚會，我們要不要去參加？」
我覺得奇怪，心裡想：怎麼星期六也有崇拜聚會？但仍對她說：「可以去，只要是信耶穌的教會，我們都可以去聚會。」那一天早上，我們夫妻就一邊看地圖，一邊開車，去參加真耶穌教會的聚會。
以前在國內居住時，雖然從小就信耶穌，也常聽牧師講道，卻很少讀《聖經》，也不明白有關得救的道理，更不知道真耶穌教會是唯一得救的教會。所以，不知道星期六是神所賜福的安息日。
第一次參加真教會的聚會，剛好是林從道長老講「主必快來」的主題，我對領受該道理的感覺真好！因為剛移民到紐西蘭的失落感和生活不適的苦楚，讓我真盼望主耶穌快點來。
聚會結束後，信徒們的愛心和熱情，更讓太太深受感動！但那時，我們對真教會的道理還沒有了解，也不知道真教會和其他教會有所分別，依舊計畫在星期日去其他教會參加聚會崇拜。
從小父母就常叮囑：「敬拜神要專心，聚會要熱心。」但是那個星期日早上起床後，不知道什麼原因，我開始發燒、頭痛、嘔吐，雖然服用退燒藥，卻不見效果；而且向神祈禱，也沒有馬上好轉，以致我們不能出門。
第二個星期日，我們同樣計畫想參加其他教會的聚會，卻同樣遭遇頭痛、發燒、嘔吐的病痛。後來才明白這是神的保守，藉著生病攔阻我們，讓我們專心留在真教會慕道，因為只有在真教會，才能領受得救的福音。
之後，我們就常常參加聚會，只要有聚會，都不放過聽道理的機會。在慕道期間，感謝神的恩典，開導我們的心能夠明白真理，讓我們留心聽梁得仁傳道講道的錄音帶。
那時候，移民生活的愁煩，因為有神的道理滋潤而得到欣慰，填補了內心的不足，生活中帶來許多快樂和滿足，我的心也開始對信仰火熱起來，愛慕真理的心得到激勵，天天讀《聖經》，常常禱告，感覺人生最有福氣、最有價值的事，就是認識真教會的福音。
1997年5月靈恩會，我們受洗歸入真教會，做天父的兒女，並寫了許多信給大陸的親戚朋友，告訴他們真耶穌教會是唯一得救的教會，並將我們在真教會所聽到的見證、所領受的真理都詳細地告訴他們，巴不得他們也儘快跟我們一樣，領受這寶貴的救恩。
感謝神的憐憫，經過幾年的時間，蒙神的眷顧和引導，親戚中已有17位受洗歸入真教會，與我們同得這福音的好處。
二.主賜真平安
小弟的母親在奧克蘭教會受洗以後，心中充滿喜樂，對神滿心感謝！因她想不到在晚年，還能夠有機會蒙神帶領進入真神親自設立的屬靈真教會，領受真正能得救的福音。
雖然她沒有受過很高的教育，但神開導她的心，讓她完全了解真教會是建立在使徒和先知的根基上（弗二19-20），不但有聖靈同在，也傳揚合乎《聖經》的真理，並有神蹟奇事彰顯神的能力，證明真教會是屬神的教會。
因此，她深深地相信，真教會是唯一得救的教會，雖然她從小信耶穌，也經常聽牧師講道，卻從來沒有聽過這麼寶貴的真理；所以，自從她進入真教會以後，心中就一直滿有主的平安和喜樂。而且只要有聚會，不論刮風下雨都不放棄敬拜神、聽道理的機會。
有一天，她生病了，每吃完東西就會嘔吐，連續幾天都是這樣。在奧克蘭醫院檢查，發現是罹患食道癌，而且癌細胞已經擴散並轉移到其他器官。
當時，她的食道下端被癌細胞塞滿，什麼食物也吞不下去，只能喝水和清湯。醫生要幫她做放射治療，但她考慮如果接受治療，可能會影響回大陸傳福音的計畫，所以就放棄了。
她一直有一個心願：就是要急著回故鄉，把真教會的福音傳給自己的親戚。因此，住院八天期間，除了作全身檢查和輸血以外，並沒有做任何治療就辦理出院，回家休息等待機位回廣東。那時候，教會的長執和弟兄姊妹，經常到家中探訪關心、幫她禱告。
感謝神的憐憫，感謝弟兄姊妹的代禱，她肉體上的癌症雖然沒有馬上得到神的醫治，但神賜給她力量，讓她心中平靜安穩，一點都不害怕，也沒有悲傷愁容，還是對神充滿感恩！臉上常常帶著笑容說：「感謝神！」
她深信神既然揀選她進入真教會，也必繼續帶領她一生走在主的道路上。神給她很大的眷顧和恩典，讓她在癌疾當中，只要有聚會，還是繼續參加，感謝神的心並沒有因為病情惡化而減少。
因為不能吞嚥固體食物，只能喝液體的東西，加上癌細胞的折磨，她的身體雖然一天比一天消瘦，但她倚靠神的心卻更加堅定，更常常說感謝神的話。
那時候，我問她說：「媽媽，妳病得這麼嚴重，為什麼還能夠有笑容，還能夠如此剛強？」
她笑笑回答：「感謝神，我哪裡剛強？我也很軟弱，是神安慰我，恩待我，加給我力量，使我在患難中不必懼怕，讓我在癌疾中沒有一點疼痛，既不必吃止痛藥，也不需要打止痛針，這就是神奇妙的作為，讓我親自體驗到在世界有苦難，但在主裡有平安（約十六33），因此我一點都不懼怕不憂傷。」
當有機位要回廣東時，她已經連續25天只喝液體的食物維持生命，因癌細胞在食道上長得太滿，塞住噴門，慢慢地連喝液體都會嘔吐出來，所以，身體顯得更加虛弱。
乘坐飛機時，我們為她申請了輪椅服務。在飛機上，她喝不下任何飲料，一喝就吐。空姐給了她一根小冰棒，讓她舔著解渴。下飛機時，親戚朋友們看到她，都說她不像是患癌症末期的人，因她依然有說有笑，又聽她親口見證神的奇妙恩典，就很高興，並歸榮耀給神。
很奇妙的是，當回到家後，她就開始可以吃東西了，不論吃硬的食物，還是吞軟的東西，都不會嘔吐。因此，體力漸漸恢復，不但可以唱詩、禱告、見證真教會的福音，還可以做家務，到公園散步。
當地的真教會弟兄姊妹到家裡探訪，都因她能夠在主裡有滿足和喜樂就歸榮耀給神，因為深知這是神奇妙的作為，也是神所賜的真平安！就這樣，她平安、快樂、滿足地生活了三個多月。
有一天，居住海邊的黃姊妹，在禱告中看到異象，看到一位身穿潔白細麻衣的人站在一個很美的地方，而且有聲音說：「這是天父的兒女，這是得救的信徒。」這樣的異象和聲音重覆兩次。
這位姊妹禱告之後，心裡一直在猜疑，到底這異象是什麼意思，為什麼會有這樣的異象？第二天早上，她和幾位弟兄姊妹一起去探訪我的母親並幫助禱告，當她一進到我家，就認出在異象中穿潔白細麻衣的人，就是我的母親。
於是對大家訴說昨天在禱告中所看到的異象和心裡的猜疑，依她信仰的體驗和在禱告中對異象的領悟，很可能是主耶穌要將母親的靈魂接去。這異象乃是要堅定我們親戚朋友對真教會的信心，使我們的親人得安慰，讓我們知道真教會的信徒，在主裡離世是很有福氣的。
很奇妙，在那次禱告中，母親得到聖靈。自從她在真教會信主半年多以來，一直都沒有領受聖靈，但她每次在禱告中都很迫切、很專心，因為她相信神的應許，深信神一定會賜她聖靈。
感謝神！在她得聖靈之後的那兩天中，她除了跟親人說幾句話之外，幾乎都不斷地在禱告。第三天的傍晚，家人大大小小聚集到她的房間，看到她依然在禱告，就都跪下來一同禱告。
那次禱告結束之後，她就告訴家人，在這兩天的禱告中，一直看到穿白衣的天使在她身邊來來回回，所以她心裡很滿足，有說不出的喜樂，也沒有覺得身體有什麼不舒服，只覺得有點疲憊，要休息一下，並請家人唱讚美詩89首〈主恩更多〉給她聽。很奇妙，當家人還在唱這首詩的時候，就看到她的臉上帶著笑容安然地離世。
感謝神的恩典，母親能夠在主裡安息，也讓家人得到安慰；雖然我們捨不得，但想到她能夠歸入真教會、領受救恩，就深深感謝神。有些親人從她身上看到神的奇妙作為，從她的口中得知真理的寶貴，就因此開始慕道，並且蒙神的揀選和引導，歸入真教會領受真正的救恩。
（待續）
1.Entering Into True Jesus Church
I was born into a conventional Christian family. With regards to matters of God-worshipping, we were fervent believers and accepted Jesus with faith, except for godliness, which remained to be worked on.
So, the habit of church-going had always been our customary practice and delight. In November, 1996, my wife Anna and I went overseas for the first time on migration to Auckland, New Zealand, under the skills migration category. This was also the beginning of Gods guidance for us to enter into True Jesus Church.
It was, coincidentally, on the morning of a certain Saturday when my wife asked me: "Shall we go and attend the service of True Jesus Church which is to be held today?" upon reading an advertisement in the Chinese newspaper about the church services of True Jesus Church.
At this, I was quite amazed and wondered: how on earth could there be any gathering for service on Saturday? However, I said to her: "Why not? As long as it is a church believing in Jesus, we can go."
So on that very morning, with the help of a map, we set out in our car and managed to find our way to True Jesus Church to attend the service there.
My faith in Jesus started from young when I was in China. During that time I heard many sermons from the pastors, but seldom read the Bible.
For this reason, I was totally ignorant of the Word of salvation or the only church to salvation - True Jesus Church. Hence, Saturday, the blessed Sabbath of God was yet to be discovered.
When I attended the first service of True Jesus Church, I was deeply impressed with the word delivered by Elder Lin on the topic "The Lords Impending Coming".
It was not without reason, because we were in the midst of all the inconveniences and had a sense of loss in our struggle to adapt to a new environment. In fact, I was longing for the speedy coming of our Lord Jesus.
On the other hand, my wife was touched by the love and warmth that the believers shown her after the service.
We would go attend the Sunday service of another denomination the following day after the Sabbath as this was the exhortation from my parents from early days: To attend services regularly and to worship God wholeheartedly.
By then, I was still in the dark concerning the Truth of True Jesus Church and her distinctions among other denominations.
It came to pass when I woke up early on that Sunday morning, I started to have a fever, headache and vomiting, all beyond my understanding.
The symptoms did not go away with medicine; neither did it get any better with prayer. That was what stopped me from leaving my house that day. The same thing happened to me the following week when we planned to carry out our schedule again.
Only later did we come to understand that God had kept us from going to other denominations for services through inflicting sickness on me. God had preserved me so that I might seek the Truth undisturbed in True Jesus Church -
the only church where the gospel of salvation is. Henceforth, we became regular church-goers in True Jesus Church, and held fast to every opportunity to hear the sermon.
Thank the Lord for His grace in guiding us in pursuit of the Truth; in enabling us to understand the Truth and listen attentively to the tapes of the sermons of Preacher Tet-Rheng Liang.
We were very much consoled and nourished by the Truth during such a troubled time of our migrants lives. The Word of God filled up the void within our hearts with abundance and joy.
Enthralled and nestled in a state as this, my heart began to glow with enthusiasm in the belief. Basking in adoration for the Truth, I was motivated to take on the pleasant routine of daily Bible-reading and constant prayer.
To get to know the gospel of True Jesus Church is the most blessed and valuable matter in the whole world.
Thus, in May 1997, during the spiritual convocation, my wife and I were baptised into Christ in True Jesus Church, transforming ourselves into the children of the heavenly Father.
After our baptism, we wrote numerous letters to our friends and relatives back in China, informing them that the True Jesus Church is the only church to salvation. In addition, we also gave them a precise account of the testimonies we heard and the Truth we learnt; hoping that they would also receive the invaluable salvation.
We thank God for His merciful guidance and keeping, that in the course of a few years, 17 of our relatives have been baptised into Christ receiving the goodness of the gospel along with us.
2.The Lord Bestows True Peace
My mother was overwhelmed with gratitude and joy after her baptism in Auckland Church. The reason being that the chance granted to her to enter True Jesus Church at her old age was something out of her imagination. This is a spiritual church established by God Himself where one can receive the sound gospel of salvation.
My mother was not highly educated, but because of Gods enlightenment, she could comprehend that True Jesus Church is a church built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:19-20).
This church also has the abidance of the Holy Spirit; proclaims the biblical truth, testifies to the power of God with signs and miracles in witnessing True Jesus Church as the church of God. Since then, my mother had a profound faith in True Jesus Church - the only church with salvation.
Although she believed in Jesus from her youth and has heard numerous sermons from pastors throughout her life, she had never heard such sound doctrines as those in True Jesus Church.
Having full confidence in the Lord, her life was one filled with peace and joy. She would never let go of any opportunity or be absent from attending church services even in times of bad weather.
Rather, she would make use of every opportunity to come to church to listen to the Truth and worship God. One day, my mother had fallen ill. She vomited whatever food she ate and this continued for a few days.
After a check up in Auckland Hospital, the results showed that she had cancer of the esophagus that already spread to other organs; at the same time, the lower part of her esophagus was blocked with cancerous cells that stopped her from swallowing any food except for water and broth. Doctors dictated radiotherapy for her.
As my mother had planned to go back to Mainland China to preach the gospel, she thought her plan would be deterred from realisation.
Her wish was to go back to her homeland in the shortest time possible to preach to all her relatives the gospel of True Jesus Church. That was why she did not go for radiotherapy.
Apart from a thorough body check-up in the hospital and a blood transfusion, she did not receive any other treatment. She was discharged from hospital eight days later and returned home to have a break while waiting for an air ticket to go back to Kwong-Chou.
During this interval, she received many visitations and intercessions from our church elders, deacons and brethren. Though there were no signs of improvement in her condition, we were deeply grateful for Gods loving kindness and intercessions of the brethren.
God had granted my mother strength and awesome courage, so that she had no fears and bore no worries on her face. Instead, words of gratitude would always be heard from her mouth and smiles be seen on her face.
She had full conviction in Gods election - since He had chosen her into True Jesus Church, He would also guide her throughout her life.
Indeed, the unfailing love and grace of God continued to lavish on her. Her practice of church-going went on as usual and her heart of gratitude did not lessen amidst her deterioration.
However, under the devastation of the cancerous cells and the only intake being liquid and no solid food, she grew skinnier and skinnier each day. Notwithstanding that, she remained adamant and held onto her faith and her words of thanks toward God came even more frequently.
I couldnt help asking her: "Mother, what makes you so strong? How could you still smile when you are so sick?"
"Thank God. I am not strong. In fact, I am very vulnerable. It is God who has been gracious to me by comforting and strengthening me, so that I fear no evils in this troubled time.
You see, this is His marvelous works; I take no pain-killers, either orally or by injection yet He allows me to be pain-free in this condition and makes me experience peace in Him against the troubles in this world (Jn 16:33), that is why I am neither sad nor discouraged." she answered me with a smile.
By the time a flight was available to Kwong-Chou, twenty five days had passed. By then, my mother was very weak, only depending on liquid food to sustain her life.
But this was also gradually taken away from her as the cancerous cells in her esophagus multiplied and filled her pharynx, so that she would belch even with the liquid she took.
We applied for wheelchair service when we boarded the plane. She drank no liquid inside the plane because she would belch as soon as she did. So, the air hostess gave her an ice cone for her to lick to keep her throat moist.
On her arrival at the airport, friends and relatives were glad to see her and praised God because they thought she did not look like a terminally-ill cancerous patient. She would talk and laugh and bear testimonies of the amazing grace of God on her. The most wonderful thing happened when she arrived home.
She was able to start eating food again, regardless of whether it was hard or soft, she would not vomit. Gradually she regained her strength; not only could she sing hymns, say her prayers, testify the gospel of True Jesus Church, she could even do house chores and go for a stroll in the park.
Whenever the local church brethren came to visit her, they would glorify God for they witnessed contentment and joy she had in the Lord.
They too were deeply convinced that it was the amazing grace of God that had made whole in her the true peace. My mother had lived contentedly in joy and peace for more than three months.
One day, Sister Huang saw a vision while praying in her house by the seaside. In the vision, someone clothed in white linen was standing in a very beautiful place. Then a voice said: "This is a believer to be saved, the child of the Heavenly Father." This vision and voice occurred twice in her prayer.
After the prayer, perplexed, she kept wondering about the meaning and the reason for the vision. The riddle was solved the next morning when she and some other brethren visited my mother. She recognized my mother as the one in her vision who was dressed in white linen as soon as she stepped inside our house.
Sister Huang began to relate the incidence that happened during her prayer the day before concerning the vision she saw, and the suspicion she held against it. According to her comprehension and her experiences of faith, it could be that the Lord Jesus was about to take my mother away.
The purpose of this vision is to strengthen the faith of our relatives and friends towards True Jesus Church; to console us by making us understand that the blessings in a believer being called back to the Lord are indeed great. Afterwards, we had a prayer together and amazingly, my mother received the Holy Spirit during that very prayer.
Ever since my mother was baptised, she prayed earnestly and wholeheartedly for the Holy Spirit for more than 6 months without success, yet she would not budge. Her faith in the promises of God did not fail her.
Thank God, after she received the Holy Spirit she talked very little to us, but prayed for most of the two days that followed. On the evening of the third day, the household, young and old alike, gathered in her bedroom.
On seeing that she was still praying, we also knelt down to pray together with her. After the prayer, she told us that she had been seeing angels in white walking to and fro around her during her prayers in the last two days. She felt very contented with exceedingly great joy in her heart.
She felt no discomfort physically; except for a little exhaustion for which she thought she would like to have a rest. At the same time, she requested if we could sing her hymn number 89 (His Grace Aboundeth More).
An amazing thing happened while we were singing the hymn. We saw a smile appeared on her face, and peacefully, she breathed her last.
We missed her very much after she passed away. But we were much consoled and grateful for the Lords mercy granting her the salvation in True Jesus Church and allowing her to rest in the Lord. This incident had an impact on some of our relatives.
They were very much moved and began seeking for the Truth - the profound Truth they had initially heard from her and now seen the wonderful works of God done through her under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In turn they were also chosen, to receive the sound doctrine of True Jesus Church.
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作者: 奧克蘭教會 沈喜樂（James Shen）
出版社: 棕樹文教基金會聖靈月刊雜誌社
出版日期: 05/01/2007
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