40 John Sung Revival Sermons
IX. THE UNFATHOMABLE GRACE OF GOD
(11 King Chapter 7)
Samaria, Capital City of Israel was surrounded by the armies of the Syrians. The people were in grave anxiety, for many had nothing to eat. So much so they were obliged “to eat pigeon dung."
Vs. 1. But Elisha said, “By this time tomorrow two gallons of flour or four gallons of barley grain will be sold in the markets of Samaria for a dollar. . . " Beloved brothers and sisters, the grace of God is beyond our imagination. Many of God's people are waiting for His saving grace to come quickly, not knowing that it has already come. Now is the accepted time!
Vs. 2. Here we have a high officer, assistant to the King, who said to Elisha, “Impossible! A dollar to buy two gallons of flour? Unless the door of heaven would open up!" Elisha said, “Whether you believe or not, this thing shall come to pass.” O the unfathomable grace of God! The grace of God is beyond our wish and imagination. The grace of God is still with us. Before I came here, I never could have dreamed of such a crowd tonight.
When I went to Huchow, I hoped to see only 200 born again. So, I asked for this number in prayer. On the first day, however, out of 400 who came to the meeting, 300 were saved! On the second day, over 1,000 came and we had to meet outside on the grounds. Almost 1,000 were saved, including a pastor's son. This pastor's son said to me, “Mr. Sung, I never knew God's grace until now. Beloved brothers and sisters, whether you believe or not, the grace of God must come to you. How great and wonderful is His grace!
Vs. 3. Praise the Lord! Here are four lepers who refuse to die, sitting up. They want to get out of death. Pitiful, there are so many who would prefer death, never desiring a way out. There are many more struggling in their daily sorrows. These also have never thought of getting out!
Vs. 4. Wonder of wonders, these four lepers thought of a way out. They said, “If we sit here we are sure to starve to death. If we go into the city, we will also die. Why not get out of here and surrender to the Syrian Army?" Now, I'm not in favour of their surrendering. I am in favour of their determination to find a way out.
A sister in Shanghai wrote me of her mother's plight. Only over 30 , she has succoured ten children. But every one of her children has died, except herself. She says, “My mother is a devout Buddhist. Buddha said to her that her ancestors in hell had need of money. So they had taken her children to hell to sell them for money. Now her only way out was to worship the devils with money. When my mother asked how much money she needed to pay up, the answer was $200. She really spent that $200, but when she went to inquire of Buddha again, Buddha replied “Your ancestors are still penniless.” So on the 8th day of the ninth moon, they will also take your only surviving daughter to hell and sell her. My mother was scared to death. She went to the Church and asked the pastor to pray for her. This brought us peace and nothing happened to me, her daughter. After this, she got hold of a hammer and had her Buddha idol smashed to pieces.
Beloved brothers and sisters, Satan had utterly oppressed this woman. Could she do anything else but struggle her way out? How jubilant! Today how many are under the throes of the Devil's grip? There's the tobacco devil, the gambling devil, the alcohol devil. Why won't you seek a way out?
Vs. 5, 6. The four lepers found their way to the Syrian camp. But when they got there they saw not even a shadow of the Syrian troops. “Ha, Ha!" they chuckled, “Such a lot to eat! How lucky we are, and there is none to fight against us . . . " Beloved brothers and sisters, wonderful is the work of the Holy Spirit. If a person is willing to be led by the Holy Spirit to seek a way out, he will find the way ahead marvellous, and more marvellous yet. Once, after a sermon, a new convert said to me, “Mr. Sung, I was in great trouble when I decided one day to come to your meetings. At first I found your preaching entirely tasteless, but I decided to sit through the sermons. As I concentrated on the sermon, my heart began to beat and throb. When you said, “Any one who is a sinner, let him raise his hand." At first I had no courage, but afterwards I raised my hand, I went forward, and as I went, all the sins I had previously committed flooded before my eyes. I felt miserable. But the moment I put my trust in Jesus, a ton-load of sin fell from me. I received such a joy as I had never known." Beloved brothers and sisters, if a man wants to be saved, he fill find salvation wonderful, yet more wonderful.
Vs. 7, 8. The four lepers were thrilled by the wealth they now possessed. For, the Syrians being overwhelmed by a sound of horses and chariots they had heard the night before had fled to the last man. God's grace is given to us freely without any charge. Without arms, without lifting a finger to fight, the lepers had plenty to eat, more to spare, and a whole lot they couldn't carry away. O, the inexhaustible grace of God.
One night I had a dream. I saw a man who had lost a lot of money. I began to pick the money up, and I picked and picked every one of the coins. When I awoke, I couldn't find a cent. Such is the nature of dreaming. But God's grace is not such vanity, not such a dream. God's grace is real. It defies our counting. God's grace did not merely satisfy the leper's hungry stomachs. This would not be enough.
Vs. 9. Most precious is this verse. The four men, having eaten, thought of the hungry plight of their countrymen. They agreed, “Let us tell the good news at once! If we do not make the report when dawn comes, the King would surely punish us." Beloved brothers and sisters, how many of you are having your talent buried. You have never told forth the good news i.e. the Gospel! Paul says, “Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel." Now the people of Amoy have nothing to eat, while you are being fully fed. Mongolia, Kweichow, Yunnan are teeming with countless starving souls. They have never tasted the grace of God. Beloved brothers and sisters, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel."
Let us see what these four have reported. They have preached the gospel. They have given a vigorous testimony, for woe would come on them if they preached not the good news. Beloved brothers and sisters, let us remember: it is a greatest sin not to preach the Gospel.
Vs. 10, 11. They are now on their way. They tell it to the gate-keeper. The gate-keeper believed because he saw them all well-fed. People believed them because they were well-fed.
Once there was a man selling hair-restorer. He bragged about his hair-restorer as he hawked: “If you buy my hair-restorer and rub it on your bald head, it will make your hair grow." A little child came and pulled off the hat he was wearing, “You just said, ‘If you rub the hair-restorer on your head, hair would grow’. But, look, you are a bald yourself. Why don't you do what you say?” What a big joke! A bald-head selling hair-restorer! This is like a man never born again preaching a sermon on “salvation through the new birth.” Laughable! Why is the Church so slowmoving today? Because in it are many bald heads trying to sell hair-restorer. Who would buy it? These four lepers are fed and round-bellied. They are convincing to the gatekeeper. May you also say, “We have been to the revival meetings. We have eaten a lot.” Before you were gambling fiends. Now you can praise the Lord and convince others.
Vs. 12. The gate-keeper said, “Let me go and tell the king." Now the king, when he got up in the middle of the night, was prejudiced. He said, “Perhaps the Syrians have gone away in disguise. If we go after them, may we not fall into their ambush?" In such a case, can God open the door of grace?
Vs. 13. 14. Someone told the king, “Don't be prejudiced. Let us send five men to find out.” When those five returned, they said with one voice, “The enemy has retreated! The ground is strewn all over with goods." When I was preaching in Shanghai, the Church in Hangchow sent four delegates to hear me, because they were not sure of inviting me. When these four were favourably impressed, they invited me. When I got to Hangchow, a super-pastor there was fiercely opposed to me. He had a son, a habitual gambler, who never read his Bible. Wonder of wonders! While others remained unsaved, he got saved, he repented. He was changed. He organised many Gospel teams. He told his father, “You are against revival meetings, but I have been converted. I won't gamble now. I love to read the Bible.” Beloved brothers and sisters, when men resist you, don't be discouraged. If God be for us, all problems will be solved.
Once when I went to Swatow, I got no invitation to preach the first day. I was invited by only one place. After the first meeting, over 200 were born again. The second meeting saw over 1,000 in attendance. After this, every church invited me to preach. Brothers and sisters, if you preach the truth, you needn't worry even when you are being resisted.
Vs. 16, 17. O, the open door of God's grace! All went! There was no need to invite, or to coerce. They rushed for all their worth. All were dying of hunger, and all fought for the food. If what you preach is the Gospel, people will come and hear. If what we preach is truth, we needn't worry if men oppose us. When I was preaching in Canton, detectives and policemen were sent to arrest me. When they were on the point of doing so, a band of students protested. This truly was God's help.
On another occasion when I went to another Church, there was a notice put up, “Meetings Prohibited.” But this could not stop a multitude coming. Who can resist when the Holy Spirit is working? God said, “A dollar will buy two gallons of flour.” True? Yes? Unfathomable is God's grace.
Vs. 18. Was God's Word fulfilled? Most certainly Whoever disbelieving is a stumbling block. But such is trampled to death! If we preach it good, Satan is surely defeated. Now you're born again. You're blessed. If you preach not the Gospel, woe will come!
God called me on February 10, 1926. The Lord wanted me to preach. Many a time I didn't want to, for preaching is a difficult job. If I became a teacher, no one would bother me. When I started to preach, I found many adversaries. If you preach you must carry the cross. Your whole life must be hung on it. Thousands upon thousands are still in Satan's grip. “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel."
Beloved, we are well-fed. Woe is unto us, if we preach not the Gospel."
THEME SONG
How marvellous His love.
How marvellous His love.
For me He died on Calv'ry's tree.
How marvellous His love.
How bountiful His grace.
How bountiful His grace.
From deepest sin He ransomed me
How bountiful His grace.
约翰·宋的40篇复兴布道
第九章：神深不可测的恩典
（列王纪上7章）
以色列的首都撒玛利亚被亚兰军队包围。百姓忧心忡忡，因为许多人食不果腹，甚至被迫“吃鸽粪”。
第1节：以利沙说：“明天这个时候，撒玛利亚的市集上，两加仑面或四加仑大麦，就要卖一美元了……”亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，神的恩典远超我们所能想象。许多神的子民都在盼望祂的救恩快快临到，却不知道祂的救恩早已临到。现在正是蒙悦纳的时候！
第2节：这里有一位王的侍臣，一位高级官员，他对以利沙说：“不可能！一美元买两加仑面？除非天门敞开！” 以利沙说：“无论你们信不信，这事必成就。” 哦，神的恩典何等浩大！神的恩典远超我们的愿望和想象。神的恩典与我们同在。来这里之前，我做梦也想不到今晚会有这么多人。
我去虎州的时候，只希望看到两百人重生。所以，我为此祷告。然而，第一天来参加聚会的四百人中，竟然有三百人得救了！第二天，来了一千多人，我们不得不把聚会移到外面的空地上。将近一千人得救了，其中还有一位牧师的儿子。 这位牧师的儿子对我说：“宋先生，我以前从未体会过神的恩典。亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，无论你们信不信，神的恩典都必临到你们。祂的恩典何等伟大奇妙！
第3节：赞美主！这里有四个麻风病人，他们不愿死去，坐着。他们想要摆脱死亡。可怜的人中，有许多人宁愿一死了之，从未想过要寻求出路。还有许多人在每日的苦难中挣扎，他们也从未想过要离开！
第4节：奇妙的是，这四个麻风病人想到了出路。他们说：“如果我们坐在这里，肯定会饿死。如果我们进城去，也必死无疑。 “为什么不离开这里，向叙利亚军队投降呢？”我并不赞成他们投降，我赞成他们想方设法逃出生天。
一位住在上海的姐妹给我写信讲述了她母亲的困境。她才三十出头，却养育了十个孩子。但除了她自己，其他孩子都去世了。她说：“我母亲是一位虔诚的佛教徒。佛陀告诉她，她在地狱里的祖先需要钱，所以把她的孩子们带到地狱去卖掉换钱。现在她唯一的出路就是用钱去祭拜魔鬼。我母亲问她需要多少钱，佛陀回答说200美元。她真的花了那200美元，但当她再次去问佛陀时，佛陀回答说：“你的祖先仍然一无所有。所以，在九月初八，他们也会把你唯一幸存的女儿带到地狱去卖掉。我母亲吓坏了，她去了教堂，请牧师为她祈祷。” 这给我们带来了平安，我，她的女儿，也安然无恙。之后，她拿起一把锤子，把她的佛像砸得粉碎。
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，撒旦完全压制了这个女人。她除了挣扎求生还能做什么呢？多么令人欣喜！如今有多少人正被魔鬼掌控？有烟草的魔鬼，有赌博的魔鬼，有酒精的魔鬼。你们为何不寻求出路呢？
第5、6节。四个麻风病人找到了去叙利亚营地的路。但到了那里，他们连叙利亚军队的影子都没看到。“哈哈！”他们笑着说，“这么多吃的！我们真是太幸运了，没有人跟我们作战……”亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，圣灵的工作真是奇妙。 如果一个人愿意被圣灵引导去寻求出路，他就会发现前方的道路奇妙无比，而且远比这更奇妙。有一次，一位新信徒在听完讲道后对我说：“宋先生，我当时处境艰难，直到有一天我决定来参加您的聚会。起初，我觉得您的讲道完全索然无味，但我还是决定听完。当我全神贯注地听讲时，我的心开始怦怦直跳。当您说‘凡有罪的，都请举手’时，我起初没有勇气，但后来我举起了手，走到了前面。走着走着，我以前所犯的一切罪都涌上心头，让我感到无比痛苦。但当我信靠耶稣的那一刻，我身上的罪仿佛被卸下了千斤重担。我得到了前所未有的喜乐。”亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，如果一个人想要得救，他就会发现救恩奇妙无比，而且远比这更奇妙。
第7、8节。四个麻风病人因他们现在拥有的财富而欣喜若狂。因为，叙利亚人被前夜听到的马匹和战车的轰鸣声吓得魂飞魄散，四散奔逃。神的恩典白白赐予我们，无需任何代价。麻风病人没有武器，没有动一根手指头去战斗，却吃得饱饱的，甚至还有富余，以及许多他们带不走的东西。哦，神取之不尽的恩典！
一天晚上我做了一个梦。我梦见一个人丢了很多钱。我开始捡钱，我把每一枚硬币都捡了起来。当我醒来时，我却一分钱也没找到。梦就是这样。但神的恩典并非如此虚妄，并非如此虚梦。神的恩典是真实的。它无法被我们计算。神的恩典不仅仅满足了麻风病人饥饿的胃。这远远不够。
第7、8节 9. 这节经文最为宝贵。这四个人吃饱饭后，想到同胞们饥饿的境况。他们一致同意：“我们立刻去传扬福音吧！若天亮时我们不去报告，王必惩罚我们。”亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，你们当中有多少人的才华被埋没了呢？你们从未传扬过福音！保罗说：“我若不传福音，就有祸了。”如今厦门人食不果腹，你们却吃得饱足。蒙古、贵州、云南等地却挤满了无数饥饿的灵魂。他们从未尝过神的恩典。亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，“我若不传福音，就有祸了。”
让我们看看这四个人报告了什么。他们传扬了福音。他们作了有力的见证，因为若不传扬福音，他们必遭祸患。 亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，让我们记住：不传福音是最大的罪。
第10、11节。他们现在正走着，把福音告诉了守门人。守门人相信了，因为他看见他们都吃饱了。人们也相信了他们，因为他们吃饱了。
从前有一个人卖生发剂。他一边兜售一边吹嘘自己的生发剂：“如果你买了我的生发剂，把它涂在你的秃头上，你的头发就会长出来。”一个小孩走过来，一把扯下他的帽子，说：“你刚才说，‘如果你把生发剂涂在头上，头发就会长出来’。可是，你看，你自己就是个秃头。你为什么不照你说的做呢？”真是个天大的笑话！一个秃头居然卖生发剂！这就像一个从未重生的人讲道，宣扬“重生得救”一样。可笑至极！ 教会如今为何如此迟缓？因为教会里充斥着许多秃顶的人，他们试图推销生发剂。谁会买呢？这四个麻风病人却吃得饱饱的，挺着圆滚滚的肚子，他们说服了守门人。你也应该这样说：“我们参加过复兴聚会，吃了很多东西。”你以前是赌徒，现在却可以赞美主，也能说服别人。
第12节 守门人说：“让我去告诉王。”王半夜起来，心存疑虑，说：“亚兰人或许已经乔装打扮离开了。如果我们去追赶他们，会不会落入他们的埋伏？”在这种情况下，神还能打开恩典之门吗？
第13-14节 有人对王说：“不要疑惑。我们派五个人去打探一下吧。” 那五个人回来后，异口同声地说：“敌人撤退了！地上到处都是货物。” 我在上海讲道时，杭州教会派了四个代表来听我讲道，因为他们不确定是否要邀请我。这四个人听后印象很好，就邀请了我。我到了杭州，那里的一位超级牧师强烈反对我。他有个儿子，是个赌徒，从不读圣经。真是奇妙！别人都还没得救，他却得救了，悔改了，彻底改变了。他组织了很多福音团队。他告诉他父亲：“你反对复兴聚会，但我已经信主了。我现在不赌博了。我喜欢读圣经。” 亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，当有人反对你们时，不要灰心丧气。如果神帮助我们，所有的问题都会迎刃而解。
有一次我去汕头，第一天并没有人邀请我讲道。 我只受邀参加了一次聚会。第一次聚会后，两百多人重生得救。第二次聚会，参加人数超过一千。此后，每个教会都邀请我去讲道。弟兄姊妹们，如果你传讲真理，即使遭遇阻力也不必担心。
第16、17节：哦，上帝恩典之门敞开！众人涌来！无需邀请，也无需强迫。他们竭尽全力地奔赴。所有人都饿得奄奄一息，争抢食物。如果你所传讲的是福音，人们就会来听。如果我们所传讲的是真理，即使有人反对我们也不必担心。我在坎顿讲道时，侦探和警察奉命来逮捕我。就在他们即将逮捕我的时候，一群学生站出来抗议。这真是上帝的帮助。
另一次我去另一间教会时，那里贴着一张告示：“禁止聚会”。但这丝毫没有阻止众人前来。当圣灵动工时，谁能抵挡得住呢？神说：“一美元能买两加仑面粉。” 真的吗？是的！神的恩典深不可测。
第18节。神的话语应验了吗？当然应验了！凡不信的，都是绊脚石。但这样的人必被践踏致死！如果我们传讲福音，撒旦必被击败。如今你们已经重生，蒙福了。若你们不传福音，祸患必将临到！
1926年2月10日，神呼召了我。主要我传道。很多时候我都不愿意，因为传道是一项艰巨的工作。如果我成为一名教师，就不会有人来烦我了。当我开始传道时，我发现了许多反对者。如果你要传道，就必须背起自己的十字架。 你的一生都系于此。成千上万的人仍被撒旦掌控。“我若不传福音，就有祸了。”
亲爱的，我们已得饱足。我们若不传福音，就有祸了。
主题曲
祂的爱何等奇妙。
祂的爱何等奇妙。
祂为我死在各各他十字架上。
祂的爱何等奇妙。
祂的恩典何等丰盛。
祂的恩典何等丰盛。
祂将我从最深的罪中救赎出来。
祂的恩典何等丰盛。
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