凌宇軒於二〇二六年七月廿六日在聖馬田堂之講道
經課： 創世記 29.15–28 , 羅馬書 8.26–末, 馬太福音 13.31–33, 44–52
A Sermon preached at St Martin-in-the-Fields on 26 June 2026 by Eugene Ling
Reading for address: Genesis 29.15–28, Romans 8.26–end, Matthew 13.31–33, 44–52
上主，你讓我們在聖靈的幫助下，讓我們饒得在生命中有倚靠，在信仰和敎會生活中有提醒，求你讓我們持守着對聖父的信心，學習聖子的模範，並靠聖靈去過我們在世的生命。又求你也在這個時候祝福我所分享，弟兄姊妹的思想和領受，都蒙你保守悦納，歸榮耀給你。祈禱是奉靠主耶穌基督的名禱告。阿們。
今年是聖馬田堂三百週年的大日子，不知道對大家來説有甚麽感覺？回想自己二十多年前來到參加崇拜，認識弟兄姊妹，和參加不同團契小組，以致我在敎堂友好Connection工作，就算自己只是參與不足三十年的敎會生活，我覺得自己好嚮往在這個家裏面，去經歷信仰，與人建立關係，並且成為自己活在社會中不可缺少的伙伴。或許我會建議弟兄姊妹之後在主日崇拜之前，或之後，花一段比較長的時間，細心欣賞一下在敎堂底層的聖馬田三百週年特別展覽，看看聖馬田堂的歷史，和一直以來所持心的宗旨和理念，這個體驗可能會幫助你增加對這個敎會的歸屬感，也可能對自己信仰生命有更清淅的了解。
聖馬田堂現在的使命宣言是這樣的，敎堂致力於透過成為一所開放且包容的敎會來榮耀上帝，在當中讓人們能夠提出疑問，並親自探索耶穌基督的意義。看着這句敎會的使命宣言，我覺得這就是現今的多元社會當中，一個好好的空間和平台，讓人經歷和感受上主恩典，美善和慈愛。我再將這一句使命宣言放在三百年前建立聖馬田堂的歷史來看，我更加覺得聖馬田堂已經在三百年前，開始去實踐這使命宣言中的核心價值。在這個三百週年展示介紹中提及，自一七二六年以來，這座敎堂一直是倫敦市中心的重要地標，從昔日位於「田野中的敎堂」，發展成為今日享譽全球的Trafalgar Square地標，長期以來，聖馬田堂一直面向社會邊緣羣體，為那些身處貧困與被排斥的人們提供庇護、接納與切實的關懷。聖馬田堂也是一間走在時代前方的敎會；積極擁抱新思想和技術，率先將敎堂地庫改造，成集咖啡館、商店和活動空間於一體的塲所，在開展崇拜與社會服務的同時，也經營着社會企業，服務社會。就這樣，聖馬田堂在這三百年來建立了一個美好的形象，讓人在很多不同層次上得到益處。一個好好的例子，就是聖馬田堂由六十年代初開始，牧養來自香港不識字的華人，及後在一九六四年前成立了我們的前身，聖馬田粵語堂，跟着何明華會督協會暨社區中心隨後在一九八四年成立，積極地服務身在倫敦華人移民的實際需要，我自己就是一個在這裏長大的受惠者，也是一個相當滿足和開心的受惠者。不知道你們有沒有相類似的感覺？或許這都是一條讓自己可以有思想空間的題目，聖馬田堂究竟在你心目中是一間甚麽的敎會？如果你肯在當中有思考，或者尋索的時候，無論是甚麽答案和看法也好，我相信你會思想到很多你生命中的重要支柱，讓你成長，確立自己所相信和認定的信仰。
如果你參加敎會崇拜和活動好一段時間，你可能或多或少的聽過一些敎導或目標，那就是敎會和信徒，都是上主好好的途徑，幫助在我們所活在的地上，去建立天國的工程，就正如主耶穌基督在傳道開始時候，在主禱文敎導一樣，願天國臨到地上。但究竟天國又是一個怎樣的國度？當中又是甚麽的一回事？今日在福音經課當中，主耶穌基督講了五件小小的事情作為比喻，來形容天國是甚麽一回事，因為當時的人，怎至乎現今世代的人，都不能了解或想像如何去建立天國，也不知道天國是甚麽一回事。這五件小事情包括芥菜種的生長，麵酵的發大，收藏寶貝，尋找珍珠，和撒網捕魚。簡單從表面上看，五件事情不單是沒有直接關係之外，也沒有描繪一些景象或事物，但如果我們細心去理解當中的過程，主耶穌基督是有意思地讓我們了解當中的過程和結果，明白和認識天國是怎樣的一回事。
在芥菜種生長中，我們透過等待，由好細小的種子，變成大大的植物。麵酵就需要時間慢慢發酵，才能成事。收藏寶貝的時候，人總需要發現之後，再作出決定。尋找珍珠需要經歷一個過程，才可以揀出最好的。撒網捕魚需要先廣泛收聚，最後就要完成分別的動作，揀出一些好和有用的。從這五個小小的比喻中，我們看見建立天國的時候是需要有一些特質。首先我們是需要時間和忍耐，在上主的計劃當中去建立，雖然全能的上主可以立刻令天國成就，但是上主讓我們參與和經歷這個過程，因為上主希望我們能夠明白和知道，上主讓我們參與在天國建立的過程之中。在這個參與和經歷的過程之中，主耶穌基督向我們展現，天國不是一個已經由上主完成，只等待揭曉的完美工程，而是上主在歷史中，以至到現在的持續工作，而我們每一位也是真真實實地參與在這建立過程中。我們需要做的，就是這五個小比喻今天帶給我們的提醒，包括要好像芥菜種那樣去成長至很大的植物，有耐心去等待麵酵的發大，有去尋找寶藏的心思和意志，又要有去選擇尋找珍珠的決心，以及在撒網捕魚之後，在最後的時間幫助漁夫選擇最好的留下來。
除了主耶穌基督今天勉勵的特質之外，使徒保羅在今日的新約經課所提及的提醒，實在是對我們去幫助建立天國的工程中有很大的幫助。第一，使徒保羅明白我們原本在主耶穌基督來到世上之先，是不懂得如何禱告，這個都是主耶穌基督剛開始傳道的時候所留意到的現象，所以祂率先敎導我們以主禱文，去向上主禱告。使徒保羅也直接講出我們原本是不懂得如何上上主禱告，感謝上主賜下聖靈在我們每一個人心中，使我們明白和知道我們可以坦然無懼地向上主禱告。雖然這好像是一個似有還無的思想概念，但這就是我們從上主而來的禮物，我們可以向上主傾訴和呼求，得着上主所給予的恩典，幫助和福份，更讓我們可以向上主支取力量和幫助，一起建立天國。
使徒保羅第二個可以幫助建立天國的敎導，就是一句很多弟兄姊妹會記得的金句，「萬事都互相效力，叫愛上帝的人得益處。」這個敎導聽起來好像簡單，我們只需要在每一件事情上，走在一起，為着目標和結果共同努力，那就可以好好地建立天國，成就上主在人世間的美意。或許在完美主義情況下，上主原本的美意是讓人有自由意志，去成就上主的旨意。只可惜現今世代有人會有不同做法，不同理念，不同思想，去實踐建立天國的目標，繼而有些人寧願自己堅持持自己所想所做的事和想法。其實我面對着弟兄姊妹之間如果有各自各的思想和做法，而且不願意聆聽與自己不同的人和事。我覺得這是與今天使徒保羅所勸勉的有所不同，有時我們互相效力，有時會經歷一些自己不情願的事，又或者在思想領域，甚至在自己一直對信仰的認知都會衝突，但是過程中如果可以令自己更加開放去嘗試或聆聽，或許我們會明白和了解更多，因為各人透過在上主中的不同經歷和學習，這些都可以互相效力，讓我們可以更清楚見到上主吩咐我們建立天國的心意。
建立天國的確是一個很偉大，同時有着奧祕的目標，正如剛剛所提及，我們聖馬田堂這三百年的建立，除了我剛剛所提及有很多很多好處之外，或許都是與地上很多敎會一樣，聖馬田堂在建立天國工程上都做了很多功夫。當然聖馬田堂現在不是等於天國的模樣，但是我們每一個弟兄姊妹都見證着聖馬田堂承傳了成長，等待，尋找，決心，和選攞，透過敬拜，音樂，社會服務，社會企業等等，與社會不同的人互相效力，建立天國，不單止叫愛上帝的人得益處，更讓更多人可以認識上主和福音。我為到聖馬田堂，和我們每一個弟兄姊妹獻上感恩，盼望你們都同我一樣，感到同一份恩典和感恩，更願望我們每一位都能夠繼續秉承聖馬田堂三百週年的優良傳統，繼續在地上建立天國的工程，讓更多人得着上主給我們每一位美好的恩典和禮物。阿們。
Lord, through the help of the Holy Spirit, you enable us to find strength and support in our lives, and reminders in our faith and in our life together as a church. We pray that you would help us to hold firmly to our faith in God the Father, to learn from the example of God the Son, and to live our lives here on earth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We also ask you at this time to bless what I am about to share, and to keep the thoughts and understanding of all our brothers and sisters, so that they may be acceptable to you and bring glory to your name. We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
This year is a very special year for St Martin-in-the-Fields as we celebrate its 300th anniversary. I wonder what this anniversary means to each of you.
When I look back to more than twenty years ago, when I first came here to worship, getting to know brothers and sisters, taking part in different fellowship groups and activities, and eventually working for The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields, I realise that although I have only been part of the life of this church for less than thirty years, I have come to cherish this place as a home where I can experience faith, build relationships with others, and become part of something that is essential to my life in society.
Perhaps I would encourage you, at some point before or after a Sunday service, to spend a little more time carefully looking at the special exhibition on the 300th anniversary of St Martin-in-the-Fields in the church crypt. Take some time to discover the history of St Martin-in-the-Fields, and to learn about the values, mission and vision that this church has held throughout its history. I think this experience may help you to develop a greater sense of belonging to this church, and perhaps it may also help you to understand your own journey of faith more clearly.
The mission statement of St Martin-in-the-Fields today says:
‘We seek to glorify God by being an open and inclusive church where people can ask questions and explore for themselves what Jesus Christ means.’
When I look at this mission statement, I feel that it offers a very important space and platform in today’s diverse society – a place where people can experience and encounter the grace, goodness and love of God.
And when I place this mission statement alongside the history of St Martin-in-the-Fields, going back 300 years, I feel even more strongly that the church was already beginning to live out the core values expressed in this mission statement three centuries ago.
The 300th anniversary exhibition tells us that, since 1726, this church has been an important landmark in the heart of London. From its origins as a ‘church in the fields’, it has developed into the world-renowned landmark that stands today at Trafalgar Square. Throughout its history, St Martin-in-the-Fields has continually reached out to people on the margins of society, offering shelter, welcome and practical care to those experiencing poverty and exclusion.
St Martin-in-the-Fields has also been a church willing to move ahead of its time, actively embracing new ideas and technology. It was among the first churches to transform its crypt into a place combining a café, shop and spaces for activities. Alongside worship and social ministry, it has also developed social enterprises to serve the wider community.
In this way, over these 300 years, St Martin-in-the-Fields has built a wonderful reputation and has brought benefits to people in many different ways.
One very good example is the way St Martin-in-the-Fields began, from the early 1960s, to minister to Chinese people from Hong Kong, including those who were unable to read and write. This eventually led to the establishment, before 1964, of what became our predecessor, the St Martin’s Cantonese Congregation. Later, in 1984, the Bishop Ho Ming Wah Association and Community Centre was established, actively responding to the practical needs of Chinese immigrants living in London.
I myself am one of those who have grown up here and benefited from this ministry – and I am a very grateful and happy beneficiary indeed.
I wonder whether some of you have experienced something similar.
Perhaps this is also a question that gives us space to think: What kind of church is St Martin-in-the-Fields in your eyes?
If you are willing to spend some time thinking about this, or searching for your own answer, whatever your answer or perspective may be, I believe you will discover many important foundations and pillars in your own life – things that have helped you to grow, and to establish and affirm the faith that you believe in and hold dear.
If you have been attending worship and activities at church for some time, you may have heard, in one way or another, a particular teaching or vision: that the church and its people can be instruments of God, helping to build the kingdom of God here on earth where we live.
This is very much like what our Lord Jesus Christ taught us in the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of his ministry: ‘Your kingdom come.’
But what exactly is the kingdom of God? What is it really like?
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells five small stories as parables to help us understand what the kingdom of God is like. The people of his time – and perhaps even people today – find it difficult to understand or imagine how the kingdom of God can be built, or even what the kingdom of God really is.
These five small stories are about the growth of the mustard seed, the yeast working through the dough, discovering treasure, searching for a pearl, and casting a net into the sea to catch fish.
At first glance, these five stories not only seem to have little direct connection with one another, but they also do not appear to describe one particular scene or object. Yet if we pay careful attention to the processes within each story, Jesus is intentionally helping us to understand something about both the process and the outcome, and therefore to understand more deeply what the kingdom of God is like.
In the growth of the mustard seed, we see a process of waiting: a very small seed eventually becomes a large plant.
Yeast needs time to work slowly through the dough before the process is complete.
When someone discovers a treasure, there is first a moment of discovery, followed by a decision about what to do.
Searching for a pearl involves a process before one can identify and choose the finest one.
And when a fishing net is cast into the sea, there is first a wide gathering of fish, followed eventually by the process of sorting them and selecting those that are good and useful.
From these five little parables, we can see that building the kingdom of God requires certain qualities.
First of all, we need time and patience as we participate in God’s work and God’s plan.
Although the Almighty God could bring about the kingdom immediately, God allows us to participate in and experience the process, because God wants us to understand and know what it means for us to take part in the building of the kingdom.
Through this process of participation and experience, Jesus shows us that the kingdom of God is not a perfect project that God has already completed and is simply waiting to reveal. Rather, it is God’s continuing work throughout history and even now – and every one of us is genuinely participating in that process of building.
What we need to do is to take seriously the reminders brought to us by these five small parables today.
We need to grow like the mustard seed until we become something much greater.
We need the patience to wait for the yeast to work through the dough.
We need the desire and determination to search for the treasure.
We need the commitment to search for and choose the pearl of great value.
And after the net has been cast and the fish gathered, we need to help the fishermen, at the appropriate time, to discern and select what is good and worth keeping.
Beyond the qualities that Jesus encourages us to develop today, the reminder given by the Apostle Paul in today’s New Testament reading can also be a great help to us as we seek to participate in the building of God’s kingdom.
First, Paul recognises that, before Jesus came into the world, we did not really know how to pray.
This was also something Jesus noticed at the beginning of his ministry, which is why he first taught us how to pray through the Lord’s Prayer.
Paul likewise tells us directly that we do not naturally know how to pray to God. We give thanks to God for giving the Holy Spirit to each one of us, enabling us to understand that we can come before God in prayer with confidence and without fear.
Although this may seem like an intangible or difficult-to-grasp idea, it is a gift that comes from God.
We can pour out our hearts to God and call upon God. We can receive the grace, help and blessings that God gives us. And we can draw strength and support from God as we participate together in building the kingdom of God.
The second teaching from Paul that can help us in building the kingdom of God is a verse that many of us will remember:
‘In all things God works for the good of those who love him.’
This teaching may sound very simple. We might think that all we need to do is to work together in everything, moving in the same direction towards the same goal and outcome. Then, surely, we can build the kingdom of God well and accomplish God’s good purposes in this world.
Perhaps, from an idealistic or perfectionist perspective, God’s original intention is for human beings to have free will and to participate in bringing about God’s purposes.
Unfortunately, in today’s world, people have different ways of doing things, different ideas and different ways of thinking about how to pursue the goal of building God’s kingdom. As a result, some people would rather insist on doing things according to their own ideas and convictions.
When I encounter situations among brothers and sisters where people have different ideas and approaches, and where they are unwilling to listen to those who think differently from themselves, I feel that this is somewhat different from the encouragement Paul gives us today.
Sometimes we do work together.
Sometimes we experience things that we would not have chosen for ourselves.
Sometimes our ideas may come into conflict – even in the area of our understanding of faith, including things that we have believed for a very long time.
But if, through the process, we can become more open to trying something different or listening to others, perhaps we will come to understand and appreciate much more.
Each person has different experiences and learns different things through their journey with God. All of these experiences and lessons can work together for good. They can help us to see more clearly what God is calling us to do as we participate in building the kingdom of God.
Building the kingdom of God is certainly a great and, at the same time, mysterious undertaking.
As I mentioned earlier, during these 300 years of the life and development of St Martin-in-the-Fields, alongside all the many benefits I have already mentioned, perhaps this church, like many other churches around the world, has also been doing its part in the work of building God’s kingdom.
Of course, St Martin-in-the-Fields is not the same thing as the kingdom of God.
But each one of us, brothers and sisters, bears witness to the way St Martin-in-the-Fields has carried forward a tradition of growth, waiting, searching, determination and choosing.
Through worship, music, social care, social enterprise and many other forms of ministry, the church works together with people from different parts of society to participate in building the kingdom of God.
And this does not only bring benefit to those who love God; it also enables more people to encounter God and to discover the good news of the Gospel.
I give thanks to God for St Martin-in-the-Fields, and for every one of you, my brothers and sisters.
I hope that you, like me, can experience this same sense of grace and thanksgiving.
And I pray that each one of us will continue to carry forward the wonderful traditions and values of St Martin-in-the-Fields as we celebrate its 300th anniversary.
May we continue to participate in the building of God’s kingdom here on earth, so that more and more people may receive and experience the wonderful grace and gifts that God gives to each one of us.
Amen.