【音樂會後感 （五）之恩賜與努力】

最後有關今次音樂會想分享的，是我和我在音樂上的好拍擋，鋼琴家Jezrael Lucero的一些對音樂的想法和交流。大部份認識他的人都會知道他擅長爵士鋼琴演奏，但其實他與很多人一樣都是由古典音樂開始，但他和很多人不一樣的是他嬰兒時期已經失明，所以他學每一首樂曲都需要由頭到尾背每一粒音符，而且當他彈錯時，他父親便會有煙頭燙他的手！所以四歲的他便已經學曉古典音樂中被譽為難度很高的樂曲。五歲那年，他開始加入酒店的樂隊，才開始學習爵士音樂。

Jezrael經常跟我說，他不明白為何一些自居爵士音樂人總是看不起古典音樂人，而一些自居古典音樂人又看不起那些非古典音樂人；他認為這些都是源於對各種音樂缺乏深入的認識，以及沒有把自己的自尊放下所致的。

Jezrael Lucero 除了古典及爵士音樂外，還精通拉丁、古巴、鄉謠、藍調等音樂，而因為他自小便在教會長大的原故，更加對福音音樂、黑人靈歌及西方聖樂有深入的認識，並且可以收放自如地遊走於及融合這些不同風格的音樂。除了琴鍵外，他還精通結他與貝斯，是不折不扣的multi-instrumentalist ！

我的一位朋友、本身也是音樂人的Arthur Mak告訴我他覺得Jezrael 演奏時像在即興地在琴鍵上Orchestrate那首作品；而作為嘉賓的羅乃新老師在音樂會中更說Jezrael 的琴技之出身入化如有「特異功能」一樣。音樂會後，林國璋牧師在他自己的一篇主日講道中也提到Jezrael 的「特異功能」，雖然失明，但沒有阻礙他音樂的才華，感慨上帝將不同恩賜給予不同的人。我把林牧師的講章與Jezrael 分享後，他回答我：「這位牧師說得很對，但我想加多一點：如果不努力，上帝會把恩賜拿走的！很多人都把天份overrate，但把努力underrate 了！」的確是很好的提醒！

我和Jezrael 在每一次演出都會在大概一星期前作一次Rehearsal，試試不同歌曲是否適合及適合什麼風格、拍子、速度、調子等，然後下一次再合奏就是表演之時了；這是我們一貫的合作模式。我爸媽問過我：「為何很少聽到你為音樂會練歌？」這説法通常有兩種解讀：（1）你是否沒有準備，不夠努力？或（2）你一定是天份好，所以不用多練。其實，兩種說法都是誤解 — 經年累月，很多這些歌曲已經進入了我的潛意識之中，而我無時無刻都在腦海中思考著那些歌曲（例如架車時、走路時）；甚至很多時候，我也會在花灑裡引吭高歌！誰說練習一定要站到鋼琴面前才算是認真練習呢？其實那些都是我認真練習的時候，我只是不相信「臨急抱佛腳」式的練習而已。所以最後，我跟我的父母說：「如果你們現在才聽到我為音樂會死鋤那些歌曲，那你們才真的要擔心！」借用Jezrael 的另一句說話：「音樂是一種Spontaneous Art ！」我的理解是，把它發揮得最好不可單靠一時三刻的狂練，而是要經年累月的沉澱才能夠在演出時自如地表達到當刻的感受。我相信這也能夠apply到人生中各式各樣的範疇！但願大家都能找到自己的方向並努力不懈地追求！

鍾氏兄弟 The Chung Brothers
Chung Chi Chaplaincy 崇基學院校牧室
Jezrael Lucero

Fulfilled Prophecies about Jesus Christ

It is amazing that Psalm 22 was written roughly 1000 years before Jesus Christ was born, and yet it accurately predicts the way that He would die.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?” (Psalms‬ ‭22:1‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Jesus said these words while on the cross. You could argue that He knew the Scriptures and could have easily quoted them.

But surely He couldn’t orchestrate the way people would despise and insult Him while He hung on the cross. Even the words used are the same:

“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. All those who see me mock me. They insult me with their lips. They shake their heads, saying, “He trusts in Yahweh; let him deliver him. Let him rescue him, since he delights in him.”” (Psalms‬ ‭22:6-8‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

When the Roman soldier pierced Jesus’ side, blood and water flowed out, showing that His heart was literally broken (ruptured).

“I am poured out like water. All my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it is melted within me.” (Psalms‬ ‭22:14‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

He was thirsty. Remember He said “I thirst.”

“My strength is dried up like a potsherd. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have brought me into the dust of death.” (Psalms‬ ‭22:15‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Jesus’ hands and feet were nailed to the cross. His body was torn by the stripes inflicted by the whip lashes He endured.

“For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all of my bones. They look and stare at me.” (Psalms‬ ‭22:16-17‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

The expensive robes that Jesus wore were from Herod’s palace, so the Roman soldiers gambled for His robes, at the foot of the cross.

“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.” (Psalms‬ ‭22:18‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

It is amazing how many prophecies about the Messiah are in this psalm alone. Jesus fulfilled them at the cross.

One more remains unfulfilled:

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to Yahweh. All the relatives of the nations shall worship before you. For the kingdom is Yahweh’s. He is the ruler over the nations. All the rich ones of the earth shall eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him, even he who can’t keep his soul alive.” (Psalms‬ ‭22:27-29‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

This one will be fulfilled when Jesus returns to reign on earth. He will set up His physical kingdom on earth and reign over the earth for a thousand years with us, until the final Satanic rebellion.

The preceding prophecies in Psalm 22 have already been fulfilled, so we believe and are certain that all the remaining prophecies will be fulfilled too.

“And after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison, and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. They went up over the width of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from God, and devoured them. The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation‬ ‭20:7-10‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

This real-life story has a happy ending. The devil will be torment continually, and we will enjoy eternity with God forever. Are you excited? I am! Hallelujah!

When Jesus establishes His Millennial kingdom, He will hold a great feast called the “Marriage Feast of the Lamb”. That event is also an awards ceremony for believers. You will receive great eternal rewards from Jesus for everything good you’ve done for His sake: http://bit.ly/sandcastlesdontlastforever

So excited to receive the first two paperback copies of my book “Silencing the Serpent: How Christians Can Emerge Victorious in Spiritual Warfare”. Eight more copies will be arriving on Wednesday!

Here’s sharing a small segment from the book. It’s from the chapter called “Destroying the Stronghold of a Harbored Grudge”:

When you have a fresh revelation of the immensity of what God has forgiven you of, you can manifest your love for Him through forgiving others of their debts against you. You are extending forgiveness by Grace for God’s sake, not because the other person has made amends.

Knowing how much God has forgiven you of through Jesus’ finished work at the cross is the flaming boulder packed full of God’s dunamis (miracle-working power) to destroy the stronghold of a harbored grudge.

Harboring a grudge is like a poison that only harms yourself and others. The only ones celebrating over your unwillingness to forgive are Satan and his demons. The root of bitterness in your heart must be destroyed before it causes more trouble and defilement.

If you are harboring a grudge against someone, go through this process:

1. Picture Jesus at the cross bearing your sins and punishment, and how God has already forgiven you of a debt that is infinitely greater than what the person owes you.

2. Identify the person by name and tell God that you are going to forgive him or her by Grace, for Jesus’ sake.

3. Pray a blessing for that person and ask God to orchestrate opportunities for him or her to receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This way, you overcome evil with good.

4. Congratulations, you are free from that grudge. Now that you have released the person from guilt, you also freed yourself from the stronghold of a harbored grudge. Enjoy that freedom and don’t take that grudge back again!

There are lots of spiritual warfare weapons and truths I want to share with you and it’s all in the book. Make sure to get a copy if you haven’t done so yet.

Here’s one of the testimonies I received from a reader of this book: “Milton Goh, I downloaded your book and it was God's appointed time for my breakthrough. He destroyed a stronghold in my life that was rooted on a lie. A light just went on in an instant and the Lord uprooted a wrong belief. I struggled now for years with a relationship and I believed a lie that a sin I committed in the past was unforgivable, and I judged the other person for the same sin. It was unconscious and I didn't know that I was bound by this lie. When I read a chapter in this book, about strongholds in the mind, the Holy Spirit revealed it to me in a flash and it was as if the walls of Jericho were tumbling down! Thanks for this book—it is from the Lord!”
- Antoinette Hurter Keyser

If you are living in Singapore, I have a few physical copies (signed and with a customized note of blessing for you) available for purchase. It’s priced at S$18 and this includes delivery + a bonus sermon CD. Leave a comment below or send me a private message if you want to get a copy.

If you are living abroad and want a Kindle eBook or paperback copy of “Silencing the Serpent”, you can order it from Amazon at this link: https://bit.ly/silencing-the-serpent