Monday, 26th October 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文
「在神我們的父面前，不住地記念你們因信心所做的工夫，因愛心所受的勞苦，因盼望我們主耶穌基督所存的忍耐。」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書1:3，和合本
引言
信心是在人的心裏，卻能從行動中看見；愛心是裏面的心意，卻會使人願意付出；盼望指向將來，卻能支持我們今天繼續忍耐。
這正是保羅在帖撒羅尼迦教會所看見的生命。
保羅在第二次宣教旅程中來到帖撒羅尼迦，傳講主耶穌受死、復活的福音。有人相信，教會因此建立；但很快也出現反對和逼迫，保羅與西拉被迫連夜離開。
這些弟兄姊妹信主不久，就要在壓力中學習跟隨主。保羅非常掛念他們，後來差提摩太前去堅固他們。當提摩太帶回他們信心與愛心的好消息，保羅大得安慰，便寫信鼓勵他們。
所以，第一章充滿了感恩。保羅看見，他們所領受的福音已經改變了生活，也使他們成為其他信徒的榜樣。
今天，我們從三方面來認識，怎樣讓福音成為看得見的生命：領受有權能的福音，活出有行動的信仰，成為能傳揚的見證。
一、領受有權能的福音
「因為我們的福音傳到你們那裏，不獨在乎言語，也在乎權能和聖靈，並充足的信心……」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書1:5
生命的改變，從領受福音開始。
保羅所傳的福音，是主耶穌基督為我們的罪受死，並且從死裏復活，使相信祂的人得著赦免，與天父和好。
這福音需要透過言語清楚傳講，而聖靈也藉著所傳的真道在人心裏工作，使人認識基督、相信基督，並且願意跟隨祂。
第五節所說的「充足的信心」，帶有深信、確信的意思。保羅與同工深信所傳的福音，也以自己的生活見證所傳的道。因此，保羅提醒他們，他們知道這些傳福音的人，在他們中間是怎樣為人。
他們聽見福音，也看見傳講福音的人怎樣生活。
而聖靈的工作，也顯明在領受福音的人身上。第六節說，他們在大難之中，蒙了聖靈所賜的喜樂，領受真道。
他們接受福音的時候，外面的壓力仍然存在，但聖靈賜下喜樂，使他們在患難中仍然願意接受主的話，效法使徒，也效法主。
這份喜樂，來自他們所認識的主。因著主耶穌基督，他們知道自己蒙天父所愛，也有了救恩的盼望。
福音的權能，就這樣在他們生命中顯明：在反對聲音中，他們仍然相信；在患難之中，他們仍然領受真道，開始跟隨主。
今天，我們能夠持守信仰，也有同樣的根基。主耶穌已經成就救恩，聖靈仍然藉著真道堅固我們，使我們在不同的處境中，繼續信靠祂。
二、活出有行動的信仰
「……因信心所做的工夫，因愛心所受的勞苦，因盼望我們主耶穌基督所存的忍耐。」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書1:3
當人領受福音，這份信仰就開始進入生活。保羅從帖撒羅尼迦信徒身上，看見信心、愛心和盼望所結出的果子。
首先，是信心帶來行動。
他們相信主耶穌基督，就願意按照祂的話生活。第九節說，他們離棄偶像，歸向那又真又活的天父，要服事祂。
對當時的信徒而言，這是具體的改變。他們離開原來的偶像崇拜，開始敬拜、服事天父。這個選擇可能影響原有的習慣，也可能帶來家人和朋友的不理解，但他們因為相信主，仍然願意跟隨祂。
信心使我們重新建立生命的依靠，也引導我們作出選擇。因為相信主的話真實可信，我們願意順服；因為相信祂的帶領，我們願意照著祂的教導生活。
其次，是愛心使人付出。
保羅記念他們「因愛心所受的勞苦」。愛心進入生活，就會帶來實際的承擔。
扶持軟弱的人，需要耐心；照顧有需要的人，需要時間和資源；參與服事，也需要付出心力。有時候，這些付出並不輕省，但愛使人願意繼續承擔。
天父先愛了我們，主耶穌也為我們捨己。我們領受這份愛，就有了愛人的源頭，能夠在關係和服事中，學習將所領受的愛給出去。
第三，是盼望使人忍耐。
保羅特別指出，他們的忍耐來自對主耶穌基督的盼望。
第十節說，他們等候天父的兒子從天降臨，就是那位從死裏復活、救我們脫離將來忿怒的耶穌。
他們的盼望有確實的根基：主耶穌已經復活，也必再來，完成祂的救恩。因此，眼前的患難並不是最後的結局，他們可以繼續忠心跟隨主。
這份盼望也扶持我們。當服事需要時間，當愛的付出還沒有看見回應，當跟隨主遇到壓力，我們仍然可以忍耐，因為所信靠的主是信實的。
信心帶來行動，愛心使人付出，盼望使人忍耐。福音就透過這些具體的生活，成為看得見的生命。
三、成為能傳揚的見證
「甚至你們作了馬其頓和亞該亞所有信主之人的榜樣。因為主的道從你們那裏已經傳揚出來……」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書1:7–8
當福音在生活中被活出來，就會對別人產生影響。
帖撒羅尼迦信徒在患難中領受真道，開始效法主；接著，他們自己也成為其他信徒的榜樣。
他們信主的日子雖然不長，生命的見證卻已經傳到其他地方。人們談論他們怎樣接待保羅和同工，也談論他們怎樣離棄偶像、歸向天父。
保羅甚至說，他們向天父的信心已經傳開，使徒也不必再多說甚麼。這顯明他們的改變是清楚的，也是被人知道的。
主的道從他們那裏傳揚出去，而他們的生活，也為所傳的福音作見證。
當人看見他們在患難中仍然跟隨主，就看見信心的真實；當人看見他們願意付出，就看見愛心的實際；當人看見他們仍然持守，就看見盼望所帶來的力量。
今天，我們也能在家庭、工作和教會中，成為這樣的見證。
一句按照真理所說的話，一次願意承擔的服事，一份在困難中仍然持守的忠心，都能讓人看見主的工作。當我們向人分享主耶穌，也能以生活見證祂怎樣帶領我們，所傳的福音就更加具體。
帖撒羅尼迦教會讓我們看見，即使身處困難，仍然可以成為別人的鼓勵。因為福音正在他們裏面工作，他們的生命就成為主道傳揚出去的見證。
總結
帖撒羅尼迦前書第一章，帶領我們看見一個清楚的方向：領受福音，活出信仰，成為見證。
有權能的福音藉著聖靈臨到人，使人相信主耶穌基督；這份信仰進入生活，就帶來信心的行動、愛心的付出，以及因盼望基督而有的忍耐；當這樣的生命被人看見，就能成為榜樣，使主的道繼續傳揚。
我們所信靠的主已經復活，也必再來。祂的救恩是我們信心的根基，祂的愛是我們付出的源頭，祂的應許是我們忍耐的力量。
當我們倚靠聖靈，按照主的真道生活，福音就會在每天的選擇、付出和持守中，成為看得見的生命，引導人認識主耶穌基督。
Key Scripture
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father.”
—1 Thessalonians 1:3, NKJV
Introduction
Faith is in our hearts, but it can be seen through our actions. Love begins within us, but it leads us to give. Hope looks to the future, but it gives us strength to keep going today.
This is what Paul saw in the believers in Thessalonica.
Paul visited Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. He preached the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. People believed, and a church was formed. But opposition and persecution soon followed, and Paul and Silas had to leave during the night.
These new believers had to learn to follow the Lord under pressure. Paul cared deeply about them. Later, he sent Timothy to strengthen their faith. When Timothy returned with good news about their faith and love, Paul was greatly encouraged and wrote this letter.
That is why the first chapter is full of thanksgiving. Paul could see that the gospel had changed their lives. They had also become an example to other believers.
Today, we will look at three steps: receive the gospel with power, put faith into action, and become a witness to others.
- Receive the Gospel with Power
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance…”
—1 Thessalonians 1:5, NKJV
A changed life begins with receiving the gospel.
The gospel Paul preached was the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. Through Him, those who believe receive forgiveness and are brought back into a right relationship with our Heavenly Father.
This message must be clearly spoken. As it is preached, the Holy Spirit works in people’s hearts, helping them to know Christ, believe in Him, and follow Him.
The words “much assurance” speak of deep confidence. Paul and his fellow workers were convinced of the truth of the gospel. Their lives also supported the message they preached. Paul reminded the believers that they knew how these men had lived among them.
They heard the gospel, and they saw how those who preached it lived.
The work of the Holy Spirit could also be seen in those who received the message. Verse 6 tells us that they received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
The pressure around them was real. Yet the joy given by the Holy Spirit was also real. In the middle of hardship, they received the word and began to follow the example of the apostles and the Lord.
Their joy came from knowing the Lord. Through Jesus Christ, they knew that they were loved by the Father and had the hope of salvation.
The power of the gospel could be seen in their response. They believed even when others opposed them. They received the word and followed the Lord even when life was difficult.
We have the same foundation today. Jesus Christ has completed His saving work, and the Holy Spirit continues to strengthen us through His word. In different situations, He helps us to keep trusting the Lord.
- Put Faith into Action
“…Your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…”
—1 Thessalonians 1:3, NKJV
When people receive the gospel, it begins to shape their daily lives. Paul saw the fruit of faith, love, and hope in these believers.
First, faith led them to act.
They believed in Jesus Christ and began to live according to His word. Verse 9 tells us that they turned from idols to serve the living and true God.
For these believers, this was a real change. They left idol worship and began to worship and serve their Heavenly Father. This decision may have affected their habits and their relationships with family and friends. Yet because they believed in the Lord, they were willing to follow Him.
Faith gives us a new foundation for life and guides our choices. Because we believe His word is true, we are willing to obey. Because we trust His leading, we are willing to follow His teaching.
Second, love led them to give.
Paul remembered their “labor of love.” When love becomes part of daily life, it leads us to carry responsibility for others.
Supporting someone who is weak takes patience. Caring for someone in need takes time and resources. Serving in the church takes effort. These things can be tiring, but love moves us to keep giving.
Our Heavenly Father loved us first, and Jesus gave Himself for us. As we receive His love, we learn to share that love with others through our relationships and our service.
Third, hope helped them to endure.
Paul made it clear that their endurance came from their hope in Jesus Christ.
Verse 10 tells us that they were waiting for the Father’s Son to return from heaven. He is Jesus, whom the Father raised from the dead, and who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Their hope had a firm foundation. Jesus had risen, and He would return to complete His work of salvation. Their present suffering would not have the final word. They could continue to follow Him faithfully.
This hope also supports us. When serving takes time, when our love has not yet received a response, and when following the Lord brings pressure, we can keep going because our Lord is faithful.
Faith leads to action. Love leads to giving. Hope leads to endurance. Through these things, the gospel becomes visible in our daily lives.
- Become a Witness to Others
“So that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth…”
—1 Thessalonians 1:7–8, NKJV
When the gospel is lived out, it begins to influence others.
The believers in Thessalonica received the word during hardship and began to follow the Lord. Then they themselves became examples to other believers.
They had not been Christians for long, but news of their faith had already spread. People spoke about how they had welcomed Paul and his fellow workers. They also spoke about how these believers had turned from idols to their Heavenly Father.
Paul said that their faith had become so widely known that he did not need to say anything more about it. Their changed lives were clear for others to see.
The word of the Lord spread from them, and their lives supported the gospel they shared.
When people saw them following the Lord through hardship, they saw real faith. When they saw their willingness to give, they saw love in action. When they saw them remain faithful, they saw the strength that hope brings.
Today, we can also be witnesses in our homes, workplaces, and church.
Words guided by truth, a willingness to serve, and faithfulness during difficulty can help others see the Lord’s work. As we speak about Jesus and share how He leads us, the gospel becomes clear through our lives.
The church in Thessalonica shows us that even people facing hardship can encourage others. Because the gospel was at work within them, their lives became a witness through which the Lord’s message spread.
Conclusion
First Thessalonians 1 gives us a clear direction: receive the gospel, put faith into action, and become a witness to others.
The gospel comes with power through the work of the Holy Spirit, leading people to believe in Jesus Christ. As faith shapes daily life, it produces action, love that gives, and endurance rooted in hope. When others see this life, it becomes an example, and the Lord’s message continues to spread.
The Lord we trust has risen, and He will return. His salvation is the foundation of our faith. His love is the source of our giving. His promise gives us strength to endure.
As we depend on the Holy Spirit and live according to the Lord’s word, the gospel will be seen in our daily choices, our love, and our faithfulness, helping others come to know Jesus Christ.
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