Tuesday, 27th October 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文
「我們既是這樣愛你們，不但願意將神的福音給你們，連自己的性命也願意給你們，因你們是我們所疼愛的。」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書2:8，和合本
引言
福音使我們因信主耶穌基督，領受新的生命。這個生命也使我們開始關心別人的需要，盼望他們同樣認識主，得著救恩。
因此，傳福音逐漸進入我們日常的生活。我們向人分享主耶穌基督，也願意付出時間和心力，陪伴他們在主裡成長。
帖撒羅尼迦前書第二章，讓我們看見保羅怎樣活出這份託付。
保羅來到帖撒羅尼迦以前，已經在腓立比受苦、受辱。然而，他仍然來到這個城市傳講福音，帶領人相信主，建立教會。後來，因為當地出現逼迫，他被迫離開，未能繼續留在信徒當中。
雖然離開了，他仍然掛念這群弟兄姊妹。後來，他差派提摩太回去堅固他們，收到消息以後，又寫信鼓勵他們。
在第二章裡，保羅回顧自己的服事。他忠心傳講所受託的福音，像母親一樣溫柔乳養，又像父親一樣勸勉教導，盼望他們在主裡站立得穩。
今天，我們一起從這一章學習：把福音傳給人，以生命陪伴人，帶領人在主裡成長。
一、領受託付，傳講福音
經文支持：帖撒羅尼迦前書2:1–6
保羅在腓立比曾經被打、下監，受到羞辱。當他來到帖撒羅尼迦，仍然面對爭戰，卻靠著天父放膽傳講福音。
他能夠繼續向前，是因為他清楚知道，天父已經把福音託付給他。
第四節說，天父把福音託付他們，他們就照樣講。他們所要討好的，是那位察驗人心的天父。
這份託付成為保羅服事的根基。環境艱難，他仍然傳講；有人反對，他仍然忠心。他所盼望的，是讓人聽見主耶穌基督的福音，得著救恩。
這也決定了他服事的態度。他沒有用諂媚的話討好人，沒有以傳道掩飾貪心，也沒有向人求榮耀。天父所託付的福音，他願意誠實、忠心地傳出去。
今天，我們因福音領受新生命，也蒙召為主作見證。每個人的恩賜和崗位不同，卻都可以在自己的生活中回應這份呼召。
在家庭裡，我們可以向孩子述說主的恩典；在工作中，我們可以用誠實和愛待人；與朋友相處時，我們可以在合適的時候，分享自己怎樣經歷主的幫助。
當我們看重這份託付，就會開始留意天父放在身邊的人，也願意把握機會，讓他們認識主耶穌基督。
領受託付，使我們願意開口；忠於託付，使我們在困難中仍然繼續。
二、付出生命，乳養信徒
經文支持：帖撒羅尼迦前書2:7–9
當人聽見福音、相信主以後，生命的成長才剛剛開始。他們需要認識真理，也需要有人陪伴，學習在生活中信靠主。
保羅用母親的形象，說明自己怎樣對待這群信徒。他在他們中間存心溫柔，如同母親乳養自己的孩子。
乳養需要親近，也需要耐心。母親按照孩子成長的需要，持續餵養、照顧，陪伴孩子一步一步長大。
保羅帶領人信主，也以這樣的心顧惜他們。他說，因為疼愛他們，不但願意把福音給他們，連自己的性命也願意給他們。
這份疼愛，使他的服事有真實的付出。
第九節提到，他們晝夜作工，免得加重信徒的負擔，同時把福音傳給他們。保羅願意勞苦，使這群人得到福音的益處，也讓他們在相處中看見他的真誠。
這讓我們明白，帶領人信主之後，還需要繼續關心他們的成長。
初信的人可能有許多問題，需要有人耐心解釋；遇到難處的時候，需要有人聆聽和扶持；學習讀經、禱告的時候，也需要有人陪伴。
當我們願意這樣付出，天父的愛就透過具體的關懷臨到人。他們在真道中得到餵養，也在彼此相愛的關係中受到扶持。
從傳講福音進到生命的乳養，就是因為疼愛一個人，願意持續陪伴他的成長。
三、引導成長，站立主前
經文支持：帖撒羅尼迦前書2:10–20
保羅盼望信徒得到照顧，也盼望他們逐漸成熟，能夠按照天父的呼召生活。因此，他接著用了父親的形象，說明自己的服事。
他勸勉、安慰、囑咐他們各人，好像父親待自己的兒女一樣。
母親乳養與父親教導的形象，共同表達保羅牧養的心：他溫柔地顧惜，也認真地引導，幫助信徒走在真理的道路上。
保羅所教導的，也在自己的生活中實行出來。第十節提醒信徒，他們親眼見過他怎樣存著聖潔、公義、無可指摘的態度生活。
他的言語與榜樣，都指向同一個方向：幫助他們行事為人，與天父的呼召相稱。天父既然召他們進入自己的國、得享祂的榮耀，他們便可以按照這個新的身分生活。
而使生命成長的根基，是天父的話語。
第十三節說，他們領受所傳的信息，是把它當作神的道；這道也在相信的人心中運行。
保羅忠心傳講、耐心教導，而天父藉著祂的話語，在信徒裡面工作，使他們的信心有根基，生活有方向。
這份根基在患難中特別重要。當時，帖撒羅尼迦的信徒受到同胞的逼迫。保羅提醒他們，猶太地的眾教會也曾經歷苦難。他們並不孤單，也可以繼續持守所領受的真道。
保羅雖然與他們分離，心卻一直掛念他們。他多次盼望回去，卻受到攔阻。在這份想念中，他把眼光帶到主耶穌再來的日子，稱他們為自己的盼望、喜樂和冠冕。
這讓我們看見保羅服事的盼望：他所疼愛、所教導的人，能夠持守信心，直到主耶穌再來，一同站立在主面前。
生命的陪伴有一個方向，就是幫助人扎根真道，在患難中持守，帶著盼望等候主。
總結
帖撒羅尼迦前書第二章，讓我們看見以生命傳福音的完整過程。
領受託付，傳講福音，使人有機會認識主耶穌基督。
付出生命，乳養信徒，以疼愛、溫柔和勞苦，陪伴他們在信仰中扎根。
引導成長，站立主前，藉著真道的教導和生命的榜樣，幫助他們持守信心，等候主的再來。
保羅因為領受託付而傳講，也因為疼愛信徒而付出。他看重他們的成長，盼望與他們一同迎見主。
今天，天父也把人放在我們身邊。我們可以從忠心分享福音開始，繼續以愛陪伴，按真理引導，幫助他們一步一步在主耶穌基督裡成長。
以生命傳福音，就是把所領受的福音傳給人，也願意付出自己的生命，陪伴他們走向主。
Key Scripture
“So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”
—1 Thessalonians 2:8, NKJV
Introduction
Through the gospel, we receive new life by faith in Jesus Christ. This new life also leads us to care for others. We want them to know the Lord and receive His salvation.
Sharing the gospel then becomes part of our daily lives. We tell people about Jesus Christ, and we give our time and care to help them grow in Him.
In 1 Thessalonians 2, we see how Paul lived out this calling.
Before Paul came to Thessalonica, he had suffered and been treated badly in Philippi. Yet he continued to preach the gospel. People believed in the Lord, and a church was formed. Later, opposition and persecution forced Paul to leave before he could spend more time teaching these new believers.
Although he had left, he continued to care deeply for them. He later sent Timothy to strengthen their faith. After receiving news about them, he wrote this letter to encourage them.
In chapter 2, Paul looks back on his ministry. He faithfully shared the gospel entrusted to him. He cared for the believers like a nursing mother and guided them like a father. His hope was that they would stand firm in the Lord.
Today, we will follow this movement: sharing the gospel, caring for people, and guiding them to grow in Christ.
- Receive the Trust, Share the Gospel
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–6
In Philippi, Paul had been beaten, put in prison, and treated with shame. When he came to Thessalonica, he still faced opposition. Yet, with strength from our Heavenly Father, he boldly shared the gospel.
Paul could continue because he knew that the Father had entrusted the gospel to him.
In verse 4, Paul explains that they spoke as people entrusted with the gospel. Their aim was to please the Father, who examines their hearts.
This trust was the foundation of Paul’s ministry. When life was difficult, he continued to preach. When people opposed him, he remained faithful. He wanted people to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and receive salvation.
This also shaped the way he served. He did not use flattering words. He did not hide greed behind his ministry. He did not seek praise from people. He wanted to share the gospel honestly and faithfully.
Today, we have received new life through the gospel, and we are also called to be witnesses for the Lord. Our gifts and roles may differ, but each of us can respond to this calling in daily life.
At home, we can tell our children about the Lord’s grace. At work, we can treat people with honesty and love. Among friends, we can look for suitable moments to share how the Lord has helped us.
As we value this calling, we begin to notice the people the Father has placed around us. We become willing to help them know Jesus Christ.
Receiving this trust moves us to speak. Being faithful to it helps us continue through difficulties.
- Give Our Lives, Nurture Believers
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:7–9
When people hear the gospel and believe in the Lord, their growth has just begun. They need to understand the truth. They also need people beside them as they learn to trust the Lord in daily life.
Paul uses the picture of a mother to describe his care for these believers. He was gentle among them, like a nursing mother caring for her own children.
Nurturing a child requires closeness and patience. A mother feeds and cares for her child according to the child’s needs. She continues to help the child grow, step by step.
Paul cared for the believers with this same heart. Because they had become dear to him, he was willing to share both the gospel and his own life with them.
His love led to practical sacrifice.
In verse 9, Paul reminds them that he and his fellow workers laboured night and day. They worked to avoid placing a financial burden on the believers while preaching the gospel to them. Through their daily lives, the believers could see the sincerity of their love.
This helps us understand that leading someone to faith also involves continued care.
New believers may have many questions and need patient explanations. When difficulties come, they may need someone to listen and support them. As they learn to read the Bible and pray, they may need someone to walk beside them.
Through this care, people experience the Father’s love in practical ways. They are nourished by His Word and supported through loving relationships.
Sharing the gospel grows into nurturing a life when love moves us to keep caring for someone’s growth.
- Guide Their Growth, Prepare to Meet the Lord
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:10–20
Paul wanted the believers to receive care and grow towards maturity. He wanted them to live according to the Father’s calling. So he also used the picture of a father to describe his ministry.
He encouraged, comforted, and urged each of them, as a father does his own children.
Together, the pictures of a mother and a father show Paul’s heart for ministry. He cared gently and guided faithfully, helping the believers walk in the truth.
Paul also lived out what he taught. In verse 10, he reminds them that they had seen his conduct. They knew how devoutly, justly, and blamelessly he had lived among them.
His teaching and example pointed in the same direction: that they would walk worthy of the Father, who calls them into His own kingdom and glory. They could now learn to live according to this new identity.
The foundation of this growth was the Father’s Word.
In verse 13, Paul gives thanks because they received the message as the Word of God. This Word was also working in those who believed.
Paul faithfully preached and patiently taught. The Father worked through His Word in the believers, giving their faith a foundation and their lives a direction.
This foundation was especially important during suffering. The Thessalonian believers faced persecution from their own countrymen. Paul reminded them that the churches in Judea had also suffered. They were not alone, and they could continue to hold firmly to the truth they had received.
Although Paul was separated from them, he continued to long for them. He wanted to return, but he had been hindered. As he expressed his love, he looked ahead to the coming of the Lord Jesus. He called these believers his hope, joy, and crown.
Here we see the hope behind Paul’s ministry. He wanted those he loved and taught to remain faithful until the Lord Jesus returned, so they could stand together in His presence.
Our care has a direction: helping people take root in the Word, remain faithful through suffering, and wait for the Lord with hope.
Conclusion
First Thessalonians 2 shows us what it means to share the gospel with our lives.
Receive the trust and share the gospel, so people have the opportunity to know Jesus Christ.
Give our lives and nurture believers, helping them take root in faith through love, gentleness, and faithful care.
Guide their growth and prepare to meet the Lord, helping them remain faithful through the teaching of the Word and the example of our lives.
Paul preached because the gospel had been entrusted to him. He gave himself because the believers were dear to him. He valued their growth and looked forward to meeting the Lord together with them.
Today, our Heavenly Father has also placed people around us. We can begin by faithfully sharing the gospel, continue by caring for them in love, and guide them through the truth as they grow in Jesus Christ.
Sharing the gospel with our lives means giving people the message we have received and giving ourselves to help them walk with the Lord.
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