Friday, 30th October 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：帖撒羅尼迦前書5:23–24
「願賜平安的神親自使你們全然成聖！又願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，在我主耶穌基督降臨的時候，完全無可指摘！那召你們的本是信實的，他必成就這事。」
引言
家人，當我們期待一位重要的人來到，就會開始預備。因為珍惜與他的相聚，我們會把需要處理的事情安排好，也會在等候中，留意自己是否已經預備妥當。
主耶穌應許祂必再來。這份應許，給我們永恆的盼望，也引導我們今天的生活。當我們知道自己將要與主相聚，就會更加珍惜祂所賜的日子，學習照著祂的心意而活。
帖撒羅尼迦教會的弟兄姊妹，信主以後仍然面對反對和患難。他們當中也有人因信徒離世而憂傷，不清楚離世的信徒將如何有分於主再來的盼望。保羅在第四章安慰他們，在基督裏死了的人必先復活，屬主的人將要一同與主相聚，永遠與主同在。
到了第五章，保羅把這份盼望帶進日常生活。他提醒信徒，主的日子來到，好像夜間的賊一樣。人不能掌握那一天的時間，卻可以從今天開始，活出預備好的生命。
保羅寫這些話，是要堅固一群正在患難中跟隨主的人。他們雖然不知道前面的環境會怎樣，卻知道自己屬於誰，也知道將要往哪裏去。這份確據，使他們可以帶著盼望，踏實地過每一天。
所以，讓我們一起從帖撒羅尼迦前書第五章，學習如何預備主再來的日子。
一、警醒謹守，活出光明
（帖撒羅尼迦前書5:1–11）
「你們都是光明之子，都是白晝之子。我們不是屬黑夜的，也不是屬幽暗的。所以我們不要睡覺像別人一樣，總要警醒謹守。」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書5:5–6
保羅先提醒信徒，他們已經有了新的身分。他們因相信耶穌而屬於光明，因此，生活也有了新的方向。
警醒，是保持對神的敏銳，不讓自己的心在忙碌、壓力和世界的影響中逐漸麻木；謹守，是保持清醒和節制，讓神的真理引導我們的選擇。
當人把眼前的安穩當作唯一倚靠，就容易忘記生命還有永恆的方向。主再來的應許，幫助我們重新看見，今天所作的決定、所持守的價值，都與我們所盼望的將來有關。
保羅因此勸我們，把信和愛當作護心鏡遮胸，把得救的盼望當作頭盔戴上。面對不確定的環境，我們可以因信靠主而站穩；面對人的冷淡和傷害，我們可以倚靠主繼續去愛；面對失去和死亡，我們仍然有得救的盼望。
這一切的根基，是耶穌已經為我們成就的救恩。
第十節說，祂替我們死，叫我們無論醒著、睡著，都與祂同活。承接第四章的盼望，這裏可以理解為，無論仍然在世，或已經離世，屬主的人都不會失去與祂同活的盼望。這份確據，也支持我們回應第六節的勸勉，在今天警醒生活。
因為我們已經屬於主，就可以靠著祂，離開黑暗的行為，活出光明的生命。
保羅最後提醒他們，要彼此勸慰，互相建立。在預備主再來的路上，我們也需要彼此提醒、扶持，一同持守這份盼望。
二、彼此建立，追求良善
（帖撒羅尼迦前書5:12–15）
「又因他們所做的工，用愛心格外尊重他們。你們也要彼此和睦。」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書5:13
保羅接著談到教會裏的關係。他勸弟兄姊妹，敬重那些在他們中間勞苦、在主裏帶領和勸戒他們的人。
牧養和教導，是為了幫助信徒認識真理，在跟隨主的道路上成長。當我們存著謙卑的心領受，也用愛心尊重勞苦服事的人，教會就能在彼此配搭中得到建立。
保羅隨即說：「你們也要彼此和睦。」
主再來的盼望，會引導我們認真看待今天的關係。因為我們同屬一位主，也將要一同與祂相聚，就學習在相處中彼此尊重，在不同之中尋求和睦。
保羅也讓我們看見，不同處境的人，需要不同的幫助。不守規矩的人，需要被勸戒；灰心的人，需要得鼓勵；軟弱的人，需要有人扶持。而面對眾人，我們都需要忍耐。
一個願意預備迎見主的群體，會學習留意家人的需要。有人走偏了，就用真理提醒；有人失去力量，就陪伴他繼續前行；有人暫時軟弱，就伸手扶持。
第十五節更提醒我們，不可以惡報惡，要追求彼此和向眾人行善。
這份良善，需要我們主動選擇。即使別人的回應未如所願，我們仍可以將自己交託給主，求祂保守我們的心，帶領我們說合宜的話，作有益於人的事。
預備主再來，就在這些每天的相處中逐漸落實。主的愛進入我們的關係，使教會成為彼此建立、追求良善的家。
三、靠主成聖，等候主來
（帖撒羅尼迦前書5:16–28）
「要常常喜樂，不住地禱告，凡事謝恩；因為這是神在基督耶穌裏向你們所定的旨意。」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書5:16–18
保羅把信徒帶回與神同行的生活。喜樂、禱告和感恩，是神在基督裏向我們所定的旨意，也是每天可以操練的回應。
常常喜樂，是讓主的救恩成為我們心裏穩固的倚靠。生活中會有憂傷，也會有重擔，但我們仍然知道，自己是蒙主所愛、被祂接納的人，將來也要與祂同在。
不住地禱告，是讓心持續轉向神。我們可以在清晨安靜親近祂，也可以在工作、照顧家人和面對難處時，隨時向祂傾心。禱告使我們把每天的生活帶到神面前，領受祂的引導和力量。當我們持續這樣與主相交，禱告就逐漸成為生命的習慣，如同呼吸一樣。
凡事謝恩，是在各種處境中記念神的恩典。我們為已經領受的供應感恩，也在尚未明白的事情上，信靠祂仍然看顧我們。感恩使我們的眼目轉向神，看見生命中那些容易被忽略的恩典。
這樣與神同行，也包括願意接受祂的引導。保羅提醒信徒，不要消滅聖靈的感動，不要藐視先知的講論，同時要凡事察驗，持守善美，遠離各樣的惡事。
我們需要敞開聆聽，也需要按著神的真理分辨。當我們明白祂的心意，就學習持守良善，讓真理進入思想、言語和行為，使身體所行的也與屬主的身分相稱。
最後，保羅為教會獻上祝福：
「願賜平安的神親自使你們全然成聖！又願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，在我主耶穌基督降臨的時候，完全無可指摘！」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書5:23
「靈與魂與身子」讓我們看見，神所要保守的是我們整個人。祂關心我們內在的生命，也關心我們每天實際的生活。祂要使我們全然成聖，讓整個生命都歸屬於祂，預備迎見主。
我們願意順服、操練，也信靠神親自在我們裏面工作。因為保羅緊接著宣告：
「那召你們的本是信實的，他必成就這事。」
——帖撒羅尼迦前書5:24
這是我們等候主時的安慰。那位呼召我們的神，必繼續施恩、更新和保守我們。
總結
家人，預備主再來的日子，是從今天開始，帶著盼望與主同行。
我們既是光明之子，就警醒謹守，讓信心、愛心和得救的盼望引導生活；我們既同屬主的教會，就彼此尊重、扶持軟弱、追求良善；我們既蒙神呼召，就常常喜樂、不住禱告、凡事謝恩，信靠祂使我們全然成聖。
主再來的應許，使今天的生活有了方向；神信實的應許，使我們等候的心有了倚靠。
那位為我們捨命的主必再來。那位呼召我們的神，也必信實地保守我們，使我們整個生命在祂手中不斷更新，帶著盼望迎接與主相聚的日子。
Key Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NKJV)
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”
Introduction
Church family, when we look forward to the arrival of someone important to us, we begin to prepare. Because we value our time with that person, we put things in order and get ready to welcome them.
Jesus has promised that He will return. This promise gives us eternal hope and guides the way we live today. Knowing that we will meet the Lord helps us value each day He gives us and learn to live according to His will.
The believers in Thessalonica faced opposition and suffering after they came to faith. Some were also grieving because other believers had died. They did not fully understand how those who had died would share in the Lord’s return. In chapter four, Paul comforted them: the dead in Christ would rise first, and all who belong to the Lord would be together with Him forever.
In chapter five, Paul brings this hope into daily life. He reminds the believers that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. They cannot know when that day will come, but they can begin living prepared lives today.
Paul writes to strengthen people who are following Jesus through hardship. They do not know what their circumstances will bring, but they know whom they belong to and where they are going. This gives them confidence to live each day with hope.
So, let us learn together from 1 Thessalonians chapter five how to prepare for the Lord’s return.
- Stay Watchful and Live in the Light
(1 Thessalonians 5:1–11)
“You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:5–6 (NKJV)
Paul first reminds the believers of their new identity. Through faith in Jesus, they belong to the light. Their lives now have a new direction.
To stay watchful means to remain attentive to God, keeping our hearts from becoming dull through busyness, pressure, and the influence of the world. To be sober means to remain clear-minded and practise self-control, allowing God’s truth to guide our choices.
When people depend only on the security they can see, they can easily forget eternity. The promise of the Lord’s return helps us see that our choices and values today are connected to the future we look forward to.
Paul therefore encourages us to put on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. When life is uncertain, faith helps us stand firm in the Lord. When others are cold or hurtful, His love helps us continue to love. When we face loss and death, we still have the hope of salvation.
The foundation of this hope is what Jesus has already done for us.
Verse ten says that He died for us so that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Following the hope explained in chapter four, this can be understood to mean that whether believers are still alive or have died, they will share life with Christ. This assurance also strengthens us to follow the call in verse six to live watchfully today.
Because we belong to the Lord, we can depend on Him to turn away from the works of darkness and live in the light.
Paul closes this section by telling the believers to comfort and build up one another. As we prepare for the Lord’s return, we need to encourage and support each other, holding firmly to this hope together.
- Build One Another Up and Pursue Good
(1 Thessalonians 5:12–15)
“And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:13 (NKJV)
Paul then turns to relationships within the church. He encourages the believers to respect those who work among them, lead them in the Lord, and give them instruction.
Pastoral care and teaching help believers understand the truth and grow as followers of Jesus. When we receive instruction with humble hearts and lovingly respect those who serve, the church is strengthened as we work together.
Paul then says, “Be at peace among yourselves.”
The hope of the Lord’s return leads us to value our relationships today. We belong to the same Lord and will one day be together with Him. Therefore, we learn to respect one another and seek peace even when we have differences.
Paul also shows us that people in different situations need different kinds of help. Those who live in a disorderly way need correction. Those who are discouraged need comfort. Those who are weak need support. And we need patience with everyone.
A church preparing to meet the Lord learns to notice the needs of its people. When someone goes off course, we gently guide them with the truth. When someone loses courage, we walk beside them. When someone is weak, we help them stand.
Verse fifteen also reminds us not to repay evil with evil, but always to pursue what is good for one another and for everyone.
Pursuing good calls for a willing response. Even when others do not respond as we hope, we can place ourselves in the Lord’s hands. We can ask Him to guard our hearts, guide our words, and help us do what benefits others.
Preparing for the Lord’s return takes shape in these daily relationships. His love works among us, making the church a family that builds people up and pursues good.
- Depend on God to Make Us Holy as We Await His Return
(1 Thessalonians 5:16–28)
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NKJV)
Paul brings the believers back to a daily walk with God. Joy, prayer, and thanksgiving are God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. They are also responses we can practise each day.
To rejoice always means to find lasting confidence in the salvation the Lord has given us. We will still experience sorrow and carry burdens. Yet we know that we are loved and accepted by Him, and that we will be with Him forever.
To pray without ceasing means to keep turning our hearts towards God. We can draw near to Him in the quiet of the morning. We can also speak to Him while working, caring for our families, or facing difficulties. Through prayer, we bring daily life before Him and receive His guidance and strength. As we continue in fellowship with Him, prayer becomes a habit of life, like breathing.
To give thanks in everything means to remember God’s grace in every situation. We thank Him for the provision we have received. When we do not yet understand what is happening, we can still trust His care. Thanksgiving turns our eyes towards God and helps us notice the blessings we may easily overlook.
Walking with God also means being willing to receive His guidance. Paul tells the believers not to quench the Spirit or despise prophecies. At the same time, they must test all things, hold firmly to what is good, and turn away from every form of evil.
We need hearts that are willing to listen, together with discernment guided by God’s truth. As we understand His will, we learn to hold on to what is good. His truth shapes our thoughts, words, and actions, so that what we do with our bodies also reflects that we belong to Him.
Paul ends with this blessing for the church:
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV)
“Spirit, soul, and body” reminds us that God cares for our whole being. He cares about our inner life and the way we live each day. He desires to make us holy in every part of life, setting us apart for Himself as we prepare to meet the Lord.
We respond through obedience and daily practice, trusting God Himself to work within us. Paul immediately adds:
“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NKJV)
This is our comfort as we wait. The God who has called us will continue to give us grace, renew us, and keep us.
Conclusion
Church family, preparing for the Lord’s return begins today as we walk with Him in hope.
Because we belong to the light, we stay watchful, allowing faith, love, and the hope of salvation to guide our lives. Because we belong to His church, we respect one another, support the weak, and pursue what is good. Because God has called us, we rejoice always, keep praying, and give thanks in every situation, trusting Him to make us holy.
The promise of the Lord’s return gives direction to our lives today. The promise of God’s faithfulness gives us confidence as we wait.
The Lord who gave His life for us will return. The God who called us will faithfully keep us, continuing to renew our whole lives as we look forward with hope to the day we meet Him.
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