Monday, 2nd November 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：帖撒羅尼迦後書1:11–12
「因此，我們常為你們禱告，願我們的神看你們配得過所蒙的召，又用大能成就你們一切所羨慕的良善和一切因信心所做的工夫，叫我們主耶穌的名在你們身上得榮耀，你們也在他身上得榮耀，都照著我們的神並主耶穌基督的恩。」
引言
家人，今天我們生活在一個變化很快、充滿壓力的世界。每天打開手機，都會看到令人不安的消息；回到自己的生活，也有工作的壓力、家庭的需要，以及孩子成長和教育的擔憂。
人與人之間，也容易因不同的意見而產生衝突。當人疲倦、擔憂，耐性就容易減少。在這樣的環境裡，持守信心、繼續相愛，有時真的不容易。
作為基督徒，我們還會面對另一種挑戰：當周圍的人有不同的價值觀，我們怎樣持守主的教導？當我們因為誠實、拒絕妥協，或表明信仰而不被理解，我們怎樣繼續跟隨耶穌？
帖撒羅尼迦教會所面對的，是直接的信仰逼迫。他們接受福音以後，遭到反對。保羅被迫離開，他們仍然要留在當地，承受壓力。
所以，保羅一開始就提醒他們：他們是「在神我們的父與主耶穌基督裡的教會」，並祝福他們：
「願恩惠、平安從父神和主耶穌基督歸與你們！」（1:2）
環境雖然動盪，他們仍然屬於神；前路雖然艱難，父神和主耶穌基督仍然是他們恩典與平安的源頭。
今天，我們也需要這份確據。讓我們一起從這一章，學習在今天的世界中，活出神國的生命。
一、在患難中持守信心與相愛
「弟兄們，我們該為你們常常感謝神，這本是合宜的；因你們的信心格外增長，並且你們眾人彼此相愛的心也都充足。」（帖撒羅尼迦後書1:3）
保羅首先為他們感謝神。
他們仍然遭遇逼迫，信心卻繼續增長；每個人都有自己的難處，彼此相愛的心卻更加充足。
在前一封信中，保羅曾勸勉他們，在彼此相愛的事上更加長進。如今，他看見他們生命中所結出的果子，就為他們感謝神。
第4節接著說：
「甚至我們在神的各教會裡為你們誇口，都因你們在所受的一切逼迫患難中，仍舊存忍耐和信心。」
他們的忍耐，是在壓力中繼續持守；他們的信心，是在困難中仍然倚靠主。他們沒有因為信仰受到反對，就放棄所領受的福音。
而且，他們仍然彼此相愛。
這是一幅很寶貴的圖畫：在外面受到壓力，在教會裡卻能彼此扶持。他們共同信靠主，也一同承擔跟隨主的代價。
今天，當我們因信仰受到誤解，或因持守主的教導而付上代價，這段經文給我們鼓勵：神的恩典能扶持我們繼續相信，也能幫助我們繼續去愛。
這份生命也會進入日常生活。家人疲倦時，多一份體諒；弟兄姊妹有難處時，多一份關心；意見不同時，仍然願意聆聽和尊重。
在充滿壓力的世界裡，信心、愛心和忍耐，使教會成為明燈，讓人看見福音帶來的生命。
二、在等候中確信神的公義
「這正是神公義判斷的明證，叫你們可算配得神的國；你們就是為這國受苦。」（帖撒羅尼迦後書1:5）
保羅接著把他們的目光，從眼前的逼迫帶到神公義的判斷。
當時，逼迫他們的人似乎佔了上風，信靠耶穌的人卻在受苦。但保羅讓他們知道，人的判斷並不是最後的判決，神必按公義處理這一切。
「配得神的國」不是說，他們可以靠受苦換取救恩。他們在患難中的信心與忍耐，顯明神正在他們生命中工作；最終使他們被算為配得祂國度的，是神。
第6至7節說：
「神既是公義的，就必將患難報應那加患難給你們的人；也必使你們這受患難的人與我們同得平安。」
這裡的「平安」，有從患難中得到舒解、得享安息的意思。保羅把這份盼望，連於主耶穌從天上顯現的時候。
主再來時，祂必施行公義。第8至9節也嚴肅地指出，不認識神、不聽從主耶穌福音的人，將面對祂的審判。
這讓受苦的信徒知道：神看見他們的遭遇，罪惡不會永遠得勢，苦難也不會是最後的結局。他們可以把最終的審判交在神手中，繼續忠心生活。
主再來，也帶著榮耀的應許：
「這正是主降臨、要在他聖徒的身上得榮耀，又在一切信的人身上顯為希奇的那日子。」（帖撒羅尼迦後書1:10）
今天被人輕看、受逼迫的信徒，到那一天，要顯明主救恩的榮耀。所有相信的人，都要因祂所成就的救恩而驚歎。
今天，面對不公平的事情，我們也會難過，甚至灰心。這段經文讓我們知道，公義有一位最終的掌權者。我們可以將自己交託給祂，在等候中繼續行祂所喜悅的事。
我們能夠持守，是因為知道：主必再來，祂的公義與榮耀必定顯明。
三、靠神能力活出蒙召的生命
「因此，我們常為你們禱告，願我們的神看你們配得過所蒙的召，又用大能成就你們一切所羨慕的良善和一切因信心所做的工夫。」（帖撒羅尼迦後書1:11）
第11節以「因此」開始，把前面主再來的盼望，連接到信徒今天的生活。
既然他們蒙召進入神的國，將來要有分於主的榮耀，保羅就求神幫助他們，今天活出與這呼召相稱的生命。
保羅知道，這需要神的能力。所以，他為他們禱告，求神成就他們良善的心願，以及出於信心的工作。
神看重真實的生命，也使這份生命結出實際的行動。我們因恩典得救，並且靠著恩典，將所相信的真理活出來。
我們願意相愛，可以求主幫助我們付諸行動；我們願意忠心，可以求主在疲倦中加添力量；我們因跟隨主受到壓力，也可以倚靠祂，持守所領受的真理。
這一切有一個清楚的目的：
「叫我們主耶穌的名在你們身上得榮耀，你們也在他身上得榮耀，都照著我們的神並主耶穌基督的恩。」（帖撒羅尼迦後書1:12）
第10節說，主再來時要在聖徒身上得榮耀；第12節讓我們看見，今天我們的生活已經可以使主的名得榮耀。
當神扶持我們，使我們在患難中仍然相信，在受傷時仍然學習相愛，在壓力中仍然忠心，人就能從我們身上看見祂的工作。
而這一切，都是照著父神和主耶穌基督的恩典成就的。
活出神國的生命，是帶著主必再來的盼望，靠祂的能力，將信心活在今天，使主的名得著榮耀。
總結
家人，保羅沒有保證帖撒羅尼迦教會的逼迫很快就會停止。他卻讓他們看見：神正在他們生命中工作，也必在主耶穌再來的日子彰顯公義。
因此，他們可以在患難中持守信心與相愛，在等候中確信神的公義，靠神的能力活出蒙召的生命。
今天，我們面對的挑戰各有不同，但父神和主耶穌基督仍然是我們恩典與平安的源頭。
祂知道我們所承受的壓力，也有能力成就我們出於信心的工作。帶著主必再來的盼望，我們可以繼續信靠、繼續相愛、繼續忠心，在每天的生活中活出神國的生命，讓主耶穌的名得著榮耀。
Key Verses: 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12
“We always pray for you. We ask our God to make you worthy of his calling. By his power, may he fulfil every good desire and every work that comes from faith. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honoured in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Simple English rendering)
Introduction
Family, we live in a world that changes quickly. Many things put pressure on us. We open our phones and see news that makes us worry. In our own lives, we face pressure at work, family needs, and concerns about our children.
Different opinions can also bring conflict. When we feel tired or worried, it becomes harder to be patient. In this kind of world, trusting God and loving one another can be a real challenge.
As Christians, we face another challenge. How do we follow the Lord when people around us have different values? How do we remain faithful when people do not understand our faith, or when doing what is right comes at a cost?
The church in Thessalonica faced direct opposition because of their faith. After they received the gospel, they suffered persecution. Paul had to leave, but the believers stayed and continued to face pressure.
So Paul began by reminding them that they were a church “in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” He then blessed them:
“Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1:2)
Their situation was difficult, but they still belonged to God. Their future was uncertain, but grace and peace still came from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We need this same assurance today. Let us learn from this chapter how to live out the life of God’s Kingdom in today’s world.
- Grow in Faith and Love through Trials
In verse 3, Paul thanks God because their faith is growing more and more, and their love for one another is increasing.
They were still facing persecution, but their faith continued to grow. They each had their own struggles, but their love for one another became stronger.
In his first letter, Paul had encouraged them to grow in love. Now he saw the fruit in their lives, and he thanked God.
In verse 4, Paul says that he speaks about their patience and faith among the churches, because they continue to stand firm through persecution and suffering.
Their patience meant that they kept following Jesus under pressure. Their faith meant that they continued to trust him through difficulty. Opposition did not make them give up the gospel they had received.
And they continued to love one another.
This is a beautiful picture. Outside the church, they faced pressure. Within the church, they supported one another. They trusted the Lord together and shared the cost of following him.
Today, we may also be misunderstood because of our faith. We may pay a price for following the Lord’s teaching. This passage encourages us: God’s grace can help us keep trusting and keep loving.
This life also shows in everyday actions. When our family members are tired, we show understanding. When someone in the church is struggling, we offer care. When we disagree, we are still willing to listen and show respect.
In a world full of pressure, faith, love, and patience help the church shine like a light. People can see the life that the gospel brings.
- Trust God’s Justice as We Wait
Verse 5 connects their suffering and endurance with God’s righteous judgment. Paul says that they will be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom, for which they are suffering.
Paul now turns their eyes from their present suffering to God’s justice.
At that time, those who persecuted them seemed to have the upper hand. Those who trusted Jesus were suffering. But human judgment would not have the final word. God would judge with justice.
Being “counted worthy of God’s Kingdom” does not mean that suffering earns salvation. Their faith and patience showed that God was at work in their lives. God himself would count them worthy of his Kingdom.
In verses 6–7, Paul explains that God is just. He will deal with those who trouble his people, and he will give relief to those who are suffering.
This relief is connected with the day when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven.
When Jesus returns, he will bring justice. Verses 8–9 also give a serious warning: those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus will face his judgment.
These words assure suffering believers that God sees what is happening. Evil will not rule forever. Suffering will not have the final word.
They can leave final judgment in God’s hands and continue to live faithfully.
The Lord’s return also brings a promise of glory. Verse 10 says that he will come to be glorified in his holy people and to be admired by all who believe.
The believers who were rejected and persecuted would one day display the glory of his salvation. All who believe would stand in wonder at what he had done.
Today, unfair treatment can also make us feel hurt or discouraged. This passage reminds us that God is the final Judge. We can place ourselves in his hands and continue to do what pleases him.
We can stand firm because the Lord will return. His justice and glory will be revealed.
- Live Out God’s Calling by His Power
In verse 11, Paul says that he always prays for them. He asks God to make them worthy of his calling and, by his power, to fulfil their good desires and the work that comes from faith.
This verse begins with the words “with this in mind.” Paul connects their future hope with their life today.
God has called them into his Kingdom. They will share in the glory of Christ. So Paul prays that their lives today will be worthy of that calling.
Paul knows that they need God’s power. He asks God to turn their good desires and their faith into action.
God cares about our inner life, and he helps that life produce good fruit. We are saved by grace. Through that same grace, we learn to live out the truth we believe.
When we want to love, we can ask the Lord to help us take action. When we want to be faithful, we can ask him for strength in our tiredness. When following Jesus brings pressure, we can depend on him to help us stand firm.
All this has a clear purpose. Verse 12 says:
“So that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Verse 10 speaks about the day when Jesus will be glorified in his people. Verse 12 shows us that our lives can bring him glory today.
When God helps us trust through trials, love through hurt, and remain faithful under pressure, people can see his work in us.
All of this comes through the grace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Living out the life of God’s Kingdom means looking forward to the Lord’s return, depending on his power, and living out our faith today so that his name is glorified.
Conclusion
Family, Paul did not promise that the persecution would soon end. But he helped the believers see that God was at work in their lives. God would also reveal his justice when Jesus returned.
So they could grow in faith and love through trials, trust God’s justice as they waited, and live out his calling by his power.
The challenges we face today may be different. But God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are still the source of our grace and peace.
He knows the pressure we carry. He has the power to bring our work of faith to fulfilment.
With hope in the Lord’s return, we can keep trusting, keep loving, and remain faithful. In our daily lives, we can live out the life of God’s Kingdom and bring glory to the name of our Lord Jesus.
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