Tuesday, 3rd November 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：帖撒羅尼迦後書第二章16–17節 「但願我們主耶穌基督和那愛我們、開恩將永遠的安慰並美好的盼望賜給我們的父神，安慰你們的心，並且在一切善行善言上堅固你們。」
引言
家人，今天我們每天都接收到很多消息。打開手機，看見戰爭、災難和社會動盪，又聽見不同的人解釋這些事情。有些人甚至宣稱，某件事情發生，就代表主會在某個日子再來。
這些消息可能使我們越看越不安。我們花了很多時間關心將來會發生甚麼，卻忽略今天怎樣對待家人、怎樣承擔責任，又怎樣跟從主。
帖撒羅尼迦教會也面對這樣的困擾。他們正在承受逼迫，又有人藉着所謂的啟示、言語，甚至冒用使徒名義的書信，宣稱「主的日子現在到了」，使他們動搖、驚慌。
保羅因此寫信，糾正他們的誤解，提醒他們持守所領受的教導，也為他們禱告，求主使他們在善行善言上堅固。主再來的盼望，應當幫助我們忠心過今天的生活。
讓我們一起從帖撒羅尼迦後書第二章，學習如何活出信仰的生命。
一、聽從主的話，不被迷惑
經文：帖撒羅尼迦後書第二章1–12節
「不要輕易動心，也不要驚慌。人不拘用甚麼法子，你們總不要被他誘惑。」（2:2–3）
保羅首先提醒信徒，不要因為有人聲稱得到啟示，或使用使徒的名義，就輕易接受他的教導。
針對「主的日子已經到了」這個說法，保羅指出，那日子以前，必有離道反教的事，並有那不法的人顯露。這個人抵擋神、高抬自己，甚至自稱是神。
保羅也提醒他們，自己從前與他們同在時，已經講過這些事。他們需要記住所領受的教導，分辨眼前的傳言。
至於那攔阻不法者的究竟是誰，經文沒有向我們清楚交代，我們需要謙卑承認理解的限制。但經文清楚告訴我們，不法的隱意雖然已經發動，邪惡仍受到限制；當主耶穌顯現時，那不法的人必被祂除滅。
因此，我們可以相信，最後得勝的是主。這段教導沒有給我們一個計算主再來日期的公式，卻給我們分辨錯誤、信靠主的根據。
保羅也指出，那些受迷惑、走向滅亡的人，「不領受愛真理的心」（2:10），並且「不信真理，倒喜愛不義」（2:12）。他們持續拒絕真理，最終面對神的審判，落在所信從的虛謊之中。
這是嚴肅的警告，也提醒我們檢查自己的心。
家人，我們是否只喜歡聽使自己舒服的信息？當神的話指出我們的驕傲、苦毒或不誠實，我們願意接受嗎？還是我們總想找一些理由，證明自己不需要改變？
我們可能很關心末世會發生甚麼，卻不願意處理今天生命中的罪。真正聽從主的話，就包括讓祂糾正我們。
今天，神的話正在提醒我們甚麼？願我們願意聆聽，也願意順服。
二、記得主的愛，堅定跟從
經文：帖撒羅尼迦後書第二章13–15節
「主所愛的弟兄們哪，我們本該常為你們感謝神……」（2:13）
「所以，弟兄們，你們要站立得穩，凡所領受的教訓，不拘是我們口傳的，是信上寫的，都要堅守。」（2:15）
說過迷惑和審判之後，保羅轉過來為信徒感謝神，稱他們為「主所愛的弟兄們」。
他提醒他們，神揀選他們，使他們藉着聖靈成為聖潔，因信真道得救；又藉着福音呼召他們，使他們最終得着主耶穌基督的榮光。
這些正在承受逼迫的信徒，需要記得：他們仍然是主所愛的人，神仍然在他們生命中工作，他們的將來仍有主所賜的盼望。
所以，保羅接着勸勉他們站立得穩，堅守從使徒領受的福音教導。
家人，當禱告還未看見回應，困難仍然沒有過去，我們也可能問：「主還愛我嗎？我繼續跟從祂，還有盼望嗎？」
保羅把我們帶回神已經施行的恩典。主藉着福音呼召我們，聖靈也在我們裏面作更新的工作。我們可以因着祂的愛，繼續相信祂、順服祂。
記得主的愛，會影響我們在困難中的選擇。即使暫時不明白，我們仍然願意禱告；即使跟從主需要付代價，我們仍然持守祂的教導；即使受到傷害，我們仍然學習按主的心意回應。
讓我們問自己：我是否讓眼前的環境，決定自己是否相信神？當事情不照我的意思發展，我會不會慢慢遠離祂？
我們也要分辨，自己所堅持的究竟是主的教導，還是個人的意見。堅定跟從主，也包括願意放下自己，接受祂的帶領。
在困難中，讓我們記得主的愛，持守所領受的福音，繼續跟從祂。
三、求主加力量，活出好見證
經文：帖撒羅尼迦後書第二章16–17節
「安慰你們的心，並且在一切善行善言上堅固你們。」（2:17）
當我們聽從主的話，也因着主的愛繼續跟從祂，這份信仰就需要在每天的生活中顯明出來。
保羅在這裏為信徒禱告。他求那位愛他們、已經賜下永遠安慰和美好盼望的主，繼續安慰他們的心，使他們在一切善行善言上堅固。
這讓我們看見，活出信仰需要倚靠主。我們有時明白應該怎樣做，卻發現自己沒有力量去做。
我們知道要溫柔，疲倦時卻容易發怒；知道要誠實，面對利益時卻想妥協；知道要關心別人，忙碌時卻只顧自己。
我們需要把這些軟弱帶到主面前，求祂加力量，也願意順服祂，作出實際的改變。
家人，我們可以從最接近自己的地方開始檢查。
我今天怎樣對家人說話？我的語氣是在表達關心，還是在發洩不滿？
我在工作中是否誠實、盡責？沒有人看見的時候，我是否仍然忠心？
看見有人需要幫助，我是否願意付出時間和關心？有機會分享福音時，我是否願意見證主的恩典？
這些每天的言語和行為，顯明我們怎樣回應所信的福音。
今天，也許我們需要向家人道歉，停止一句傷人的話；也許需要完成一直拖延的責任，或主動關心一位正在困難中的人。
當我們發現自己的不足，就可以禱告：「主啊，求祢幫助我，讓我今天按着祢的話去做。」
主所賜的安慰和盼望，使我們有力量繼續前行。讓我們靠着祂，把所信的活出來，使人從我們的生活中看見福音的工作。
總結
家人，活出信仰的生命，是從每天回應主開始。
聽從主的話，不被迷惑，讓真理糾正我們的心。
記得主的愛，堅定跟從，在困難中仍然持守福音。
求主加力量，活出好見證，讓言語和行為與所信的相稱。
主必再來，邪惡終必被祂除滅。我們可以帶着這份盼望，忠心走今天的路。
今天，神的話提醒我們在哪一方面作出改變？願我們願意回應祂，在家裏、工作和與人相處的每一個地方，活出信仰的生命。
主啊，求祢賜給我們願意聆聽和順服的心，讓我們接受真理的糾正。當我們遇到困難，求祢使我們記得祢的愛，繼續堅定跟從祢。也求祢安慰我們的心，在軟弱的地方加添力量，幫助我們從今天開始，在言語和行為上作出合祢心意的回應，活出所信的福音。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Key Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
Introduction
Church family, we receive so much information every day. We open our phones and see news about wars, disasters, and changes in society. We also hear many different explanations. Some people even claim that certain events show the exact date when Jesus will return.
These messages can make us feel more and more afraid. We may spend so much time thinking about tomorrow that we forget how to live today—how to treat our family, fulfil our responsibilities, and follow the Lord.
The church in Thessalonica faced a similar problem. The believers were suffering persecution. Then some people claimed that the day of the Lord had already come. These messages came through supposed spiritual revelations, spoken words, and even letters claiming to be from the apostles. The believers became unsettled and afraid.
Paul wrote to correct this misunderstanding. He reminded them to hold firmly to the teaching they had received. He also prayed that the Lord would strengthen them in every good deed and word.
The hope of Christ’s return should help us live faithfully today.
Let us learn from 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 how to live out our faith.
- Listen to God’s Word; Do Not Be Misled
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12
“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way.” (2:3)
Paul first reminded the believers not to accept a message simply because someone claimed it came from God or carried the apostles’ authority.
Some people were saying that the day of the Lord had already come. Paul explained that the rebellion must come first, and the man of lawlessness must be revealed. This person would oppose God, lift himself up, and even claim to be God.
Paul reminded them that he had already taught them about these things when he was with them. They needed to remember that teaching and use it to examine what they were hearing.
The passage does not clearly identify who or what holds back the lawless one. We need to be humble about what we do not fully understand.
But one thing is clear: evil is still under restraint. When the Lord Jesus appears, he will destroy the lawless one.
The final victory belongs to Jesus. This teaching does not give us a way to calculate the date of his return. It gives us a reason to reject false claims and trust him.
Paul also gave a serious warning. Those who are perishing refuse to love the truth. They reject the truth and delight in evil. God’s judgment comes upon them, and they are given over to the lie they have chosen to believe.
This warning should also lead us to examine our own hearts.
Church family, do we only welcome messages that make us feel comfortable? When God’s Word reveals our pride, bitterness, or dishonesty, are we willing to accept it? Or do we look for reasons to stay the same?
We may be interested in what will happen in the last days, yet avoid dealing with sin in our lives today.
Listening to God’s Word includes allowing it to correct us.
What is God showing us today? May we be willing to listen and obey.
- Remember God’s Love; Keep Following Him
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15
“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord.” (2:13)
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you.” (2:15)
After speaking about deception and judgment, Paul turned to thank God for the believers. He called them people who were loved by the Lord.
He reminded them that God had chosen them for salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit and belief in the truth. God had called them through the gospel so that they might share in the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
These suffering believers needed to remember who they were. They were still loved by the Lord. God was still at work in their lives. Their future still held the hope he had promised.
Therefore, Paul encouraged them to stand firm and hold on to the gospel teaching they had received from the apostles.
Church family, when our prayers seem unanswered and our problems continue, we may also ask, “Does the Lord still love me? Is there still hope as I follow him?”
Paul brings us back to what God has already done. God has called us through the gospel. His Spirit is at work within us. Because of his love, we can continue to trust and obey him.
Remembering his love changes the choices we make in difficult times.
Even when we do not understand, we continue to pray. Even when following Jesus is costly, we hold on to his teaching. Even when we are hurt, we seek to respond in a way that pleases him.
Let us ask ourselves: Do I allow my circumstances to decide whether I will trust God? When things do not go my way, do I begin to turn away from him?
We also need to examine what we are holding on to. Is it the Lord’s teaching, or simply our own opinion?
Following Jesus faithfully includes being willing to let go of our own way and accept his guidance.
In difficult times, let us remember his love, hold firmly to the gospel, and keep following him.
- Ask God for Strength; Live as His Witness
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17
“Encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2:17)
As we listen to God’s Word and continue to follow him, our faith should become visible in everyday life.
Paul prayed that the Lord, who loved the believers and had already given them eternal encouragement and good hope, would encourage their hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.
Living out our faith requires the Lord’s help. Sometimes we know what is right, but struggle to do it.
We know we should be gentle, yet we become angry when we are tired. We know we should be honest, yet we are tempted to compromise when something benefits us. We know we should care for others, yet we become too busy to notice their needs.
We need to bring these weaknesses to the Lord, ask for his strength, and take practical steps of obedience.
Church family, we can begin by looking at the people and responsibilities closest to us.
How do I speak to my family? Does my tone show care, or am I taking out my frustration on them?
Am I honest and responsible at work? Am I faithful even when no one is watching?
When someone needs help, am I willing to give my time and care? When there is an opportunity to share the gospel, am I willing to speak about the Lord’s grace?
Our everyday words and actions show how we are responding to the gospel.
Today, we may need to apologise to a family member or stop ourselves from saying something hurtful. We may need to finish a responsibility we have delayed or reach out to someone who is struggling.
When we see our weakness, we can pray, “Lord, please help me to obey your Word today.”
The encouragement and hope he gives help us keep going. As we depend on him, people can see the work of the gospel in our lives.
Conclusion
Church family, living out our faith begins with responding to the Lord each day.
Listen to God’s Word; do not be misled. Allow his truth to correct our hearts.
Remember God’s love; keep following him. Hold firmly to the gospel, even in difficult times.
Ask God for strength; live as his witness. Let our words and actions agree with what we believe.
Jesus will return, and he will defeat evil completely. With this hope, we can live faithfully today.
What is God’s Word asking us to change? May we respond to him and live out our faith at home, at work, and in every relationship.
Lord, give us hearts that are willing to listen and obey. Help us accept the correction of your truth. When we face difficulties, remind us of your love and help us keep following you. Encourage our hearts and strengthen us where we are weak. Help us respond to you today through words and actions that please you. May our lives show the gospel we believe. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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