耶穌基督的好僕人
提摩太前書四章1至16節
1聖靈明說：在後來的時候，必有人離棄真道，聽從那引誘人的邪靈和鬼魔的道理。
2這是因為說謊之人的假冒，這等人的良心如同被熱鐵烙慣了一般。
3他們禁止嫁娶，又禁戒食物（註：或作“又叫人戒葷”），就是神所造、叫那信而明白真道的人感謝著領受的。
4凡神所造的物都是好的，若感謝著領受，就沒有一樣可棄的，
5都因神的道和人的祈求成為聖潔了。
6你若將這些事提醒弟兄們，便是基督耶穌的好執事，在真道的話語和你向來所服從的善道上得了教育。
7只是要棄絕那世俗的言語和老婦荒渺的話，在敬虔上操練自己。
8操練身體，益處還少；惟獨敬虔，凡事都有益處，因有今生和來生的應許。
9這話是可信的，是十分可佩服的。
10我們勞苦努力，正是為此，因我們的指望在乎永生的神。他是萬人的救主，更是信徒的救主。
11這些事，你要吩咐人，也要教導人。
12不可叫人小看你年輕，總要在言語、行為、愛心、信心、清潔上，都作信徒的榜樣。
13你要以宣讀、勸勉、教導為念，直等到我來。
14你不要輕忽所得的恩賜，就是從前藉著預言、在眾長老按手的時候賜給你的。
15這些事你要殷勤去做，並要在此專心，使眾人看出你的長進來。
16你要謹慎自己和自己的教訓，要在這些事上恆心。因為這樣行，又能救自己，又能救聽你的人。
信息分享
第6節譯作「執事」的那個字，意思是「作服侍的人」。雖然「執事」是教會中的一個特別職銜，但每個基督徒都應該作服侍。「好」這個字可以譯作「優秀」，或一般人所講的「一流」。
一個好的執事會斥責假教師，他會提醒信徒，小心防備那些引誘別人與他們一同犯罪的人。這類錯謬的行徑，在基督再來之前的末世會愈發加增。一個好的執事會花時間研讀神的話，並反省自己的思想是否符合聖經的真理。而且，他們會依從保羅的吩咐去教導別人。
耶穌基督的好執事將會是其他信徒的榜樣（12節）。他的身教與言教同樣重要。保羅指出，執事（或任何信徒）應該在5方面為他人樹立榜樣，它們是言語、行為、愛心、信心和純潔。其實，每個基督徒都應該在日常生活中活出這5點，通過生活和服侍活出基督的樣式。
耶穌基督的好執事會謹言慎行和謹守正道（15至16節）。我們遭遇逼迫的時候，很容易會放棄信仰。服侍基督的道路，雖然很有價值，卻並不是一條易走的路。我們的主已親身走過，並以此提醒門徒。像我們一樣，祂曾受過各種試探，卻沒有犯罪。
當你感到服侍的道路很困苦、漫長或沒有回報的時候，記住基督都看到你為祂所做的一切。終有一天，我們要向祂交賬。到那時，基督必要賞賜我們；而我們會對祂所看到的倍感驚訝。
GOOD SERVANTS OF JESUS CHRIST
1 Timothy 4: 1-16
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Message
The word “minister” in verse 6 is our word “deacon” and means “one who serves”. That term should cover every Christian although we have given special meaning to both titles - minister and deacon. The word “good” could be translated “excellent” or in common language “first class”.
A good minister will point out false teaching. He will warn his people about those who want others to join them in wrong practices. This type of error will increase in the last days before Christ returns.
A good minister will spend time studying the word of God and check his thinking against the truth revealed there. He will teach others also, as Paul commanded.
A good minister of Jesus Christ will be an example to other believers (v.12). This is as important as his teaching. Paul mentions five ways in which a minister (or any believer) can set an example for others to follow. They are in his speech, his life, his love, his faith, and his purity. Every point of those five aspects of Christian living should be seen in every believer. They will reveal Christ as we live and serve day by day.
A good minister of Jesus Christ will watch both his life and his doctrine and will persevere in doing so. (vv.15-16) It is easy to give up when opposition faces us. The pathway of Christ’s service is never easy although abundantly worthwhile. Our Lord Himself experienced this and even warned His disciples about it. He was tempted in all points as we are yet He never failed once.
If the way of service seems hard, or long or unrewarding, remember Christ sees all that you do for Him. One day we must give an account of our service. At that time Christ will be looking for what He can reward and we may well be surprised at what He has seen.