主裡的摯友
哥林多前書十六章10至19節
10若是提摩太來到，你們要留心，叫他在你們那裡無所懼怕；因為他勞力做主的工，像我一樣。
11所以，無論誰都不可藐視他，只要送他平安前行，叫他到我這裡來，因我指望他和弟兄們同來。
12至於兄弟亞波羅，我再三的勸他同弟兄們到你們那裡去；但這時他決不願意去，幾時有了機會他必去。
13你們務要儆醒，在真道上站立得穩，要作大丈夫，要剛強。
14凡你們所做的都要憑愛心而做。
15弟兄們，你們曉得司提反一家，是亞該亞初結的果子，並且他們專以服事聖徒為念。
16我勸你們順服這樣的人，並一切同工同勞的人。
17司提反和福徒拿都，並亞該古到這裡來，我很喜歡；因為你們待我有不及之處，他們補上了。
18他們叫我和你們心裡都快活。這樣的人，你們務要敬重。
19亞細亞的眾教會問你們安。亞居拉和百基拉並在他們家裡的教會，因主多多的問你們安。
信息分享
提摩太是其中一位與保羅同工的朋友。這位年青人深得保羅的疼愛；透過二人的緊密合作，可證明不同年齡的信徒都能在主裡攜手同工。保羅向哥林多信徒大力推薦提摩太，稱讚他「勞力作主的工作，像我一樣」；言下之意，是希望他們待提摩太如同待他一樣。保羅相信提摩太的為人，並深信他對基督的愛是真誠無偽的。
亞波羅是保羅的另一位同工。保羅在信中提到：「我勸他到你們那裡去，去探望你們，但他卻不想在這時去。」換言之，他倆的意見不一，亞波羅雖拒絕了保羅的提議，卻不影響兩人的親密關係。保羅與其他同工的看法未必一致，可是，卻無礙他們的關係和合作。
保羅還在信中提及三位同工。司提反是當地最初信主，也是保羅親自替他施洗的信徒之一。保羅稱讚他和他的一家都忠心事主，他們的其中一項事奉，是開放自己的家接待信徒。這是一項美好的事奉，卻不需要特別的恩賜和才幹，你只要發出邀請便行了。你是否願意開放自己的家，讓它成為信徒一起祈禱、相交的地方？或是接待未信主的朋友，讓你的家成為一個傳福音的基地？
最後，保羅提到亞居拉和百基拉，這對夫婦在許方面都成為保羅的支持，他倆無論去到那裡，他們的家總是成為教會聚會的地方。但願我們的家，也能成為一個使人蒙福的地方。
禱告：
「主啊，你已成了我的朋友，求你教我成為別人的朋友。」
HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE?
1 Corinthians 16:10-19
10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.
12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.
13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
14 Let all that you do be done with love.
15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—
16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.
17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied.
18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
Message
Who were some of Paul's friends and fellow workers? Timothy was one of them. This young man must have been very dear to Paul and is living proof that age and youth can work together in Christ. Paul gave him a wonderful recommendation to the church at Corinth. 'He is doing the Lord's work as I am.' In other words 'treat him as you would treat me'. Paul believed in Timothy and in his love for Christ.
Another was Apollos. Here Paul says, 'I wanted Apollos to come and see you. But he didn't want to do it just now.' Imagine saying 'No' to the apostle Paul! But even though they differed, Paul still loved Apollos. Paul could disagree with a fellow worker, but love him just the same.
Paul mentions three others also. Stephanas is mentioned as being one of the earliest converts in the area, and as one of the ones baptised by Paul. A lovely word is used concerning him and his household. They had devoted themselves to the Lord's work. Among other things they had kept open house for the Lord's people. What a ministry this is. It is one that requires no particular gifts or abilities. You simply start with an invitation or two and then keep on going. You can ask God to make your home a centre of prayer, of fellowship and evangelism.
Then there were Aquila and Priscilla-a wonderful pair of friends. They did so much for Paul in many different places. Everywhere they went, their home became the centre for the church to meet in. Is your home anything like this?
A PRAYER:
'Lord, as you are my friend, make me a friend to others.'