事奉的典範
帖撒羅尼迦前書二章1至12節
1弟兄們，你們自己原曉得我們進到你們那裡並不是徒然的。
2我們從前在腓立比被害受辱，這是你們知道的；然而還是靠我們的神放開膽量，在大爭戰中把神的福音傳給你們。
3我們的勸勉，不是出於錯誤，不是出於污穢，也不是用詭詐。
4但神既然驗中了我們，把福音託付我們，我們就照樣講，不是要討人喜歡，乃是要討那察驗我們心的神喜歡。
5因為我們從來沒有用過諂媚的話，這是你們知道的；也沒有藏著貪心，這是神可以作見證的。
6我們作基督的使徒，雖然可以叫人尊重，卻沒有向你們或向別人求榮耀，
7只在你們中間存心溫柔，如同母親乳養自己的孩子。
8我們既是這樣愛你們，不但願意將神的福音給你們，連自己的性命也願意給你們，因你們是我們所疼愛的。
9弟兄們，你們記念我們的辛苦勞碌，晝夜做工，傳神的福音給你們，免得叫你們一人受累。
10我們向你們信主的人，是何等聖潔、公義，無可指摘，有你們作見證，也有神作見證。
11你們也曉得我們怎樣勸勉你們，安慰你們，囑咐你們各人，好像父親待自己的兒女一樣。
12要叫你們行事對得起那召你們進他國、得他榮耀的神。
信息分享
保羅曾在腓立比為基督的緣故受苦（2節）；但即使如此，也沒有攔阻他在帖撒羅尼迦忠心傳講福音。
他自言在他們中間的事奉，如同管家之外，更如同他們的母親和父親。他是管家，因神已將福音託付給他（4節），他的事奉與動機都是求神的喜悅甚於人的讚賞（5至6節）。
他在他們中間時，如同母親溫柔地牧養他們（7節）。有些人甚至在傳講基督的時候，也表現得毫無愛心，或是對別人的生活方式作無謂的批評，這是十分可悲的。保羅絕不會如此。
此外，保羅又像父親待兒女那樣，不會期望初信者供應他的需要（10-11節）；反而像父親般鼓勵和安慰他們。他以身作則為他們立下典範，讓他們明白救主期望他們如何生活。今天我們稱之爲「門徒培訓」。我們卻經常忽略初信者需要我們用心扶持和培養，只讓他們掙扎求存。保羅絕不會這樣。
讓我們今天坐言起行，主動聯絡一位初信者（或任何一位信徒），鼓勵他在新生命中不斷成長吧！
緊記：一句鼓勵的話，可以使一個灰心喪志的人，從新振作起來，繼續在信仰的路上奔跑。
A MODEL FOR MINISTRY
1 Thessalonians 2: 1-12
1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2 But even[a] after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.
6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged[b] every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Message
Paul himself had suffered in Philippi for the sake of the Gospel (v.2), but even that did not stop him from faithfully preaching the same message at Thessalonica.
He spoke of his ministry there as being that of a steward, a mother, and a father. As a steward he was entrusted with the Gospel (v.4). In his ministry and in his motives (v.5-6) he was more concerned with God's approval than with the praise of men.
As a mother, he dealt gently with them while he was there (v.7). It is tragically possible to be unloving even in telling others about Christ or to be unnecessarily critical and judgmental of their lifestyle. That was not Paul's way.
As a father (vv.10-11) he did not expect the new converts to provide his needs. And he also made sure he encouraged and comforted them as a father would his children. He set standards for them trying to help them know how their new found Saviour wanted them to live. Today we call this "discipling". Too often we tend to neglect new converts and leave them to struggle along on their own. That was not Paul's way.
Why not think today of a new Christian (or an older one) and contact him, just to encourage and help him in his new life? Who can you call or write to? Do it today.
REMEMBER: A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GIVING UP AND GOING ON.