耶稣基督的好仆人
提摩太前书四章1至16节
1圣灵明说：在后来的时候，必有人离弃真道，听从那引诱人的邪灵和鬼魔的道理。
2这是因为说谎之人的假冒，这等人的良心如同被热铁烙惯了一般。
3他们禁止嫁娶，又禁戒食物（注：或作“又叫人戒荤”），就是神所造、叫那信而明白真道的人感谢着领受的。
4凡神所造的物都是好的，若感谢着领受，就没有一样可弃的，
5都因神的道和人的祈求成为圣洁了。
6你若将这些事提醒弟兄们，便是基督耶稣的好执事，在真道的话语和你向来所服从的善道上得了教育。
7只是要弃绝那世俗的言语和老妇荒渺的话，在敬虔上操练自己。
8操练身体，益处还少；惟独敬虔，凡事都有益处，因有今生和来生的应许。
9这话是可信的，是十分可佩服的。
10我们劳苦努力，正是为此，因我们的指望在乎永生的神。他是万人的救主，更是信徒的救主。
11这些事，你要吩咐人，也要教导人。
12不可叫人小看你年轻，总要在言语、行为、爱心、信心、清洁上，都作信徒的榜样。
13你要以宣读、劝勉、教导为念，直等到我来。
14你不要轻忽所得的恩赐，就是从前借着预言、在众长老按手的时候赐给你的。
15这些事你要殷勤去做，并要在此专心，使众人看出你的长进来。
16你要谨慎自己和自己的教训，要在这些事上恒心。因为这样行，又能救自己，又能救听你的人。
信息分享
第6节译作「执事」的那个字，意思是「作服侍的人」。虽然「执事」是教会中的一个特别职衔，但每个基督徒都应该作服侍。「好」这个字可以译作「优秀」，或一般人所讲的「一流」。
一个好的执事会斥责假教师，他会提醒信徒，小心防备那些引诱别人与他们一同犯罪的人。这类错谬的行径，在基督再来之前的末世会愈发加增。一个好的执事会花时间研读神的话，并反省自己的思想是否符合圣经的真理。而且，他们会依从保罗的吩咐去教导别人。
耶稣基督的好执事将会是其他信徒的榜样（12节）。他的身教与言教同样重要。保罗指出，执事（或任何信徒）应该在5方面为他人树立榜样，它们是言语、行为、爱心、信心和纯洁。其实，每个基督徒都应该在日常生活中活出这5点，通过生活和服侍活出基督的样式。
耶稣基督的好执事会谨言慎行和谨守正道（15至16节）。我们遭遇逼迫的时候，很容易会放弃信仰。服侍基督的道路，虽然很有价值，却并不是一条易走的路。我们的主已亲身走过，并以此提醒门徒。像我们一样，祂曾受过各种试探，却没有犯罪。
当你感到服侍的道路很困苦、漫长或没有回报的时候，记住基督都看到你为祂所做的一切。终有一天，我们要向祂交账。到那时，基督必要赏赐我们；而我们会对祂所看到的倍感惊讶。
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.