主里的挚友
哥林多前书十六章10至19节
10若是提摩太来到，你们要留心，叫他在你们那里无所惧怕；因为他劳力做主的工，像我一样。
11所以，无论谁都不可藐视他，只要送他平安前行，叫他到我这里来，因我指望他和弟兄们同来。
12至于兄弟亚波罗，我再三的劝他同弟兄们到你们那里去；但这时他决不愿意去，几时有了机会他必去。
13你们务要儆醒，在真道上站立得稳，要作大丈夫，要刚强。
14凡你们所做的都要凭爱心而做。
15弟兄们，你们晓得司提反一家，是亚该亚初结的果子，并且他们专以服事圣徒为念。
16我劝你们顺服这样的人，并一切同工同劳的人。
17司提反和福徒拿都，并亚该古到这里来，我很喜欢；因为你们待我有不及之处，他们补上了。
18他们叫我和你们心里都快活。这样的人，你们务要敬重。
19亚细亚的众教会问你们安。亚居拉和百基拉并在他们家里的教会，因主多多的问你们安。
信息分享
提摩太是其中一位与保罗同工的朋友。这位年青人深得保罗的疼爱；透过二人的紧密合作，可证明不同年龄的信徒都能在主里携手同工。保罗向哥林多信徒大力推荐提摩太，称赞他「劳力作主的工作，像我一样」；言下之意，是希望他们待提摩太如同待他一样。保罗相信提摩太的为人，并深信他对基督的爱是真诚无伪的。
亚波罗是保罗的另一位同工。保罗在信中提到：「我劝他到你们那里去，去探望你们，但他却不想在这时去。」换言之，他俩的意见不一，亚波罗虽拒绝了保罗的提议，却不影响两人的亲密关系。保罗与其他同工的看法未必一致，可是，却无碍他们的关系和合作。
保罗还在信中提及三位同工。司提反是当地最初信主，也是保罗亲自替他施洗的信徒之一。保罗称赞他和他的一家都忠心事主，他们的其中一项事奉，是开放自己的家接待信徒。这是一项美好的事奉，却不需要特别的恩赐和才干，你只要发出邀请便行了。你是否愿意开放自己的家，让它成为信徒一起祈祷、相交的地方？或是接待未信主的朋友，让你的家成为一个传福音的基地？
最后，保罗提到亚居拉和百基拉，这对夫妇在许方面都成为保罗的支持，他俩无论去到那里，他们的家总是成为教会聚会的地方。但愿我们的家，也能成为一个使人蒙福的地方。
祷告：
「主啊，你已成了我的朋友，求你教我成为别人的朋友。」
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.'