QT 01/10/2024 Tue. 1Thessalonians 1. Steadfastly hoping for His coming. 坚定不移地期盼着主的再来.

QT 01/10/2024 Tue. 1Thessalonians 1. Steadfastly hoping for His coming.
http://www.esvbible.org/1thes1

Paul wrote to Thessalonica, a young church. He and those who had heard about it, praised the church. Their "work of faith", "labour of love" and "steadfastness of hope" were remembered dearly by Paul (1Thes 1:3).

The praises related to how the Thessalonians accepted the gospel eagerly (1Thes 1:6), how they progressed in spiritual growth, how they persevered in spite of persecutions and how they were "an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia" (1Thes 1:7).

The young Thessalonian church, however, had their challenges too:-

(1) There existed a smear campaign to damage Paul's reputation. Opponents of Paul who refused to acknowledge and submit to Paul's leadership bad-mouthed his character and work;

(2) They were influenced wrongly—that since Christ is coming soon, let's not work;

(3) As new believers who were now in Christ, they should stay away from immoral conduct. They should respect leadership, promote love and peace among the brothers.

REFLECTION: What is your reputation? Are you a good model for others? Are others thankful that you exist?

星期二 2024年10月1日 帖撒罗尼迦前书1章。坚定不移地期盼着主的再来。
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/1Ts/1/

保罗写信给帖撒罗尼迦，一个年轻的教会。他和其他听说这教会的人，都称赞这教会。他们“信心的工作”，“爱心的劳苦”和“坚忍的盼望”都是保罗不断纪念的(帖前1:3)。

这些称赞是与帖撒罗尼迦人很渴慕地接受了真道有关(帖前1:6)的，他们如何在灵命上的成长、他们如何在受逼迫时坚持以及他们如何成了“马其顿和亚该亚”所有信徒的榜样(帖前1:7)。

然而，年轻的帖撒罗尼迦教会也有他们要面临的挑战:-

他们故意兴风作浪破坏保罗的信誉。保罗的反对者不愿意承认和臣服于保罗的领导，并抹黑他的人格和工作；

他们都受到错误的影响--既然基督要来了，就不用工作了；

身为基督里的新信徒，他们必须远离不道德的行为。他们应该尊重领导、提倡弟兄之间的爱和平安。

反思：你的信誉如何？你是否是别人的好榜样？别人是否因你的存在而感恩？