Year: 2023

突如其来的大灾难最能唤醒人们对末世主再来的警觉！（就像上星期所发生的土耳其大地震！）

一、祸哉！黑暗中的人（V1-3）

怀胎的妇人无法躲避生产之苦的来到，这是众所周知的事实。正如主再来之时，全人类都要面对全地之主的审判，奖赏或永刑就此定案。而且事情的发生几乎叫人措手不及，如同夜间的贼来到。

二、福哉！白昼光明子（V4-10）

否认基督陷入黑暗，成为黑暗之子；相反的，脱离黑暗者成为光明之子，属乎白昼。意思说我们是活在光中的人；活出信望爱的人。

神有人人得救的预定，人有拒绝被救的任性。与其说那是因为世人都犯了罪，倒不如说，那是因为许多人选择拒绝耶稣基督的拯救！不是主没有救赎，是人硬心拒绝被救。那真是祸哉，拒绝天堂，选择地狱啊！

三、义哉！属灵真信徒（V11-22）

1.要相互建立生命（V11）
相互建立是主的吩咐，甚至说是命令。你不要选择作不求长进的基督徒。

2.要敬重你的领袖（V12-13）
尊荣文化是天国的文化，也是灵粮堂所拣选的属灵基因，但愿我们都一同领受，并且加以实践。

3.要对各人尽本分（V14-15）
教会中有各色各样的人，原来神托付我们的使命不只是传福音、牧养、更是要以各种不同的回应去建造不同形式的人。

4.要遵行主的旨意（V16-18）
喜乐、祷告、感恩，原来是神所定的旨意，圣旨难违不是吗？我们若是遵行，那必然是荣耀神的人。

5.要谨慎顺服圣灵（V19-22）
圣灵的启示性感动、先知性的话语指示，都要查验，并要持守那些美善的。

四、圣哉！等候主的再来（V23-28）

神的旨意是要我们全然成圣，而且因着神的信实，祂必成就祂所计划的。成圣是包含了灵、魂、体全方位。

总结：时时警醒迎接主！

感谢主！这一章经文让我们看到未来成长方向的蓝图：
1.要作警醒的光明之子。
2.预备自己也建立他人。
3.全人全心全面仰赖主。

1 Thessalonians 5: Be alert while waiting for the Second Coming of the Lord
GK611 Morning Devotion
14/02/2023
Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction:

Sudden catastrophes are the best way to awaken people to the second coming of the Lord at the end times! (Like the earthquake that hit Turkey last week!)

I. Woe! People in the darkness (5:1-3)

It is a well-known fact that a pregnant woman cannot escape the pains of childbirth. Just as when the Lord returns, all mankind will face the judgment of the Lord of the whole earth, that is when the reward or eternal punishment will be carried out accordingly. The coming of the Lord will happen almost by surprise, like the arrival of a thief in the night.

II. Blessed are you! The son of day and light (5:4-10)

He who denies Christ has fallen into darkness and becomes a son of darkness; on the contrary, he who is free from darkness becomes a son of light, of the day. This means that we are people who live in the light; people who live out faith, hope and love.

God has predestined people for salvation, and man has the willfulness to refuse to be saved. Rather than saying all men have sinned, many have chosen to reject the salvation of Jesus Christ! It is not that the Lord does not save, but that men harden their hearts and refuse to be saved. Woe to them, who reject heaven and choose hell!

III. Righteousness! True spiritual believers (5:11-22)

1. To build up one another’s lives (V11)
To build each other up is an instruction from the Lord, it is also a command. You must not choose to be a Christian who does not seek to grow.

2. Honour your leaders (V12-13)
The culture of honour is also the Kingdom’s culture. It is also a chosen spiritual foundation by the Bread of Life Church. May we all receive it together and put into practice.

3. Do your part to everyone (V14-15)
There are all kinds of people in the church, and it turns out that God has entrusted us with the task not only of evangelism and pastoral care, but also of building up different kinds of people with different kinds of responses.

4. To do the Lord’s will (V16-18)
Joy, prayer and thanksgiving turned out to be the will of God, isn’t it hard to disobey? If we obey, then we will certainly be the people who glorify God.

5. Be cautious and to obey the Holy Spirit (V19-22)
The revelation and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, prophetic word and instructions must be examined and hold fast to those that are good.

IV. Holy! Waiting for the Lord’s return (5:23-28)

It is God’s Will that we should be wholly holy and that, through His faithfulness, He will accomplish what He has planned. We are to be holy in spirit, soul and body.

Conclusion: Be alert for the second coming of the Lord at all times!

Thank you, Lord! This chapter gives us a blueprint for the direction of our future growth:
1. to be vigilant sons of light.
2. to prepare ourselves and build up others.
3. to depend on the Lord with our whole heart and in all things.

一个人活着，如果知道他所在面对的困难最终会有一个美好的结局，那么他就知道他的忍耐不是徒然的，他就能够有一个坚持下去的盼望。

帖撒罗尼迦前书多次提到基督徒要有基督再来的盼望，其实就是告诉我们基督徒面对考验去忍耐和持守，并不是徒然的。因为我们最终能够得着救恩，并且也会得着神的奖赏！

一、过敬虔爱主的生活

1. 活出分别为圣的生活（V1-8）
当我们已经在竭力去过讨神喜悦生活的时候，我们就要继续持守下去，尤其是性上面要持守圣洁。当年帖撒罗尼迦教会面对整个淫乱的大环境，而如今其实我们社会在性道德上也是越来越败坏。所以我们一定要捉住这段经文所提醒我们的，要靠主去过圣洁的生活！

2.活出端正有爱的生活（V9-12）
我们当效法帖撒罗尼迦信徒当年不仅对本地教会，还有对着马其顿众教会的爱心。同时我们也当活出端正的生命，做好自己日常生活中的本分。如此，主必要充足地供应我们一切的所需。

二、持守主再来的盼望（V13-18）

其实之所以我们要敬虔爱主地去生活，是因为我们有‘基督再来，信祂之人必要复活’的盼望。如果我们不明白这一点，我们就会跟不信的人一样，活着和死了都没有指望，在地上的日子也就随便地耗费，去放纵过生活了！

总结：

今天虽然我们要持守过敬虔爱主的生活，会面对许多的考验和试炼，但是这一切都是值得的，因为我们清楚地知道，我们有‘主再来，赐给我们永恒生命’的盼望。所以因着爱主，我们就有力量去忍受这些的考验和试炼，并带着这份盼望去等候主的再来！
 

1 Thessalonians 4: Live a life of godliness with hope
GK611 Morning Devotion
10/02/2023
Speaker: IP Moses+ Rev David Tan

Introduction:

When a person is alive, if he knows that the difficulties he is facing will eventually have a happy ending, then he will understand that his perseverance is not in vain, and so he will have hope to persevere.

First Thessalonians mentioned many times that Christians should have hope of Christ’s return. In fact, it tells us that it is not in vain for Christians to persevere and endure in the face of trials. Because we shall eventually be saved, and we will also be rewarded by God!

I. Live a life of godliness and love for the Lord

1. Live a sanctified life (V1-8)

When we are already striving to live a life that pleases God, we must continue to persevere, especially in terms of sexual holiness. Back then, the Thessalonian church faced a situation of promiscuity, and now our society is actually becoming more and more depraved in terms of sexual morality. Therefore, we must grasp what this passage reminds us to rely on the Lord to live a holy life!

2. Live a decent and loving life (V9-12)

We should imitate the love that the Thessalonian believers showed not only for the local church but also for the churches in Macedonia. At the same time, we should also live a righteous life and do our duty well in our daily life. In this way, the Lord will supply all our needs sufficiently.

II. Holding fast to the hope of the Lord’s return (V13-18)

In fact, the reason why we have to live devoutly and lovingly for the Lord is because we have the hope that “Christ will return, and those who believe in Him will be resurrected”. If we do not understand this point, we will be like the unbelievers, who have no hope be it life or death, and spend our days on earth carelessly, living a life of indulgence!

Conclusion：

Although we have to persevere in living a life of godliness and love for the Lord today, we will face many tests and trials, but all of them are worth it because we clearly know and look forward to the promise of “the Lord’s return and give us eternal life”. Therefore, because we love the Lord, we have the strength to endure these tests and trials and wait for the return of the Lord with this hope!

保罗就好像牧人一般确保羊群能够得着保护和照顾。让我们从保罗身上学习如何成为一位好牧人。

一、坚固和劝慰（V1-4)

保罗打发提摩太去坚固帖撒罗尼迦教会的信心，并劝慰他们要持守真道。因为这对初信者来说非常重要。

在患难中，牧人可以用神的话来坚固人心，帮助羊群在患难中不致动摇。因为神的话就是生命，带给人盼望。

二、关心人生命（V5-10)

帖撒罗尼迦信徒在患难之中的信心和爱心，使保罗心里重担脱落、灵里重新得力。为着他们可以站立得稳，保罗向神带出他对神感恩的喜乐，就是他欣喜地向成就这一切的神献上感恩。

我们要帮助羊群常常警醒，就像保罗一样，为要补满他们信心的不足，使他们能成为圣洁、无可指摘。

三、为群羊祷告（V11-13)

1.爱心增长（V12)
虽然帖撒罗尼迦人的爱心已经十分显著，但保罗仍然求神叫这些初信者的爱心可以不断增长、充足，就是不但肢体之间要彼此相爱，而且也要爱周围那些还没信主、甚至逼迫自己的众人。

2. 成为圣洁（V13)
信徒在得救以后，还得靠着圣灵的工作，在行为上结出成圣的果子。这都需要我们付出代价去追求，所以必须’心里坚固’才不至半途而废。

总结：

弟兄姐妹，我们要从保罗身上学习如何成为一个好牧人，懂得用神的话语来坚固被我们牧养的人的信心，并且借祷告勉励他们彼此相爱，使他们在基督再来时可以站立得主。

1 Thessalonians 3: Be a Good Shepherd of the Flock
GK611 Morning Devotion
09/02/2023
Speaker: Ps Stella+ Rev David Tan

Introduction:

Paul is like a shepherd making sure that the flock is protected and cared for. Let’s learn from Paul how to be a good shepherd.

I. Strengthen and comfort (V1-4)

Paul sent Timothy to strengthen the faith of the Thessalonian church and urge them to keep the faith. Because this is very important for new believers.

In adversity, shepherds can use God’s Words to strengthen people’s hearts and help the flock not to be shaken in adversity. Because the Word of God is life and brings people hope.

II. Caring for people’s life (V5-10)

The faith and love of the Thessalonian believers in the midst of adversity made Paul shed the burden in his heart and regain his strength in spirit. For they were being able to stand firm, Paul brings to God the joy of his thanksgiving, that is, he rejoice in offering thanksgiving to God who made everything possible.

We need to help the flock to stay alert constantly, just like Paul,to perfect their lack of faith so that they may be holy and blameless.

III. Pray for the flock (V11-13)

1. Increase and abound in love (V12)
Although the love of the Thessalonians was already very evident, Paul still prayed that the love of these new believers would continue to grow and flourish, that is, not only the members of the body should love each other, but also those around them who had not yet believed in the Lord, and even the multitude who persecuted them.

2. Be Holy (V13)
After a believer is saved, he still has to rely on the work of the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit of sanctification in his behaviour. All of these require us to pay a price to pursue, so we must be ‘strong in heart’ so as not to give up halfway.

Conclusion：

Brothers and sisters, we must learn from Paul how to be a good shepherd, know how to use God’s Words to strengthen the faith of those we shepherd, and encourage them to love each other through prayer so that they can stand firm when Christ returns.

当时保罗和同工西拉到古希腊帖撒罗尼迦城向当地人传讲福音。仅仅一个月就有大批的希腊人和犹太人信耶稣并在那里组建了第一个教会群体。但是同时候也出现了一些麻烦，保罗和西拉也被迫离开这个城，他们很爱这里的人，所以离开的时候是很难过的。

保罗试图用这封信继续鼓励和勉励帖撒罗尼迦的信徒继续坚守主道。之前他从提摩太的报告得知他们的状况很好。虽然逼迫激烈，但却大大地兴旺。这封信的前半段主要内容都是称赞信徒对耶稣的忠心，后半段是要挑战大家的生命要成长。

今天我们要从牧者的心来明白保罗写这封书信的心情和用意。

一、竭力活出主的托付

1.放开胆量 传讲真道（V1-2）
帖撒罗尼迦教会之所以可以成立是因为保罗踏出信心的一步在当地传讲真道。当时候保罗在腓立比的教会被迫害导致他被关进监牢，后来被释放的时候不但没有退缩，更是在大争战中把福音传给帖撒罗尼迦人。虽然最后当中还是有人反对保罗，但是他所做的，帮助了许多当地的人得着救恩建立教会。

2.以神为主 讨神欢喜（V3-5）
保罗并没有因为环境的逼迫而放弃以神为主。他知道只要以神的话语为根基，没有用不诚实的手法和不良的动机来劝勉或传福音给人，就问心无愧。即使是受苦，只要是讨神喜欢的，他都愿意为神付上代价。

二、起来喂养主的羊群

1．像母亲乳养孩子 V6-8
保罗与当地人建立了美好的关系。他用了非常亲密的父母与孩子来比喻他们之间的关系。保罗待他们不但温柔像母亲乳养孩子一样，更是连命都可以为他们牺牲。V8“我们既是这样爱你们，不但愿意将神的福音给你们，连自己的性命也愿意给你们，因你们是我们所疼爱的。”

2.像父亲劝勉教育（V9-12）
保罗刻苦耐劳，昼夜工作，传神的福音给当地的人，为着是要叫人人得救。他劝勉他们就像父亲待自己儿女一样，希望每个人都能兴起并且把所得的传给他们，同时盼望每个人能得以进入神的国，得神的荣耀。

3.为着孩子们感恩（V13-16）
保罗不断围为着当地人所领受的道而感恩。虽然当时候大家都面对逼迫，但是大家确实已经明白真道。所以虽然受逼迫但是仍然坚持，坚守主道而且还不住地感谢神。

三、活出牧养盼望的心（V17-20）

保罗因为遭到逼迫而被逼需要暂时离开，但是这没有拦阻他对帖撒罗尼迦的心。他仍然派了提摩太过去，而且以书信与他们保持联络，这是他牧养的心。

他对牧养的羊群，并没有其他的目的。唯一的盼望是当耶稣再来的时候，帖撒罗尼迦教会的每一位都可以到主面前的奖赏得荣耀。这就是使徒保罗牧养的心志，无私的爱，在牧养中大有盼望。

总结：

保罗愿意竭力追求主的心志，是我们每一个基督徒的榜样。若我们爱基督，就要牧养祂所托付给我们的羊。他成为了耶稣基督的喜乐和荣耀，而信徒们也是保罗的喜乐和荣耀。

我们也要起来成为小牧人，起来传讲真道，牧养神所托付给我们的羊群。我们也要起来成为我们小组长和牧者的喜乐和荣耀！我们都要起来成为主的喜乐和荣耀！

1 Thessalonians 2: To be the joy and glory of the Lord
GK611 Morning Devotion
8/2/2023
Speaker: Asher Change + Rev David Tan

Introduction:

At that time Paul and his co-worker Silas went to the ancient Greek city of Thessalonica to preach the gospel to the locals. In just one month a large number of Greeks and Jews came to faith in Jesus and formed the first church community there. But at the same time there were some troubles, and Paul and Silas were forced to leave the city. They loved the people so much that they were sad to leave.

With this letter Paul tried to continue to encourage and exhort the believers in Thessalonica to continue to hold fast to the Word of the Lord. Earlier he had learned from Timothy’s report that they were in a good condition. In spite of the intense persecution, they were greatly prospering. The main content of the first half of this letter is all about praising the believers for their faithfulness to Jesus, and the second half is to challenge everyone to grow in their lives.

Today we want to understand Paul’s feelings and intentions in writing this epistle from the heart of a pastor.

1. Do your best to live out the Lord’s commission

(1) Letting go of the courage to preach the Truth（V1-2）
The Thessalonian church was established because Paul took a step of faith to preach the Truth in the region. When Paul was persecuted in the church in Philippi, he was imprisoned. When he was released, he did not retreat, but preached the gospel to the Thessalonians in the midst of the great battle. Although there were still some who opposed Paul in the end, what he did help many people in the region to be saved and to establish churches.

(2) Make God the priority and please God（V3-5）
Paul did not give up on setting God as priority because of the persecution of his circumstances. He knew that as long as he was grounded in the Word of God, and did not exhort or preach the gospel to people with dishonest practices or bad motives, he had a clear conscience. Even if he suffered, he was willing to pay the price for God as long as it was pleasing to Him.

2. Rise up and feed the flock of the Lord

(1) Like a mother nursing her child（V6-8）
Paul had a wonderful relationship with the local people. He used the analogy of the relationship between parents and children, who were very close to each other. Paul not only treated them tenderly as a mother nurses her children, but he was ready to sacrifice his life for them. v8 “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.”

(2) Like a father exhorting and teaching（V9-12）
Paul labored hard, working day and night, preaching the gospel of God to the people of the region, in order that all might be saved.
He exhorted them to be like fathers to their children. He exhorted them as a father does his own children, hoping that each one would rise up and preach to them what he had received.
He exhorted them to be like fathers to their children, hoping that each one would rise up and preach to them what he had received, and that each one would enter the kingdom of God and be glorified by God.

(3) Thanksgiving for the children（V13-16）
Paul kept on giving thanks for the word that the local people had received. Although everyone was facing persecution at that time, they had indeed understood the Truth. Therefore, they persevered in spite of the persecution, held fast to the Word of the Lord, and gave thanks to God without ceasing.

3. Living the Heart of Shepherding Hope（V17-20）

Paul was forced to leave temporarily because of the persecution, but this did not stop his heart for Thessalonica. He still sent Timothy there, and kept in touch with them by letters, which was his heart of sherpherding.

He had no other purpose for the flock he was shepherding. His only hope was that everyone in Thessalonian church might receive the Lord’s reward and glory when Jesus returns. This is the apostle Paul’s pastoral heart, selfless love, and great hope in shepherding.

Conclusion:

Paul’s willingness to pursue the Lord with all his might is an example to every one of us as Christians. If we love Christ, we must shepherd the sheep He has entrusted to us. He became the joy and glory of Jesus Christ, and the believers were the joy and glory of Paul.

We, too, are to rise up and become little shepherds, to rise up and preach the truth, and to shepherd the flock that God has entrusted to us. We, too, are to rise up and become the joy and glory of our group leaders and shepherds! We are all to rise up and become the joy and glory of the Lord!

保罗、西拉与提摩太在公元49年来到帖撒罗尼迦城市传福音，建立了教会。保罗知道帖撒罗尼迦教会在逼迫中仍坚守主道传福音，有好榜样好见证，就写了这封书信劝勉鼓励他们，感恩他们是有生命见证的教会。

一、有信望爱的新生命（V1-3）

保罗不住地记念感恩帖撒罗尼迦的信徒有信、望、爱的新生命。这是神最看重和最喜悦的生命。因着信靠神除了愿为主工作，也会因为爱神而愿意承担劳苦，并且因神所赐的盼望而长存忍耐的心志，使人不抱怨不放弃地等候主的再来。

二、有传福音的好见证（V4-8）

保罗接着称赞他们是有福音好见证的教会，是传福音的榜样。并提到传扬福音的要素：

1.要有福音的信息
不独在乎言语意思是：要有福音的传扬。因为信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。

2.要有权能和圣灵
传福音也要求神的权能，让人从中经历神迹奇事、得到医治释放，来印证我们所传的福音。
传福音也是圣灵的工作，不是靠人的智慧和口才。我们需要圣灵赐下智慧，口才和胆量，让我们有充足的信心，传讲福音更有能力。

3.要有生命的见证
福音要通过我们的生命和为人见证出来! 在困难中仍有喜乐，领受真道效法主，作信主之人的榜样。福音就这样从帖撒罗尼迦那里传扬出来了！这是值得我们效法的！

三、离弃偶像服事真神（V9-10）

帖撒罗尼迦信徒的生命还有一个大改变：离弃偶像归向神，事奉又真又活的神。因为他们要做好准备，等候神的儿子耶稣基督从天降临！他们确信这位耶稣就是神使祂从死里复活、要救世人脱离将来可怕审判的耶稣。

不要以为基督再来是将来的事，顾好现在的生活才是更重要。若不确信将来基督必要再来，会直接影响我们现在该如何生活。

总结：

帖撒罗尼迦教会是有有生命见证的教会，不只是在信心、爱心与盼望上，也是离弃偶像服事真神、积极传福音的榜样。

求神帮助我们，在基督里持守信望爱，活出荣耀主的生命见证，把主的道从我们中间传开！专心等候主的再来！

1 Thessalonians 1: A church with living testimony
GK611 Morning Devotion
07/02/2023
Speaker: Ps Daniel + Rev Tan

Introduction:

Paul, Silas and Timothy came to the city of Thessalonica in 49 AD. to preach the gospel and establish a church. Paul knew that the church in Thessalonica still insisted on the Lord’s way and preached the gospel despite the persecution, and had good examples and testimonies, so he wrote this letter to encourage them, thanking them for being a church with life testomonies.

I. A new life with faith, hope and love (V1-3)

Paul kept remembering and thanking the believers in Thessalonica for their new life of faith, hope and love. This is the life that God values and delights most. In addition to being willing to work for the Lord because of trust in God, they are also willing to bear hardships because of love for God, and because of the hope given by God, they have long-term perseverance and are willing to wait for the return of the Lord without complaining or giving up.

II. Good testimony of evangelism (V4-8)

Paul went on to praise them as a church with good testimony of the gospel and a model of evangelism. In addition, he mentioned the elements of evangelism:

(1) Have the Gospel Message
Not only words mean: there must be the preaching of the gospel. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes from the Word of Christ.

(2) Have power and the Holy Spirit
Evangelism also requires the power of God, so that people can experience miracles, be healed and delivered, and confirm the gospel we preach.
Evangelism is also the work of the Holy Spirit, not of human wisdom and eloquence. We need the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom, eloquence, and courage so that we can have sufficient confidence and have the strength to preach the gospel.

(3) Have a life testimony
The gospel must be witnessed through our lives and people! We should still be joyful in the midst of difficulties, receive the Truth and imitate the Lord, and be an example for those who believe in the Lord. Thus the gospel was preached from Thessalonica! This is worthy for us to imitate!

III. Abandon idols and serve the true God (V9-10)

There was another major change in the life of the Thessalonian believers: abandoning idols and returning to God, serving the true and living God. Because they have to get ready and wait for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to come from heaven! They are convinced that this Jesus is the Jesus whom God raised from the dead to save the world from the horrible judgment to come.

Don’t think that the return of Christ is something in the future, it is more important to take care of our present life. If we are not sure that Christ will return in the future, it will directly affect how we live now.

Conclusion：

The Thessalonian church is a church with life testimonies, not only in terms of faith, love and hope, but also a model of abandoning idols to serve the true God and persistently preaching the gospel.

May God help us to keep faith, hope and love in Christ,to live out a living testimony that glorifies the Lord, and to spread the Lord’s Word among us! Focus on waiting for the return of the Lord!