Year: 2024

使徒保罗在主后62年上诉凯撒成功，从罗马监被释放后重返亚细亚、马其顿。坐船经过克里特岛时把提多留在那里设立长老；之后又把提摩太留在以弗所处理教会内部的假师傅和设立领袖团队。最后，回到马其顿，在主后63-64年冬天之前，写了提摩太前书。

主后64年7月，一场大火席卷罗马全城。民间谣传是尼禄皇帝下令纵的火，但却嫁祸给基督徒。许多k基督徒在死前受尽凌辱。他们被逼披上兽皮上斗兽场，惨遭恶犬撕裂、被钉在十字架、或被人活活烧死。学者认为，使徒保罗很可能在第四次宣教旅程后，在这段迫害时期再次被捕入狱。并在被囚即将殉道之前写了提摩太后书。写完了这封信的几个月后，使徒保罗就被砍头了。所以，虽然被归纳在教牧书信里，但信中的内容更像是保罗给提摩太的属灵遗嘱。鼓励提摩太，纵使他不在了，仍然要保持忠心、活出神所托付的真道。

一、身份的认定（v1-2）

保罗的书信中，每逢提及他的使徒身份时，总是带着坚定的语调说明自己是奉神旨意，被神差遣的。因为他看重这身份是神对他生命的拣选，是一个荣耀的呼召。

神从80多亿人中呼召你出来成为祂的儿女，你珍惜这荣耀又宝贵的拣选吗？如果我们认定这身份是基督耶稣连生命都献上，倾倒一切为我们换回来的，我相信我们每一天的生活就不会草率和随意的度过。

二、信仰的传承（v3-5）

v5无伪之信说的是真实不虚假、不装做的信心。这里指的是对耶稣的信心。

提摩太的父亲是希腊人，母亲是犹太人。保罗说提摩太生命里那真实不虚假的信心，在他那信主的外婆罗以和母亲友尼基的生命里也看得到。可见得她们两人给提摩太信仰的传承不止透过教导真理，更是活出真理，以身教来影响提摩太。

弟兄姐妹，我们身旁的人看得出我们是基督徒吗？你将信仰传承给孩子了吗？

三、忠于神托付（v6-10）

1.挑旺神的恩赐（v6-7）

面对以弗所教会的内忧外患，再加上作为属灵父亲的保罗被抓，关在监狱里，试想年轻的提摩太怎么会不胆怯、惧怕、信心动摇呢？保罗很理解提摩太的心情，因此鼓励他，神所赐的不是胆怯的心，乃是刚强、仁爱、谨守的心。且要将神给他的恩赐再如火挑旺起来。

挑旺的原文由再次、生命、燃点3个词组成。

恩赐是神给我们服事的本钱。当我们看到被服事的人得着突破，信心便会越来越大，原本枯干、胆怯的生命，便会再次被点燃的。

2.不以福音为耻（v8-10）

使徒保罗鼓励提摩太不要以为耶稣作见证感到羞耻。也不要因为他为了传福音被关在监牢里而感到羞耻。保罗因知道他所受的苦是为了成就神的旨意，所以没有感到羞愧。

现实生活中很多基督徒因为怕同辈压力、怕被拒绝，所以不敢传福音。有些连提自己是基督徒都不敢。

今天，这个世界需要福音！这世界需要看见神的能力和拯救。 如果我们活得与世人没有两样，以福音为耻，那这世界就没有盼望了。神儿女要去传福音彰显神的能力，为世界带来安慰与盼望。

四、至死都跟随（v11-18）

1.知道所信是谁（v11-14）

V12b保罗告诉提摩太，他能心甘情愿地为主受苦，是因为他“知道”自己“所信的是谁”。所以能毫无保留的把自己交付基督，直到在永恒里与主面对面的那日。

弟兄姐妹，你知道自己所信的是谁吗？你把什么交给了神呢？是我们的计划？我们所爱的人？甚至我们自己的生命？

如果我们知道所信的是谁，并深信耶稣必会保全我们所交付的一切。我们就能像使徒保罗那样毫不疑惑的信到底，就是连死都不怕！当我们连死都不怕时，仇敌的计谋在我们的生命里起不了作用。

2.忠心跟随到底（v15-18）

徒19记载，当时以弗所许多行邪术的人信了主后把他们行邪术的书都拿出来焚烧。烧掉的书共五万块钱。但是，这一度福音非常旺盛的地方，此刻却面对非常大的逼迫。只要有人公然自认是基督徒，就有被捕及折磨至死的危险。因此很多以前与保罗同工的人，怕被连累而与他保持距离，离弃他。

但是，V16偏偏就有一个叫阿尼色弗的人，惟独他长途跋涉，从以弗所到罗马，冒着生命的危险，到处殷勤的寻找保罗，几经周折终于找到了。

弟兄姐妹之间要建立真关系。在患难中彼此扶持，同心同行的与牧者同工，忠心的跟随主到底。

总结：活出信仰

今天，提摩太后书也是圣灵给我们这些被神拣选的儿女的遗嘱。求圣灵帮助我们：

•认定自己被神所呼召的身份，好好的来认识真理，装备自己。
•知道自己所信的是谁。带着圣灵所赐的恩赐和能力，活出不以福音为耻的信仰
•持守真道、忠心跟随主到底。

2 Timothy Chapter 1: Observe Faithfully, Living the Truth
GK611 Morning Devotion
30 May 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah Tan

Background: In the midst of turmoil and persecution

The apostle Paul successfully appealed to Caesar in the 62nd year of the Lord’s reign, and returned to Asia and Macedonia after his release from the Roman prison. He left Titus in Crete to set up elders, and then left Timothy in Ephesus to deal with false teachers in the church and to set up a team of leaders. Finally, returned to Macedonia and wrote 1 Timothy before the winter of AD 63-64.

In July, AC 64, a fire swept through the city of Rome. Popular rumor had it that the Emperor Nero had ordered the fire, but it was blamed on the Christians. Many Christians were humiliated before they died. They were forced to wear animal skins to the Colosseum, were torn apart by vicious dogs, crucified, or burned alive. Scholars believe that the Apostle Paul was probably arrested and imprisoned again during this period of persecution after his fourth missionary journey. And wrote 2 Timothy just before his imprisonment and imminent martyrdom. A few months after writing this letter, the Apostle Paul was beheaded. So, although ummarized in the Pastoral Epistles, the letter reads more like a spiritual testament from Paul to Timothy. Encouraging Timothy, even though he was gone, to remain faithful and live out the truth that God had entrusted to him.

1. Acknowledgement of identity (v1-2)

Whenever Paul’s epistles mention his apostleship, he always states with a firm tone that he was sent by God at God’s will. For he valued this identity as God’s choice for his life, a glorious calling.

God has called you out of more than 8 billion people to be His children. Do you value this glorious and precious election? If we recognise that this identity is something that Christ Jesus gave even His life for and poured out everything to get back for us, I believe that we will not spend every day of our lives haphazardly and casually.

2. The passing on of faith (v3-5)

v5 Faith without falsehood speaks of faith that is true and not false, not pretending. Here it refers to faith in Jesus.

Timothy’s father was a Greek and his mother a Jew. Paul says that the true and unfalse faith in Timothy’s life was also seen in the lives of his believing grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. It is evident that both of them passed on Timothy’s faith not only by teaching the truth, but also by living out the truth and influencing Timothy by example.

Brothers and sisters, can those around us recognise that we are Christians? Have you passed on your faith to your children?

3. Faithful towards God’s entrusment (v6-10)

(1) Stir up God’s gifts (v6-7)

In the face of the internal and external troubles of the church in Ephesus, coupled with the fact that Paul, who was a spiritual father, was arrested and imprisoned, imagine how the young Timothy could not be timid, fearful, and have his faith shaken? Paul understood Timothy’s feelings and encouraged him that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. And to stir up again as a fire the gift that God had given him.

The word “stir up again” consists of three words: again, life, and kindle.

Gifts are God’s principal for our ministry. When we see breakthroughs in the people we serve, our faith will grow, and our lives, which were dry and timid, will be rekindled.

(2) Not to be ashamed of the gospel (v8-10)

The apostle Paul encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of witnessing for Jesus. Nor should he be ashamed that he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Paul was not ashamed because he knew that what he was suffering was for the fulfillment of God’s will.

Many Christians in real life are afraid to preach the gospel for fear of peer pressure and rejection. Some are afraid to even mention that they are Christians.

Today, this world needs the gospel! This world needs to see the power and salvation of God. If we live no differently from the world and are ashamed of the gospel, then there is no hope for the world. Children of God need to go and preach the gospel to show God’s power and bring comfort and hope to the world.

4. Follow to the end (v11-18)

(1) Knowing in whom you believe (v11-14)

V12b Paul tells Timothy that he was able to suffer willingly for the Lord because he “knew” in whom he “believed”. He was able to commit himself unreservedly to Christ until the day when he would come face to face with the Lord in eternity.

Brothers and sisters, do you know in whom you believe? What have you given to God? Is it our plans? Our loved ones? Or even our own lives?

If we know who we believe in and are confident that Jesus will keep what we have delivered. Then we can believe to the end without doubt, as the Apostle Paul did, that is, without fearing even death! When we are not afraid to die, the schemes of the enemy will not work in our lives.

(2) Faithfully following to the end (v15-18)

Acts 19 records that many of the racticing magicians in Ephesus at that time took all their books of magical arts and burned them after they believed in the Lord. The books burned totalled fifty thousand dollars. But this place where the gospel once flourished was facing very great persecution at the moment. Anyone who openly identified himself as a Christian was in danger of being arrested and tortured to death. Therefore, many of the former co-workers of Paul distanced themselves from him and forsook him for fear of being implicated.

However, V16 there was a man named Onesiphorus, who alone travelled a long distance from Ephesus to Rome, risking his life, and searching diligently for Paul, and finally found him after many difficulties.

Brothers and sisters are to establish true relationships with one another. Support each other in times of trouble, work with the pastor with one heart and one mind, and follow the Lord faithfully to the end.

Conclusion: Live out your faith

Today, 2 Timothy is also the Holy Spirit’s testament to us, God’s chosen children. Ask the Holy Spirit to help us:

– Identify who we are called by God, come to know the truth well, and equip ourselves.
– Know in whom you believe. Live out a faith that is not ashamed of the gospel with the gifts and power given by the Holy Spirit!
– Hold to the truth and faithfully follow the Lord to the end.

引言：

你为什么读圣经？真理要我们成为对的人，以便作对的事，成为荣神益人的见证！

一、作个谦卑恭敬者（6:1-10）

1.合乎真理的主仆（V1-2）

在初期教会的年代，奴隶制度是很普遍的事，因此关乎奴隶与主人的身份是很不同的。但是信主之后却变成都是神的儿女，是主内的弟兄，因此就形成一种错乱。到底还是主仆关系吗？还是同为弟兄？从这经文可见，仆人不但依然是仆人，而且要变成更积极主动，作个加倍敬重主人的好仆人。反过来说，作主人的也要以弟兄的爱去善待仆人，这岂不是更美好的生命见证吗？

同样的，应用在现今的员工与老板、上司与下属、长辈与晚辈的互动上也是一样的原则！

2.合乎敬虔的信徒（V3-5）

神期待我们成为顺服基督，传讲和活出敬畏与虔诚的真理信仰者。否则就难免生出一堆罪行和丑恶的问题，即使是表面的敬虔也可能有不良的动机啊！

3.敬虔又知足的人（V6-10）

真敬虔还要加上知足，这才是最大的利益？这话好像有点矛盾，世界会说你如果没有野心就不可能做大，不做大又如何赚更多？如果得不多又怎么说是“最大的利益”呢？所谓人心不足蛇吞象，明明蛇并没有大象的鼻子大，但是却想要把整头大象吞进去，这就是人的心态。如果人没有知足的心，其实就会显出贪婪，尤其当人贪财的时候，最后就会脱离真理，且被愁苦给刺透啊！

二、作真信徒打美仗（6:11-16）

1.一场信仰的属灵战

属神的我们要逃避不敬虔和贪婪的事。进而追求六样积极正面的信仰生活，从里到外都显出生命树的生命特质。公义就是公平、正直、没有偏袒。敬虔就是凡事以神为念。信心是得胜的要诀，爱心是最美的见证，忍耐是和平处事待人的关键。温柔学像基督的最大属性。原来这不是自然的本性，而是一场信仰生命的属灵争战。得胜就是活出这样的信仰见证。

2.美好见证无可指责

主要我们学习像祂，毫无玷污，无可指责。而且不是一时而是一世，直到见主面。那时基督将要作王掌权，我们就是期待那日的到来，因此存这盼望好好过活，活出最美的见证。如何才能无可指责呢？第一不要做错。第二错了要快快悔改。第三没错也被作恶的人指责又当怎样呢？像6:11所说的信心相信神在看、爱心包容人之过、忍耐不作任何反击、温柔回应当说的话。这岂不是无可指责的状态吗？

三、富人要谦卑行善（6:17-19）

这一段经文特别要提醒有钱人！你是在世有钱而富足的人吗？有钱的定义有很多种，你若知道自己是有钱人，你就要留心这经文要对你的提醒。

第一要谦卑不自高，知道万有都从神来，多托付给你必有神的美意，因为神要你成为多人的祝福。你更有条件行善、施予他人，叫人因你而归荣耀给神。

第二不要依靠无定向的钱财，这是说明钱财是会“跑来跑去”的，例如百元钞票这时在你手中，下一分钟就去到另一个人手中。有钱人通常是善于赚钱，也懂得理财，但是世事多变难以意料。神的话提醒我们要依靠的是赐我们所有东西的神，而非其他东西。

“这样，就为自己在来世积聚财富，作美好的基础，好叫他们能够得着那真正的生命。”（新译本V19）善于世界的投资，可以让地上的银行资产丰富；但是按神的心意行善乐捐，则是为永恒的生命积攒财富啊！这不是最有价值的投资吗？

总结：神仆人要忠于所托！（6:20-21）

你若对准真理，你就是神的仆人、神的孩子。无论仆人或孩子，我们都要忠于主人和为父者所托付，我们就要一生经历神同在的厚恩。

1 Timothy Chapter 6: Be the right person who aligns with the truth
GK611 Morning Devotion
29 May 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction:

Why do you read the Bible? The truth wants us to be right so that we can do right and be a witness for the glory of God and the good of others!

1. Be humble and respectful (6:1-10)

(1) Master and servant in accordance with the truth (V1-2)

In the days of the early church, slavery was very common, so the status of slaves and masters were very different. But after conversion, they became all children of God and brothers in the Lord, thus creating a confusion. Is it still a master-slave relationship? Or are they all brothers? From this passage, it is clear that a servant not only remains a servant, but also becomes more active and becomes a good servant who honours his master twice as much. And conversely, is it not a wonderful testimony of life that the master should treat his servants with brotherly love?

The same principle applies to today’s interactions between employees and bosses, supervisors and subordinates, and elders and juniors!

(2) Godly Believers (V3-5)

God expects us to be believers in the truth who obey Christ, preach and live with reverence and godliness. Otherwise, a host of sinful and scandalous problems will inevitably arise. Even outward godliness may have bad motives!

(3) The godly and contented (V6-10)

What is the greatest benefit of true godliness coupled with contentment? This seems like a contradiction in terms. The world would say that if you are not ambitious, you can’t get big, and if you don’t get big, how can you make more? And if you don’t get much, how can you call it “the greatest good”? As the saying goes, the heart is not enough for the snake to swallow the elephant. Obviously, the snake is not as big as the elephant’s trunk, but it wants to swallow the whole elephant. If a person does not have a contented heart, he will actually be greedy, especially when he is greedy for money, he will end up detaching himself from the truth, and will be pierced through with sorrow!

2. Fighting the beautiful battle as true believers (6:11-16)

(1) A spiritual battle of faith

We who are godly are to flee from ungodliness and covetousness. In turn, we pursue six positive and active lives of faith that reveal the life-giving qualities of the tree of life inside and out. Righteousness is fairness, integrity, and lack of favouritism. Godliness is having God in mind in all things. Faith is the key to victory, love is the most beautiful testimony, and patience is the key to dealing with others in peace. Gentleness is the greatest attribute of Christlikeness. It turns out that this is not a nature, but a spiritual battle for the life of faith. To be victorious is to live out such a testimony of faith.

(2) A good witness is blameless

The Lord wants us to learn to be like Him, undefiled and blameless. And not just for a time, but for all time, until we meet the Lord. At that time Christ will reign and we are looking forward to that day, so we live in hope and give the most beautiful testimony. How can we be blameless? First, don’t do wrong. Secondly, repent quickly when you do wrong. Thirdly, what if you are accused by evil-doers even though you have done nothing wrong? Trusting with faith that God is watching, bearing with love on the faults of men, Be patient without doing any attack, responding to what should be said with gentleness, as 6:11 says.Is this not a state of blamelessness?

3. The rich should humble themselves and do good (6:17-19)

This passage is a special reminder for the rich! Are you one of those who are rich and abundant in the world? There are many definitions of rich, but if you know that you are rich, you need to pay attention to the reminders that this passage has for you.

First, be humble and not self-exalted, knowing that all things come from God, and that it will be God’s good will to entrust much to you, for God wants you to be a blessing to many. You are in a better position to do good and to give to others, so that they may give glory to God through you.

Secondly, don’t rely on undirected money, which means that money can “run away”, for example, a hundred-dollar bill is in your hand one minute, and the next minute it’s in the hand of another person. Rich people are usually good at making money and managing it, but the world is unpredictable. God’s Word reminds us to rely on the God who gives us all things and nothing else.

“ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (NIV V19) A good investment in the world can make the earthly bank rich in assets; but to do good and give cheerfully according to God’s heart is to lay up wealth for eternal life! Isn’t this the most valuable investment of all?

Conclusion: The servant of God is to be faithful to what has been entrusted to him! (6:20-21)

If you are aligned with the truth, you are a servant of God and a child of God. Whether a servant or a child, we are to be faithful to what is entrusted to us by our Master and Father, and we are to experience the graciousness of God’s presence all the days of our lives.

引言：

保罗写信给教导提摩太，教导他如何处理教会的人并牧养他们，使他们可以持守福音的纯正。

一、牧养老少（V1-2）

保罗嘱咐提摩太，要合宜地运用权柄、劝勉会众。其实，保罗在这里带出，我们要待教会的人如同家人。因此，我们对所有人，都要表达一份爱，去关心及劝告。若他做得不对要说出来，但要有技巧地说。

二、牧养寡妇（V3-16）

1．尊敬真寡妇（V3-10，16）

若是有能力的家庭，应认清自己有责任照顾家中有需要的寡妇。那么，教会便可负责照顾没有家庭、年老的寡妇。保罗认为，教会作为「神的家」，有责任按照神的心意照料那独居无靠、真为寡妇的，作为神对她们祷告的回应。

2．辞年轻寡妇(V11-15)

保罗鼓励年轻的寡妇再婚，由丈夫供养她们。他教导寡妇嫁人，是针对缺乏自制的年轻的寡妇，因为她们当中「已经有转去随从撒但的」（V15），也就是那些被引诱，陷在罪里的。

三、牧养长老（V17-25）

1.敬奉善管长老（V17-18）

虽然保罗并不坚持自己的权利，就是他自己不拿工价，但却清楚地教导信徒供应长老的生活需要。这是因为摩西律法记载，更重要的是，主耶稣的教导。因此，基督的工人有权获得教会的供给。

2.行事不可偏心（V19-21）

无论是犹太人还是教会，一个人被公开指控之前，都需要两个以上的见证人郑重作证。一方面，教会不能随便允许人恶意中伤长老，另一方面，如果控告属实，就应该「当在众人面前责备他，叫其余的人也可以惧怕」（V20），才能及时堵住破口。

3.保守自己清洁（V22-25）

教会不应太仓促地拣选和按立教会领袖；我们需要检视他们的生命，也不可忽视他们的罪，否则，那些罪便好像是被认可似的，并在他们的罪上有份。

教会的领袖一旦生活不清洁，就丧失了「无亏的良心」（提前1:19），不但自己不能持守真道，也无法公正地处理别人的罪。

总结：

保罗在这里教导提摩太如何去牧养，其实也是对今天在做牧养的弟兄姐妹说的。我们身为牧养的人，要拿起权柄，按着真理牧养群羊，好让教会能持守纯正的福音而站立得稳，不偏离神、不走向世界。

1 Timothy Chapter 5: Maintaining the shepherding of the pure gospel

GK611 Morning Devotion

28 May 2024

The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Stella Ling

Introduction:

Paul wrote to Timothy to teach him how to handle people in the church and shepherd them so that they could maintain the purity of the gospel.

1. Shepherding the old and young (v1-2)

Paul instructed Timothy to use his authority appropriately to exhort the congregation. In fact, Paul brings out here that we should treat the people in the church like family. Therefore, we must express love, concern and advice to all people. If he does something wrong, say it, but say it skillfully.

2. Shepherding widows (v3-16)

(1) Honour the true widow (v3-10,16)

If you are a capable family, you should recognize your responsibility to take care of the needy widow in your family. The church could then be responsible for caring for elderly widows without families. Paul believed that the church, as the “house of God,” had the responsibility to care for those who were alone and truly widowed according to God’s will, as God’s answer to their prayers.

(2) Farewell to the young widow (v11-15)

Paul encouraged young widows to remarry and have their husbands provide for them. He teaches widows to marry, which is aimed at young widows who lack self-control, because “for some have already turned aside after Satan. ” (v15), that is, those who have been tempted and fallen into sin.

3. Shepherding elders (v17-25)

(1) Respect the elders who are good stewards (v17-18)

Although Paul did not insist on his right to not receive wages, he clearly taught believers to provide for the elders’ daily needs. This is because of what was recorded in the Law of Moses and, more importantly, the Lord Jesus’s teaching. Therefore, Christ’s workers have a right to the provisions of the Church.

(2) Do not be partial in your actions (v19-21)

Whether it is a Jew or a church, before a person is publicly accused, more than two witnesses need to testify solemnly. On one aspect is the church cannot easily allow people to maliciously slander the elders. On the other hand, if the accusation is true, it should “those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.” (v20), so that the gaps can be blocked in time.

(3) Keep oneself clean (V22-25)

The church should not be too hasty in selecting and ordaining church leaders; we need to examine their lives and not ignore their sins, otherwise those sins will appear to be recognised and have a part in their sins.

Once church leaders live an unclean life, they lose their “good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:19). Not only are they unable to uphold the truth, they are also unable to deal fairly with the sins of others.

Conclusion:

Paul here teaches Timothy how to shepherd, but he is actually also talking to the brothers and sisters who are shepherding today. As shepherds, we must take up authority and shepherd the flock according to the truth so that the church can stand firm by adhering to the pure gospel and not deviate from God or go into the world.