【双语灵修】福音：发出响声！（下）THE GOSPEL: RINGING OUT! (PART 2)

帖撒罗尼迦前书 1:2-10

我们为你们众人常常感谢神，祷告的时候提到你们， 在神我们的父面前不住地记念你们因信心所做的工夫，因爱心所受的劳苦，因盼望我们主耶稣基督所存的忍耐。 被神所爱的弟兄啊，我知道你们是蒙拣选的， 因为我们的福音传到你们那里，不独在乎言语，也在乎权能和圣灵并充足的信心。正如你们知道，我们在你们那里，为你们的缘故是怎样为人。 并且你们在大难之中蒙了圣灵所赐的喜乐，领受真道，就效法我们，也效法了主， 甚至你们做了马其顿和亚该亚所有信主之人的榜样。 因为主的道从你们那里已经传扬出来，你们向神的信心不但在马其顿和亚该亚，就是在各处也都传开了，所以不用我们说什么话。 因为他们自己已经报明我们是怎样进到你们那里，你们是怎样离弃偶像归向神，要服侍那又真又活的神，等候他儿子从天降临，就是他从死里复活的，那位救我们脱离将来愤怒的耶稣。

9月16日

福音：发出响声！（下）

“主的道从你们那里已经传扬出来，你们向神的信心不但在马其顿和亚该亚，就是在各处，也都传开了。” - 帖前 1:8

我最喜欢的棒球队去年差一点就赢得世界杯了，球队输了后，很多人都很失望。我在想，如果球队赢了，它所属的城市会有什么反应。他们必定会蜂拥到街上高声欢呼，吹响号角和敲响铃声。

在今天的经文中，保罗回想，满有能力的信息在街道上和在帖撒罗尼迦附近的地方响起来。他谈到他和同伴怎样来到那个城市，与那里的群众分享福音（参看《使徒行传》17章）。结果，他说：“（你们）就效法我们，也效法了主。”耶稣的福音进入了这些新信徒的心，他们都禁不住要谈论这福音。保罗形容主的信息从他们的生命发出响声或在回响。再留意他在第8节怎样说：“主的道从你们那里已经传扬出来（发出回响）…你们向神的信心…在各处也都传开了。”他们真是名副其实的为神发出欢乐的声音啊！

当你想到你自己的信心旅程时，你的生命要怎样才能在今天、明天和每一天，都响起耶稣的好消息呢？

祷告

亲爱的耶稣，惟愿你的生命抓紧我，又以极大的喜乐和兴奋充满我，以致凡我所作的和所说的，都禁不住提到你和反映出你的慈爱和恩典。阿们。

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

THE GOSPEL: RINGING OUT! (PART 2)

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. —1 Thessalonians 1:8

Last year, my favorite baseball team came within inches of winning the World Series. There were a lot of sad faces after the team’s loss. I found myself imagining what the team’s home city would have looked like if they had won. People would have poured out into the streets, shouting for joy. Horns would be blowing, and bells would be ringing.

In our Bible reading for today, Paul reflects on the powerful message ringing out into the streets and the surrounding areas of Thessalonika. He talks about how he and his companions came to that city and shared the gospel with the community there (see Acts 17). As a result, he says, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord.” The good news of Jesus found a home in the hearts of these new believers, and they couldn’t stop talking about it. Paul describes the Lord’s message as ringing out or resonating from their lives. Listen again to what he says in verse 8: “The Lord’s message rang out [resonated] from you . . .—your faith in God has become known everywhere.” Talk about making a joyful noise for God!

As you think about your own faith journey, what would it look like for your life to ring out with the good news of Jesus today, tomorrow, and every day?

Dear Jesus, may your life take hold of me and fill me with such joy and excitement that I cannot help talking about you and reflecting your love and grace in all I do and say. Amen.