Final Instructions 最后的训词
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Author: Ps Ben So
Well done Singapore! We have successfully made it to Phase 2 (Safe Transitioning Phase) after coming out of the Circuit Breaker. The community spread numbers have reduced and our government has been actively screening and taking care of the foreign workers. Even as the situation gets better, we need to remain mindful that the pandemic is far from over. While we are able to visit our relatives and friends (up to 5 persons), we still need to be careful and refrain from going out unnecessarily.
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) announced that in Phase 2, religious services of up to 50 people will be able to resume with safety measures in place. Singing is prohibited and we are to maintain 1 meter distance from one another. The services are to be kept as short as possible with no sharing of common items such as offertory bags, and the halls are to be ventilated well after use. In spite of such seemingly strict regulations, we still praise God that we will soon be able to return to ECF for services and small groups.
Apostle Paul’s final instructions to the Thessalonian church were for them to have respect for their leaders, be encouraging, and have unity among the believers. He mentioned three things from verses 16 to 18: to rejoice always; pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances.
1. Rejoice Always
Covid-19 pandemic is still around and we need to learn how to carry on with our lives. Although there are many things that we are not able to do, we can rejoice in the many things that we can do. Nehemiah 8:10 reminded us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Pastor Rick Warren said that: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
2. Pray Without Ceasing
To pray without ceasing is not to hide in our room and do nothing except praying. The attitude of praying without ceasing is to acknowledge that we need to rely on God and to be in constant communication with Him; to seek God for guidance and direction; to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
3. Give Thanks in all Circumstances
It is easy to give thanks to God when everything is smooth sailing but the real test is when trials and tribulations come. How can we give thanks in bad times? One of the ways is to acknowledge that in both good and bad times, God is in control. Knowing that our Father is in charge, we can give thanks in all circumstances. God acknowledges our emotions since we are all human beings but He wants us to put our trust in Him.
Brothers and sisters, Apostle Paul’s instructions are not just for the Thessalonians but also for us all. Let us rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in every circumstance for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
“要常常喜乐，不住地祷告，凡事谢恩，
因为这是神在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意。”
文/苏振豪传道
翻译/王珮瑾师母
新加坡已经迈入阻断措施放宽的第二阶段，在这里为所有新加坡人鼓励说声‘赞’！新冠状病毒在本地的社区病例明显减少，政府也非常积极地为外来劳工检验及提供医疗。虽然本地疫情有所好转，但我们还是不能松懈，因为疫情还未结束。即使我们已经可以探访家人朋友（人数不能超过5个人），我们仍要多加小心，避免不必要的外出。
新加坡文化、社区及青年部宣布，在阻断措施放宽第二阶段里，政府允许宗教团体恢复崇拜活动，但是人数不得超过50人，而且必须遵守安全措施。参与崇拜时，大家必须保持一米的安全距离，并且严禁唱歌。崇拜时间需要尽量缩短，还要避免共用像奉献袋等的物品。礼堂在使用过后也要确保彻底通风。虽然，弟兄姐妹是在这一系列看起来非常严的条例下聚集，但是我们仍然要感谢主，因为很快地，我们将可以回到教会一起崇拜及参与小组活动。
使徒保罗对帖撒罗尼迦的教会的最后训勉是要他们对领袖尊敬、互相勉励，及团结一心。从经文的第16到18节，使徒保罗列出了三个要点：
1.要常常喜乐
疫情还没结束，我们必须学习如何继续过我们的生活。虽然有许多事情现在不能做了，但是我们可以因为那些还可以做的事而喜乐呀! 尼希米记8:10说到，因靠耶和华而得的喜乐是你们的力量。喜乐是圣灵的果子（加拉太书5：22-23）。华理克牧师也曾说：“喜乐是知道神掌管了我生命中的一切，是因为祂，使我们有信心至终一切都会是美好，即不论情况如何，都相信祂的一种抉择。”
2.不住地祷告
不住地祷告不是要我们成日躲在房间里祷告，而是要我们认识到我们必须依靠神，不断地与祂交通，专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明 (箴言3：5)
3.凡事谢恩
当我们一帆风顺时，感谢神的恩典是非常容易的，但真正的考验是在遇到困难的时候。在不如意的时候，我们要如何继续谢恩呢？其中的办法就是要意识到不论好坏，神仍然掌管一切。当我们认知我们的天父掌管一切时，我们就能在任何情况里都感恩。神了解我们所有的情绪因为我们也只是凡人，但是祂要我们信任祂。
弟兄姊妹，使徒保罗的训勉不单单是给帖撒罗尼迦人的，也是给我们的