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哥林多前书：16:15-18: 15弟兄们，你们晓得司提反一家是亚该亚初结的果子，并且他们专以服事圣徒为念。16我劝你们顺服这样的人，并一切同工同劳的人。17司提反和福徒拿都并亚该古到这里来，我很喜欢，因为你们待我有不及之处，他们补上了。18他们叫我和你们心里都快活。这样的人，你们务要敬重。

为什么保罗几乎在每一封书信的结尾处都会提到一些名字呢？答案很简单。因为教会是由人构成的。人都是有需求的。应当对那些服事别人，为别人提供需求的人进行感谢和承认。

        我曾经跟随过一个牧师，他不喜欢公开的感谢别人，因为他担心会漏掉某些人。毫无疑问在他的服事过程中发生过这样的事情，有些人的服事因为没有被提到就很容易感到被冒犯。在神的教会中，我们应当超越这些，当别人被感谢，我们应该心存感激而不是嫉妒；当我们没有被提及感谢的时候，我们不应该感到被冒犯。当然，这对于我们的新生命来说比较容易；但对我们的罪性来说，就不那么容易了。当我们感到嫉妒或受伤害的时候，或许我们需要退后一步问问自己：“这是出于我的新生命还是出于我的罪性？”

        保罗说：“这样的人你们务要敬重。”看一看你的教会，想想那些以特别的方式服事主的人。也许是藉着他们的声音，也许是藉着他们的领导力，也许是藉着他们在幕后不知疲倦的工作。要为他们的服事感谢他们。 祷告：主啊，感谢你赐予我们的教会那些会众，无论是接待人员，装饰教会的人，诗班成员，司琴的人，教会的长老，牧师和教师，感谢你通过他们的服事你让一切事情都成为可能。阿们。

1 Corinthians 16: 15 Brothers, you know Stephanas and his household. You know that they are the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they volunteered for service to the saints. 16 I urge that you also submit to them and to everyone who joins in and works hard. 17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came, because they supplied what was lacking on your part, 18 and they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such people.  (EHV)

Why does Paul name names in the closing comments of almost all of his letters? The answer is simple. It’s because the Church is made up of people. People who have needs. People who should be thanked and acknowledged for their work.

        I followed a pastor once who did not like to thank people publicly because he was afraid he would leave someone out. No doubt that happened in his ministry and someone was too easily offended because they were not mentioned. Can’t we rise about that in God’s Church? Can’t we be thankful when someone else is thanked and not be jealous? Can’t we NOT feel offended because we were not mentioned? Of course, that’s easy for our new man, but for our sinful nature, not so much. When we feel those feelings of jealousy or hurt, can we stand back and ask, “Is this from my new man or my sinful nature?”

        Paul says, “Therefore acknowledge such people.” Look around your church and think of someone who has served the Lord in a special way. Maybe it is their voice, or their leadership, or their untiring work behind the scenes. Thank them for their work.

Prayer:   Lord God, thank you for all the people in my congregation who work to make things happen. Ushers. Those who decorate the altar. Choir members and directors. Instrumentalist. Elders, pastors, teachers.   Amen.