A People Of Prayer Series

A People Of Prayer

1 Timothy 2:1-6

INTRODUCTION:

A. I hope you have been able to keep up with this series from 1 Timothy.

1. In finishing chapter one we have looked at the reason for Paul’s writing this letter.

2. Some folks in leadership positions had forsaken the foundations of the faith and had been teaching false doctrine.

3. Paul writes to Timothy telling him to get the church in shape, so to speak, by putting an end to false teachings and then strengthen her with the gospel, and the word of God.

4. He is to lift up grace and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and war the good warfare of faith.

B. With this stated Paul now turns to some very practical ways to win the war.

1. Beginning in chapter 2 Paul will be speaking directly to Timothy, and thus to the church, giving God’s way of conducting “church – worship.”

2. We know this because Paul states in 1 Tim. 3:14-15 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

C. So what is it that Paul tells Timothy?

1. Well he begins with what might be one of the hardest things to do – prayer!

2. In our current vision statement for First Baptist Church of Mascoutah we have the vision: we want to be A place where prayer is so infused into [our] very fabric that nothing takes place that has not been birthed in prayer and bathed in prayer from its inception to its completion.

3. We believe prayer is import, at least on paper.

4. This is why I think this will be a great message for us – A People of Prayer.

D. This morning we will be looking at three things Paul brings up in our passage:

1. The Exhortation To Prayer

2. The Purpose Of Prayer

3. The Foundations Of This Type Of Prayer

E. So lets get started and see what the apostle Paul has for us this morning in the arena of A People of Prayer.

PRAYER

Since we want to be a People Of Prayer, lets begin by considering

I. THE EXHORTATION TO PRAYER, 1 Tim. 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority;….

A. As Paul dives into the body of his letter to Timothy he begins with an exhortation that is based on the foundation set in chapter 1

1. Paul is going to exhort young Timothy – other translations use the word “urge”

a. The Greek word “parakaleo” has a wide range of meaning but seems to mean to draw close or to come along side to give encouragement, strength or exhortation

b. Paul wanted Timothy, and us to hear and be encouraged by what follows

2. However it is the phrase “first of all” I want us to think about

a. This phrase could mean one of two things:

1) First, chronologically

2) Or first in rank or importance

3) Considering the context it would seem it is meant to be an exhortation for Timothy to make the subject of highest priority – first in rank or importance

b. Of all the topics Paul is going to write to Timothy about in this letter, this one is to have first priority: in his life and in the life of the church

c. What is that topic? PRAYER!

B. Please take time to note the content of prayer: 4 things are mentioned:

1. Supplications: This could be humble entrance into God’s throne room to speak to Him about our needs (and our wants)

2. Prayers: according to John MacArthur, the Greek word translated “prayers” is only used in reference to God and thus seems to be directed at worship and reverence

3. Intercessions: prayer that is lifted up on behalf of someone else

4. And, finally, thanksgiving – being thankful is an area we can fall short in very easy if we are not careful – we get caught up in the supplications and intercessions and we can over look it, yet it is very important.

C. But also note The Beneficiaries - Paul exhorts Timothy, and the church to pray for:

1. All men – our prayers are not to be selective to those who we like and want to pray for but for those we don’t like and don’t want to pray for: both the saved and unsaved alike.

2. And then he gets a little more specific: kings, and for all in authority.