Please open your Bibles to the First Letter to Timothy in the New Testament…..
Let’s continue to worship our God by listening to what is said to Timothy as he was called to minister for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We noted from the First chapter of the Letter that Timothy was to lead and teach about the Gospel of Christ, rebuke false teachers, share the truth in love, and not be surprised with struggles and persecutions but to fight the good fight of faith! We also noted that all Christians are to follow the example of Timothy as all Christians are called to minister for Jesus Christ. Let us continue to learn what Timothy was instructed to do. Read along with me now 1 Timothy 2:1-6….
How serious was God, through Paul, instructing Timothy? What we read from the NIV was “I urge”; in other English Translations we can read “I exhort”! The instructions given to Timothy was a plea to do the right things. V1: Timothy was urged, exhorted, encouraged, begged to pray, intercede, and give thanks for everyone!
Let us note that, Every person needs prayer! Every person in the world is loved by God! Every person needs prayer! Or another way of looking at it is this: Whoever we meet, God wants us to talk to Him about that person, to ask something, to simply lift up the person to God, be a mediator for the person, and give thanks for the person!
V2: Those in authority must be lifted up to God! And the goal for praying for those in authority is to provide for peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness!
The goal for the Christian life is to be godly and holy; therefore, Christians are to always pray for everyone and everything in order to be able to be godly and holy! In other words, when we pray we should say, “Lord I am praying this because I desire to be godly and holy!”
And what can result from prayers and godly and holy lives?
V3-6: God is pleased and provides for accomplishing His desire!
What is God’s desire? God desires all people to be saved from their sins and come to a knowledge of the truth!
How are people saved from their sins and what is truth?
Verses 5-6 tell us…..
a. There is One God; unique and the Only One Holy (no sin)! God is perfectly righteous!
b. Jesus Christ is One with God because He is the Only one who can mediate (arbiter, a go-between, a bridge) for people!
c. Jesus Christ is God who became a human being to be a sacrifice for people’s sins!
d. Jesus Christ came to earth at the perfect time!
God has a schedule! (there was a Time of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ; there is the Time of the Church; and there will be a time for Millennial Kingdom; and finally an Eternal Time! – every person will either be in heaven or in hell forever!)
God is pleased when we pray and God provides for His desires! God desires all people to be saved! But let us note that God’s desires does not always happen. God is love and so He does not force His plans on anyone! Although it is God’s desire that all people be saved and know the truth, not everyone will be saved or accept the truth! What does this all mean and how does our Scripture for today connect with this?
1. God’s plans and schedule is set and what happened in the past is done!
2. The future eternal states of heaven (blessings) and hell (judgment) will not change!
3. Those who have died and did not believe in God and His provisions will be forever judged, although all were given the opportunity to believe and be saved while alive on earth!
4. People in the present today and those in the future who do not believe in God and His provision of salvation through Jesus Christ will also be judged forever along with all the demons!
5. People in the present today and those in the future who do believe in Jesus Christ are to pray always and for everyone!
It is God’s desire that all people be saved, but not all people are saved! I think there are 3 main reasons why God’s desire is not completely accomplished: 1. Christians do not pray enough. 2. Christian lives are not good testimonies for God. And 3. People just have hardened hearts!
And so, let us spend time in prayer; I’ll suggest to you what to pray for, then quietly pray right where you are…
1. Pray for yourself to affirm your belief in your Only Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ….
2. Ask God to help you live a godly and prayerful life…
3. Pray for your mom or a mom close to you (salvation, spiritual growth, peace and health)
4. Pray specifically for other family members (salvation, spiritual growth, peace and health)
5. Pray for a specific brother or sister in Christ (spiritual growth, health and safety)
6. Pray for our government leaders (to trust God and Jesus Christ)
7. Give thanks to God for specific things in your life….
Offering….
Benediction: Bless Moms…. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.
