Illus: When a young man felt God was calling him into the ministry, we take it for granted that if he can, he will go to Bible college and seminary and get all the training that is available.
But those who start late in life into the ministry they are not able to do this because they already have a family to support
But in Paul's day, ministerial training was done mostly one-on-one.
This has proven to be one of the best ways or training and still is today.
Such as:
• Brick layers
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Carpentry
• Mechanics
All used this method of training.
Illus: Before a doctor can be a doctor and start his practice he has to serve two years as an intern to serve under qualified doctors.
The New Testament church placed a big emphasis on one-on-one training, much more than the church today.
Illus: For example, during the New Testament times, when you led someone to the Lord, the next step was to teach them how to serve the Lord.
One reason they had such strong Christians in the New Testament church, was because of the discipleship program that they had operating within the church.
• Now if a young man was going into the ministry, the same thing happened.
• He was taken under the wings of a mature Pastor, and was taught the things he needed to know.
This is exactly what Paul was doing as he wrote to young Timothy.
He asserts his authority as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus, and he is training him for the ministry.
As we read through 1 and 2 Timothy, we are allowed to peek in on those training sessions.
In 1 Timothy chapter two, he talks to him about two things he is concerned about.
Such as:
I. HIS CONCERN FOR PRAYER
Paul recognized that:
• If a child of God is ever going to get on his feet, he must first get on his knees.
Paul is the minister who tells us to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING IN I Thessalonians 5:17.
To “pray without ceasing,” can be confusing.
Paul is not referring to non-stop talking, but rather an attitude of God-consciousness and God-surrender that we carry with us all the time.
• God honors no drafts where there are no deposits.
• Prayer that is not prayed cannot be answered.
Paul, and all the members of the early church, placed great value on prayer.
Because of that, Paul writes to his spiritual son concerning prayer.
He mention four things:
I. THE POSITION OF PRAYER
Look at 1 Timothy 1:2. We read, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”
Paul exhorted Timothy and all Christians to PRAY.
The early Christians saw their need for prayer.
Remember, the disciples came to the Lord one day in Luke 11:1. “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
If they thought they had a need to be taught, how much more do we need to be taught?
When children start Sunday school, we teach them how to POSITION to pray properly.
Illus: For example, have we not all been taught, as children, to fold our hands, close our eyes, and then ask God for what we want?
We adults still this day close our eyes and many of us still fold our hands as we pray.
In fact, some feel that it is not sacred to pray unless we do this.
When the disciples asked the Lord to teach them to pray, He did not say a thing about folding our hands and closing our eyes.
Why?
Because you can do these things, and still not know how to pray.
We teach children to pray like this for a reason:
• So that they won’t be taking their hands and hitting each other,
• And we teach them to close their eyes so that they can concentrate on God.
But you can do these things and still not pray.
In this POSTURE OF PRAYER, the Lord does not emphasize the POSITION OF PRAYER.
But let us also look at-
II. THE PEOPLE OF PRAYER
So often when we pray, we get on our knees and we pray, “God bless me and my family and no one else.”
If you really want to get a good look at RAW selfishness, all you have to do is listen to the prayers of God’s people.
Illus: They make you think of a spoiled brat in a candy store, “I want one of these, three of these, and lots of those!”
The way they pray, you would think the whole world revolves around them.
Some are better at hiding their selfishness than others, but it is obvious they are motivated by selfishness, if you listen to them pray.
Illus: Those who pray these kind of prayers remind us of the single young lady who prayed, “Lord, I do hope you do not think I am selfish, but I do wish you would give my mother a son-in-law before too long.”
Paul loved Timothy and he did not want him to grow up spiritually praying these selfish prayers.
Look at 1 Timothy 2:1-2. We read, “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; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
Paul is saying Timothy, you should pray:
• For all men
• For kings and those in authority
But notice, he not only tells us we should pray for those in authority.
He tells us why we should pray for them.
Look at verse 2, we read, “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
Now it could be that the reason we have so much corruption and disarray in this country is because we are not praying for ALL MEN, and for those in AUTHORITY.
Look at verse 3. We read, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;”
Illus: Every day we hear on the news people complaining about our leaders. Just think if all this time was spent in prayer we would not have all the problems we have.
When Paul said, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior”, he is referring back to praying for ALL PEOPLE.
This kind of praying in God’s sight is ACCEPTABLE, any other kind is UNACCEPTABLE.
We looked at:
• THE POSTURE OF PRAYER,
• THE PEOPLE OF PRAYER,
But let us also look at-
III. THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER
WHY SHOULD WE PRAY FOR ALL MEN?
Look at verse 4. We read, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Today, as you examine the modern church, you cannot help but draw the conclusion that today’s church seems to think all God cares about is:
• Church buildings
• People getting wealthy
• Large budgets
• Expensive organs
• People getting healthy
• Recreation
• Entertainment
But these things are not the heartbeat of God.
God has never changed his position on the church, it is God’s people who have changed, not God.
The heartbeat of God has always been, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Everything the church does should be for that one purpose. All of the:
• Preaching
• Singing
• Visitation
• Praying
Should be aimed at reaching the lost for Christ.
God’s church needs to come back to their first love.
Illus: Remember the old story of the couple riding in their car down the road, each sitting on opposite sides of the car? All of a sudden the lady began to cry, and her husband asked, "What is wrong?"
She said, “I was just thinking - we used to be so close we would sit side by side, but now you sit on one side of the car, and I sit on the other."
He said, “You are right, but, I have not moved...”
God has not moved from his position of loving souls, but the church today has.
Paul wants Timothy to know that the ultimate PURPOSE of prayer is to reach the lost.
IV. THE PROVISION OF PRAYER
It is not only God’s plan that ALL MEN BE SAVED, God has made provision for ALL MEN TO BE SAVED.
Look at verses 5-7. We read, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
God has not provided a number of ways by which we can be saved, God has provided one way.
Look at verses 5-6. We read, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
Paul knew that false prophets would come along and tell lost man that there are many ways to be saved, but there is only one way.
Illus: on “Nightline", during the 80’s, the question was asked of Dr. Jerry Falwell, “Dr. Falwell, the way you talk only Christians are going to heaven, is that correct?”
• Dr. Falwell knew he was being set up. He answered, “That is correct!”
• The question then was asked, “Are you saying that Jews will not go to heaven.”
• He said, “I am not saying that, God's word is saying that! “
And that is correct, like it or not - the only way a person can enter heaven is through the SHED BLOOD OF CHRIST.
Acts 4:12, “Neither is there' salvation in any other: For there is none other name under heaven given among men.- whereby we must be saved.”
Paul says of Christ, 1 Tim. 2:6, "Who gave himself a ransom for all...”
We need to convey this message of provision to all mankind. In verse 7 Paul said that he was ordained to preach this same message.
We read, “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
Paul in training young Timothy knew one of the most valuable lessons he could teach him was to teach him THE VALUE OF PRAYER.
Conclusion:
I. THE POSTURE OF PRAYER
II. THE PEOPLE OF PRAYER
III.THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER
IV.THE PROVISION OF PRAYER
