September 29, 2002
I Timothy 2:1-8
From a recent poll taken by the Barna Research organization, the one thing most churches struggle with is setting right priorities. This is true throughout all departments of a given church, regardless of the size of a church. Paul wrote to this issue in I Timothy 2:1-8. When we come to understand this passage it should alleviate the struggle with what should come first in personal and church priorities. It is prayer.
1. The Constituents of Prayer (v. 1). Note four terms are mentioned.
a. Entreaties (supplications). We must have a clear sense of need, of specific requests, and express this need to a compassionate Father.
b. Prayers – The word in the original text used here is that of general prayer to a Holy God with worship and reverence.
c. Petitions – (intercessions). The idea is to meet with someone in order to converse. What a privilege is ours to be able to have an intimate conversation with God.
d. Thanksgiving – is an integral element of prayer and should accompany every form of prayer. Thanksgiving is linked with prayer in Philippians 4:6,7 and I Thessalonians 5:17,18. Thanksgiving keeps us from taking God for granted.
2. The Concerns of Prayer (v. 1b, 2a)
a. All men – inclusive of every class of people. Prayer within the church is to be universal in its outreach.
b. For kings – The supreme rulers regardless of how ungodly they may be.
c. All in authority – men in all echelons of authority. The believer’s attitude toward the government is of utmost importance. The church is to pray for the ruling class, not criticize them (Romans 13:1-7, Titus 3:1, I Peter 2:13, 14).
3. The Reason for Prayer (v. 2b-4)
The work of God in the world, both in developing His church and in evangelization, can be most effectively carried out when the church is free from national persecution on an organized, wide scale basis. Rulers possess the greatest temporal power for good or evil. These powers would have authority to initiate or control such a movement. So prayer can counteract such vehement outbursts of anti-God movements against the church.
4. The Basis for Prayer (vs. 5-7 explains why universal prayer can be made)
a. The unity of God (v 5a) There is one God - God both of the Jews and the Gentiles.
b. The singular mediator (5b). The mediator is one in the sense that God is one. The oneness of the mediator is as basic to Christianity as the oneness of God is to the Jews.
c. The availability of the ransom (vs. 6,7). Ransom is “redemption price”, a substitution “for all” and in behalf of all. The ransom Christ gave was provisionally universal All men must come the same way because only one way was provided for all men.
How seriously do we take our prayer life? Let’s work on it this week. We’ll discuss the qualifications for prayer in public worship in our next Pen Pulpit. God bless.
Love to you all,
PASTOR
CHARLES