Having been loved by a devoted Father, Savior, and Comforter, may we respond with devotion to the Same - to the One who loves us with such compassion and grace - that we might come to rest in the truth of that love and continue to seek His face, the Face of the One who is faithful and true: 1Timothy 2:1-7 a truly beautiful expression of the life of the believer to the world around us - being, truly, good neighbors - children of our Heavenly Father reflecting His grace as we live and work among a people loved so, that He would send His one and only Son, now, through those who believe… Today, I want us to take into account the beauty of our God, and the beauty of a life that is lived well by the power of God, when that life is lived in cooperation with God - then we will see the glory of God that comes through our lives and the blessing to mankind that glory is - as it is displayed in all its splendor in and through the lives of His children… this is the testimony of God's grace to man in and through, Jesus.
1Timothy 2:1-7
1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher
1Tim 2:1 “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all…”
AAAHHHH!!!
Petitions - the most visceral, guttural, natural of prayers - heartfelt need, specific felt need, arising out of a deep personal need due to lack, want
OOOhhh...
Prayers - an exchange of wishes - working with God to see His will, converting our will to His - as we exchange wishes with one another - almost like getting reacquainted - this really important now - if we truly want to intercede… as it is easy to only see our will
Assssshhh...
Intercessions - having worked out the will - this is now intervention, coming on behalf of, learning God’s will and praying God’s will, as one falls in line with God’s will
AFTER drawing near to God and agreeing with His revealed will - word and Spirit
TRUE INTERCESSION: seeks to act only as the Lord directs: following His will to act as His hand extended THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: in this world we are like Jesus - extending His hand. There is no fear in love. But perfect fear drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
19We love because he first loved us. 20Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. YES!
This is love!
Yaaaaay!!!
Thanksgivings - this is the converted heart, the heart that has worked and moved from self, to God’s will, to the welfare of others - now straight to God in - gratitude, giving thanks - the giving of thanks for God’s grace, for God’s blessings
We are grateful! Our God IS good!
...and now - we can truly prayer (God’s will) for EVERYBODY, even our leaders…
1Tim 2:1 “...be made for all people, everyone”
loved ones and enemies alike (Matthew 5; Luke 6)
the whole of mankind
for all you know
1Tim 2:2 For kings and all those in authority...
Established by God (Rom 13:1-7), in obedience to God, keeping a clear conscience, remaining free
And what is it that we can pray for ourselves and those in authority? Practice praying, do it!
Daniel 4:27
Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity."
And with this praying, how is it that we should live? Entrusting ourselves to God, living out the very prayers we are praying - an example of the grace we have received and the trusting hope to which we have entrusted ourselves...
Jeremiah 29:4-7 prayerfully, trustingly, peaceably, quietly...
...7seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
May we live in such a way that gives God every opportunity to bless us, that we, in turn might be blessings… THIS IS “THE WAY”. This is what it means to be Christlike!
1Tim 2:2 “So that… We may lead a tranquil and quiet life.”
Tranquil - undisturbed, quiet; free from outward disturbance, without needless commotion - composed, discreet, avoiding what needlessly draws attention to self
Only time used in scripture
Quiet - tranquil, peaceful; stillness - due to a divinely-inspired inner calmness - by not doing or saying anything that would stir up needless friction or commotion
1Tim 2:2 “...in all godliness and holiness, or, dignity”
Godliness
Devotion to God, bearing the fruit of that devotion
Reverence, respect for God - lives that reflect an inner peace with and reverence for God and things of God
Born out of a growing trust in God and His (good and wise) ways (Hosea 14; Rev 15:3
Psalm 107:43 Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.
Psalm 111:7-8 The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are trustworthy. They are upheld forever and ever, enacted in truth and uprightness.
Holiness or Dignity - live in a way that honors God, that which is honorable - with a dignity that invites reverence from others. This is a…
Testimony to the world of God’s presence in me - witnessed by peace and living peaceably
Marked by an inner peace - a trusting confidence (in whom i trust and have entrusted myself for safe keeping) (1Peter 2)
That expresses itself in an outward bearing - attitude, calm, dignity
1Tim 2:3 “This is good and pleases the Lord, God, our Savior”
Good -
Consciousness of good deeds, having a good and sensitive conscience, alert to what is good
Beautiful, as an outward sign of the inward good - honorable character - seen to be so
Attractively good, good that inspires and motivates others to embrace what is lovely, beautiful, praiseworthy - well done, appealing
Jesus’ attraction - through us - me and you
Pleases the Lord - only time in scripture
Worthy to be received (welcomed) by God,
Acceptable, pleasant or pleasing to God, which
God receives gladly: it is gladly welcomed
This is our thanks offering!
And this, as we live here as strangers, yet engaged in and with those with whom we live, is an expression of God’s purpose for us - that we would be a living testimony of Him and His grace
1Tim 2:4 “Who wants, wills, (that all men) everyone, be saved” (Ez 18:23, 32; 33:11; Jn 3:17; Titus 2:11; 2Peter 3:9)
2Peter 3:9-11, 14-15
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming…
...14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation
1Tim 2:4 “...And come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Knowledge - epignosis
Gained through first-hand experience, first hand “i know Him”
Precise and correct, certain - and that of God’s will - what He desires for us from us
A recognition of the truth - that is Jesus, this is good, He is life
True knowledge of Jesus’ nature, dignity, benefits
Our lives are the reflection of our experience, our time spent, our lives dedicated to
And what is that truth? HERE IS THE TESTIMONY:
1Tim 2:5-6 “There is one God and one mediator between God and man, humanity,
Jesus, Himself a man, human...who gave Himself - a ransom for all…
...a testimony at the proper time”
Jesus a testimony of God, the word of God
John 1:14 “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”
Heb 1:1-3 “God has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed hear of all things… the Son is the radiance of God’s glory”
Col 1:19 “for God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things… by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross”
Jesus, our testimony at the proper time
Matt 5
Eph 2:8
1Peter 3
1Tim 2:7 “And for this purpose I was appointed a herald…”
It is for this that...
Paul was made an apostle, a herald, a teacher
It is why we remain here after having been saved - this is our
Witness to
God’s grace
God’s peace
God’s faithfulness
God’s hope and our hope in God
As we entrust ourselves to God
Setting apart Jesus as Lord of our hearts and its affection and devotion, its refuge and dwelling place
Being prepared to give the reason for our hope…
When we are asked
And do so, confidently, with gentleness and respect - keeping peace with God and man - a clear conscience and ongoing opportunity to speak of Jesus, again and again - 1Peter 3
