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1 Timothy 2:1-7
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. As God so often does throughout Scripture, He is going to tell us through Paul, what we need to do and how we need to do it to avoid heresy and prevent a decline in commitment to Christ and His Kingdom. The 1st exercise a man or woman of God does in seeking His guidance is knee bends! You bend your knees so you can get down on them and pray. As you know bending one’s knees is a sign of humility and submission. Humility and submission to God are two mandatory prerequisites to successful prayer. The 1st thing God tells Solomon after the Temple had been finished, and it was ready for worship was to get on their knees and pray. The 1st step in getting God’s attention is to humble yourself before Him. Getting on your knees is one way to show God you understand your position before Him. What more appropriate way to begin to accomplish any task than with prayer. I’m using an outline from an expositor who understands prayer is central to all Christian living.
I. PRAYER IS FOR ALL PEOPLE! V. 1-7. First Paul deals with
The focus of our prayers, which is everyone. Paul says, “1st of all THEN…” Paul tells Timothy to combat evil forces, the 1st weapon of war is prayer. Way too many of us treat prayer as a last resort, and run right by it, jumping right into the fight and putting ourselves in unnecessary danger. When you find yourself faced with combat, use 2/3rds of the fire safety rule – stop and drop – to your knees and pray 1st then act! Having made us aware that our prayers are focused on all people, also addresses:
The form of our prayers. 1st Paul urges that supplications be made for all people. In the NT supplications always means “to ask,” or “to seek.” It is often viewed as a petition or request for another. Paul also urges that prayers be made for all people. When considered from a simple yet very broad perspective, prayer is calling on God. Notice also we are to make: 3. Intercessions for all people. This word translated “intercession” is used only by Paul and only here and in 4:4. Both times it is another word for prayer, or calling on God. Intercession sometimes carried the idea of longer, more focused or even intense seasons of prayer. Finally, thanksgiving which indicates an attitude of gratefulness as a reason for making the requests to God. Next Paul addresses:
The function of our prayers = V. 3-7. First Paul tells us a function or goal of prayer is the conversion of all people, or that all people come to a saving knowledge of Christ. The only thing universal about salvation is the invitation, not the application. Salvation is “applied” or granted only to those who accept Christ, and only Him, as their Savior. B. In v. 5-7 we learn another function or goal of prayer is contentment. The way in which Paul uses the idea of contentment or peace in these verses. Paul is telling people there is only One True God, and Paul’s desire was that all people everywhere come to a saving knowledge of the One True God so their life would be ruled by the peace of God which passes understanding. One write gives this summary of Paul’s challenge to our prayer life:
- We are to pray for all people, in all ways without prejudice.
- The goal of our prayers should be that all people come to a personal knowledge of God’s saving power.
- We have the confidence that Christ’s death has provided the ransom for sin. His death represented God’s effort to reach all sinners.
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