1 Timothy 2:1-7 (ESV)
September 22, 2024
If we can’t agree on what we talk about today, the rest of this book is not for us. It does not matter what church leadership looks like, there will be no church to lead. That’s why this is important
(v1-2) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
– Paul urges us to give “supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings”
– Right away we can jump in to some theological principles. God is a powerful and capable God. Paul tells us to pray intercessions because God is capable of interceding. We give thanks because it is through him that every good thing comes.
– God did not make us and forget us; we have a God who we are urged to interact with and to depend on.
– These prayers are to “be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions”
– our prayers of intercession and thanksgiving must have a subject. Paul tells us we are to offer these for all people, specifically those in leadership over us.
– Not all prayer takes an equal amount of effort.
– Prayer is a muscle, we have to grow it by constantly practicing, sharpening the habit.
– This command comes with a little bit of a purpose, we are told the reason we are to live this way is “that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life”. It is for our benefit!
– How many of you worry about the future of your company? How many hours are collectively spent by the people in this room consumed on the politics of this country?
– The text doesn’t say everything will be perfect and just the way you want it if only we pray. It’s more about a mindset. Give things over to God, and we do that through prayer.
– This kind of living is called “godly and dignified in every way”. It is how he wants us to live. This letter is straight forward, it says exactly what it means. To live this way is to be Godly.
(v3-4) This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
– What is good and pleasing? “This is good, and it is pleasing”
– He’s talking about our prayer for others. Prayer for all people is godly, it pleases him, and is connected to the next thought that “God desires all people to be saved”.
– God tells us this is his desire. We should be praying his desires.
– God desires all people to “come to the knowledge of the truth”
– How are people to hear unless someone preaches?
– Romans 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
(v5) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
– The truth is that “there is one God”
– This was written to a man living in a world of polytheism where false gods were fighting for relevance.
– The next part of the truth is that “there is one mediator between God and men”
– Sin is an act of offense, a transgression against Gods law. It is putting our desires in front of what God wants for us.
– God is a good God who, because of his holiness and perfection, cannot tolerate sin. So, in order for this problem to find some resolution, there had to be this mediator.
– The bible is clear that there is ONE mediator. Only one path, one resolution.
– There is only one way to set things right between us and God, and that mediator is “the man Christ Jesus”
– Satan is envious over this advantage that Jesus has over him and the other fallen angels. Jesus knows what you and I are struggling with. He has empathy for our plight because he has lived in flesh like ours.
(v6) who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
– Jesus was not forced to do anything, he was not forced to take on flesh, and the text tells us “who gave himself”
– There was no taking his life
– He did this so our imperfection could be reconciled with God’s righteousness.
– There was purpose to his death; it was not accidental.
– Jesus gave his life “as a ransom for all”.
– That mediator that we talked about earlier, the price that needing paying was the price of our disobedience.
– Christ Jesus was not on the hook for the bill. He was a man but he was certainly God, he had done no wrong and did not need to pay any price for HIS actions.
– It was us that needed to be paid for, and we were at his mercy. We were helpless to save ourselves.
– It was once and for all for all of his creation that Jesus died.
– This does not mean that all will accept this gift, and that all will be in heaven with us.
(v7) For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
– Paul concludes our text this morning by reminding Timothy “For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle”
– He has a purpose because of this truth.
– He was appointed to preach (which is to teach, instruct, proclaim, shepherd)
– Even though Christ died for everyone, there is still a need for these people to understand. They have to cognitively grasp the truth in order to come to faith.
– And that is Paul’s business in his mission, and in this letter. To help us comprehend the truth of who God is, what he has done, and what our response to it should be.
Primary teaching points
– We have got to be praying, especially for our leaders
– We pray because God is capable of answering prayers
– God wants to bear our burdens, trust in him through prayer
– Our prayer is rooted in God’s desire for all people to be saved
– There is one God, who died for us, to mend our relationship with himself.
Application
Where can I add prayer to my life?
– Find time to get on your knees before the lord. Carve out some serious time.
How is prayer impacting my life?
– Our hearts should be more like the lords, and we should be less worried about stuff
– It is obvious why the enemy does not want us to do it and distracts us from it
Take it upon yourself to learn more about who God is
– Pick up some theology books, get a study bible, read a commentary