Sunday School 1-8-06 1st Timothy 2(1-8)
1st Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
Pray for all men
Paul encourages Christians to pray for all men. We need to be reminded that all men need prayer. There are none so strong as not needing prayer and there are none so wicked as cannot be changed by prayer. Jesus commands us to pray for our enemies and to do good to those who treat us evilly. I know this is against our Adamic nature, but it is possible. Ask God to help you be a forgiving and compassionate person. There are 4 types of prayers mentioned here; let us give you the definitions of these entreaties to God.
- Supplications signifies such petitions for things that are wanted by men, either by themselves or others; and that either for their bodies or souls, as food and raiment for the one, and discoveries of pardoning love, supplies of grace, spiritual peace, comfort… for the other. The distinguishing characteristic seems to be that of want or serious need.
- Prayers signifies good wishes and desires, directed and expressed to God for things that are in themselves to be wished for, and desired of God, either for ourselves or others. The distinguishing characteristic is that of devotion and worship. An example would be to pray for God’s will to be done in our life and in the life of others.
- Intercessions intends either complaints exhibited in prayer against others that have done injuries; or prayers put up for others, either for the averting of evil from them, or for the bestowing some good thing on them. This seems to take on a more personal perspective. These are things you desire to happen to or for others.
- Thanksgiving designs that branch of prayer in which thanks are given to God for mercies received, whether temporal or spiritual:
2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Pray for our rulers
God teaches us to pray for Kings and those in authority among us. This would include our President today, as we have no king, and those in lesser positions in our nation. It is the hardest thing in the world to get people to understand they are to pray for our leaders whether they like their policies or not. Notice we are to pray for them. We are not to pray for their misfortune or death. The goal we are seeking is to lead quiet, peaceable lives. Christians are good citizens. I have never understood why some leaders are so suspicious of evangelicals. A real Christian will not be a problem for their nation. They will pay their taxes and obey their laws as long as they do not clash with the laws of God. Christians will not clutter up the jails or courts. A nation full of truly born-again people would be a great place to live.
2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Will
We need to understand what is meant by the word “will” here. This does not mean God will have all men to be saved as we use the phrase today. For example we say “I will got to town today” which means we are definitely going to town. This “will” means it is God’s desire or will for all men to be saved. Please understand this about our God; He is not some ogre who sits in Heaven just waiting for us to make a mistake so He can reign down vengeance upon us. God is love and it is His will that all men be saved. If it is God’s desire to see us saved, don’t you think He will give us every opportunity to be saved, and call us often and with tenderness? If God wants us to be saved, don’t you think God will save us when we call out to Him? If God wants us to be saved, don’t you think He will help us live Godly lives? We do not serve an evil taskmaster; we serve a God who wants us to live with Him in Heaven. He will hear, forgive, endure our imperfections, and strengthen our weaknesses until we make it to the other side.
2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
One God
There is one God. This verse does not deny the trinity. There truly is one God made up of three separate personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three agree in one and are one. The Scripture which backs this up is: 1st John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” A perfect picture of these three separate, yet joined parts of the Godhead is the Baptism of Jesus. The Son is in the water being baptized by John the Baptist in obedience to the Father, the Father speaks declaring that He is pleased in Him, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove. All three are there and separate, yet they are united in purpose and mind.
One mediator
Yes, there is one God, and thank God there is one mediator. The word mediator means “one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant.” Jesus restored peace between God and man by His sacrificial death on Calvary. He also established the covenant by which we can be saved. That covenant is voiced in 2nd Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Jesus who knew no sin took upon Himself the sin of the world that we might take upon ourselves the righteousness of Christ. The easier way to put it is to say, “He took my place in judgment; now I can take His rightful place in justification.” We do not, and cannot, go to any man for forgiveness of sin. He is just a man like we are; he needs to pray for himself; he has no power to forgive. Some folks do not know who to pray to; let me help you. Our prayers are to be prayed in this manner: to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I don’t ask you to trust me, let me give you some scripture to back up my assertions.
- To the Father. Matthew 6:9 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” This is often called the Lord ’s Prayer, but is more rightfully the “model prayer.” Notice the Lord’s commandment “after this manner pray ye.” Ye means us. This is how we are supposed to pray. Notice to whom the prayer is addressed: “Our Father.” We do not pray to Christ; we pray to God.
- In the name of Christ. John 14:13 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 16:23-24 “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” Notice the direction is to pray to God in the name of Christ. The emphasis is to pray in the name of someone with the authority to grant the request. Think of a power of authority for a blank check given to you. If you receive that blank check with power of authority to make it out and sign it withdrawing the sum from my bank account, you will not be able to request very much or you will be told I don’t have enough money to fulfill your request, but if you are drawing money from the account of a millionaire, you will be able to write a much bigger number in the amount line. Now that you understand the point, think of that power of authority given by the Son of God. The Bible tells us that he owns the cattle on a thousand hills; actually that underestimates Him: He owns the universe. We are only limited by two things: His perfect will in our lives and our faith. Some don’t have because they don’t have enough faith to ask. I know some of you are scoffing at that statement; you don’t have to listen to me, but let’s see what the Scripture says about the matter. James 4:2 “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
- By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 1st Corinthians 14:15 “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” The Spirit of God leads us and guides us in everything we do as Christians; that should include our prayer life.
2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Ransom
Mankind sold himself to Satan. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, they committed high treason against the creator. Mankind was sold unto sin and condemned to a Devil’s Hell. How could God possibly prevent the destruction of His prized creation? The answer is someone had to “redeem” or pay a ransom for mankind. Ransom means “what is given in exchange for another as the price of his redemption.” Think of someone kidnapped for ransom. The criminal contacts someone who loves and values that person and demands a price be paid before the person will be set free. Notice they don’t kidnap poor people; there would be no profit in that. The one ransomed must have an inherent value to someone. I have heard folks say they don’t know why God sent His son to die for a creature such as man; I do: He did it because “God so loved the world.” Only someone with the assets available and the desire born out of love will pay the ransom. The price for man was death. An innocent being would have to come and die, not for His own sins, but for the sins of an evil, lost world. Listen to this Scripture: Romans 5:6-8 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” If Jesus paid our price for freedom then we are no longer our own. We owe a debt. 1st Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” Since Jesus bought us, He has the right to place us where it pleases Him. Those who accept that ransom, He will allow them to live with Him in Heaven for eternity; those who reject that ransom must die eternally in a lake of fire.
2:7 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.
Why did God call preachers?
Why did God call preachers? The answer is to inform folks that the ransom has been paid! God has already done the work of redemption; we need only accept the price already paid. Preachers are to express hope. They are to offer Christ to the hurting and lost. They are to bring glory to the one who has set us free! They are to encourage Christians to remain faithful. I appreciate God who has given me the privilege of carrying His message to the world. My desire is to be like Paul and be a teacher “in faith and verity.” Verity means truthfulness. Preachers need to preach with power, (1st Corinthians 2:4 “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”) enthusiasm, and true to the Word of God.
2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Please pray for me!
God’s will was to see men saved; Paul’s will is that men pray! My desire is for you to pray for me. I firmly believe that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. I seek and covet you prayers that the Gospel might be unhindered and that I might have the boldness to represent my Saviour wherever I go. I ask for your prayers for my heath, my finances, my family, my ministry, and our Church. When you pray, pray without wrath, or anger, and pray without doubting. God wants us to succeed. Let’s pray for one another!
New Living Translation (to be used as a commentary only)
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. 2 Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time. 7 And I have been chosen—this is the absolute truth—as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles about faith and truth.
8 So wherever you assemble, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
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