November 9, 2014
Evening Service

This letter, as all scripture, was written under the influence of the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the church then and now.  It is, however, also a letter from teacher to student, prophet to disciple and father to son. Timothy was working in uncharted waters.  The church was just over 30 years old and there was no manual on how or what to do.  Paul, being the true leader that he was, wrote Timothy and Titus these letters to give them some guidance and direction in leading their body of believers.  That is how God works.  It seems on a very small scale for Paul to write three letters to two young pastors, but God meant it for much more.  These are instructions for every pastor who has ever led a fellowship of the Lord’s church.  A few letters of direction from Paul have become the guide for a church that is now endured almost 2,000 years.

Paul ended the first chapter with a charge to Timothy:

 1Ti 1:18-19 This charge I commit to you, my son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before about you, that by them you might wage the good warfare, (19)  holding faith and a good conscience, which some have put away and made shipwreck as to faith.

·         This was not choice of vocation by Timothy, a job; it is a battle for the souls of men everywhere. “Wage the good warfare.”

 

1Ti 2:1-2  First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,  (2)  for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

·         Note here that right after the first charge of “wage the good warfare” Paul speaks of the importance of prayer.  This is where we fight.  Prayer is a privilege but also an obligation for all who choose to follow Christ.

·         Supplications refer to a pleading for the specific requests for specific needs.

·         Prayers refer to a general reverent approach to God.

·         Intercessions describe forms of petitions addressed to God on the behalf of others.

·         Giving of thanks reminds us that our prayers are to include our praise and worship to God in gratitude for what He does and has done for us.

·         These prayers are to include “all” men including those in authority.  We mentioned this morning of the responsibility of all Christians to be “good citizens.”  We are to pray for our government officials.  For Paul that was Nero.

·         We are to do this so we may live a “quiet and peaceable life in godliness and reverence.”

 

1Ti 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, (4) Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

·         We are in no place of authority to judge who is “worthy” or “deserving” of our prayers.  It is good and acceptable to pray for all.

·         Verse 4 gives a true glimpse into God’s heart.  He “desires that all men to be saved.”  God wants everyone to make heaven.  He holds no grudges or dislikes, but Christ died for “whosever will.”

 

2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

·         The gospel message is to be shared with anyone and everyone.  It is not for us to choose.  God’s heart is for all to be saved, and so should ours.  We all need to carry a burden for those who have not yet confessed Christ as their Savior.

 

1Ti 2:5-6  For God is one, and there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus,  (6)  who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 

Act 4:12 And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

·         A great gulf separates sinful man and a Holy God.  It is only through Jesus that the two sides can be connected.  He is our hope, He is our salvation, and He is our Savior.  It is only through His sacrifice on Calvary (giving of Himself a ransom) that we receive the forgiveness of sin.  It is by His righteousness that we are found worthy of eternal life.  We are complete in Him (Col 2:10).

 

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.”

 

1Ti 2:7-8  To this I am ordained a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie), a teacher of the nations, in faith and truth.  (8)  Therefore, I desire that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

·         Paul’s message he is called to share with Timothy and us is:  “Wage the good warfare” by praying with lifted holy hands and without wrath or doubting.  Our challenge to never minimize the importance of prayer, but do it faithfully and sincerely.

 

Paul now switches gears slightly and begins teaching on women’s place in public worship.

 

1Ti 2:9-12  In the same way also, I desire that women adorn themselves in modest clothing, with propriety and moderation, not adorned with braiding, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothing,  (10)  but with good works, which becomes women professing godliness.  (11)  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  (12)  But I do not allow a woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence.

·         This is the place God has chosen for women in the realm of public worship.  He also mentions this in his first letter to the Corinthians and later in Titus and 2^nd Timothy.  He goes on to explain, though none should be required.

 

1Ti 2:13-15 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  (14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  (15)  But she will be kept safe through childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness with sensibleness.

 

·         God has no prejudice towards women at all, but has simply chosen the men to lead in public worship. This is very clear in this teaching and not hard to understand.

·         Many have chosen to overlook or just ignore this command.  In many cases, it is the men who are at fault for not embracing this call and forcing the women to take leadership.  This scenario is followed by chaos.  It is not how God designed it.

·         I thank God for the men and women in our fellowship.  Each has embraced their role and we are blessed by God with very few problems or conflicts as a result.  Faithful men and women yielding themselves to God’s Will results in a church God is well pleased with.

 

We have been challenged to “wage the good warfare” by praying faithfully for all men.  We have seen that Jesus is our faithful and loving Mediator between us and God.  We are encouraged to fulfill our roles that God has designed for us.  Stay the course brothers and sisters our reward is at hand.

 

Lord, may we pray in earnest and be faithful in our calling.