This is a shorter message today as we are in holiday season and the kids are staying in.
1 Timothy 2: 1-7: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And 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 of the Gentiles.
There is an interesting phenomenon in All Nations. People regularly say to pastors: We should pray more. Well, I’ve got great news! There’s is lot of opportunity to pray. Two Zoom prayer meetings a week; prayer before every Sunday service; last Sunday of the month in the evening; an annual pray and fasting time, normally in January; plus prayer that happens in Growth Groups.
But who is the “we” of “we should pray more”? You see, sometimes these specific prayer meeting are attended by a handful. Sometimes it is just the pastor that turns up. The issue is not that we do not have prayer meetings but priorities that lead to availability issues. I would love to have six people in our main services but over 200 of you in our prayer times. Because then things will happen. These are the power meetings in church!
Paul tells Timothy about four kinds of prayer. They never get old. They never get boring. They never wear out. They always please God!
V1: “First of all…" In other words, this is a priority.
The church's first instinct should be prayer—not just for ourselves, but for everyone.
In these six verses we discover three great truths:
- One church praying for all people
- One God who desires all people to be saved.
- One Saviour for all people.
1. One Church Praying for All People (v1–2)
Paul uses four different words:
petitions: (deēseis) — This word comes from a root meaning "to lack," "to need," or "to beg."
It refers to prayers prompted by a particular need or burden.
prayers: (proseuchas) - This is the most common New Testament word for prayer.
It combines: pros = toward, and euchomai = to pray or make a vow.
Literally, it pictures drawing near toward God.
Unlike petitions, this word isn't limited to requests.
It includes: worship, adoration, confession, communion with God. It emphasises our relationship with God. It is simply spending time with Him.
intercession: (enteuxeis) — This is probably the most interesting of the four words.
It comes from (entynchano), meaning: to meet with,
to approach, to appeal, to make a request, to plead on behalf of another.
Originally, the word described someone having an audience with a king. It suggests confidence and personal access.
Intercession isn't merely mentioning another person's name. It is standing before God on someone else's behalf.
Intercession is entering God's presence carrying someone else's burden.
thanksgiving: (eucharistias) — this comes from two words combined that mean “good-grace” or "gratitude for grace received."
It is the source of our English word Eucharist, referring to the Lord's Supper because of Jesus' giving thanks.
Paul says our prayers should include thanksgiving—even when praying for difficult people, including rulers.
That can be challenging!
Thanksgiving acknowledges: God's goodness, God’s sovereignty, God’s faithfulness, God’s past answers, God's future promises.
Thanksgiving turns our focus from our problems to God's character.
Paul isn't creating four completely separate categories of prayer. Instead, he's using a rich collection of overlapping terms to encourage a full-orbed prayer life.
Together they paint a picture of a rich prayer life.
Prayer is asking.
Prayer is worship.
Prayer is standing in the gap for others.
Prayer is thanking God even before we see the answer.
Notice the emphasis: "...for all people.” Then Paul becomes very specific: "...for kings and all those in authority."
Remember who ruled the Roman Empire when Paul wrote these words. The emperor certainly wasn't a Christian. Christians were already experiencing hostility.
Our prayers are not endorsements of every decision a government makes. They are acts of faith that God remains sovereign over every government.
As believers today, we may disagree strongly about politics. But every Christian can agree on this: Our leaders need our prayers.
2. One God who Desires all People to be Saved (v3–4).
God’s mission to save everyone has not changed. His mission is not to give us comfort or an easy life. It is the salvation of the lost (Luke 19:10).
Verse 4 says: who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
God's heart is astonishingly wide.
- His invitation is not limited by race.
- Not by nationality.
- Not by education.
- Not by wealth.
- Not by social standing.
- Not by past failures.
- The gospel invitation is extended to everyone.
Evangelism begins with understanding God's heart.
Mission begins in prayer for it pleases God (v3: This is good, and pleases God our Saviour).
3. One Saviour for all People (v5-6).
Only one person can stand between holy God and sinful humanity. Jesus!
"The man Christ Jesus."
Notice Paul's emphasis. Jesus is fully human.
He represents us.
Elsewhere Scripture also teaches He is fully divine.
Only someone who is both God and man could truly reconcile God and humanity.
Paul continues:
V 6a: who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
A ransom is the price paid to set someone free.
Jesus did not merely teach salvation.
He purchased it. With His own life.
Acts 4:12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Wrapping this up:
Do we want a ministry? It starts with our prayer life.
Do we want to be used by God? It starts with our prayer life.
Do we want to see friends and family saved? It starts with our prayer life.
Do we want to see Reading and the surrounding areas changed? It starts with your prayer life.
Do we want to see All Nations filled to overflowing when we move to two Sunday morning services? It starts with our prayer life.
Do we want to see every other church filled in this town? It starts with our prayer life.
Do you want more of Jesus in our lives? It starts with our prayer life.
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