LESSONS FOR LEADERS.
Commentary on Timothy and Titus. Mr K Gerner B.A.
Audio Visual Ministries,
P.O.Box.1. NEWCASTLE. Co Down.BT33 0EP.N.Ireland.
Lesson No.3.(c) SUPPLICATIONS & PRAYERS.
1 Timothy 2:1-8
ILLUSTRATION: QUESTIONNAIRE: Most important advice from mother “Always listen to good advice.” Most important advice from your father ? “” Ask your mother !”
We now pass on to the main theme of THE KIND OF BEHAVIOUR in the Body of Christ, which will give the best possible witness to Him.
1.PRAYER is of PRIMARY importance
1TI 2:1 NIV I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
This is of paramount importance in dealing with this Epistle, so that although prayer is not always the FIRST thing on the programme, it is always THE MOST IMPORTANT.
2. PRAYER types specifically mentioned are :-
(a) SUPPLICATIONS. (Greek = DEESIS)
These are PRAYERS FOR NEEDS.(Gk.deomai = to want) Sense of need is addressed ONLY TO GOD in New Testament. It is associated with "proseuche" in :
EPH 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
PHI 4:6 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1TI 5:5 NIV The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
(b) PRAYER IN GENERAL (Greek = proseuche)
This term is used of prayer in general, and confined to prayer to God.
The Book of ACTS is full of references to PRAYER which was a major activity of the Church.
ACT 2:42 NIV They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
ACT 4:24 NIV When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God
(c) INTERCESSIONS (Greek = enteuxis)
This is a BOLD PLEADING for grace for others. Only mentioned one other time:
1TI 4:5 NIV because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
Corresponding verb is found in PLEADING ON BEHALF OF OTHERS:
ROM 8:27 NIV And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
ROM 8:34 NIV Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
HEB 7:25 NIV Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
(d) THANKSGIVING.
(i) This should be out constant theme.
Place of incense altar constantly burning to God. ILLUSTRATION
Exodus 30:8 And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. NKJV
COL 3:15 NIV Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
COL 4:2 NIV Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
PRAISE SHOULD BE OUR REACTION TO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
EPH 5:20 NIV always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ILLUSTRATION; Gary in hospital avoided mountain Lodge massacre
(ii) UNCONVERTED LACK THIS VITAL INGREDIENT TO THEIR PRAYER
ROM 1:21 NIV For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
LUK 6:35 NIV But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
(iii) These thanks should include ALL MEN and especially those in Civil Government
1TI 2:2 NIV for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
ROM 13:1 NIV Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
1PE 2:13 NIV Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,
Refusal of them to pray for Government and revolt of the Jews led to their national overthrow according to Josephus and this has lessons for Ulster today.
DO YOU PRAY FOR GOVERNMENT even bad ones like Nero ?
3.The OBJECT OF PRAYER
Prayer should be for a CLIMATE OF PEACE in which the Gospel can go forward.
(a) Our aim as Christians, should be to avoid Civil War and live devoutly,
Godly and dignified behaviour alone, makes our prayer acceptable to God.
1TI 2:3 NIV This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
"eusebeia" = Godliness and its related words are found 11 times in Pastoral Epistles, and are not used in any previous letters of Paul.(Peter also uses it 4 times)
"semnotes" = gravity is found only in Pastoral letters
1TI 3:4 NIV He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
TIT 2:7 NIV In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
THIS IS GRAVITY COMBINED WITH DIGNITY and is opposed to both moroseness and levity.
(b) GOD WANTS ALL TO BE SAVED, not to be killed.
1TI 2:4 NIV who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
God has a gracious desire for all men to be saved, but there are CONDITIONS which must be fulfilled, for which man is responsible, if he is ACTUALLY TO ENJOY SALVATION. To this end, God allows him EXTRA TIME and OPPORTUNITY.
2PE 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Although God wants all to be saved, this still allows man to exercise his free will and REFUSE to accept salvation, which includes God's mercy, healing power and forgiveness.
LUK 7:50 NIV Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Deliverance from the POWER OF SIN is also offered by God
ROM 6:6 NIV For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--)
(c) God wants men to COME TO A KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH
He desires GROWTH IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM, as well as salvation, THROUGH DISCIPLINED LIVING. Gk"epignosis" implies more than a recognition, and goes on to ACTUAL ENJOYMENT AND PARTICIPATION
1CO 13:12 NIV Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
THIS IMPLIES THAT THE OBJECTIVE IS NOW TO ENJOY A NEW WAY OF LIFE
MAT 28:19 NIV Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey Everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of THe age."
(b) For all Nations there is only ONE WAY TO GOD, and we need to pray this to be made clear.
GOD IS NOT FOR JEWS ONLY BUT FOR THE WHOLE WORLD.
1TI 2:5 NIV For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
(i) Christ is the only Mediator, who mediated between God and man ,producing peace (as distinguished from one who acts as GUARANTOR for something later to be obtained as in Hebrews 8:6, 9:15) This is the One Job was looking for :
JOB 9:33 NIV If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both,
CHRIST had to be related to both parties (be HUMAN AND DIVINE) to fulfil this role, and had to BE SINLESS to offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice for sin.
1TI 2:6 NIV who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.
(ii) CHRIST DIED ON BEHALF OF ALL (Greek "huper" here) but ONLY TAKES THE PLACE OF PUNISHMENT FOR THE MANY WHO TRUST HIM.
1TI 2:6 NIV who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.
MAR 10:45 NIV For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
(iii) The Testimony to this started at Pentecost, and is meant to continue to the end of the world. This Testimony covers Christ's carrying the penalty of sin and disease. "its proper time" (gk.kairos) suggests a proper "season "for this message
TIT 1:3 NIV and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
THE EARLY APOSTLES BROUGHT THIS MESSAGE FOR THE END TIMES:
1PE 2:24 NIV He himself
bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live
for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
(iv) Paul was entrusted with this message by the Lord, especially to the Gentiles.
1TI 2:7 NIV And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
Paul fulfilled his m ministry faithful in simple devotion to Christ, to BRING THE MESSAGE TO ALL MEN, especially the Gentiles, for whom he has asked them to pray. We must also pray to do this.
ILLUSTRATION: Steven wright: broke a mirror in my house & this gets me 7 years bad luck> MY lawyer thinks he can get me 5 !
4. THE MANNER OF PRAYER
PAUL STRESSES HIS DESIRE (gk"boulomai) not just his longing, that this command should be obeyed, and PRAYER SHOULD EVERYWHERE BE MADE.
This should be done with upraised hands, backed by a holy life, free from anger and disputes. (the emphasis is on the holy life, rather than body posture.
PRAYER IS TO BE THE WORK OF MEN. His instructions to WOMEN follow in the next passage.
1TI 2:8 NIV I want the men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
(i) UPRAISED HANDS were regularly used in prayer throughout Scripture.
1KI 8:22 NIV Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven
PSA 28:2 NIV Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
PSA 141:2 NIV May ... the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
PSA 143:6 NIV I spread out my hands to you;
ISA 1:15 NIV When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you;
LAM 3:41 NIV Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven
(ii) Avoidance of ANGER is also vital for Christians
Gk"orge" (wrath) is especially attacked, as sapping prayer life.
EPH 4:31 NIV Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
COL 3:8 NIV But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,
JAM 1:19 NIV My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
WE MUST ALSO BE CAREFUL OF INWARD REASONINGS which later lead to outward controversy and contention. ("dialogismos" Gk.here shows an element of doubt and argument)
PHI 2:14 NIV Do everything without complaining or arguing,
***
EXERCISE No.3.
1.HOW DOES CHRIST GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER IN :-
(a) Isaiah 53:12 (b) Luke 22:32 (c) Luke 23:34 (d) John 17:9 (e) Hebrews 7:25
Send answers with s.a.e.to P.O.Box 1, NEWCASTLE, Co Down.BT33 0EP.N.I.
LESSONS FOR LEADERS. Mr K Gerner BA
Lesson No.3. (c) SUPPLICATIONS AND PRAYERS.
1 Timothy 2:1-8
1. PRAYER IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE. 1 Tim 2:1."FIRST OF ALL"
2. PRAYER TYPES SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED include :
(a) SUPPLICATIONS. Ephes.6:18 (Gk.= deesis)
(b) PRAYER IN GENERAL. Acts 2:42 (Gk.= proseuche)
(c) INTERCESSIONS. Rom.8:27 (Gk.enteuchis)
(d) THANKSGIVING. Col.3:25. Eph.5:20.
(i) Constant theme. Col.3:15, Eph 5:20
(ii) Unconverted lack this vital ingredient to prayer. Rom 1:21
(iii) Include ALL MEN and those in Government. ! Tim 2:2, Rom 13:1
3 .OBJECT OF PRAYER.
(a) AVOID WAR AND LIVE DEVOUTLY. 1 Tim 2:3
(b) GOD WANTS ALL SINNERS SAVED. 1 Tim 2:4
(c) GOD WANTS MEN TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.Mt.28:19.
(d) THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GOD IN JESUS.1 Tim.2:5
(i) Christ is the only Mediator. 1 Tim 2:6
(ii) Christ died on behalf of ALL.
(iii) This testimony must go to the end of the Earth. Tit 1:3
(iv) Paul was entrusted with this message to Gentiles.1 Tim.2:7
4.MANNER OF PRAYER 1 tIM 2:8
(i) UPRAISED HANDS. 1 Kings 8:22, Ps.143:6
(ii) AVOID ANGER .Eph 4:31