Monthly Archives: June 2024

1 Timothy 2- Order in the Church

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works 1 Timothy 2:8-10

So now we see the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is giving instructions on the order of the Church. We worship a God of law and order, not a God of chaos and confusion. There is order and instruction in Gods design for everything, just as it was in the beginning in Creation. God had structure and order with Adam and Eve, and this model is to be implemented in the Church and throughout society. Any deviation from this structure leads to disaster as we are seeing in todays society and the Church. 

God is calling all men to be Holy, to be set apart for Christ , and to be leaders of the Church. As the Apostle Paul says here “ I will therefor that men pray everywhere” The original Greek word here translated as pray can also mean worship. We need Men of God, who are Born Again and have a relationship with God. We need men who have a relationship with Christ, to rise up and lead the body of Christ and their families. Notice the Apostle Paul says “everywhere” the Men of God are to lead worship everywhere they go. Not just in the sanctuary on a Sunday morning, but also at the dinner table during the week, and everywhere. Problem is many men have abandoned their calling and role by God to pursue the lusts of this world

These Men of God are also to lead the Church “without wrath or doubting” As Jesus said “A kingdom divided shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25) These men need to be real leaders for Christ, and not dividers. They need to be Shepherds of the Church and keeping the flock together and safe, not allowing the wolves to enter from within and devour the flock. They must also truly be Born Again and have faith in Christ. If they are weak in the faith, they will be weak leaders. 

Woman are to dress modestly and not bring dishonor to The Lord or themselves. The worship services during this culture, had become more of a fashion show, women wanted to display their wealth and beauty, this is very common in todays Church also. However the focus should be on The Lord Jesus Christ and not ourselves. ,We should not be bringing attention to ourselves but bring attention to The Lord. If we have wealth, we should be be flaunting it among others, be humble and respectful to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

As the Apostle Paul says “woman who profess godliness with good works” Woman of God should present themselves as servants of Christ. Not dressing to be seductive or boastful, but present themselves as respectful to The Lord and their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, as a sister. This can apply to the men also. 

1 Timothy 2- One Mediator

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 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. 1 Timothy 2:5-7

The world will tell you there are many ways to God, the world will tell you all roads lead to God, however all of this is a false deception by Satan. There is only One way to God is thats through Jesus Christ, as Christ said “I am the way, the truth , and the life, nobody can come to the Father (God) except through me” (John 14:6) Don’t be deceived by the world, listen to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, God who became flesh, to deliver you from sin and death!

As the Apostle Paul reveals to us “there is One God, and One mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” There is no other way to God except through Jesus Christ, anyone who teaches another gospel , let them be accursed (Galatians 1:8) In ancient times, even today, you can’t just expect to walk up to a King or a President and be allowed to speak in their presence. No, you need a mediator, you need someone who verifies and approves you can stand before the King. This is the same with God, we are not worthy to stand in the presence of a Holy God. Nobody is worthy to stand before God, except for our Lord Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world (John 1:29)

As the Apostle Paul also said “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him “ (2 Corinthians 5:21) Jesus Christ justified us before our Heavenly Father so we can be in his presence, so we can be reconciled back to God, so we can become children of God. That’s why Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, nobody else can do this for you except Christ. Nobody else can atone for your sin except Christ, the sinless lamb of God. And nobody else can mediate between you and God, except Christ, the Son of God

Why did Christ come to Earth? As the Apostle Paul says here “Who gave himself a ransom for all” Jesus Christ came to reconcile you back to the Father, Jesus Christ came to give you the Holy Spirit, and Christ came to ransom for all who will repent and put their faith in Christ. Nobody else can do this, nobody else can be the ransom for your sin, so why are you praying to them? Why are you putting your faith and trust in anyone else but Jesus Christ alone? 

The Apostle Paul was a preacher of the Gentiles, to teach us the gospel or good news of Christ, that we can all be saved through Christ alone, that we can all become children of God through Christ alone, that there is salvation is no other name under heaven (Acts 4:12) except the One Mediator Jesus Christ, Amen!

1 Timothy 2- Pray for Everyone

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth1 Timothy 2:1-4

Here’s a question, have you prayed today? You might say, I don’t know what to pray for, well as the Bible says here “pray for everyone” The Apostle Paul here is instructing the Church to pray for everyone “be made for all men”. Often times people like to pray for themselves, but have you prayed for other people? Bigger question is have you prayed for your enemies? Have you prayed for the lost? Have you prayed for the Holy Spirit to reach the hearts of the unsaved?

The Church of Ephesus was doing a bad job at evangelism, it was apparent they were not focused on the unsaved, so the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, instructed them to pray and make intercession for everyone. I think the majority of todays Church has done the same thing, most Christians forgot or don’t know the Great Commision commanded by Christ “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19)

Most Christian communities get to self involved, they forget there is a whole harvest field out there ready to be plowed with the Word of God. Or alot of Christians have no heart for the lost. How often have you shared the gospel this week? Did you tell anyone about Jesus? Have you offered to pray for people? Prayer is a power intercession between Heaven and Earth, don’t forsake the lost

Here’s another question do you prayer for the governments and authorities? Theres alot of political division and tension in our country and world, and we know the governments for the most part are oppressing the people, so heres a radical idea, pray for them. Remember as the saying goes, its doesn’t matter who the president is, Jesus is King. God is in complete control, of even the governments, pray for Gods will to be done and the Holy Spirit to change hearts and minds

As the Apostle Paul says “strive to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18) , thats what the Apostle says here also “that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life, in all godliness and holiness” As the people of God we live in peace and set apart from the world. While we may not agree with the governments, we are not at war with them, we live as good citizens, as the body of Christ here on Earth, the Salt and Light Christ has called us to be. Why? “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” We live in obedience to Christ and not the world, we live to please God and serve him.

Now the question is, why do we do any of this? As the Apostle Paul said “who wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth” God wants everyone to be saved and to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is your marching orders as the Church, fulfill the Great Commission, pray for everyone small and great, in Jesus name Amen