1 Timothy 2- One Mediator

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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

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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

1 Timothy 1- Fight the good Fight

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This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Being a Christian is not for the faint of heart, as the Apostle Paul is preparing Timothy “that you may “wage the good warfare” or “fight the battle well” The Apostle Paul is preparing Timothy for spiritual warfare to come. To fight the good fight of faith, to stand strong in the face of evil opposition. This is the message we can take away also, fight the good fight of faith in the face of blasphemy and evil that is invading our Churches today, stand your ground, don’t compromise!

Now to back up a little, the interesting thing is it was a prophecy to Paul that TImothy would take over as leader of the Church. As Paul says “I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies made concerning you” Timothy wasn’t selected because of his credentials or because of social favor, Timothy was chosen by God to continue the work Paul had started. When selecting leadership in the Church, do we ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance? 

This next verse I think is very relevant to state of the Church today “holding faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and concerning the faith some have suffered shipwreck” If we are to describe the current state of the Church today, I think a shipwreck might be a good description. Many Christians have not held to the faith in good conscience, they have compromised the true gospel, they have compromised the foundational doctrines of the Church, the have compromised their own souls for the sake of unity , money, and power. In return, their faith has become shipwrecked, can you in good conscience stand before The Lord and say I fought the good fight of faith?

Now next the Apostle Paul has called out some false teachers in the Church by name, Hymenaeus and Alexander, now the Church today would say “thats not Christian” But Paul being a shepherd of the Church is protecting the flock from the wolves, its very Biblical and Christian to call out and rebuke false teachers that have invaded the Church. To stand by and allow wolves to devour the Church is blasphemy and the blood is on your hands also. Remember this is a spiritual warfare, this is not a country club, this is a battle you have agreed to enter.

These false teachers have “been delivered unto Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme” they are apostates , driven by their own lusts and greed, and have been handed over to Satan to be tormented for their wickedness. As the Apostle James taught “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

Fight the good fight of faith, stand strong in the face of blasphemy and wickedness, remain in good conscience with our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, Amen!