Evangelistic Prayer – Part 2 – 1 Timothy 2:3-7

Seventh lesson in a verse by verse series through 1 Timothy. This sermon looks at 5 reasons why we should pray for all men. Because of:

1. The Perspective of God (Vs. 3)
2. The Desire of God (Vs. 4)
3. The Character of God (Vs. 5)
4. The Atonement of Christ (Vs. 6)
5. The Ministry of Paul (Vs. 7)

1. This Section: Moves from the more general charge of chapter 1 to the outlining of specific duties. Commences next major division in the Epistle which is chapter 2 & 3 that deals with the structure and public life of the local assembly. Chapter 2 covers the role of men and women in the public life of the church and chapter 3 covers the qualifications of Bishops and Deacons.
2. Vs. 1-8: The responsibility of the church (men in particular) to pray for the lost. The exhortation to prayer is in the context of the theme. It is prayer in the house of God as opposed to private prayer.
3. The rich, doctrinal statements of Vs. 4 to 7 are sandwiched between the Apostle’s exhortation to prayer in Vs. 1-3 and Vs. 8. Hence the theme is clearly the responsibility of the church in the area of praying for the salvation of souls. Refer Philippians 2:5-11 for a similar structure.
4. The example of Paul: Romans 10:1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”

The motivators/reasons for Evangelistic prayer are…

The Will of God (Vs. 3)

1. It is good (3a)
   1. ‘good’ = excellent in its nature.
   2. Has God’s Divine stamp of approval.
2. It is acceptable (3b)
   1. ‘acceptable’ = means that which is received with warmth and joy.
   2. Root word mostly translated as ‘received’. E.g. Acts 2:41 “…they that gladly received his word…”

The Desire of God (Vs. 4)

For all men to be saved (4a)

1. ‘will’ = to desire. Present tense
   1. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
   2. Ezekiel 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”
   3. This desire of God should be reflected in those who know Him in our practice and in our prayers.
2. “all men” = the entire human race
   1. Romans 5:18 “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
   2. Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
   3. John 3:16 – God loves the world!

For all men to know (4b)

1. ‘knowledge’ = a thorough understanding
   1. John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
   2. 1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
   3. Matthew 28:19 – We are commanded to ‘teach’ all nations
   4. There are certain truths the sinner must understand in order to be saved.
2. “the truth”
   1. Christ is the truth (John 14:6)
   2. Christ is the only Saviour (Vs. 5-6)

The Character of God (Vs. 5-6)

One God (5a)

1. Most men worship false gods. This should motivate us to pray for them.
2. God is One, Revealed in Three; Father, Son & Holy Spirit

One Mediator (5b)

1. ‘mediator’ = a go between. “One who intervenes between two in order to make or restore peace and friendship.” (Wuest)
2. ‘man’ = Christ is both Human and Divine; 100% God and 100% man. For man to be reconciled to God, He needed a Mediator who was both Divine and Human.

The Atonement of Christ (Vs. 6)

1. A gift (6a)
   1. ‘gave’ = free gift
   2. ‘himself’ = Christ is both the Gift and the Giver
2. A Ransom (6b)
   1. ‘ransom’ = to set free from slavery
   2. ‘all’ = no one excluded!
      1. 1. John 2:2 “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
      2. Hebrews 2:9 “…that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
3. A Witness (6c)

The Ministry of Paul (Vs. 7)

1. The Description of his Ministry
   1. Ordained a preacher (herald) (7a)
   2. Ordained an apostle (sent one) (7b)
   3. Ordained a teacher (instructor) (7c)
2. The Focus of his Ministry
   1. The gentiles – Paul was the Apostle of the Gentiles.
   2. Paul exemplified the “all men” principle in his ministry.
3. The spirit of His ministry
   1. ‘faith’ – Paul fulfilled his calling by faith
   2. ‘truth’ – Paul fulfilled his calling by truth

Conclusion:

1. How is our love for the lost?
2. Are we praying for unsaved men and women?
3. Challenge to the men: Are we taking our proper position in the local church in relation to prayer?

Sermon 7 of 27 in 1 Timothy Series

Sermon Audio Id: 424166421