It's Time To Be Faithful--First Timothy Chapter 2

Service or Circus

Let all things be done decently and in order is a basic principle for the conduct of the ministry of the church.  Paul is exhorting young Timothy because the members of the church in Ephesus were disobeying God's Word.  Paul counteracts this tendency, by reminding them of their spiritual responsibilities.

1.  The Men--Praying vs 1-8

     A.  The priority of prayer--vs 1

            Our hearts must be right with God and with each other.  Matt. 6:5

           When a local church ceases to depend on prayer, God ceases to bless its ministry.

     B.  The variety of prayer -- vs 1

           Supplication carries the idea of offering a request for a felt need.  Prayers emphasizes the sacredness of prayer.  Prayer is an act

           of worship, not just an expression of our wants and needs.

           Intercessions -- petitions--I Tim. 4:5 -- its basic meaning is to draw near to a person and converse confidently with them.

           Giving of thanks--we need to not only give thanks for answers to prayer, but for who God is and He does for us in His grace.

               Ps. 100

           Prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.  Phil. 4:6  Daniel practiced this kind of praying.  Dan. 6:10-11

     C.  The objects of prayer -vs- 1-2 "all men"

           There are no people outside the influence of believing prayer.

           We should pray for the unsaved, people nearus and far away, for enemies as well as friends.  For those in authority.  Nero was

           emporer.  It is for our own good. Vs 2.

           Quiet refers to circumstances around us and peaceable refers to a calm attitude within us.

     D.  The reasons for prayer vs 3-4

           The word good is a key word in Paul's pastoral epistles--I Tim. 1:8, 18; 2:3; 3:1; 7, 13; 4:4, 6; 5:4, 10, 25; 6:12, 13, 18, 19;

           II Tim. 1:4; 2:3; 4:7; Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14