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

It's Time To Be Faithful--First Timothy 1:18-20

I.  Preach Sound Doctrine  1:1-11
II. Proclaim the Gospel  vs 12-17
III. Defend the Faith vs 18-20

   Paul uses military language "Charge" which means "an urgent command handed down from a superior officer" I Tim. 1:3
   The soldiers task is II Tim. 2:4 and not please himself.
   Vs 19--He changes illustrations from army to navy.  "Hold faith and a good conscience" which keeps us on track.
   The conscience can be defined as "the inner voice which warns us that somebody may be looking".
   Professing Chrsitians who "make shipwreck" of their faith do so by sinning against their consciences.
   Bad Doctrine starts with bad conduct and usually with secret sin.
   "Delivered unto Satan" vs 20 - implies an apostolic discipline.  I Cor. 5:5 and disassociation from the local church.  The verb "learn" vs 20 means to learn by discipline.  When a Christian refuses to repent, the local fellowship should exercise discipline.  Matt. 18 excluding them from the protective fellowship of the Saints which maeks them vulnerable to the attacks of Satan.  Job 1-2; Luke 22:31-34.  Churches should be balanced exposing Satan.  John 8:44, I Tim. 4:1; and preaching sound doctrine. 1:10.