Correct what you have wrong

Introduction

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. 9 Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, 10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. 11 A woman is to learn quietly with full submission. 12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. 15 But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense.

Context

This week, we are walking through a pretty big chunk of scripture. I’d go so far as to say that what lies within this single chapter of 1st Timothy, could be it’s own 4 week sermon series or more on it’s own. So, since we are only spending one week on the entire chapter, you have to keep in mind that for much of what we will be getting at today will be the 30,000 ft view.

When reading through the many things that Paul is saying in this chapter, it is critical to remember a few things. First of all, is that the apostle Paul (a spiritual father) was writing to his spiritual son Timothy regarding his task in the church at Ephesus. This church, since Paul had been away was experiencing lots of trouble, including: false teachers deceiving the flock, former and present members of the church dragging the name of Christ and the church through the mud, people dressing and adorning themselves provocatively in a way that would remind you of the pagan temples, the structures of authority openly challenged and in some cases usurped in the church, and through our text today it even seemed that authority to the civil rulers and magistrates was rejected and denied. This was a very serious situation in this church that required God’s appointed man (Timothy) to lead them out of it and into a Christ honoring worship and legacy.

Another important thing when reading and interpreting these passages, is to take them all in the light of the full revelation of God’s Holy Word (The Bible). This of course is true for any passage of scripture, to remember that any one verse or sentence or word all works together with every other to show us what God is saying to believers in all the generations. Not doing so, will always lead to an incomplete or even bad interpretation of what the Apostle is saying. So, if I were to put this simply, any time you read anything in the Bible, you must remember that there is more going on, there is more to the story.

Our text today, which is admittingly a very controversial set of passages in today’s time and culture, almost every single objection the culture has against it, is not remembering those two critical points while reading and interpreting this Holy Scripture. Whether you agree or disagree with what Paul is saying (which by the way you should be agreeing), even the most liberal of bible interpreters can agree that what Paul was writing was important to the church in Ephesus in the time of authorship. I counter those theologians by saying, yes it was for them, and it is for us modern day readers and future readers as well. What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander, The Church is not just little unrelated congregations at different places. No, the church is universal, it spreads across all believers for all time, the redeemed saints of 500 years ago are every bit as much a part of the Universal church as the redeemed living now are. So, if Paul was writing something to the church in Ephesus around 62-63AD, then it goes to follow these words have a timeless message in it for Christians and churches everywhere for all of time.

As we look at this passage, it’s clear as Paul writes to Timothy that both you and the people in Ephesus have some work to do as you work out your faith. In fact, Each believer has work to do as they grow in their faith. The work doesn’t just come, God wants you to step towards Him, and remove what is keeping you from doing so as you grow in the Love of Christ, and learn to rely on Him more and more all through out your life. So, let’s jump in and from the text I want you to see, remember, and act out these truths as you correct what you have wrong.

Message

The first truth to see, remember, and act out is to: Pray for absolutely everyone (1-4)

2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Look at Paul what urges here. That petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made fore everyone to God. By the way, petitions, intercessions, and thanksgivings, as you well know are types or focus points for prayer. These prayers of course include who? The rulers, the people in authority, so that believers can lead a quite and tranquil life in peace. Paul points out, this is a good thing that pleases God, when we pray for everyone, including the rulers because it sets a kind of place and tone so that others have the chance to respond yes to the truth of Jesus. You see, if not at this time, then very soon their after; the Roman world would explode in violent persecution against the Christians, as the Mad emperor Nero blamed the Christians for starting the fire that destroyed the city of Rome. This fire, of course historians by in large today agree was started by him so that he could build a large palace on the ruins of the city. Even before this though, Paul and all wise Christians knew that their was no time that would ever be appropriate to be hostile against the civil authorities, unless of course they force you to recant your faith. So, a peaceful demeanor and attitude would lead to more opportunities for both faith growing and faith sharing.

In Romans chapter 13, which was also written by the apostle Paul, Paul wrote regarding the relationship between God and the civil authorities and our relationships with them that, 13 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. So, as God is the almighty being of the universe, He appointed every ruler for some reason, and to work against or mock or fail to raise them up in your prayer is the same as rebellion against God, ie a sin.

This is a very politically controversial subject. That’s right, God wants you to pray for and respect rulers and authorities. Yep, including the ones that belong to the political party you don’t like or don’t agree with at all. God wants you to pray for several things for them, one of course is that if they are not followers of the Lord Jesus, that he or she would become one, and two that they would make wise and God honoring decisions, and three that they keep the rule of law to where we can openly worship and share our faith while they are in power. That’s right, you are to pray for their success! One thing that I find particularly appalling, is when Christians don’t do this. Our culture loves to even take it a few steps further, glorifying mockery of authority. One recent one, that unfortunately many people who believe they are following Christ do and say is the, so they think humorous but any bible believing Christian should think is distasteful, is the “let’s go Brandon” chants or flags or bumper stickers. These of course have several strikes against them, including being undercover vulgarity and also showing outright disrespect to that leader that God has appointed. These actions has led to an image of Christianity that has made it harder to share our faith as of late. Yes, I know that hit’s some people very hard. We all have our own preferences and personal agendas, but we have to work and make our preferences and agendas to what the will of God is. This will take work, it will mean changing what kind of media you intake and how you think and react to things. You must though believer, as Each believer has work to do as they grow in their faith. Myself and yourself included, we are to pray for absolutely everyone.

The next truth to see, remember, and act out is that: Jesus is the mediator (5-7)

5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Paul begins here, by making a statement that creates a huge distinction between Christianity and other religions, and one that shows that through Christ is the only way God, all other religions fall so flat and short that they are not worth your time and attention, outside of learning what they believe so that you can no how to respond to them when they ask questions about Christ of course. This statement is that there is only one, ONLY ONE, that is a mediator between God and mankind, this of course is Christ Jesus who gave up His life at the perfect time in history to be a ransom for everyone who would accept is gift. The sharing of this truth (being a herald, that is someone who openly proclaims the truth of king of Jesus to the world) and his apostleship is what he was appointed to; in his case especially to the Gentiles.

Now, there are a few big words to unpack in this two verses. The first one, is the word mediator. A mediator is someone who stands in on your behalf, speaking to the one in authority (God) for you. You might compare this to how a lawyer speaks to the judge for you at a court hearing, he is the mediator, the one between both of you. So, Jesus (the lawyer) speaks to God (the judge) on your (the rebellious sinner) behalf. Jesus of course, is telling God the Father that you are innocent because He has paid the sacrifice for you if you have put your faith in Him. Another word that we don’t see very much anymore is the world herald in verse 7. You see, back in the old days before modern communication, the rulers and those in authority would have heralds to go out to spread news, rules, laws, and decrees. These heralds, as you would imagine, would go to the town square, and all throughout a city with a copy of what the rulers were saying and their stamp of authority and with a loud voice would openly read and proclaim what the king was saying so that everyone would know. We too, every Christian in this room and every Christian you have ever met, are heralds for the Lord as well, it is all of our assignments to go forth and tell the news of king Jesus.

So then, what kind of news would you as a herald of God share. Well, verse 6 is a very good place to start. One thing that you can share with our fallen world and ever shifting culture today is that there is an absolute truth that will always remain true, that only faith in Jesus can make you right before God. The only way you will get to experience an eternity of peace in worship and admiration of God in Heaven is if you put your faith in Jesus. You see, one of the great lies now and in millinia past is that there is other ways to be made right before God. We know this to be a lie because the bible you have in your hands is the proclamation from the king that says otherwise. All to often today, you will both hear the words and see the demeanor that says, “Well I’m a good person, and that makes me good enough for heaven.” WRONG, the Bible says that no one is good, no not one outside of God. Our best good is nothing when compared the “Good” standard setter in God, you will never be good enough with God. So, you need someone to stand in for you, to our benefit, God loves of so much that He Himself, Christ the Son, will stand in for you in your guilty judgement if you accept Him as your Lord and Savior, Jesus is the perfect and only Mediator. Sometimes we forget this, and have to realign ourselves, and that’s ok but Each believer has work to do as they grow in their faith. So do your work, which is to know that Christ is the Mediator.

Another truth to see, remember, and act out is to Live out your faith (8-14)

8 Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. 9 Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, 10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. 11 A woman is to learn quietly with full submission. 12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. 15 But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense.

Here Paul get’s right at some practical application for what was happening at the church in Ephesus and Christians everywhere. He begins by revisiting the idea of prayer, that we should be praying in all places for all people, as we got at earlier. Notice what else he says though, that we need to be praying without anger and argument, this is the tricky part when we think about praying for everyone, including and especially the people you dislike. But believer hear me, Christ doesn’t and did not and will not call you to be a hateful person. Remember those three things, the three great commands in the Bible, what are they? Love God, Love Others, Make Disciples. You must love others, which means that you don’t hold onto hate and anger, and instead of holding on to that, learn to pray for good things for those that are hard for you to deal with, and that your patience and love of God and others would increase.

Paul then get’s to the women at the church at Ephesus. Remember earlier, I told you women within the church were dressing provocatively. They did this likely because they found their self worth in how they looked. Paul points out to us, that we shouldn’t be finding our self worth in our physical image (which will fade( but we should find our image in that we are worshipers and children of God! What’s more in the case at this church, it seems that some of the women were trying to usurp the God given authority within the church, to which Paul writes, no one should be doing this. These women need to learn to be agreeable and teachable, not provokers and rabble rousers. They need to come back under the authority as God ordained. As it is clear in the family unit, the authority goes 1st God, 2nd Husband, 3rd wife, then children, so the authority within the church goes 1st God, 2ndthe Pastors/Elders/Overseers/Bishops, 3rd appointed ministry leaders, then the congregation. This is how it is to look and those opposed are opposed to God.

Then it comes to the most confusing and eyebrow raising verse of them all here. Verse 15, 15 But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense. First of all, that word childbearing, was and has been, and even today is an idiom (meaning a word that represents other words). This word doesn’t mean literally, if you birth a child you will be saved, no. Childbearing here according to the bible commentator Kostenberger and others that, “” is taken as an idiom for a woman’s involvement in family and home.”[1] That is, both married and single women will find joy when they focus on what God has given them, the more gentle and nurturing spirit when it is focused on building up those in her care in the Lord. What does that mean, it means when the woman (and man too in what I’m about to say) lives out your faith, it involves you making disciples in the ways that are available for you. So believer, ask yourself. Are you living out your faith, or are you simply acting out or pretending in your faith? You know which one is correct. Let me put it another way you, you may be able talk the faith talk, but do you walk the faith walk? If you are doing it correctly, guess what, it isn’t going to be easy. In fact, if it is easy, you are doing it wrong; because God is always testing those that love Him so that they can grow in the understanding of Him, and trust and love Him even more. Yes, Each believer has work to do as they grow in their faith. So do it right, live it out. It doesn’t stop when you leave this building and then only return when you come back or you run into someone you know from here. No, your faith is an all the time sort of thing.

Conclusion

Beloved, your particular work as you grow in your faith will look different one day to the next, one season in life to the next. Our main points today, will be points that you will likely have to revisit time and time again throughout your faith life. Remember to pray for absolutely everyone, as you do this, you will grow in the love others and come into a better understanding of who you are in this world that God has created. Don’t forget that Jesus is the mediator, remember the Gospel of Christ and apply it to all situations you come across, Jesus Christ saved you and nothing else matters. As you go always Live out your faith, seek to know more about it, and seek to know God more by spending time with Him. Yes, every person in this room myself included has work to do as they grow in their faith. Let us all endeavor to grow personally and together.

With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

[1] Köstenberger, Andreas. “1 Timothy.” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition), edited by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, vol. 12, Zondervan, 2006, p. 519.