What Do We Do Now?

Introduction:

Our nation has recently come through a very trying election season. For Christians, every season can seem trying. We sometimes forget that we do not belong to the kingdoms of this world, but to the heavenly kingdom of God.

We have dual citizenship and try to influence earthly kingdoms with heavenly values. It’s important that we keep this in mind when we consider what we should do now as Christians since the elections are over.

The principles that we are going to talk about this morning apply to any season of our lives and if we will put them into practice, we will find that our world will be a better place. We will see God’s power on display in ways we never dreamed of before.

God uses our prayers as a means of His grace in this fallen world that we live in and we are going to see what we should do as Christians now by taking a look at Paul’s first instructions to Timothy who was pastoring the Church of Ephesus.

1 Timothy 2:1–7 ESV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Pray

1. The Types of Prayers We Offer (v.1)

1 Timothy 2:1 ESV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

Supplications - requests and pleas

Prayers - vows and general prayers

Intercessions - pleadings on behalf of others, petitions

Thanksgiving - gratitude

2. The People We Pray For (v.1-2)

1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

All People

Rulers and Leaders

3. The Reason We Pray (vv.2-7)

1 Timothy 2:2–7 ESV

2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

For Social Order

It Pleases God

For Evangelistic Results