An All Encompassing Love pt. 2

Introduction

After the murder of Charlie Kirk, one of my former grade school teachers posted, “I did not always agree with Charlie Kirk. I’m not a Christian, I am a Jew. I am Pro Choice. I am an advocate for rights for all groups. But, I am also an American who believes strongly in the First Amendment. I agreed with Charlie in that I also believe in the Second, and i believe he would have still advocated for Second Amendment rights even if he had known his future. That said, no person should be shot for exercising their right to free speech, no matter their words. People should be able to have discourse without dying. People should be able to disagree without violence.

We can do better, America. Let’s start trying.

I encourage everyone to have a meal and a conversation with someone you know has different views. Find a common ground. Be good neighbors. Remember that we are all humans and be kind to each other.

I will leave this with the words of a fella i used to know when I was a bartender in New Orleans. He was an odd guy who would regularly sit at my bar. He wouldn’t talk much, except to mumble to his beer. But, when he got in his cups and got ready to leave, he would stand up and dramatically yell (to everyone, but  no one)

‘EVERYBODY BE NICE!!’ and then leave.

Solid advice, Dusty. I think I personally will take it!”

And to that, I give a hearty AMEN. EVERYBODY BE NICE…

But, as we saw in the message last week and as we will see today, God not only calls us to be nice and have a meal with those we disagree with…

He calls us to love all people by bringing them before the throne of grace in prayer.

And I would argue that we will not be intentional, gracious or meaningfully impactful with those who we disagree with if we are not first praying for them and their well being as well as praying for our own hearts to be aligned with Christ’s.

Let us pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive us for our small love and selective selfish prayers… It's so easy for us to pray only for those we like and care about…

Ignite in us, by Your Spirit, a fervent desire to intercede, above everything else, for all people, especially kings and all who are in high positions!

Grant us grace to lay aside all anger and quarreling, that our peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way, might powerfully clear the path for Your gospel.

Jesus, thank you for becoming our RANSOM.

May Your passionate desire for all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth enflame our hearts with relentless passion for their eternal rescue and for Your glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Context

As we prepare to read 1Timothy let’s recall a few important details.

The letter of 1Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul to his disciple Timothy.

Timothy was sent to Ephesus to help a church that had gotten way off track.

Paul begins his letter by demanding that Timothy confront in love the false teachers and teachings that had infiltrated and infected the church.

And what follows is an outworking of the love that Timothy and the Ephesians are charged to embody.

As we saw last week, Paul begins in a place that we might not expect. PRAYER. And not just any PRAYER. PRAYERS of ALL KINDS for ALL PEOPLE.

Look with me at 2:1-8.

Text

1Timothy 2:1-8, “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.” 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

This is the word of our God.

Summary

The Big IDEA of our text this morning is that,

God is calling us to PRAY all kinds of prayers for ALL people because when we pray, our hearts are aligned with God’s, man’s greatest need can only be met in Christ, we join God in His activity in the world AND PRAYER produces kingdom results.

That being said, last week we meditated on what prayer is…

We saw that prayer is, as John Starke put it, the act of lowering ourselves to better views of his work. It’s a strange irony that prayer is the strengthening of an inner muscle that does nothing more than boast in weakness. Prayer gives us ears to hear, knowing we do not listen well, and eyes to see, knowing we are blind to much of what we ought to see. But along the way God transforms our anxious reactions into loving responses, and our fearful hearts into hearts that are not afraid of bad news.”

And the reason why we contemplated the nature of prayer is because Paul commands us pray in verse 1. And not just for a select few people in our lives that we like… but for all, even for those who oppose us, and those we are inclined to dislike and avoid.

Of course our motivation to obey doesn’t need any other explanation other than God said so… But God is gracious and He gives us not only commands but reasons why we should obey Him.

We saw that we are commanded to PRAY because prayer for all people aligns our hearts with God’s heart.

This morning we are going to see three more reasons why we ought to obey God’s command to pray for all people but they all flow from that first reason. Namely that God’s heart is to care for not just a select few in a geographic location but rather is for the nations.

With that in mind, the next reason we must pray is,

Man’s greatest need can only be met in Christ

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. 

We are commanded to pray all kinds of prayers for all people because people’s greatest needs are not getting rid of certain leaders by force or by vote.… not by making better policy decisions or being a better person.

People’s greatest need is not finding a religion that suits them or better circumstances or a better upbringing…

People’s greatest need is not a better bank account, a better body, or more friends…

People’s greatest need is salvation from God’s just wrath… And there is only ONE who can afford to pay for such a need.

It was probably very easy for the Ephesians to wish harm upon the rulers rather than pray for and share the gospel with them…

What’s interesting about the Ephesians, is that they were believing a type of Hyper Calvinism. They didn’t feel the need nor desire to pray for all people. They were comfortable keeping to themselves and wishing harm on the evil and vile people that were in the culture. Oftentimes the most vile were those in political office. Which I think is one of the main reasons Paul commands them to PRAY for them right after he told them to pray for all.

But more importantly, verse 4 highlights that praying for all people reflects the expansive heart of God which includes the whole world, not just a small group of people in a geographic location or folks that are decent people.

I appreciate what William Mounce says about verses 1-7, he writes,

“Prayer, therefore, is not the topic of this paragraph but rather the stage upon which Paul bases his teaching on the topic of salvation. Prayer is the context, salvation the content.” Mounce

And so, salvation is Man’s greatest need.

It does men no good to be prayed for if their salvation is an after thought.

(REPEAT)

For, life is but a breath but Hell is forever. The Ephesians lived in a culture where praying to the gods was common. In fact praying to only ONE would have been weird, unless they were praying to Caesar.

Here, Paul not only commands Christians to only pray to God, he declares that there is only one God.

This would’ve been an offensive comment. There was a time in history where Christians were called atheists because they denied all the other gods.

Paul also declared there is only ONE way to be saved. And that is through Jesus. Sin separates us from God. Therefore, as sinners the only thing that we deserve is eternal punishment for our rebellion against the Holy and Eternal God. And The only way to get out of such a predicament is NOT just God snapping his fingers. No one, not even an atheist, would be ok with a judge snapping his fingers and declaring a guilty murderer innocent. Especially if that murdered killed someone they loved.

In order for us to stand before a holy God and live and even more than that to enjoy fellowship with Him forevermore is at least 2 things.

We need a Mediator.

Gotquestions.org defines a mediator as “one who acts as an intermediary to work with opposing sides in order to bring about a settlement. A mediator attempts to influence a disagreement between two parties with the goal of resolving a dispute.”

Putting our hope and trust in Jesus means that we are trusting Him to represent us and produce a favorable outcome before the Holy God who demands justice. And justice says that since we have rebelled against the eternal and holy God who made us, we deserve eternal damnation. But Jesus steps in and becomes our Mediator. But even more than He becomes something more.

Which leads us to the other need.

b. We need our sins to be paid for. If they aren’t we will have to pay for them for all eternity. We need our ransom paid.

i. Again, gotquestions.org defines ransom as something that is paid to provide for the release of someone who is held captive. Jesus paid our ransom to free us from sin, death, and hell.

ii. Jesus not only pays our ransom. He becomes our ransom. His death on the cross, Him absorbing the full force of God’s holy and just wrath for our sin is Him paying our ransom. And His resurrection declares that the check cashed!

Looking back at verses 5-6… Did you notice the contrast of the words ONE and ALL as well as Paul repeating the word “all.”

Jesus and His atonement on the cross is the only hope for the world. And it is the greatest need that all people have. And the thing is … God did not have to meet that need. God could have turned aside from our rebellion. But God who is rich in mercy made a way.

So why should we PRAY for the well being of ALL people? Because it aligns our hearts with God’s & because it acknowledges people’s greatest need.

We also see that we should pray for the well being of all people because

We Join God in His Activity in the World

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.”

God doesn’t save us to sit… He saves us and sends us into the world in His name with His message with His power. And the power behind all that we do is communion with God by His Spirit in prayer.

And as we see in verse 4, God’s desire is that all would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Man’s greatest need is being saved and coming to the knowledge of the truth. And Christ is the ONLY way to such a salvation…

And the good news of the gospel is that God delights to save sinners… So much so that He sent His only Son to pay the penalty for sinners who trust in Christ’s atoning sacrifice for sin and treasure Him above all.

2Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

And one of the ways He brings sinners to repentance is through the prayers of His people!

Do you remember the Westminster Catechism answer to what prayer is?

"Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies."

Let’s zero in on things agreeable to His will. A common refrain in our prayers ought to be, NOT MY WILL BUT YOURS BE DONE. But also, there should be a practice of reminding God of His promises. Not because He is forgetful but because PRAYER is an act of making requests agreeable to His will.

For example, in Exodus 32:11,13, Moses cries out to God, “Lord, why does your anger burn against your people you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand? . . . Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel — you swore to them by yourself and declared, “I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and will give your offspring all this land that I have promised, and they will inherit it forever.”

This reminds me of when I tell the kids about some fun plan that I have that involves them. Once they hear the about the plan, they feel an incessant need to remind me and to make sure I haven’t forgot.

Well God doesn’t forget. But we are still called to pray prayers agreeable to His will. And what we know is that God’s will is to save sinners… And since we know that His love is boundless and His mission is to display His glory by rescuing rebellious sinners from destruction, then we must PRAY for the lost. How often do you do this?

Do you pray for the lost more than getting frustrated and desiring their demise because they are acting lost?

Brothers and sisters. Christ has saved us and sent us into the world NOT to do whatever we feel like . But rather, to join Him in His activity in the world aligning our hearts with His by making requests for God to meet man’s greatest need.

This is why we ought to prayer.

The last reason we must pray is that

Prayer Produces Kingdom Results

8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

When we pray for others, especially those that who are difficult to love, the kingdom result is

God softens our heart for those people.

The very act of prayer is an act of compassion and love.

Here, Paul says that rather than arguing with clenched fists, they ought to lift holy hands in prayer.

Brothers and sisters, it is hard to get or remain bitter toward someone that we are actively praying for their well being and thanking God for them and their role in our lives.

For example: Let’s say you have a difficult boss. You might pray, “Lord… I am really having a hard time with this person. I feel like they are selfish, rude, and incompetent. But whether or not that is true, you have given me a job to do and a source of income to provide for me and my family. So thank you for so&so. Thank you for the opportunity to learn patience and forgiveness. Thank you for the opportunity to be a light in this person’s life. Thank for the opportunity to display the power and love of God before coworkers who are also struggling with this boss. If this person is in Christ, please pour out conviction for their sin. Draw them to yourself. You promise to give wisdom to those who ask in faith. I ask for wisdom for this person as well as for me navigating when and how to say something when it is necessary. I pray your blessing over their family. Over the business. If he or she is not in Christ, save them. For your word says that you desire that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Jesus you died to saved sinners. Please save so&so. That they might find the peace that they are trying to find in this job, their success, or their family. Do that which only you can do. And do that which you love to do. Save. In Jesus name amen.

So prayer produces softened hearts toward people because prayer involves spending time with God. And when we spend time with God, we are changed.

Time with God doesn’t produce arrogance… It produces a fresh awareness that the same mercy and grace the people who've made us angry need is the same mercy and grace that we need to love difficult people.

And when we pray prays like this, God softens our heart toward people.

PRAYER also changes the hearts of those around us.

Look back in verse 2 where it says that we ought to pray for kings and all those in high places that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 

If we pray for corrupt leaders, at the very least, God may grant favor among them that we might lead the kind of life that would not be encumbered by governmental hostility.

I can’t tell you how many lost friends that I have had favor with over the years as a result of loving them, and praying for and over them. This is even despite their disagreements with me on matters of eternity. Names just flood my heart and mind.

So In other words, Prayer can open doors of gospel opportunities that prayerlessness will not.

So, if prayer softens our hearts... when we don’t pray for the lost, our hearts grow cold. And a cold heart toward people never promotes trust or opportunities…

Prayer also aligns our hearts and attention on what God is doing rather than being distracted with ourselves, our frustrations or the things of this world.

When we begin praying for the lost, we adjust our minds and hearts to people’s need to hear the gospel. What this means is that prayer increases our pursuit of sharing the good news of Christ.

So prayer softens hearts and prepares the way of the gospel.

It is so easy for us to be so fixated on what we want to do with our day. Or fixated on how someone hurt us.

But when we focus on Christ and His priorities... like praying for the wellbeing of ALL… we begin seeking reconciliation rather than excuses for bitterness or seeking revenge. We begin seeking to serve others rather than seeking to be served. We PRAY rather than stew. We speak the gospel to ourselves and others rather than talk about ourselves or not talk at all.

PRAYER for all, especially the lost produces gospel advancement.

Paul tells us that PRAYERS of ALL Kinds are to be offered for ALL. And this is of first importance for the church in getting back on track .

So for us…

Do we want to see the lost saved in the world?

Do we want to see change in our government?

Do we want justice to increase in our corrupt world?

Do we desire to live peaceful and quiet lives so that the gospel will be shared without hinderance?

Do we want to avoid living a life of arguing and anger?

Do we desire to have hearts aligned with God’s heart?

Paul tells us then, to pray all kinds of prayers for all people.

What we have seen this morning is that God not only delights to save, He delights to use the prayers of His people to accomplish His mission of spreading His expansive love to all who will turn from sin and treasure Christ.

It is not limited to a nationality or a certain personality. ALL sinners have been invited to the table.

So let us be a people of prayer.

Let us be quick to pray for even those who have harmed us . That God would bring them under conviction and save them as they did you, as they did Paul, an enemy to the church.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, join God in His mission in the world by praying prayers that align with God’s heart, trusting that He has given us this means of grace to enjoy His presence and display his power and love in the world through His people and His salvation.

Let us PRAY all kinds of prayer for all people.

Let us pray.

Father, help us to be a people of prayer. A people who pray not only for those who are close to us. Not only for those who we like or who like us.

Help us to pray all kinds of prayers for all people. For governmental leaders who are sinful and saintly alike. For those who have harmed us and for those we have harmed.

Produce an environment in this place that is conducive to the spread of the gospel.

May prosperity and favor fall upon us that your name might be lifted high.

May our lives exemplify NOT only the priorities of the kingdom but embody the heart and power of Your kingdom.

God we want to live a life pleasing to you!

Thank you Jesus for standing in the gap and being our mediator.

For paying the debt we could not and will never be able to pay.

Holy Spirit, lead your church to be a praying church… Continue to grow within us courage and passion for YOUR name not ours. For the lost to be saved not condemned…

Help us to be increasingly marked by the gospel rather than a people marked by an argumentative spirit, bitterness, gossip, harshness , people pleasing, fear and slander…

May the world look on and see Your power, Your love, Your grace and Your unity in the men, women and children of the church. In Jesus name Amen.

Communion

For all who are in Christ, As we come to the Table today…

We come, not only to receive…

but to remember.

To celebrate.

And to proclaim.

Paul told Timothy:

Pray for all people.

Because God desires that all would be saved

and come to the knowledge of the truth.

So this meal —

this bread and this cup —

is not just a personal moment.

It’s a gospel moment.

We REMEMBER Jesus —

the One Mediator between God and man.

Who gave Himself as a ransom.

Not just for us…

but for all.

He stood in the gap.

He paid our debt.

He brought us peace.

As we take the elements, We also CELEBRATE Grace.

Undeserved, unstoppable,

blood-bought grace.

We were once far off —

but now, we are family.

We lift holy hands —

not clenched fists,

not angry hearts —

but hands of surrender and gratitude.

And we PROCLAIM that Jesus Christ

is the hope of the world.

The ransom for every tribe and nation.

The Savior of sinners —

even the ones we avoid,

even the ones we fear.

This meal says:

There is still mercy.

There is still time.

There is still a seat at the table.

So today, as you eat and drink…

pray for the lost.

Forgive the enemy.

Celebrate the ransom.

And lift up your hearts to the One who saves.

And s we eat and drink let us remember, celebrate and proclaim Christ’s body broken for the broken, His blood spilt for the forgiveness of sins.