With Good Intent

With Good Intent

1 Timothy 2:1-7 (NIV)

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

I.         Introduction: Exclusivist attitudes are not in the will of God. He has good intentions to all men, wanting all to come to faith. We do not dare put on airs, or give the impression we are better than others. We are the church because of God’s grace, not because of anything we have done. If we write off people because we think they are too bad, we are working outside the will of God. No person can say God intends them harm. Just the opposite is true.

II.       God's Pleasure: Prayer for All

A.      Prayer That is Extended to All

B.       Prayer That is Beneficial to All

III.     God’s Desire: Salvation for All

A.      That All Men be Saved

B.       That All Men Know the Truth

IV.     God’s Gift: Christ for All

A.      A Mediator (One of a Kind)

B.       A Ransom (Paying the Price)

C.       A Testimony (Perfect Timing)

V.       God’s Outreach: A Message for All

A.      Proclaiming Christ

B.       Passing On the Faith

VI.     Conclusion: After God has instructed His people to pray; after He has expressed His desire for everyone to be save; after He has sent His son to be a Ransom for those sold into sin; and even after He has sent out a network of messengers worldwide to make His invitation known, there are those who still reject Him.