SF388 - PRAY FOR THE PRESIDENT (1 Timothy 2 1-4)
1 Timothy 2:1‑4
INTRODUCTION
A Call To Prayer
Why should we pray for our leaders?
Biblical Examples
Moses prayed for Pharaoh
Ø Exodus 5 ‑ When Pharaoh had increased the work load Moses interceded with God on behalf of the people in effect he asked God to change Pharaoh heart.
Samuel prayed for David
Ø 1 Samuel 16:1‑12 ‑ Samuel anoints David King.
Jesus on the Cross
Ø "Father forgive them..."
Paul Calls Us To Prayer For Our Leaders, Notice...
1A. THE NECESSITY OF OUR PRAYERS
1B. Necessary Because of the Seriousness of the Situation
Ø Paul was in a Roman prison awaiting trial and eventually death.
Sense of Urgency
Ø "Exhort " = push, urge
Ø The time to pray is now!
Statement of Priority
Ø "First of all" = emphasis is on the importance of prayer ‑ not an order of service.
Ø We have discredited prayer.
Ø We must return to a priority on prayer.
2B. Necessary Because of the Stature of the Subjects
Romans 13:1-3 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
Universal - "every soul"
Ø Not personally motivated
Ø We do not have the privilege of choosing to pray only for those we like.
Unconditional - "governing authorities” = secular leaders
Ø Not politically motivated
Ø Do not try to identify with a party ‑ stand on principles
2A. THE NATURE OF OUR PRAYERS
1B. Supplications - desire, need
Our prayers should come out our realization of our need for God.
2B. Prayers
General word used for prayer, ‑ come to God in worship and reverence
We are to worship God when we pray ‑ not just ask for our way.
3B. Intercessions
To draw near to a person and converse confidently with him
Childlike confidence
4B. Thanksgiving
Giving God credit for what He has done no matter what the circumstances
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
We all have it better than we deserve
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
Not being thankful is a sin
2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3A. THE NEED FOR OUR PRAYERS
1B. For Our Good (2:2)
Paul describes the type of life this will produce...
Settled life
Ø "Quite" = inward peace ‑ composed, discreet, self‑contained
Ø Peace with yourself and God
Peaceful life
Ø "Peace" = absence of outward disturbances
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people…
Ø Peace among God's people
Spirit controlled life
Ø "Godliness" = a manner of life that properly reverences God
Exemplary life
Ø "Reverence" = that quality of life which entitles one to respect among men.
2B. For God's Glory (2:3)
God says this is good
Ø "Good" = beautiful, excellent
Pleases God
Ø Why ‑ because it involves faith
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him...
3B. For Man's Salvation (2:4)
God's will - "Desires all men to be saved"
Ø Not the normal word used to express God’s purpose, instead it describes His desire.
Ø Speaks of God’s mercy and exercised toward all men.
Ezekiel 33:11 "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'
God's way - "Come to a knowledge of the truth"
Ø "Knowledge" = precise and accurate knowledge
Ø This is full knowledge that can only come from being "in" the truth
Ø Jesus is the truth (John 14:6)
APPLICATION
We Must Pray For Our Leaders
Earnestly ‑ necessity
Honestly ‑ nature
Purposely ‑ need
Can You Pray?
You Cannot Pray To Someone You Do Not Know
Will You Pray?