How to live a quiet life

Psalm 113 / 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Mind Your Appointment - v7

Timothy’s Struggle

Mixed ethnicity

Acts 16:1-3 “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.”

His youth

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Paul’s Struggle

2 Corinthians 11:5 “Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.”

1 Timothy 2:7 “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.”

Our Struggle

Ignorance of our calling? - We are called to be witnesses in every aspect of our lives

Misunderstanding of our calling? - We are NOT the Holy Spirit

Fear / Anxiety / Doubt over our calling? - Like Gideon, Moses, & Timothy

God’s Will - v3-6

All People (v3-4)

Revelation 7:9-10 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!””

This is the end result of a Sovereign God who has said, “I will bring it to pass.”

The once for all sacrifice of Christ Jesus is sufficient for every human that ever was or will be born, and efficacious for everyone who believes the gospel

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus is the proof (v5-6)

The proof that this is God’s over-riding desire, namely to rescue lost men, women, and children, is that He sent Jesus; His only begotten Son

This testimony is confirmed in us, and is our strength (v6)

When God’s people meditate on Holy Scripture, or hear the gospel themselves, or also see the gospel visibly displayed (as is the case in Holy Communion) there is an inner confirmation from God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit that the gospel is true, and is directly sent from the Heavenly Throne Room; THIS is God’s will!

Not only that, but the testimony of Jesus is how we point others to salvation, AND how we overcome the enemy!

Revelation 12:11 “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

1 Timothy 2:4 “[God] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Prayer, Intercession, and Thanksgiving - v1-2

Flowing from the will of God, is the plan of God for the People of God, which results in a great experience of peace.

When we set our minds on God’s will, and the benefit to others we no longer have as much time and thought about the sufferings of this life.

Pray

It was Jesus’ practice. It is commanded for us. God promises to hear

Pray FOR others - for their well-being, for their salvation, for their peace

Interceed

Go to God on others’ behalf

Intercession usually necessitates a knowledge of needs

Think Abraham & Moses & Job & the role of the priests

Be Thankful

FOR the people in your life; even those in authority over you, for it is God’s will

FOR the lasting offer of salvation for them

FOR the grace of God in the lives of others

Church Family, as we observe Holy Communion today, let us be mindful of our divine appointment: let us rejoice in your good will; let us partake in faith, knowing that this participation IS a reminder of the gospel to us as well as a visible witness to others.