“First Focus on Prayer”

Spiritual Leadership in the Church Series

1 Tim 2:1-15

 

THEME: the church is to conduct its services with order.

RELEVANCE: “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40) is a basic principle for the conduct of the ministry of the church. Apparently, young Timothy was having some problems applying this principle to the assemblies in Ephesus. The public worship services were losing their order and effectiveness because both the men and the women members of the church were disobeying God’s Word.

 INTRODUCTION:

The church is an organism,” a pastor said, “so we shouldn’t put too much emphasis on organization. We should allow the Spirit to have freedom.”

“But if an organism is disorganized,” I submit, “it will die. Yes, I agree that we must permit the Spirit to have freedom, but even the Holy Spirit is not free to disobey the Word of God.”

Often, what we think is the “freedom of the Spirit” are the carnal ideas of some Christian who is not walking in the Spirit. Eventually this “freedom” becomes anarchy, and the Spirit grieves as a church gradually moves away from the standards of God’s Word.

To counteract this tendency, Paul exhorted the men and women in the church and reminded them of their spiritual responsibilities. Paul's urge, “I exhort therefore,” echoed his original mission for Timothy (1:3). False teaching had to be challenged, and right actions needed to be reinforced.

MESSAGE:

I. The Call to Order Regarding Prayer—Men (1 Tim. 2:1–8)

It is generally agreed that this passage has to do with public prayer, although there is nothing in it that would not be equally applicable to one’s private devotional life.

A. The Priority Of Prayer (V. 1a).

Paul placed primary importance on prayer; thus he addressed this issue first of all.

1. “First Of All” Indicates That Prayer Is Most Important In The Public Worship Of The Church.

a.                      It is sad to see how prayer has lost importance in many churches. “If I announce a banquet,” a pastor said, “people will come out of the woodwork to attend. But if I announce a prayer meeting, I’m lucky if the ushers show up!” 

b.                      Not only have the special meetings for prayer lost prominence in most local churches, but even prayer in the public services is greatly minimized. Many pastors spend more time on the announcements than they do in prayer!

c.                      The late Peter Deyneka, Sr., founder of the Slavic Gospel Association, often reminded me: “Much prayer, much power! No prayer, no power!”

2. Prayer Was As Much A Part Of The Apostolic Ministry As Preaching The Word.

a.      Acts 6:4, But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

b.     Yet some pastors spend hours preparing their sermons, but never prepare their public prayers. Consequently, their prayers are routine, humdrum, and repetitious. I am not suggesting that a pastor write out every word and read it, but that he think through what he will pray about. This will keep “the pastoral prayer” from becoming dull and a mere repetition of what was “prayed” the previous week.

c.      The local church does not pray because it is the expected thing to do; it prays because prayer is vital to the life of the local church. The Holy Spirit works in the church through prayer and the Word of God (1 Thess 2:13; Eph 3:20-21). The church that prays will have power and will make a lasting impact for Christ.

·       1 Thes. 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

·       Ephes. 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, [21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

d.     Note how the believers in Acts turned to prayer and overcame their enemies. Paul exhorts us to pray - it is important!

3. But The Church Members (Men) Also Need To Be Prepared To Pray.

a.      Our hearts must be right with God and with each other.

b.     We must really want to pray, and not pray simply to please people (as did the Pharisees, Matt. 6:5), or to fulfill a religious duty.

c.      When a local church ceases to depend on prayer, God ceases to bless its ministry.

B. The Variations Of Prayer (V. 1b).

• There are at least seven different Greek nouns for “prayer,” and four of them are used here.

• The different words used for prayer focus not only on different types of prayer, but also on the beautiful scope of prayer -- that we can come to God with requests, needs, and desires for ourselves and for others.

1. Supplications.

                     a. This carries the idea of “offering a request for a felt need.”

         b. In modern usage, supplication has the thought of strong and earnest pleading, but here the thought is more that of specific requests for specific needs.

2. Prayers.

a. This is a very general term for prayer activity, and it emphasizes the sacredness of prayer.

• We are praying to God; prayer is an act of worship, not just an expression of our wants and needs.
• There should be reverence in our hearts as we pray to God.

b. The word prayers covers all kinds of reverent approaches to God.

3. Intercessions refers to “petitions.”

a.  Intercessions describe those forms of petition in which we address God as our Superior in behalf of others.

b. This same word is translated “prayer” in 1 Timothy 4:5, where it refers to blessing the food we eat. (It is rather obvious that we do not intercede for our food in the usual sense of that word.)

c. The basic meaning is “to draw near to a person and converse confidently with him.” It suggests that we enjoy fellowship with God so that we have confidence in Him as we pray.

4. Giving of thanks.

a. This is definitely a part of worship and prayer. But often we forget the last word – thanksgivings. 

• We not only give thanks for answers to prayer, but for who God is and what He does for us in His grace.
• We should not simply add our thanksgiving to the end of a selfish prayer!

                        b. Thanksgiving should be an important ingredient in all of our prayers.

·       In practice as well as in teaching, Paul insisted that prayer should always include thanksgiving (see, for example, Eph 1:15-16; Phil 1:3-6; 4:6).

·       Romans 1:8-10 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. [9] For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; [10] Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

·       Many are good at asking God for action, but not very good at remembering to thank God for his answers.  We should rehearse the grace and kindness of our Lord, and pour out our hearts in gratitude to Him.

·       In fact, sometimes we need to imitate David and present to God only thanksgiving with no petitions at all! (see Ps. 103)

d.     “Prayer and supplication [petition] with thanksgiving” are a part of Paul’s formula for God’s peace in our hearts.

·       Philip. 4:6, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

e.      It is worth noting that Daniel, the great prayer-warrior, practiced this kind of praying.

·       Daniel 6:10-11, Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. [11] Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

·       We might summarize the verse by saying that in praying, we should be humble, worshipful, trustful, and thankful.   

CONCLUSION:

Men should seek to maintain an atmosphere of holiness and unity in the church (2:8).