In His Service

                                   The Mediator for All People  1 Tim. 2:5-7 In christology, the study of Christ, is the doctrine of Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross. He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29), the propitiation and atonement for sins, and many more doctrinal attributes are attributed to Him. Paul brings us to Christ being the mediator (high priest), the only one who could represent God to men and men to God, and to bring reconciliation between God the Father and mankind. (John 14:6, Heb.8:3-6) So let’s look at the first portion of our text, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.”  Paul instructs and reviews with Timothy and the church in Ephesus on Jesus’  high priest’s role in heaven.  First, he affirms the oneness of God known to the Israelites from the beginning, “He...

  Pray For All 1 Tim. 2:1-4 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Paul switches now to the heart of God, his creation, all mankind. This includes all mankind and its authorities, even those that hate Jesus and christians. They ruled over believers as overlords. “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them].” (Matt. 20:25) So let’s look at the first portion of the text. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peace...

  Preach the Word of God 1 Tim. 1:18-20 TImothy was commanded to confront those who spread false doctrine. For it didn’t advance the gospel of Jesus Christ, but led those with itching ears to arguments, meaningless talk, controversies, and speculations. (v.4) It wasn’t an easy task, but as Paul would later tell Timothy,   “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline...Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situati...