E-Free Church - Gaylord Campus
How many of you know that we are in an interesting election year? Join us as we look at what the bible says our response should be as Christians to governmental authority even if we don't like it, even if we didn't vote for the person who got elected. It's important that we respond biblically to whatever happens on November 8th.
1 Timothy 2:1-7 NASB1995
The PRIORITY (v1)
“First of all” demonstrates that prayer should be a priority
Using the word “urge” instead of the word “command” shows that this topic is a passion of the Apostle Paul’s heart
Entreaties, prayers and petitions are synonymous with very little distinctions being seen in the meanings of the words
Thanksgiving should have a prominent place in our prayer lives
The PEOPLE (v1-2)
Generally, we are to pray for all men
We should pray for believers and unbelievers alike
We should pray for people near us and those far away
There is no example in Scripture of praying for the dead
Specifically, we are to pray for our governmental leaders
Like the command to submit to authorities (Romans 13), this is to be done in spite of who the leader is or what they are like
For the Christians Paul wrote to, their leader was Nero
The PRODUCT (v2-3)
It brings PEACE (v2)
It brings inner peace rather than fear and bitterness) even in times of upheaval and persecution
This peace allows us to live in a godly and dignified way in spite of our circumstances
It brings PLEASURE (v3)
Praying for our government authorities brings pleasure to God
Such a prayer is “acceptable before God”
PURPOSE (v4-7)
The WILL of God (v4)
God desires all men to be saved (2 Peter 3:9 teaches that is not God’s perfect will that anyone perish)
This obvious means that when we pray for governmental authorities, we are to pray for their salvation (1 John 5:14)
This does not mean that all men will be saved as salvation is dependent on their hearing the Gospel and putting in Christ
1 John 5:14 NASB1995
The WORK of Christ (v5-6)
Fact: There is one God
This was the central truth of the Old Testament
If there is only one God then he is God of all men
Fact: There is one mediator between man and God = Jesus
Fact: Jesus is our way to God because of the ransom he paid
Ransom = a price paid to free a slave
His death was on behalf of all
Fact: This is the clear testimony of God so it is obvious that we should pray for the salvation of our governmental leaders
The WITNESS of Paul (v7)
Paul’s calling was to be a messenger of this truth
Paul was a preacher = the herald of a king
Paul was an apostle = one sent with a special commission
Paul was a teacher = one who instructed
This truth was not just for Jews but also for Gentiles (many Jews felt the Gospel was only for them)