Morning Moments

In chapter one of First Timothy the focus is upon Sound Doctrine. Chapter two takes us into an understanding of our Sacred Duty. And what is our sacred duty? To worship and work in the name of the Lord Jesus to the glory of God, the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Worship involves prayer and work involves people. Both are done privately and publicly.

When believers meet together it should be from the overflow of a personal fellowship with the Lord. We are not to assemble ourselve together just to "get" something, but also to give something - to participate and not just spectate. It is one reason we have dog and pony shows and three ring circuses. If we are not "experiencing God" we must be entertained. The truth is that God moved in the early Church because they came together "in one accord" for corporate worship.

In the early Church the offerings were for ministry to the poor and needy and missions outreach to the world - that is the WORK. Timothy was also to learn and teach the guidelines of public WORSHIP. Public worship is the overflow of private worship.

Opinions about both can lead to opposition and obstacles, so there must be Biblical guidelines for both. If we do not observe the Biblical guidelines of worship, services are either dead or disorderly. I have been in both.

When we worship and work according to Scripture we edify and evangelize, which fulfills the Great Commission. Let's begin with the fact that true worship involves prayer according to 1st Timothy 2:1-8 -

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
So Paul lays out the procedure - "Okay", he says, "here's what you do...PRAY. Now here's how you do it." There are two principles given in our text regarding the "how to" of public worship and prayer. One is regarding petitions as seen in the words "supplications, prayers, and intercessions."

The word "supplications" simply means requests. It does not indicate need, and can be made to man of God. Context indicates reference to God. The word "prayers" has a much narrower connotation, for it is always addressed to God. The word "intercessions" is still more restrictive for it conveys the idea of entering into a king's presence and submitting a petition directly to him.

We often use these words interchangably but the order of Paul is the order of a discipline mind. He goes from general to specific, from broad to narrow. Compare this to Jesus' High Priestly prayer in John 17.

Not only are we told to worship publicly in prayer through petitions, but also through praise. We discover that by the use of the word "giving of thanks." Once again, Paul tells us how to do what we are to do..."give thanks and make petitions."

Consider with me his words:

"All men" - that's PEOPLE - we have a responsibility to "ask" (supplicate) God (in prayer), and specifically "intercede" for everyone.

"Quiet and peaceable" - that's PURPOSE - It is how God wants us to live and pray. We are told by Paul in the Thessalonian letter to "study to be quiet". We are to seek peace and pursue it.

"Good and acceptable" - that's PROFIT - If we desire to live with God's approval and receive the benefits, then we must live with His approval.

"All...saved" - that's PARDON - will everyone be saved? Obviously not, but it is what God wants, and if that is what God wants then obviously it should be what we want.

If you dare, listen to prayer requests in most churches and you will find either prayer for the sick or prayer for God to bless the church so it will grow. Truth is our praying is very shallow and selfish..."give me, bless me, heal me". When have you heard someone pray, "Oh, God, I rejoice in this affliction and pray that you will use this to help me grow in grace and to be an example of saintly satisfaction in sharing in the sufferings of Christ"?

One more thing - Honestly, how often have we been in public "prayer meetings" and found ourselves thinking, "I wish he/she would get through so we can go home."

The Scripture will always clear our thinking about "sound doctrine" and "sacred duty" (to be continued - read chapter two).

Blessings!