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The Will Of God
Introduction:
In verses one and two, Paul
exhorted that prayers should be offered for all men, including civil
authorities. The desired result was a world of calm, serenity, and
peace, one conducive to spreading the gospel to all men.
Text: 1 Timothy 2: 3-7
Body:
1.
the mission; Verses 3-4
Verse 3: points back to the previous 2 verses. It is
good and acceptable in God's sight for us to pray for all men, right
and pleasing. God sometimes uses wicked rulers to accomplish his
purpose.
Verse 4 reveals a divine mission. God desires all men
to be saved (2 Peter 3: 9). Of course, this does not mean that all
men will be saved. Christ revealed that the great majority will be
lost in Matthew 7: 13, 14. This is not what God wants. This shows
his great compassion. We need to show the same love by telling
others the good news, or as God says, the truth of the gospel.
Paul says one must come to a knowledge of the truth
to be saved, james 1: 21. One must comprehend the word of God and
then continue to grow in knowledge of the truth.
2.
The mediator: verse 5
A mediator is one who stands between two parties who
are in disagreement with the goal of reconciling them. In the case
of Jesus, he is the mediator between God and man. E is the only one
capable of fulfilling this role. Man separated himself from God
because of sin. Isaiah 59: 2 says your iniquities have separated you
from your god. Reconciliation is needed. Note the words of Paul in
2nd Corinthians 5:18-20. Christ is the perfect mediator, for he is
sympathetic to both sides. Since he is divine, he understands
heaven's case; having lived on earth as a man, he understands the
struggles with sin man undergoes, Hebrews 2:17, 18 and Hebrews 4:14,
15. Thus, Jesus is the only one qualified to be a mediator. He is
able to approach both parties on an equal footing. So he is able to
mediate for all men, even the most wicked Sinner may come to God
through Christ and be saved.
3.
The method: Verse 6
A ransom is the price paid to buy back a slave or a
prisoner. Man had sold himself into captivity to the devil through
sin. Jesus said to the question in Mark 10:45 that he came to give
his life a ransom for many. He further said that this sacrifice was
of his own choosing, John 10: 17-18. This one ransom was paid for
all men, Hebrews 2:9, he tasted death for everyone. All who Christ’s
death has ransomed should remember every day that they were bought
at a price, 1 Corinthians 6: 20
To be testified in due time is the same phrase Paul
used in Titus 1: 3. This testimony about Christ and his sacrifice on
the cross as a ransom is to be given throughout the Christian age
until he comes again.
4.
The messenger: Verse 7
Paul's part in God's plan for man's redemption was
that he was appointed a preacher, apostle, and teacher of the
Gentiles. He was a preacher, herald, and proclaimer. A herald had to
repeat strictly and accurately what he had been told. Note the words
of Romans 10: 13-15. Paul is to teach the gospel to all men, which
includes the Gentiles. He was to instruct men how they were to walk
in faith and truth.
5.
Conclusion:
It is the will of God that all man be saved; that is
his desire. Christ is the mediator between God and man; the means of
reconciling the two, Christ paid the ransom so that everyone,
however sinful, can enjoy salvation. And the gospel proclaims this
good news to all men. This extends only to those who believe in
Jesus as their risen savior, repentance, confess and are immersed in
water for sin's forgiveness.
Sermon prepared by Bobby
Stafford
March 29, 2020
Prepared by Bobby Stafford
The church of Christ at Granby,
MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
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https://granbychurchofchrist.org/
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