The key passage in I Timothy is 3:14-15: I hope to
come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I
delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is
the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
First Timothy is God’s instruction manual for the conduct of the
church; how we are to live, pray, worship and serve in a way that lifts up the
truth of God for others to see and defends the truth against those who would
attack it.
This Sunday we will see how the church holds up the truth in the
way we pray and gather together for worship.
God desires order, peace, and
holiness in our lives, in our worship, and in our relationships within the
church. This reflects the order,
constancy, and righteous character of God.
God’s desire and design is that through the community of God’s people
his character would be revealed in the world.
Although it is counter-culture and politically incorrect, today’s
passage affirms that the witness of the gospel is best maintained as men and
women live and worship together as God intends.
This
week’s passage includes some verses that are among the most discussed and
debated (and hated by some) in all of Scripture. But as with all of God’s Word, humility is
required when we approach God in worship and when we hear from him through his
word.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is
humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.
(Isaiah 66:2)
As you
prepare for worship ask God to show you the pride that needs to be confessed
and ask him to grant you the humility he requires.
Paul’s
instructions to the Ephesian church address the centrality of prayer in their
gatherings. These prayers are to be
centered on God’s heart for the lost. We
are to pray for the lost because God loves the lost of this world and does not
want to see men perish in their sin. This is good, and it is
pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and
to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
We are
to offer up prayers of thanksgiving because God has graciously made a way for
the lost to be saved. For there is one God, and
there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave
himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
When we gather together for worship
we are to lift up prayers and songs of praise for the God who is gracious,
merciful and worthy of our praise: To the King of the ages, immortal,
invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy
1:17)
Finally, Men, don't overlook this
important point: God’s word specifically commands the men of the church to take
the lead in praying. “I desire then that in every place the men
should pray” (I Timothy 2:8). Guys,
carefully and prayerfully consider this as you personally prepare for
worship.
Speak O Lord will be one
of the hymns we sing this Sunday. Make
the lyrics your prayer as you prepare for worship.
Speak, O Lord, as
we come to You
to receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth,
plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of
Christ might be seen today,
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord,
and fulfill in us
all your purposes for Your glory.
Teach us, Lord,
full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts
and our attitudes
in the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith
to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power
that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Speak, O Lord,
and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged
from the dawn of time
that will echo down through eternity.
And by grace
we’ll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord,
till Your church is built,
And the earth is filled with Your glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment