Sermon Notes - 1 Timothy 2:1-6 - Littleby Baptist Church at New Hope - April 23, 2023

 1.     The Pastoral Epistles are the letters that Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus.

a.      All three of these letters were written late in Paul’s ministry.

b.     Likely in the final handful of years of his life on earth.

c.      These letters are personal, from Paul to men that he saw as his sons in the Lord.

d.     They are also practical, meaning they guide us in things that we all deal with.

2.     Focusing on 1 Timothy.

3.     Early in the letter we see that Paul was encouraging Timothy to challenge those who were teaching false doctrines.

a.      1 Timothy 1:5-7

b.     Teaching the Word should come from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith.

c.      Teaching the Word should come from someone who is a follower of Christ Jesus.

d.     Not that we are perfect, but that we are submitting to God and letting Him work in us.

e.      Timothy had his work cut out for him as he stood his ground on the Word of God.

4.     Paul also talks about how Christ Jesus has strengthened him and appointed or called him to the ministry.

a.      1 Timothy 1:15-16

b.     Christ came to save.

c.      He saved Paul and used him to be an example for others, for us.

d.     God uses flawed people like Paul and like those of us here tonight to be an example for others.

e.      As people see the change in our lives, they see God at work.

f.      When this happens, people see us as an example of what God is capable of.

5.     Paul finishes the first chapter of 1 Timothy encouraging his son in the faith to fight.

a.      1 Timothy 1:18-19

b.     Paul was saying that things were not going to be easy.

c.      When Timothy was doubting himself or what was going on, Paul was trying to encourage him.

d.     Paul wanted Timothy to know that even when he was struggling, that God was with him.

e.      He was reminding Timothy about how God has worked in his life in the past.

f.      For Timothy it was specifically about prophesies that were foretold about him.

g.     I would expect it to be simpler than that.

h.     Timothy could remember that he was saved, bathed in the blood of Christ, that God has been molding and shaping him. 

i.       Those are truths that we can hold on to when things get rough.

j.       The more we remember what God has done in our lives, the stronger we stand on His Word.

6.     None of this is easy or things we can accomplish all on our own, which is why we need to talk to our God. 

7.     1 Timothy 2:1

a.      Prayer is fundamentally one of if not the most important thing we are to do as followers of our Jesus.

b.     Prayer should be the first step we take when we are facing false teachings.

c.      Talking to our God helps us to receive the strength we need to carry out the mission our God has given us.

d.     Prayer is the primary way we fight the good fight.

e.      Petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving are to be made for everyone.

f.      They are to be made for those who are teaching falsely.

g.     That are to be made for each of us as we let God use us each day as He shines His light through us to the world around us.

h.     They are to be made as we battle our own flesh as well as standing in the gap for others.

i.       Prayer is absolutely critical.

8.     1 Timothy 2:2

a.      Pray for everyone, such as those in authority over you.

b.     For Paul this would have included the Romans who imprisoned him, would have included the Jewish leaders who wanted him dead, it included everyone.

c.      Luke 6:27-28

d.     These are the Words of Christ.

e.      We are to pray for those who mistreat us.

f.      There is no limit to who we are to pray for.

g.     As we pray for others to see the Truth and know that they need Jesus as their Savior… a couple of things happen.

h.     Our God hears our prayers and works in them.

i.       We do not always see the results we desire, but we are to have faith that God is at work.

j.       Another thing that comes from praying for others is that we develop compassion for those who may have hurt us.

k.     We begin to see them as God sees them.

l.       As we pray for the salvation of others, we tend to forgive them if they have hurt us.

m.   We tend to look for ways to help them see the truth instead of fighting them.

9.     1 Timothy 2:3-4

a.      2 peter 3:9 – Not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

b.     God wishes that none will perish.

c.      He wants all to come to a saving faith.

d.     Our prayers for everyone, especially those who have authority over us, are good and pleasing to our God.

e.      If prayer is a priority for us, prayers for the salvation of the lost should be at the top of our list.

f.      God wishes none to perish, so we need to be praying for them.

10.  1 Timothy 2:5-6

a.      There is only one God.

b.     There is only one way for us to reach our God, which is through our Lord Christ Jesus.

c.      Who as man and God, sacrificed Himself for us.

d.     He paid our debt.

e.      He paid the ultimate price in order to save ALL.

f.      He died for all to bring salvation to all.

g.     We need to be praying for those that Jesus died for.

h.     Which means we need to be praying for each and every person in our lives.

i.       We need to pray for our loved ones.

j.       We need to pray for our friends and coworkers.

k.     We need to pray for those who wish us ill.

11.  2 Timothy 2:24-26

a.      As followers of our Lord we are to approach those who are against us a certain way.

b.     We are not to quarrel with them.

c.      No Facebook arguments to convince them we are right.

d.     We are to be gentle as we patiently make our case.

e.      We are to teach them about Jesus.

f.      In hope that they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil.

g.     For that to happen, there has to be a lot more at work than our words.

h.     We are insufficient.

i.       We cannot change their hearts.

j.       We need God at work in us and in those we are ministering to.

k.     John 14:6

l.       The only way to the Father is through Jesus.

m.   The only way to be drawn away from the devil is through the power of God.

n.     How does that happen in our lives and the lives of those around us?

o.     Through prayer.

12.  Ephesians 1:17-19

a.      Pray these verses over yourself and those you are praying for.

b.     May God give us and those we are praying for Wisdom and Revelation.

c.      Pray that their heart may see the truth about the Hope we have in Jesus.

13.  As we pray for those who do not know Jesus, pray for God to give them the wisdom and revelation they need.

14.  Pray that their hearts are open to the Truth of Jesus that will set them free.

15.  Pray that they see that they need Jesus before it is too late.