The Will Of God

Introduction:

In verses one and two, Paul exhorted prayers to be offered for all men, including civil authorities. The desired result was an environment of calm 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 & pleasing. God sometimes uses wicked rulers to accomplish his purpose.

(Verse 4 ) Here, the divine mission is revealed: God's desire is for all men to be saved ( 2 Peter 3: 9 ), but this does not mean that all men will be saved. Christ revealed that the great majority will be lost (Matthew 7: 13, 14). This is not what god wants. He loves the souls of all men, even those who are wicked. This shows his great compassion. We must show the same love by telling them the good news- or, as Galatians 2: 5 puts it, “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 the knowledge of the truth.

2.  The mediator (verse 5 )

a mediator stands between two parties who are in disagreement to reconcile them. In the case of Jesus, he is the mediator between God and man (Hebrews 9: 11- 15). Jesus is the only one capable of fulfilling this role. Man separated himself from God because of sin (Isaiah 59: 2). Reconciliation is needed. Note the words of 2 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 our struggles with the sin man undergoes. (Hebrews 2: 17, 18 and Hebrews 4: 14, 15) thus, Jesus is the only one qualified to be a mediator. He can approach both parties on equal footing. So, he can mediate for all men; even the most wicked Sinner may come to God through Christ and be saved.

3.  The method (verse 6)

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 in Mark 10:45 that he had come to give his life as a ransom for many. He further said that his sacrifice was if his choosing (John 10: 17- 18 ). This one ransom was paid for all men “tasted death for everyone” (Hebrews 2: 9). 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.” The same phrase is 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)

God's part in God's plan for man's redemption was that he was appointed a preacher, apostle, and teacher of the Gentiles. Preacher means a herald, a proclaimer. A herald had to repeat strictly and accurately what he had been told. Note the words Romans 10: 13-15. Paul was to teach the gospel to all men, including the Gentiles. He was to instruct men on how they were to walk in faith and in truth.

Conclusion:

It is God's will that all men be saved; that is his desire. Christ is a mediator between God and man, the means of reconciling them both. Christ paid the ransom price so that anyone, however sinful, can enjoy salvation. The gospel proclaims this good news to all men. If one believes in Jesus as the risen savior, repents, confesses, and is immersed, he can be saved from his sins.

Sermon prepared by Bobby Stafford

January 26, 2024

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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