THANKSGIVING – Nov. 28, 2019 – 1 Tim. 2:1-4
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from 1 Tim. 2. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- You heard, in the Old Testament reading, just how God blessed the children of Israel in the wilderness, and how He was going to bless them in the promised land. He fulfilled His promises and Israel became a great, mighty, and wealthy nation.
- That such blessings might continue, God urged His people to heed His Word – that they might live in reverence for His love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation, and might humbly walk in His ways. This is what pleases God – and helps His kingdom grow.
- We might consider how God has also blessed us! We too live in a land of plenty, and have been privileged to accumulate much! Truly “we lack nothing,” and are able to “eat and be full.” So we too should “bless the Lord Your God for the good land He has given you,” and we should live in reverent faith in His gracious love, and seek to walk in His ways.
- Our text lays out important points that provide us with all that we need “SO THAT WE MAY PLEASE THE LORD.” First, and most importantly:
I. We Are To See God’s Desire And Will
A. That All Should Be Saved
Text: “God wills all people to be saved.”
B. That All People Might Know The Truth
Text: “God wills all people . . . to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Statement: God is love. He loves all people immensely, in spite of the darkness and enormity of our sin. He has provided us with forgiveness, life, and eternal salvation in the gift of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of His love, and because of the great sacrifice that He made for all people on the cross, He wills for all people to take advantage of His love. It is simple to do so – a matter of simple acceptance of His gift, His love, and His salvation, believing His Word and promise!
Application: God knows that when this happens, when a person comes to the knowledge of the truth of His love and His gift of salvation, great things begin to happen. Such people are “reoriented and recommitted” to living lives that are “godly and dignified in every way.” That means love is growing, and this is good for everyone! Sure, we still fall into sin, but we repent, and once again take up the commitment to “go and sin no more.”
Transition: So, all of this is quite pleasing to God. It is of the utmost importance to God, because He loves us and every human being. And everything that we are encouraged to do in this text corresponds to this will of God. And so we are urged to:
II. Behave In Keeping With His Love And His Pleasure
A. By Praying For All People
Text: “ First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.”
1. Supplications are requests for things needed
2. Prayers are all necessary correspondence with God for the greater good
3. Intercessions are pleas for mercy or grace or deliverance for people in imminent danger
4. Thanksgivings are just that: giving thanks for all people, for what each individual contributes to the common good
B. By Praying Also For Those In Earthly Government
Romans 13:1,3,4 “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. . . . rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good.”
1. We pray for good government so that we may have safe and pleasant surroundings
Text: “I urge that prayers be made . . . for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.”
2. We pray for good government so that we are allowed and encouraged to live godly and dignified lives of goodness and reverence for God
Text: “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.”
Statement: God answers prayer, especially the prayers of His dear children. So as we pray He answers, and as He answers we get what we desire and what He desires for us!
In this we are richly blessed, and this should be our highest ambition – to be blessed in accordance with what is pleasing to God!
Again, He has already blessed us with abundance in this earthly life. He has provided us with forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus! Surely we are moved and compelled to “bless the Lord Your God for the good land He has given you,” and to have reverent faith in His gracious love, and to commit ourselves to walk in His ways. God grant what is pleasing to Him, to each of us, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep you hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.