Fairmeadow Community Church of The Nazarene
September 18, 2022

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    1 Timothy 2:1–7 NIV
    1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
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    Roman Rule

    Emperor Worship

    Christian Nationalism

    Justifying Violence.
    Concern for power.
    Hating your neighbor for political reasons.

    Christian Prayer

    Surveys tell us that up to 90% of people pray in some way. Almost everyone prays for things to go well for their family and friends. Almost everyone prays about what they are worried about right this moment. People pray or meditate to deal with anxiety and frustrations. There’s nothing wrong with this. Paul doesn’t really have to write a letter about that. But he is reminding us that Christians have a bigger picture to think about and to pray about.
    1 Timothy 2:1–2 NRSV
    1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.
    Christians pray to God on behalf of others
    Christians do not discriminate who they pray for...
    Christians pray FOR leaders, not TO them...
    1 Timothy 2:5–6 NIV
    5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
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    Christians pray positively for leaders to be wise and peace-loving
    1 Timothy 2:2 NIV
    2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
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    Praying and Living with Vision

    The reason we do this is not primarily so taxes will be low and our guys will be in office. We do this because we have a gospel priority.
    1 Timothy 2:1 NIV
    1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
    1 Timothy 2:4 NIV
    4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
    1 Timothy 2:6 NIV
    6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
    1 Timothy 2:7 NIV
    7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
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    It’s not just about prayer. It’s about how prayer is part of living out our mission to share the love of Jesus with everyone.
    All prayer is good and useful. Christian prayer can change the world in loving ways. It can be part of the glue that helps hold things together as we pray to God who holds all things together, for leaders who hold things together, for parents and neighbors and parents who help hold things together. When human beings are peaceful, the prince of peace can be shared freely.
    Folks it’s really terrible when many who have tasted of the prince of peace are calling even praying for civil war. That is not who we are.
    We first of all love and follow Jesus. Don’t misinterpret passages where Jesus mentions a sword. He means that there will sometimes be unfortunate divisions and that God will judge in the end. But over and over and over and over again Jesus tells us above all to love, to forgive, even our enemies! This is my command that you love one another.
    The greatest commandment is to love God with all that you are, the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. Some people think their neighbors are only the nice people on their block. But Jesus told a parable you may remember saying we should BE a neighbor to even our so-called enemies. Christians want a lasting peace that is based on humbling ourselves before God and taking responsibility to help and heal those around us. There is always a better way than hate or aggression.
    But Christians want everyone to be saved, to be loved, to be healed, to be forgiven, to be restored, to be blessed. There’s just no room for hate in that picture. This is how we pray...
    So pray for those political leaders, even the ones most difficult for you. Maybe especially those. Pray for God to give them wisdom.
    Pray for every kind of person in your life and everyone God lays on your heart. Sometimes we don’t know exactly why we are praying. We just know we are prompted by the Spirit and we should pray at that exact moment. It could be life or death. It could be someone making it through the long dark night with hope. It could be the easing of pain. The saving of a marriage. It could be calming someone’s loneliness. It could be for someone to say yes to Jesus and say yes to love that will strengthen you to be amazing when you were going to settle for ordinary.
    But above all pray! Early and often. Then live the life that gives feet to these prayers...
    1 Timothy 2:7 NIV
    7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
    You see Paul isn’t asking us to do something he didn’t do himself times ten. What Paul did for a living and with absolute abandon, we also can do regularly and with energy.
    WE pray so that others can live. We pray so that there will be peace. We pray because everyone needs Jesus and we want to share him in love.

      • 1 Timothy 2:1–7NRSV

      • 1 Timothy 2:1–2NRSV

      • 1 Timothy 2:5–6NRSV

      • 1 Timothy 2:2NRSV

      • 1 Timothy 2:1NRSV

      • 1 Timothy 2:4NRSV

      • 1 Timothy 2:6NRSV

      • 1 Timothy 2:7NRSV

      • 1 Timothy 2:7NRSV

Fairmeadow Community Church of The Nazarene
office@fairmeadow.church
2198381700
http://fairmeadow.church
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