Pentecost Sunday –Pente = 50.{50 days after Easter Sunday}
Also known as Whitsunday(White Sunday, referring towhite robeswhichwere worn by the priest on this Sunday)
Outline: TheWorshipof God; TheWillof God; TheWomenof God.
Remember the overall letters theme(3:15) It’s about How toconduct ourselves in the church!
Q: Did you do your homework? – People have a problem w/Jesus or church.
THE WORSHIP OF GOD! (1-2,8)
Paul seems to show, over & over, the most important ministry in the church is…Prayer!
E.M. Bounds emphasized the need for a ministry of prayer withinthe church when he wrote, "It may be laid down as an axiom, that God needs, first of all, leaders in the church who will be first in prayer, men with whom prayer is habitual and characteristic, men who know the primacy of prayer. But even more than a habit of prayer, and more than prayer being characteristic of them, church leaders are to be men whose lives are made and molded by prayer, whose heart and life are made up of prayer. These are the men -- the only men -- God can use in the furtherance of His kingdom and the implanting of His message in the hearts of men."
Who should we Pray for? (1,2a)
All men – Would include all people within & outside the family of God.
There was a sign in a principal's office that stated, "In the event of nuclear attack, fire, or earthquake, theban on prayeristemporarily lifted."
Those in authority – No cavalier generic prayer for them. This seems to be tied to the advancement of the gospel! (see 3,4)
Why should we Pray for them? (2b)
"I would rather teach 1 man to pray than 10 men to preach." (Charles Spurgeon)
To live in peace & quiet –
We must pray for gov leaders, that the doors of ministry will be keptopen,or will be open in countries where they’re presently closed.
When we don’t pray for those in authority, wars close mission fields! (Then missionaries must be evacuated out of that land)
Or, Officials don’t grant necessary Visas to get into, or remain in, their country.
No prayer?...the work of the Lord suffers!
"The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history." (Andrew Murray)
How should we Pray for them? (8)
Not to exclude women…but men particularly are to model & lead in the exercise of prayer!
In 1 Cor.11:5 Paul assumes that women, too, will pray.
Maybe this was a specific problem in Ephesus…ladies praying & guys not.
With holy hands lifted up –
It was customary to stand when praying, & to spread out one’s hand before God. [like Sol at Temple dedication] (palms turned upward)
Funnel(o/); Channel(IoI); Surrender(ioi); Hug(o).
Oh & gentlemen…what kind of hands? Holy hands {not one’s that: slap, hit, or strike their spouse or children, or raise suddenly…to strike fear. Not hands that are used for bad gestures…Holy Hands!}
Free from wrath & doubting – Paul’s primary point is not posture of the body, but posture of the heart!
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Mt.5:23,24)
"The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion.He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray." (Samuel Chadwick)
Men – may I invite you to come & pray w/us on Tues mornings.
We are changing locations. We are going to start meeting out at the property. Maps in info booth, see Pastor Rick.
THE WILL OF GOD! (3-7)
His Mission! (3,4)
All men to be saved? – So, “every human being” will be saved?
Can’t mean that! – Does it mean God’s desire to save all types of people & not just Jews. (see vs.7 “Gentiles”)
“All human beings w/o distinction of race or social standing.” (Shepherd’s Notes; pg.14)
See “all” again in vs.6.
Christ’s death has the potential to save all people, yet it is effective only w/those who come to Christ in faith & repentance.
His Mediator! (5)
Monotheism – Jews, Islam, Christianity.
Mediator – One who brings 2 parties together who are out of communication & who may be alienated, estranged, or at war w/each other. (Geneva Bible Notes; pg.1910.)
The mediator must have links with both sides so as to identify w/and maintain the interests of both, & represent each to the other on a basis of goodwill.
Example: Moses was mediator/arbitrator between God & Israel.
He spoke to God on Israel’s behalf & to Israel on God’s behalf!
Yes, you do need a mediator in coming to God, but you DONOT need any in coming toChrist!
Go immediately to Him w/your rags & sin; your leprosy & spiritual sores; & w/all your spots & wrinkles!
Here is the clearest scripture showing there is no co-mediator, nor a co-mediatrix(co-redemptrix, co-advocatrix)! {R.C. church says, she’s only a “helper” of the mediator} – But, Jesus doesn’t need anyone’s help!
His Method! (6)
Ransom – made up from two terms, “freeing slaves & prisoners” & “on behalf of/instead of” (suggests substitution).
In the world of slaves & prisoners, money is paid, & a slave is freed. And, the owner of the slave is satisfied w/the payment!
The land of Persia was once ruled by a wise and beloved Shah who cared greatly for his people and desired only what was best for them. One day he disguised himself as a poor man and went to visit the public baths. The water for the baths was heated by a furnace in the cellar, so the Shah
Verses 1-15