Scripture Reading -- 1 Timothy 2:1-8

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.

Sermon Title: Praying, Testifying and Unifying for the Glory of God

1.   Resolutions to Glorify our God 

a.   Grow as a praying church

b.   Grow as a church that testifies about Jesus Christ

c.   Unify as a church and be a better witness to a lost world

2.   Grow first as a praying church (v 1-4)

a.   With heartfelt and persistent prayers

b.   With intentionality in our prayers

c.   Through intercessory prayer

d.   Through prayers of thanksgiving 

e.   With prayers for all people including leaders

3.   Grow as a church that testifies about Jesus Christ (v 5-7)

a.   Christ is the one mediator between God and man. 

i.   We have a mediator that knows everything that we could possibly experience in our life here on this earth. 

ii.   We have a mediator that feels the cries of our prayers and intervenes to the Father on our behalf.

b.   Christ gave himself as a ransom for all men

c.   Like Paul, we are to preach this gospel with boldness to all men

4.   Unify as a church and be a better witness to a lost world (v 8)

a.   Focus our prayer to a Holy God

b.   Stop anger, quarreling and division … eliminate hindrances to effective prayer.

c.   Seek to unify … resolve conflict, love and use our spiritual gifts to build up the body.

Good morning!  My name is Bob Butler and I serve as one of the elders here at VBVF. It was just three weeks ago that we welcomed in the new year. How many of you made new year resolutions this year or have done so in the past? Me too. Last year, I set a goal to lose twenty pounds using this new SOTA diet … lots of protein, low carbs. All was going well for the first few weeks. I was losing the weight steadily, but then “things” got in the way – unexpected things like trips and a busy schedule which threw me out of balance. You may have experienced something similar as you’ve taken on a diet, a new fitness program, or some other physical life improvement goal. Resolutions about physical improvement can be helpful, but resolutions about spiritual growth are superior. This morning, I would like to talk with you about new year spiritual resolutions and how we can we put these into practice immediately, sustain them and make us stronger in our Christian walk as individuals and as a church. In our Scripture reading today, Paul lays out these ideas and practices to Timothy and the Church at Ephesus, urging the church there to be a praying church that testifies boldly to all peoples about Jesus Christ and unifies as a body to be a better witness of this gospel to a lost world. So, as we start this new year, I am privileged to have the opportunity to bring this message from 1 Tim 2 which I have entitled, “Praying, Testifying and Unifying for the Glory of God,” Let us prepare our hearts with prayer … please bow your heads with me.

It's been a couple of months since I last preached from 1 Timothy so I just want to take a few minutes to get our bearings and review where we’ve been and where we are headed in this wonderful letter from Paul to Timothy. 

As we concluded Chapter 1 last time, Paul has just finished encouraging Timothy, his emissary to the church at Ephesus, to stay strong and fight the good fight. He is exhorting his young friend because there continues to be challenges in this young church. Central to these challenges is false religions and false teachers who were leading Christian brothers and sisters astray in this growing church.

Before diving back into the text this morning, I want to spend just a bit more time describing what I think was happening in Ephesus and set the context for why Paul addresses Timothy the way he does especially as we start the second chapter.

The first century Roman Empire world boasted a plurality of religions, but Ephesus took it to a whole new level. Ephesus was a city proud of its religious tolerance. Historians believe there may have been as many as 50 religions or sects operating in Ephesus. The focus of worship included Greek gods and goddesses like Artemis as well as Egyptian idols. Ephesus was also a center for Emperor worship and different practices of Judaism. The city also boasted great wealth as a trading port and seemed to foster a “keep up with the Jones culture.” All of these external pressures were competing for the attention of these Ephesian believers and what should have been their first love in following Christ.

That said, Paul loved this church. After helping establish this church while on his second mission journey, Paul came back to this city and then spent three years there preaching and working with Jews and Gentiles. A few years after he left Ephesus, Paul wrote a letter to this young church after hearing about Ephesian believers struggling in “living their faith.” We read some of Paul’s encouragement and warnings against sin patterns in Ephesians 4:25-32.  

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

This church was apparently struggling with much including lies and deception, anger and violence, thievery, slander and more. When young Timothy arrived in Ephesus sometime later, these sin patterns had not yet been broken. The church there was still struggling. Unlike Paul who unabashedly confronted this worldly culture, a young and more timid Timothy struggled in speaking “tough love” to this church. Paul knew this was more than a battle in the flesh, but a spiritual battle and so Paul begins Chapter 2 with instructions to his youthful disciple on how to battle this spiritual warfare. Let us read the first few verses.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Paul starts with prayer as a primary step every Ephesian believer should take in encountering the world, dealing with false teaching and teachers, countering sin and giving God all the glory. He uses the terms: “supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings.” Collectively, these words refer to different forms of prayer. Paul begins this verse with the phrase, “first of all.” The Greek word, “proton,” denotes first in a list so we should take it to mean that Paul is placing prayer first in a list of instructions to the Ephesian believers. Why? My sense is Paul knew the power of prayer from his own personal experiences in travel decisions, escapes and healings described in the Book of Acts and was just following the model Christ had set previously for us in making prayer of first importance. Remember before Jesus chose the 12, He prayed. Before He met with His disciples in the middle of storm on the sea, He prayed. Before He raised Lazarus, He prayed. Before His Hour, He prayed. If we follow Jesus, then prayer is always on our lips and counters the fleshly desire to react. Jesus is our Great Mediator with a Holy God.

Continuing with our exposition of the text, this first word, “supplication” translates to entreaties or heartfelt requests that provide a sense for immediate need and help. Paul understands the power of these false teachings that are dividing the church. In his previous letter to the Church at Ephesus, he describes the need to immediately “ ... put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Paul encourages Timothy to teach the Ephesian Church on how to pray with persistence against such schemes.  How often do we feel continuously burdened when we are under attack – if not by a false teacher, then perhaps by a wayward family member or some other heavy burden. When we are confronted with these burdens, I am also reminded of the parable of the persistent widow. Luke records Jesus’ words “… that they [and we] ought always to pray and not lose heart … ” Why? Jesus’ response to this question is also recorded in Luke’s gospel account: “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10.)

When we look at the second word in Paul’s instruction here – the word, prayer in Greek gives us a better sense beyond the English on the need for purposeful or intentional communication with God. Recognizing the clamor for attention that false teachers desired along with the allure of richly pleasures in Ephesus, Paul warns Timothy to instruct his church in not getting distracted. We too face similar challenges today. I know from my own prayer life that if I don’t start each morning with some time with the Lord in thoughtful prayer, I am usually out of kilter for the day. Setting aside time daily with the Lord – whether it be morning, day or night – needs to become a spiritual discipline in every believer’s life for communion with God is our source of power as a Christian. One of my favorite authors is Christian theologian Richard Foster. As Foster writes about the spiritual discipline of prayer, he notes that “the primary purpose of prayer is to bring us into such a life of communion with the Father that, by the power of the Spirit, we are increasingly conformed to the image of the Son.” I think is the beautiful way of discussing how each person of the Godhead works together in prayer as we prayer to the Father, with the power of the Holy Spirit and in Christ. Foster and the Apostle Paul’s point here is to make communication with a Holy God a priority, beginning with acknowledging Him as our God and by praising Him. Jesus told us the same in how he instructed us to pray then like this, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:9-10)

Besides heartfelt persistence and intentionality in prayer, Paul urges Timothy to instruct the Ephesus church in making intercessions or petitions for others. Because of how false teaching was affecting the Ephesian flock, Paul wanted Timothy to teach his flock how to pray for each other so as to create hedges of protection around fellow believers. One of the most meaningful aspects of my Christian growth has been being a part of small groups in which Christian brothers and sisters live life and pray together. In these groups, I have watched our God respond to his children’s intercessory prayer about marriages, finances, health care, lost friends and many other types of intercessory needs. Consider this: to pray for other church members, we need to know their needs. To know their needs, we need to be actively engaged with our church family. Additionally, how can fellow believers pray for us unless they know us? We miss out on the power of prayer for our needs and circumstances. All of us should be engaged with others and be offering up intercessory prayer – for our families, for our small groups, for our church and more. Note that Paul’s instruction didn’t stop here at praying for just believers; he wanted the church to pray for all people which we will discuss in just a few moments.

Finally, Paul directs Timothy to help his congregation to remember what God is doing and has done for them by giving thanks. Prayers of thanksgiving help us to keep God’s grace and mercy foremost in our minds. It also helps us to reflect on how much He loves us. A challenge for many of us is to thank God for both His provision of supply and struggles. As we know, Paul went through many struggles including physical beatings. The Apostle James also told and taught us to count it all joy as God grows us for better use in His Kingdom. The Ephesian church was going through many struggles and we – as individuals and church – often go through struggles. As I think of struggles, I am reminded of the sudden and unexpected death of our founding pastor – Steve Armstrong -- two years to this day. 22 Jan 21 was a very tough day for many of us. It took me awhile to see the joy after Steve’s passing, but I do thank God now for both the opportunity to have known Steve as well as his passing which in my humble opinion, has allowed our church and me to grow in so many ways. Prayers of thanksgiving also build confidence in our faith. 

As Paul concludes Verse 1, he calls out that these prayers should be made for all people – saved and unsaved. As noted previously, there were many different backgrounds represented in the Ephesian church –Jewish, Greek, Roman, Egyptian and others. Like we see in certain churches and especially church denominations today, there was a tendency in the Ephesian church to gather in like-minded groups and pray for people of the same background. This was likely exacerbated by false teachers and teaching that considered certain backgrounds more Christian than others. As we have already seen from Paul’s words in the first chapter of this letter, Timothy was likely contending with both Jewish legalism and Gnosticism. This exclusive type of praying was contrary to Paul’s and Jesus’ teaching. In fact, Jesus made it clear that we should be praying for not only all believers, but others who were opposed to our faith in Christ. In the fifth chapter of Matthew’s gospel, we read Christ’s instruction.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

In verse 2, Paul now provides an example of a people group that perhaps, Ephesian believers saw as unworthy of prayer. He highlights kings and people of higher position. Nero served as the Emperor of Rome at this time. He was an ego-driven man and despised by many. Paul’s admonition is to teach his congregation to pray for Nero and all leaders whether we agree with them or not. Paul continued to pray for Nero even as the Emperor blamed and later persecuted Christians including Paul. 

My sense is we too struggle with this idea of praying regularly for our leaders – especially ones with which we don’t agree or sense could do us harm through their proclamations. Evangelist Billy Graham reminded us of Scripture’s guidance on the subject and modeled this type of prayer activity by praying with and for our presidents. In fact, through his ministry, Billy Graham reminded us of three important truths from Scripture regarding praying for our leaders.

First, he reminded us of the Apostle Peter’s admonition to, “Show proper respect to everyone, … fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17). 

Second, Rev Graham reminded us that we are to pray with the clear understanding that government authority is established by God. Paul’s words in his letter to the Book of Romans comes to mind, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). 

Third, we also pray knowing that God’s Word says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever he wishes. (Proverbs 21:1; NASB.)”

Besides the command to pray for our leaders, why else should we pray for these individuals? Paul gives us three reasons in verses two through four why we should be praying for all people including our leaders. First, in verse 2 , he states, “ … so we can lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way,” which helps us in our witness to a lost world, glorifies God and helps us avoid becoming a target of leaders. The English translation -- “godly” -- refers to an attitude of reverence for God based on our knowledge of Him while dignity refers to the outward manifestation of that attitude in right behavior. 

Can we truly attain tranquility and a godly, dignified walk by praying for our leaders and their decisions? Through prayer, God moves in the heart of kings and other human authorities, and He can create these types of outcomes. To name a couple from the Bible, think about Nehemiah’s prayers to God as he went before Persia’s King Artaxerxes [ART-A-ZIRK-Z’s] with a request to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, or reflect on the power of prayer as new believers gathered together praying for Peter while he was in prison. In our world, my sense is that our persistent, intentional and intercessory prayers for different US government leaders – at the federal and state level -- over many years helped us to see God’s will at work in providing additional protections for our unborn children even in the face of extreme persecution. I am confident you could testify to other examples about the power of prayer for leadership.

Second, in Verse 3, Paul states these prayers and their byproducts of right attitudes and behaviors are good, and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. Right attitudes and behaviors help to build good individual and church reputations. Paul often speaks to seeking a good reputation. We see it here as we will in the next chapter on the qualifications of elders and deacons. My further sense is that our Christian witness is strengthened because we are saying through our prayers that God is in control and He will make a difference. 

Third, Paul then continues in verse 4 with expressly stating yet another reason for prayer is that God, our Savior “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Most importantly, God uses our prayers to not only change the hearts, but to save. In other words, God uses our prayers to bring the saving gospel to others including our leaders. Here is another example from the life and prayers of Billy Graham. In his 1999 campaign autobiography, A Charge to Keep, George W. Bush said a turning point in his faith came during a private talk with Billy Graham along the coast of Maine in 1985. Graham’s words and prayers planted the “mustard seed in my soul” that eventually led to a decision to “recommit my heart to Jesus Christ,” former President Bush wrote.

Let’s pause for a few moments here and talk about how Paul’s teaching applies to us today.

Paul starts this second chapter with an exhortation to pray and Jesus showed us how to pray. Why is that we often don’t give prayer priority in our lives? What can we do improve our individual and corporate prayer life?

Paul discussed different types of prayers. Do we have a tendency to emphasize one aspect of prayer more than another? How can we do better?

Both Jesus and Paul taught us to pray for all types of people and that God desires all people to be saved. Do we pray for all types of people? Is salvation of the unbeliever on our minds when we pray?  Do we regularly pray for our leaders? How should we pray for our leaders? Some examples from Billy Graham Ministry follow:

• Help our president [or any leader at any level]

to accept wise counsel. Proverbs 11:14; 15:22

• Teach [name] to trust in You. Psalm 21:7

• Protect [name] from the influence of the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

• Give [name] a tender heart of compassion toward

those he/she leads and serves. Colossians 3:12

Paul noted that a byproduct of a prayer is to lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. Do you sense this attitude and behavior in your own life?  

Let’s move ahead in Paul’s letter to Timothy. Reading verses 5-7 …. 

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Let me back-up for just a moment to the end of verse 4 which concludes with the words, “knowledge of the truth.” Beginning in verse 5, Paul reminds Timothy, the church and us of this knowledge of the truth, namely the true gospel. You may ask why. Remember the environment in Ephesus. Alongside worship of Artemis, the Imperial cult was a dominant religious-political fixture in Ephesus at this time. While some looked to Greek gods and Roman Emperors, the Jew in Ephesus often looked to Moses or angels as mediators between God and man. The Gnostics looked to intermediary deities as mediators for gaining knowledge. This idea of multiple paths was not strictly a first century phenomena. In recent times, Roman Catholics pray to Mary and other dead saints as mediators while Buddhists looks to their ancestors as mediators. Universalism and New Age thinking are contemporary versions of Gnosticism which believe there are many mediators for gaining supreme knowledge. Then and today, you can see how it would be relatively easy for a new believer to be challenged by non-believing family and friends, and false teachers. 

All of the apostles were clear on this key doctrinal point – Christ and Christ alone was the only way to salvation. In fact, Luke records Peter’s proclamation of the same in Acts 4:12 and 13.

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Both Peter and Paul are crystal clear: there is only one Savior and Mediator between Holy God and sinful man, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus not only went to the cross for our salvation, but he suffered every temptation of man, yet without sin. We have a mediator that knows everything that we could possibly experience in our life here on this earth. We have a mediator that feels the cries of our prayers. We can come boldly to the throne of grace -- not because we are anything, but because Jesus knows me. Like a best friend on the battlefield, Jesus has carried me through the spiritual warfare in this world. But, he has done so much more. Through His suffering and death, Christ paid a ransom for all at a time of God’s choosing. 

The word, ransom, connotes a price paid for something. This verse clearly establishes the idea that Jesus Christ paid the price or for all of mankind – all of man’s sin (past, present and future) which is an offense to a Holy God. Paul elaborates on this same truth to the Church in Corinth (2 Cor 5:15) when he states,

“ … and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” 

In this passage, Paul explains though Christ died for all, his purpose in his death and resurrection was to encourage believers to now live a Christ-centered life. Further, Paul’s letter to the Church at Galatia helps us to understand Paul’s comment in verse 7 concerning the testimony being given at the proper time. In the Book of Galatians, Paul states, 

“ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.”

Paul’s references to the fullness of time and proper timing of this testimony both refer to the end of the Old Testament era and the coming of Christ into this world.

Paul goes on, stating that he has been appointed by Christ to teach this truth – not to just one people, but all including the Greek and Roman Gentiles. This is not new, but remedial instruction for the Ephesian believers. A few years earlier – in his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul had spent an entire section of his letter discussing this point of Jew and Gentiles coming together in Christ and urging all Ephesian believers to unite around this central teaching. 

Before we leave this section, you may ask why Paul felt he needed to insert the parenthetical remarks about “telling the truth.” Paul actually does this on four occasions – once in his letter to the Romans, once in his second letter to the Church at Corinth and then again in his letter to the Church in Galatia (Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Galatians 1:20; 1 Timothy 2:7.) In all of these cases, Paul makes this point to refute false teachers who denied Paul’s apostleship to the Gentiles. Jewish false teachers would especially try to discredit Paul, since his ministry was so radically different from Old Testament Jewish teaching which taught that the Jews were God’s chosen people. Paul used these instances to affirm his calling from Christ to be a teacher of the Gentiles and the Jews.

As Christ followers, we have a calling as well – not as an apostle, but as a disciple of Christ.  Jesus’ words ring loud today as they did in Paul’s time: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” So, how do we witness to a lost world and make disciples for Christ? Again, we take Paul’s example to heart about boldly proclaiming the gospel remembering Christ’s promise to always be with us. As we do so and go out into this world of false teachers, idols and worldly pleasures, Paul also tells us to remember to put on the full armor of God. From Ephesians 6, this armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, readiness given by the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. 

So let’s pause again to reflect on how Paul’s teaching in verses 5 through 7 applies to us today.

Paul provides a very succinct, yet comprehensive affirmation of the gospel. He notes that there is only one mediator between God and man. We discussed vying traditions that possibly confused the Ephesian believer. I also mentioned a few religions today that acknowledge other mediators. What has been your experience in witnessing to followers of these religions? How can we help get peoples’ attention when there is so much swirling around them today? 

Paul’s authority was often challenged, especially by Judaizers. Have you ever felt challenged and if so, how did you deal with another’s challenge to your authority to preach the gospel? What can we learn from Paul and other apostles’ examples about testifying to our faith in Christ alone? How can we be more bold in our walk? Are we putting on God’s full armor as we witness and make disciples?

Ok, we want to be a praying church. We also want to be a church that testifies boldly to all about the truth of knowledge – the gospel of Jesus Christ. We also need to be a united church to be a better witness to a lost world.

Paul has instruction for Timothy, the church and us here as well. Let’s read verse 8 where Paul writes to Timothy, “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;” Paul shifts now from instruction regarding the content of worship – prayer and testimony – to demeanor and attitude. Why? Well, let’s go back to New Testament church life and understand what may have been happening in this church. 

First, let’s discuss the meaning of Paul’s phrase, every place. Paul’s practice – and what Timothy witnessed on travels with Paul – was home church and large church gatherings in synagogues or other gathering places on the first day of the week, the Christian Sabbath. As noted in the gospels and the Book of Acts, it was customary for visiting teachers -- like Jesus and Paul -- to have the opportunity to address these gatherings. We read in Acts 19:8 about Paul’s practice in Ephesus:

“And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.” 

Jesus and Paul preached and prayed boldly as teachers. Praying with lifted hands was a common practice for early Christians as well as other worshippers. Art on the walls of the Christian burial areas or catacombs in the first century reflected this practice of praying with lifted hands. Dr Thomas Constable, founder of the Dallas Theological Seminary Center for Biblical Studies, notes that first century “believers raised their palms upward and open to heaven evidently to symbolize their openness to God and their desire to offer praise to God and to obtain a gift from Him.” My sense is Paul’s desire was not to dictate a certain posture – like lifting hands, but for believers to focus on an inner attitude of reverence and holiness as they prayed through Jesus Christ to an Almighty God. Apparently, this was not happening in the Ephesus church as noted in Pauls’ reference to quarreling and arguing here and again to this unwholesome talk in his second letter to Timothy, pointing out the pitfalls of such behavior and urging Timothy to correct the church. He states in 2 Tim 4:14-16

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.”

So, in these two letters to Timothy, Paul builds on his teaching concerned for the welfare of the church and their witness of Christ: he urges Timothy to stop the quarreling and unwholesome talk – especially among the adult males as translated from the Greek -- and set the example as an approved worker. So, what do we do when there is anger or quarreling among brothers in the church? We need to eliminate hindrances to effective prayer. 

Jesus gives us clear guidance. From Matthew 7, we need to first examine ourselves so we will not be judged in the same manner. After prayer and personal reflection, if you realize you have offended someone, repent and seek forgiveness immediately. Matthew (Chapter 5:23-24) records again Jesus’ guidance, 

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

On the other hand, if our sense is that we have been offended, then Jesus provides us further instruction as recorded later in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 18:15 states, 

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

As you can see from Jesus’ instruction, our focus should be on unifying the church. What other actions can we take to unify our church and the greater Christian church? Paul’s letter to the Romans, penned a few years prior to his first letter to Timothy, provides great guidance on this topic:

From Romans 12:16, "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

And from Rom 14:19, “ So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

As I reflect on Paul’s words and our body here at VBVF, I was drawn to two ideas. First, to grow as a unified church, we need to grow as a loving church. So what does that mean, Bob? Let’s go back to Paul’s words – this time to the Church at Corinth which also struggled with quarreling and divisions like Timothy’s church. Paul writes, “4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” As we move into this new year, can we strive to better exhibit this kind of love as a community of believers?

The second idea that the Spirit brought to my mind is that a unified church is a loving church in which all members exercise their spiritual gifts for mutual upbuilding. All believers have at least one spiritual gift. Paul – in his letters to the churches at Corinth and Rome – identifies a sampling of those gifts. These lists are representative and not meant to be comprehensive. More importantly, Paul’s admonition to the New Testament churches and us today is that it is important for all of us to use our gifts of the Spirit for the common good. He summarizes his argument about spiritual gifts in the body succinctly in 1 Cor 12:

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

So, how does this work? We have members in our midst – like Tony and Mike -- whose primary spiritual gift is teaching … they should use and are using those gifts to glorify God and help us – Christ followers at VBVF – understand God’s word better. We have other members in our midst that have the gift of evangelism … they should use those gifts to testify about Jesus Christ as our sole Mediator and Savior and showing us here at VBVF on how to share the gospel with others. A good example of this sharing in action was what happened at the church last month with home grown evangelism training at the church. 

We have others here who have the gift of being prayer warriors. Well, I tell you that teachers, evangelists and all of us need prayer – the persistent, intentional and intercessory prayer we discussed today. For me, I am grateful to God for the gift of encouragement He has given me. I seek to glorify God through this gift and to encourage other believers. I know many of you have this same gift of encouragement – and others have other spiritual gifts. I want to encourage you to intentionally find ways to exercise your gifting from the Spirit as we begin this new year. Note that those closest to us – spouses, other family and small group members – are usually the ones that can often readily see how you can further the use of your gifts. Ask them!

In collectively using our gifts with a focus on glorifying God, we help others to grow. Let’s continue to remind ourselves as believers in Jesus Christ that we are all on the same road – the road to heaven. We don’t need to compete … we just need to stay the course and complete. Praise God!

So, let’s spend a few minutes reflecting on this verse about praying with holy hands

What is our attitude as we pray – privately and in public worship? How do we prepare ourselves for holy prayer?

Are we inwardly or outwardly becoming angry or quarrelsome with brothers or sisters in Christ? What are we doing about it? Can you describe situations in the past where God helped you through conflict?

Our focus should be giving God the glory in worship. Foundational to this concept is pursuing love and the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 

o   Paul had quite a list of love characteristics in 1 Cor 13? Do we practice those behaviors with others, especially other believers? How can we do better?

o   Do you know your spiritual gift? 

o   If so, are you using this gift to glorify God and grow His church?

o   If not, how can you identify and/or better exercise your spiritual gift in this new year?

One final point … Christ’s church is not just VBVF. We – as members of VBVF --- are part of Christ’s larger church. Let’s ensure the principles we discuss about unity don’t stop at the walls of this building, but apply to all believers with which God brings into our lives. Let's pray for other brothers and sisters outside the walls of VBVF and let's commit to exercising love towards these Christ followers.

So, let me summarize the major points in Paul’s teaching today. Let’s commit to be praying people and people that pray for all people. Let’s also be people who boldly testify to the gospel truth – that Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and man who came to this world as a ransom for all. We – the elect -- are called to testify to a lost world about this truth. Finally, we dimmish our testimony when we do not pray and pray together with a holy and reverent heart. Let’s be people of peace, seeking unity in our common belief that Christ came to save us. Let’s commit to love always and exercise our individual spiritual gifts to help each other and unify our body. 

Finally, let’s strive to make these ideas an even stronger part of our DNA here at VBVF, and let’s begin right now by putting these ideas into practice. Please join with me in holding hands, praying and testifying together to our one and true God and our faith in His son, Jesus Christ. 

Benediction from Ephesians 4

So, Father, help us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.