Jump Start # 3285

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.“

Paul wanted the disciples to be praying. The apostle lists four different words for prayers: entreaties, prayers, petitions and thanksgiving. They are all prayers but they are uniquely different. Not every prayer is the same. Not every prayer asks the same things. And, on top of that, they were not to only pray for themselves. They were to pray for kings and all who are in authority, which in those days included the vile, wicked and violent Caesars. Pray that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life. Those in charge can impact that, and they have. Laws against assemblies, worship and baptism would profoundly impact the disciples. The disciples were not overthrowing the government. Their goal was to live a tranquil and quiet life.

Think about that expression from our verse today, “tranquil and quiet life.” Not a loud life. Not a “in you face” life. Not a revolutionary. Not a trouble-maker. But a peaceful life. A quiet life.

Some thoughts:

First, our choices and involvement especially on social media has a lot to do with a tranquil and quiet life. Stirring things up by posting things that irritate and bother others draws a response. People jump into the discussion. Lots of things are said back and forth. Anger surfaces. Name calling. Insulting terms are used. Those things get people excited in a negative way. It creates strife and stress. It causes the blood to boil for some. I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. Toss some bait out into the water and see if any sharks attack. They will.

Now, this is not the path to a tranquil and quiet life. “Did you read what this guy posted on Facebook,” and off we go, canons loaded and ready to go to war. We can’t police what people post. But you certainly do not have to attend every argument that you are invited to. Keeping that tranquil and quiet life may mean not reading what people post. It may mean keeping to yourself.

Second, even without social media, we can take sides and get involved in disputes that take place within the congregation. Something was said. It wasn’t said to us, about us or concerning us, but we feel compelled to jump into the skirmish and get involved. We muddy the waters when we do that. And, at the end of the day, we have not lived a peaceful, quiet life. We helped stir things up. We kept the fire going. We got in the middle of things that was none of our business. Rather than encouraging, we often discourage. Rather than helping, we can hurt. Rather than making things better, we can make things worse.

Third, the tranquil and quiet life is a state of the mind. It’s not about sitting on the beach and watching the tides roll in. It’s not about a lazy Saturday afternoon where a nap is the most important thing on your list of things to get done. No, in the midst of a busy day, a heavy work schedule, lots of people around and lots of demands, your life can still be peaceful and quiet. This comes from the insides and not the outsides. This comes from knowing our Savior. This is not a quality found only after retirement. Retirement is a concept that was not known in the first century world.

Letting the word of Christ richly dwell within you, as the Colossians were told leads to the tranquil life. Letting your mind dwell upon things that are pure, lovely and good as the Philippians were instructed leads to a quiet life. Worry, fear, anger, doubt stir us up and agitates our insides. As much as I do not like the movie “Frozen,” the major song, “Let it go,” is so appropriate here. Let things go. Let the shepherds shepherd. Let the deacons serve. Work out your own salvation. Stop being upset about who parks their car where, how late some come, where some sit and on and on and on, the list goes.

For years I used a story when I taught about worship about a couple driving home after Sunday morning services. The wife asked her husband if he saw sister Smith’s shoes. The husband said no. The wife asked if he saw how late the Jones family came in. The husband said no. The wife asked if saw who was sitting with the Thompson girl. The husband said no. Finally, frustrated, the wife declared, “It does you a lot of good going to church.” Bothered by others was Martha’s problem. It wasn’t serving. It was she was serving and her sister was sitting. That’s what bothered her. It burnt the biscuits.

How do I live a peaceful and quiet life? I stop allowing others to bother me and I focus upon what a wonderful relationship I have with Jesus. I think about the powerful spiritual blessings found in Christ. I think about how He has forgiven me and loves me.

Peaceful. Tranquil. Quiet. Have you prayed for those things? Have you sought those things? It sure makes a difference in your life when you stop trying to run the universe and fix everyone you come in contact with.

Roger

Jump Start # 3206

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

We just had an another election this week. There was a lot of hype saying that this may be the most important election in this generation. It seems that same thing was said about the last election. And, in any election, some are happy and others are sad. The divided times that we live in only makes that magnified. Sad becomes mad and with that comes charges and claims about how unfair the results were.

Our verse today, the apostle calls on us to be prayerful and to include in those prayers, kings and all who are in authority. This was to be so a peaceful life could be lived among the people of God. We remember that those early Christians didn’t have a say in who would rule over them. They did not have elections as we do. Corruption, violence and vice were very common among the political hierarchy in Rome. The brethren couldn’t vote, but they could pray. They could pray remembering that God removes kings and appoints leaders. God is always upon the throne.

Now some thoughts from this:

First, those in leadership positon, be it in politics, business, school, or even within the kingdom must keep in mind those that they are leading. To forget that, is to abuse your position and it often is the source of many problems, complaints and heartache. How many times is the expression, “we don’t count,” often heard in business, in government and sadly, even in the church. Too often the decisions that are made are based upon selfish motives and with an intention of keeping the position and power.

The abuse of power and position often leads to uprisings. On a boat, it’s called a mutiny. The captain is set a float in a small row boat as the crew takes over the ship. In ancient politics, the abuse often led to assassinations and a take over of the government. In business, it leads to workers quitting. And, in the church it leads to splits.

It is an honor to lead people. One must do it nobly and with the intention of doing what is right. When one believes that he is better than others because of his title or position, he will quickly lose the qualities of a leader and become a tyrant.

Second, those that follow are not in the position of leaders and we must remember that. Rebellions, mobs, riots are caused not by those in charge, but by those who wish they were in charge. Leaders often must make the difficult call that is painful yet necessary. Even in the powerful Shepherd Psalm, David was led through dark valleys and sat at the table with his enemies. Those are places he likely would not like to be, but it was necessary as he followed the shepherd. If we only followed the leaders we liked or obeyed the rules that were pleasant to us, chaos would ensue. And, it does. Just notice how people drive these days. In long lines of traffic, people have made U-turns right in front of a No U-turn sign. Some drive in the grass or emergency lane just to get around others. They are doing what they want to do. If followers do not follow leaders, then the leaders have no impact.

Third, we must be prayerful towards our leaders. We may not like them. But much too often we’d rather complain about them, post mean things on social media about them, talk down about them than pray for them. Can you imagine praying for a Caesar? Take your pick of them. None of them would fit our liking. Yet, the apostle urged, begged, pleaded, with brethren to be praying for them. I wonder if our times would be better if we prayed more for our leaders?

Fourth, in the excitement of elections and the obsession with red and blue and left and right, let us never forget that there is an up and a down. Every two years there is an election. The ads fill the commercials on TV. The mailbox is stuffed with information about the candidates. Lots and lots of money flows into these campaigns. For the most part, one won’t hear from the majority of these candidates until another two years. And, in all of this, God is the one who holds our allegiance. There has been wars, recessions, inflation, disasters, corruption, good times and bad times, and our God is still there. Candidates come and go, yet, God is still there. We must never forget that we are first and always disciples of Jesus.

Another election…time for more prayers.

Roger

Jump Start # 1721

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

  Today is election day in America. It’s a big one this year, Presidential. The commercials on TV have been non-stop political ads. Our mailboxes have been stuffed with cards about who to vote for. Sadly, after today, we won’t hear from most of these folks again until the next election.

Voting, especially in a democracy, is a uniquely American concept. History, particularly, Biblical history, never knew the concept of voting for a political ruler. The Pharaohs, kings of Assyria, Babylon, even of Israel and Judah and the Roman Caesars were chosen based upon family. The common person had little say. The history of these rulers is immersed in rival plots, assassinations and exiles. The “cup bearer,” that we read about, such as Nehemiah, was more than a butler to the ruler. He was a food tester. The king didn’t trust his cooking staff. In an event that they tried to poison him, the cupbearer would be the one who died. Biblical history tells of family members who killed off their own siblings to keep the throne.

Here, we get to vote. This opens up the concept for the Christian to consider who do I vote for. It must be more than my favorite party. The Christian looks at principles. He looks at the moral stance. He must consider which candidate will be best for the kingdom. It is easy to say, “Neither one,” and thus stay home. But to not vote is to give up a right that so few have ever had in this world. It’s easy to think, my vote won’t matter. But it does. It’s one of many that can make a difference.

The Bible does teach about the Christian’s responsibility and the government. Jesus told a questioning crowd,  that they were to render unto Caesar the things that belong to Caesar. There are things that belong to Caesar. Taxes are one of them. We also owe our obedience and our submission. Romans and 1 Peter teach this. The right for a people to be governed and the right for that government to tax and punish citizens is established by God. The Lord has all authority. He gave some of that authority to the government. In Romans, the government is referred to as God’s minister. That’s a strange expression for us. We tend to think of the minister as the preacher. The word minister means servant. The government acts as God’s servant.

Our verse today reminds us that we are to pray for those in authority. I don’t hear that much these days. Maybe we’ve given up. Maybe we think that not even God can help these people. But I doubt that our government is as corrupt, wicked and ungodly as early Rome was. The execution of Christians became common. God didn’t immediately stop that. He encouraged His people to be faithful. Revelation and 2 Peter are written about that.

Men in the past have held views that the Christian should have nothing to do with the government. Some have looked down upon the Christian and voting even. I’d rather have more of God’s people in public service. Maybe things could shape up better if meetings began with prayer and if an open Bible sat upon the governor’s or President’s desk. God’s people can make a difference.

Who should I vote for? Some would just want to be told. It’s not that easy and we can’t do that is this format. It’s like the question, “How much should I give?” Certainly, someone can just tell you, but that hasn’t helped you or taught you a thing. You give based upon your faith. The greater your faith, the more you tend to give. You vote the same way. You vote based upon your faith. The greater your faith the more you consider the implications of laws, judges, rights and God. When someone asks, “Do you vote Republican or Democrat?” My answer is, “I vote Christian.” I vote according to my faith.

It may seem like my one little vote won’t do much today. But given the chance to vote, don’t you think God will consider whether or not I did, and what was the basis or the motive of my choice. Is it selfish? Is it political? Is it spiritual?

But one thing we know and we need to be reminded of often, God is upon the throne. He told Daniel that He removes kings and establishes kings (Dan 2:21). Through all those Pharaohs God was upon the throne. He heard the cries of His people. Through the Babylonians, the Caesars God remains upon the throne. And after tonight, whether it is Hillary or Donald, God remains upon the throne. His will cannot be overthrown. His kingdom will endure forever. We must, as the apostles told the city officials of Rome, obey God rather than man. And we will.

The greatest change and hope for our country is not in who is elected but rather, in Jesus Christ. The more Christ lives in others, the greater things will be. Imagine if everyone, everywhere was a Christian. No ISIS. No Russian threats. No racial tensions. No deceiving and taking advantage of others. Everyone, everywhere was a Christian. Can you imagine? We wouldn’t have to sign our life away to buy a house. A handshake would do it. We wouldn’t have to have locks on doors or alarms. There would be no identity theft. Everyone, everywhere a Christian. Every person you met, a Christian. No raunchy movies. No gossip. No bullies. No lying. Everyone doing the best that they could. No drugs. No crime. No hatred. Will that ever happen? Not down here. But that is what Heaven will be like.

Our greatest need is not the conservative agenda. It’s not the liberal platform. It’s Jesus. We need Jesus. It starts in our own hearts and in our own homes.

O’ to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer…this is my constant longing and prayer.

Roger

Start # 333

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

  Paul’s instructions to Timothy, the young preacher, fits very well for us today. He wanted Timothy to pray. That is something we all can do. Not all can preach. Not all can lead. But we can all pray. Prayer shouldn’t be looked upon as the last thing you turn to after you have exhausted all other possibilities, instead, it ought to be our first choice. Bring God into the situation. Invite God. Solicit God’s help. That’s what prayer does.

  Paul gives us four words here: entreaties, prayers, petitions and thanksgivings. The word “entreaties” means to entreat, to ask. In some prayers, not all prayers, we are asking God for help, we are entreating Him. We are dependent upon God. We can’t get through without God’s help. There are some things, in fact there are many things, that are bigger than we are.

  The word “prayers” is the generic word for talking to God. Entreaties is a form of prayer.

  The word “petitions” is translated “intercessions” in other versions. It is the prayer we offer for someone else. It’s not just our problems, but others that we need God’s help with.

  The final word, “thanksgivings” is often neglected in our prayer life. It is to “thank God.” Thank God for life, for Jesus, for hope, for the answer of earlier prayers. There is much to be thankful for.

  Paul doesn’t stop there. Within this sentence he continues to tell Timothy that he needs to pray for kings and all who are in authority. In Timothy’s world that would have included the powerful Roman government, including the Caesars. They were not nice people. They were violent, oppressive and not known for being honoring human rights. Paul wanted Timothy to pray for those “kings.” There was a reason behind this. Ultimately, it would affect the disciples. The goal was so that they could worship, live and serve God in peace.

  Now this comes to us. It’s easy to complain about Congress, gripe about the President, and generally have a soul disposition toward all politicians. Maybe they’ve earned it. Maybe they have forgotten what they are supposed to do. Whatever our political slant may be, our first persuasion is toward God. We want what God wants. We want all people, everywhere to come to know Jesus Christ. We need to pray for kings and all who are in authority. We need to ask God to touch their hearts, to open their eyes and to lead them to righteous ways.

  Praying for someone you may not like isn’t easy. This isn’t the first time this comes up in our Bibles. Remember Jesus telling the disciples to pray for your enemies and those that persecute you. That’s hard to do. It’s easy to pray for your friends, your church, your family. But those that you don’t care about, we’d just as soon ignore them. Our inclination is to keep God to ourselves and not allow them to have access to “Our” God. That’s just human nature I suppose. That’s why Christ doesn’t want us to be stuck on “human nature” but on “God’s nature.” 

  Praying for someone you don’t like. To pray for their well being, to pray for them to find Christ, it takes a lot of character to do that, but once you have, you tend to see your enemy in a different way. Give this some thought. Who is someone that you really don’t like? It may be the President. It may be a neighbor. It may be someone in the family. Have you prayed for them, and I don’t mean, praying that a giant rock lands on them. Praying for them as God wants you to. Praying that their heart will change. Praying that they will become Christ like.

  Maybe, we’ve kept prayer to ourselves all this time. Maybe it’s about time we started praying for others…for those who serve in the government…and for those who we don’t like. Praying for others, tends to ease the lines of jealously and hatred. It can mend broken fences. It can build relationships. More than that, it can help our hearts. Not liking others leads to hatred, ill will and a host of other ugly words. It’s certainly not like Jesus. He loved. Upon the cross He prayed for those putting Him to death. When ridiculed, He didn’t respond. They may have hated Jesus, but Jesus didn’t hate them. That’s the steps we need to follow.

  It begins by praying for all, including the kings and the governors, and it includes praying for those who don’t like you. Try it today. It will help, because you are asking God to get involved.

Roger