PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS

PROCLAMATION

“I urge … that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In this pastoral epistle Paul exhorted Timothy to pray for all people, including the leaders and officials who had authority over them. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)  He said that God wanted all people to be saved and to know the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-6)  Then Paul gave Timothy instructions regarding role and behavior of men and women in the church. (1 Timothy 2:8-15)

 

APPLICATION

We all need prayer, and we should pray for one another. (James 5:16)  While we should pray for everyone, we should pray special prayers for our leaders, elected political officials, secular authorities, and religious leaders.  They need God’s help as their decisions and actions can have an effect the lives of believers.  They can make it difficult for us to live peaceful lives.  Some of them are trying to do the right thing but need help as they stand alone for that which is right.  Some of them can make honest mistakes while others have thoughts of planned malice and deception.  Some seek personal gain and the expense of the people that they should be serving.  Whatever the reason for the behavior, all of our leaders need our prayers.  

 

OPPOSE FALSE TEACHING

PROCLAMATION

“As I urged you … command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths …”  1 Timothy 1:3-4 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to direct and encourage him in his efforts. (1 Timothy 1:2)  When Paul was leaving Ephesus heading to Macedonia, he urged Timothy to stay in Ephesus and address the teachers of false doctrine. (1 Timothy 1:3-7)  Then he explained the purpose of the law to him. (1 Timothy 1:8-11)  Paul thanked God for His grace and mercy because he had once been a blasphemer, a persecutor of Christians, and generally a violent man. (1 Timothy 1:12-17)  Afterwards, he renewed his charge to Timothy to keep the faith and to hold on to that which he was taught. (1 Timothy 1:18-19)

 

APPLICATION

In times like these, we will hear men proposing all types of false doctrine.  Some of our political leaders are claiming to be believers, but their policies and programs are going against The Word of God.  Television programs are showing things glorifying demons and devils.  Fornication is being promoted in advertisements and in the movies.  Some people are misrepresenting The Word of God from the pulpit attempting to redirect and confuse the people of God.  We need to read and study The Bible (2 Timothy 2:15) so that we can recognize false doctrine and oppose it.  Just because everyone is doing it does not make it right.  Don’t just follow the crowd, the road to destruction is well traveled. (Matthew 7:13)  Some people may not want to hear the truth; they only want to hear that which pleases them. (2 Timothy 4:3)  Do not keep silent when you hear that which is wrong, respectfully oppose the teachers of false doctrine.  Our silence may be taken by them and by others as agreement.

 

KEEP AWAY FROM IDLE AND DISRUPTIVE PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“In the name of The Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.”  2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this third and final chapter of this second letter by asking them to pray for him and his fellow laborers. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)  Then he offers a brief prayer for them. (2 Thessalonians 3:5)  Afterwards, he told them to keep away from every believer who is disorderly and who does not live according to the way that they have been taught.  He repeated this later in the letter and added that they were not to treat the disobedient one as an enemy, but to make them feel ashamed of their behavior and to warn them. (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)  He also told them that if an idle brother is unwilling to work, then he should not be given food to eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)  He ended the letter with a brief prayerful benediction. (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18)

 

APPLICATION

We should be very careful regarding the company that we keep and the friends that we associate with.  “Birds of a feather will flock together.” (Author Unknown)  “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3)  As believers we are to witness to the lost, but we are not to fraternize with them on their level.  If we cannot pull them up with The Word of God, then we should not let them pull us down into their sinful behavior.  If we cannot help them, it is better for us to avoid them.  We should also avoid those who claim to be believers but will not engage in any kingdom building activities.  God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33)  So, believers should not the source of disruption in the church.  Our actions speak much louder than our words.

 

STAND AND HOLD ON

PROCLAMATION

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.  May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:15-16 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  He began this second chapter of his second letter by discussing the antichrist and reminded them that he had told them about these things when he was with them. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5)  The coming of the antichrist will be in accordance with how Satan works, using displays of power through signs and wonders to support his lies and deceptions. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10)  The false prophets were spreading the word that the Day of The Lord had already come, whereas Paul was telling the believers that it had not come yet. (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3)  Then Paul encourages them to stand firm and hold on to the teachings which they had received. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)  He ends by praying that God will encourage and strengthen them. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

 

APPLICATION

After the rapture, the day of The Lord will begin.  The Day of The Lord is a technical phrase which refers to the period of time beginning with the Great Tribulation. (Read Matthew 24:3-28)  The antichrist will reveal himself during this period and deceive the people presenting himself as God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4)  He will have power and he will perform signs and wonders to support his deception. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10)  As bad as things are in the world today, they will get worse because the day of The Lord has not yet come.  When it does come, believers will not be here to see it because it will occur after the rapture.  So, don’t be left behind.  Keep the faith and keep spreading The Word of God by mouth and by actions.  Put on the whole armor of God so that we will be able to stand against the attacks of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)  Then we can rest assured that we are safely within God’s hands. (John 10:29)

 

GOD WILL REPAY THOSE WHO TROUBLE BELIEVERS

PROCLAMATION

“God is just; He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”  2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, in his second letter to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  After he introduces himself and greets them, Paul states that he thanks God for them because their faith in God and because their love for one another is growing and increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-3)  He tells them that he brags to other churches about their perseverance and faith in the midst of their persecutions and trials. (2 Thessalonians 1:4)  Then he tells them that God is just, and that He will pay back trouble to all those who trouble them.  God will punish all non-believers when The Lord Jesus returns. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)  He ends this first chapter by telling them that he prays for them. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

 

APPLICATION

Those who do believers wrong and cause them to suffer will be punished by The Lord God.  He said, “… Vengeance is mine; I well repay …” (Romans 12:19)  The Lord Jesus is coming back to gather up His church (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) and to judge the wicked.  All mankind will see Him when He returns (Revelation 1:7) but our perspectives will differ.  Every knee shall bow to Him (Isaiah 45:23 and Romans 14:11) but for different reasons.  Some of the people will see Him as Savior, while others will see Him as judge.  How we see Him will depend upon our relationship with him.

 

REJOICE AND PRAY AND GIVE THANKS

PROCLAMATION

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins the fifth and final chapter of this letter by stating that he does not have to remind them that the day of The Lord is coming for they are children of the light. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-8)  He encouraged them to build one another up, just as they were already doing.  He also told them to acknowledge those among them who work hard for The Lord and to hold them in high regard. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)  Then he urged them to warn the wrongdoers, to help the weak, to encourage the down-hearted, and to be patient with everyone.  Finally he told them to rejoice always, to pray continually, and to give thanks to God in all situations. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)  He said that they should hold on to that which is good and reject every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)

 

APPLICATION

We should acknowledge those among us who are doing a good job and warn those who are doing poorly.  We should encourage the depressed and help those who are in need.  Remember the old saying, “There, but for the grace of God, go you or I.”  We should always be patient with others, for at some point in our lives someone was patient with us.  Believers should not walk around with a negative attitude.  We are to rejoice because everything is going to work out in our favor and for our good. (Romans 8:28)  So we should count everything as a joy, even our storms, trials, and tribulations. (James 1:2)  We should have a prayerful attitude and pray often about everything. (Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18, and 1 Thessalonians 5:15)  We should also acknowledge that God’s hand is in everything (Proverbs 3:6) and then we should thank Him for everything. (1 Chronicles 16:8, Psalm 92:1, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18)  Everything that happens is either a blessing or a lesson to be learned.

THE RAPTURE

PROCLAMATION

“According to The Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of The Lord, will not certainly precede those who have fallen asleep.  For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.  And so we will be with The Lord forever.”  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this fourth chapter by urging them to live in order to please God, more than they were already doing.  He told them that it was God’s will for them to avoid sexual immorality, to exercise control over their own body and live holy and honorably. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-5)  He acknowledged that they had already demonstrated love for one another, but he encouraged them to mind their own business so that their daily lives would win the respect of non-believers. (Thessalonians 4:9-12)  Then he addressed the rapture, and he made it clear that the dead in Christ would rise first, and after that those who were still alive would meet them and The Lord in the air.  We will all be taken away to be with The Lord forever.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

 

APPLICATION

It is a comforting thought, for those of us who have lost loved ones, to know that we will see them again.  Although they are now asleep in death, we will meet them again when The Lord Jesus, The Christ, returns to rapture all believers.  Unfortunately, there will be some people who will be left behind after the rapture occurs and removes all of the believers from the earth. (Matthew 24:40-42)  In the twinkling of an eye, all believers will be changed from corruptible mortals to spiritual beings of incorruptible immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)  Woe be unto those who are left behind.