May 18, 2023 | Be On Mission
Authentic Worship
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2(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.
8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
Devotional
By the time Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, the young Roman Emperor Nero had been in power for nearly a decade. Persecution of Christians was on the rise, and things would only get worse in the next few years. It seems counterintuitive to urge Timothy and the Ephesian church to pray for those in authority over them. But if things eased up, the believers could live peaceful and quiet lives filled with godliness and holiness. Paul hoped that these qualities would influence those around them to be saved.
How should we be praying for our president, governor, mayor, city leaders, law enforcement, judicial authorities, school officials, and more? Perhaps now is the time for less criticism and more prayer.
Paul reminded Timothy that Jesus is the only bridge between us and God. Timothy was ministering in Ephesus, a city famous for the worship of the goddess Aretmis. The temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. People came from far distances for erotic and seductive displays of worship to this false goddess. Paul’s reminder that Jesus is the only mediator between us and God stood in stark contrast to the beliefs and practices of the entire Roman Empire.
Another aspect of life in that culture is that it was illegal for Jewish women to study. When Paul said that “a woman should learn in quietness and full submission” it was a radical step to even suggest that a female could learn. It’s possible that some women were beginning to take on the role of speaking out and leading in prayer, even though they had received no formal training in their lives.
Remember, the entire city of Ephesus was centered on the goddess Aretmis. Women in the Ephesian culture took prominent roles because of that. As people became Christians, they naturally incorporated their culture’s customs into the church. Elsewhere, Paul acknowledged that women in places like Corinth prayed and prophesied out loud in church (see 1 Corinthians 11:5). It seems as though Paul was addressing something specific to the practices of prayer and worship in the Ephesian church.
As we consider what it means for us to minister the gospel in our particular time and context, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your church to do so as He directs.
Poem
First and Foremost, Prayer
Supplicate
Be humble
In your asking
For you’re addressing
The King of the Universe
First and foremost
Prayer
Pray
Be in conversation
In your quiet
For you’re communicating with
The Intimate Lover
First and foremost
Prayer
Intercede
Be for others
In your requests
For you’re imploring
The Giver of All Good Things
First and foremost
Prayer
Gratitude
Be thankful
In your speaking
For you’re praising
The Sovereign Ruler
First and foremost
Prayer
Be quiet
Be peaceful
Be godly
Be dignified
In every way
First and foremost
Prayer
