1 Timothy 2 What's A Church To Do?

1 Timothy 2 NIV

"Gathering for the Sake of Others"
Prayer, Praise and Proclamation
for the glory of God
to benefit St. Vincent DePaul
 

What's a church to do? Paul's letter reminds us that "petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (vs 1-4)

God wants all people to be saved. God wants all people to come to the knowledge of the truth. As a church we come together to pray to God, in the name of Jesus, with that purpose in mind. As a community of saints we ought to gather together often to praise God for all that He has done for us and for the world. We come together so that we might hear and be fed by His Word proclaimed so that we might be better equipped to leave our places of worship and proclaim His Word of life to a hungry world.

We congregate in one place often, not for our own sakes; but, for the sake of others; out of love for God who has given himself for us and for all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 14:8-14 Ask In His Name To Glorify God

John 14:8-14 NIV
Be careful what you ask for in Jesus' name. You may not appreciate the answer to your prayers when it comes as much as you thought it might. God's will; after all, does not necessarily agree with our will. A friend of mine once told me that she was very sorry that she asked God for patience. He had answered her prayer and she was receiving this gift in a very hard way. She was learning it.

Jesus tells us that whatever we ask in his name, it will be given to us. We ask for all kinds of things and the reality it that the answer to some of those prayers is "no." Jesus did not say we could have anything our hearts desire. He said, "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (vs 13)

Note: our prayers are not answered so that we can be glorified; rather, that our Father be glorified. Whatever we ask in Jesus' name that will glorify God will be answered and remember that His will; His ways are not necessarily our will; our ways.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 11:12-33 Authority

Mark 11:12-33 NIV

What kind of authority must one have to curse a fig tree to wither and die for not bearing fruit even out of season and walk through the temple courts turning over the tables of those who are earning their living exchanging money?  What kind of authority is this that could say to a mountain "Go throw yourself into the sea and it will happen?" 

The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders want to know who Jesus thinks he is, anyway. By whose authority does he say and do these things? Jesus responds to the question with a question. "Jesus replied, 'I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.  

John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” (Mark 11:29-30) They're kind of been put in a corner and dare not answer. No matter what answer they give, their unbelief will be apparent.  

"So they answered Jesus, 'We don’t know.'

Jesus said, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.'” (Mark 11:33) 

What kind of authority do we believe that Jesus has? Do we believe that God has power and authority over all things? Do we believe that he will answer our prayers? And… if we do then what would be more fruitful: to be buying and selling (or maybe bartering and begging) in order to sustain a church building trusting in our own works or ask God, in prayer and believing that He will provide for all things necessary to continue in the ministry of proclaiming the Good News of His Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD. 

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) God does have the power and the authority to answer your prayers. Believe it!

God's Peace - Pr. J