3 gospel shaped priorities for an orderly church
I. The Priority and Scope of Corporate Prayer
A. The practice of prayer
1 Timothy 2:1 - First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men…
Daniel 9:17-19 - So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary. O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.
Acts 7:59-60 - They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.
B. The targets of prayer
1 Timothy 2:2 - For kings and all who are in authority…
C. The purpose of prayer
1 Timothy 2:2 - …so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
D. The theological basis for why we do what we do?
1 Timothy 2:3-7 - This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
II. The Conduct of Men and Women in the Church
A. The mandate for men
1 Timothy 2:8 - Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
B. The mandate for women
1 Timothy 2:9 - Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments.
C. The focus on character
1 Timothy 2:10 - …but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.
III. The Order of Leadership and Roles in the Assembly
A. The manner of learning
1 Timothy 2:11 - A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.
B. The restriction on authority
1 Timothy 2:12 - But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
C. The order of creation
1 Timothy 2:13 - For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.
D. The disorder of the fall
1 Timothy 2:14 - And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
E. The promise of preservation
1 Timothy 2:15 - But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
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