One Way to God and the Role of Church Worship by Pastor Dave

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people.”
1 Timothy 2: 5-6b
 
1 Timothy 2: 1-7
 
     In Paris, France there is a very large round-about with many lanes and multiple entry and exit points. It operates on a one-way system but can be confusing especially to foreign visitors. A newspaper once reported that such a visitor got so confused that they simply drove round and round the round-about until they ran out of fuel. Life can feel like that round-about and we can wonder about all the explanations that we hear for life. In our quoted verse above we are given real clarity – there is one God and one way to Him through Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us. Simple and utterly clear truth.
 
     This statement is preceded and followed by instructions for Corporate Worship; the Gospel is at the heart of the Church's Worship. The Church is to pray for all people and especially those in authority so that we might live quiet, godly and holy lives (vs. 1-2). This in itself, if you remember, follows on from chapter one with the encouragement for the Church to hold on to God’s truth. There is one God (vs. 5) which connects to the deeper reality that we were created for a relationship with Him. To have peaceful lives we need to live in that relationship, in obedience and caring for others as we love Him. Christ the mediator has paid the price for us so that we can have that relationship through faith in Him.
 
     In light of these truths God’s Church is called to pray with clear goals within His Mission that all people may know the ‘one way’ to God. Here are some of the conclusions we can draw from this passage:

• We pray because it pleases and honours God (vs.3)
• We pray because God desires the salvation of all people (vs. 4). This does not mean that all will be saved and find their way to God but this is the goal of such prayer
• We pray because God loves all people and because Jesus gave His life for all (vs. 1, 6)
• We pray for a world under God’s Sovereignty that there may be peace and order (vs. 1-2).

 
     In the confusion of life and in a pandemic where contradictory views exist on how to handle the situation it is reassuring to remember these truths. God calls us to pray for those He has put in authority (vs. 2 & Romans 13: 1-5) and to pray for the souls of all to find the one-way to God. The progress of God’s Mission of Reconciliation is directly proportionate to the prayers of His Church; a huge joy and massive responsibility
    
To Ponder: What prayers can you offer for those in authority, how else might you support them as you obey God? Who can you pray for that they may find the one way to God through Jesus? Pray faithfully for them over a period of time and see what God does.
 
Prayer; Eternal God, the light of the minds that know you, the joy of the hearts that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you: grant us so to know you that we may truly love you, so to love you that we may truly serve you, whose service is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
Augustine of Hippo (430)
 
 
Praise: One Way Jesus
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7IQvg6VSNI
For the Healing of the Nations
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYFwJitauAM