us a mouth and a wisdom
Which all our adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist:
Make us gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those who oppose us:
And grant to them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
Keep us in Thy love
As we build ourselves up in Thy most holy faith,
Praying in the Holy Ghost
And looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
And now to Him that is of power to establish us
According to this Gospel
And the preaching of Jesus Christ
According to the revelation of the mystery
Which was kept secret since the world began,
But is now made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets
According to the commandment of the everlasting God
Made known to all nations
For the obedience of faith:
To God only wise
Be glory through Jesus Christ forever.
Amen.
18. What boldness have we, brethren, now to pray
1 What boldness have we, brethren now to pray
And enter into heaven’s holiest place,
Since Jesus made that new and living way
Through His rent flesh unto the throne of grace!
2 Our great Priest standing o’er the house of God
Now saves His people to the uttermost:
There, where He entered in by His own Blood,
He lives and reigns o’er earth and heaven’s host.
3 In faith then, let us to our God draw near;
In hope, let us hold our confession fast:
In love, let us still hold each other dear
Till that great Day when Christ returns at last!
10.10.10.10.
Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 29; New Testament: Matthew 18 Psalm: 18
1 Timothy 2:1–2
1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
What to do? How to remedy the terrible bane of “any other doctrine,” of “vain jangling” plaguing the Churches? How can I keep myself and my people on course from “making shipwreck of faith and a good conscience?” Paul does not warrant out a theological commission. Nor does he institute an inquisition. He prescribes no curriculum of books and seminars. The Apostle’s antidote to the power of error begins in the hearts of pastor and people, at Church, in worship, in God’s felt presence: I exhort therefore . . . first of all . . . prayers. Paul puts his arm round Timothy’s shoulder; with fatherly care for “son Timothy” he embodies the mercy of the Holy Ghost as Comforter to saints in his counsel (John 14:26): I exhort therefore—as if to say, “Son, the answer is prayer!” The saint is always safe on his knees; the congregation is secure at prayer; the pastor and elders of Ephesus are best commended to God and the Word of his grace, when Paul kneels down and prays with them all (Acts 20:28,32,36; Eph 3:14–21).
First of all . . . prayers: This is more than ensuring an elegant, appropriate invocation leads off the service. Paul is bidding us give priority, significant time, and preparation for prayers at Church. Without this, there is no unction of the Holy Ghost for the preacher, and there is no illumination, or conviction of the Holy Ghost for sinners or saints. If God Himself is indeed our Refuge and Strength, if our help is in His Name, then without Him all is vain—so first of all . . . prayers. I exhort . . . supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks: The Apostle urges us to walk with God Triune through all life, and engage Him in reverent, yet intimate conversation. To seek His presence and counsel in prayer; to present our most pointed petitions at His throne for ourselves in supplications and for others in intercessions; and always to stir up our love for Him, praise to Him, and trust in Him by giving of thanks. This is spending “family time” in the household of faith; this is our common adoption as children of God by faith in Jesus Christ; this is our common prerogative as members of His royal priesthood (Eph 1:3–7, 2:13–20,3:8–12, 5:1–2; 1 Pet. 2:1–5,9–10). Paul calls us in our prayers to speak for all men. Abraham pleads even for Sodom because of Lot (Gen 18); Jeremiah calls the remnant to remember Babylon for its own peace (Jer 29); the Lord shortens days of tribulation for His elect (Mark 13)—so we too pray for all men. No class, color, condition is past prayer. Prayer informs us of, involves us with, and endears us to all men, as children of God (Matt 5:44).
19. Come, Holy Ghost, the Comforter
I.
1 Come, Holy Ghost, the Comforter
Which our Lord Jesus gives
To God’s elect who by Thy power
Repent, believe and live!
2 Blest Holy Ghost, eternal God
The Father and the Son
Have sent Thee to impart the life
The Risen Christ has won.
3 Convince, convict of every sin,
Ill done, or good undone;
Reprove the world of righteousness
Of judgment yet to come!
4 Spirit of supplicating grace,
On every soul twice-born,
Pour out repentance, at the cross
To look on Christ, and mourn.
5 No man but by the Holy Ghost
Can call Christ Jesus Lord:
The gift of faith God gives by Him
Through preaching of the Word.
C.M.
Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 30; New Testament: Matthew 19 Psalm: 19
1 Timothy 2:1–2
1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Timothy well knew Paul’s “manner of life,” he well knew how Paul himself prayed. The Apostle practiced what he preached; he prayed for believers just as he asked believers to pray for him. So he himself prayed for the Church just what he ordained us to pray for in Church.
Pray for kings? Paul dared to pray for Agrippa (Acts 26:25–29). Dare I not pray for Gospel grace when I say, “God save the Queen”?
Pray for all in authority? Paul astonished Sergius Paulus of Paphos and led him to faith (Acts 13:6–12); he made Felix and Drusilla tremble as he reasoned of the faith of Christ (Acts 24:24–25). He baptized his jailer at Philippi (Acts 16:23–34). His bonds for Christ were known in Nero’s palace, and he found saints in Caesar’s household (Phil. 1:12–13; 4:22). Do not the men and women in Parliament, in the police, in the courts, in civil service have souls, and families with souls?
Pray for all men? Paul makes himself servant to all to gain the more; he seeks the profit of the many, that they may be saved (1 Cor 9:22,10:32–33). Will he not pray