The Christmas Gift of Giving 🎁✨
This Christmas, discover the true joy of giving as we explore the heartwarming message of generosity and love found in God’s Word.
Through passages like Acts 20:35 (“It is more blessed to give than to receive”) and John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son”), we reflect on the ultimate gift—Jesus Christ—and how we can follow His example.
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Acts 20:35 “… And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more
blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Luke 12:48 ” … To whom much is given, from him much will be required;
Luke 6:38 (NLT) Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down
from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Erma Bombeck said, “There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas
morning and not be a child.”
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why?
The nearest thing to heaven is a child
Thursday December 24, 1987
We all went out to look at the Christmas lights. Jordan said, “Christmas is for giving,
right Me-maw.” I guess that just about sums it up my little man.
1. REMEMBER AND REPEAT THE GIVING OF GOD.
Acts 20:35 “… And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more
blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
I came across this Property Laws from a toddler’s perspective.
If I like it, it’s mine.
If I can take it away from you, it’s mine.
If it looks like mine, it’s mine.
If I saw it first, it’s mine.
If you’re having fun with it, it’s mine.
If you lay it down, it’s mine.
If broken, it’s yours.
Luke 6:38 (NLT) Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed
down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.
The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
Galatians 6:7 “… For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly,…”
The moral of the story is when we only take in and never give out, we not only poison
ourselves but we also poison others
Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must
support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said,
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Now there are some preachers on TV with a suit and a tie and a vest
They want you to send your money to the Lord, but they give you their address,
‘Cause all of your donations are completely tax-free
God bless you all, but most of all, send your money
Luke 12:48 ” … To whom much is given, from him much will be required;
We sing a hymn: Because I have been given much I too must give.
Proverbs 11:24 (NLT) Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose
everything.
Proverbs 11:25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves
be refreshed.
John 21:25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were
written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books
that would be written. Amen.
2. RECOGNIZE AND REJOICE IN THE GENEROSITY OF GOD.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down
from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT) Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
2 Corinthians 9:15 (MSG) Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it
enough!
2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIRV) Let us give thanks to God for his gift. It is so great that no
one can tell how wonderful it really is!
3. RECEIVE AND NOT REJECT THE GIFT OF GOD.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 8:32 (NLT) Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for
us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Once there was a farmer who scattered seeds so liberally that most of it didn’t
even take root.
Once, there was a king who forgave a debt of 10,000 talents, millions of dollars today.
Once, there was a vineyard owner who gave people far more than their work was
worth.
Once, there was a father who gave away half of his estate to his rebellious son,
and then gave him a party when he came crawling back having wasted it all.
Once, there was a nobleman who gave three months’ wages to all his employees,
and then went on a foreign trip.
Once, there was a king who gave wedding invitations to every undesirable in the
the country.
Once, there was a landowner who gave his vineyard over to the tenants.
Luke 20:13 “‘‘What will I do?’ the owner asked himself. ‘I know! I’ll send my
cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’
Luke 20:14 “But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other,
‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’
Luke 20:15 So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him.
John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God, to those who believe in His name:
Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become
a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they
do.”
Now salvation is a gift, all wrapped up in the grave clothes of Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God,
When we reject the gift, we also we reject the gift-giver.
Matthew 16:25 (NLT) If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up
your life for my sake, you will save it
The sermon “Heavenly Flights” explores the fascinating theme of ascension to heaven, focusing on examples from the Bible of individuals and groups who have experienced or will experience a “heavenly flight.” The message is divided into four parts: the flights of Enoch and Elijah, the vision of the Apostle Paul, the anticipated ascension of Christians, and the ultimate flight of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Scripture and Christian hymns, the sermon reflects on the hope, assurance, and eternal joy that believers have in Christ. It emphasizes the reality of heaven and encourages the faithful to live with their eyes fixed on their eternal home.
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Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and
was not found, because God had taken him”;
2 Kings 2:11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly
a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them;
and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the
body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such
a one was caught up to the third heaven.
Luke 16:22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to
Abraham’s bosom.
Psalm 90:10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength
they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off,
and we fly away.
Squire Parsons wrote and sang a song entitled ” Sweet Beulah Land”
I’m looking now, just across the river
To where my faith, shall end in sight
There’s just a few more days to labor.
Then I will take my heavenly flight.
Albert Brumley wrote a song we sing in this church sometimes
Some glad morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away
To a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away.
I. THE HEAVENLY FLIGHTS OF ENOCH AND ELIJAH.
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and
was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this
testimony, that he pleased God.
2 Kings 2:11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly
a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them;
and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
I looked over Jordan and what did I see, comin’ for to carry me home
If you get there before I do, Comin’ for to carry me home,
Tell all my friends I’m comin’ too, Comin’ for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot, Comin’ for to carry me home;
II. THE HEAVENLY FLIGHTS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL.
2 Corinthians 12:1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to
visions and revelations of the Lord:
2 Corinthians 12:1 (CEV) I have to brag. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must
brag about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me.
2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago —-
2 Corinthians 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned;
Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who
persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city,
supposing he had been dead.
Acts 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and
came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back
My Journey to Heaven: What I Saw and How It Changed My Life
My Trip to Heaven: Face to Face with Jesus [Paperback]
90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life [Paperback]
Heaven is Beyond Your Wildest Expectations: Ten True Stories of Experiencing Heaven
The Rainbow Bridge: Pet Loss Is Heaven’s Gain
Wagging Tails In Heaven: The Gift Of Our Pets Everlasting Love
2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the
body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such
a one was caught up to the third heaven.
2 Corinthians 12:3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body
I do not know, God knows—
2 Corinthians 12:4 How he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words,
which it is not lawful for a man to utter
III. THE HEAVENLY FLIGHTS OF CHRISTIANS.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ
will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be
with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Some will experience an in body experience “we who are alive and remain shall be
caught up together.”
Some will experience an out of body experience “the dead in Christ will rise first.”
2 Corinthians 5:8 “Absent from the body, and …. present with the Lord.”
2 Timothy 4:6 … the time of my departure is at hand.
Psalm 90:10 … For it(life) is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Heaven Can Wait (title card)
https://ntvb.tmsimg.com/assets/p1822_v_h8_af.jpg?w=960&h=540
Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage,
but are like angels of God in heaven.
Revelation 14:6 (ESV) Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with
an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and
tribe and language and people.
Tertullian (c. 160-c. 240) said, “Every spirit is winged, both angels and demons.”
Luke 16:22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s
bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
IV. THE HEAVENLY FLIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
John 1:11 He came to His own, …
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
Hebrews 10:5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and
offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.
Hebrews 2:7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
2 Corinthians 12:4 How he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words,
Luke 23:42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into
Your kingdom.”
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with
Me in Paradise.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have
entered the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 (MSG) That’s why we have this Scripture text:
No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this,
Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—
What God has arranged for those who love him.
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
When at the cross my Saviour made me whole
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
Born of the Spirit with life from above
Into God’s fam’ly divine
When we invite Jesus to come in, He comes down from heaven to live within us
Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
Ephesians 3:17 (NOG) Then Christ will live in you through faith.
Ephesians 3:17 (NLT) Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in
him..
This sermon focuses on the importance of cultivating a spirit of thanksgiving in all circumstances. Drawing from a wealth of Scriptural references, it emphasizes that thanksgiving is a central part of the Christian life, expressed in our prayers, actions, and attitudes. The message explores three key themes: thanksgiving as a necessary expression of faith, the expansion of thanksgiving to all aspects of life, and the expectation of thanksgiving as God’s will for His people. It also ties in historical and cultural reflections, such as a proclamation by the President of the United States, highlighting the enduring significance of gratitude in both personal and collective life.
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1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you.
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
” By the President of the United States of America a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty
God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his
protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint
Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a
day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with
grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording
them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety
and happiness.”
2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful …
I) THANKSGIVING IS ALWAYS TO BE EXPRESSED.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ” … give thanks …”
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks
Colossians 3:17 “… giving thanks to God …”
John 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed
them to the disciples, …
Luke 22:19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,
“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
II) THANKSGIVING IS ALWAYS TO BE EXPANDED.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks;
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things to God …”
Philippians 4:6 “… In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving …”
2 Corinthians 11:24 (NLT) Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine
lashes.
2 Corinthians 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three
times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
2 Corinthians 11:26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from
rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well
as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas.
And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
2 Corinthians 11:27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights.
I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered
in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
2 Corinthians 11:28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for
all the churches.
Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who
loved us.
2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ”.
1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ”.
Matthew 5:46 (NLT) If you love only those who love you, what reward is there
for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.
Matthew 5:47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone
else? Even pagans do that.
Matthew 5:48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Romans 1:21 “… They did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful,
If Christians don’t give thanks, who will?
The question is not “Is your glass half empty or half full? ”
The more important question is “Are you thankful for your glass? ”
And what’s in it?
III) THANKSGIVING IS ALWAYS TO BE EXPECTED.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you.
Job 1:21 “… The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of
the Lord.
Job 2:13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and
no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
If all things work together for good to those who love God that means everything
that happens TO you also happens FOR you.
Psalm 50:14 Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High
Psalm 50:14 (TLB) What I want from you is your true thanks; I want your promises
fulfilled.
Psalm 50:14 (CEV) I am God Most High! The only sacrifice I want is for you to be
thankful and to keep your word.
In this thought-provoking sermon, Pastor Ed Hamilton explores the profound truths of salvation through the lens of sin, ransom, and redemption. Drawing from passages like Romans 6:23, Matthew 20:28, and 1 Peter 1:18-19, this message delves into the weight of humanity’s sin debt, the ransom demand fulfilled by Christ, and the ultimate purchase price paid by His precious blood. Through vivid illustrations and rich scriptural insights, Pastor Ed reveals the depth of God’s love and the cost of redemption.
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Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 20:28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many.”
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your
body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Peter 1:18 Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver
or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot.
Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and
count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it–
None of us can stay out of debt spiritually speaking.
I. THE SIN DEBT.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death …
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins shall die …”
Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors
Romans 6:23 (Phillips) Sin pays its servants: the wage is death.
“At Smith Barney we make money the old fashioned way … we earn it.”
” On planet Earth we receive death the old fashioned way … we earn it.”
Hell is a place where people pay an unpayable debt, that’s why it’s forever.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits
sin is a slave of sin.
Proverbs 23:35 “… when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Hebrews 11:25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to
enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to
enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
II. THE RANSOM DEMAND.
Matthew 20:28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many.”
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men,
the Man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, …
Proverbs 13:8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t
even get threatened.
Ransom 1956 movie title card
https://dvdlady.com/image/2019/08/ransom-1956-starring-glenn-ford-on-dvd-1.jpg
Psalm 49:6 Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their
riches,
Psalm 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God
a ransom for him—
Psalm 49:8 For the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever—
Psalm 49:9 That he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit.
Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us …
Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their
sins,
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men,
the Man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, …
John 19:30 “…. He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Origen (c.185- c. 254) wrote: “Now it was the devil that held us, to whose side we
had been drawn away by our sins. He asked, therefore, as our price the blood of
Christ.”
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,
he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy
him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage.
Isaiah 53:4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed
Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Hebrews 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God?
III. THE PURCHASE PRICE.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price;
1 Corinthians 6:20 (Berkley) For you were bought and paid for;
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT) For God bought you with a high price.
1 Peter 1:18 Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like
silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot.
Implied – The soul needs redeeming.
Denied – Wealth, power, learning, none can redeem.
Supplied — a ransom by Jesus.
Applied — by the Spirit to our actual deliverance.
Charles Spurgeon said, “Redemption is our chief blessing–nothing better can be
said of you than this, “Ye are bought with a price.”… To every man of whom this may
be said, it is the best news he ever heard. An angel sent from heaven could not bring
to any man or woman here a more delightful message than this.”
The Puritan named Thomas Watson said this.
“Great was the work of creation, but greater the work of redemption.
It cost more to redeem us than to make us. In the one, there was but the speaking
of a word. In the other, there was shedding blood. ”
We’re in debt because of our sin
Therefore a payment or a ransom must be made on our behalf
We cannot pay our own debt of sin because we are sinners
God cannot forgive sins without the debt being paid
Only Jesus the God-Man could pay the debt of sin.
He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay
Jesus paid it all
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe,
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us
into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Colossians 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
sins.
Colossians 2:14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against
us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to
the cross.
In this impactful message, Pastor Ed Hamilton addresses the congregation on the importance of prayer following the recent election. With 1 Timothy 2:1-4 as the anchor text, Pastor Ed encourages believers to prioritize prayer, interceding for those in authority and seeking God’s will for leaders and nations alike. Reflecting on biblical figures—from Adam and Noah to Paul and Jeremiah—he reminds us of God’s sovereignty over human governance and the believer’s call to peace, godliness, and prayer. Through scripture and practical exhortation, this sermon highlights the Christian responsibility to engage in intercession, no matter the political climate.
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1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks be made for all men,
1 Timothy 2:2 For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge
of the truth.
Adam: Good man but problems with his wife. Also one reference told of how
his wife enjoy walking nude in the woods.
Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years with no converts. Prone to unrealistic building
projects. Has been guilty of public drunkness.
Abraham: Though the references reported wife-swapping, the facts seem to
show he never slept with another man’s wife, but he did offer to share his own wife
with another man.
Joseph: A big thinker, but a braggart, believes in dream-interpreting, dreams too big
and too much, plus has a prison record because of an attempted rape charge
Moses: A modest and meek man, but poor communicator, even stuttering at times.
Sometimes blows his stack and acts rashly. Some say he left an earlier congregation
over a murder charge.
David: A talented musician and composer of music and a great lyricist. The most
promising leader of all until we discovered the affair he had with his neighbor’s wife
and he may have had a part in her husband’s death and now they are even married.
Jonah: Refused God’s call into ministry until he was forced to obey by getting.
swallowed up by a great fish. He told us the fish later spit him out on the shore
near here. We hung up!
Solomon: Smartest man in any room and a great preacher with excellent wisdom to
share but he has a wandering eye and not just for several women but for a thousand
Ezekiel: Widower who is known for strange behavior such as lying on his left side for
390 days and then lying on his right side for 40 days. He cut off his hair and burned
one-third of it, chopped one-third of it, and scattered the other third to the wind. He
claims the Lord told him not to mourn his own wife’s death. Paranoid schizophrenic?
Jeremiah: Emotionally unstable, alarmist, negative, always crying over something,
and reported to have taken a long trip to bury his underwear on the bank of a
foreign river. He also claims God told him to wear a yoke around his neck.
Isaiah: On the fringe? Claims to have seen angels in church. Has trouble with his
language. He claims God told him to walk around naked and barefoot for three years.
Enough said.
Hosea: A tender and loving pastor and a family man with a wife and three children,
but it is unclear if Hosea is even the biological father of the children. Our people
could never handle his wife’s occupation — rumor is she is a working prostitute.
John: Says he is a Baptist, but definitely doesn’t dress like one. Has slept in
the outdoors for months on end, has a weird diet, and provokes denominational
leaders..Another jail bird.
Paul: Powerful CEO type leader and fascinating preacher. However, short on tact,
unforgiving with younger ministers, harsh, too deep and has been known to preach
all night. Long prison record also.
Peter: Too blue collar. Has a bad temper–even has been known to curse a lot.
Had a big run-in with Paul in Antioch. Aggressive, but a loose cannon. Known for
saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
Judas: His references are solid. A steady plodder. Conservative. Good connections.
Treasury experience so knows how to handle money. We’re inviting him to preach
this Sunday. Possibilities here.
Romans 3:4 “Let God be true but every man a liar.
Some say you can’t legislate morality
Morality will always be legislated, the question is whose morality.
I. THE GENERAL CALL TO PRAYER.
1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks be made …”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you.
II. THE LIMITLESS RANGE OF PRAYER.
1 Timothy 2:1 “… be made for all men,
We will never run out of people and needs to pray for.
III. THE SPECIFIC PRAYER FOR LEADERS.
1 Timothy 2:2 For kings and all who are in authority …”
Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when
a wicked man rules, the people groan.
Charles Stanley – Praying for Leaders
“Whether or not the man who leads your country is one you have personally
chosen is not the issue. Once a leader is elected or placed in a position of authority,
each of us has a responsibility to pray for that individual. You need to be committed
to pray for his personal relationship with Christ and his willingness to seek God’s
wisdom for every decision. Pray that your leader would learn to hate evil and love
righteousness. Only then can true justice be administered in the maze of government
and politics.
Be committed to pray that your leader’s convictions will be based on God’s Word
and not preferences founded on the unstable ground of political consensus.
Ask God to protect his family, and pray that each family member would be given
the opportunity to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Rulers often think they
are in control of their country’s circumstances, but God is quick to point out that
He is Lord over all. Men and nations are under the control of God and not the
House of Representatives, the Senate, Parliament, or any superior court.
You may feel as though your prayers are insignificant, but they are vital links to
God’s throne room where eternal decisions are made on a daily basis.”
IV. THE PEACE FOR THE “PRAY-ERS”.
1 Timothy 2:2 “… that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
reverence.
The greatest threat to truth and virtue in this country is the government
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity!
Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
V. THE PRAYERFUL DESIRE OF SALVATION FOR ALL.
1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge
of the truth.
Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
Acts 26:29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me
today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
Theophilus of Antioch AD 181 was the bishop of Antioch in the second century.
Theophilus of Antioch wrote, “The honor that I will give the emperor is all the greater
because I will not worship him, but I will pray for him. I will worship no one but the
true and real God for I know that the emperor was appointed by Him. Those give real
honor to the emperor who are well disposed to him, who obey him, and who pray
for him.”
VI. THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS PRAY.
1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
Ezekiel 18:23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord
God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?
Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God.
Therefore turn and live!
Acts 17:30 “God … commands all men everywhere to repent.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks be made for all men,
1 Timothy 2:2 For kings and all who are in authority,
1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge
of the truth.
John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;”
1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,…”
Ephesians 1:4 Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world …”
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you …”
