I urge that supplications… be made for all people. – 1 Timothy 2:1
The fourth distinctive of a gospel-centered church is gospel ministry. We share Christ’s passion for the world.
The gospel did not come to us so that it could end with us. Christ trusted it to us so that we could bring it to others. A gospel-centered church is a missional church with a passion to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all people. This is the theme of 1 Timothy 2. Paul speaks about:
• A ministry of prayer for all people: “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (2:1).
• A ministry of the Word to all people: “I was appointed a preacher and an apostle… a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (2:7).
So we have the ministry of the Word and prayer. Why do we do these things? What are we preaching and why are we praying?
• The atoning death of Christ for all people: “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (2:5-6).
Then you have a strange jump. Paul speaks about men arguing. But notice that it is in relation to the prayer ministry. “The men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling” (2:8).
We are called to a ministry of gospel praying and gospel proclaiming to all people. This mission flows from the atoning death of Jesus. It is our sacred trust, and it must not be hindered by arguing or disputing.
We are called to gospel ministry: We share Christ’s passion for all people.
Where do you sense God urging you to grow? In the ministry of prayer? Or in the ministry of the Word?
