The Public Servants’ Prayer

Matthew June 21st, 2007

II Timothy 2:2

“In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, I believe the Bible is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for this we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.” –Abraham Lincoln

Verse 2 - And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

1) Disciples - The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 says to “teach,” or make disciples of, all nations. Paul is telling Timothy to further the Gospel by teaching others as he was taught. We should take the admonition as well, both to become disciples and to make disciples.

2) Faithful men - trustworthy, We want the people we employ to be trustworthy and faithful to the tasks assigned. Conversely, when we are employed, or elected, we are to do all things as unto Christ. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8

3) Example - Abraham’s nephew Lot. We find in this man the antithesis of sharing what he has learned with others. Abraham negotiated with God for sparing of the inhabitants of Sodom. What he did not know was that Lot had been a very poor missionary. Read Genesis 18:23-33

a) Selfishness - When asked what portion of land he wanted to inhabit he chose the good land and gave Abraham the barren land. What he received in addition was wealth, prosperity, and position in the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Even after Abram rescued him he continued to live in the wicked city without sharing about the God of Abram.

b) Sins of Sodom - This Scripture may surprise you, note the order of sins. “Behold, this was the iniquity of Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Ezekiel16:49-50

1. Pride - “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

2. Gluttony “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1Corinthians 6:13,15,19,20

3. Idleness - “laziness, false security” “Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless,… quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man.” Judges 18:7

4. Poor and Needy - “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.” Isaiah 35:3 “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;” Hebrews 12:12

5. Abomination - “something morally disgusting” “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue…” Pro. 6:16-19 Lev. 18:22

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