BY JACK WARD
1 Timothy 2:1: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Paul urged; he implored people to pray. Our first duty and priority is to pray for those in need before we do anything else. Every human has need. Everyone. The most important thing we can ever do for someone is to pray for them by name before God. God would not ask us to pray if He were not going to answer them.
Man needs food, shelter, employment and medical attention. But that all pales in comparison to his greatest need. Man needs a Savior. God gave them one in Jesus Christ. The best thing God can do for man is to help them to realize that they need a Savior and the knowledge of that truth.
What truth? That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23.) All need to be saved because all have sinned. God wants us all to know that. To know that we need a Savior is first and foremost in order to be saved. The best thing God can do is get the word out about that truth about all men.
Everyone needs to be saved. There are no exceptions. The Pope needs to be saved. The president needs to be saved. Your best friends and your family need to be saved from the penalty of sin.
The best thing God can do for you is not to make you rich or famous, give you good health or a long life.
The best thing God can do for you is SAVE YOU from the penalty of sin.
1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
The one mediator between God and man, the only way to salvation, the only way to have a relationship with our heavenly Father, is through the only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
If we had needed medicine, God would have sent a healer.
If we had needed government, God would have sent us a king.
If we had needed guidance, God would have sent a teacher.
If we had needed an army, God would have sent us a commander.
If we had needed new homes, God would have sent a carpenter.
And guess what? God did send us all these things in Jesus Christ.
But the thing we needed before anything else and above everything else was forgiveness for sin, and God sent us exactly what we needed: a Savior.
Did Jesus say on the cross, “It has begun?” No. “It is almost done?” No. “It is just about ready?” No. “It is half finished?” No. Jesus said, “IT IS FINISHED.” Done. Complete. Nothing to be added later.
God has given us the best thing He could ever have given us. He gave us Jesus.
Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons every Sunday morning at 10:30 on 98.9 WSIP FM. Check out the Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church Facebook page and our website at tomahawkmbc.com.