日期 :   03/21/2010

經文 :   提前 2:8-10

題目 :   禱告的信徒

主旨 :    因神呼召祂的子民要禱告 , 我們的祈禱必須與生命一致。

引言 :

   我相信大家都十分注意在國會的醫療保險改革的方案，在今日結束之前我們就會知道這個方案是否會成為這個國家的新法律，這一個方案也有很長的歷史是自從柯林頓總統第一任開始。歐巴馬總統決定將這一個醫療改革的方案成為他在任的政績，他就盡了他一切能力使這方案能通過，有許多的遊說、演講、聽證會等等，雖然最後的方案不一定能夠滿足每一個人的期望，但是至少這也是朝向我們等了很久的一個醫療健康的保險改革。當政治領袖要實現他們的目標和理想的時候，他們會除掉所有一切的障礙，雖然如此但也沒有任何保證他們一定會成功。

   當神將他的心意向人顯示他願意萬人得救認識他真理的時候又怎麼樣呢？他做了一件非常不尋常的事，他邀請他的子民來禱告。他不是說如果你不禱告的話，我的願望就會被關在天上的一個貯藏室裡，不，反而他在說這是我的願望要萬人都得救，因此你來和我一起禱告。

   在一個月前我們看到神向我們呼籲要禱告，這一個呼籲是在所謂神家裡的家規之下向我們發出的，神要信徒門聚集的時候一定要記得禱告。不但如此， 他也給了我們一些指引要為什麼禱告，他要我們會所有的人，包括了領導、在上掌權的人禱告，這些的禱告就成為每一個教會的宣教事工的基礎。

   今日這段經文繼續告訴我們要如何禱告，雖然這一個只是分別給男的或女的，但是在背後的原則卻適合每一個人。第八到第十節繼續發展為在一個教會裡男人和女人的角色，特別是婦女在教會的角色我們將在今年稍後仔細的來看這個題目。

   在第八到第十節我們會看到一個非常基本的簡單的真理就是因神呼籲我們禱告，所以我們的態度和生活方式都要配合這一個呼籲。

I •  我們在一切的地方要禱告。

「 因此，我願意男人沒有忿怒，沒有爭論，舉起聖潔的手隨處禱告」 在第八節這裡說我們在每當我們禱告的時候，弟兄們要禱告，你有沒有注意到這一個吩咐雖然也可以運用在姊妹的身上，卻特別的指向弟兄，一般來說男士是以任務為主，男人的焦點是放在做事，並從成就中得到滿足，但是當我們禱告的時候我們並不感覺到有任何成就，有時我們會覺得有在點浪費時間，因此情願去做其他事情，可能因為這個原因，男人往往在禱告的事上比較緩慢而且不太願意禱告。在第八節我們注意到有關禱告的地方。

我們要在每個地方、任何地方來禱告，這可以使指每一個敬拜神的地方，保羅這裡可能是瑪垃基書第一章 11 節「 萬軍之耶和華說： “ 從日出到日落的地方，我的名在列國中為大；在各處都有人向我的名燒香，獻上潔淨的禮物，因為我的名在列國中為大。 ” 」

上星期在我教書的一個城市裡，學生們每天早上 5 點中有集體晨禱，然後晚上有晚禱，另外的一個城市在上課開始之前有一段禱告，然後在下午當天課程結束時也有一段時間禱告。每當我們在這裡聚集的時候，禱告要成為我們的一個重點，每當神的兒女聚在一起禱告的時候，就在那裡應驗了瑪垃基書預言，就是在每一個地方都有人向神禱告。

II •  我們可以不同的姿態禱告。

弟兄們在任何地方聚集的時候要禱告，在第八節說「 因此，我願意男人沒有忿怒，沒有爭論，舉起聖潔的手隨處禱告」，這裡是講到聖潔、純潔的禱告，但是同時是指著禱告的姿態。在這裡舉起手來禱告，在聖經沒有要求哪一種特殊的姿態禱告，反而有不同的姿態，在詩篇第五章 7 節「至於我，我必憑著你豐盛的慈愛，進入你的殿；我要存著敬畏你的心，向你的聖所敬拜」，那是下拜的意思。詩篇 95 章 6 節「來吧，我們來俯伏敬拜，在造我們的耶和華面前跪下」，這裡提到跪下，整個人的伏下來鞠躬的意思。但以理每日三次跪下來禱告向神感恩 ，耶穌在 客西馬尼園 裡跪下禱告，當神向摩西顯現的時候，摩西整個人俯伏在神的面前，所羅門在奉獻聖殿的時候跪下來禱告，但是百姓卻站著。

舉起雙手在教會是非常普遍的事，教父特士良（ Tertullian ）曾經說“我們基督徒為所有君王禱告，我們臉朝向天，雙手伸出，因為我們沒有任何的罪咎，我們的頭沒有遮蓋，因為我們不用羞愧”。在許多基督教的藝術品裡也會看見人舉起雙手向神禱告。我記得我父親每天晚上都要站在耶穌客西馬尼園的圖畫前禱告。

我們要注意的是聖經沒有說我們要用某一種姿態禱告，因此我們千萬要小心不要讓姿態成為一個爭論點，就是要用某一種姿態才可以禱告。

III •  我們要以清潔的心禱告。

比姿態更重要的是一個純潔、聖潔的禱告，第八節這裡說“因此我願意男人沒有憤怒沒有 爭論，舉起聖潔的手”，聖潔的手就是清潔的手、純潔的心。罪會污染我們的心，攔阻我們的禱告但這裡告訴我們要沒有憤怒沒有爭論。不錯聖經的確肯定我們會生氣，但是卻告訴我們不要讓我們憤怒的情緒在罪和錯誤的方式裡表達出來。這一段經文是對弟兄而說的，當他們禱告的時候不要有任何的憤怒也不要任何的爭論，但是同樣的這一句話對姊妹也是非常的適合。

   有時候女人也能夠在教會裡造成一些爭論，但是會不會男人會不會更加容易爭吵呢？按著本性，男人是比較要有競爭性而且想要證明自己是對的。男人比較容易為了教義的事爭論，我們批評別人對某些教義的看法，我們也容易鑽入教義的細節裡，當我們主意一拿定之後要改就非常困難。我們會喜歡爭論及證明自己的論點，耶穌什麼時候回來？是在災前、災中或災後。我們也喜歡爭論是一個六天的創造或是六個時期的創造。當然也有許多跟敬拜的方式、次序的討論與爭論。我們說要按著某一個方式才是對的，我們也有一個傾向將個人信念與我們信仰的核心價值混亂。因此往往沒有太多的對話，而變成了生與死的問題。

   保羅在這裡告訴提摩太當我們向神禱告的時候、私下或是公眾前，我們必須與周圍的人有一個好的關係。我們禱告和我們與別人的關係有個清楚的聯繫，在彼得前書第三章 7 節說「 照樣，你們作丈夫的，也要合情合理的與妻子同住。要體諒她比你軟弱，要尊敬她，因為她是和你一同承受生命的恩典的。這樣，就使你們的禱告不受攔阻 」。這裡清楚的告訴我們當丈夫不按著情理與妻子相處的話，就是對妻子不瞭解也不體貼的話，他的禱告不會蒙應允。許多輔導或是婚姻講座的場合裡，我經常提醒作丈夫的，如果要我們的禱告蒙神垂聽，我們一定要清楚與妻子按著情理相處。保羅也是說同樣的話，當我們禱告的時候要知道你與四周圍的人有和好的關係。這當然不是只限於弟兄，同樣也應用在姊妹的身上。

IV •  我們的生活要與禱告一致。

保羅現在開始對教會的姊妹們說話，在第 9 與 10 節「 照樣，我也願意女人以端正、嫻淑、自律為裝飾；不要以鬈髮、金飾、珠寶，或名貴衣裳為裝飾，卻要以善行作裝飾，這才配稱為敬畏　神的女人。 」。保羅在這裡說姊妹也要向弟兄一樣的要禱告，他們也一樣要除掉任何的憤怒和與人的爭論，但是不僅僅於此。

當我們來到敬拜之處，當我們來禱告的時候，姊妹的衣服必須是被人所尊重，不要有太複雜的頭髮的形式或是帶著非常名貴的珠寶。保羅不是說不可以有頭髮的樣式或是穿戴任何的珠寶，或是好的衣服，相反是在禁止婦女穿的衣服或是頭髮的樣式是很像那些非常奢侈的羅馬婦女的打扮，他也禁止他們像當時妓女一樣的穿著打扮，他們要遠離社會裡那些過份奢侈和沒有約束的服裝，按著今天的話語我們要避免那些很放縱的歌星和電影明星，衣著不要向美國 Lady Gaga 女神卡卡。我們要遠離那一些充滿誘惑性感的服裝

   反而保羅說我們穿的衣服要端正要有約束，焦點乃是要穿戴著好行為、做好的事情，這樣才配稱為敬拜神的人。同樣在彼得前書三章 3-4 節的教導非常相似「不要單注重外表的裝飾，就如鬈頭髮、戴金飾、穿華麗衣服；卻要在裡面存著溫柔安靜的心靈，作不能毀壞的裝飾，這在　神面前是極寶貴的。」意思乃是說當別人看我們的時候，不單單看重我們的服裝的樣式。真正的服裝好的衣服本身是沒有任何錯誤的，但是更要緊的我們也要加上好的行為，好使我們的生活方式和我們的禱告是一致的。

結論：

   當政治領袖要達到某一個目的的時候他們會盡他們所能使這事能夠發生，甚至要犧牲一些原則，如諺語所說「為達目的不擇手段。」

   當神要完成他的心意要萬人都得救認識真理的話，他卻做了一件非常奧秘的事，他邀請他的跟隨者來禱告，他不是說如果你禱告的話我的意願就會實現，如果你不禱告的話就不會發生，反而會放在天上的貯藏室裡，不是這樣的，他說這是我的心意，我的國度要從這裡一直到地極。然而我要你來一起禱告，因為這是一個何等高貴的一個使命，是有關神的心意和多人的救贖，因此他要我們除掉一切攔阻我們禱告的干擾。

   他要他的子民沒有憤怒沒有爭論。當我們禱告的時候在信徒當中必須要有合一以及和睦，他也要我們的衣著散發出端正約束和內在美。禱告不是單單用字語，禱告也一定要與善行、一個反映他美麗的生活方式連結在一起。

Date:   03/21/2010

Text:   1 Timothy 2:8-10

Title:   Believers at Pray

Theme: Since God has called His people to pray, our prayers are to be compatible with our lives.

Introduction:

  All eyes are on the Health Care reform bill. Before the end of today, we'll know if it will become the new law of this country. This has been in the making since the first term of president Clinton. When president Obama decided to make this reform his legacy, he pulled out all stops to make this happen. There were tremendous lobbying efforts, persuasive speeches, town hall meetings and backroom deals. Even though the final bill may not meet everyone's expectations, yet it is a major step towards the long needed health care reform. When political leaders want to realize their objectives, they will remove all barriers. Even then, there is no guarantee that it will succeed.

What happens when God revealed to us his desire that he wants all men to be saved and come to know His truth? He did something very unusual; He invited His people to pray. He is not saying that if you don't pray, then my desire would be put aside in that storage room in heaven. No, instead He says, it is my desire that all men be saved, so come now and pray.

One month ago, we learned that God calls us to pray. This call was issued in the context of what is known as House Rules for God's Family. He wants believers when gathering to worship, that they must remember to pray. Not only that, he also provided us with guidelines about what to pray. We are to pray for all men, including the leaders. Such prayers form the foundation of mission work in every church.

Today's passage continues on to instruct us how to pray. Even though this instruction is directed to men and women separately, yet the principles behind are applicable to all. Vs.8-10 develop into the topic of the roles of men and women, or more specifically, women, in the local church. We'll take a closer look at this particular topic later in the year.

In vs.8-10 we discover a simple truth that as God calls us to pray, we are to respond with both attitude and life-style.

I •  We are to pray everywhere.

“8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;…” This tells us that whenever we come to pray, man needs to pray. Have you wondered why this instruction is given to men, even though it is not inapplicable to women? In general, men are more task oriented. Men focuses on doing things and finding satisfaction in their accomplishment. When we pray, we don't feel we are as accomplishing anything and we'd rather use that time to do some things. May be for this reason, men are usually slow or even reluctant to pray. In vs.8 we notice that it is also about location.

We are to pray everywhere. This can be a reference to every place of worship. Here, the apostle Paul may be referring to Malachi 1:11, “ 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi was foretelling a day when people everywhere would be praying to God.

In one city I taught last week, the students had their daily morning prayer at 5, and an evening prayer at night. At another city, they had prayer time before the class started in the morning and afternoon. At the end of the day, there was another prayer time. Whenever and wherever God's children come together and pray, is a fulfillment of Malachi's prophesy that in every place prayers will be offered to God.

II •  We are to pray with variety of postures.

Men are instructed to pray whenever and wherever they gather. “ 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands.” This is a reference to the purity of prayer, but also has implications for its posture. Here, men are asked to pray with hands lifted. The Bible does not ask for one single posture of prayer. Instead there are varieties of postures. Psa. 5:7, “ But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.” Ps 95:6, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Daniel knelt down 3 times a day to pray and offered thanksgiving to God. Jesus knelt in the garden to pray. Moses often fell face-down in the presence of the Lord. At the dedication of the temple, Solomon knelt to pray while the people all stood up.

  Lifting of hands was common in the early church. The church father Tertullian said, “We Christians pray for all the emperors, looking up to heaven, with our hands stretched out, because guiltless, with our heads uncovered, because we are not ashamed.” We also find the lifting of hands in many of the Christian artwork throughout the centuries. I still remember that my father would pray standing in front of the picture of Jesus' praying in the garden of Gethsemane .

  It is important to know that the scriptures do not mandate a certain posture when we pray. Therefore we must not let postures become an issue; that we have to pray in a particular posture.

III •  We are to pray with a pure heart.

What is more important than posture is purity. Vs.8, “ 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;” Holy hands means clean hands, pure hearts. Sins defile our hearts and hinder our prayer. Here we are told to be free from anger and quarreling. Yes, the scriptures affirm the fact that we get angry, yet it also tells us not to let our angry feelings be expressed in sinful and wrongful ways. This passage is directed to men, telling them not to harbor anger and quarrel when they pray; but it is equally applicable to the women.

There are times when women can cause dissension in a church. However, isn't it true that men are more prone to argument? By nature, many men are competitive and want to be proven right. Men tend to argue over doctrinal matters. We are critical of others' view on certain doctrines. We can get into the nitty gritty of different doctrines. Once our minds are made, it is hard for us to change. We like to argue and prove our point on whether or not Jesus will return prior, during or after the tribulations. We like to discuss and argue about whether it is a 6 day or 6 periods of creation. There are also plenty of discussions and arguments about worship styles and worship order. It has to be done in a certain way. We have the tendency to confuse the peripheral personal convictions with the core of our beliefs. Instead of a reasonable dialogue, we make it into life or death matters.

Not only we quarrel and get all worked up, it is also difficult for us to reconcile. Even though we may say, it is nothing, I am ok, misgivings are often buried deep within us. While I was teaching in china, I heard so many stories about churches splitting. Almost without exception, it was men who left and started a new church. Such anger and quarrel are not healthy to church life, especially when we come together to pray. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:23-24, “ 23 "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you," 24 "leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."” Jesus wants us to be reconciled first, before we come to worship him.

Paul is telling Timothy that when we pray to God, in public or in private, we must have a right relationship with those around us. There is a clear connection between how we relate to others and our prayers. In 1Peter 3:7, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” A husband who is not living with his wife in an understanding way, meaning being inconsiderate, his prayers will not be heard. In counseling sessions or marriage workshops, I often remind the husbands that for our prayers to be heard, we want to make sure that we are being considerate to our wives. Paul is saying the same thing here. When we pray, we are to make sure that we are in good standing with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Certainly this is not limited to the men; it is equally applicable to the women.

IV •  We are to pray with a consistent life-style.

Now Paul turns to the women in church. Vs.9-10, “ 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.”They are to pray just like the men. They too are to be freed from anger and quarrel when they pray. But there is more.

When we come to the place of worship, when we come to pray, women are to dress in respectable clothes, and not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly outfits. Paul is not saying that women cannot style their hair or wear jewelry or nice clothing. Instead he was forbidding women to wear clothes or hair style that resemble the elaborate and extravagant dress of the Roman society. He was also forbidding them to wear clothes or make-up that resembled the prostitutes of the day. They were to stay away from excessive luxury and licentiousness of that era. In today's words, we are to stay away from styles set by promiscuous pop singers and actresses. Don't dress like Lady Gaga. We are to stay away from clothes that are sexually seductive.

Instead, Paul writes that clothes and style should be modest and self-controlled. The focus is to put on good works which are appropriate for individuals who claim to worship God. Again, this is similar to Peter's teaching in 1 Peter 3:3-4,“ 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.”

This means that when people look at us, they will not notice how fashionable we are, which when done properly is nothing wrong, but rather our good works, our life-style and what is within.

Conclusion:

During these past few months, we witness the tremendous lobby and persuasive efforts that had gone into this Health care reform bill. When political leaders want to accomplish an objective, sometimes they will do everything within their means to make it happen, even at the expense of certain basic principles.

When God wanted to fulfill his desire of wanting every person to be saved and to come to know the truth, he did something very mysterious. He invited His followers to come and pray. He is not saying, if you pray, then this will happen. If you don't pray, then it will not happen. Instead He is saying, this is my desire and my kingdom will go from here to the end of the world. And I want you to come and pray. Because this is such a noble cause, it is about God's desire and the salvation of many, he also wants us to remove every barrier that will hinder our prayers.

  He wants His people to be free from anger and quarreling. When we pray, there must be the unity and harmony among the believers. He also wants us to put on clothes that radiate modesty, self control and inner beauty. Prayer is more than words; it has to be accompanied by good works, a life-style that reflects His beauty.