One Mediator

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

One Mediator

Date: Aug. 19, 2023

Passage

1 Timothy 2:1-7 (ESV)

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:5

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Paul urges that prayers be made for all people, and he especially mentions kings and people in authority. It didn’t matter what their religious beliefs were or political ideology. Paul urges us to simply pray for them. When we pray, God can work out his will through them by his grace and power. Through our faithful prayers, God uses those in authority to instill peace and order that allows Christians to thrive, and the gospel to spread.

We should pray for others to meet Christ as their Mediator. This is the realm in which Christ displays his authority. Christ is our one and only Mediator, who opens the way for sinful, rebellious people to come back to God. We all are enemies of God, but through Christ our Mediator, we are forgiven. We receive mercy and pardon for all our sins, and we enter the glorious kingdom of God.

Through our prayers and service to the Lord, the entire world can be conquered by the gospel. While getting stoned to death, Stephen prayed for Saul’s forgiveness, and the Risen Christ himself visited Saul and called him to be his apostle, a light to the Gentiles. May we also be intercessors of prayer to lead the lost to our Mediator Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for giving us Jesus to be our Mediator. Help us pray for others urgently.

One Word: One Word: Christ the Mediator saves all who come to him for mercy

God Judges Those Who Break His Covenant

Ezekiel 17:1-24

Key Verse: 17:24

And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

Today's Question

For what do we pray in the fourth request?

See answer and references