July 27, 2025

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Other Readings: Genesis 18:20-32 and Luke 11:1-13

 

1. Explain why Paul might have included so many terms for talking to God such as, “petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving” (v. 2).

 

2. Paul says that a reason we pray for government is so that we can live “peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (v. 2). Give concrete, every-day examples of living peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

 

3. Verse 5 says, “There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” The Greek word translated “man” can be translated as “human being.” So, perhaps a better way to translate the Greek is to say, “…the human Christ Jesus.” How does that change hit you? What does it add to your understanding of this text?

 

4. Paul has said that Jesus is in every way a human being like us. As such, he prayed to his Father. Consider Luke 11:1 from our Gospel Reading. List an example or two of Jesus praying in the Gospels. How do those examples encourage you in your faith and prayer life?

 

5. In his Large Catechism explanation of the Eighth Commandment, Martin Luther wrote the following. Connect this quote to our sermon text (or to other readings from Sunday):

There is a great difference between these two things, judging sin and knowing sin. You may indeed know it, but you are not to judge it. I can see and hear that my neighbor sins, but I have no command to report it to others. Now, if I rush in, judging and passing sentence, I fall into a sin which is greater than his. But if you know it, this is what you should do. Turn your ears into a grave and cover it, until you are appointed to be judge and to punish by virtue of your official role.

 

 

1. There are slight nuances to each word, but it seems that Paul is creating this train of terms to emphasize how important prayer is and how varied and all-encompassing our prayers should be. Some commentators note that petitions refers to needs and wants that we make known to God. “Prayer” is the most generic term for talking to God. “Intercession” seems to carry the nuance of praying on behalf of others and making the request of someone who is superior to you.
    
2. Answers will vary, but the Ten Commandments are a great place to start, especially as explained by Martin Luther. As Luther liked to say in is Large Catechism, if we take the commandments seriously and strive to fulfill them in their fullest way, we will have more than enough good works to do, including for our neighbors.

3. Paul is emphasizing that Jesus is our substitute in every way. He is (and remains!) truly human. Therefore, he is the Savior of all people, men and women included.

4. Answers will vary based on personal perspective.
   
    
5. Answers may vary. But perhaps we can emphasize this. The one role and function we believers have been appointed to is to be Christians. Being a Christian means praying. So, if we hear something about our neighbor (especially something negative), our initial reaction should be to find ways to repair their reputation between them and God. And what better way to do that than by interceding for them to God? Our society is too quick to the opposite, though. We repeat it both privately and publicly.