1 Timothy 2

Read 1 Timothy 2

Verses chosen for meditation: 1 Timothy 2: 1-4, 8, 9-10 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.

8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 

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.

Reflect

What do you think form the focus and format of a worship service?

Why is prayer important in a worship service?

What are some of the things to be observed in the areas of propriety and protocol?

Relate

Each Sunday service runs like clockwork. It starts at a set time and ends 90 to 120 minutes later, give or take 30 minutes. Other than the worship and message, what does it all mean to us? 

This is especially relevant for us who are able to worship freely, Sunday after Sunday. By any chance, have we taken this freedom for granted? If not, we should thank God and pray for those who are not as fortunate. We should also commit leaders to God, both the good and the bad ones.

Instead, we are more often pre - occupied with the attendance and those in attendance, including the performance and delivery on stage rather than what really matters to God. Even when it all seems appropriate for a worship service, God would still be pleased if thoughtful and considerate prayers are lifted up for those in authority and the pre - believers. 

This passage helps us understand the true scope and purpose of worship, more like the ideals of worship according to the one whom we worship. No matter how small or big the size of the congregation is or where it is held, we are to long for that day when there'll be peace on earth everywhere so that men and women who are saved will be able to bow down and worship him as Lord and Saviour.

This is often not easily felt or appreciated during a Sunday worship service in most churches. In our church, we have a pre - service prayer before the Sunday worship service as well as a prayer walk around the vicinity of the church every 3 months. The latter has been a helpful reminder of why we exist as a church in a certain place. For during the prayer walks, we'd be reminded of the Lord's desire for everyone in the community to come to his saving grace. This would then lead us to pray more fervently for such an outcome, and if necessary, for those in authority as well who may have an influence over the matter. Otherwise, we could be worshipping Sunday after Sunday in our comfort zones, oblivious to what's truly weighing on the 'heart' of God, and taking the conducive environment very much for granted.

As for propriety, it essentially boils down to the way we dress for worship and conduct ourselves during worship. The whole idea is not to distract attention from the main focus of worship as the Lord should always be the centre of attention during worship.

Unfortunately, as humans, we can't stop our judgemental minds and prying eyes when someone dresses or behaves inappropriately during worship. Our attention is often distracted as a result. And we could end up watching the person the entire time during worship instead of giving our full attention to God whom we're worshipping. 

In worship, we are to let God be the only God whom we worship and let him be the sole judge of our individual thoughts and actions. Therefore, in a corporate worship like a Sunday service, we have a part to play to edify the body of Christ that is represented during that worship.

So, we do whatever we can to encourage one another to worship. It begins with us taking responsibility for our own dressing and conduct during worship.

As regards protocols, it's all about roles and order. Along with roles and order is the all – important attitude of submission. 

I shall not go into debate on gender bias and stereotypes here as we'll need to understand the context and reasons behind Paul's writing. But, suffice to say, it's not about discrimination. Whether male or female, it has to do with our attitude of submission. While we could submit to God, or so we think, we find it hard to submit to one another. The idea of submission is simply not in our subconscious. For giving in to another is often seen as weakness while our desire is to maintain a position of authority wherever possible.

We forget that worship is fundamentally about submission as much as it is about exaltation. Until we have learned to submit, we will not be able to worship God wholeheartedly. Take Christ's submission for example, whether at Gethsemane or even much earlier (Philippians 2: 5 - 9).

My own experience has stood me in good stead. I remember that, before joining the church pioneer team some twenty-six years ago, I had an issue of submission with a member who was leading the team. The main concern then was that this would adversely affect our working relationship along the way. 

But all that was suddenly settled when a fellow member of the church, a missioner, decided to pray for me out of the blue. Without knowing much of the details, but only my reservations, he launched into praying after asking if he could pray for me. To be honest, I had accepted the prayer out of courtesy as I wasn't expecting much from it.

But, to my surprise as he was praying, the Spirit began to 'break' me. The words of that prayer may have long eluded me, but the memory and experience still stay with me to this day. I cried inwardly as the Spirit 'messed' with my inner emotions, bringing to the fore the real reason behind my struggle with submission, especially to those in authority. I had thought that I was doing right, standing up for others, including myself. For I did much of that while serving as a captain in NS as well as in my hospital workplace, and even in church. Not once did I realise that I was doing it all for myself.

The unsolicited prayer on that fateful day set me straight at the outset of my pioneering ministry. It was as though the person was sent to pray for me. From that day, I could not remember ever being at loggerheads with the leader of the team. In fact, we have maintained a good working relationship till this day.

Therefore, during a worship service, let’s see to it that our differences do not shout louder than our devotion. Remember, too, that the numbers in attendance do not matter as much as the numbers yet to be saved. And that the sum total of all our distractions should be nowhere near the full attention of a single worshipper. Lastly, submission is as de rigueur as exaltation in worship.

Rest

Lord, may you be the only one whom we worship, be it on a Sunday or any other day. In church, regardless of whether we’re the worship team, speaker, server, member or even visitor, may you be the main focus of our worship. And as we worship, may we feel your heartbeat and attend to the things your heart beats for. May our dressing and conduct be also pleasing to you, more so our attitude. Let us then learn to submit so that we may know how to better exalt you.

Naville Chia