Reigning under the King's authority

Living a life that really matters – Reigning under the King’s authority
Read 1 Tim 1: 17- 2:15

Introduction
The greatest privilege in life is to be in THE KINGS’S service.
Being in the King’s service is to serve the King in His Kingdom with His authority. The reality of being in God’s Kingdom is that there are enemies to the King. There is a kingdom called the kingdom of darkness where satan is “king”. And we are in a war, a spiritual battle against him. The good news is that satan has already been defeated by King Jesus. However he uses lies, deception, fear, pride and temptations to defeat man. When men believe his lies, fall into his temptation; they defeat themselves. The devil is out to steal, kill and destroy lives with his deceptions. We are to follow our victorious King to destroy the works of the devil, to save lives, to make disciples, to shine His light and dispel darkness.

1:18-20
Timothy was charged to wage a good warfare having faith and a good conscience according to the prophecies given.
“We are in a war”
· Comment on this statement.
· Share how conscious you are that we are in a spiritual war.
· Share what you see in this war that is taking place now e.g. the fight that is going on, casualties etc.
· Can you think of the weapons the devil is using in this war? Name them.
· One of the battlefields is the MOUTH – i.e. what we say. Have you been wounded by what people say? What are some words that we should not say? 2 Tim 2:16-17, Eph 4:29
· What are words that we should consciously and constantly say to win in the war?

Prophecies are always in line with God’s written Word. They are words that the Holy Spirit takes from the Word of God and declares to us and we are to believe them and hold fast to them and obey them till it is fulfilled.

There are just 3 main things we are to do in this war for victory.
1. Hear the Word
2. Pray the Word
3. Obey the Word

Our King wants His subjects, men and women to fight in this war in unity. In doing so we will be used of Him to extend His Kingdom reign.

God wants men to be victorious in prayer.
· Share on the strengths and weaknesses of men.
· Share why it is so important for men to pray and do God’s will.
· What are some of men’s greatest temptations?

God wants women to be victorious in His love and security.
· Share on the strengths and weaknesses of women.
· Share what women should do to be even more effective for God.
· What are some of women’s greatest temptations?

God wants us all to be victorious under His Divine order.
Women are to respect God’s order of authority, have a submissive spirit and to serve under authority. In this way they can teach/preach the Word. When Paul says that he does not permit women to teach or to have authority over a man, it was in the context of the church then and was a temporary instruction and not a permanent rule.

Conclusion
Men and women need to understand how God made us differently and dwell together in unity. Then we can be effective and mighty soldiers in His army that will fight victoriously to extend God’s Kingdom territories in our lives, our families, our community and nation.