The “All” in God’s CALL
1219-B
If someone were to ask you what the most important word in the Bible is, you might have trouble coming up with an answer. Some might simply say “Jesus”. Others might say “grace”. Others might say “mercy”. (And of course, to a degree, everyone would be right). There is one word, however, that might be overlooked that could equally qualify. It is one of the shortest English words in all of Scripture, yet it is a word, without which you and I might well be lost and on our way to an eternal hell. It is a word which takes all of the question marks out of our self-righteousness and exposes us as the sinners we are. It is a word which takes the mercy of God and the grace of God and spreads them out uniformly until there is not a soul they do not touch. It is a word that makes Calvary essential, yet also makes it adequate. It is a word which brought equality to the slave, equality to women, equality to all races and ages.
It is a word which crushes the barriers that man creates to make the Gospel exclusive. It is a word which makes the whole world a mission field and makes all Christians missionaries. It is that tiny little word which is tucked insignificantly into the context of so many crucial Biblical passages that totally changes the complexion of their meaning, yet it is so often overlooked by those who are interpreting them. It is that precious word spelled “A-L-L!”
“All.” No other word says so much, so simply. No other word so defines the heart of God in so many ways. No other word says it all, like that tiny word, all. And it is that word that arrests our attention in I Timothy 2 as we continue to work our way (though every so slowly to be sure) through the pages of that letter of instruction and exhortation the great Apostle Paul wrote to his young protégé. Right in the midst of his dissertation on prayer at the beginning of chapter two, Paul makes two statements that are so simple in nature, they might well be passed over as unimportant. But no truths in this epistle are more important. The passage says,
3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,
4 who wants all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the Truth.
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself a ransom for all men‑the testimony given in its proper time.
Our word appears twice in that passage, and in those two sentences alone, it stretches to the height and depth and breadth of God’s love and wraps it all in a parcel of mercy the size of eternity. Our study today will encompass that passage. We will seek to cross-reference that word through the New Testament and will take a brief look at the remainder of that opening statement.
“The All in God’s Call”
I- The All in God’s Word
II- The All in God’s Plan
III- The All in God’s Love
IV- The All in God’s Call
I- The All in God’s Word
That tiny word “all” appears in Scripture many different times in many different ways, but virtually every occurrence is in essence an exclamation mark that eliminates any excuse man might have for not trusting God. It literally means, “that which is inclusive without reservation”. It means “the totality of that which is spoken of, so encompassed that no exceptions exist.” It means that when God says “all”, He means that to try to find an escape clause is futile. Thus, whatever the subject is about, it is settled. We will look first at the “all” in God’s Word, as it relates to the nature of man, the nature of God, and finally the provision of God. Here are some examples:
The Word “All” and the Nature of Man
God clearly defines the problem of man by explaining the nature of man using that word “all”. Had He used any other word, man would have a way of escape. But He didn’t. Any other description of our sinfulness would have resulted in a relative separation from God, and thus in a relative degree of need. So God described our condition like this:
Galatians 3:20-22 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the Scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Palms 14:2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, seek God.
3 They have all gone aside, they are all together become filthy (corrupt): there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered the world, and death through sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all sinned:”
Luke 13:3 ...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
That ought to do for a start. The universality of sin and the accompanying separation from a Holy God are a fore drawn conclusion in Scripture. The issue, you see, is that it is not the gravity of your sins that alienated you from God… it is the fact of your sins. You are not a sinner because you sin; you sin because you are a sinner. That sin nature itself necessitated a Savior, and the very first sin you committed was enough. One sin separates a man from God the same distance as three million sins. The unbeliever who has only told one lie is as far from God relationally as the one who is an inveterate liar, for both have the same problem… they are sinners. In fact, the one who constantly lies may be a better candidate for salvation, for he may be more likely to recognize his unholy condition and his need for help. The Scripture has concluded all are under sin. That eliminates forever the possibility of relative lostness.
The guy who is lost in a forest three miles from home and given up to die is no more lost than the guy who is lost in the wooded areas of the Great Northwest. You can’t be any more lost than lost. And if you have not yet trusted Christ to save you, you are lost. You are just as lost as that convict on death row who may have murdered dozens, or that dictator who ruthlessly ordered the death of thousands. You are not lost because of the magnitude of your sins, you are lost because you are a sinner. You… and everyone else who has ever lived. All have sinned. Paul, who concluded that he was himself the worst of sinners, agreed that he was no more lost than the most righteous. Since Eve made that fatal choice in the garden, every man and woman has been born in sync and once they reach the stage of accountability. (It’s not an age, it’s a stage, not everyone reaches it at the same age), from that moment on, they are eternally separated from a Holy God. The first sin does it. So mark it down, that righteous, religious, self-sacrificing, unbelieving friend of yours whose life is the epitome of “goodness” is just as lost as that worthless scoundrel you know who is constantly in rebellion and constantly in trouble. The Scripture has concluded all under sin. Period.
The Word “All” and the Nature of God
The second truth is that the nature of God must be defined in all-inclusive terms as well, or we will begin to liken God to man and simply attribute to Him qualities better than we possess, but less than He possesses. So the word “all” is a must. Listen to God describe His own Son: (NIV)
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created: things in Heaven, and on earth; visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or powers, or rulers, or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,
Colossians 2:3 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
Matthew 28:18 …All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
John 1:3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.
John 16:15 All that belongs to the Father is mine.
So Paul proclaims:
Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen!
Now think for a moment what it would be like had God created most things by and for Christ. Who would determine what was exempt? Suppose God had determined that in Christ most of the fullness of the Godhead would dwell? Suppose most of the deity dwelt in Him in bodily form. Suppose some authority in Heaven and earth were His? To whom would the rest belong? And who would know how much and why? Suppose much of what belonged to the Father was given to the Son. Suppose. Just suppose God had in any of those instances eliminated that tiny word “all” from the passage. The meaning would not be slightly changed. The meaning would be eternally altered. When did you last stop to thank God that all authority was given to Jesus?
The Word “All” and the Provisions of God
And have you ever stopped to wonder what the Christian life would be like had God left out that little word “all” in a few specific instances where His provisions to meet our needs were concerned? The Christian life would be a life of sheer confusion. Our ministries would be plagued with question marks. Our peace would be uncertain. Think about these passages:
Matthew 19:26 …with God all things are possible.
Imagine, if you will, removing the “all” from that passage. Were most things possible with God, our confidence in Him would be a sham. How would we know what He could or couldn’t do? When would we be able to trust Him? What if it said all things but one are possible with God? Oh, the beauty of that one tiny word.
John 16:13 He (The Holy Spirit) will guide you into all truth.
What if only some Truth was His? Where would we go for the rest? To the world? To Satan? To the flesh? No, He said,
John 14:26 But the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Praise God for that promise. And how about this one,
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.
Try leaving that one word “all” out of that verse. Then try claiming that verse as a comfort in the midst of life’s dark hours. And listen to Satan whisper... “some things do work together for good... but not this.”
And how about Romans 8:37. It promises that,
…In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
Victors we are in death. Victors we are in life. Victors we are over principalities and powers. Victors we are over everything now and everything to come. How do we know? That one little word... all. The same word Paul used in 2 Corinthians where He promised that
9:8 God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Try claiming that one without the “alls”.
The same God has promised us in Philippians 4:7 that,
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When we pray, peace is ours. Peace so wonderful it goes beyond all human understanding. Therefore, nothing can disturb it. And all because of that little word “all”.
What about Philippians 4:19? It says
“My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.”
Just suppose that one little word was left out. What if it said, “My God shall supply most of your needs”? How would you know which ones?
And what about the word “all” in 2 Timothy 3:16? It says,
All Scripture is given by inspiration (God-breathed) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Oh, the all in God’s Word. How wonderful it is.
II- The All in God’s Plan
That brings us up to today’s passage... and the “all” that is tucked away in God’s plan. Paul has told young Timothy that praying always for all men is in harmony with God’s purpose and pleases God’s heart, because our beloved God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.
ALL men. Not some. Not most. Not a particular race. Not a particular class. Not a particular personality. ALL men. ALL women. ALL children. John 1:7 says,
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through Him all men might believe.
Selective salvation is not the plan of God. His heart’s desire is that all be saved. That loud-mouthed heretic on television that blasphemes the name of Christ, God wants him to be saved. That woman who so delighted in breaking up the home of another woman’s family, God wants her to be saved. That ruthless dictator who’s sole intent is to gain power at the expense of others, God wants him to be saved. That cursing, drug-dealing gang leader; that vengeful Mafia boss who delights in taking human life; that lying politician who promises everything and delivers nothing. God wants them to be saved. He longs with the same intensity for each of them. That is why we must pray for all men. We live as though maybe God wants all to be saved, but He certainly is more concerned with Aunt Susie than anyone else because we are. We get so wrapped up in praying for our own children that we forget that God is just as concerned about that native in the South American jungles, or that prostitute that walks the city streets, or that humanistic teacher whose life affects so many children. God wants them all saved. Therefore, He thinks we ought to understand that if it’s that important to Him, it ought to be that important to us.
I think that means that we are to take on the mind of Christ where a lost world is concerned. The mind of Christ is a broken heart over every single lost person in the world. That’s why we read those missionary prayer letters. That’s why we take note of all the prayer requests at our Bible Study. That’s why we make a prayer list of everyone we work with; everyone we work under; everyone who works for us. Because God wants all of them saved. All of them. Granted, all of them won’t come. The road is narrow, and the way is straight, and the few there be who enter therein. But you and I don’t know who the few will be. And God wants them all.
III- The All in God’s Love
Therefore, the all in God’s plan energized the all in God’s love. Because God desired that all men be saved... He died for all men. Not for a chosen few.
Romans 8:32 says:
He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
2 Corinthians 5:15 adds,
And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
And it’s what our passage in I Timothy goes on to say,
He gave Himself a ransom for all men, the testimony given in its proper time.
Jesus Christ shed His precious blood without prejudice or partiality. It is not only “whosoever will, may come”. That gives the impression that God is willing to make allowances for all men. That’s not it. It means that God’s heart so longs for each and every man or woman to be saved, that were that man or woman the only one to ever live... Jesus would have died for them. In fact, He did.
He gave Himself a ransom for all men. That literally means He gave Himself a ransom for each and every person. So that guy who works in your division that you can’t stand, stands tall in God’s sight. Jesus died for him. Just for him, and He wants you to pray that he be saved. That woman who treats your children so spitefully, Jesus died for her. And He allowed her to cross your path and to become your enemy, so that, in obedience to divine command, you might pray for her salvation. He longs for her to be saved. He doesn’t just think it would be nice. He longs for her salvation. And He expects you to do the same. Yes, He understands the burden you carry for your mate, your children, your parents, your friends. He, too, wants them saved. But don’t overlook the all in God’s call. He wants all men to be saved.
IV- The All in God’s Call
Paul concludes his exhortation on praying for all men with these words:
And for this purpose I was appointed a herald, and an apostle and a teacher of the true faith to the gentiles, I am telling the truth... I am not lying...
Here is why Paul was so intent on communicating his plea for prayer. Here, in fact, was Paul’s blueprint for living... the reason God had placed him on planet earth. And here is the reason you and I are here, as well. In fact, no other reason exists that even is of relative importance. It is the three-fold expression of the mission of the Church and the threefold calling of every Christian.
First of all, Paul says, “God appointed me a herald”. A herald is one who calls out a warning; who announces the coming of another. Not everyone will pay attention. Some will ignore His coming. Some will ridicule His coming. But if the herald has done his job, none will be unaware of His coming. Paul had been appointed by God to announce the Coming of the King; to call me to repentance so that when He arrives, they will be ready for His appearing. Paul’s primary calling was to proclaim the Gospel. And that is our primary calling as well... as individuals, as a church, and as the Body of Christ as a whole. And to the degree that anything comes between us and the mandate of evangelism left to us by a loving God, we are in disobedience to the Word of God. Those things may be good. They may be relevant. They may be redemptive in nature, socially needful, emotionally beneficial. But remember... except a man be born again, he cannot... He cannot enter the Kingdom of God... because He is lost.
The mission of the church is evangelism. The message of the church is the Cross. The mentality of the church is to have a burden for the lost that is so great that we take on the mind of Christ as reflected by the angels in Heaven. They stop to rejoice the very second one sinner repents. It is good that the church is addressing the issues of the family, the issues of the community, the issues of education, the issues of the electorate. But, there is only one issue that will remain when all the others cease to be. It is the issue of the souls of men.
Those who are lost will be eternally lost. When Jesus comes, it will no longer be primary who was elected for what; who took what position on what doctrine; what color the pews were; or how many cars could park in the parking lot. When Jesus comes, only those who heard the Gospel and said “yes” will have life. Everyone else will spend eternity in hell, separated from God, and separated from those they love... in an endless eternity “where the worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched”. Paul was a herald. And so are you. And so am I. We have one basic calling... to call men to repentance. And the all in that call means that no one is to be excluded; no one ignored.
Secondly, Paul was an Apostle. He was a “sent-one”. He was an acknowledged ambassador sent forth from where he was to wherever people were who had not heard: first to Jerusalem, then to Judea, then to Samaria, and then finally to the uttermost parts of the earth. The church was never commissioned to draw a three mile circle around its buildings and call that its world. The church was to send and to go. Thus the responsibility we have as a fellowship to the mission ministry of the body of Christ is the second part of that three-fold calling of God. And as this passage so clearly outlines, we must pray for all the things our missionaries ask us to pray for. That is a mandate. It is a divine commandment. We must send; we must pray; and we must, when called... go. And if you have limited God as to where or when He can send you with His-Story... forget it. There is an “all” in God’s “Call”. He can send you anywhere He chooses anytime He chooses.
Finally, Paul was a teacher. He not only proclaimed; He not only went... He explained to those who believed how to live the Christian life. So there you have the “all in God’s call”. All believers were to pray all the time for all men that they might be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth, because our God longs for all men to be saved. And all believers were to always be aware that we are heralds. Our task is to call the lost to repentance. That we are sent-ones. Our task is to go wherever they are, whenever God calls, and we are explainers of True doctrine to those who believe.
Jesus had already explained it in Matthew 28:19, 20. He said
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything (all things) I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always... to the very end of the age.
There’s an “all” in God’s call, Beloved;
It’s a call we each must heed
It reaches out to the ends of the earth
And down to man’s deepest need.
There’s an “all” in God’s call, Beloved
It stretches from sea to sea
In fact, it reaches out... so far...
That it includes you... and... me!
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