Scripture:
I Timothy 1:12-17 NKJV
[12] And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, [13] although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. [16] However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. [17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Observation:
As we begin to study the letters Paul wrote to Timothy at a Bible study I’m involved in, I felt it was important to dive in here this morning. Timothy was a young evangelist that most biblical scholars believe he (Paul) had led to the faith due to the fact that he addressed him as his, “True child of the faith.” If that is true I’m sure this moment in time was rather exciting for Paul. He had the opportunity to not only bring Timothy to the faith but also plant him in a church. The guidance and encouragement that comes from these letters still speaks today. As Paul begins to shape young Timothy for the ministry in Ephesus. The instructions that are given are clear. Stick tight to what the bible says, and don’t let anyone water it down or teach something that doesn’t pertain directly to it. But as he trans this young pastor, I’m sure he felt it necessary to explain how he got into the position in which he found himself. That’s where we will pick up this morning. I believe it’s something that we all should always remember, knowing Paul’s past life and seeing him here in this moment might have been a little confusing. He had spent the first part of his life persecuting the kind of people he found himself today, encouraging. A transformation like that could have only happened one way. The zeal he had for what he was taught about the law was unmatched by those who were in the same position, and the crazy thing is…. He at the time thought he was doing GOD’S will. As he begins to explain how without the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, he would be left trapped in that life, the gratitude for the Damascus road encounter flowed through every statement made. Starting in verse 12, “And I thank Christ Jesus our LORD who has enabled me, because “HE” counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. So let me explain what I see in this verse. Paul saw his efforts and the results that were gained from them. Thinking he was doing what GOD wanted him to do left him laying on his back in the middle of the road unable to see, and needing the help of the very individuals he was going to arrest and drag to prison. That moment on his back was an example of grace and mercy. It wasn’t Paul who found himself faithful or put himself into ministry. That was all Christ Jesus. We can’t miss that. Before the Damascus road encounter Paul saw himself worthy, after seeing the LORD face to face all he saw was a sinner of epic proportions. The transformation from religion to relationship had taken place. Picking up in verse 15, as Paul has just explained the abundant grace that had to be exhibited to place him into ministry, he says, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom “I” am chief.” Paul’s view of himself had shifted. It was not the same. He knew in the light of who Christ Jesus is…. Exactly who he was in the scheme of things. This was the foundation that he was building for young Timothy. As his ministry started, Paul wanted Timothy to know that the mercy and grace of our LORD Jesus Christ had to be what it all started from. I absolutely love how verse 16 puts it. What a prophetic statement, and I’m sure it gets missed I have been reading the bible for years and I have honestly missed it many times, so I want to bring our attention to it so it doesn’t get missed anymore, right there at the end of verse 16 Paul says, “Those who are “GOING TO” believe on HIM for everlasting life” he was speaking into the future. He was speaking about people who had not yet come to know Christ, and explaining who the mercy that he himself had received would reach into the future and grab the hearts of those who had not yet come to know Jesus Christ. I want to see something. That’s exactly what is happening. The bible, pastors, teachers, bible study groups, and possibly even this SOAP, are taking Paul’s testimony into the world as a witness to the grace and mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ.
Application:
I don’t feel like you can be too bad to obtain GOD’S grace. I do feel however, that you can see yourself as too good to receive it. We can not do this without HIM. If you don’t believe me. I challenge you to just take an honest look at your life. The way you think, Yes I’m talking about the things you may never speak but that run through your mind however fleeting they may be. You see, we have to be able to see our condition. To be without Christ is to be without hope. Now in saying that, I want you to hear what I am not saying as well. Yes we do not have a chance at this without grace, but that does not mean we get to stay stuck in that old person. Once an encounter with Christ has taken place we will be sealed with the Holy Spirit. That’s the little voice that speaks to our heart right in the middle of whatever is in front of us or directly behind us, telling us either A) don’t do that or B) you probably shouldn’t have done that. If we think we are deserving of what has been done for us our view of ourselves is elevated. We have to think of ourselves with a sober mind. Without Christ we have no chance. It is by “GRACE” that you have been saved, not by your work’s least “NO” man boast. Paul’s testimony of himself was that he, a man who wrote half the new testament, was the, “Chief of all sinners.” However, Jesus Christ did not let his past define him. HE did use it to refine his thought, it’s truly by the grace of GOD that I find myself involved in ministry. It’s not something I find myself worthy of, it’s not something I believe I (of myself) am equipped for, it’s a position I have honestly run from for years, and would more than likely still be running from had Jesus Christ not found this chief sinner faithful and placed me where I am. If you find yourself reading this. What I want you to know is, mercy and grace has placed this in your hands, and as long as you have a sober minded view of who you are, then humility will lead your steps. GOD’S grace does not leave you trapped in your sin. It pulls you out of it through the sanctification process. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey what HE says. Humble yourself before the almighty GOD and let HIM exalt you.
Prayer:
Father, all we can do is thank you for the gift of salvation, it’s something we could not earn. Without your grace our sin would be a burden that is way too heavy for us. But you made a way for us to come to you. You built a bridge with 3 nails to 2 pieces of wood glued together with the blood of your one and only SON. Wow the weight of that statement. You love us so much that you gave us a new life sealed with the Holy Spirit. Sealed in blood, a covenant that can not be broken. All we have to do is receive what you have done, and you will do the rest if we are willing to listen. That’s why your plan is so much bigger than we could ever understand. You are the one who does it. You give us strength in our weaknesses. The ability to overcome does not come from us. It comes from your spirit that lives in us. Spirit that brought Jesus Christ back to life. That’s the Spirit you have breathed into us. Help us to tune our ears to hear HIM. Speaking life into all. You said come out, you said dry bones come to life, you said we have been made new, and I believe what you have said. Therefore because of what you have done we have a new opportunity. It’s not something we have done, it’s something you said and we believe. So we rest on the finished work of Christ, and know that you will not leave us half finished. Because your word tells us you finish what you start. Help us to move according to what you have already done in our lives. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.