He Saved a Wretch Like Me.

1 Timothy 1:12–17 CSB

I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Introduction: A man was filling out a job application when he came to the question “Have you ever been arrested?” He wrote, “No.” The next question, intended for people who had answered “Yes” to the previous question, was “Why?” The applicant answered it anyway: “I never got caught.” He evidently knew he was guilty of plenty! (Our Daily bread)

The same was true of the Apostle Paul. He knew that he was a great sinner in need of a greater savior.

Truthfully, we have all be guilty of plenty. We have this tendency to forget what we have been rescued from and forgiven of. Giving thanks to God for forgiveness and sharing our past failures will help us avoid coming across as a "holier-than-thou" Christian to those who aren't yet followers of Christ.

Our text today is a stunning example of the power of the gospel to change lives.

God’s Power for Change (vv. 12-14)

Paul has a very powerful story of heart change from his encounter with Jesus Christ. I would remind you of Paul’s past, just as he did here to Timothy.

Philippians 3:4–7 CSB

although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.

He describes himself as a blasphemer - one who was particularly irreverent to God. It means injurious speaking or as we say today, slander. He spoke against the Way of Christ!

He was also a persecutor. He approved of the stoning of Stephen as it says in Acts 8:1 and he also was entering peoples homes and dragging men and women who followed the Way of the prison. When he met Jesus, he was on his way to Damascus to continue his reign of terror against Christians there.

And he said he was an arrogant man. What he was saying was that he had no regards for other peoples rights. It can also be translated that he was a violent aggressor. It indicates an arrogant sadism, describing someone who received joy from inflicting pain on others.

HOWEVER, Paul said that he received mercy because he acted out of ignorance in unbelief.

Now does ignorance excuse sin? Absolutely not. However, Warren Weirsbe points out that God made a special provision in the law for this very thing.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Stay on the Job (1 Timothy 1)

If a person sinned knowingly “with a high hand” in Israel, he was cut off from the people. But if he sinned in ignorance, he was permitted to bring the proper sacrifices to atone for his sins. Jesus recognized this principle when He prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Their ignorance did not save them, nor did Christ’s prayer save them; but the combination of the two postponed God’s judgment, giving them an opportunity to be saved.

And so because of the Mercy of God, paul was able to say:

1 Timothy 1:14 CSB

and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Paul said God’s grace overflowed to him. God’s unmerited and undeserved favor SUPERABOUNDED toward him!

God’s grace outpaced Paul’s sin.

illus. Erwin Lutzer said, “There is more grace in God’s heart than there is sin in your past.”

God’s grace provided the power for Paul to change. Not only that, but God saw fit to appoint him to ministry!

God didn’t say to Paul, “Look Paul, I will forgive you of your sin but you are going to be a second class Christian. You are going to be on spiritual probation for the rest of your life.”

Instead, God says, Paul, I’m going to put your life on display as a demonstration of my grace. Paul, you will be one of my masterpieces! I’m going to put you on display for the whole world to see.

I’m so glad that God doesn’t have any red-headed step-children!

God’s Plan for Sinners (v. 15)

V. 15 is believed to either be part of an ancient creed of the early church or possibly part of a hymn sung by early believers.

It encapsulates the truth of the gospel in a simple statement. Jesus came to save sinners.

Believe it or not, this can be an offensive statement to lost people. “I don’t need to be saved!” or “The Bible says not to judge and you are saying I’m a sinner.”

In order to experience God’s salvation, people must humble themselves. They must see themselves as God sees them. They are sinners in need of God’s grace. We all are.

Paul makes it clear here that this salvation that he has received is not only for him, but for all who will receive Christ.

But I want to recognize a couple of things here.

Paul identified himself as the chief of sinners. This isn’t some statement of false humility here. No, he recognizes the severity of his sin before God.

In other places, he makes similar statements of humility.

1 Corinthians 15:9 CSB

For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Ephesians 3:8 CSB

This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ,

Illus. Those who are most conscious of their previous opposition to God usually become the most vocal in their understanding of God’s unlimited patience

Donald Guthrie, “1 Timothy,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1296.

So it is important that we recognize just how grievous our sin is before a Holy and Just God.

Illus. Witnessing to Presley at UNC Chapel hill.

If you can’t see yourself as a sinner, you will never understand your need to be saved.

Illus. Steven Cole reminds us that "If you’re a basically good, churchgoing person, Christ did not come to save you. He came to save sinners only. If you’re a person with a few faults and shortcomings, Christ did not come to save you. He came to save sinners only. If you’re a person with too much dignity and self-worth to call yourself a sinner, Christ did not come to save you. He came to save sinners only.

Also, look at the words of Jesus in Luke 5:32

Luke 5:32 CSB

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus isn’t saying there there are some righteous people out their that don’t need to repent. No, he is saying that only sinners see and understand their need to repent.

Contrast that with the people today who see themselves as basically good.

God’s Pattern of Grace (v. 16)

In verse 16, Paul is saying that the work of God was on display in his life so that others may see.

“as an example...”

He is also implying that, “If God could save a wretch like me, he can save you too.”

Illus. One of the most recognized songs in the english language is none other than Amazing Grace by John Newton.

We all know the words...

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found

Was blind but now I see...

Do you know thew story of the man who wrote the song?

This summary is from an article on a Website, OCP.Org

https://www.ocp.org/en-us/blog/entry/amazing-grace

Having lived through a rather unfortunate and troubled childhood (his mother passed away when he was just six years old), Newton spent years fighting against authority, going so far as trying to desert the Royal Navy in his twenties.

Later, abandoned by his crew in West Africa, he was forced to be a servant to a slave trader but was eventually rescued. On the return voyage to England, a violent storm hit and almost sank the ship, prompting Newton to begin his spiritual conversion as he cried out to God to save them from the storm.

Upon his return, however, Newton became a slave ship master, a profession in which he served for several years. Bringing slaves from Africa to England over multiple trips, he admitted to sometimes treating the slaves abhorrently.

In 1754, after becoming violently ill on a sea voyage, Newton abandoned his life as a slave trader, the slave trade, and seafaring, altogether, wholeheartedly devoting his life to God's service.

He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1764 and became quite popular as a preacher and hymn writer. Later, Newton would become a champion for ending the slave trade along with William Wilberforce.

Every believers life ought to be a pattern of God’s grace for the lost world to see. Can you say that about your life?

God’s Praise from Believers (v. 17)

Paul ends this section of his letter to Timothy with a wonderful doxology. He recognizes that God alone accomplished this miracle of Grace in his life. We would do well to join Paul in his praise!

1 Timothy 1:17 CSB

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Not only should a believer be a pattern of God’s grace, praise should overflow from their hearts.

The King Eternal - ruling and reigning in complete power and glory.

Immortal - existing before anything else existed and will exist forever more.

Invisible - Not completely knowable by man. He is beyond our complete comprehension.

The Only God - Isaiah 44:6

Isaiah 44:6 CSB

This is what the Lord, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the Lord of Armies, says: I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me.

He alone deserves honor and Glory forever and ever.

Illus. I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath, And when my voice is lost in death, Praise shall employ my nobler powers; My days of praise shall ne’er be past, While life, and thought, and being last Or immortality endures.

Isaac Watts

Illus. President Reagan kept a sign on his desk that read, “There is no limit to what a man can do if he doesn’t care who gets the credit.” Biblically, there is no limit to what God can do through us if we are willing to give Him the credit. Which is exactly what it means to honor Him.

Closing: A man was asked "How did you get saved?" His answer was, "God did His part, and I did my part." "What was God's part, and what was your part?" He said, "God's part was the saving, and my part was the sinning. - I ran from Him as fast as my sinful heart and rebellious legs could take me. He took out after me till He ran me down."

I know a few people whom I hope get caught real soon!