Building on the Foundation

1 Timothy 1:12-20

The Gospel Foundation: Christ Jesus Saves Sinners!

Unpacking this:

Sinners need Saved

From the bondage to the power of sin and from the wrath of God.

Christ Jesus came into the world: Incarnation.

The eternal Son of God took on flesh, the one who created all things stepped into creation, he humbled himself and became like us, taking on the form of a servant…

To save sinners: Atonement.

He came to break the power of sin, to loose us from the chains that imprisoned us, and to bear the curse of God’s wrath for our sins, so that we who believe would be set free to live for God’s glory and to serve the Lord with gladness.

This is the foundation upon which Christ builds his church.

The one thing that gives the Church success the one thing that provides you any hope, the one thing that holds the Church together, the one thing that enables us to bring God glory: The Gospel of Christ!

You are Saved by God’s Grace.

Paul’s story:

Formerly a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.

I was a blasphemer: intentional opposition to Jesus, denying he was the Christ or the Lord, evidenced in his murderous persecution of the Church

The sins of 1:9-10 - Paul isn’t looking at others, but at himself. The law is a mirror, it shows us our faults, so that we would turn to the gospel for our salvation.

Formerly insolent, arrogant - boasting of his accomplishments, now he is humbled in the presence of the Lord. The least of the saints, and the chief of sinners.

But God showed me mercy

The Damascus Road Meeting - Paul was acting in ignorance and unbelief - but when he encountered the living Christ - he repented and believed.

Not an excuse, still guilty, but pardoned in Christ.

What is the mercy of God? His patient dealing with us, His pity for lost sinners, withholding punishment, as in Rom 2:4, to lead you to repentance.

The Grace of Christ Overflowed for me

What is the grace of God? God’s gift of loving kindness for sinners in Jesus Christ.

Salvation is the gift of God for those who did not deserve it. God provided everything we needed but could not afford. God saved those who could not save themselves. God made those who were dead in their trespasses alive together with Christ (Eph 2:4-5).

“Overflowed with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” Like filling a teaspoon from a fire-hydrant.

God’s grace overflowed in abundance because of the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

These qualities of faith and love are “in Christ Jesus”; while exercised by the believer they find their center in Him, and their exercise is possible only through union with Him…

Before Christ, Paul lived without faith or love. The only place to know faith and love, are in Christ.

You are Saved as God’s Witness.

Paul, “I was the foremost of sinners, but I received this mercy from God, that I might be an example of the perfect patience of Christ for those who will believe in him unto eternal life…”

Our salvation is meant to serve as an example for the lost. If God could save someone like Paul, and even use him to advance his kingdom, is there anything too hard for God?

Your life in Christ is meant to set an example. Not that you should go about boasting about the sins of your former way of living, but that there should be such a vivid change in your life because of Christ.

Timothy, “Hold fast to the faith and a good conscience.”

This is how you will be an example, showing God’s grace and mercy to others.

Avoiding the bad fights (irreverent babble), you are to fight the good fight of faith, engage in sharing your faith, and hold to the faith entrusted to you.

Others who have rejected the faith.

They, like Paul had been, were blasphemers. Hymenaeus and Alexander, not much is said about them.

Hymenaeus (2 Tim 2:17-18) taught that the resurrection had already happened, depriving believers of all hope and purpose in this life.

They had rejected the teaching that Paul had given to Timothy, making shipwreck of their faith.

These two claimed the name of Christ while behaving like unbelievers. They did not lose their salvation; either they were pretenders exposed for what they were or they were straying believers disciplined by a loving God

Paul handed them over to Satan - excommunicated

Like in 1 Cor 5:5 - the man in adultery.

They are sent out in order to learn not to blaspheme. They are not disciplined for the sake of punishment, but for restoration.

Being sent out of the church would hopefully bring them to realize the seriousness of their error and turn back to the Gospel of grace in Jesus Christ for their salvation.

Our lives to be an example of the transformation that grace brings, and when we turn from the gospel, when we fall into sin, when we neglect the faith, it is necessary for discipline, even removal from the church, to happen

You are Saved for God’s Glory

Salvation is God’s gift of grace, and God gets all the glory

When we leave the gospel, we begin to teach that we contribute to our own salvation, that we bring something to the table other than our need and depravity. We take for ourselves the glory due to God.

When we hold fast to the faith, that salvation is by grace through faith alone in Christ Jesus: we reap the benefits of forgiveness, peace, and the promise of eternal life, and God gets the all the glory.

Even our Ministry as the Church, when we hold to the gospel, is for God’s glory

“I am thankful to the one who strengthened me…” The success, the efficacy, of your ministry does not rest in your strength, your gifts, or your talents, but in the one who called you, Christ Jesus.

All is for His glory

To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen