Easter Sunday - Transforming

Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 Transforming | 1 Timothy 1:12-17 It is Easter morning! Thank you for spending your morning here at Thornydale Family Church. I want you to think about the most important moment or event of your life. For most of us, it's likely attached to our marriage, or the birth of our children. For Christians, it might very well be when you accepted the call of Jesus to follow Him. I think what we'll see this morning is that the most important event in history has to be the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. What does that mean? Well, I think it would be best to start this morning with a Scripture reading on the reason why I say this, and the reason why we gather every week. Let's read of the resurrection from Mark's account, chapter 16:1-8: 1 WHEN THE SABBATH WAS PAST, MARY MAGDALENE, MARY THE MOTHER OF JAMES, AND SALOME BOUGHT SPICES, SO THAT THEY MIGHT GO AND ANOINT HIM. 2 AND VERY EARLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, WHEN THE SUN HAD RISEN, THEY WENT TO THE TOMB. 3 AND THEY WERE SAYING TO ONE ANOTHER, "WHO WILL ROLL AWAY THE STONE FOR US FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE TOMB?" 4 AND LOOKING UP, THEY SAW THAT THE STONE HAD BEEN ROLLED BACK-IT WAS VERY LARGE. 5 AND ENTERING THE TOMB, THEY SAW A YOUNG MAN SITTING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, DRESSED IN A WHITE ROBE, AND THEY WERE ALARMED. 6 AND HE SAID TO THEM, "DO NOT BE ALARMED. YOU SEEK JESUS OF NAZARETH, WHO WAS CRUCIFIED. HE HAS RISEN; HE IS NOT HERE. SEE THE PLACE WHERE THEY LAID HIM. 7 BUT GO, TELL HIS DISCIPLES AND PETER THAT HE IS GOING BEFORE YOU TO GALILEE. THERE YOU WILL SEE HIM, JUST AS HE TOLD YOU." 8 AND THEY WENT OUT AND FLED FROM THE TOMB, FOR TREMBLING AND ASTONISHMENT HAD SEIZED THEM, AND THEY SAID NOTHING TO ANYONE, FOR THEY WERE AFRAID. I want you to notice what I omitted from my previous statement. I omitted "today." Instead, I said "every week." The reason for this was intentional. Even though we "celebrate" Easter - or as I prefer to call it - Resurrection Day once per year, we in fact celebrate it every time that we gather, because without it, there is no reason to gather. Which is why I stated earlier, that this is the most important day that the Christian celebrates. Don't take my word for it, the Apostle Paul says it this way in 1 Corinthians 15:14: AND IF CHRIST HAS NOT BEEN RAISED, THEN OUR PREACHING IS IN VAIN AND YOUR FAITH IS IN VAIN. Although I opened with a reading from Mark's account of the Resurrection, we're actually going to be speaking about two people this morning. Jesus - of course - and the Apostle Paul. Now, I do not plan or intend on elevating Paul above Jesus this morning, but rather I want to use Paul as an example of what the resurrection of Jesus did in Paul's life. So, we can use Paul's example, Paul's story to encourage us and remember what the resurrection means for you and me. Maybe you're new to church, or you're not very familiar with Paul. So, bear with me a moment as I provide some background on Paul. In the fifth book of the New Testament is a book called Acts. Acts is a continuation of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) which tell us about Christ and His ministry. Prior to Jesus' ascension to heaven, He gives final instruction to His disciples to preach Jesus and repentance and to make more disciples. The book of Acts describes and records what this looked like in action. So, it's a history of the church as it began and grew. So, we fast forward to chapter 8 and we meet a man named Saul (who is later called by his Roman name, Paul). Saul was persecutor of the church and these new Christians. But something changed. In chapter 9, Saul encounters Jesus. That encounter changed his life. In Acts 9:15, another disciple Ananias is told by Jesus what the purpose of Saul will be. He said this to Ananias: GO, FOR HE IS A CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE TO CARRY MY NAME BEFORE THE GENTILES AND KINGS AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. We see a little more detail of this in chapter 22, when Paul tells his story to those at the Temple. Verse 15 says: FOR YOU WILL BE A WITNESS FOR HIM TO EVERYONE OF WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND HEARD. So, why do I tell you all of this? Because Paul becomes the most influential witness to Jesus in the church. Preaching the Gospel to all. Starting churches. Building up leaders. All along being persecuted for his faith. But what changed? What was it that changed this sinner into a saint? We'll answer that shortly. This is where we come to Timothy. Timothy was one of these leaders in one of these churches. Paul wrote him two letters. In his first letter, Paul is trying to encourage Timothy against false teachers, and teach him church organization. What I found fascinating this week as I studied the passage we're going to read in a moment, is that Paul returned to the foundation of the faith when addressing this young pastor Timothy. Here is what he said to him in 1 Timothy 1:12-17: 12 I THANK HIM WHO HAS GIVEN ME STRENGTH, CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD, BECAUSE HE JUDGED ME FAITHFUL, APPOINTING ME TO HIS SERVICE, 13 THOUGH FORMERLY I WAS A BLASPHEMER, PERSECUTOR, AND INSOLENT OPPONENT. BUT I RECEIVED MERCY BECAUSE I HAD ACTED IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF, 14 AND THE GRACE OF OUR LORD OVERFLOWED FOR ME WITH THE FAITH AND LOVE THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. 15 THE SAYING IS TRUSTWORTHY AND DESERVING OF FULL ACCEPTANCE, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, OF WHOM I AM THE FOREMOST. 16 BUT I RECEIVED MERCY FOR THIS REASON, THAT IN ME, AS THE FOREMOST, JESUS CHRIST MIGHT DISPLAY HIS PERFECT PATIENCE AS AN EXAMPLE TO THOSE WHO WERE TO BELIEVE IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE. 17 TO THE KING OF THE AGES, IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, THE ONLY GOD, BE HONOR AND GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN. Not your normal Easter passage, now is it? I saw this passage a couple of weeks ago and realized that all that Paul is describing here is only possible and meaningful because of the resurrection. So, that's effectively what I want to do this morning. We're going to discuss two things. First, what does the Lord's Resurrection mean to us? And second, what is our response? Before we get there, what is the main idea of our passage and our gathering this morning? The resurrection of Jesus is the only event that could transform a sinner into a saint. We're going to see this clearly from this text this morning. I'm going to break this passage down and reveal to you ... WHAT THE LORD'S RESURRECTION MEANS TO ME Paul reveals seven significant results of his personal encounter with the resurrection Jesus on that road. First: * He gives me strength (v12) o Paul suffered greatly in his ministry. All for Christ. o He was beaten. o He was imprisoned. o He was shipwrecked. o He suffered what he called a "thorn" in his flesh, which caused him to be humbled o He was consistently attacked by false teachers, and so forth ... o But, here, late in his ministry, he reveals the source of his strength, Christ Jesus our Lord. o Writer Josh McDowell said this: "No matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments, and troubles are, they are only temporary. No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face, no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the Resurrection promises you a future of immeasurable good. Few people seem to realize that the resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone to a worldview that provides the perspective to all of life." o Now, if you've been with us the last several weeks, you know that this doesn't mean nothing will go wrong, rather it means we still have hope, and that hope is found in the risen Lord. o Next, * He appoints me to serve (v12) o Notice that Paul is describing his service as something that was given to him by Christ. In fact, we saw that earlier when we heard what was spoken to Ananias. o This means that ... * He was chosen by God. * He was equipped by God. o Notice too, in verse 13, Paul regards that even though his past was not worthy to be appointed to service, he was still received God's mercy and grace. o I love this part. We see all throughout the Bible, Old and New Testaments, examples of "unworthy" people being used by God. o For Paul - and many others - the encounter with the resurrected Jesus changed his heart and made him into the servant that God intended him to be. o Of course, not all of us will be like Paul, but the Bible teaches that every Christian has a gift to be used in the body. o Isn't it neat that He chooses to use us in His work? The resurrection makes that possible. Next, * By grace, He transforms me (vv13-14) o Paul hints at forgiveness in verse 13 but notice that it is not because he or we deserve it. o In fact, the Bible teaches the opposite of that. o That's why we need Christ. Without the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, there is no forgiveness of sin. o It is said that in the resurrection, Christ was victorious over death, which is the penalty for sin. o And because He died for us, and rose, we are victorious over death. o Here's what Australian Theologian Leon Morris said: "The cross is the victory, the resurrection is the triumph...The resurrection is the public display of the victory, the triumph of the crucified one." o You see, without the resurrection, there is no forgiveness of sins. That's what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:17: AND IF CHRIST HAS NOT BEEN RAISED, YOUR FAITH IS FUTILE AND YOU ARE STILL IN YOUR SINS. o A dead person cannot forgive sins, it's that simple. Next, * He reveals His purpose (v15) o Jesus came to save sinners. o Jesus said it Himself in Luke 19:10: FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THE LOST. o Then look at what Paul says in Romans 4:25: [JESUS] WAS DELIVERED UP FOR OUR TRESPASSES AND RAISED FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION. o So, when we think about Easter, it's not about the bunny, or even an Easter brunch, it is about Christ, and His work, which allows us to be declared righteous before a Holy God. o Related ... * He gives me mercy (vv13,16) o Twice here, Paul mentions mercy. o God showing us mercy, shows His love for us by being compassionate towards us. o The Bible teaches that Jesus came to save the world. We're all familiar with John 3:16, but what does John 3:17 say? This is what is says: FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT IN ORDER THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE SAVED THROUGH HIM. o That's God's mercy on His creation. o That's why Paul mentions it twice, because He knew that He was spared his due punishment. o Guess what? o In Christ, you and I have been too. o Mercy and grace are very much related, but mercy demonstrates God's character and a caring and loving God, which leads to His grace. o Two more results of the resurrection of Jesus. Next, * He provided Paul as an example of His patience (v16) o Paul often spoke of his life as an example to his churches. o He did this for a couple of reasons. One, to emphasis his calling, and two, show the transforming power of the gospel. o What's so interesting about Paul's life is that he was able to climb the ranks - so to speak - in Judaism. He was well trained in the Law, brilliant by their standards, but as Pat mentioned earlier, his passion and zeal were misdirected. o But God, in His infinite wisdom, choose Paul at the right moment. o That's what Paul is talking about here, the patience of God. o Peter, another great pillar of the church, speaks of this as well, in one of my favorite verses. Here's what he says in 2 Peter 3:9: THE LORD IS NOT SLOW TO FULFILL HIS PROMISE AS SOME COUNT SLOWNESS, BUT IS PATIENT TOWARD YOU, NOT WISHING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD REACH REPENTANCE. o If you've ever wondered why Christ has not returned yet, this is why. He is patiently waiting for all the called to come to Him. o So, Paul says, look at me as an example of God's patience. o Finally, we see this: * He gives eternal life to those who believe (v16) o This means that when those who believe leave this earth, they are united with God for eternity, without sin, without death, without pain, instead of eternity separated from God. o Before Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was doomed to eternity separated from God. o My hope today, my prayer today, is that none of you are doomed to eternity separated from God. o Any time we approach the Scriptures, it should invoke a response. o So, I want to close this morning discussing just that: OUR RESPONSE I think there are at least three responses from this passage. First, * Give thanks (v12) o Paul started with this. o In fact, in many of his letters, he opens and closes with thanksgiving. o It's instructive. o Maybe you struggle with prayer. Finding the right words. Start with thanksgiving. o Here, Paul thanked the Lord for the strength he was given. o For you and me, it may be for something else. o Today, we thank Him for the resurrection. o We thank Him for His mercy, and His grace, and for forgiveness. All made possible because of the resurrection. o We thank Him for eternal life, made possible, once again, because of the resurrection. o Next, verse 17 reminds us to ... * Give honor and glory (v17) o This verse displays God as the eternal, immortal and invisible King, yet we can know Him personally because of Jesus. o In fact, He intervened personally by sending Jesus to save His people. o This is why we honor Him. Placing Him above all things. o This is why we glorify Him. Recognizing God for Who He is through worship and praise. o So, Paul bookends this paragraph, if you will, with thanksgiving and praise. o In between verses 12 and 17, Paul reminds us that he was transformed, from a sinner to a saint. Which is why I said earlier in our main idea: the resurrection of Jesus is the only event that could transform a sinner into a saint. o So, that leaves some with one last response: * Believe and accept Jesus as Lord (vv15-16) o As we look at the example of Paul, we see how the resurrection transformed him. o Many of us have stories of who we were before we encountered Jesus, and who we've become since that encounter. o If you have not confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, then I urge you to do that today. I opened this morning talking about Easter - the resurrection of Jesus - as the most important event in history. It is said by many - including Paul, as noted before - that the resurrection is foundational for Christianity. Without it, Christianity does not exist. I pray today that you have seen clearly why the resurrection had to happen. Because it is transformative. Because it creates saints out of sinners. Because it gives us hope. Because it gives us peace. Because it gives unity with our Creator. Have you been transformed by the resurrection of Jesus? If not, will you do that today? If so, will you give God the glory and honor that He is due? Let's pray. 2