‌‌Undeserved Mercy and Grace

Introduction

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—13 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, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 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. 16 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. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and have shipwrecked their faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

Context

Here we are, in our second week of our walk through the book of 1st Timothy. Just to give you a little refresher about the book of the Bible, here is a little information about it. This book itself, was a letter. A letter from the Apostle Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy while he was in Ephesus. This book, is 1 of 3 that belongs to the subsection of the epistles (meaning letters) in the bible called the Pastoral Epistles. This letter was written most likely sometime between 62-63AD, some 30 years after Jesus death on the cross and less than 10 years from the important letter that Christ sent to the same church in Ephesus through the Apostle John, which of course importantly warned them to not to forget their love of Christ, which is the most important thing for any church ever through history.

In last week’s scripture section, Paul charges Timothy to stay in Ephesus and minister to the church their, because false teachers had infiltrated the ranks, and now the church was in division because of this bad and divisive teaching. Paul tells Timothy essentially to teach what is right, show those that are wrong that they are and convince them to the truth, and essentially to restore true and honest doctrine that is consistent with the teachings of Christ; which this church has now strayed away from, this is something that all churches must be continually on the guard about and watch.

In this week’s text, Paul takes a step to the side, as he often does in his letters , that is; he is known for occasionally “following a rabbit” in his writing and going off in a different direction for a little while then coming back on track. We see this here, and even though it is a sort of random moment, it still sets the tone for understanding Paul’s heart and intent through this entire letter, to encourage Timothy and other believers in the truth of the Lord Jesus and what Christ does in, through and to us. From today’s text we see the idea that We do not deserve the Mercy and Grace that we receive from Jesus, yet He gives it to us so that God will receive honor and glory. Mercy of course, is what the guilty receive when they are given an undeserved break or forgiveness for their crime and wicked deeds, which is our sin or rebellion. This was true for believer then, now, and forever more so it bears attention and understanding for believers of all walks of life. So, lets jump in today and From the text, I want you to understand these facts about the Undeserved Mercy and Grace we receive from Jesus.

Message

The first is that: Jesus came to save sinners (12-15)

12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—13 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, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 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.

Paul begins by giving credit to the only one that deserves it, in this case for the strength and gift of appointed to ministry despite the fact that he was the most unqualified person on the earth for it. Look at Paul’s list of qualifications, which would of course without God in the mix, make him totally disqualified and kicked out of the room. He reminds the reader that he was a blasphemer, someone who speaks evil against God and His Church, He was a persecutor, someone who physically brings harm to the church and the saints, and He was an arrogant man, having pride in himself. Despite all this, and how unqualified for the apostolic ministry he was appointed to, Christ intervened and gets full credit and glory for everything. Without Christ, it’s clear that Paul was a rampant sinner who was destined for an eternity (forever) of separation from God. Paul points out, despite my badness and evil, my sin, the mercy of God was poured out on my unbelief and the grace of God overflowed on me.

Now, in the bible, our English word grace can have several meanings, though both meanings are related. There is the saving grace of God, but there is also grace that means the favor of God, and this is what Paul is writing here. He received Mercy (forgiveness) and Grace (favor) from God, even though he was the last person on earth that should have, this of course is all because God is so great, He doesn’t work off of our sets of rules and how we think things “ought to be.” He works off of the way that He desires, which is often the most unlikely way because that brings Him the most Honor, Glory, and recognition from our human minds who are so prone to simplifying things and not noticing that God was at work, so He works in the most unlikely way to get our attention. Moving back into our text, Paul makes the 1stof five, “trustworthy statements within the pastoral epistles, 3 of which are in this letter, 1st Timothy. This is that Jesus came to the world to save sinners. And I, Paul, was the worst of them.

Weather we realize it or not, this is a fact that we to often forget, that Jesus came to save sinners. What does that mean? Well, first of all, it means that everyone in the world is one. Second of all, so are you. Third of all, while you are our doing Christ’s work in your life, to share the gospel with others, you are going to encounter and come across, guess what, guess who, sinners! Yes that’s right! You will see and hear things that are shocking to you if you have insulated yourself within the mild, piolet, and redeemed. (which by the way, just because you are mild and piolet doesn’t mean you are redeemed). Often believers make this assumption, but as the old saying goes “It’s the quite ones you have to watch out for.” You see, it doesn’t matter how foul mouthed a person is, who they have hurt, or what they have done. Those people’s sin put Jesus on the cross, every bit as much as your secret sin that you’re hiding from the world right now. It’s all equal, it’s all rebellion, it’s all sin against God; a God that is perfect and Holy. You see, We do not deserve the Mercy and Grace that we receive from Jesus, yet He gives it to us so that God will receive honor and glory. Jesus gives it to us, because Jesus came to save sinners.

The second fact about the undeserved Mercy and Grace we receive is that :Jesus is honored and glorified (16-17)

16 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. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul drives the idea home here. The reason why he received this mercy (forgiveness) and that grace (favor) from God, favor from Christ. Why? Just like we showed earlier, that God’s power, might, attributes, patience, would be on full display for all to see who were paying attention. For everyone who would believe in Him, have eternal life, that they would understand and be encouraged by who our God is and what he does in our fallen and sin filled world. Paul then concludes with honoring God, for just that reason. Concluding with that statement, we say often but perhaps don’t understand, Amen; meaning, “Let it be so.” Paul is affirming, as far as I am concerned, God is the King eternal, He is immortal, invisible, the only true God, and he deserves honor and glory forever and ever, Let it be so; let everything about every breath that I breath be in agreeance with that.

Paul’s example here, who he was and what God did through and to him has an effect on believers even now, almost 2000 years later. In fact, I can recall when I was brand new in my faith reading my bible, and when I realized that this Saul guy was the same as Paul, a light when off in my head; it was the proof that I needed. When I learned this, at the age of 22, I went to work at the pizza place that day and shared this with all my cowokers. “Hey, did you know that Paul violently persecuted and hurt the church? And even despite that, Christ chose him to be his instrument to share the gospel to the nations? Like, he was the greatest missionary that ever lived, and even I can point to Paul and say that in some way the faith I am growing in is because of Paul’s obedience to God and Christ’s great power and ability to forgive Him?” This was a wow moment for me, if THIS is the power and ability of THIS Christian God, then THIS truly is a God worthy of worship and devotion to.

What happens when each one of us in our darkness of sin and our blatant rebellion, which is great, are saved for eternity? Jesus is honored and glorified. What happens when Jesus is honored and glorified? Because Jesus is God, then God is honored and glorified. Remember what we spoke about last week, Jesus is pointing to God the Father for Him to be glorified, who sent God the Holy Spirit to You, who (the Holy Spirit) is pointing you To Jesus, who is pointing to the Father, and so on and so forth. A Great shared glory between all 3 persons of the God head. No matter how great you think you are, and how little you think your sin is; it doesn’t matter You do not deserve the Mercy and Grace that You receive from Jesus, yet He gives it to You so that God will receive honor and glory. Realize this, change how your mind works so that you can, and you will find yourself a more willing instrument for God’s glory. As you do this, Jesus is honored and glorified. Don’t let the lies of sin, pride, what have you, stand in your way.

Another fact about the undeserved mercy and grace we receive is that :Jesus gives believers a cause (18-20)

18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and have shipwrecked their faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

Now Paul is getting back to the point of his letter, to encourage and instruct Timothy in his mission, of rooting out the false teachers and false doctrine being taught in the church at Ephesus. Paul encourages him to keep up the hard work, fight the good fight with faith that God will work and move and know in your conscience that you are on the side of right as you are on the side of God. Some are not on the side of God, have left those of the faith in your care in a bad spot. Two of these false teachers and deceivers are named, Hymenaus and Alexander, whom Paul shares he has removed from the flock in a redemptive effort. 1, to teach them not to blaspheme, that is speak wrongly and badly about God, so it’s clear that these men should have never been teachers and leaders in this church; and two so that those effected by them can be corrected, healed, and made right. Paul gives Timothy a cause, a cause to protect the truth and teach others correctly and rightly about Christ.

So, what is this cause, it’s the cause of Christ. Which is what, what is Christ doing? Well, we already know He did the work on the cross to forgive sinners of their sin. That is a cause that He has accomplished. But what is Christ still doing? He is pointing to God the Father and so on, you have heard me say it several times before. Christ is all about God receiving Honor and Glory.

For us today, our part in the Cause of Christ, is pointing others towards Christ. Christ then points to who?..... (God the Father) Who then send who?...... (God the Holy Spirit) So that what?..... (We and others are pointed towards God the Son, Jesus). Our part is being a sort of instrument of God the Holy Spirit in us so that others can say “Yes” to Christ. In Timothy’s cause, his particular assignment here was to point others to Christ by correcting (or even getting rid of ) the false teachers that were confusing and leading others astray and point that those confused or led astray people back to the true nature and teachings of Christ.

Your particular assignment, your partnership with the God the Holy Spirit, is unique to you. It may or may not look like other people’s, but I can guarantee you a few things. 1, is that you have a mission/cause, 2 that it involves pointing others to Christ. 3, and this is the scary point, at the bare minimum for each of you in this room, each believer hearing my voice and every believer everywhere, at the bare minimum it means learning to trust God more and showing others to as well (aka, evangelism). So, you have to ask yourself believer, are you truly plugged into the cause of Christ? Or are you plugged into some other cause? Maybe that cause isn’t a bad thing, but it is if it takes priority and precedence over the cause of Christ in your life. Remember, you are a sinner saved by the mercy and grace of Christ and you do not deserve the Mercy and Grace that you receive from Jesus, yet He gives it to us so that God will receive honor and glory. The same is true for that person you have been withholding God from because you think they don’t deserve Him or you are to scared of the fall out from sharing Him. That person also doesn’t deserve Mercy and Grace from God, but none the less God offers to ANYONE in the world who truly turns to Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. That person is no worse or no worse off than you were. So, align yourself to Jesus’ cause, asking Him to help you, and He will. Because God loves it when His children realize that they rely on Him, and He empowers those that rely on Him.

Conclusion

As I was writing this sermon this week, a song from about 10 years ago came to mind. You probably heard it if you listen to Christian Radio. Called “Jesus Messiah.” In this song, I heard all of these themes come up, that Jesus came to save sinners, that Jesus is honored and glorified, and Jesus gives believers a cause. So, here is what I want you to do, write these three points down, listen to this song and as it is going meditate (think on) where they are the same and similar.

Jesus came to save sinners (12-15)

Jesus is honored and glorified (16-17)

Jesus gives believers a cause (18-20)

With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.