1 Timothy 1:12-17 - Christ Jesus Died for Sinners

Introduction

Last week

Introduction to Timothy

Main Application from last week: We must avoid being and appointing persons who lead the church into myths, speculations, and false teaching. Rather, we must be and appoint persons who lead the church to truth and into good stewardship of the faith that advances the kingdom of God

This Week

There seems to always be at least one time in every Pauline Epistle where Paul clearly articulates the gospel

Ephesians 2:1-10.

Romans 3:21-26.

This section in our epistle seems to be the one in 1 Timothy.

This is Paul after talking about the different false teachers and those who break the law goes into who he was before Christ saved him and marvels at the grace of God.

v.12-14 - Paul called to service despite being a sinner

Verse 12: Christ Jesus our Strength

1 Timothy 1:12 ESV

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

Why does Paul mention the strength he received? Perhaps to remind Timothy the strength he also has - and who he must rely on.

NO POWER POWER SAW ILLUSTRATION

“Lets say I have this piece of wood right here. Its a nice piece of wood but I need to cut it! So what do I need to cut this piece of wood? A Saw!”

(Pull out saw) - NO BATTERY IN IT

“See now I have a saw its great I got it from home depot - it is advertised to cut this wood really well.”

(Put the saw up against the wood pull the trigger (nothing happens) )

“This thing is not working like it should! Maybe I can try to manually use it!”

Try to saw the saw manually - it does not work

“I don’t think we are going to get the job done without any power”

Pull out battery - show it off

“Maybe if I use this - give it some power!”

Stick the battery in the saw - Cut the wood

“See we as believers are like this saw here - we wonderfully crafted and designed for a job. But without power we can’t get the job done.”

“Jesus is like the battery - He supplies the power we need. Without him we are a power tool without any power - pretty much useless.”

“Likewise, a believer cannot live a Godly life following out their calling apart from the power of Christ”

“ALSO - Pastors cannot operate off of their own strength - they must rely on the power and strength of Christ.”

Paul thanks Christ for giving him strength because he knew that he could not rely on his own strength - he knew he had to rely on the strength of Christ and that he would be powerless without it.

v.12a - Paul appointed for service

1 Timothy 1:12 ESV

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

Christ had set Paul apart by his own definite plan and foreknowledge judging and knowing that Paul wold become his servant.

Paul was amazed by this act of grace that God would want to bring him into his service.

Galatians 1:15 ESV

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

God had a plan for Paul’s life just like he has a plan for you and I

Also notice that God is the one who appoints for ministry callings

God must be the one to call and appoint. Our job is to recognize one’s calling. There have been some who have been sent off and entered pulpits who are not called or appointed by God to shepherd.

One can sometimes talk leadership into forceful ordination - that is why we must be patient in our discernment not being hasty.

These are generally those who struggle with authority and submitting to it.

If one’s call is in question there must be more prayer and time to evaluate the individual.

There have also been some who are called by God but yet not recognized by man.

Generally these men are functioning like elders/pastors just without the title.

This is not just referring to the fin aspect of preaching or teaching or the public things (for teaching is just one aspect of pastoral ministry) but rather in the things that are mostly unseen. Doing the things that others want no part in.

They have a burden for the church, a burden for the people of God, and a desire to see the church flourish and not just so they may have greater audiences to stand in front of but rather that the kingdom of God would be advanced.

Paul’s calling by God was first questioned in Acts 9 by Ananias. He looked at him as one persecuting the church, but through communion with God, the Lord revealed to Ananias that Paul was indeed a man set apart for the work of ministry.

v.13-14 - The Amazing Grace of God

1 Timothy 1:13–14 ESV

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.

Paul’s salvation - just your salvation and my salvation - was completely undeserved.

Paul had done nothing to earn it or merit it - in fact he would have been someone less worthy of it because of his persecution of Christians.

The true and trustworthy saying (v.15)

1 Timothy 1:15 ESV

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.

Christ came to save sinners

He came to save those who knew they were lost and know they need the grace of God

Matthew 5:3 ESV

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Christ called the broken

Luke 5:27–32 ESV

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Christ came not for the righteous but for sinners

Those who see themselves as righteous (the self-righteous) have no need for this savior

Paul knew that even after salvation he needed God’s grace daily

Do not take this passage wrong - this is not Paul saying that he is sinning purposefully and unrepentantly but rather

Saved for Christ’s glory (v.16)

1 Timothy 1:16 ESV

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.

Paul was the type of person he talked about in the previous passage - one of the lawless ones

God chose to save Paul that Paul would be an example to everyone that anyone no matter how bad they are that they can be saved.

Point to know from this verse: We are saved so that Christ would show his glory through us

We are to be mirrors that reflect the glory and grace of God

God did not save us because were the most righteous or most great but rather than he may show everyone else just what his saving grace can do.

Praise to Christ for salvation (v.17)

1 Timothy 1:17 ESV

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

Being saved by Christ should point us to praise Christ.

Also notice that Paul does not simply say “praise God” but rather finds specific attributes to praise him for.

Knowing and noting these attributes lead us to a deeper love of God and Christ!

Application:

We must be and appoint people who rely on the strength of Christ rather than their own

We must be and appoint people who know their own sin and the grace of God

We must be people who reflect the grace and mercy of God