Because He Lives

In The Grace Awakening, Charles Swindoll writes: I vividly remember my last spanking. It was on my thirteenth birthday, as a matter of fact. Having just broken into the sophisticated ranks of the teen world, I thought I was something on a stick. My father wasn’t nearly as impressed as I was with my great importance and new-found independence. I was lying on my bed. He was outside the window on a muggy October afternoon in Houston, weeding the garden. He said, “Charles, come out and help me weed the garden.” I said something like: “No … it’s my birthday, remember?” My tone was sassy and my deliberate lack of respect was eloquent. I knew better than to disobey my dad, but after all, I was the ripe old age of thirteen. He set a new 100-meter record that autumn afternoon. He was in the house and all over me like white on rice, spanking me all the way out to the garden. As I recall, I weeded until the moonlight was shining on the pansies. That same night he took me out to a surprise dinner. He gave me what I deserved earlier. Later he gave me what I did not deserve. The birthday dinner was grace. Larson, C. B. (2002). 750 engaging illustrations for preachers, teachers & writers (pp. 213–214). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Because He Lives I'm Thankful V12-14

12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (1 Ti 1:12). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

He strengthened me?

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ac 9:1–2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Paul is a big deal

How is Paul strengthened when he already seems to have it all?

So why did God see him as trustworthy/faithful?

Why did God put this man into ministry/service?

13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (1 Ti 1:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Blasphemous- Being irreverent towards what is sacred.

Persecutor- To harass or punish in a way that injures, grieves, or afflicts.

Paul's previous aim was not to change people but to hurt them!

Man of Violence!

Paul was a terrible person who did not deserve to be a part of the same work that the 12 were a part of! He should not have been able to speak the name of Jesus!

How many of us have lived in opposition to God?

How many of us still live in opposition to God?

26 For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (Heb 10:26)

Paul receives MERCY because of his ignorance!

Mercy- To be greatly concerned about someone in need, have compassion/mercy/pity

In Reader’s Digest Jim Williams of Butte, Montana, writes: I was driving too fast late one night when I saw the flashing lights of a police car in my rearview mirror. As I pulled over and rolled down the window of my station wagon, I tried to dream up an excuse for my haste. But when the patrolman reached the car, he said nothing. Instead, he merely shined his flashlight in my face, then on my seven-months-pregnant wife, then on our snoozing 18-month-old in his car seat, then on our three other children, who were also asleep, and lastly on the two dogs in the very back of the car. Returning the beam of light to my face, he then uttered the only words of the encounter. “Son,” he said, “you can’t afford a ticket. Slow it down.” And with that, he returned to his car and drove away. Sometimes mercy triumphs over law. So it is for sinners who call out to Jesus.

14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1 Ti 1:14)

Grace- practical application of goodwill, (a sign of) favor, gracious deed/gift, benefaction. Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature

Paul receives this GRACE in a mighty way!

(The verb hyperepleonasen, used only here in the NT, means “to be present in great or superabundance.”)

It doesn't matter if you have a WHALE of a problem God's got an OCEAN of grace!

Because He Lives Sinners Can Be Saved V15-17

The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. (1 Ti 1:15)

Paul illustrates here that no one is too dirty for God to clean up!

16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (1 Ti 1:16). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Paul states that he specifically chosen being the foremost and top sinner was chosen for a reason.

The Utmost Patience?

Patience- A state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation.

The TOTAL PATIENCE shown towards Paul was for those who would become Christians later!

If Paul can be given this opportunity for grace and mercy then what can God do with me?!

Because He Lives I Have a Doxology V17

DOXOLOGY Brief formula for expressing praise or glory to God. Doxologies generally contain two elements, an ascription of praise to God (usually referred to in third person) and an expression of His infinite nature.