Second Sunday after Pentecost (2026)

SAY IT OUT LOUD: GOD LOVES SINNERS

Second Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 5) 1 Timothy 1:12–17 Exodus 3:1–15; Matthew 9:9–13

GOAL

That hearers would confess their sin honestly while confidently trusting that God mercifully forgives sinners and even calls them to serve in His kingdom.

MALADY

We are haunted by our failures and tempted either to despair over our sinful past or to believe God could never truly forgive or use people like us.

MEANS

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, forgiving them through His mercy, cleansing them by His Gospel, and continuing to welcome them to His table.

INTRODUCTION

“PEOPLE DON’T FORGET THEIR PAST”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Most people carry around an invisible scrapbook of regrets.

Not something we show others.

Not things we frame and hang on the wall.

But we remember.

Words we wish we could unsay.

People we hurt.

Choices we regret.

Failures that still embarrass us years later.

Sometimes the past still speaks long after the moment has passed.

And the strange thing is this:

Forgiven sinners often remember what God no longer holds against them.

Moses remembered—He never forgot killing that Egyptian in a fit of anger.

Matthew remembered—He never forgot sitting in that tax booth, collecting money for Rome while his own people considered him a traitor.

Paul remembered—He never forgot how he had persecuted the Church of God.

He says it plainly:

1 Timothy 1:13 NIV84

“I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man…”

Paul does not soften a single word.

He does not excuse himself.

He does not blame his upbringing.

He does not compare himself to worse sinners.

No.

He confesses the truth.

And perhaps that is where this sermon becomes painfully personal.

Because we know what it is like to remember our sins.

And sometimes we wonder:

“Could God really forgive someone like me?”

“Could God really love someone like me?”

“Could God ever use someone like me?”

Into those questions, God doesn’t give you a theory. He gives you the truth:

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV84

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…”

1. GOD CALLS SINNERS

“THE LEAST LIKELY CANDIDATES”

One of the remarkable things in Scripture is how often God chooses the least likely people.

Moses?

An 80-year-old shepherd in the desert, with a murder in his rearview mirror. When God called him from the burning bush, Moses was not exactly confident.

He asked:

Exodus 3:11 NIV84

“Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

And honestly, Moses was right.

Who was he?

He’s a fugitive shepherd hiding in Midian.

Then there’s Matthew?

A tax collector.

Despised.

Corrupt.

A collaborator with Rome.

The kind of man respectable religious people avoided.

And now we come to Paul?

Paul belonged on the Church’s “Do Not Call” of disqualified people to serve as a pastor.

He was breathing threats and murder against Christians.

He approved of Stephen’s execution.

He hunted believers down.

If anyone seemed disqualified from ministry, it was Paul.

Yet God called him.

Friends, God does not recruit based on our résumé.

He calls by mercy.

That is difficult for us to understand because we always measure worthiness.

We measure people by success.

We measure them by their past.

By reputation.

By accomplishments.

By appearances.

And spiritually we often do the same thing.

Some people minimize their sin.

“I gossip, but at least I’m not like those people.”

Others drown in shame.

“I’m too far gone.” “I had an abortion.” “I blew up my marriage.” “I wasted years in addiction.”

All of these people and situations misunderstand the grace of God.

Because Christianity is not about deserving mercy.

It is about receiving mercy.

Jesus Himself says:

Matthew 9:13 NIV84

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

That does not mean sin is unimportant.

It means sinners are exactly the people Jesus came to save.

2. MERCY OVERFLOWED

“CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS”

Paul says:

1 Timothy 1:13 ESV

“But I received mercy…”

What beautiful words.

Notice Paul didn’t say:

“I fixed myself.”

Or:

“I turned my life around.”

Nor did he say:

“I made myself worthy.”

No.

“I received mercy.”

Twice in this text Paul says that.

Mercy.

Because mercy is the only explanation for Paul’s life.

And the same is true for us.

Paul says:

1 Timothy 1:14 NIV84

“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly…”

Poured out on me abundantly.

The grammar would even allow for “Super-aboundantly.”

In other words, the grace of Jesus was bigger than Paul’s sin.

And that is the heart of the Gospel, dear friends.

No sinner can out-sin the grace of Jesus Christ. That doesn’t mean sin is safe or harmless; it means it is never bigger than His cross.

That means we bring our sin to the One who makes peace by His blood.

Paul’s sins were not small.

Blasphemy is not small.

Violence and murder are not small.

Persecuting the Church is not small.

And your sins are not small either.

Neither are mine.

But Christ’s mercy is bigger.

That is why Paul says:

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV84

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…”

Notice he doesn’t say:

“Christ Jesus came into the world to help decent people become slightly better.”

No.

He came to save sinners.

People who need forgiveness.

People who cannot rescue themselves.

People who need mercy.

And then Paul says something astonishing: 1 Timothy 1:15

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV84

“Of whom I am the worst.”

Present tense.

Not “I was.”

“I am.”

Paul never stopped seeing the seriousness of his sin.

Even as an apostle.

Even after forgiveness.

Even after years of faithful ministry.

Even after churches planted and sermons preached.

Paul still knew the truth about himself.

I know the truth about myself.

And you know the truth about yourself.

Paul was still a sinner in need of mercy.

Now this is important, as it is true of us all.

St. Paul knew this struggle well.

Romans 7:19 NIV84

“For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”

Paul is not doubting forgiveness.

He is not forgetting grace.

He is not pretending Jesus failed to save him.

No—Paul simply sees himself truthfully. The mature Christian never pretends that the battle against sin, death, and the devil is over on this side of heaven.

Martin Luther once described the Christian this way:

At the same time justified and sinner.

simul iustus et peccator

At the same time righteous before God through Christ—and yet still struggling with sin.

That means Christians live with two truths at once.

On the one hand:

You are fully forgiven. Declared righteous through faith in Jesus.

Covered by His blood.

Beloved by God.

But on the other hand: You still battle sin.

You still fail.

You still need mercy.

Daily.

And perhaps some of us need to hear that this morning.

Because there are Christians who mistakenly think:

“If I still struggle, maybe I’m not really forgiven.”

Or:

“If I were a better Christian, I wouldn’t still wrestle with these sins.”

But Paul reminds us:

The Christian life is not pretending we are no longer sinners.

It is continually returning to Christ for mercy.

Again.

And again.

And again.

And what do we find there?

Not condemnation.

But this beautiful confession:

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

Not just sinners long ago.

Present tense sinners.

Sinners like Paul.

Sinners like us.

Paul never stopped marveling at the greatness of Christ’s mercy.

And perhaps that is one of the clearest signs of mature Christian faith.

Not pretending sin is small.

But believing Christ’s mercy is greater.

Because your worst chapter is not stronger than Jesus Christ.

Your past does not get the final word.

Christ does.

And His word is mercy.

3. JESUS STILL EATS WITH SINNERS

Our Gospel lesson gives us one of the most beautiful pictures of grace in all of Scripture.

Jesus is sitting at the same table with tax collectors and sinners.

And the religious leaders are scandalized.

Why would a holy man eat with people like that?

But Jesus says:

Matthew 9:12 NIV84

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”

Dear friends, Jesus still eats with sinners today.

Right here.

At His table.

The Lord’s Supper is not a reward for people who finally got their lives together.

It is food for repentant sinners—that is, people who know their sin and come to Jesus for forgiveness.

The same Jesus who sat at Matthew’s table now invites sinners to His own. This isn’t a casual snack. It’s the holy meal where repentant sinners come, examined and humbled, but confident that the One who invites them is merciful.

And He knows exactly who comes forward today.

He knows every regret.

He knows every hidden sin.

Every burdened conscience.

Every failure.

Every shame.

And still He says:

“Take and eat.”

“Take and drink.”

“Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”

So, bring that invisible scrapbook with you to the rail. Christ’s body and blood stamps it with one word: FORGIVEN.”

Jesus still eats with sinners. He doesn’t excuse sin. He forgives it. He gives mercy, life, and salvation. And perhaps that is the most astonishing thing of all.

The holy Son of God is not embarrassed to be seen with us sinners.

He welcomes us.

Feeds us.

Forgives us.

And even uses us.

CONCLUSION

SAY IT OUT LOUD

Paul’s life moved from worst to first.

Not because Paul improved himself.

But because Christ’s grace overflowed into him and through him.

And if God could save:

A murderer like Moses…

A tax collector like Matthew…

A persecutor like Paul…

then He can save you.

Say it out loud: God loves sinners. Not sin, but sinners. And because He loves them, Christ Jesus came into the world to save them, and still eats with them.

But louder still:

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

And say this too:

Jesus still eats with sinners.

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

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Prayers of the Church

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Merciful Father, we praise You that You do not deal with us according to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities. We thank You that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Grant that Your Church would boldly proclaim this saving truth, never watering down sin, yet never doubting the greatness of Your mercy. Help us to say it out loud: God loves sinners and sent His Son to save them. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, You called unlikely servants into Your kingdom—Moses the fugitive, Matthew the tax collector, and Paul the persecutor. Continue to call and strengthen pastors, teachers, missionaries, and all servants of the Gospel. Guard Your Church from trusting in human credentials, success, or appearances. Instead, remind us that You call forgiven sinners and equip them by grace for service in Your kingdom. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Holy Spirit, teach us to confess our sins honestly without excuse and to trust fully in the mercy of Christ. Rescue those burdened by guilt, shame, regret, and memories of past failures. Preserve us from despair when sin weighs heavily upon us, and from pride when we compare ourselves to others. Remind us daily that we are at the same time justified and sinners—fully forgiven in Christ and yet continually dependent upon His grace. Keep us always returning to Jesus for mercy again and again. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Gracious God, strengthen all Christian homes and vocations. Bless husbands and wives, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren. Grant patience where there is conflict, forgiveness where there has been hurt, and faithfulness in every calling. Help us to see that even in ordinary daily life, You continue to work through forgiven sinners for the good of others and to the glory of Your holy name. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Compassionate Father, because Christ still welcomes sinners, we bring before You all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Remember those who are ill, recovering from surgery or injury, burdened by chronic illness, weighed down by anxiety, grief, loneliness, or discouragement. Comfort those troubled by the invisible scrapbook of regrets and sins that still trouble the conscience. According to Your gracious will, grant healing, strength, patience, and peace, reminding them that their worst chapter does not have the final word—Christ does, and His word is mercy. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Lord of the nations, guide all who bear earthly authority in government, military service, emergency response, law enforcement, education, and civic leadership. Give them wisdom, integrity, and humility. Protect those who serve and preserve peace among the nations. Teach us to honor rightful authority while trusting above all in Christ, the eternal King, whose mercy endures forever. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, as we prepare to receive Your Holy Supper, grant us repentant hearts and confident faith. We thank You that You still eat with sinners and invite us to Your table—not because we are worthy, but because You are merciful. Strengthen all who come to Your altar trusting in Your promise: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Through this holy meal, comfort burdened consciences, strengthen weak faith, and preserve us in the one true faith unto life everlasting. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.