God's Great Grace

Introduction

Paul begins this section discussing the grace that Paul himself received from Jesus Christ. As we begin this morning, I want to encourage you to stop and examine your own life. How has Jesus Christ extended grace to you?

1 Timothy 1:12–14 NIV84

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Jesus Considered Me Faithful

Paul begins this passage by rejoices in several facts:

That Jesus considered him faithful.

Jesus considered Paul and found him faithful—Paul was someone Jesus could appoint to a job and he would complete that job to the best of his ability.

Jesus appointed him to service.

Jesus put Paul to work. He had a job for him to do and he appointed him to service—the service of the King!

This was despite Paul’s past!

Jesus made the choice to overlook all of Paul’s past problems, even though these were serious problems: blasphemer, persecutor, a violent man.

Jesus showed Paul mercy because he acted in ignorance and unbelief.

Grace was poured out!

Nevertheless, Jesus poured out on Paul the grace of the Lord in great abundance.

Not only that, but Jesus poured out faith and love on Paul!

STOP—Has Jesus considered you to be faithful?

—Has Jesus appointed you to His service?

—Has Jesus looked beyond your past to see what you can be in the future?

—Has Jesus abundantly poured out His grace on you?

—Has Jesus poured out faith and mercy on you?

1 Timothy 1:15-

1 Timothy 1:15–17 NIV84

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

On Reason Jesus Picked Paul

Paul throws out a saying—a trustworthy saying that everyone should hear and accept— “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”

Paul goes on to say this is the reason Jesus choose Paul. To demonstrated how unlimited the patience, love, faith, mercy, and grace of Jesus really is!

An Anthem:

Paul stops here—after talking about the greatness of Jesus—and gives an anthem or doxology about that greatness:

“Now to the King eternal [literally—the King of all the ages], immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen”

1 Timothy 1:18–20 NIV84

Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Back to Paul’s Instruction

First, everything that Paul is sharing now aligns with the prophecies once made about Timothy.

Secondly, following these instructions will keep Timothy fighting the good fight. Timothy will keep holding onto the faith with a good conscience.

Some have rejected instruction, and have shipwrecked their faith. Two examples in Ephesus: Hymenaeus and Alexander.

Conclusion

Paul opens this letter by reminding Timothy of all that God has done in Paul’s life, and challenging Timothy (and us) to look around and see all of that God has done for use.

God has extended His grace and mercy on us. He has considered us faithful, and appointed us to His service.

By His grace He has been able to look past all that we did out of ignorance and unbelief.

So what job does God have for you today? What has His grace and mercy accomplished in your life?

For like Paul, I must say, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst!