More to Come

Introduction

1 and 2 Timothy and Titus—To Guard the Deposit Thanks for Personal Grace (vv. 12–14)

An artist once submitted a painting of Niagara Falls to an exhibition but neglected to give it a title. The gallery came up with the whimsical words, “More to Follow.” Niagara Falls, which has been spilling over billions of gallons per year for thousands of years and has more than met the needs of those below, is a fit emblem for the floods of God’s grace. There always is more to follow, or as James so beautifully says, “he gives us more grace” (James 4:6a). There always is more grace.

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Prayer

1 Timothy 1:15 The Message

Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—

This verse is the Gospel in a nutshell — This good news can make bruised and broken people leap for joy — with God’s grace, there is always more to come.

In verses 8-11, Paul wrote about the proper use of the law.

1 Timothy 1:11 NIV

that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

In verses 12-14, Paul points to his personal testimony about how God saved him. In verses 15-16, he establishes that God’s grace is more than personal…it is universal…extended to the world. It is no wonder that in verse 17, Paul’s thankfulness bursts into exuberant praise — the doxology

1 Timothy 1:17 NIV

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

Paul’s reminds Timothy and the church that our only reason for hope is the grace of God — the only way we can actually be His people is by the grace of God. Let’s get this down...

Big Idea: When we experience God’s limitless grace, we can’t help but worship Him

God’s Limitless Grace is Personal (1 Timothy 1:12-14)

God’s Grace Transforms the Worst of us

Paul — known as Saul, was a fanatical persecutor of Christians

Threatening and slaughter became the very breath that Paul breathed…it was his heartbeat

Acts 26:9–11 NIV

“I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

Paul was calloused, bigoted, a self-righteous murder determined to bring about an inquisition against all followers of Christ

His goal took him beyond Jerusalem — He even secured permission to travel 150 miles to Damascus in order to destroy the church there.

But God had other plans…plans that display His limited grace in a very personal way to this zealot named Saul

Acts 9:3–6 NIV

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

1 and 2 Timothy and Titus—To Guard the Deposit Thanks for Personal Grace (vv. 12–14)

Paul, an untamable tiger, met the Lion of the tribe of Judah at the Damascus off-ramp! He renounced persecuting the church to become a major player in the drama of world evangelization.

In our passage today, Paul expressed his thankfulness for God’s grace: to call him to be an apostle — a messenger of the Gospel — unworthy yet called

1 Timothy 1:12–14 NIV

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, 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.

Paul did not deserve mercy and grace from God…but God gave it in abundance. God did not give Paul what he deserved. Instead, he gave him grace, salvation, and called him to be His messenger to the Gentile world.

…like Niagra Falls...

There is Always More Grace to Come

James 4:6 NIV

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Paul was not exaggerating when he described his past — he was the worst of sinners — but God’s grace is not slowed down because someone is a horrible sinner

Romans 5:20–21 NIV

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When grace abounds…it is because of God’s love for us — He gives us faith to believe and accept His gift.

Transitional: We should be very thankful today that God’s grace is not only personal…but He offers it to the world

God’s Limitless Grace is Universal (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

1 Timothy 1:15–16 NIV

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 immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:9 NIV

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Ephesians 3:8 NIV

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,

Salvation for the Worst

Paul didn’t say “I was the worst” — He said “I am the worst”

This is a good way for saved people to think — because we are not better than or superior to anyone else — ALL PEOPLE HAVE HOPE

Transition: We have so much for which to be thankful...

God’s Limitless Grace Compels us to Worship Him (1 Timothy 1:17)

Paul couldn’t help but burst out in praise and thanksgiving at this point —

1 Timothy 1:17 NIV

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

King Eternal

The king of all ages…the only true king - He governs all - past, present and future — into eternity

Immortal

God is not subject to decay, illness, destruction — He is indeed imperishable, incorruptible, and immortal

Invisible

1 Timothy 6:16 NIV

who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

The Only God

He alone is what he is —

Isaiah 45:18 NIV

For this is what the Lord says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other.

Challenge

When we experience God’s limitless grace, we can’t help but worship Him

There is Hope for the Worst of Us

Illustration: In 1918 in Tokyo Tokichi Ichii was hung for murder. He had been sent to prison more than twenty times. He was as tough as men get. In response to his hatred and violence, on one occasion after attacking a prison guard he was bound and gagged and hung from the ceiling so that his toes barely reached the ground. Before receiving his death sentence, he received a New Testament sent by two Christian missionaries, a Miss West and a Miss McDonald—resulting in the notorious criminal’s coming to know Christ. When Tokichi was sentenced to death, he accepted that as “the fair, impartial judgment of God.”

During a visit Miss West directed him to read 2 Corinthians 6:8–10, which deals with suffering. There Mr. Ichii noted, among other things, the line “poor, yet making many rich.” He wrote of this:

This certainly does not apply to the evil life I led before I repented. But perhaps in the future, someone in the world may hear that the most desperate villain who ever lived repented of his sins and was saved by the power of Christ, and so may come to repent also. Then it may be that though I am poor myself, I shall be able to make many rich.

Tokichi died on the scaffold with great humility. His last words were, “My soul, purified, today returns to the City of God.”

God through his grace had reached a man who called himself “the most desperate villain who ever lived,” just as he had reached “the worst of sinners” 1,900 years before. God’s grace can reach anybody.

Hughes, R. K., & Chapell, B. (2000). 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: to guard the deposit (p. 46). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Paul’s life was driven by the fact that Jesus’ power and eagerness to save is for anyone who turns to Him

Jesus is eager and able to save anyone who turns to Him

Jesus’ death on the Cross is sufficient to save ANYONE

If Jesus can save me…He can save ANYONE

1 and 2 Timothy and Titus—To Guard the Deposit Thanks for General Grace (vv. 15, 16)

No one on this earth is beyond grace, and only divine grace makes the difference. It is all of God—just as it was for Paul on the Damascus Road. The hunter was the hunted. As the Lord told Ananias regarding Paul, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name” (Acts 9:15).

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—number one sinners like you and me. It is all by his grace. If you have not already come, come now!

There is always more to come!