The Worst of Sinners

The worst sin?

Pray

Read

1 Timothy 1:12–17 ESV

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 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. 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. 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. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Finding Strength

Look at verse 12

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,

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

If the joy of the Lord is our strength, what is this joy?

It is no mere emotion but quality in the life of a believer that is not dependent on circumstance but is bound in God and our hope in Jesus.

This is why we can say:

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

As a result, we ought to rejoice in the Lord.

Philippians 4:4 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

We do this by abiding in Him!

John 15:7–11 ESV

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

That full joy is most clear to us when we are walking in him.

Full of Joy!

John 16:22–24 ESV

22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

This Joy is our strength as we learn to abide in Christ. To live each moment of every day as an act of worship to him.

Paul is overwhelmed with thankfulness to God for his mercy and grace.

Foremost of Sinners

He had just made a list of sinners and he is reminded . . . as we all should be . . . they he was a sinner. Not just any sinner, but the foremost of all sinners. Why does he say this?

Look at the list of his sins:

Blasphemer - opposing to the true God while claiming to be his representative.

Persecutor - Abuse with the intent of punishing, crushing, or subjugating.

Insolent Opponent - Rude and arrogant in opposition.

When we think of the worst sin we can it is often something someone does to another human. Notice that Paul claims the title of foremost . . . the worst of . . . the most culpable and his sins are against God.

We can get all of our actions to look right and even be right between ourselves and other people and still rank in the worst of sinners.

Our goal is not goodness . . . it is holiness. This is why all the social programs and social machinations cannot fix mankind's problems.

It is why the greatest source of law and justice has always come from the Bible. The greatest evil that must be overcome is the sin against God. Once we set that right, he puts in our hearts the ability to make true change in this world. Not for superficial restructuring and cramming people into tribes and categories but by truly loving all people.

Moved to Worship

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,

gives strength

appoints to service

1 Timothy 1:13 ESV

13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,

Gives Mercy

1 Timothy 1:14 ESV

14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Overflowing grace

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.

Saves sinners

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.

Gives Mercy

Is patient

Uses us as an example

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.

What has God done in your life that should move you to worship?

Has he shown you mercy?

Has he given you grace?

Has he been patient with you?

Has he called you?

This is why we rejoice. This is why we worship.

O worship the King!