Carry on the Faith

Intro

1 Timothy 1:12–18 (NLT)

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.

This is a letter written by the apostle Paul to Timothy. Timothy was stationed at the church in Eph, and Paul is writing this part as a proof that the Gospel works. Paul is telling Timothy basically “If it worked for me it’ll work for anyone.

Paul starts by reminding Timothy and us, just how bad he was.

1 Timothy 1:12–14 NLT

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

Paul was a mess. Acts said he witnessed the stoning of a Christian and thought it was a great time. Paul hated Jesus. Then the story goes that Jesus came to Paul...

Tell the Paul Story

The Fact of matter is Paul was a mess, and Jesus interrupted that mess so that Paul could become the man that he did.

We all Have Sin

Every one of us struggles with Sin.

There is Rescue from that Sin

Jesus Meets with Us

Maybe it’s in the form of a white blinding light like Paul, maybe, it’s like a overwhelming feeling of calm or movement in our heart while we are sitting in a service.

Paul’s was the former. Acts 8 describes Paul’s interaction.

There is more for us after our Salvation!

Through Jesus we can have eternal impact!