The Power of our Testimony

Welcome

I’m so excited for this new chapter in our INDE Student Ministry. Tonight we set out on a mission. A mission to spread the Love and Hope of the Gospel with each and every High School Student in our Area!

I know that this seems vague, like some churchy stuff you’ve heard before, but i really believe that with your help, we can really make a difference!

We all see our peers who walk around with little to no hope, and who are clinging on to something in their life that will only give them temporary happiness, and not real JOY.

Maybe that’s your friends, or maybe tonight that’s you.

Either way, My prayer for our time together tonight is

For you to know that you are Loved by the one true God in Heaven

For you to know that you are Loved by this group of Jesus Following Sinners

For you to know that Your Past doesn’t have to define you.

Introduction

In the closing days of his ministry, the Apostle Paul left Timothy in Ephesus in order to correct some of the conditions in the church there. Paul went on into Macedonia, from where he wrote this first letter to Timothy. In his instructions, the apostle speaks not only to Timothy, but to all believers in every generation and to all churches in all ages.

The first task Paul charges Timothy with is to guard the gospel; to oppose certain teachers who were misleading people with strange and perverse ideas about the gospel.

Second, Timothy is to instruct the Ephesians on the proper use of the Law in the Christian life.

But the apostle knows that instructions are never enough. Models, examples, are needed, so Paul sets forth his own experiences to encourage young Timothy.

Timothy was launched upon a dangerous work. The Roman Emperor Nero had begun persecuting Christians, who were now being pressured by the Roman authorities to choose between Caesar and Jesus as Lord. So it is understandable that Timothy would be a bit fearful about working in Ephesus.

Guys, this dude nero was twisted!

Paul's first word of reassurance is wonderful. He tells Timothy how he himself had, from the very beginning of his ministry, been strengthened by the Lord; he was divinely strengthened.

Let’s read the Text Together 1 Timothy 1;12-17

Exegesis

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.

So, It’s important for us to do a few things when reading the scripture.

We need to understand what the Author is saying to the Audience

We need to find what Jesus is saying to us

These things are often the same, but we just have to figure out how that message applies today.

The first thing that we see is Paul’s confession of: “The old me”

- The Old Me

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,

So what exactly was Paul’s story. Where had he been? What had he done?

Well in order to know that, we have to go back to Paul’s pre-Jesus days.

Paul came from a very elite group of people, in which He is said to have been the best! He was kind of like the Navy Seal of Christian Hunting. And he was very successful. Over his career as a Christian Hunter, He captured and killed many who followed Jesus. We even see in Acts where he not only approved of, but stood by and watched the stoning of the first deacon named Stephen.

Acts 7:58 ESV

58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

This dude was rough.

He says that he was a Blasphemer - Someone who Spoke out against God. Even mocked and cursed His name

He says that He was a Persecutor - as we see with Stephen, and countless others

He says he was an Insolent opponent (Ignorant) - that everything he did was due to his lack of truly knowing who Jesus was, and once He met Him everything changed.

Understand though that He isn’t blaming what He did on anyone, or anything else, but is taking full ownership of his past life, and Using it as a testimony of who He is now.

- The New Me

1 Timothy 1:14–15 ESV

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.

Verse 15 is by far one of the most powerful verse in all of scripture. Why?

because timothy knew who Paul had been, and how the Lord created in Him a new life.

Because Timothy knew what happened in Acts 9

Acts 9:1–6 ESV

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

Acts 9:17–18 ESV

17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;

- The Reason for it all

Throughout Church history, there have been countless millions who have been transformed by surrendering their lives to Jesus, yet never fully experienced all that Faith in Jesus has to give. Sadly, many of these people made this decision, but never had anyone to walk alongside of them to show them the way. Never had someone to show them the real reason for their salvation.

There have been people over the centuries who have written long works on this subject, but i believe that Paul knocks it out of the park with his explanation for why He was saved.

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.

Paul has come out of his ignorance, and now knows that had Jesus not met him on that road, then His life would have been void of purpose and Hope.

but He also realizes this.

- Our Lives are meant only to be a Living Testimony of the Goodness, patience, and mercy of God

Acts 9:20–22 ESV

20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

Application

Well how does that work? How do i make my life a living Testimony?

Well, you may not realize it, but your life already is a testimony. The question is, what is it testifying?

Because for your life to be a testimony, it has to testify something, doesn’t it? It has to say something.

This is what I mean.

When something really changes our lives, we make sure that people know. It’s impossible to keeps us from talking about it, even if it gets annoying to other people.

I think about:

The Shepherds upon seeing Baby Jesus

give context of Luke 2.

Luke 2:20 ESV

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

I think about:

The Paralyzed man

Give Context of Luke 5.

Luke 5:24–26 ESV

24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

I think about:

Legion after being freed

Give Context of Mark 5.

I think about Legion, Who after being rescued from the thousands of demons who were possessing him, wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus gives him instruction in Mark 5.

Mark 5:19–20 ESV

19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

All these examples and more can lead us to one conclusion. When we have truly been saved by Jesus, we don’t come and sit, we go and Tell! Because we know that it’s our testimony, it’s our influence that will be able to pierce through the lies that the world is telling our peers. and that the world is telling you.

- There is no hope apart from Jesus!

And if we really believe that, then we must tell people, or else we are telling the world that we don’t Love them.

That we don’t really care what happens to them.

Your story Matters. More than you could ever know. and Maybe you’ve realized tonight that your story needs to take a turn for the better. I’m gonna pray, we’re gonna sing. and in that time i will be here to pray for you in any way that you need.