Series: Order [#2]
GOD’S AMAZING GRACE
1 Timothy 1:8-20
Introduction:
[Survey]
There is a survey on the back of the bulletin for each of you to fill out. You may want to keep your answers covered up. Be honest and only concerned about your survey. This survey is valid for your lifetime up to this point- Before and after you were saved.
1. How many times have you drank alcohol?
a. None
b. 1-10
c. 11-50
d. Too many to count
2. How many speeding tickets have you had?
a. None
b. 1-5
c. 6-12
d. 11- or more
3. How many times have you spread a rumor or gossip?
a. None
b. 1-10
c. 11-50
d. So many, I have lost track.
4. How many times have you lied?
a. None
b. 1-10
c. 11-50
d. I can’t add that high, but is more than 50.
5. How many times have you skipped church just because?
a. None
b. 1-10
c. 11-50
d. 51 or more
So how did you do?
Add up how many a’s, b’s ,c’s and d’s you have below using the point value given.
a. = 0 a. ______
b. = 1 b. ______
c. = 2 c. ______
d. = 3 d. ______
Total ________
1 Timothy 1:8-11 (NIV)
“We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.”
The survey is simply to remind you that you are all lawbreakers. The Law is proof that we are all sinners deserving of eternal death.
1 Timothy 1:12-14 (NIV)
“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.”
God’s grace is amazing because it…
1. Empowers us.
Paul could not live the Christian life by himself. He needed God’s strength. “Given me strength” means empowered. The same word is used when Paul says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” God saw what Paul was; but He also knew what Paul would become. Diamonds in the rough. Grace has the ability to empower us for the Lord’s service. In Acts 4 Peter and John are thrown in prison for preaching the Gospel. They are brought before the Sanhedrin and told not to preach about Jesus anymore; and then they were released.
Acts 4:33 (NIV)
“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”
In facing the battle of being Christians in a secular world, we can be empowered by God’s grace to meet the challenges we face. Paul had a history. Paul was sincerely defending his Jewish faith. In the midst of his campaign against God. God showed him mercy. What is the difference between mercy and grace? Mercy means we don’t get what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve.
1 Timothy 1:15-17 (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 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”
God’s grace is amazing because it…
2. Saves us.
Here is the Gospel in 1 verse: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst.” Notice Paul says, “I am the worst”; not, “I was the worst”. Grace never makes us feel superior or proud. Paul’s salvation is an example. He shows us that no one is so sinful that God will not forgive them. Just thinking about this brings Paul to praise.
1 Timothy 1:18-20 (NIV)
“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.”
God’s Grace is amazing because it…
3. Equips us.
Prophecies refer to Timothy’s ordination. God gifted Timothy to fulfill God’s purpose for Timothy’s life. Each of us have at least 1 gift that God has given us to fulfill the ministry He wants us to do.
Romans 12:6 (NIV)
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.”
At conversion, God’s Holy Spirit indwells us- Equipping us and giving us the desire and power to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.
Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
Paul also talks about the fact that some had shipwrecked their faith. Shipwrecks were a common occurrence in Ephesus. Refusing to listen to your conscience will lead to a shipwrecked faith. When tossed around by a moral storm our conscience is our anchor. These shipwrecks come in many forms- Broken marriages, broken relationships and fractured reputations.
Paul had to deal with 2 men who were in this shipwrecked condition. We don’t know what they did. They were excommunicated from the church. This was a corrective measure not punitive. Paul wants them to be restored after repentance.
Conclusion:
Without God’s grace, we have no chance; but through God’s mercy and grace, we can live according to God’s will and purpose.
