June 19, 2014
SINNERS ARE GOD'S MOST WANTED -- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
1 Timothy 1:12-20
Caroline Coffee
Central Truth
God uses the weak so that His power might be made known. We ALL are sinners and in need of God's grace. He doesn't want us to wait to clean ourselves up before we come to Him. He wants us just the way we are!
Key Verse | 1 Timothy 1:16
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. (1 Timothy 1:16)
1 Timothy 1:12-20
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
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. 1 1:17 Greek to the ages of ages Amen.
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Dive Deeper | 1 Timothy 1:12-20
Do you ever feel that you're not good enough to be one of God's "chosen"? I often do. Paul, the author of this passage, acknowledges that he used to be a "blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent" (verse 13), but he became one of the greatest messengers of God's Word there has ever been.
In the Old Testament, Jacob deceives Isaac in order to receive his fatherly blessing, and yet Jacob continues to be God's chosen. Moses questions God again and again about His decision for Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but God continues to use him. God is sovereign; therefore, He chooses whomever He wants to be His vessel -- and He does some of His most transforming work in the lives of the brokenhearted and the hard of heart.
During my college years, I went through a period of rebellion and curiosity about what the world had to offer. I could feel myself entering a cycle of sin that I thought I would never escape. My junior year, I was asked to lead a Bible study. I wondered why on earth would anyone want me to be leading others, given my track record at the time. This was only the beginning of God pursuing me and bringing me back to Him, where I belonged.
Although I continued with some forms of my behavior, I could begin to feel myself abiding with the Lord once again. The second semester of my senior year, I felt completely consumed by His presence and could not run from it any longer. It was clear that God's plan for me was once again greater than my own.
I sin every day, but I remind myself all the time that I am never going to be perfect, and God wants to use me just as I am. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB) states, "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." God is always pursuing us, even when we're at our worst.
Discussion Questions
1. Reread the Scripture for today and consider Paul's history as a persecutor of Christians and how he was used by Christ after his conversion to proclaim the gospel.
2. List all the current actions or past events in your life that you honestly think exclude you from a relationship with Christ or from being used by Him to spread His truth.
3. Read Psalm 103:11-12 with your list in mind. How does this truth practically impact your view of Christ and all your anxieties, mistakes, and failures in your list?
4. What does it mean to "boast about [your] weaknesses" and how can you practically do that today to give glory to the God who loves you more than you ever dared to hope and to proclaim His glory to others?