Christ Came to Save Sinners
1 Timothy 1:12-20
Pastor Matthias Haeusel
Part of 1 Timothy—Christ-Infused Godliness
March 9, 2025

Christ Came to Save Sinners

1 Timothy 1:12–20
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 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. 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. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
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, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

INTRODUCTION

  • Do you believe His Word is true?
  • Do you believe His Work is sufficient?
  • How do you live in Gospel-Reality practically?

PAUL’S PRAYER OF THANKS
3 Blessings to Paul:
1. I thank Christ for giving me strength
2. I thank Christ for judging me faithful
3. I think Christ that he appointed me to His service

RECIPIENTS OF MERCY & GRACE

  • Formerly a blasphemer
  • Formerly a persecutor
  • Formerly an insolent opponent

PAUL’S TESTIMONY

  • Acts 7:58-8:1+3
  • Acts 22:4-5+19
  • Acts 26:9+11
  • Galatians 1:13

1 Corinthians 6:9–11
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

CHRIST CAME TO SAVE SINNERS
The Offer of Grace and Mercy to sinners

  • It is true
  • It is offered to all
  • The essence of the Gospel is to save sinners
  • The application of the Gospel is personal

PAUL - THE FOREMOST OF SINNERS

  • 1 Timothy 1:15-16
  • 1 Corinthians 15:9
  • Ephesians 3:8

THE DIVINE KING

  • Eternal
  • Immortal
  • Invisible
  • The only God

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
The battle against heresies and false brothers…
“A bad conscience is the mother of all heresies.” -John Calvin
“The Christian Faith is not simply to be defended, it must be lived.”

APPLICATION

  • What is your faith-story?
  • How is Jesus the hero of that story?
  • How does your story highlight grace and mercy?