A Sinner Saved to Serve the Savior
Text- 1 Timothy 1:12-17
What is our purpose? Be relevant! Discuss different situations- we each have a significant purpose beyond just living in this world. Something far greater and far more significant!
How do you serve your purpose? A Sinner saved to serve the Savior? How? What?
1) Get to your mighty work
V12 - Paul tells how he attained to his ministry - He did a mighty work for Jesus!
God has a mighty work for you!
A) Strengthened by Jesus - Phil. 4:13 enabled not disabled. B) Considered by Jesus – faithful - 1 Cor. 15:58 - a servant’s heart. C) Appointed by Jesus - Eph. 2:10 - eternal significance!
How do I get there? Instead of sitting, soaking, and souring, ignore the naysayer. When he stirs your hearts, do not make an excuse! Realize you have great worth and value to God! He created you for a purpose! You have a mighty work to do!! Do not let yourself, your circumstance, your doubts deter you! It’s you and Jesus!
Your purpose is to get to your mighty work!
Using our senses in life - very important - how we can sense a change
2) Be the fragrance of amazing Grace
V13-14 -You see that Paul describes how he was saved! He is drenched with mercy and grace! Eph. 2:4- Romans 5:8
Have you ever smelled a wet dog? Have you ever been around a person who has been changed by mercy and grace? You can just smell the truth of Christ!
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
A) The smell of the change - new creation - amazing grace!!
John Newton, clerk, pastor, once an infidel & Libertine, a servant of slavers in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.
B) The smell of knowing Him – “in Christ” - Christ is open to me!! I serve as the fragrance of amazing grace!
”My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great savior.”
What’s my purpose? Get to my work - be the fragrance of Christ - Remember the depth of Christ’s love
3) Trust in your testimony
V15-17 - Jesus loved even me! You! The worst of sinners!
There is no wound that can’t be healed!! Even the worst!
V15 - Jesus came for all! Even the worst!John 3:16 - Romans 3:23 - 1 Tim. 1: 15 - Every sinner!
V16 - “in me..” He, again, has a plan for you! A living example of salvation.
I’m an expression on His unlimited patience - Father forgive them! Limitless love!
Even now the Savior waits to forgive!!
V16 - Someone might get saved because of you! Testify to the Purpose of His love!
How? Live with confidence! Declare your salvation! Worship Him with joy - V17
Conclusion:
What if we all did out mighty work? We each were the fragrance of grace? We each lived as a testimony of Christ’s love. The good news would spread! Lives would be changed! Eternal differences made! Jesus would be praised and worshipped! People would find purpose, joy, and grace! Serve the good news! Be a sinner saved to serve the Savior!