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BEFORE CONVERSION, YOU WERE MERCIFULLY VALUED. (v12-13)

1 Timothy 1:12–13 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled [strengthened] me, for that he counted [considered] me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious [violent]: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

In ignorance and unbelief, Paul blasphemed the name of Jesus and tried to get Christians to do the same (Acts 26:9-11).

Paul's persecution of "the church of God" was done out of ungodly religious zeal (Galatians 1:13).

Paul was “injurious,” violent, and “despiteful” (Romans 1:30).

Paul's ignorance and unbelief did not remove his guiltiness (Ephesians 4:18-19), but it did matter (v13; Leviticus 22:14; Luke 23:34; Acts 3:13-19).

Q: Does the mercy Paul received help you appreciate the mercy you received? It is the same mercy from the same God.

AT CONVERSION, YOU WERE GRACIOUSLY SUPPLIED. (v14)

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

The grace of Christ overwhelmed Paul's ignorance, sin, and unbelief, producing within him lasting faith and love, as in Romans 5:20-21 and 2 Corinthians 4:15-16.

Christlike faith and love are both gifts of the Spirit and gifts we are to pursue (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Timothy 6:11; Luke 11:13).

Q: Are you overwhelmed by God’s grace? Is God’s grace producing in you faith and love for God and others?

SINCE CONVERSION, YOU ARE ETERNALLY SAVED. (v15-16)

1 Timothy 1:15–16 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering [patience], for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Q: Are you trusting in God’s salvation? How does “life everlasting” add meaning and urgency to your life today?

YOUR SALVATION GIVES GOD GLORY. (v17)

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Q: Does your heart swell up with glory to God because of the salvation He has given you? Do you think about it enough?

SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Christian, thank Jesus for His abundant mercy and grace that saves you from what you could not escape and makes you what you could not and would not become .

• No one is too great a sinner for Christ to save.

• No one is too good to need God’s mercy and grace.

• All who are saved received God’s patience, mercy, and grace.