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. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:15–17 (ESV)
The following message is by Pastor Derek Thomas of First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS. Dr. Thomas preached it on Sunday, July 11, 2004. It is entitled The Savior of Sinners. The biblical text is I Timothy 1:15-17.
We have previously looked at three points of doctrine. Today we see two applications.
- The more you understand the gospel, the more you realize that it’s all a work of grace.
The first is this: that the more you understand the gospel…the more you understand the gospel, the more you realize that it’s all a work of grace.The more you understand the gospel and…is there someone here this morning…? Is there someone here this morning saying, “Oh! Not the ABC’s of the gospel again!” My friend, the more you understand and repeat to yourself gospel truth, the more you’ll understand how deep a sinner you really are, and how sovereign a work grace really is.
You notice that Paul calls himself “the chief of sinners.” The chief of sinners. Paul seems to have gone through somewhat of a revolution. When he writes to the Corinthians–in, roughly speaking, about 55 A.D.–he calls himself “the least of the apostles.” When he writes to the Ephesians about five years later, he calls himself “the least of the saints.” But when he writes to Timothy, about another five years again, he calls himself “the chief of sinners.” Do you understand? It looks as though the Apostle Paul, as he grew in grace, also simultaneously grew down in his estimation of himself.
You know, as you come to the table this morning, and you’ll praise the name of Jesus, and your heart will be lifted into the presence of Jesus, who is sitting at the right hand of God, may it also be true that you’ll see something of the blackness–yes, the blackness–of your heart, and the undeserving-ness of your heart. So that, like the Apostle Paul, you’ll be coming to the table saying, ‘nothing in my hands I bring, because I am the chief of sinners. God was merciful to me.’
- Reflection and meditation on the gospel elicits praise.
Now, the second point of application that Paul seems to draw
is this: that reflection and meditation on the gospel elicits praise. “Now to
the King eternal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and
ever.” You can’t–you see, if you’re a child of God, if you truly know your sins
to be forgiven, you can’t help but praise God for the gospel. You can’t utter
the words of the gospel without praise following on its heels.
“Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven; who, like me, His praise should sing?
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him! Praise the everlasting King!”
And may God enable us so to do
In 1517, there was an English reformer called Thomas Bilney.2 He went to Cambridge University. In the year before Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the castle church door in Wittenberg, he read Erasmus’ Greek New Testament, just hot off the press. And he came to this text: “This is a trustworthy statement and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” And he was converted.
He began to preach the doctrine of justification by faith alone
in Jesus Christ alone. In 1528, he was arrested, put in prison, tortured for
two days. He reneged on his confession. And then, a few years afterwards, was
so ashamed of what he had done, he began to preach with even more earnestness
the doctrine of justification by faith, and was again arrested, and burnt at the
stake in 1531. This text, First Timothy one, and verse fifteen, was the text
that brought him into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Have you repented of your sins and by God-given faith trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and received His imputed, or credited, righteousness as your own? May the Holy Spirit enable you to do so today.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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