The Lord's Day Bible Message Outlines
December 13,
2009
Pastor Dana Johnson
"...sinners, of
whom I am chief."
-1 Timothy
1:15
This is a faithful saying and
worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners, of whom I am
chief.
1. Consider Paul's
self-designation as the chief of sinners.
a. It was not
false humility or pride.
b. It was not
misguided humility or misguided exaggeration.
c. It was under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
2. We know that all
are guilty before God as sinners because of identification
with Adam's sin, an inherited sin nature, and personally
committed sin. But, simply put, what was so bad about Paul's
sin?
a. His sins
were not primarily those of personal self-indulgence and
self-gratification but the more hated sins of aggression
and violence.
1
Timothy 1:13 - Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a
persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy
because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Proverbs 6:16-19 - These six things the LORD hates, yes,
seven are an abomination to Him: 17A proud
look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that
are swift in running to evil, 19a false
witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among
brethren.
b. He engaged in
this violent activity as a Jew with full exposure to the
light of God's Law and the Prophets.
Romans
2:17-24 - Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the
law, and make your boast in God, 18and know
His will, and approve the things that are excellent,
being instructed out of the law, 19and are
confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a
light to those who are in darkness, 20an
instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the
form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21You,
therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?
You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?
22You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do
you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob
temples? 23You who make your boast in the law,
do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
24For "the name of God is blasphemed among the
Gentiles because of you," as it is written.
John 5:39 - "You search the Scriptures, for in them you
think you have eternal life; and these are they which
testify of Me."
c. His violent
aggression was directed against the Lord's people, a
crime which the Lord considers most serious.
Genesis
12:3 - "I will bless those who bless you, and I will
curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of
the earth shall be blessed."
Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - "Remember what Amalek did to you
on the way as you were coming out of Egypt,
18how he met you on the way and attacked your
rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you
were tired and weary; and he did not fear God.
19Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your
God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in
the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess
as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance
of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget."
Matthew 18:5-6 - "Whoever receives one little child like
this in My name receives Me. 6But whoever
causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin,
it would be better for him if a millstone were hung
around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the
sea"
Matthew 25:40 - "And the King will answer and say to
them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to
one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to
Me.'"
Matthew 25:45-46 - "Then He will answer them, saying,
'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it
to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
46And these will go away into everlasting
punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Acts 9:4 - Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice
saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting
Me?"
3. Since Paul's
self-designation as chief of sinners is real it gives to all
a message of hope.
a. Though all
are unworthy no one is too sinful for the mercy and
salvation of God.
1
Timothy 1:16 - However, for this reason I obtained mercy,
that in me first Jesus Christ might show all
longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to
believe on Him for everlasting life.
b. No one's sinful
past disqualifies him/her from serving God
usefully.
(All
Scripture quoted is from the New King James
Version)
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