1 Timothy 1:12–17 “The Gospel of Grace”

1 Timothy 1:12-17 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin
• Phil Wickham – Living Hope
• RECKLESS LOVE – Cory Asbury

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God Always Forgives | A Sunday School lesson about God’s mercy and grace – Lesson for Kids
• I Will Not Be Afraid | Roar VBS | Outback Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• This Train Is Bound for Glory | Rocky Railway VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• God Loves Us So | Pets Unleashed VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Earlier, the Apostle said that he had been entrusted with the task of proclaiming “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” (v. 11). This confession leads into his confession of gratitude toward Jesus Christ. The Lord did not entrust him with this ministry because he was qualified for it. Rather, Jesus “considered him trustworthy” (v. 12) and gave him the ministry. The word “trustworthy” means “worthy of being believed.”

For Paul, this was an overwhelming grace. He had been “a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man” (v. 13). Acts 8 and 9 briefly describe Paul’s activities during his time as a persecutor. Those actions were a great sin against God. Yet, “because he acted in ignorance and unbelief,” God not only forgave him but also allowed him to “experience the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (v. 14).

By God’s sheer grace, the Apostle Paul experienced the salvation of Christ, and this confirmed the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is “a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance” (v. 15). Since he, “the worst of sinners,” was saved, it means that there is hope of salvation for everyone. If the worst sinner can be forgiven and saved, then no one is beyond hope (v. 16). Paul believed that God led him, the most wretched sinner, to repentance in order to proclaim the hope of salvation to all the sinners of the world.

Thinking of this, Paul’s heart overflowed with thanksgiving. So he pauses for a moment and offers praise to God (v. 17). To him, God is “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God.”

Meditation:

Conversion happens in many different ways. Some come to faith while searching for something to satisfy their spiritual hunger and thirst. Others are seized by God suddenly, like being struck by lightning. Some people convert gradually, like clothing getting wet in a light drizzle, while others turn abruptly in a single moment.

In Paul’s case, it was the latter. He already knew about Jesus as a person and what the apostles were proclaiming. But he thought it was a heresy that distorted the Judaism he loved, so he opposed and persecuted it. He even played a leading role in Stephen’s martyrdom. Yet on the road to Damascus, he was suddenly, almost ambushed, converted.

After his conversion, Paul must have asked repeatedly why God had shown him such extraordinary grace. The only reason he could imagine was that he was the worst of sinners. He believed that God chose him to prove that there is no one the gospel of Jesus Christ cannot transform. He believed that God transformed a sinner like him and made him a preacher of the gospel to prove that there is no sin God cannot forgive.

That is why he always lived immersed in God’s grace. The word “grace” (charis) appears about 100 times throughout Paul’s letters, showing how deeply he was captivated by grace. Everything God had done for him was grace.

Prayer:

Lord, just as it was entirely by Your grace that Paul was saved and became a preacher of the gospel, so it is also entirely by Your grace that people like us are able to experience salvation through the gospel. May this amazing grace be shared with others through us. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Paul’s story reminds us that no one is too sinful or too far gone for God’s grace. Just as God forgave and transformed Paul—the “worst of sinners”—He also forgives us and uses us to share His amazing grace with others.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Paul used to hurt Christians, but Jesus still forgave him. What does this teach us about God’s love?
  • Have you ever done something wrong and then been forgiven? How did it feel?
  • If God forgives everyone, how should we treat people who make mistakes?
    
• Youth
  • Paul believed he was “the worst sinner,” yet God chose him to spread the gospel. How does this encourage you when you feel unworthy?
  • Grace means we are given love and forgiveness we don’t deserve. Where have you experienced God’s grace in your own life?
  • How might you show God’s grace to your friends, family, or classmates in Fairfax County this week?