““I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me given me strength, that he considered me

faithful, appointing me to his service. faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer Even though I was once a blasphemer

and a persecutor and a violent man, I was and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in shown mercy because I acted in

ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in along with the faith and love that are in

Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very whom I am the worst. But for that very

reason I was shown mercy so that in me, reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might

display his unlimited patience as an display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on example for those who would believe on

him and receive eternal life.him and receive eternal life.(1 Timothy 1:12–16, NIV)(1 Timothy 1:12–16, NIV)

1. DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST1. DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he

considered me faithful, appointingme to his service.”

(1 Timothy 1:12, NIV)

1. DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST1. DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST

“…I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in

me.” (Col. 1:29, NIV)

2. EXPERIENCE OF GRACE2. EXPERIENCE OF GRACE

Important Truth:You cannot take people where you haven’t gone yourself.

3. COMMITMENT TO THE 3. COMMITMENT TO THE

GOSPELGOSPEL“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ

Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”

(1 Timothy 1:15, NIV)

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus

might display his unlimited patience as an example for those

who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16, NIV)

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us

from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:8–9, NIV)