Salvation of the Worst Sinner

1 Timothy 1:12-16

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

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.

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.

1 Timothy 1:12-16

Story of Paul’s Salvation

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning

58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Acts 7:58-59

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor• Became the focus of death of Christians

3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

Acts 8:3-4

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor• Became the focus of death of Christians• Traveled to Damascus to capture them

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Acts 9:1-2

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor• Became the focus of death of Christians• Traveled to Damascus to capture them• Lord appeared to him to make an apostle

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"

5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

Acts 9:-3-6

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor• Became the focus of death of Christians• Traveled to Damascus to capture them• Lord appeared to him to make an apostle• Pattern for his salvation

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor• Became the focus of death of Christians• Traveled to Damascus to capture them• Lord appeared to him to make an apostle• Pattern for his salvation• Faith led to his repentance (changed)

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."

11 So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

Acts 9:10-11

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor• Became the focus of death of Christians• Traveled to Damascus to capture them• Lord appeared to him to make an apostle• Pattern for his salvation• Faith led to his repentance (changed)• Faith led to his baptism

16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Acts 22:16

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor• Became the focus of death of Christians• Traveled to Damascus to capture them• Lord appeared to him to make an apostle• Pattern for his salvation• Faith led to his repentance (changed)• Faith led to his baptism• Faith led to washing away of all sin

16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Acts 22:16

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor• Became the focus of death of Christians• Traveled to Damascus to capture them• Lord appeared to him to make an apostle• Pattern for his salvation• Faith led to his repentance (changed)• Faith led to his baptism• Faith led to washing away of all sin

• Wrote half of the New Testament books

Story of Paul’s Salvation• First mentioned at Stephen’s stoning• Second mention as leading persecutor• Became the focus of death of Christians• Traveled to Damascus to capture them• Lord appeared to him to make an apostle• Pattern for his salvation• Faith led to his repentance (changed)• Faith led to his baptism• Faith led to washing away of all sin

• Wrote half of the New Testament books• His salvation is example for all of us

Lessons to be Learned

Lessons to be Learned• People who are religious can be sinners

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;

6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concern-ing the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Phil. 3:4-6

Lessons to be Learned• People who are religious can be sinners• People with clear conscience can be sinners

23:1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.“

Acts 23:1

16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Acts 24:16

9 Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Acts 26:9-11

Lessons to be Learned• People who are religious can be sinners• People with clear conscience can be sinners• People with high morals can be sinners

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Eph. 2:8-9

Lessons to be Learned• People who are religious can be sinners• People with clear conscience can be sinners• People with high morals can be sinners• People who are sinners can be changed

Lessons to be Learned• People who are religious can be sinners• People with clear conscience can be sinners• People with high morals can be sinners• People who are sinners can be changed• People who are changed become active

Lessons to be Learned• People who are religious can be sinners• People with clear conscience can be sinners• People with high morals can be sinners• People who are sinners can be changed• People who are changed become active• Students of the Bible, defend its teachings

Lessons to be Learned• People who are religious can be sinners• People with clear conscience can be sinners• People with high morals can be sinners• People who are sinners can be changed• People who are changed become active• Students of the Bible, defend its teachings• Worshipers of God in His way

Lessons to be Learned• People who are religious can be sinners• People with clear conscience can be sinners• People with high morals can be sinners• People who are sinners can be changed• People who are changed become active• Students of the Bible, defend its teachings• Worshipers of God in His way• Members of a family they really love

Lessons to be Learned• People who are religious can be sinners• People with clear conscience can be sinners• People with high morals can be sinners• People who are sinners can be changed• People who are changed become active• Students of the Bible, defend its teachings• Worshipers of God in His way• Members of a family they really love• Vocal in their appreciation of others

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Rom. 1:8

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,

1 Cor. 1:4

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Phil. 1:3

3 We give thanks to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you since we heard of your faith . . .

Col. 1:3

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

1 Thess. 1:2

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

2 Thess. 1:3

3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

2 Tim. 1:3

4 I thank my God;, making mention of you always in my prayers.

Phile. 1:4

His Pattern for Your Salvation

• Believe Mark 16:16

• Repent Luke 13:3

• Confess Faith Rom. 10:10

• Be Baptized Acts 22:16

Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

• Be Faithful Rev. 2:10