4-13-14 PM Chiefest of Sinners 1 Tim. 1:15 1 Tim. 1:15
The Apostle Paul For many, he is a Spiritual Hero. They even make action figures of Paul for the children to play with. And stories of his life of times are best sellers among the faithful.
The Apostle Paul More to the point, I dare say he taught more souls the Truth of God in his lifetime than any man since. His was a life of sincere faith, deep devotion, and in the end, God-glorifying victory over Satan and sin through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Paul s Self-Description It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost {chiefest} of all, (1 Tim. 1:15).
A Statement of FAITH Paul is rightly claiming no righteousness of his own merit, but an appropriated righteousness granted to him on the basis of GRACE through FAITH. In fact, his pronouncement of being the chiefest of sinners is fully consistent with Paul s understanding of how he was delivered from sin by the blood of Jesus.
A Proud Pharisee In Jerusalem Saul was still trying to scare the followers of the Lord, even saying he would kill them. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him to write letters to the synagogues in the city of Damascus. (Acts 9:1-2) Saul wanted to go Damascus so he could arrest and/or kill followers of The Way.
A Product of His Education I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, just as you all are today. (Acts 22:3)
A Product of His Education 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. (Phil. 3:5-6)
1 Cor. 15:9-10 9 I am the least of the Apostles, who am not fit to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
Least of the Saints the very least of all the saints, (Eph. 3:8). And he clearly states that he, like all whom God has saved, are not saved by their meritorious works, but by God s intervention into our lives through the sacrifice of His only Son Jesus Christ-
Eph. 2:4-9 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly {places} in Christ Jesus
Eph. 2:4-9 7 in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
Paul s vision of himself 7 I became a servant of this Gospel by the gift of God s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, (Eph. 3:6-7).
1 Cor. 3:3b-11: Paul s vision of himself 3b Since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are you not {mere} men?
Paul s vision of himself 5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave {opportunity} to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
Paul s vision of himself 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
Paul s vision of himself 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Paul s vision of himself Philemon 1:9 - Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus, Eph. 3:1-2 the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles, and he had been given the stewardship of God's grace for you.
Paul Apologizes 2 Cor. 11:7ff - "Did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted because I preached the Gospel of God to you without charge?"
Paul Apologizes There's irony and some sarcasm here. He's asking them if perhaps, he "committed some kind of sin by breaking the Greek culture or pattern of the day? (Pay for Play) Have I committed some iniquity by not following the norm that a teacher's worth is determined by his fee? You should know, he implies, Why I didn't take any money for preaching among you
Paul s Self-Employment Paul worked as a tent maker or literally a leather worker...to pay for his keep. (Acts 18:3) He did the same with the Ephesians in Acts 20:34, You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.
When He Did Receive Support He sincerely thanked the Brethren and taught them that their support was a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And that God would supply all their needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus - for their support of him. Paul was a grateful man! (Grateful to God and men)
Grace upon Grace And over and again Paul speaks of his ministry as God s grace given to him for the Gentiles, or God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. (Eph. 3:2,7).
The Gospel is The unsearchable riches of Christ and he describes the teachings of God as having been received through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Eph. 3:8, Gal. 1:12)
Paul s True Confession It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost {chiefest} of all. (1 Tim. 1:15)
How Do you See It? Is that how you see it? Do you see salvation as the gift of GOD? Have you obeyed the Gospel that you might glorify God and receive His grace as the amazing gift that it is for your life?
How Do you See It? If Paul was able to say that he was the chiefest of sinners, can t you at least admit that you re also in the club?
Baptism of the Devil William Anderson Devil Anse Hatfield, was the patriarch of the notorious Hatfield Clan
Baptism of the Devil William Uncle Dyke Garrett was a well known circuit-riding preacher for the churches of Christ.
Baptism of the Devil On September 23, 1911, William Anderson Devil Anse Hatfield confessed Jesus, repented of his sins, and was baptized in Island Creek by William Uncle Dyke Garrett.
Atten. ALL Sinners I tell you that story to tell you this: No man is so lost that God can t save him. Ask Paul. Ask Anse. Will you let him save you?