Mercy Did Not Stop at the Worst Name

Some people enter church carrying a history they hope nobody will ask about. They can listen to a sermon about grace and quietly assume the preacher means somebody else. Forgiveness sounds possible for ordinary failures.

Their own wrongdoing seems to belong in another category. Others have suffered serious harm and fear that a sermon about mercy will become another demand that they make an unsafe person comfortable. Both people need to hear this passage carefully.

Paul gives thanks for mercy while telling the truth about persecution. He does not ask the church to admire his former cruelty. He directs its attention to the Lord who saved him. We will follow his thanksgiving through three movements: Christ enabled a guilty servant, Christ came to save sinners, and Christ displayed patience that leads to worship. The central claim is simple: Christ saves sinners and displays his patience so that guilty people may believe in him for eternal life.

The passage

I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service, 1 Timothy 1:12 WEB although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Timothy 1:13 WEB The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14 WEB The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15 WEB However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16 WEB Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 WEB Preview ends here. The paid manuscript continues after purchase.