(It Does`nt Matter What I Used To Be)

1 Tim. 1:12-17 (KJV) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me

into the ministry;

[13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in

unbelief.

[14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

[15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of

whom I am chief.

[16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern

to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

[17] Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(TOPIC- (IT DOES`NT MATTER WHAT I USED TO BE)

MY BROTHERS

SOME OF US WERE ONCE DRUG ADDICTS -ALCOHOLICS

SOME OF US WERE PIMPS-PLAY BOYS

BUT NOW WE ARE BORN AGAIN CHILDREN OF GOD

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN A SAINT ALL YOUR LIFE

DON`T LOOK DOWN ON US WHO HAVE FALLEN SHORT

BECAUSE IV`E DISCOVERED IN THE WORD OF GOD

THAT IT`S NOT THE END

BUT I`M GLAD THAT WE SERVE A GOD THAT WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER CHANCE

AND I NEED TO TELL YOU THAT ONLY DIFFERENT

BETWEEN US AND IS THAT WE GOT CAUGHT

AND YOU HAVE`NT GOT CAUGHT YET

BECAUSE WHATS DONE IN THE DARK WILL COME TO THE LIGHT

AND BE SURE THAT YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT

AND BEFORE I DO THIS TEXT A GREAT INJUSTICE OR DISERVICE

LET ME BRING SOME LIGHT ON THE SCRIPTURAL TEXT BEFORE US

IN THE TEXT BEFORE US WE HAVE AND ACCOUNT OF PAUL SINFULNESS

PAUL- ONE WHO HAD DONE MORE FOR CHRIST THAN ANY OTHER

YET HE BOWED TO THE DEPTHS WITH FEELINGS OF UNWORTHINESS

AND IT`S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED

AND PAUL REGARDED HIS CONVERSION AS INTENDED OF GOD

TO BE AN EVERLASTING EXAMPLE OF GOD`S LONGSUFFERING TOWARD WAYWARD MEN

AND VERY BRIEFLY I WANT TO EAR HUSTLE

AND SEE WHAT PAUL IS TELLING HIS SON IN THE FAITH TIMOTHY

AND THE FRIST THING PAUL TELLS TIMOTHY IS THAT (GOD SEES OUR POTENTIAL)

1 Tim. 1:12 (KJV) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me

faithful, putting me into the ministry;

NOW PAUL USED TO BE A CHRISTIAN PERSECUTOR

BUT WE FIND HIM ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY TELLING TIMOTHY TO LOOK WHERE GOD HAS BROUGHT HIM FROM

YOU SEE HE USE TO BE AND AIN`T BUT NOW HE`S A SAINT

AND HE STARTS OFF BY THANKING CHRIST FOR LOOKING BEYOND HIS FAULTS AND SEEING HIS POTENTIAL

AND IT WAS JESUS WHO CALLED HIM INTO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY

AND IF WE WILL JUST BE FAITHFUL THERE IS NO LIMIT WHAT JESUS CAN DO FOR YOU AND ME

BECAUSE WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR OTHERS HE WILL DO FOR YOU

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THE 2 ND THING PAULS TELL TIMOTHY IS THAT GOD DOES NOT HOLD OUR PAST AGAINST US

1 Tim. 1:13 (KJV) Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy,

because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

IN THE TEXT PAUL TELLS TIMOTHY HIS TESTIMONY ABOUT HIS PAST EXPERIENCES

AND IF I COULD MASH THE PAUSE BUTTON FOR A MOMENT

BECAUSE I DISCOVERED THAT YOU CAN`T HAVE A TESTIMONY WITHOUT A TEST

BUT PAUL SHARES WITH TIMOTHY THAT EVEN THOUGH HE WAS A BLASPHEMER,

PERSECUTOR AND A VIOLENT MAN- BUT JESUS IS KIND AND MERCIFUL

PAUL GOES ON TO SAY THAT HE DID WHAT HE DID IN IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF

AND THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR SOMEONE THAT IS BEATING THERE SELF UP BECAUSE

OF THERE PAST

BECAUSE PAUL LETS US KNOW ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS CONFESS IT TO THE FATHER AND GO ON AND SIN NO MORE

THAT’S WHY WE OUGHT NOT LOOK DOWN ON FOLKS

WHO COME TO GOD`S HOUSE STILL STUCK IN THER MESS

WEATHER THEY ARE -DRUG ADDICTS-DRUG DEALERS-PIMPS-PROSTITUTES-GANG MEMBERS-CONVICTS

BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG

AND THE CHURCH IS A HOSPITAL FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK OF SIN AND SHAME

AND GOD IS THE-GENERAL SUREGON-

JESUS IS THE CHIEF PHYSICAN

AND THE HOLY SPRIT IS THE HOUSE SUPERVISOR

AND I`M GLAD THAT GOD DOSE`NT HOLD OUR PAST AGAINST US

1 John 1:9 (KJV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

AND IT`S SOMEBODY HERE THIS MORNING

THAT GOD IS READY TO ELEVATE YOU TO HIGHER GROUNDS

BUT YOU ARE STUCK IN THE PAST