2 CHANCE JESUS? (All my sermons use illustrations found on sermoncentral.com and passages are NIV unless noted)
I have studied many different passages of scripture, I have read and re-read several passages and felt a different leading many times. One of my favorites books in the Bible is the letters to Timothy. I know most of you are aware that 1st Timothy is where we find the qualifications for the leaders of our churches. It is in this first letter to Timothy, that Paul outlines certain things he has been inspired by the Holy Spirit to give us as guidelines about the leaders of our churches.
Yet to truly understand this guideline one must read the entire letter from beginning to end, and see that there is a very important message contained in the first chapter before Paul outlines the standards by which a leader should live his life. As a matter of fact, in verses 3-17 of the first letter to Timothy is a message that each and every Christian should hear and take to heart.
When I was a child, I did childish things (for that matter I probably still do) I would get caught quite often with my proverbial hand in the cookie jar and end up in the “dog house.” Many times I wished that I had been a little smarter and had made better decisions, yet, as a child I think I was more concerned with not getting caught doing something stupid. When I did get caught, punishment most always ensued, yet, there were those rare times when my mother (the disciplinarian in my family) would utter those wonderful words, “I am going to give you another chance.” Those words are so very important this morning as we look into this scripture. Those words are so full of compassion and forgiveness and so vital to the message of the Gospel. Turn with me and let us read a part of that scripture.
1 Tim 1:3-7 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work-which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
PRAYER
Here is a group that could probably use some forgiveness. Look at what it is that Paul is telling Timothy about this group of men. First they are teaching false doctrines. This is something that many of us do today, many of us may not even be aware of the fact that we teach the wrong thing, not in what we say but in the things we do.
I like the old story about the guy who came to church with his family. As they were driving home afterwards he was complaining about everything. He said, “The music was too loud. The sermon was too long. The announcements were unclear. The building was hot. The people were unfriendly.” He went on & on, complaining about virtually everything. Finally, his very observant son said, “Dad, you’ve got to admit it wasn’t a bad show for just a dollar.
Some have wandered away from the real teaching of the Bible which come from: a PURE HEART, a GOOD CONSCIENCE, and a SINCERE FAITH! Can we all say that as teachers of God’s Word we have these things? What are our motives for retaining the title Christian? A pure heart, is one that understands LOVE. Although we may make mistakes, do we have a good conscience? I have met many people that perhaps had gone down the wrong path but had been convinced they were doing God’s will, and perhaps they were. I am not the one God appointed to be judge, that honor and responsibility go to Jesus. The thing about conscience is that we are the only ones besides God that truly know what our motives; are and whether or not we have feelings of guilt. But to be a true teacher of the Word, (which in some way ALL Christians are called to be) we MUST have a sincere faith. The adjective is what is truly important here, SINCERE. Faith is a word easily used until it is truly tested. I would think that Paul knew that some of these want-to-be teachers preached a faith they were unwilling or unable to display. It is easy to speak of our faith in God, but much harder to display it.
By now I am sure many of you have seen the movie “Facing the Giants”
there is a scene in that movie where an older man speaks wit the coach and tells him a story about two farmers that really needed rain. Both men were men of faith, the first farmer prayed everyday that God would send the rain he needed for his crops to grow. The second farmer did the same, BUT he also prepared his fields for the rain he knew God would send. A sincere faith is one that does not give up because God does not move in our time, but one that knows God’s love, and His willingness to answer our needs. Have you prepared your field and shown that kind of sincere faith?
These men were in need of a second chance, they needed to understand that to be teachers was not about what they would get from being labeled teachers, BUT what they would give.
But let’s look at the second part of today’s scripture.
1 Tim 1:8-10 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers -and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
This section of the passage really warrants some time, I feel many people and for that matter many churches get stuck on the “Thou shalt nots” and forget that we all fall into the category of sinners. The Bible tells us that we ALL fall short of the glory of God, only one man that walked the earth was ever perfect, that is the One that will judge us all, He was all man and all God, and He alone is one that knows the struggles of life. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Folks, the Law is to remind us of how much we need Jesus Christ in our lives, it is a measuring device to remind us of how short we fall from the glory of God. It is not for those that are righteous, it is not to prove that we are better than anyone here on earth, but to prove how far we fall from the One we follow.
Lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers and then Paul tells us, “hey, if you don’t fall into one of those categories, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine. It is here that I must mention that in order to understand sound doctrine, one must know the Bible. I think we all fall into this category sometimes. I believe that Paul is telling us that even knowing the Bible is not enough, we must live our lives so that they show SOUND DOCTRINE! A most difficult task in of itself, and perhaps this is where we see the need for a 2nd chance Jesus.
1 Tim 1:12-17 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. 16 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. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen
This is the section I really wanted to speak about this morning. It applies to all of us in ways we might not see, first it is for those that have not yet accepted Jesus Christ, who may be sitting here today thinking that if they can get their lives to a place where it is fairly righteous, then they will accept Jesus. Those that think they have the power to clean their lives up enough to get “ready” and then begin a personal relationship with the Lord. It does not work that way! It is through Jesus that we become clean, not coming clean in order that we might accept Him.
Paul tells us that even though He once was; 1. A blasphemer - the only sin in the Bible that is said to be “unforgivable” it is my understanding of this word that Christ taught that anyone who had evidence of the Lord’s power and deemed it to be evil or Satanic, showed that their heart was beyond healing. I believe that is why Paul tells us that he acted “ignorance and unbelief” When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus it was a different story. But Paul stilled sinned, he displayed a ahtred toward Christians and even went so far as to try and persecute them in violent ways. Still God showed him mercy and did so for a reason.
But first look at what Paul thanks Jesus for:
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. He thanks Jesus for strength, knowing that he is made strong in his weakness, and thanks Jesus for considering him faithful. It is that kind of faith Jesus is looking for when we discuss a second chance Jesus. A faith that is so much more than words.
In the book, No Bad Dogs, by British dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse, she says dogs understand love better than we do. She writes, “In a dog’s mind, a master or a mistress to love, honor, and obey is an absolute necessity. The love is dormant in the dog until brought into full bloom by an understanding owner. Thousands of dogs appear to love their owners, they welcome them home with enthusiastic wagging of the tail and jumping up, they follow them about their houses happily and, to the normal person seeing the dog, the affection is true and deep. But to the experienced dog trainer this outward show is not enough. The true test of love takes place when the dog has got the opportunity to go out on its own as soon as the door is left open by mistake and it goes off and often doesn’t return home for hours. That dog loves only its home comforts and the attention it gets from its family; it doesn’t truly love the master or mistress as they fondly think. True love in dogs is apparent when a door is left open and the dog still stays happily within earshot of its owner. For the owner must be the be-all and end-all of a dog’s life.”
The real test of our walk of Faith isn’t seen in our work or activity, or even in our theological purity. It’s found in this: when we have an opportunity to wander away, to disobey, to leave His presence, do we choose instead to stay close to Him, to abide in Christ, to obey?
And to those that choose to obey? Appointed to His service.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. 16 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.
Folks, Paul does not say that Jesus came to save sinners of which HE ONCE WAS the worst, he uses a present tense. He says of whom I AM THE WORST! Now, there is not one person in this room that can compare to the service and faithfulness of the Apostle Paul. In his service to God, Paul admits to be a sinner in need of a second chance, and he tells us, that for the very reason of his being a sinner, (the worst) that he is entrusted with a second chance to serve the Lord. God can use anyone, at any stage in their life, under any circumstances, as long as we are willing to believe on Him and receive salvation.
There is a great article that illustrates the concept of grace written by Charles Stanley.
“One of my more memorable seminary professors had a practical way of illustrating to his students the concept of grace. At the end of his evangelism course he would distribute the exam with the caution to read it all the way through before beginning to answer it. This caution was written on the exam as well. As we read the test, it became unquestionably clear to each of us that we had not studied nearly enough.
The further we read, the worse it became. About halfway through, audible groans could be heard through out the lecture hall. On the last page, however, was a note that read, "You have a choice. You can either complete the exam as given or sign your name at the bottom and in so doing receive an A for this assignment."
Wow? We sat there stunned. "Was he serious? Just sign it and get an A?" Slowly, the point dawned on us, and one by one we turned in our tests and silently filed out of the room.
When I talked with the professor about it afterward, he shared some of the reactions he had received through the years. Some students began to take the exam without reading it all the way through, and they would sweat it out for the entire two hours of class time before reaching the last page.
Others read the first two pages, became angry, turned the test in blank, and stormed out of the room without signing it. They never realized what was available, and as a result, they lost out totally.
One fellow, however, read the entire test, including the note at the end, but decided to take the exam anyway. He did not want any gifts; he wanted to earn his grade. And he did. He made a C+, but he could easily have had an A.
This story illustrates many people’s reaction to God’s solution to sin. Some people look at God’s standard--moral and ethical perfection--and throw their hands up in surrender. Why even try? they tell themselves. I could never live up to all that stuff
Others are like the student who read the test through and was aware of the professor’s offer but took the test anyway. Unwilling to simply receive God’s gift of forgiveness, they set about to rack up enough points with God to earn it.
But God’s grace truly is like the professor’s offer. It may seem unbelievable, but if we accept it, then, like the stunned students who accepted the professor’s offer, we, too, will discover that, Yes, God’s grace truly is free. All we have to do is accept it.
This is truly the message of God’s work, look again with me to the scripture,
1 Tim 1:4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work-which is by faith.
We cannot allow controversy to get in the way of God’s work. Anything that promotes a person rather than God Himself is WRONG! Any teaching of the law that does not in turn show God’s Grace and mercy is an incomplete teaching.
1 Tim 1:8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
The law is good but only for what it was designed to do, that is to remind us of HOW much we truly need a Savior like Jesus Christ and a God that pours our his Amazing Grace abundantly. This is what Paul teaches us before he gets to the standards by which we should select our church leaders. He tells us in his own words: 1 Tim 1:14
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
A grace that is free to those that accept Jesus through faith and because they love Him. Perhaps this is the meat of the message of today’s sermon. We need Jesus, and we must have the faith, and get the strength God offers us in order to continue in our relationship with Him.
In conclusion I must finish the Chapter to finish the teaching this morning.
1 Tim 1:18-20 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Fight the good fight, get a second, third or whatever chance you need. Follow these instructions and fight the good fight. Hold on to your faith and have a good conscience. That is easier said then done but it is what we are to do. We are to hold on to our faith in the midst of the many things that happen to us. Many asked the question “Where was God during all of this?” as we encountered the tragedy of 9-11 but I say to them, god is where God has always been, He has never moved away from us, it we who have moved away from God. Paul says some have rejected holding onto their good conscience and have shipwrecked their faith.
This morning do you need our second chance Jesus? Do you need to have God’s abundant Grace poured out on you? Are you willing to fight the good fight and be what it is that God wants you to be? As we prepare for a time of invitation, ask yourself this question, “Am I in the midst of God’s will, with a good conscience and full of God’s love? Am I full of that faith that comes in a strong commitment or on the verge of shipwreck?”
INVITATION
