1 Timothy 1-12-17- And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
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.
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.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Have you ever met someone or know someone and you heard about a position they have or was offered.
And you wondered how in the world did they get that position?
They don’t seem to have any qualifications for that position!
You think, “Well, somebody brother-in-lawed somebody!”
Well, Paul kind of like that, how in the world did he get to be in the position he was?
How he did he become one of the most influential writers in the new testament?
Look at his resume:
I Was Formerly A Blasphemer-Acts 26:11- 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.
A Persecutor-Acts 22:4- I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,
This was the focus of his life, this was what he was living for!
An Insolent Man-Think about the worse acts of violence that you can recall, this is the description of who Paul was!!
He not only wanted to throw people in prison, he wanted to annihilate them!
He was so consumed by his passion, so consumed by his zeal, so consumed that he was in the right, that he was doing a service for God and to God, getting rid of these Christians!
John 16:1-2- These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service
If a pulpit committee was looking at his resume, or hearing these statements from Paul’s lips, they would have said, “Don’t call us, we will call you!”
But I Obtained Mercy-He was given something he didn’t give to others, he was given something he didn’t even know he needed!
Because I Did It Ignorantly In Unbelief-He is not using this as an excuse, he knows he’s guilty, but he also recognizes why he is guilty!
Hebrews 5:1-2- For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness
Hebrews 9:7- But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance;
Acts 3:17 -Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
Paul obtained mercy, because this was a fulfillment of a prayer that Jesus prayed from the cross!
What was that prayer? Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34
What have you done in ignorance?
Maybe you said something, you shouldn’t have?
Maybe you didn’t say something, when you should have!
Maybe you forgot to check on someone this week?
Maybe you forgot to pray for someone this week?
There is grace available! There is mercy to obtain for the sinner, whether ignorant or not!
