“ARE YOU MAKING MUCH OF JESUS?
1 Tim. 1:15-17
FBCF – 1/31/21
Jon Daniels
INTRO – Who do you know who exemplifies Christ & honors Him with his/her life?
- Someone who shows the love of Jesus all the time.
- Someone who lives the Gospel & shares the Gospel.
- Someone whose aim in life is to fulfill what Matthew 5:16 says: “Let your light shine before men…”
- Doesn’t have to be a preacher or minister, although it may be.
- Might be a coach, teacher, family member, friend.
- Could be someone you don’t know personally, but, from your perspective, you see Jesus in their life.
This is what we mean when we ask the question: Are you making much of Jesus?
Last year, the staff was trying to decide on a statement or phrase that would encapsulate what we as a Church should be about. Settled on the simple phrase: Making Much of Jesus. This is what we should be about in our personal lives & in our corporate life as a Church FAMILY. “Making Much of Jesus” means that He has the preeminent place in our lives, & that all we do should reflect His love to all those we come in contact with in our lives.
- It means that we are driven & compelled by the Gospel to reach out to anyone, anywhere, at any time w/ the love of Christ.
- It means that we know & stake our very lives on the foundational truth that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Savior of the world & trusting Him alone is the way to be saved from our sins.
- It means that we will devote our time, energy, & resources to showing the love of Christ, sharing the Gospel of Christ, & making disciples of Christ.
That’s why this week, some of our FBCF folks will most likely get to meet one of the people who is on my list of those who are definitely making much of Jesus. She’s the 84 year-old great-grandmother who has been the director of Mission Arlington since 1986 – Tillie Burgin.
EXPLANATION – 1 Timothy 1:15-17
We are concluding the “Time for a Checkup” series today. First 4 messages based on Titus 2:11-14.
- “Are You Saved?”
- “Are You Living Right?”
- “Are You Waiting Expectantly?”
- “Are You Zealous?”
Today, we move to 1 Timothy, another pastoral epistle – letter – written by the Apostle Paul. If there ever was a person who lived their life making much of Jesus, it was Paul.
As we look at this passage & consider the life of Paul, we can see some characteristics of those who are making much of Jesus with their lives.
APPLICATION
THEY RECOGNIZE WHERE THEY’VE COME FROM – v. 12-14
Paul was also known as Saul in book of Acts.
- Stoning of Stephen – Acts 7:58 – laid their coats at his feet
- Acts 8:1 – Saul approved of his execution
- Acts 8:1b, 3 – “There arose on that day a great persecution against the church…But Saul was ravaging the church, & entering house after house, he dragged off men & women & committed them to prison”
Those who make much of Jesus remember & recognize where they’ve come from & how much God has shown His GRACE to them – v. 14.
- Titus 2:11 – “The GRACE of God has appeared…”
You may not have been a “blasphemer, persecutor, & insolent opponent” like Paul, but you were JUST AS LOST & JUST AS BOUND FOR HELL AS HE WAS!
THEY REJOICE IN THEIR SALVATION – V. 15-16
I LOVE the forceful announcement about the Gospel that v. 15 give us.
See the plan of salvation laid out here:
- Jesus came into the world to save sinners
o Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek & to save the lost.”
- We receive His mercy when we accept Him.
o 1 Peter 1:3 – “Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
- We are given the gift of eternal life when we believe on Him for our salvation.
o Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What a reason to rejoice! Paul said that he was the “foremost” of sinners – the most prominent sinner – the worst of them – the chief of them. We can all say that to some degree. We need the mercy of God as much as Paul needed it. Let’s rejoice that He has saved us! We ALL need His mercy & GRACE!
THEY RIGHTLY GIVE GLORY TO GOD – v. 17
Paul’s response to the gift of salvation that was given to him was to worship the Lord & give glory to God. That’s the right response!
Like we talked about last week, we need to be zealous for worshiping Jesus b/c of all that He has done for us! He is worthy of honor & praise & glory, & those who are making much of Jesus in their lives give Him glory in all that they do.
- Psalm 86:12-13 – “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, w/ my whole heart, & I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”
THEY REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE END – 2 Timothy 4:6-7
When Paul came to the end of his life, he was able to confidently state that he had fought a good fight, he had kept the faith, & he had finished his race & finished it well. He had made much of Jesus w/ his life.
What will be said about you? How do you want to be remembered? Whatever you make much of in your life is what others will remember about you.
CONCLUSION – “Making Much of Jesus” – We see that a lot around the church & will see it more in the days to come. Question is: Is it true in YOUR life today?
