Text: 1 Timothy 1:15
It’s amazing how just one verse of Scripture can hold such volumes of truth! Surely there is no other book, like the Book! In 1 Timothy 1:15, we find a statement that gives us the Gospel in a simple, straightforward fashion. In fact, I believe if you were to whittle the Bible down to one splinter of truth, the supreme truth of Scripture would be the truth which is contained in this very verse.
Good news seems to be an endangered species in our day. The headlines often read negative. The talking heads make their living by stirring up anxiety. Bad news sells and it seems good news often sits on the shelf. Here Paul delivers to you and me some inspired good news! In fact, this is the best report ever given. If you feel as though you’re due for some encouragement and in need of a bit of good news, this sentence sermon from the Apostle Paul is just what you’re looking for. Here is some good news!
1. THE REPORT!
v15a “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world…”
What a wonderful report! Here’s some good news! Jesus came! Better than anything you’ll hear or read from the world today, is this headline from the Bible that Jesus came into the world. The only begotten Son of God left heaven for earth and left glory to walk among humanity. Jesus came!
2. THE REASON!
v15b “to save sinners;…”
Jesus did not come to start a movement. Jesus did not come to provide humanitarian aid. Jesus did not come to present a new worldly philosophy. Jesus did not come to do good deeds. Jesus came to earth to save sinners! What a headline that is, “Jesus came to save sinners!”
3. THE REALIZATION!
v15c “ of whom I am chief.”
What makes this report of Paul even more wonderful is that personal application of the statement! Jesus came. That’s great! Jesus came to save sinners. That’s wonderful! Oh, but what a truth when we consider that it includes you and me! Paul makes it personal and says, “Jesus came to save sinners, and I was the chief of those sinners!” If you’re searching for some good news today, look no further than the fact that Jesus came to save you! You have a Saviour today.
ILLUSTRATION: A farmer went into his banker and announced that he had bad news and good news. He said, “First, the bad news. I can’t make my mortgage payments. And I won’t be able to pay off the loan I’ve had for the past 10 years either. Oh, there’s more. I won’t be able to pay you the couple of hundred thousand I owe on my tractors and other equipment. I’m just going to have to give up that farm and turn it over to you. I hope you can get something out of it.”
The banker sat in stunned silence. After a minute the banker said, “What’s the good news?” The farmer smiled and said, “The good news is that I’m going to keep on banking with you.”
Thank you Brother Cooper for sharing the Good News as detailed in 1st Timothy 1:15. He who has been forgiven much, loves much. If we see ourselves in the light of the complete humility “first among sinners” that Apostle Paul saw himself in this verse, we would get to appreciate and value the Lord Jesus that much more. Thank you again.
The Branch family loves Brother Cooper!