21-09-10 Podcast script
[Pray first]
What’s your story? Who can you share it with? Testimonies of lives changed can change lives in themselves…
[Bible passage]
1 Timothy 1:12–20
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord. He has given me the strength for my work because he knew that he could trust me. I used to say terrible and insulting things about him, and I was cruel. But he had mercy on me because I didn't know what I was doing, and I had not yet put my faith in him. Christ Jesus our Lord was very kind to me. He has greatly blessed my life with faith and love just like his own.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." This saying is true, and it can be trusted. I was the worst sinner of all! But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life. I pray that honor and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives forever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.
Timothy, my son, the instructions I am giving you are based on what some prophets once said about you. If you follow these instructions, you will fight like a good soldier. You will be faithful and have a clear conscience. Some people have made a mess of their faith because they didn't listen to their consciences. Two of them are Hymenaeus and Alexander. I have given these men over to the power of Satan, so they will learn not to oppose God.
[Main point]
If Jesus had not come for sinners, none of us would be saved from sin. Paul calls himself the worst of sinners despite his exemplary Jewish background, his training from Gamaliel – a highly respected teacher – and despite being himself a religious leader as a Pharisee. Probably Paul calls himself the worst of sinners due to his persecution of Christians before his conversion.
I think it’s amazing that God would choose Paul for a major role in his church. Could you imagine David Cameron choosing a senior Labour party politician for a major position in his cabinet, or a group of Liverpool fans choosing a Manchester United star as their player of the season?
Paul blames his former actions on ignorance. We may also have done things we regret, but because of God’s grace and mercy all our sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul warns us in verse 18 to fight the good fight. As a Christian we should not just cave in when we come up against the spiritual obstacles and challenges the devil can put in our way. Jesus is a great example to follow in this, as whatever challenge he had to face he kept on following the Father just as we should too.
A good way to maintain the right path is to follow our conscience, as doing the right thing will help keep us from evil.
[Reflect]
Pray for God to guide you through any challenges today. In your prayer, specifically include two or three challenges that you will face over the next few days.