1 Timothy 1:12-17 – “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

I.The Testimony of a Sinner – vs.13,15 A.The deeds of this sinner – v.13 As a blasphemer – He had spoken evil of and slandered the name of God As a persecutor – He was guilty of murder, hatred and unspeakable acts That is the way we were when God found us

I.The Testimony of a Sinner – vs.13,15 B.The deception of the sinner – v.13 He thought he was earnestly and faithfully serving the Lord He was in a state of blindness, until Jesus came and opened his eyes II Corinthians 4:4 – “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light...

I.The Testimony of a Sinner – vs.13,15 B.The deception of the sinner – v.13 He thought he was earnestly and faithfully serving the Lord He was in a state of blindness, until Jesus came and opened his eyes II Corinthians 4:4 – “…of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

I.The Testimony of a Sinner – vs.13,15 B.The deception of the sinner – v.13 He thought he was earnestly and faithfully serving the Lord He was in a state of blindness, until Jesus came and opened his eyes None of us can see our way until the Holy Spirit enlightens us

I.The Testimony of a Sinner – vs.13,15 C.The diagnosis of the sinner – v.15 Paul sums it all up by claiming the title: “Chief of sinners” We, who were sinners, are made saints by the grace of God I Corinthians 6:9-11 – “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor…

I.The Testimony of a Sinner – vs.13,15 C.The diagnosis of the sinner – v.15 Paul sums it all up by claiming the title: “Chief of sinners” We, who were sinners, are made saints by the grace of God I Corinthians 6:9-11 – “…abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

I.The Testimony of a Sinner – vs.13,15 C.The diagnosis of the sinner – v.15 Paul sums it all up by claiming the title: “Chief of sinners” We, who were sinners, are made saints by the grace of God I Corinthians 6:9-11 – “…And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

II.The Testimony of a Saint – vs A.The means of Paul’s conversion Two gifts from the Lord resulted in his salvation – Grace and mercy In grace, God gave Paul what he did not deserve / Salvation In mercy, God did not give Paul what he did deserve / Hell

II.The Testimony of a Saint – vs A.The means of Paul’s conversion Romans 5:20 – “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound, but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”

II.The Testimony of a Saint – vs B.The manifestation of Paul’s conversion When grace came, it brought with it – “Faith and love” II Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

III.The Testimony of a Servant – v.12 A.The reason for Paul’s service The Lord put him where He wanted him to serve, so it is with us. I Corinthians 12:18 – “But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”

III.The Testimony of a Servant – v.12 B.The resources for Paul’s service He is serving the Lord because the Lord had “Enabled him” Enable: Be strengthened and to be imbued with power He did what he did by the power of God! I Corinthians 15:10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am.”

III.The Testimony of a Servant – v.12 B.The resources for Paul’s service He is serving the Lord because the Lord had “Enabled him” Enable: Be strengthened and to be imbued with power He did what he did by the power of God! God will equip you to do what He calls you to do

IV.The Testimony of a Showpiece – v.16 -“If God can save me, He can save anybody!” -“If God can use me, He can use anybody!”

V.The Testimony of a Song Leader – v.17 -Paul remembered what he was before Jesus found him and all that Jesus has done for him -When he considers it all, he cannot hold back his anthem of praise! Isaiah 51:1 – “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.”

I Corinthians 2:9 – “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”