Dear tim-hope-group

DEAR TIM:

THERE IS HOPE FOR

THE WORST OF THE

WORST

--I Timothy 1:15-17

1 Tim. 1:15-17 –The New Living Translation

[15] This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I was the worst of them all. [16] But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. [17] Glory and honor to God forever and ever. He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

TAKE HOME

• Make no mistake about it: Fellowship with God is not about achievement and leading a great life. The Good Life comes to us as a result of forgiveness.

• If a murderer like Paul (or David or Moses) could be forgiven, then there is hope for me!

• Amazing Grace!!! How sweet the sound!!!

Jesus, I know I Jesus, I know I have done have done wrong. I'm sorry. wrong. I'm sorry. Thank you for Thank you for dying for me. dying for me. Please forgive Please forgive me. I give my me. I give my life to you.life to you.

Jesus, I know I Jesus, I know I have done have done wrong. I'm sorry. wrong. I'm sorry. Thank you for Thank you for dying for me. dying for me. Please forgive Please forgive me. I give my me. I give my life to you.life to you.

Commitment:

ANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTS

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

ASK THE QUESTION AND YOU'LL GET LOTS OF DIFFERENT ANSWERS: WHO IS JESUS AND WHAT WAS HE UP TO?

ASK THE QUESTION AND YOU'LL GET LOTS OF DIFFERENT ANSWERS: WHO IS JESUS AND WHAT WAS HE UP TO?

● Good Man● I don't know● Teacher● Just a Man● Jewish Messiah● Prophet

WHY DID HIS OWN PEOPLE HATE HIM? WHY DID PAUL AND OTHERS WANT

TO EXTERMINATE CHRISTIANS?

WHY DID HIS OWN PEOPLE HATE HIM? WHY DID PAUL AND OTHERS WANT

TO EXTERMINATE CHRISTIANS?

COMMUNION=Common-Union with othersJesus gave in service to us.We give in service to others.

Confession:I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.and Savoir.

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

YET FROM THE BEGINNING GOD ANTICIPATED SUCH REJECTION OF

JESUS AND STILL PLANNED FOR OUR DARKEST SINS TO BE FORGIVEN, AT

HIS EXPENSE!

YET FROM THE BEGINNING GOD ANTICIPATED SUCH REJECTION OF

JESUS AND STILL PLANNED FOR OUR DARKEST SINS TO BE FORGIVEN, AT

HIS EXPENSE!

G od's R ichesA tC hrist's E xpense

FOR 15OO YEARS GOD HAD BEEN PREPARING HIS PEOPLE FOR

SALVATION BY SUBSTITUTION AND COVENANT

FOR 15OO YEARS GOD HAD BEEN PREPARING HIS PEOPLE FOR

SALVATION BY SUBSTITUTION AND COVENANT

•The Covenant was established by the slaying of animals.

•The Covenant was maintained by confession of sins and animal sacrifice.

WHEN JESUS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE HE FULFILLED THIS MODEL

WHEN JESUS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE HE FULFILLED THIS MODEL

• John the Baptist's declaration: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

• Jesus' own words: ".the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

WHEN JESUS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE HE FULFILLED THIS MODEL

WHEN JESUS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE HE FULFILLED THIS MODEL

• Paul: Romans 5: 6-8 ".While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

PAUL SAW HIS OWN REDEMPTION AS AN EXHIBIT OF THE EXTREMITY OF

GOD'S GRACE

PAUL SAW HIS OWN REDEMPTION AS AN EXHIBIT OF THE EXTREMITY OF

GOD'S GRACE

• A blasphemer

• Persecutor of God's people

• A violent man

• Arrogant

GOD DID MORE THAN FORGIVE PAULGOD DID MORE THAN FORGIVE PAUL

• Invited him to write scriptures.13 of the 27 New Testament Books

• Ordained him the 'Apostle to the Gentiles‘

• Often makes mention of Paul's wretched past and forgiveness

• Used him as an example of God's love and restoration.

PAUL IS THE POSTER CHILD FOR REDEMPTION!

PAUL IS THE POSTER CHILD FOR REDEMPTION!

• If God can forgive me, wow!...anybody can be forgiven!

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED IF YOU'VE WANDERED TOO FAR ASTRAY?

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED IF YOU ARE BEYOND GOD'S REACH?

YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY!!

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED IF YOU'VE WANDERED TOO FAR ASTRAY?

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED IF YOU ARE BEYOND GOD'S REACH?

YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY!!

NEARLY EVERY PERSON GOD USED IN A BIG WAY WAS ONCE A TOTAL

FAILURE

NEARLY EVERY PERSON GOD USED IN A BIG WAY WAS ONCE A TOTAL

FAILURE

• Abraham's life was a mess.

• Moses killed a man and doubted God's plan.

• David committed adultery and had the lady's husband murdered.

NEARLY EVERY PERSON GOD USED IN A BIG WAY WAS ONCE A TOTAL

FAILURE

NEARLY EVERY PERSON GOD USED IN A BIG WAY WAS ONCE A TOTAL

FAILURE

• Peter betrayed Jesus.

• All of the Apostles ran scared.

• And Paul, you know his story.

GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF RESTORING JUNK

GOD HAS UNLIMITED PATIENCE, BOUNDLESS LOVE, AMAZING GRACE

MAYBE IT IS TIME TO ADMIT TO YOUR FAILINGS, ACCEPT HIS OFFER OF PEACE AND GET ON BOARD

GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF RESTORING JUNK

GOD HAS UNLIMITED PATIENCE, BOUNDLESS LOVE, AMAZING GRACE

MAYBE IT IS TIME TO ADMIT TO YOUR FAILINGS, ACCEPT HIS OFFER OF PEACE AND GET ON BOARD

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

PRAYER & PRAISE

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

Your Offering:Your Offering:

““Seek the Kingdom of God Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live above all else, and live righteously, and he will give righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”you everything you need.”

--Jesus--Jesus

Your Offering:Your Offering:

““Seek the Kingdom of God Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live above all else, and live righteously, and he will give righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”you everything you need.”

--Jesus--Jesus

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

TAKE HOME

• Make no mistake about it: Fellowship with God is not about achievement and leading a great life. The Good Life comes to us as a result of forgiveness.

• If a murderer like Paul (or David or Moses) could be forgiven, then there is hope for me!

• Amazing Grace!!! How sweet the sound!!!

Jesus, I know I Jesus, I know I have done have done wrong. I'm sorry. wrong. I'm sorry. Thank you for Thank you for dying for me. dying for me. Please forgive Please forgive me. I give my me. I give my life to you.life to you.

Jesus, I know I Jesus, I know I have done have done wrong. I'm sorry. wrong. I'm sorry. Thank you for Thank you for dying for me. dying for me. Please forgive Please forgive me. I give my me. I give my life to you.life to you.

Commitment:

This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I was the worst of them all.

--Paul to Timothy

Go and help others know Jesus.