"Plenty to be thankful for" - a sermon on 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Paul was a grateful person – for he had plenty to be thankful about!

Where was this gratitude directed, we ask? Who was this source of blessing that Paul wanted to thank?? Of course it had been God who had brought about such a huge change in Paul’s life – both in the way Paul felt internally, and also in the way Paul operated relationally.

Paul had so much to be thankful for, that we read these expansive words of praise (in verse 17):

"To the King of the ages, immortal and invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever."

Let’s see how Paul got to this point of such assured thanksgiving! For don’t we wish we could express our gratitude like he did!!

The record of Paul’s journey to gratitude is recorded for us in 1st Timothy. This would be important for all future leaders (like Timothy) and every follower of Jesus to understand.

The first thing that Paul was thankful for is quite significant – his “strengthening”. As we shall see, the second thing Paul is thankful for is even more significant – “God’s mercy”.

1. Strengthening of Character (v.12-13)

The first area mentioned in terms of Paul’s thankfulness is that he had been “strengthened” (v.12). Now we would be wise to consider what is meant by this “strengthening”. Because, as we go on to read, Paul didn’t lack confidence or commitment to a cause in his former life (albeit an evil cause), before he became a follower of Jesus.

We read in Acts 8:3 that, “Saul [Paul’s name before conversion] was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison”.

Paul admitted here (in 1 Timothy 1:13) to being a “blasphemer”, in that he denied that Jesus was God and actively tried to get others to deny him also. Paul also admitted to being a “persecutor”, in that he opposed and attacked those who met together in the name of Jesus and brought physical pain and death to those who spoke out in support of Jesus. And Paul admitted to being a “man of violence”, which means more than just committing random acts of violence – it means being consumed by the sort of hate and fear that leads to continual violence.

So this “strengthening” that Paul needed after his conversion to Jesus, was a “strengthening” of character; the sort of “strengthening” that would touch his problem areas – the weaknesses that had so often been previously exposed.

And this “strengthening” was so vital, because of God’s calling upon Paul’s life – if these character issues could be dealt with, then Paul would indeed be faithful enough to address the work God had for him to do. Part of this would be God’s assurance that Paul had been forgiven for all of his past offences, liberating Paul to embrace all of what God wanted to do through him.

When we decide to follow Jesus, a lot of change can happy quickly, especially if we have been learning about Jesus for some time leading up to our decision. However, sometimes there is a multitude of character issues for God to deal with. This happens through the Holy Spirit continually pointing things out to us. We pray for something, and the Holy Spirit says ... “but what about this”! We listen to a sermon, hoping that we’ve already made it, and we can just say ‘Amen’ to the very wise words being spoken – then we realise that actually something is not quite right about us! We, in some way or other, need a “strengthening” of character.

Now, our “character” is the basis of how we live and interact – it describes who we are. Our outward “character” interprets what is happening on the inside with our thought processes and motivations.

The good news is ... and this is what we jump up and down with thankfulness about ... even someone who has confessed to be a “blasphemer, persecutor and man of violence” can have their character transformed (and become fit for service in the Kingdom of God)! Paul provides a great example of the possibilities of a complete turnaround. Anything we might think is too set in concrete to ever change ... well, that’s not the case! And the fact of this for Paul was amazing ... and led him into great thanksgiving to God (who had brought it all about).

The “man of violence” has become wholly compassionate; the “persecutor” is now into brotherly love; the “blasphemer” now sings songs of praise to God.

2. Receiving Mercy (v.13-16)

The second significant matter that Paul is thankful about is what happened to him previous to this strengthening ... the events that had led up to this strengthening, and made it possible. Paul had received “mercy” and “grace” which then overflowed with “faith” and “love”! Wow!! Let’s read together from the second part of verse 13 into verse 14:

"But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus".

In Paul’s case, he sinned against God and others, because, in a sense, he didn’t know any better – he didn’t actually know what he was doing – he was living in “ignorance and unbelief”, purely living in the way that he had been brought up to think was right. He didn’t know who Jesus was. So, Paul thought that it was the natural thing to do to oppress and destroy this Jesus movement who sought to upset the applecart of everything he had thought important.

Paul would strike back in “ignorance”. That was ... until he met Jesus! I think that, through all this, Paul was actually always looking for the truth, and so when the resurrected Jesus revealed himself to Paul on the Damascus road, he was ready for a dramatic change. You can check out that story in Acts chapter 9.

There are many today who deny Jesus through “ignorance and unbelief”. Yet the “grace” described here in verse 14 is still available to them. But first, they will need to be introduced in some way to Jesus. I remain convinced that there are people out there who are ready to embrace the truth ... the gospel of Jesus ... if we can just present it well – showing that it makes sense and makes a positive difference in everyday life. This is what I’ve committed the rest of my life to!

No-one, not even this chief persecutor and opponent of Jesus, not even this blasphemer, is out of God’s reach. And stunningly, like happened with Paul, it is often the most vocal opponents who become the most effective missionaries, when touched by mercy, grace, faith and love. For Paul understood the gravity of his wrongdoing, later referring to himself as the “foremost” of sinners (v.15).

When in “ignorance and unbelief”, Jews and Romans sent Jesus to the cross, Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

In our humanity, we are all fragile or broken in one way or another. Some are proud, hard-hearted and self-centred. Others harbour much bitterness and violence within them. Yet the conversion of the “foremost” of sinners shows us, that there is not one of us, or anyone that we know, who is out of God’s reach – because God can turn people around from anything toward a new experience of life.

There is not one thing that we have done that prevents us from receiving Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. We don’t have to wait to be good enough before we accept Jesus; in fact that is a useless exercise, because in our own strength, that will never happen. People don’t have to endlessly grapple for faith ... they just need to open themselves to the possibility – for the grace of God brings enough faith and enough transforming love with it.

Indeed “faith and love” overflowed into Paul’s life when he became open to it. The “faith and love” that reside in the heart of Jesus become implanted in the one who responds to God’s offer of grace.

It’s worth highlighting that other word used in verse 14 – where it says that “the grace of our Lord overflowed”. Commentators suggest that this indicates God’s grace being ‘superabundantly bestowed’ or even ‘poured out recklessly’. Being ‘poured out recklessly’ would further suggest that this offering of grace goes far beyond what we mortals would consider proper, necessary, or even wise. So, God’s grace can never be limited, and reaches places we might find hard to imagine or accept. How many in Paul’s day, having been so brutally persecuted by people like Paul, would have been ready to acknowledge the grace being given to Paul, let alone receive him as a leader amongst them?!?

3. A Life Transformed (v.15-16)

We keep asking the question as to why Paul is so grateful, and why do we have plenty to be thankful for?? Look at verse 15:

"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the foremost".

So here is the central basis of our thankfulness ... that Jesus’ coming into the world 2000 years ago, and the redemptive action that he took, actually transforms our life today! Jesus entered the human condition and thus fully understands it. Jesus died on a cross, taking upon himself the sins of all humanity. God raised Jesus from the dead, thus offering people new life through following Jesus.

We are not alone. We do not lack purpose or hope. We need not despair over our failures. We are not limited by our past. The future is not so scary. Our wrongdoing can be forgiven. We have a caring friend, available to guide us (or carry us when necessary) through the travails of life!

Paul’s life was radically revolutionised by Jesus, causing this attitude of gratitude. As we have said, Paul was “strengthened” from the sort of low character that oppresses and destroys, to the sort of high character that loves and encourages. In this way, Paul was enabled to accept and pursue his missional calling.

We read in verse 16 about God’s patience concerning Paul; eventually the results came. God patiently waits for us too, to receive God’s “mercy” and “strengthening”, and to take up our God-given cause!

The story is told of a person of faith who sat down to a meal and found that there was only a little bread and some water available. Their response though was different from what you might expect: “What! All this, and Jesus Christ too”! This might sound a bit trite, but it does offer us some perspective on the level of thankfulness we should feel (in knowing Jesus).

Famous Bible commentator Matthew Henry was one robbed. Afterwards he wrote in his diary, “Let me be thankful ... first, because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my wallet, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who [was the robber]”. He didn’t go so far as to write, that he was thankful, that it was he who was robbed rather than anyone else ... could we say that?

Returning to verse 15, “... that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” is a saying that is “worthy of full acceptance”. This means that we should totally buy into this reality, or perhaps better, we should be totally sold out on this – this ‘dynamic’ becoming our framework. And then certainly there will be plenty to give thanks for. As we read in verse 16, those who are sold on the concept of Jesus’ earthly activity, can become an example of the result of God’s patient care for all humanity. Another way of looking at this “full” acceptance, is that this ‘salvation dynamic’ is worthy of every single human being’s attention.

With all this in mind, we can find ourselves being able to be thankful in all circumstances, like Paul asked the church to be in his first letter to the Thessalonians (5:18). This doesn’t deny that we have various problems and challenges; rather it actively testifies that we know where our strength lies. Even as we experience sadness when events turn in certain ways, we can maintain an attitude of overarching thankfulness that God is with us. We remember, and come to know well, who God is, and that God can be absolutely trusted; that God is personally interested in our well-being, and that God gives us faith, love and peace.

In her book “the Hiding Place”, Corrie ten Boom relates the time when she and her sister Betsy were transferred to the worst German prison camp they had ever seen – for when they entered the barracks, they found them not only over-crowded, but also extremely flea-infested. As the sisters had read that they should give thanks in all circumstances, Betsy said that they should deal with the situation by thanking God for their living environment, however Corrie flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas. Eventually Corrie did thank God for the fleas, and then found out later, that the reason why they could so freely hold bible study and prayer meetings in their barracks, was because the guards didn’t want to go anywhere near that flea-infested place.

4. Spontaneous Thankfulness (v.17)

As we overview this passage: first, there was a need for change in Paul’s life; second, there was, through Creator God, a way for change to happen; third, Paul opened himself to such change, and the ensuing transformation was remarkable. One thing left to do ... one thing to solidify this new being that Paul had become ... a necessary attitude and practice to remind us of what we have committed to and to whom our life belongs ... ongoing expressions of thankfulness!

This text asks us whether we have become blasé about our experience of God and have lost that excitement that leads to spontaneous thankfulness and praise!?! We are asked here, whether we are keeping our faith alive and vibrant?!? After all ... we have plenty to be thankful for. For Paul, bursting into thanksgiving had become the most natural thing, even when his own life became difficult under opposition and imprisonment.

"To the King of the ages, immortal and invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever."

May the One who holds the whole universe in his hands, yet is a personal and recreating God, be lifted up for all humanity to gaze at in wonder. Amen!