1 Timothy - 08.07.25
SCRIPTURE
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves—full acceptance:
Christ Jesus—came into the world—to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners,
Christ Jesus might display his immense patience—as an example
for those who would—believe in HIM and RECEIVE—eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV
OBSERVATION
Paul writes this letter to Timothy, his beloved spiritual son, who is overseeing the Church in Ephesus. What is pressing Paul’s heart? Young Timothy is struggling with infiltrators who are teaching a different Gospel. Paul reminds Timothy of his calling saying, “I urged you to STAY in Ephesus when I went on to Macedonia SO that you may COMMAND those who are teaching false doctrine to STOP” (vs 4).
There is only one Gospel. The Gospel of Grace. Jesus Paid it ALL. We cannot add anything OR subtract anything from the Good News.
The Gospel makes it clear there is a dividing Line and a choice.
Jesus is the only way to Eternal Life.
APPLICATION
Share -The Gospel -often-everywhere-without hesitation
The Gospel is the Reason Jesus CAME.
The Gospel is WHY Jesus suffered The Cross.
The GOSPEL of LOVE—is WHO-JESUS -IS…
Without the Good News..People will suffer eternal separation from God.
Should there be any doubt we should be sharing the GOOD NEWS?
Awhile back RK Castillo visited our church to give a Saturday morning seminar on how easy it is to GO SHARE the GOSPEL. RK said that lengthy and extensive “trainings” weren’t necessary—
Just share Your Story..Your personal testimony how Jesus Changed your life.
Paul shared his personal testimony
Before Jesus—Paul was—blaspheming the Name of Christ and persecuting His people (vs 13).
Paul was a pure-blooded Hebrew who took pride that he could trace his lineage back to Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Paul went on to state he was circumcised at eight days old, a full citizen of Israel, and a member of the Pharisees who demanded the strictest obedience to Jewish law. Paul considered himself “righteous” obeying the law without fault.
He had considered these things—valuable.
Then one day CHRIST Jesus—encountered Paul—on the road to Damascus (Acts 9)
Paul was headed to Damascus that day to continue his persecution of all Christ Followers—When suddenly Christ Jesus encountered Paul and changed His life forever.
I once thought these things were valuable,
but now I consider them worthless —because of what Christ—has done.”
(Philippians 3:5-7 NLT)
What did Christ DO?
He came INTO the World to suffer the Cross and pay the penalty for our sins.
So that ANYONE who BELIEVES in Him will have forgiveness of sins
and eternal life. It’s a Free Gift
so no one can boast about their own righteousness.
“For it is by GRACE you have been saved—through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God—” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)
My Testimony
I was so proud to be Lutheran—it was a strong identity within our Scandinavian family. I clung to that identity, especially because my relationship with my dad’s side was inconsistent. He didn’t like sharing much with any of us—my half-sister, half-brother, or me—about his heritage, which was Russian Jewish.
Going to the Lutheran church was mostly about religious rituals—although it did offer certain basic fundamentals. Every child was expected to learn the 10 commandments and be able to recite the Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed. There just wasn’t much understanding of relationship with Jesus and the Gospel itself wasn’t shared.
At 24 yrs old I heard the Gospel message for the First time..
After Jesus—everything changed.
My heart changed.
I heard God’s voice speak to me “this is for you”.
I felt His forgiveness.
Immediately I experienced changes in my life—
Long time struggles with unrealistic—yet very real—fears—simply disappeared.
I had a NEW identity—I Belonged—to Jesus
I developed new friendships that became lifelong friends.
I experienced Christ’s forgiveness being poured into my heart for others who had wounded me deeply. A supernatural forgiveness that I didn’t even have to strive for…it was literally poured into me and overrode the hurt. Instead of unforgiveness, I had compassion for them. Jesus allowed me to see them with His eyes—as broken and in need of His love.
And more than that..God began to pull out gifts in me, things I had never heard of or even read yet in the Bible. My life had purpose. I was reading His word and praying daily. I experienced relationship with Jesus.
Before Jesus I was guarded, prideful, self-reliant, fearful, anxious, depressed, and broken. Although I was raised to be polite, calm and collected—and appeared “good” on the outside…
On the inside at times I felt so lost I wondered if the world would be better without me.
But God in His Infinite Love had Mercy on me and had pursued me…
FIRST, God sent someone to the store where I worked who was an evangelist. In addition to her assigned work, She spoke to EVERYONE that day about Jesus. EVERYONE. At the end of her shift when she came to speak with me I was not very nice to her and told her to “Go Away”.
THEN, God placed someone in my life that I didn’t even want to meet. I ended up being “tricked” into meeting her. This lady who I had envisioned to be a very different kind of person ended up being very nice and invited me to church, something I had been contemplating since the evangelist had come in the store.
BUT the sweet lady who became a friend took me to a Pentecostal Church— a place I wasn’t sure I wanted to go. However, she was driving—so I didn’t have a choice. She began telling me what I might witness when we got there.
People speaking in strange unknown languages. What?!? No thank you.
BUT, God had a plan. Thank YOU—Jesus!
I heard the Gospel Message that Day and I heard Jesus speak to me, “This is for you”.
SO that Christ Jesus
could use me
as a Prime example
of His Great Patience.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
Thank YOU for Your very Great Patience in pursuing me and pursuing me and pursuing me. Thank You for saving me when I didn’t know I needed to be Saved. I never knew this kind of relationship was possible. YOU Love to talk to Your Children. Thank YOU for Your forgiveness and the assurance of Heaven. Thank YOU for FILLING me WITH Your Holy Spirit—when again—I said I didn’t want it.
YOU have been SO merciful to me. So gracious to me. SO Good to me.
Help me to be more transparent so others can really KNOW that YOU- ARE-
a very REAL and LOVING God—who SEES them and LOVES them…
SO much—that YOU came—for the express purpose—of dying on the Cross.
YOU are Life. YOU are Hope. There is NO other way. Here I am Lord.
My life is Yours.
In Your Holy and Precious Name, amen.
Tina L Kudelka