1 Timothy 1:1-20
Intro Questions
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
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Senseless
The Florida Highway Patrol noticed the Kia that was blasting down I-10 at 95 miles per hour. They gave chase and pulled over the driver and his passenger in Santa Rosa County, just east of Pensacola. A routine check of identity showed that the passenger had an outstanding felony warrant for probation violation, so the trooper called for backup and a K-9 unit. Santa Rosa deputies quickly responded and turned the dog loose to examine the car. Sure enough, the dog quickly alerted on two bags inside. Of course, the human officers probably also alerted on the bags, since both of them were clearly labeled, “Bag Full of Drugs.”
Inside the bags was quite a collection of illegal and controlled substances: meth, GHB, MDMA, cocaine and fentanyl along with various drug paraphernalia. Last report had both suspects jailed in Santa Rosa County without bond. That’s probably the safest place for the two, since they don’t seem to be able to live very sensibly. They now have the distinction of being mocked on Facebook by the Santa Rosa County sheriff’s office for the really, really poor camouflage of their illegal goods. And we’re reminded again that a life of crime is not a plan designed to produce a happy ending.
“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 unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV).
Paul could look back on his first career as a self-righteous persecutor of the Christians and be grateful that time of his life was in the rear-view mirror. Violent people are obviously unhappy and must convince themselves that their targets are evil or worthless. They then find themselves surrounded by enemies all the time and that ensures that they remain unhappy! It’s not a good life. Yet that’s the way outlaws think they want to live. Once you place yourself outside the rules, though, all of life gets harder and harder and less and less satisfying.
Obedience to Jesus, by contrast, provides the kind of lives we actually want to live. We live in peace, joy, security, kindness, and self-control. There is no shortage of excitement in living for the Lord (have you ever been on a foreign mission trip?). People who are committed to Christ have wonderful friendships, live interesting and productive lives, improve the general quality of the world and tackle every single day with hope. All of that is driven by the promises of God that we gain through the grace of Jesus Christ. He is the one who makes our lives worth living. The good news is that Jesus makes all of that available to anybody who will accept it from Him, beginning with baptism, that moment that our sins are forgiven and we’re bound for life. Everything good for us begins with that commitment. Rejection of God and His will for our lives is as senseless, hopeless and worthless as speeding down the highway with a bag full of drugs.
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6 Marks Of A Pure Heart
Here are six marks of a pure heart.
Done in a Corner
I will use my good friend as an example of having all six marks of a pure heart, but one of the most important marks of a pure heart is doing things just because they need to be done, and not to be seen by others. That’s what Jesus taught as well. He never tells others what he does for others. He knows his rewards come in the life to come, but doesn’t really do them for rewards. This man has a pure heart.
Expecting Nothing Back
When we give without expecting anything in return, we are giving out of a pure heart. It’s not like we gave to them and now we expect them to behave in a way that we find acceptable. We don’t give so that we have the right to give them un-asked for counsel. No, this man gives because he wants to…not expecting anything in return.
Loving the Unlovable
When God first loved me, while still very unlovable, he did what one of my friends does who visits prisoners as part of his own personal ministry. When all of a prisoner’s spouse, children, parents, and friends have forsaken them, he is the one who will show these men love. Prisoners are human. They need love, and my friend shows his love by action. He loves those who most would be repelled by, but those are the ones whom God seeks to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
No Hidden Agenda
When my friend does something, like he gave me money once for some tires, he had no hidden agenda like, “Now I expect you’ll ask me to give the opening prayer.”He doesn’t do it to get any favors from me or anyone else he helps. His motives are as pure as the driven snow. It’s not a “Quid Pro Quo” deal. He just gives because he’s generous.
Contentedness
When we are contented in life, we are accepting God’s sovereignty over our lives, and that is very pleasing to God. The Apostle Paul wrote that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1st Tim 6:6), so even amidst the many heartbreaks this man’s gone through in life, he is still content and that contentedness brings him (and us in the church) great joy.
Great Humility
God cannot use any man or woman greatly until they are first humbled deeply. God’s grace is like water…it flows downhill and seeks the lowliest of places. My friend must be a reservoir of grace because he’s as humble as they get. Humility like that is a true mark of a pure heart.
Conclusion
A pure hearted person would be one who does things but doesn’t brag about it, he never expects anything in return, he loves those who no one else will, he has no hidden agenda, he is perfectly content in every state he is in, and all of this is because he has such great humility, which is the mark of marks for those with a pure heart.
May God richly bless you,
Pastor Jack Wellman
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