Tag: save sinners
One Mediator between God and man
Scripture reading for September 12th: 1st Timothy 2, Psalm 32, Proverbs 27
1st Timothy 2: 1-6 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”
Prayer is the lifeline for believers! We serve a living God Who is actively listening and talking with His children. Paul encourages the believers to pray for all people, especially for those in positions of authority. Prayer paves the way for a quiet and godly life. God invites us to ask, seek, and knock for the needs we have to spread the Gospel. God desires all people to come to repentance and a knowledge of the truth of His provision for their salvation. God has provided Jesus Christ, His only Son, as the Mediator between God and man. Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross to pay the penalty of all sinners. The Gospel is the testimony of God’s saving provision given to His people to share before the final judgment. Like the days of Noah, God shut the door right before the flood came. Today is the day to act.
Psalm 32:5-6 “I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach Him.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your heart to save sinners and to respond to the prayers and intercession of Your people and Your Son, Who is our mediator. Thank You for Your call for us to pray for those in authority and for open doors to share with the lost. I offer myself to You to use to encourage Your Church to pray and to proclaim the Good News that Jesus Christ has come to save sinners!
Proverbs 27:12 “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
Faithfulness brings mercy!
Scripture reading for September 11th: 1st Timothy 1, Psalm 31, Proverbs 26
1st Timothy 1:12-17 “I thank Him Who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. 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. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Paul begins his letter to his young ‘son’ in the faith by sharing about how he received Christ’s mercy, Paul considered himself the ‘foremost’ of sinners, because he persecuted God’s people and even had some murdered out of zeal for the law and ignorance of faith and grace. He was worthy of great punishment and rejection by God. But through Christ Jesus, Paul received grace and an appointment into God’s service. He came to realize that it was Christ’s primary mission to save sinners, even ones as bad as he was! Christ used the miraculous change in Paul’s life as an example to others and as a display of God’s perfect patience. All Paul could do, along with us, was worship the King of the Ages Who lives forever and ever! God’s faithfulness and patience brought Paul into His family and us who believe as well!
Psalm 31:3-5 “For You are my Rock and my Fortress; and for Your Name’s sake You lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for You are my Refuge. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing patience with me and the grace You have shown to all sinners throughout history. It is Your love and faithfulness that have brought me to a place of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. You have delivered me from pride and flattery as well as lying and violence. You are my King Eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God. You are worthy of honor and glory forever!
Proverbs 26:28 “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Christ’s mission: saving sinners!
Scripture reading for June 27th: 1st Kings 6, 2nd Chronicles 3, 1st Timothy 1
1st Timothy 1:12-16 “I thank Him Who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. 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. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life.”
Paul was ever thankful for the opportunity and strength to serve. Although as a religious person, he had been a blasphemer of Christ and lived in unbelief, God granted him mercy and called him into His service of ministry to Jew and Gentile. As one of the ‘foremost’ sinners, Paul understood Christ’s amazing mercy and salvation by grace through faith. He could effectively use his own testimony of God’s mercy and patience to share with others living in sin. God used him to reach many lost sinners, which was the goal and purpose of Jesus Christ coming into this world and offering His body and blood for our salvation and justification.
1st Timothy 1:17 “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayer: Thank You Lord for having patience with me and showing me Your mercy through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge Your mission of saving lost sinners and offer myself to be used to reach those who still need salvation. Overflow Your grace in my life along with Christ’s love and faith to reach many lost souls and produce a harvest to Your glory that will build Your House.
1st Kings 6:12-13 “Now the Word of the Lord came to Solomon, “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and obey My rules and keep all My commandments and walk in them, then I will establish My Word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake My people Israel.”
Worship the King Eternal!
Scripture reading for September 24th: 1 Timothy 1, Psalm 41, Proverbs 6
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 1:15-17 “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Paul is moved to worship his King, Jesus Christ, as he explains to Timothy that Jesus’ mission of saving sinners had spared his own life. Paul was the foremost of sinners in that he in self-righteous anger, had sought to put Christ’s followers in prison and even to death. But Jesus demonstrated God’s great patience by saving Paul and giving him the gift of eternal life. This should call all who are saved to worship and adoration, now and throughout eternity!
Faith Confession: I know Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of which I am also foremost. I thank God for His great patience and grace in giving me the gift of eternal life! I will worship Him now and forever!
Psalm 41:13 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen!”
All Glory to King Jesus!
Scripture reading for September 23rd: 1st Timothy 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Timothy 1:15-19 “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. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Paul’s testimony formed the basis of his advice to the younger minister Timothy. Paul knew he was the worst of sinners because he had persecuted and killed Christians. Jesus Christ appeared to him and personally confronted him with his need to repent. God showed His patience and great mercy for Paul as an example to all who would believe on Jesus Christ. In sharing these truths of Christ’s great mercy and patience, Paul’s heart and pen flows with worship to His Lord and King!
Observations for over-comers: Our salvation and new creation life is based on Christ’s patience and mercy and intervention on our behalf. Overcomers base their lives on this truth and live a life of worship! “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” (Psalm 89:1-2)