Sunday Worship 26 December 2021 : “I know whom I have believed”
Text: 1 Timothy 1; 2 Timothy 1 26 December 2021
INTRODUCTION
1. The Certainty of Faith
a) The Apostles found Certainty of Faith
b) But they struggled much in their years of Discipleship
2. Others Found faith too
a) Churches were founded in all Judea, Galilee and Samaria (Acts 9:31)
b) The Apostle Paul was set apart to minister to Gentiles and many countries were reached (Acts 16-20)
A TIME WHERE THERE WAS NO FAITH
1. A Candid Confession
a) Formerly a blasphemer (1 Timothy 1:13a)
b) A persecutor (1 Timothy 1:13b)
c) An insolent man (1 Timothy 1:13c)
d) Ignorance and unbelief (1 Timothy 1:13d)
2. A terrible Description
a) Breathing threats and murder (Acts 9:1)
b) Letters of authority to arrest Disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:2)
A GLORIOUS CONVERSION
1. Pursuing Disciples relentlessly (Acts 9:1-3)
2. Power of the Lord employed to rein Paul from harming people further (Acts 9:4-9)
3. A Humble Reflection
a) Mercy of God obtained (1 Timothy 1:13)
b) Exceedingly abundant grace (1 Timothy 1:14a)
c) With faith and love (1 Timothy 1:14b)
4. An astute Summary
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” 1 Timothy 1:15-16
a) The Lord Jesus came to save sinners
b) Mercy and longsuffering of the Lord given
c) Believing in the Lord for everlasting life
CONTINUING GROWTH OF THE FAITH OF THE APOSTLE PAUL I
1. Sharing a new-found faith
a) Sincerely
b) Skilfully (Acts 9)
2. Serving with Barnabas (Acts 13)
a) Church in Antioch
b) Proven worth
3. New Mission Field open
a) New experience
b) Led by the Spirit of God
c) Further Growth
CONTINUING GROWTH OF THE FAITH OF THE APOSTLE PAUL II
1. Working with what God has already provided
a) Power
b) Love
c) A sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
2. Features that saw further growth
a) Suffering
“The sufferings for the gospel According to the power of God” 2 Timothy 1:8
b) Calling
“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” 2 Timothy 1:9
i) Saved
ii) Called
iii) God’s purpose and grace
CERTAINTY OF FAITH
“But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher [c]of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:10-12
1. Certainty of what the Lord Jesus came to do
a) Revealed
i) Abolished death
ii) Brought life
iii) Immortality to light through the Gospel
b) Appointed
i) Preacher
ii) Apostle
iii) Teacher of the Gentiles
c) Testimony
i) Not ashamed
ii) I know whom I have believed
iii) I am persuaded that He is able
To keep what I have committed to Him until that Day
CONCLUSION
1. Certainty of Faith
a) Absolutely Possible
b) Wonderful impact on life
2. Challenge
a) To look back on 2021 candidly
b) To look forward to 2022 courageously with Certainty of Faith