God’s Pattern Of Grace

1 Timothy 1:8-16

(Temple 4-22-12)

Introduction:

A. For the past couple of weeks, we have been looking at the proper use of the Law. The Law is good if it is used lawfully but many in our day have an unscriptural view of the Law. We saw that there are those:

1. Who call separatists Legalists. Biblical sanctification is not keeping the Law or adding Law to faith. It is spiritual growth through desire and obedience to God’s Word.

2. Who are “justified” by keeping the Law. The Bible declares that they have “fallen from grace.” Law and Grace are like oil and water in that they cannot mix in any degree or one destroys the other. If it is works, it is no more grace, otherwise works is no more works. If it is grace, it is no more works, otherwise grace is no more grace. Salvation must be one or the other.

B. In verses 8-11, the work of the Law is explained:

1. Sinners Exposed – vs 9-10

2. Salvation Explained in the Gospel – vs 11

C. Again I want us to be reminded that 1 & 2 Timothy plus Titus make up what are referred to the Pastoral Epistles. They were written to promote sound doctrine in the teachings of the local church. The doctrine of Salvation can be quickly compromised in the religious workings of the local church if not careful. Look at the spiritual darkness of the Bible Belt for an example of what happens when man’s religion supersedes the clear teachings of the Bible. Baptist churches as well as churches in other denominations have drifted far from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus.

D. Three things that we need in this area are:

1. A Proper Perspective of a Sinful Past. Verse 13

2. A Proper Testimony of a Patterned Salvation. Verses 14-16

3. A Proper Realization of our Self-righteous Present. Verse 15

E. In verses 12-16, the Bible gives us an example of biblical transformation from Law to Grace.

1. Sinful Past – 13

2. Ignorance and Unbelief – 13

3. Gracious Salvation – 14

4. Amazing Love – 15

5. Pattern of Salvation – vs 16

F. In Acts 9:1-22, we find the “pattern” of Paul’s conversion:

1. A Continuation - Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest. (Man, left to himself, will continue in sin. They must be reached for Christ.)

2. A Confrontation - Acts 9:3-4 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: (4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (Saved people know where, when, and how that they were saved. You do not grow or graduate into salvation; you are born into the family. I have a Birth Certificate that tells me where, when, and how or who delivered me.)

3. A Convicting - Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (Without Holy Ghost conviction, there can be no salvation.)

4. A Confession - Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (The confusion of Lordship in verse 5 turned to a confession of Lordship in verse 6.)

5. A Change - Acts 9:8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. (No change means no conversion!)