If traces of Christ’s love-artistry be upon me, may He work on with His divine brush until the complete image be obtained and I be made a perfect copy of Him, my Master.
Unknown Author

The One Who Installs Officers

The One Who Installs Officers

 THE ONE WHO INSTALLS OFFICERS B5-26-5A 1 Tim. 1:12-17

INTRODUCTION:

  1. Tomorrow is the Memorial Day holiday for many people
  2. The observance was begun during the Civil War when Southern women placed flowers on the graves of fallen Confederate and Union soldiers. It later became a national holiday.
  3. As much as we appreciate the work of soldiers of the cross, it is the Commander-In-Chief who put them into the ministry.
  4. This morning, I want to share some thoughts with you about this One who “put me into the ministry”
  5. Verse 14 will be the focus for these thoughts:
  6. WHEN WE WERE BLASPHEMERS–CHRIST HAD LOVE FOR US
  7. I have spoken much about the love of God recently but, is there any doctrine so important?
  8. This is unconditional love
    1. Not result of our nature (sinful)
    2. Not result of our action (blaspheme)
    3. Only comes from being one of God’s chosen creations
  9. God loves us because we are created in His image
    1. Desiring of fellowship (with other men & with God)
    2. Loving (He loves us so we can love others–ministry)

II. WHEN WE PERSECUTED HIM–CHRIST HAD FAITH FOR US

  1. Christ had faith in us!
    1. In what we could become
    2. In what we would do, if given a chance
  2. Christ had faith in himself!
    1. He had faith that He would suffer for our sins
    2. He had faith that He could defeat the enemy of our souls
    3. He had faith that the Father would be pleased with the sacrifice of His own blood
  3. It is by His faithfulness that we can minister to others

III. WHEN WE WERE INJURIOUS–CHRIST HAD GRACE FOR US

  1. Grace is the hope of salvation
    1. Means “unmerited favor with God”
    2. We did destructive things (to self and God)
    3. If God could forget, we could have hope
  2. Grace is the ONLY hope for fallen man
    1. We have the sentence of death upon us
    2. God shows us favor without consideration
  3. Only by the grace of God can we be saved, much less minister

    to others.

  4. “Freely ye have received, freely give…”

SUMMARY:

  1. Christ has invested much in us, are we yet unprofitable?
  2. Christ wants to put others into the ministry. Will you let Him?