In Spite of Our Past

Jimmy Knott - June 29, 2008

1 Timothy 1:12-17

It is hard to move forward when you keep the past in the present.

We have all seen those commercials that show dramatic before and after results. The weight loss, the new hair, the more energy claims seem convincing. Some companies even proclaim their results are miraculous. Nothing we can watch on TV can truly be miraculous.

The greatest miracle of life is God and how he transforms us. Look at C.S. Lewis or the Apostle Paul... their transformations were miraculous. Transformations are not the same for everyone. Not everyone has had a horrible past or have experienced the same level of change. No matter what level people experience their transformation is just as great as anyone else's.

Paul was never the same from his transformation. He was radically changed. None of us have anything in our past that compares to the Apostle Paul's past. If we don't learn to handle, manage, or deal with the past positively, it will hold us from doing what God wants us to do.

In Spite of our past...

1. God Loves Us
Acts 7:58, Acts 8:1-5 - Paul/Saul consented to Christain deaths
Acts 22:4-5 - Paul was a bad man

Despite everything he had done, he knew God loved him. He did everything he could to insult God but God still loved him.

Romans 8:35-40 - Paul knew God loved him
Romans 5:6,8 - We are no longer enemies. God loves us and hates our sin.

Which is harder: For God to love us as enemies or to Love us as his children?

He loves us because we exist. He will never hold our past against us. He doesn't use our past to cast a vote against our future. It doesn't matter what you have done.

2. God Will Save Us

1 Timothy 1:13-15 - Christ came into the world to save sinners - this means everyone! It doesn't matter how many, what kind, the source of our sin - God saves us! How can this happen? Mercy... Grace overflowing!

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - We are some of the worse sinners. Saved? What does that mean?

1) The benefits of complete forgiveness
2) Transformation by the power of God

We may carry over our sin once we are saved. We must commit to grow and it may take many years. God teaches us to depend on Him. If God can save the Apostle Paul he can save you!

3. God Can Use Us

People don't serve in the church because they don't feel like they are worthy--this is the greatest lie of the enemy. God uses sinners to do His work. People who serve are living proof that despite your past, God can use you. He may even use your past to motivate your future.

Take a crisp, brand new, $10 bill. What is it worth?

Take that same $10 and crumble it up into a paper ball. What is it worth?

Take that paper ball and throw it on the ground and stomp on it. What is it worth?

No matter what it still holds its value. The value is for what it is not where it has been. The things that happen to it do not under mind its value.

It is about who we are - God loves us and wants to use us.