Sinners Disciple Sinners.

KJ Washington

[0:00] Good morning. My name is KJ Washington and it’s an honor for me to be able to serve here at Village [0:06] Church. At Village Church, my staff here. I’m excited to be able to dive into God’s word this [0:11] morning and just to to be able to ultimately just fall more in love with Jesus this morning through [0:18] the proclamation of His word. If you have your Bibles or mobile devices, turn with me to First [0:24] Timothy chapter 1 verse 12 through 17. That’s where we’ll spend the duration of our time at [0:30] this morning. But before we go there, I want to read a quote from John Owen.

[0:36] Many men live in the dark to themselves all their days. Whatever else they know, they know not [0:42] themselves. They know their outward estates, how rich they are, and the condition of their bodies [0:48] as to health and sickness. They are careful to examine, but as to their inward man, [0:55] and their principles as to God in eternity. They know little or nothing of themselves. [1:01] That’s John Owen from Indwelling Sin and Believers. See, the only way that our hearts will be exposed [1:07] to the ramifications of our sin is if we have been redeemed through the blood of Christ. See,

[1:12] we were destined towards destruction, but God was gracious in saving us from ourselves. See, [1:17] our indwelling sin encourages us to focus on the exterior and outward appearances of the sin in our [1:23] lives, though the sin inside of us will cause us to neglect how broken we truly are. See, [1:29] I’m sharing this as a man that wrestles and struggles every week of my life with the sin in [1:34] my heart. My hope is that you do as well, that you struggle and wrestle with the sin that is [1:43] inside of you. See, I hope that you do reflect on the propensity of your sin and realize how

[1:50] sinful your actions are and how they impact you and other people. See, when I consider the [1:57] depravity of my interior that drastically impacts my exterior, I’m dumbfounded by the fact that God [2:03] wants to use a sinner like me. It doesn’t make sense, but it makes a lot of sense as well [2:14] because of his grace. See, God wants to use us, despite our depravity and our vicious and sinful [2:23] heart, to bring more vicious and sinful-hearted people into a caring and tender-hearted family. [2:29] See, God has called us to disciple and to reach other sinners, and it’s messy. I’m not saying that

[2:35] it’s easy, but God has called us to go and to engage the lives of naturally wicked people [2:41] and sell them of the hope of the Savior who came to save sinners. And in 1 Timothy chapter 1, [2:47] verse 12 through 17, Paul’s going to get at that, and that’s the heart of this text. [2:52] Read with me, 1 Timothy chapter 1, verse 12 through 17. [2:59] It reads as this, I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged [3:05] me faithful, appointing me to his service. Though formerly I was a blasphemer, a persecutor,

[3:10] an insolent opponent, but I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief. [3:16] And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [3:21] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world [3:26] to save sinners of whom I am the foremost. But I receive mercy for this reason, that in me, [3:32] as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those [3:37] who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, the immortal, the invisible,

[3:42] the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Pray with me this morning. [3:49] Father, we thank, we just thank you for this time that we’re able to come together. [3:53] Just to be able to dive into your word. Lord, I pray that you would prick at our hearts. [3:58] Father, I pray that we will be willing to respond to your word and that we just cherish your word [4:02] and know that it’s precious. Lord, we’re thankful that you use centers like us to reach more centers. [4:11] Father, we ask you to encourage us this morning by your word. In your name we pray. Amen.

[4:18] What we see in this passage is that Paul is starting to share with Timothy an example of [4:22] the gospel impacting the Christian life. See, Timothy had been encountering false gospels and [4:27] false teachings in Ephesus and Paul wanted to show him the difference of when the gospel is moving [4:31] forward in an authentic way and when the gospel is moving forward in an unauthentic way. So he’s [4:37] pointing out this difference to him by sharing that, hey, when the gospel is working in a [4:41] community, sinners are then being discipled and other sinners are then discipling other sinners

[4:46] because Jesus came to save them. That’s the difference from when people are being oppressed [4:51] by the law and being held down by the law. Their response is, I need to trust the gospel because [4:58] the gospel is the only thing that can free me from the law. These false teachers in Ephesus were [5:03] pushing the law onto the people and the people had no hope. The people didn’t have hope because [5:12] the law can only be perfected by the one that could live to the law perfectly, that’s Jesus himself.

[5:20] So ultimately they’re realizing how sinful they were and Paul uses this time to encourage these [5:27] believers. See, Paul expands on how the poor use of the law leads to an unhealthy church [5:34] and develops a group of people that don’t strive towards gospel multiplication. See, when the [5:42] church is responsible, always be for gospel multiplication. There is no such thing as a [5:48] church that is inward focused, that is healthy because the overflow of the gospel in the lives [5:53] of believers empowers them to want to go and make more disciples. So God uses what he’s doing in our

[6:01] lives as an example to others of what he wants to do in their lives. God saves sinners for a purpose [6:08] so they can go and then make disciples of other sinners and Paul illustrates that in this passage. [6:14] He uses his life as an example of God’s work in saving sinners and then does so by calling [6:20] other sinners to go and allow their lives to be used as an example to others. This leads us to [6:27] the first point this morning. Jesus commissioned sinners to make disciples, send me from verse 12 [6:32] through 14. See, Paul immediately shares his gratitude for God, appointing a God like him with

[6:37] the opportunity to serve him. See, he is thinking, haven’t you seen my track record? Didn’t you see [6:42] how many people that are persecuted, disenfranchised, isolated, and humiliated all in the opposition of [6:47] your son’s name? Don’t you understand that? That’s who I was. That’s what I did. But Paul is thankful [6:57] because God said, I still want to use you. I’m still calling you. I’m still appointing you to serve me.

[7:05] And that’s God’s grace on display for him. See, when the gospel transforms the heart of a person, [7:11] it takes them from pursuing their own personal mission and turns them 180 degrees to then [7:16] go and serve Jesus in his mission. So yes, Paul was attacking the Christians, but then later on, [7:22] Jesus transformed his heart and then later he’s preaching to the Christians, hoping that the [7:26] gospel advances and goes forward. See, your life just doesn’t change 90 degrees. It’s not a [7:33] change of degrees, but it changes 180 degrees. People knew where Paul was at. There’s no doubt.

[7:42] No doubt at all.

[7:48] So this is a good example to them of God’s grace.

[7:53] Because God still wanted to appoint a God like Paul to serve him.

[8:03] So why did God have mercy on Paul? Why? Because God wanted to save him and to bring more people [8:13] into fellowship with himself. See, not only did God save him to show him his glory, but also for [8:19] other people to be able to cherish God for his glory. God had every right to allow Paul to be [8:27] separated from him, but no, God wanted to use him to draw more people to himself.

[8:36] And we can relate to this because no matter whoever you are, without Jesus, you’re unrighteous and [8:43] you need Jesus. It doesn’t matter about how bad your track record is. We see Paul’s track record [8:51] that’s laid out in this passage of everything that he did. And you might think, I kind of can compare [8:56] that. I actually don’t. You might look at him like, I’m not as bad as Paul. But I think we’re [9:01] missing the point if we look at the text in that way. Because the fact that we need to come back [9:07] to is that we are all unrighteous without Jesus. Romans chapter 3 verse 10-18 says this,

[9:16] as it is written, none is righteous, no, not one. No one understands, no one seeks for God. All have [9:22] turned aside. Together they have become worthless. No one does good, not even one. Their throat is an [9:27] open grave. They use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asphas under their lips. Their mouth is [9:32] full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood and their paths are ruined in [9:38] misery. In the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. [9:44] Romans chapter 1 verse 18-24 says this,

[9:52] who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them [9:56] because God has shown it to them for his invisible attributes, namely his internal power and divine [10:02] nature has been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been [10:06] made. So they are without excuse for although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give [10:11] thanks to him. But they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. [10:15] Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images

[10:19] resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in [10:24] the lust of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor of their bodies among themselves, because they [10:29] exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than [10:34] the creator who is blessed forever. Amen. Both of these passages are alluding to the fact that no [10:42] one is righteous or good or can even fathom righteous thoughts or deeds outside of Jesus. [10:47] Let’s build a case of no matter where you think that you’re at without Jesus, you’re unrighteous.

[10:52] You can’t even fathom the good things. You suppress truth. You do all these other things [10:56] that are in opposition to God. See without Jesus, we are all pursuing the creation over the creator. [11:02] Without Jesus, we have no hope in saving ourselves. Without Jesus, God’s wrath will be poured out on [11:07] us. Without Jesus, we are pursuing our own kingdom with our own rule and reign. Without Jesus, [11:12] we are pursuing our own foolish thoughts and deeds. Without Jesus, we suppress truth. Without [11:17] Jesus, we hate all things that are good in the eyes of God. Without Jesus, we are against God’s

[11:21] kingdom and his mission. But thank the Lord that we do have Jesus. Because we have Jesus, [11:27] we can pursue the creator over the creation. Because we have Jesus, Jesus’s grace has been [11:32] displayed for us on Calvary. Because we have Jesus, God’s wrath was poured out on his Son [11:36] so that mercy can be shown to us. Because we have Jesus, we can pursue righteousness and live with [11:41] a renewed mind. Because we have Jesus, we believe that his gospel is true. Because we have Jesus, [11:46] we cherish all things good in the eyes of God. Because we have Jesus, we were once enemies when

[11:51] we’ve been brought into the family of God. Because we have Jesus, we have been commissioned for his [11:55] mission to bring more people into the family of God. Thank the Lord we have Jesus.

[12:02] And that’s all by his grace.

[12:06] That he still wants to use us. That he still wants to commission us [12:12] to be a part of his service. Even though that we lived in opposition to him. That we were fighting [12:19] back at him in his kingdom and his name. But he still appointed us the same way that he appointed [12:29] Paul. Oh how wonderful is our Savior Jesus. See, Paul understood that God’s mercy was on display [12:37] through him because he was appointed into the gospel ministry. See, Paul knew where he stood [12:43] without Jesus and was thankful that Jesus changed his position. Paul didn’t deserve this type of mercy

[12:52] but God was gracious to him. Friends, we don’t deserve that type of mercy. [12:57] We deserve the wrath but Jesus took our place. He took on the wrath on the cross for us.

[13:08] See, before being captivated by the gospel, Paul was ignorant because he didn’t believe the gospel. [13:14] He knew that God’s grace overflowed through the blood of Christ and if it weren’t for the blood [13:18] there would be no way that Paul would have been appointed to make disciples. See, without [13:22] understanding God’s grace and saving and commissioning us to make disciples, we will forget the [13:26] influence of Christ dying on the cross. See, if Christ didn’t die on the cross we wouldn’t have [13:30] the opportunity to be faithful to him and serve him in his mission. Why? Because we were ignorant

[13:36] to the gospel and lived in disbelief. See, that’s why Paul shares his story of God’s grace. [13:42] See, he was living in opposition to the gospel but God was faithful to him not because he [13:46] deserved it but because he deserved death and mercy was shown.

[13:54] We deserve death but God sent his son to be slaughtered to take our place and he showed [13:59] mercy on us by saying, I’m not done with you yet because I want to use you to advance my mission. [14:05] See, God didn’t call the righteous to make disciples but he called the wicked and made [14:09] them righteous so that they could reach the wicked and unrighteous.

[14:15] So where does that leave you at?

[14:18] Do you feel like you’re inadequate to make disciples and to build the church?

[14:23] It shouldn’t make you feel that way. It should give you hope

[14:29] because God uses people like us to build his church.

[14:34] No matter how wretched we are because of the hope that’s found in his son.

[14:41] So I know that everyone here has different stories and backgrounds and have seen God [14:44] do a work in your life in ways and saved you from your sins. Some, God maybe you haven’t [14:51] trusted the gospel yet and God hasn’t saved you from your sins. I want to encourage you to trust [14:55] the gospel because God can the same way that you’re living against the gospel. God is gracious [14:59] enough to do that in your own life. But we must realize that we have to trust the gospel for that [15:09] to happen. We have to. You have to trust the gospel that God wants to use you. You have to

[15:17] trust the gospel that God’s faithful to use you when you are doing the work of the ministry.

[15:23] See, some people struggle because they think back to their past and they’re like, man, God [15:27] can’t use me. I’ve done so much. Or they think about their present circumstances and they’re like, [15:34] but I’m struggling. God can’t use me right now. I’ll get my life together and then I’ll go out. [15:39] Then I’ll really build the church. Then I’ll go and make disciples.

[15:44] That’s a fallacy. That’s a lie. If you trust the gospel, if Jesus is where your hope is placed,

[15:54] you can go with confidence and seeking to make disciples because it’s not about you. [15:58] It’s about you admitting you’re a sinner and your hope and needing a savior that does save. [16:03] So we can go out as imperfect people seeking to reach the nations.

[16:11] See, every disciple maker in history have two things in common. They’re a sinner and they need [16:17] Jesus. The only anomaly to this equation is Jesus. The only one. We’re all just in need of grace. [16:28] We’re all in just as much need of the gospel and Jesus is our hope. And the only reason why [16:35] we’ve been commissioned is because Jesus took our place. See, when Jesus came to save sinners, [16:42] he saved some that looked like us, taught like us, walked like us, and others who weren’t like us at [16:46] all. But we must realize that they’re still like us because of their brokenness and our brokenness.

[16:54] Their depravity, our depravity. So it doesn’t matter how their sin looks. They’re just as much [17:01] as need of the savior as well. And we should encourage them to trust the gospel as well [17:07] so they can grow and take steps. It’s hopefully a faithful life of following Jesus. [17:14] This leads us to point number two this morning. Jesus came to save sinners like us. [17:20] See, often when we think about sinners, we don’t always make the correlation to ourselves. See, [17:24] when we think about sinners, we think about the person at work that annoys us or our neighbor

[17:29] down the street or maybe even somebody in your own house. I think all of us are arrogant to that [17:34] extent when we kind of look at other people and like, ah man, their sin is pretty bad. I’m not that [17:40] bad. I don’t struggle that much. You know, they really need God’s grace only if God could save [17:47] somebody like them. If we’re honest, sometimes you think those thoughts, you belittle other people [17:55] as if they need the cross more than you do. But Jesus saves people like us [18:04] because we’re all in the same playing field.

[18:12] See, one cool thing about Paul is here is that, and I think this is applicable to our lives as well, [18:18] is that Paul knew his sinful heart and he knew what he was capable of.

[18:23] But the more he grew in the gospel, he grew in his awareness of his sinful nature. See, [18:28] the longer that we follow Jesus, you get down to the roots of your sin and what you’re really [18:33] harboring, you figure out how wide it goes. I think we can take notice of Paul’s life because [18:40] if you track his life and the growth that happened in his life, his perspective became wider. [18:45] In 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 9, he states himself as the least of the apostles. [18:50] In Ephesians chapter 3 verse 8, as least of all the saints. And in 1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 15,

[18:58] he defines himself as the chief of sinners or the foremost of sinners. [19:02] Do y’all see that progression there? As Paul grew in the gospel, his perspective of his sinful heart [19:09] got wider. So as you’re growing in the gospel, you’ll realize, I am a broken sinner. I need the [19:18] gospel more. But this is where Paul starts to take a turn in this passage because he starts [19:30] to widen the focus of the gospel going into to save a people collectively, to save sinners [19:36] collectively. See, initially Paul uses his own life as an example of how God was gracious to

[19:40] sinners. But then he turns here to show how Christ redeems sinners as a whole. And that this is all [19:47] a part of God’s plan of redemption that’s going to be fulfilled through his Son to save sinners. [19:53] See, this is the fact that we can trust that Jesus dying is truth and that he is the only way [19:58] that sinners can be saved. It’s not the law, it’s not our moralistic actions, it’s not our church [20:03] attendance, but it’s only the cross that can save us from our sinfulness.

[20:08] So why do we act like some people are outside of the reach of God’s grace then?

[20:15] If it’s his grace alone that saves, through the work of the cross alone, [20:21] why do we act like some people are outside of that saving grace?

[20:27] If only God can save, why do we try to put him in a box then?

[20:31] As if he can’t save the person next to you or the person that you work with or the people of the [20:37] city. See, see for us to understand this, we have to realize that that you’re lost first for you to [20:46] be saved. You have to realize the people that you’re around are lost and you should want them to be [20:51] found. See, Luke chapter 19 verse 10 says, for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the loss. [20:57] See, Jesus didn’t come to save the people that they thought they had their lives together, [21:01] at least by the world standards. But as the people that their lives were wrecked, they didn’t

[21:08] understand that they were lost, they understood that they were lost. You have to admit that you’re [21:11] lost to trust the gospel. You have to admit that you’re in need. That’s not a one-time affair.

[21:24] It’s not a prayer you just say as a five-year-old and think life’s gonna be dandy after that.

[21:31] But you have to forever realize your brokenness [21:35] while longing for the day that you’ll be with him in paradise where there won’t be any more brokenness.

[21:42] The truth is that we’re ill. See, in Luke chapter 5 verse 31 through 32, it says this, [21:48] And Jesus answered them,

[21:54] See, in order to be saved by the gospel, we have to admit that we’re sick. I’m not referring to [22:02] the common cold that you can fight off without medication, but I’m talking about being terminally ill.

[22:11] You can’t save yourself. You can’t fight off your sin by yourself. [22:18] We need Jesus, the great physician, the only one that can mend our broken hearts.

[22:26] And it’s by God’s grace alone

[22:30] that we’re called into fellowship with him, that we can be a part of the family of God, [22:35] but then as well take this message out to other people that are like us in need of Jesus.

[22:43] See, he didn’t save us because we were something special, [22:46] but he saved us because of his grace. It’s not anything that we did. Don’t think that you did [22:54] something to deserve his grace, but it was just bestowed upon you.

[23:02] So since we know that Christ saved sinners, I think we should go and share this message with [23:06] other sinners. See, this might happen inside or outside the church, but the point is that when the [23:11] gospel is moving in the local congregation, people overwhelmed by God’s grace, they’re [23:15] going to go and share about the riches of the cross that they’ve experienced. [23:19] See, through the gospel saving us, more sinners will then be saved. [23:23] Before that to happen, we have to admit our sinfulness to other people. See, people of the

[23:28] gospel acknowledge their sin because they are simultaneously acknowledging their need for God.

[23:34] Don’t think your cry of weakness is going in vain. Your cry of weakness is saying that there’s [23:44] someone better that can heal you, that can mend your heart.

[23:50] See, we don’t like to be weak in our culture. Admitting our sinfulness, we struggle with that,

[23:56] but we have to do that as we trust the gospel.

[24:02] See, being a Christian isn’t about being a perfect person, but it’s about putting your [24:05] faith in the one who is perfect. It’s not about your unsaved neighbors thinking that you have a [24:10] perfect life and you have it all together. The white picket fence and a nice house, [24:15] that’s not the Christian life. That’s the American dream.

[24:22] Your life’s not going to be perfect if you haven’t found that out yet.

[24:27] So why put on the facade to other people and act as if it is perfect?

[24:33] And then you’re hoping as if, oh yeah, they’re going to trust Jesus now because you have the [24:37] perfect life. See, for us to be an advocate of the hope we have in Jesus, you have to [24:49] affirm your sinfulness. See, for many of us, we believe our stuff doesn’t stink. [24:55] So we believe that our sin gives off this beautiful aroma, as if we have a better [24:59] sense than other people. Ultimately, we are saying that Jesus needed to do less for us to save us. [25:05] That’s what you’re saying. When you’re judging them by their sin and their sinfulness, you’re

[25:09] like, I don’t sin like they do. That’s what you’re doing practically. Your sin’s better than theirs, [25:14] and that’s sinful. See, this mentality is detrimental to the missional zeal of the church. [25:26] Our hope is that God will use us to reach other sinners, but it takes us admitting and realizing [25:32] our sinfulness and sharing it with others of how Jesus saved us and how he’s currently redeeming us.

[25:39] God wants to use your past, your present, your future as an example to others of his grace. [25:45] This is why Paul started by sharing his own life and sharing with other sinners about how [25:51] God saves different types of sinners, not just sinners like him.

[25:57] Are we willing to engage sinners with the gospel, though? To do this, we must step into the lives [26:03] and the griminess that exists there and hope that the gospel can bring order, and we need [26:10] people to do that for us as well. We have to realize that. So you have to step into the [26:14] Muck of the Mire, into the griminess, live relationally with people. You’ll feel the [26:24] need the same thing and that Jesus is the only one that can mend that.

[26:30] It’s messy, it’s not easy, and it’s rough because people get to know you and it’s kind of vulnerable, [26:35] it makes you feel vulnerable. But I encourage you to take those steps and to do that. I encourage [26:41] you to go outside the church walls and succeed to reach people in such a way that the gospel [26:45] is not only penetrating your heart, but it’s as well penetrating the hearts of the people in your [26:49] neighborhood, your co-workers, your family members. See, when you realize the gospel is working in [26:59] your heart and your life, you will want it to work in the lives of other people as well.

[27:06] This leads us to point number three this morning. Jesus uses our redemption to display his grace [27:10] to sinners. Verse 16 says this, but I receive mercy for this reason, that in me as the foremost, [27:18] Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him [27:24] for eternal life. See, many times people come to church thinking about what God could do for them [27:30] in their lives, but not thinking about what God wants to do through their lives. See, this leaves [27:36] us with more of an inward focus than an outward focus. See, Paul realized in this passage that

[27:41] God displayed his mercy on him for a reason. Yes, God wanted to save him from his sin, but as well [27:48] he wanted to use his life as a means of other sinners to repent. See, God had a plan for Paul [27:53] and God has a plan for us as well. He didn’t save us for us to be to isolate ourselves from other [28:01] sinners, but he saved us to be a part of the redemption of other sinners. See, God does this [28:06] by using our lives and our interactions with other sinners as a means of people coming to know the [28:16] world. See, the world originally saw this man as an enemy to the Christian faith. Imagine being a

[28:29] witness of this man turning 180 degrees, one year persecuting Christians, a few years later preaching [28:36] the gospel to Christians. Imagine seeing that. Imagine seeing that growth there. We think back [28:43] at that. That’s a cool story, a testimony of God’s life. Imagine seeing that. Imagine seeing that

[28:47] in your life. But sadly, sometimes we let that hinder our own lives,

[28:53] because sometimes you reflect on your own life, you’re like, man, I wish I had a testimony like [28:58] that. I wish God really took me really far, you know, really, really far and then pulled me out [29:05] of it, you know, and I kind of struggled with it and then came back, you know. I wish that was my story.

[29:13] And we allow that to hinder us in reaching other people with the gospel, [29:19] because we idolize those types of stories. But this is the truth. Your life is on display to [29:25] your family, to your co-workers, to your neighborhood, and hopefully they can see the [29:31] redemption that’s taking place. Hopefully the people that knew you before you started following [29:35] Jesus can see the difference now. Oh, their life has changed. They’re not going to be able to [29:39] change. Because that’s a testimony to them of God saving grace, of the work that God’s doing in your

[29:46] life. Don’t idolize those types of stories. Allow God to use your story to reach other people.

[29:58] No matter of whatever sin you struggle with or whatever sins you do struggle with, [30:02] allow God to use that to be a part of his plan of redeeming people.

[30:11] See, when we think about Paul’s life, we only consider the grander moments of his ministry, [30:15] but not the progressive sanctification that he endured. See, his progressive sanctification [30:19] illuminated God’s glory and showed God’s patience in redeeming sinners. See, it’s hard for us to [30:24] wrap our head around that type of patience being displayed in our lives. But again, look back at [30:30] your life. Think about where God has brought you from. Like, he’s pulled you out of things. He saved [30:35] you. He’s redeemed you. He’s doing the work in you. And if you don’t see a difference,

[30:42] I want to encourage you to trust the gospel. If there’s no difference from the way you used to [30:47] live and the way you live now, there’s an issue. Because the gospel does transform and it does [30:52] change your life. And Paul’s a testimony of that right here. When Christ saves sinners, he’s coming [30:57] to save them, to redeem them, to do a work through them, to sanctify them. Your life just doesn’t [31:03] stay the same. It changes. You grow. You mature in the gospel. And so we’re thankful that Paul’s a [31:12] testimony to that here. But as well, I think that many of you all here are testimony of God’s grace

[31:16] as well. Be willing to share that with the culture. Be willing to share that with your neighbors [31:22] and the people you care for. See, it’s God’s tender care and love that has been lavished upon [31:30] our blessed souls. Because all this exemplifies God’s patience on undeserving souls. Friends, [31:37] don’t think that you deserve this. But this is all a part of his purpose and plans to unite all [31:43] things to himself. See, Ephesians chapter one, verse seven through ten says this,

[32:07] See, the plan of redemption that’s found in the gospel alone is all a part of Christ’s plan to [32:13] unite all things to himself. His plan was to bring us Gentiles into the family of God and that’s the [32:18] mystery that has been revealed and established. See, God has laid out his will to us all. And [32:22] [32:22] [32:22] His plan of redemption, and he hopes for more people

[32:24] to be brought in to this plan of redemption through his Son, [32:27] but his Son uses our lives as an example [32:29] of the work that’s been done.

[32:32] We’re the walking testimony of God’s grace.

[32:37] We’re the gospel on the move. [32:40] People can see the gospel working through our lives.

[32:44] And if they don’t, we should pray that they do. [32:49] And that should be convicting for us.

[32:53] Do your co-workers, do your neighbors know [32:56] that the gospel is working in your life?

[33:01] Do they know that you’re a sinner that’s in need of grace, [33:04] that you’re seeking to reach other sinners, [33:07] pointing to the one that is perfect, [33:09] that can redeem you from your sins?

[33:12] And we’re thankful that he took our place.

[33:22] See, oftentimes we struggle with passages like Matthew 28, [33:27] 18 through 20, because we don’t read this [33:31] into the text sometimes.

[33:34] When we think about the chief disciple makers, [33:37] even in our culture right now, [33:39] or the people that you look up to in discipleship, [33:43] you reflect on their lives, [33:44] you think about them as being perfect.

[33:48] So when Jesus gave his commission to make disciples, [33:50] you’re like, I have to be this perfect disciple [33:51] that doesn’t mess up.

[33:54] Or you think about it going into it beforehand, [33:56] you’re like, well, I don’t think I’m ready yet [33:58] to make disciples because I’m still struggling.

[34:03] When Jesus commissioned us to make disciples, [34:06] he commissioned sinners to make disciples.

[34:09] We cannot forget that.

[34:14] Because a lot of times we like to hide [34:15] our imperfect attributes [34:17] so people don’t know how broken we are, [34:19] so we don’t want to get really engaged [34:21] in the process of discipleship. [34:23] So let’s read Matthew 28, 18 through 20.

[34:26] And Jesus came and said to them, [34:28] all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [34:30] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, [34:32] baptizing them in the name of the Father [34:34] and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [34:35] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

[34:38] And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. [34:42] See, our commission to go as sinners [34:46] is to go and make disciples. [34:48] It’s not to go as righteous people and make disciples, [34:50] but you’re going as sinners. [34:53] Sinners that are in need of grace,

[34:54] you’re going out to other sinners that need Jesus.

[34:58] But a lot of times we go out to reach other people [35:00] as if we have our lives all together.

[35:05] Oh man, you come do what I do, you’ll be good. [35:08] No, it’s not about us. [35:10] All this isn’t pointing back to us. [35:12] Our weakness points back to Jesus, our need for Jesus. [35:16] But we have to become okay with people knowing our brokenness, [35:21] with the church knowing your brokenness,

[35:22] the people that you’re in, discipleship, relationships, [35:24] with knowing your brokenness, [35:26] because you’re all trying to grow in the gospel, [35:29] learn the commands of the Lord [35:30] and be faithful to those commands.

[35:33] We’re not perfect in that. [35:36] We all struggle in that, [35:39] but we’re all pointing to the hope and the one [35:42] that doesn’t struggle, obedience. [35:46] He’s perfect, but when they can redeem us.

[35:52] See, this might mean that we interact with sinners [35:53] in a different type of way. [35:56] Maybe you didn’t feel like you related to certain people. [35:59] Maybe you feel like you related to them too much. [36:03] You’re like, man, that’s too much like me in the old days.

[36:07] I think this encourages us to go, to go and reach them, [36:11] because your life is a testimony of God’s grace.

[36:16] Imagine if they saw what God did in your life [36:18] from their situation and know that, [36:19] oh, there’s hope for me in Jesus. [36:21] Yeah, there’s hope.

[36:23] This should encourage us to go more, [36:25] to go tell, to share the gospel to other people, [36:28] to be a part of building the church.

[36:33] This shouldn’t allow us just to be isolated, [36:36] to wait in the shadows.

[36:39] So how are you currently using your life to make disciples?

[36:44] Are you only trying to make disciples [36:45] from a self-righteous standpoint?

[36:50] Are you willing to go broken, [36:54] because you know that you are broken and you need Jesus?

[36:59] Or are you allowing the glory of Christ [37:03] to shine through the crevices of your broken heart,

[37:08] to expose the hearts of other people, [37:11] and hope for them knowing Jesus?

[37:14] And that’s done by them seeing the redemption in your life,

[37:19] by them seeing you struggle well, [37:22] struggle with hope.

[37:27] That’s how the gospel moves in the lives of people [37:30] and can move in the lives of other people. [37:34] Friends, we have to trust the gospel that much. [37:38] That’s okay to be broken. [37:41] See, I wanna encourage you to believe [37:42] and build deep relationships with people,

[37:44] one so they can know Christ, [37:46] and so that you can grow in the gospel as well. [37:48] See, don’t be afraid to admit your insufficiencies [37:51] so that you can point people to the hope in Christ. [37:54] See, we need to be a part of a culture [37:56] that realizes the depths of our sin

[37:58] while sharing about the one who redeems us from our sins. [38:01] See, I believe that God wants to use [38:03] Village Church as an avenue. [38:05] You know, one side of this road, [38:06] or on both sides of this road, [38:07] will be the lives of the people of Village Church

[38:09] that have been transformed by the gospel. [38:11] You would see where strongholds have been broken [38:13] and how people have been redeemed from their sins. [38:17] All this pointing to the end of the road, [38:20] where Jesus is at, all pointing towards him. [38:24] Because he says, I’m the way, the truth, and the life,

[38:26] and nobody comes to the Father except through me. [38:29] Now, I’m not saying a road that has houses on it, [38:33] that the blinds are closed, that your windows are shut, [38:36] but that are open, exposing your brokenness, [38:39] but as well shows that light’s shining through the gospel.

[38:46] What if God wanted to use our church [38:48] and that type of way to reach this city?

[38:53] See, sometimes we don’t trust the gospel enough [38:55] to believe that God wants to use this church [38:56] in such a way to turn the city upside down for his name.

[39:00] Do you believe that God wants to do that [39:01] through your neighborhood?

[39:05] That you could start a gospel movement [39:07] in your neighborhood or at your job,

[39:10] but it starts with us being open about our need [39:12] for the gospel and that we’re sinners [39:14] and that Jesus is the only one that can redeem us. [39:18] It starts there.

[39:24] We should always want people to see our lives [39:26] and have them want to know Jesus. [39:29] On read verse 17 before we close out. [39:32] To the king of the ages, the immortal, the invisible, [39:35] the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever, amen. [39:40] See, Paul closes his portion of this letter

[39:42] by being so enthralled by God’s grace [39:45] that he just starts announcing and declaring truths [39:49] about God. [39:50] He’s so captivated by the gospel [39:52] that he can’t even explain anything else. [39:54] He’s just like, you’re the king,

[39:56] you’re the one above everything, [39:57] you’re invisible, you’re all powerful. [39:59] He’s just declaring truths about God.

[40:04] Because he’s that infatuated by the gospel.

[40:09] Friends, I hope that we are that moved by the gospel.

[40:15] That we’re just like, man, this is just how good our God is. [40:18] That he saved a sinner like me [40:20] and that he wants to use me to do work through other people.

[40:25] I hope that you would feel that way [40:27] and I pray that we would grow, grow in that as well.

[40:32] Because that’s our hope and our aspirations [40:34] for God to work in that type of way.

[40:38] So as the band comes up this morning, [40:41] I hope that we would just consider the words of this passage [40:44] while we’re preparing to take communion.

[40:49] If you’re new to Village Church, [40:50] if you haven’t been here before, [40:52] we take communion every week [40:55] as a proclamation of our hope in Jesus, [41:00] that we identify with the cross and in his mission [41:03] and our hope to be faithful to him throughout the week.

[41:08] But I wanna encourage you, [41:09] if you haven’t trust the gospel before, [41:11] I wanna encourage you to abstain from taking it. [41:14] But I wanna encourage you to trust the gospel though. [41:18] As you’ve heard that Jesus’ grace is enough, [41:21] that he saves sinners that are unrighteous

[41:23] and provides grace for us, [41:25] I pray that you can find hope in that [41:27] and that you can trust that. [41:29] And that there’s pastors that are out in the four year [41:31] that would love to talk to you about Jesus and his grace. [41:34] So if you haven’t trust the gospel,

[41:36] I would encourage you to do so and have that conversation.

[41:39] But for the people that do trust the gospel, [41:42] this is my encouragement for you. [41:45] Come to the table this morning.

[41:50] As you take the bread which is broken for you [41:52] on your behalf to save you from your sin, [41:55] that’s Jesus’ body, that’s what it represents, [41:57] his body broken for us. [41:58] Come to the table realizing that. [42:01] Come to the table realizing that his blood was poured out

[42:03] for us to lavish us in his grace.

[42:10] And then reflect on how God wants to use you [42:14] to reach out to the sinners [42:16] so that one day they’ll come to the table with you.

[42:21] That sounds sweet.

[42:24] Pray for your neighbors. [42:25] Hope that your neighbors, your colleagues, [42:27] those will be the people that will be coming [42:28] to the table with you one day.

[42:32] Come to the table this morning with hope in our savior.