Advent Week One - The Candle of Hope

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By Dawn Ford

2 out of 5

In my first teaching on Advent we explored the beginning origins and why we prepare and celebrate these four weeks prior to Christ’s birth (http://bit.ly/uD0ZUW).  In teachings 2 through 5 we’ll look at a theme for each week of Advent; hope peace, joy and love and a scripture to correspond.  This week we’ll be discussing the hope of Advent. 

Our scripture,

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...” 1Timothy 1:15.

The back story

Paul wrote 1Timothy in approximately 64 AD to Timothy, a trusted protégé.  Timothy is the first second generation Christian mentioned in the bible; his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois were believers.  Paul has entrusted Timothy to lead the church in Ephesus, a tough assignment due to the city being full of pagans and the church being infiltrated with false teachers.  Paul is writing to encourage the young leader. ¹

Scripture in Context

Let’s look at the scripture as it appears in context through the NIV version verses 12-16:

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”²

As Saul, Paul was a hater of Christians.  He took great pride in hunting believers, and ordered Stephen’s death; (Acts 7:57-8:3).  Before he was saved he was the worst of the worst, yet God used him to bring the Good News to the Gentiles.

What is your hope?

Your sin does not disqualify you.

Paul’s past did not disqualify him from serving God. God’s mercy and grace were enough to cover his past and enable him to serve God. You should never feel that your past makes you unable to be used by God.

To qualify you have to be a sinner.

Since Jesus came into the world to save sinners, this is the first necessary qualification

for being a child of God - being a sinner. Sinners are not disqualified from coming to God, because Jesus came to save them.  So he came to save you and me.

God wants to pure abundant grace on you. 

Paul killed Christ followers, yet God loved him all the same.  He forgave him and lavished him with acceptance and love.

“After Paul was saved, he became a foremost saint. The Lord did not allot him a second-class place in the church. He had been the leading sinner, but his Lord did not, therefore, say, ‘I save you, but I shall always remember your wickedness to your disadvantage.’ Not so: he counted him faithful, putting him into the ministry and into the apostleship, so that he was not a whit behind the very chief of the apostles. Brother, there is no reason why, if you have gone very far in sin, you should not go equally far in usefulness.” (Spurgeon) ³

What does God have planned for you?

Paul was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things for the kingdom of God.  What does God have in store for you?  Do you think you’re the worst of the worst?  That your sins are far too great and God could never love you.  Oh my friend here is your hope, our hope.  God sent his only son to save you and me.  Only the sick need a physician. The sicker you are the greater the healing.  

Questions

1.  Reread the scripture above, 1 Timothy 1:12-16.  Reading how God treated Paul despite his offenses, what hope does that give you?

2.  Do you believe you are worthy of God's abundant grace? Why or Why not?

1  Commentary by David Guzik, www.blueletterbible.org, 1Timothy 1.

2  Life Application Study Bible, New International Version, 1991, pp 2187-88.

3  Commentary by David Guzik, www.blueletterbible.org, 1Timothy 1.

Dawn Ford is the founder and VP of Infinite Love Ministries, INC.  a not for profit corporation Dedicated to showing all the infinite love of Christ.  If you would like Dawn to speak at your next women's event please contact her at www.infiniteloveministries.com .