1 Timothy 1: 12-17
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
September 15, 2019
I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence.
But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost.
But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1: 12-17
The Apostle Paul wrote two letters to young Timothy. Timothy was Paul’s assistant; a resident pastor for the church in Ephesus. These two letters would be read to the congregation which Timothy was serving – to encourage them in their faith and commitment to God.
Even so, Timothy looked up to Paul, his mentor. The two had a genuine relationship that was built on faith and sharing their respective stories of life. Paul was real about his life. He did not sugar coat the truth or give empty platitudes. Ask any youth and they will tell you - they know REAL when they see it!
Paul loved Timothy like a son. Paul saw a spark in Timothy; he saw God’s potential in this young man. Paul cared deeply about this young man’s spiritual health and future as a leader in the community and in the kingdom of God. And he wanted to bring out the best in Timothy.
Paul said the best of Jesus Christ brought out the best in him.
Jesus Christ had completely turned his life upside down in all the right ways. Paul confessed to Timothy that as a Pharisee of the Law he had acted ignorantly in unbelief.
Paul was honest; he had missed the mark of God’s will by being a man of violence and persecuting Christians. Paul’s distorted zeal for God and disdain for Christians had torn apart the connections that God desires us to have.
Therefore, as the best of Jesus Christ flowed through Paul, the mercy of the Lord reshaped Paul’s heart to be a true example for future believers. The faith and love of Jesus Christ turned Paul by 180 degrees and called him to be a mentor of faith to those God would place in his path and to all those who would read his pastoral letters.
We all need a mentor of faith to bring out God’s best in us, don’t we?
One of my favorite television shows is America’s Got Talent. I love to see the creative and crazy acts that children and adults can do. But I am more drawn to the back stories of the contestants who have overcome great obstacles to shine.
This past week I was struck by the Detroit Youth Choir. The 40 youth competing are inner city kids from Metropolitan Detroit. Some have experienced bad home situations and violence. But the choir gives these youth something positive to be a part of.
Mr. Anthony White has been the Youth Choir Director for 21 years. He knows what the children of Detroit are going through. He helps them to feel safe and heal through music and dance.
Before one of their performances on America’s stage, Mr. White said to his youth, “Be proud of what you represent.”
After the Detroit Youth Choir made it to the semi-finals, the producers taped a few youth sharing their thanks to the difference Mr. White has made in their life. One young man was moved to tears. He said, “Thank you, Mr. White, for bringing out the best in me.”
Everyone needs a Mr. White in their life.
Last Sunday I was talking with Hans Schmidt and his family after worship. He told me the story of someone who made a huge difference in his life; someone that helped him find connection in life years ago…and deep connection in this particular church.
That someone was beloved Al Williams (Janesta William’s late husband). Al would say to Hans, “Come on to church, Hans. You’re going to be my guest today.” Al took Hans under his wing. When Al helped to lead the adult Sunday School class or talk during the Men’s Group Hans hung on Al’s every word. Their mentoring relationship brought out the best in Hans and really shaped his faith and love for Jesus Christ and this community of faith. I give glory to God to faith mentors like Al Williams.
We all need an Al Williams in our lives!
There is a teacher that I admire whose career in the classroom is truly a ministry. God has given her a mission to bring out the best in her students. I have learned through her that when we bring out the best in others, we join God in changing the world.
I want for you to prayerfully think about your life. Consider the times that God has met you where you were along life’s journey. It may have been a moment that you are not proud of. It may have been a moment that you were simply surprised by God’s grace.
Nevertheless, what did it feel like for Jesus Christ to bring out the best in you? How have you lived differently? In what ways has the faith and love of Jesus Christ opened your eyes to see yourself as more than what you were before?
It takes just one person to make that kind of a difference in your life. Paul was that person for Timothy. Mr. White was the person for the youth choir. Al was that person for Hans.
The Creator of heaven and earth already sees the best in you and me because the Maker of heaven and earth made us out of a love that will never let us go.
God is at work to bring out the best in us so that we may join God in bringing out the best in humanity through the ministry of reconciliation. We all need to be reconciled because of the human condition of sin in which we live.
Human sin is missing the mark of God’s will. The condition of human sin tears apart the fabric of godly and human connection in what we have done and also left undone.
But that is not the end of our story. The good news is that Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. The best of Jesus Christ is his faith and love. And the faith and love of Jesus Christ restores us to live more fully into the marks of Jesus’ love for all humanity on the cross.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, be proud of what you represent!
Let the best of Jesus Christ flow through you as God’s Spirit raises you up to fulfill God’s purposes in your life. And then let God’s best flow through you so that you may help bring out the best in someone else.
May you and I be that one person who makes a difference in the life of a child, a youth, a young adult, a stranger.
Wherever you go – look for God’s potential in all the people you meet. Bring out God’s best in them and change the world.
In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
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