1 Timothy

[0:00] As the Lord shall be pleased to help me, I shall call your attention to a subject you will find in the first epistle to Timothy, chapter 1, 15th verse.

[0:24] This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

[0:47] Chapter 1, the first epistle of Paul to Timothy, and the 15th verse.

[1:00] This is a word that is very familiar to you all. And you may have heard quite a few sermons preached from it.

[1:16] But it surprised me, when I was thinking about trying to preach from it at this time, that in all my long ministry, well over 50 years, I do not think I have preached from it 10 times.

[1:34] And most of those times were under Union Chapel rule. You might think a word like this, so familiar, would often be upon a preacher's mind as a subject, and he would never exhaust it, how often he was constrained to take it.

[1:58] You remember George Whitefield, the great evangelist, preached 1,500 times from the word she must be born again.

[2:09] And God owned and blessed his labors in a wonderful degree. Success attended his labors, and multitudes were born again.

[2:23] And when the question was put to him as to why he preached so often from that subject, ye must be born again, the answer was, ye must be born again.

[2:35] And now I want in approaching the subject to say something that will encourage you to hope in God.

[2:49] And it might be all under Union Chapel rule, who can think at all, do believe that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

[3:05] You have heard about it from baby days on. Since you were able to put words together and were taught to sing, you can go back and remember how you sang away in a manger.

[3:25] And how these things were brought before you by those near and dear to you who desired that your welfare as regards the things of God should be cared for.

[3:44] But, it may be, there are some under Union Chapel rule who do believe that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, but they believe it just because they have heard about it, learned about it, heard many sermons, set in it forth, and accept it as an historical fact.

[4:12] And now, farther than this, you will need to go, if when you come down to die, you are to be made welcome at the gates of Pearl and see Christ Jesus, where he is and as he is, who did indeed come down into the world to save sinners.

[4:39] But, everything hinges on this, and it is a great mercy that many of us are concerned about it.

[4:50] Did Christ Jesus come down to die, did Christ Jesus come down into the world to save a sinner like me? And now, until that question is settled, you will never feel as you want to feel that matters are right between your soul and God.

[5:11] And the apostle Paul puts it like this, this is a faithful saying, you can depend upon it.

[5:25] God who cannot lie, God who cannot lie, inspired the apostle Paul to record it, where it is in the sacred pages. And he declares, it is worthy of all acceptation.

[5:42] If God should help you, if God should help you, to believe it, you will find it will be well with you in time and eternity too.

[5:58] The astonishing thing is, that while Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, there are so few in the mighty mass of mankind who think about it, desire to participate in the mercy which brought him down to do love's redeeming work.

[6:25] And that they might indeed be numbered with the sinners whom he came into the world to save. And now, dear friends, you might think about that.

[6:39] You dear young people, give your minds to it. What think ye of Christ? This is a very simple statement, yet it is sublime.

[6:55] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

[7:10] Have you ever thought about it? Regarding you being what you are as you were born, a sinner? Have you ever waited on God?

[7:25] If so be, you might get some help, some token for good, some intimation, that you might participate in the favor that he does bear to his people.

[7:39] And that you might know of a truth, Christ Jesus came into the world to save a sinner like you.

[7:50] The opening into this great truth is, when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he shall convince the world of sin.

[8:03] And now all under union chapel, the Sabbath afternoon of sin. But the great thing is, have you been made to feel what a sinner you are before God, with whom you have to do?

[8:21] And does the publican's petition, attract you? Is it useful to you? Can you use it?

[8:33] And in using it, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth does indeed speak, God be merciful to me, a sinner.

[8:45] And you know, godly scholars tell us it means in the original, the sinner. The publican felt, when he appeared before God, that there could not be on the earth another sinner, such as he felt to be.

[9:05] Oh, he felt to be the sinner. And now, if God, in his great mercy, should open your eyes, and bring this knowledge into your soul's experience, and convince you that you are a sinner, you will feel just like that.

[9:28] You will feel what this word declares the Apostle Paul. Proclaim, this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

[9:50] And every sinner taught of God knows something of what that feeling is. And sometimes, gladly confesses, and yet sorrowfully too, no sinner needed mercy more, that ever sought thy face.

[10:10] Of whom I am chief. And now, I want to look at this subject, ask the Lord to help me, from just three viewpoints of it.

[10:27] And I do desire to say something to help you. In this subject, there is first of all, a wonderful mystery.

[10:40] And remember, it is indeed a mystery, that Christ Jesus came into the world, to save sinners.

[10:54] Think of who he was. The eternal Son of God, in his divine nature, one with the Father, one with the Father, the Holy Spirit, in the Blessed Trinity, dwelling in his own self-existence, co-equal, co-eternal.

[11:20] And yet, the Word of God tells us, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

[11:31] And if you would ask, and why was it the pleasure of God to do so? The answer is, that, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, that Christ Jesus might come down into that earth, which he created, and dwell among men, as verily man, and be known as God incarnate, and do love's redeeming work, which was to save sinners.

[12:11] You try to pray, while I try to preach. For this is a wonderful subject, and there are ocean depths in it, although we may do no more than draw out just a bucketful, and it will be a mercy, if we should do as much as that.

[12:34] I said, it is a wonderful mystery. Unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given.

[12:48] And now when you think of Christ Jesus coming into the world, do remember, what the, you read in the gospel of John, as to his coming.

[13:07] And there it is made plain, that he was in the world, and the world knew him not.

[13:21] All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

[13:31] In him was light, and the light was the light of men. And this is the solemn consideration.

[13:42] And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

[14:00] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. And now Godly John tells us, and the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory.

[14:17] The glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And now, to enter into this mystery a little, and you need the Spirit's aid to do it.

[14:37] I sometimes think of that word, the Savior said to his disciples, unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

[14:51] And one of those mysteries, is when by living faith, you can go to Bethlehem, and see that great thing, which came to pass there, when Jesus Christ, came into the world to save sinners, and was born a babe, by birth mysterious.

[15:17] Wonderful it is to think, that as a little babe, he laid in the manger cradle, and was sheltered in a stable, and yet, he came from heaven's own glory, veiled it, and was seen among men as verily man.

[15:46] And remember, the word of God says, ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, Christ, although he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, that ye through his poverty, might be rich.

[16:06] And the poorest man, that ever dwelt on earth, from Adam's day to this, until clocks are no longer needed, was Christ Jesus, when he came into the world, to save sinners, as verily man.

[16:25] He came, from the extreme of riches, to rock bottom, poverty, foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests, the son of man, hath not where, to lay his head.

[16:46] Oh dear friends, I've told you sometimes, and I tell you again, it would do you good, to go more often, to Bethlehem, and see that great thing, that came to pass there, if you should be helped, to go by living faith, and view, how Christ Jesus, came into the world, to save sinners, how that word, was fulfilled, a body, hast thou, prepared me, to see him, as a wee babe, cradled in the manger, and yet to know, his shoulders held up, heaven and earth, when Mary held up him, if you should see, some of these things, opened up to the eyes, of your faith, it would help you, to do what you cannot, very often do, be content, with such things, as ye have, and learn that lesson, having food, and raiment, let us be, there with content, it would help you, to believe, godliness, with contentment, is great gain, yes,

[18:00] Christ Jesus, came into the world, to save, sinners, it is indeed, a wonderful, mystery, and he lived his, holy life, as he grew up, and we do not, have many details, given, of his growing up, but this we know, in all his growing up, through childhood's years, and teenage life, if you can really, measure, the years, of Jesus Christ, as verily man, he was just, 30 odd years, upon earth, as verily man, but from, the cradle, to the cross, he did love's, redeeming, work, and so, you read, in the, Galatians, epistle, when the fullness, of the time, was come,

[19:04] God sent, forth his, son, made, of a woman, made, under the law, to redeem, them, that were, under the law, that we might, receive, the adoption, of, sons, and because, ye are, sons, God, hath, sent, forth, the spirit, of his son, into, your hearts, crying, Abba, Father, in him, the father, never saw, the least transgression, of his law, and that means, from the cradle, to, the cross, he kept it, in every jot, and tittle, of its holy, demands, in him, the father, never saw, the least transgression, of his law, in him, we then, perfection, view, and the saints, in him, are, perfect, too, this is, a faithful saying, and worthy, of all, acceptation, that Christ,

[20:12] Jesus, came into, the world, to, save, sinners, others, much, might, be said, about, the wonderful, mystery, of it, great, is the mystery, of godliness, God, was, manifest, in, the flesh, and mark, this word, here, worthy, of all, acceptation, it does, not mean, worthy, of, all, admiration, or, speculation, no, there are many, who may, admire it, who have never, gained any, good for their, souls, thereby, and there are, those who, speculate, about it, how, could it be, and their, unbelieving, hearts, do not, receive it, as the, blessed reality, that, it is, but, the word, the apostle,

[21:20] Paul, uses, is, worthy, of all, acceptation, and now, there is a, reverse word, to that, he that, rejecteth me, and my words, hath one, that, judgeth him, the word, that I have, spoken, it, should, judge him, at, the last, day, and I, read to you, he is, despised, and rejected, of men, a man, of sorrows, and acquainted, with, grief, and you know, without, me going, into details, to enlarge, upon it, if you ask, the man, in the street, what, think ye, of Christ, one, who is, a, worldling, you will find, his attitude, is what, the word, of God, declares, we will not, have this man, to reign, over us, and it gives them, no concern, that Christ,

[22:28] Jesus, came into the world, to save, sinners, for, if you told them, what the word, of God, declares, concerning them, being the sinners, that they really are, they would not, receive, your testimony, nor, believe it, and so, that brings us, right back, to the, starting point, ye, must be, born, again, and it is, a good petition, of one, in writer, convince us, of our sin, then lead, to Jesus, blood, and to our, wondering, you reveal, the secret, love, of, God, and now, dear friends, what, does this mean, to you, because when all, is said and done, that is the, all important, question, what, think ye, of Christ, this is much, more to many, of you, than a, wonderful, historical, fact, that Christ,

[23:39] Jesus, came into the world, to save, sinners, many of you, believe it, and you love, to read the details, concerning it, but what you want, to be assured of, is that you are, one of the sinners, Christ, Jesus, came into the world, to save, and that, will take us, to our next, viewpoint, of the, subject, and that is, the, wonderful, mission, this, is, a faithful, saying, and worthy, of all, acceptation, that, Christ, Jesus, came into the world, to save, sinners, and now there, it might help you, dear, young people, if you remember, what the Savior said, to,

[24:41] Nicodemus, when he, was leading him, into the, truth, God, so, loved the world, that he, gave his, only begotten son, that, whoso, ever, believeth in him, should not perish, but have, everlasting life, and now do listen, for God, sent not his son, into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world, through him, might be saved, he that believeth, on him, is not condemned, dost thou believe, on the son of God, but he that believeth, not, is condemned, already, because he hath, not believed, in the name, of the only begotten, son, of God, you see, dear friends, dear young friends, especially, if you, look askance, at these things, and count them, of no value, in your, eyes, and you say, depart from us, we desire not, the knowledge of thee, or thy ways, you are, in a state, of condemnation, before God, living as you, were born, and the onus, of that, is on, your own, head, for God, sent not his son, into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world, through him, might, be saved, the gospel, proclamation, is, this, is, a faithful saying, worthy, of all, acceptation, that Christ Jesus, came into the world, to save sinners, and now, who can tell, but what Christ Jesus, came into the world, to save a sinner, like you,

[26:49] I would like you, to think of it, from that viewpoint, but I cannot, lodge that concern, in your, breast, although, I would indeed, desire, that the spirit of God, might be pleased, to do so, and that you might, be helped to pray, Lord Jesus, make thyself, to me, a living, bright, reality, and that you might, come inside, that wonderful, scripture, and the eyes, of the blind, shall be, opened, and when they are, open, as the spirit of God, is pleased, to work that, miracle, then, he in whom, that miracle is wrought, knows that he is, a sinner, and such a sinner, that he needs, Christ Jesus, to, appear, on his, behalf, and he feels, his need, of mercy, and he begins, to seek it, much, much might, be said, under, that, heading,

[28:05] Christ Jesus, came, into the world, to save, sinners, sinners, when all, is said, and done, one, in writer, says, something, must be known, and felt, and now, you find, in the word, of God, there are, illustrations, which the spirit, of God, has used, in helping, poor sinners, in confession, of sin, think, think, of Job, when he said, behold, I am vile, and think, of Isaiah, oh, how often, is that quoted, and good, it is, if it is often, felt, from the sole, of the foot, even, to the head, there is no, soundness, in it, but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying, sores, I've thought, sometimes, of what, you read, in Matthew's, gospel, and there, you see, how Christ Jesus, came into the world, to save, sinners, and how, he delighted, in, mercy, and,

[29:19] Matthew's, gospel, tells us, and behold, there came, a leper, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst, make me clean, and now, it says, in another gospel, a parallel gospel, that he was, full of leprosy, and Jesus, put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will, be thou clean, and immediately, his leprosy, was, cleansed, and now, that is not, recorded, in the sacred pages, just as something, interesting, to read, concerning, what the Savior, did, when he dwelt, on earth, a while, it is, recorded, that you, might take, a proper advantage, of it, and if God, should make, known to you, what a sinner, you are, beyond words, to describe, you can go, to him, who is the sinner's friend, like the leper, did,

[30:37] Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst, make me, clean, sinner, if thou wert, taught to see, how great, thy guilt, thy misery, in every thought, and act, in pure, the blood, of Christ, thy soul, can cure, leprosy, is the outstanding, illustration, of, sin, as it is known, and felt, and you remember, that, in old testament, times, the leper, had to, live outside, the camp, and, when anyone, drew near, the vicinity, where he was, he had to, cry out, unclean, unclean, and that is, just how you, have to go to God, if you are a sinner, born, again, and glad you are, when you can, feel freedom, in doing so, and when you, can get on, the right side, of that, scripture, if we, confess our sins, he is faithful, and just, to forgive us, our sins, and to cleanse us, from all, unrighteousness, and now, you have to, confess, black eye, through the fountain, fly, wash me, saviour, or,

[32:04] I, die, Christ, Christ, Jesus, came into, the world, to save, sinners, and now, the next thing, to, say just a little, about, is, that when he, came, into the world, to do, love, redeeming, work, do, ask God, to enlarge, your heart, enlighten, your understanding, that you, might be helped, to contemplate, more, what a, great work, love, redeeming, work, really, was, you, and I, have very, very little, conception, of what it, was, these words, are easily, read, Christ, Jesus, came into, the world, to save, sinners, but think, of what it, was, he, who was, verily, God, was seen, among, men,

[33:05] God, in our nature, verily, man, and as, verily, man, you, read, in doing, love's, redeeming, work, here, is a, tremendous, word, and, really, whenever, you, read it, you, must, think, on it, prayerfully, and, feel, like, Moses, did, before, the burning, bush, when, he, was, commanded, take, thy shoes, from, off, thy feet, for, the place, whereon, thou, standest, is, holy ground, for, he, hath, made, him, to be, sin, for, us, who, knew, no sin, that, we, might, be, made, the, righteousness, of, God, in, him, remember, what, I, read, to, you, all, we, like, sheep, have, gone, astray, we, have, turned, everyone, to, his, own, way, and, the,

[34:11] Lord, hath, laid, on, him, the, margin, is, made, the, iniquity, of, us, all, to, meet, upon, him, laid, on, him, the, iniquity, of, us, all, and, now, it is, impossible, for, you, to, have, but, a, very, faint, conception, of, what, that, was, when, Christ, Jesus, came, into, the, world, to, save, sinners, but, it, will, be, good, if, you, think, of, Christ, Jesus, bearing, the, mighty, load, of, the, guilt, of, all, that, vast, hope, whom he, came, into, the, world, to, save, if, you, think, of, it, from, this, viewpoint, how, huge, the, heavy, load, of, all, since, only, minds, so, great, you, think, of, your, life, as, you, have, lived, it, and, you, a, sinner, taught, of,

[35:20] God, and, you, go, back, over, it, and, you, have, to, confess, sins, in, thought, word, and, deed, sins, of, omission, sins, of, commission, witness, against, you, and, what, a, huge, what, a, heavy, load, it, really, is, when, your, guiltiness, before, God, is, made, a, reality, to, you, and, it, makes, you, feel, depth, of, mercy, can, there, be, mercy, for, a, wretch, like, me, and, now, the, devil, will, suggest, there, is, no, mercy, laid, up, in, God, for, such, a, sinner, as, you, are, but, you, must, remember, the word, of, God, declares, neither, gives, place, to, the, devil, and, you, are, not, to, credit, the, devil's, lies, no, the, apostle,

[36:24] Paul, seeks, to, use, the, dealing, of, God, in, his, own, case, as, an, illustration, that, no, sinner, following, on, down, through, the, ages, need, despair, of, finding, help, in, God, as, a, sinner, desiring, to, be, saved, with, the, salvation, of, God, who, of, mercy, needs, despair, since, I, have, mercy, found, and, he, says, here, in, the, context, and, I, thank, Christ, Jesus, our, Lord, who, hath, enabled, me, for, that, he, counted, me, faithful, putting, me, into, the, ministry, who, was, before, a, blasphemer, and, a, persecutor, and, injurious, but, I, obtained, mercy, because,

[37:26] I, did, it, ignorantly, in, unbelief, and, the, grace, of, our, Lord, was, exceed, abundant, with, faith, and, love, which, is, in, Christ, Jesus, and, then, he, says, this, and, do, you, think, on, it, how, be it, for, this, cause, I, obtain, mercy, that, in, me, first, Christ, Jesus, might, show, forth, all, long, suffering, for, a, pattern, to, them, which, should, hereafter, believe, on, him, to, life, everlasting, and, now, there is, one, viewpoint, of, that, subject, I, will, remind, you, of, Christ, Jesus, came, into, the, world, to, save, sinners, and, now, you, will, read, in, the, Old, Testament, that, under, the, law, a, murderer, and, an, adulterer, and, a, blasphemer, when, they, were, found, and, brought, in, guilty, they, must, die, there, was, no, question, of, respite, no, mercy, could, be, shown, but, it, must, be, that, they, die, thou, shall, die, and, now, you, see,

[38:56] Christ, Jesus, coming, into, the, world, to, save, sinners, doing, love, redeeming, work, fulfilling, the, law, in, all, its, holy, demands, you, can, search, out, many, instances, where, under, the, gospel, men, who, had, got, the, characters, of, murderers, you, can, think, of, godly, David, in, the, matter, of, Uriah, the, Hittite, and, Uriah's, wife, there, you, see, murder, and, adultery, you, can, think, of, the, dying, thief, on, Calvary's, cross, and, he, was, a, blasphemer, because, the, word, of, God, says, they, both, blasphemed, he, who, was, saved, and, the, one, who, was, lost, both, blasphemed, and, here, the, apostle, Paul, declares, in, his, own, life, who, was, before, a, blasphemer, yet, when, you, read, his, record, it, says, as, touching the law, he, was, blameless, but, he, means, here, that, he, blasphemed,

[40:12] Jesus, Christ, verily, man, he, did, not, realize, that, he, was, verily, God, until, he, was, brought, down, on, the, Damascus, road, and, Jesus, made, himself, known, to, him, and, before, then, Saul, of, Tarsus, had, blasphemed, him, as, being, an, imposter, and, persecuted, all, those, who, sought, to, be, followers, of, him, so, you, see, under, the, gospel, there, is, mercy, for, the, vilest, sinner, out, of, hell, who, lives, to, feel, his, need, he, is, welcome, to, the, throne, of, grace, the, saviour's, blood, to, plead, Christ, Jesus, came, into, the, world, to, save, sinners, and, now, go, back, to, this, wording, of, whom,

[41:16] I, am, chief, you, might, say, do, you, mean, to, classify, us, then, any, of, us, as, murderers, blasphemers, adulterers, the, word, of, God, tells, us, that, when, a, sinner, is, brought, in, guilty, before, God, and, he, realizes, what, the, law, saith, to, the, sinner, born, under, it, that, he, that, is, guilty, of, one, point, in, breaking, it, is, guilty, of, all, and, the, thought, of, foolishness, is, sin, for, every, idle, word, that, men, shall, speak, they, should, give, an, account, thereof, in, the, day, of, judgment, and, do, so, looketh, on, a, woman, hath, committed, adultery, with, her, already, in, his, heart, if, he, has, that, thought, in, his, mind, he, is, guilty, as, if, it, was, actually, fulfilled, before,

[42:19] God, and, so, the, law, condemns, the, sinner, and, he, that, is, angry, with, his, brother, is, a, murderer, in, his, heart, but, that, is, what, it, could, lead, to, much, might, be, said, along, that, line, of, thought, that, I, must, come, to, the, amen, this, is, a, faithful, saying, and, worthy, of, all, acceptation, that, Christ, Jesus, came, into, the, world, to, save, sinners, to, save, sinners, from, the, Adam, fall, and, the, awful, ruin, which, has, been, its, terrible, aftermath, from, that, day, to, this, and, to, save, sinners, from, sin's, utter, defilement, that, they, might, be, plunged, in, that, fountain, open, for, sin, and, for, uncleanness, and, be, able, to, stand, before,

[43:21] God, and, declare, we, are, clean, just, God, we, are, clean, not, only, so, Christ, Jesus, came, into, the, world, to, save, sinners, from, the, law's, curse, and, condemnation, hence, Jesus, Christ, was, hung, on, Calvary's, cross, and, it is, written, in the, Galatians, cursed, is, everyone, that, hangeth, on, a, tree, and, Jesus, Christ, hung, there, under, the, curse, of, the, law, that, he, might, save, sinners, a, multitude, which, no, man, can, number, this, is, a, faithful, saying, dear, friends, and, worthy, of, all, acceptation, that, Christ, Jesus, came, into, the, world, to, save, sinners, and, one, him, writer, says, our, sins, are, hell, procured, and, he, that, hell, endures, and, it, goes, right, on, he, can, save, from, the, terror, of, the, grave, and, he, has, extracted, the, sting, from, death, itself, so, that, when, sinners, saved, in, the,

[44:49] Lord, with, an, everlasting, salvation, come, down, to, die, they, can, rejoice, to, feel, oh, death, where, is, thy, sting, oh, grave, where, is, thy, victory, and, all, this, is, included, in, this, blessed, mystery, this, wonderful, mission, that, Christ, Jesus, came, into, the, world, to, save, sinners, and, says, Paul, and, some, of, you, have, said it, too, and, you, can, as, grace is, given, of, whom, I, am, chief, and, so, the, gospel, is, good tidings, of, great joy, and, you, can, sum it up, like, this, Christ, has, blessings, to, impart, grace, to, save, thee, from, thy, fears, all, the, love, that, fills, his, heart, sinner, wipe, away, thy, tears, amen, amen,