September 24-26, 2010
1 Timothy 1
Pastor JoAn Blackmon
A Time to Sing!
What does it take for you to break out in song? Hearing an old favorite? The forgiving acoustics of the shower stall? Winning the game in overtime?
Now I like to sing as much as the next person, but I am married to a man who breaks out in song way too easily. It happens mostly during card games with our friends, when phrases from our conversation remind him of songs from the 70’s and 80’s, and off he goes. I know…it sounds scary, and it is!
Yet to be honest, I think the one thing that compels most of us to burst out in song is getting some spectacularly wonderful news. Joy breaks out, and we just can’t help but sing!
That’s what must have happened as the Apostle Paul was writing this chapter to Timothy. Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (from the New Living Translation) again:
“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life.”
Paul stated why Jesus came, and then shared his own story. As he wrote with awe about God using him (the self-proclaimed “worst sinner”) to draw others to faith in Christ, he seemed to pause and then wrote these lyrics--used in songs and hymns of praise throughout the centuries:
“To the King of Ages,
Immortal, Invisible,
The only God
Be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.” (verse 17, NLT)
Yep, a song broke out! I don’t think that Paul could help himself.
Worship always rises when you reflect on the Good News of Jesus, when you remember what He has done in your life, and are absolutely undone by His expression of mercy to you. It is spectacularly wonderful news that just somehow, somewhere, just HAS to break out in song.
Did you know? Pastor JoAn’s hobbies include gardening, reading and playing with her (very active) grandsons.
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