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Disclaimer: This is a transcript of Pastor Fenker’s sermon. It was preached from an outline, and the transcript taken automatically from the audio. Please forgive any typographical or formatting errors.

Hear again, our epistle reading from 1st Timothy chapter one:

I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, who is enabled me because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, an insolent man, but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason, I obtained mercy, that in me, 1st Jesus Christ might show all lung suffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on him for everlasting life. Now to the eternal king eternal, immortal, invisible, to God, who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

᛭ INI ᛭


St. Paul is a pattern and example for you. You follow in Paul’s footsteps. It is the way of faith. It is the way of forgiveness. 
When one is forgiven, what is former passes away. New life comes in the forgiveness of sins. For faith in the forgiveness of sins worked by the spirit means new life for you.


So it was, for Paul. Paul, persecutor, Paul, cheering on the murderers, Paul being Jew of Jew, Pharisee of Pharisee. And then none of those things. Then Paul, preacher. of the gospel. Apostle, to the Gentiles. Paul, delivering the forgiveness of sins in the proclamation of the gospel, Paul, baptizing, Paul, giving out the Lord’s supper for the sake of the forgiveness of sins, for his own, the body and blood of Christ, but also those who hear him, and even on down to you and to me.


Paul is a pattern and example for us. A father in the faith he is, and we would be dutiful children to follow in his footsteps, to find in Christ Jesus alone, the true son of the Father, the full forgiveness of all our sins, to find in Christ alone, love. Love that surpasses all wonder and knowledge. Love not only of God towards you and you towards God, but love also for your neighbor. For again, the forgiveness of sins washes away, all that is former, all that is outside of Christ, is washed away.

So it was for Paul. Paul was formerly blasphemer, formerly, persecutor, formerly insolent, disagreeable, fighting back against God. And then, by the power of the spirit in him, by God’s grace at work in him, by Christ Jesus, living in him. none of those things. Then he was truly loving God and loving his neighbor. 


So also you. You have been given the Holy Spirit. He was poured out into your heart in the waters of holy baptism. In and through baptism, you became a temple of the Spirit. You also now have Christ living in you by baptism through faith. And if Christ and the spirit are within you, so also, the Father. And now, you are not what you were born. Now you are not what you were conceived. sinner, you are made new. New in Christ Jesus alone. 


And yet your flesh remains. Paul is a pattern for you there. Paul didn’t know his own actions, new completely in Christ, and completely, un-new, unholy, sinful in his flesh. For this, we ought to also repent. As Paul did. Wretched man than I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus, our Lord. And so now, following in the footsteps of Paul, living a life where Christ’s forgiveness, given not only in baptism or absolution or the preaching of the gospel, but in the very body and blood of Christ, for you, for the forgiveness of your sins. We now live a life, loving one another.


We love our neighbor as ourselves. We love and serve them as God has given us to do. We no longer are insolent towards them. We no longer blaspheme the name of God with our lips or with our actions. We act as Christians. Because that is what God in Christ has made you to be. And so it was for Paul. Paul is pattern and example of what God in Christ did not only for him, but what God, in Christ, by means of the Spirit, does for you too. Christ Jesus came to save sinners, even you. 


And now what is former has passed away. All your sins are forgiven, you are made new, and you shall live this life out now, because Christ is in you. The spirit is within you. The Father is within you. You are his, and he is yours. This day, every day, and forever.

᛭ INI ᛭