Dear Congregation,
“Don’t take it personally,” is advice we have all heard. Sometimes this advice is wise, sound and solid.
Yet when it comes to our journey and gratitude with Jesus Christ, maybe we should take it personally. The Apostle Paul would agree.
Our text Sunday, September 18th, is 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (below). As you engage Paul, think about our church’s 220-year-old legacy and our building’s 200th anniversary which we will celebrate together on Sunday, September 25th at 10 AM.
Listen to Paul who is wise, sound and solid. We can—and we should—take our faith and its formation personally.
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Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy
1 Timothy 1:12-17, NLT
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
15 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. 16 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. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.