INTRODUCTION

1. The Certainty of Faith

a) The Apostles found Certainty of Faith

b) But they struggled much in their years of Discipleship

2. Others Found faith too

a) Churches were founded in all Judea, Galilee and Samaria Acts 9:31

b) The Apostle Paul was set apart to minister to Gentiles

and many countries were reached Acts 16-20

 

A TIME WHERE THERE WAS NO FAITH

1. A Candid Confession

a) Formerly a blasphemer 1 Timothy 1:13a

b) A persecutor 1 Timothy 1:13b

c) An insolent man 1 Timothy 1:13c

d) Ignorance and unbelief 1 Timothy 1:13d

2. A terrible Description

a) Breathing threats and murder Acts 9:1

b) Letters of authority

to arrest Disciples of the Lord Acts 9:2

 

A GLORIOUS CONVERSION

1. Pursuing Disciples relentlessly Acts 9:1-3

2. Power of the Lord employed to rein

Paul from harming people further Acts 9:4-9

3. A Humble Reflection

a) Mercy of God obtained 1 Timothy 1:13

b) Exceedingly abundant grace 1 Timothy 1:14a

c) With faith and love 1 Timothy 1:14b

4. An astute Summary

15 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. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show

all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

a) The Lord Jesus came to save sinners

b) Mercy and longsuffering of the Lord given

c) Believing in the Lord for everlasting life

 

CONTINUING GROWTH OF THE FAITH OF THE APOSTLE PAUL I

1. Sharing a new-found faith

a) Sincerely

b) Skilfully Acts 9

2. Serving with Barnabas Acts 13

a) Church in Antioch

b) Proven worth

3. New Mission Field open

a) New experience

b) Led by the Spirit of God

c) Further Growth

 

CONTINUING GROWTH OF THE FAITH OF THE APOSTLE PAUL II

1. Working with what God has already provided

a) Power

b) Love

c) A sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7

2. Features that saw further growth

a) Suffering

“The sufferings for the gospel

According to the power of God” 2 Timothy 1:8

b) Calling

“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to

His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 2 Timothy 1:9

i) Saved

ii) Called

iii) God’s purpose and grace

 

CERTAINTY OF FAITH

10 But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death

and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11to which I was appointed a preacher,

an apostle, and a teacher [c]of the Gentiles. 12For this reason I also suffer these things;

nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded

that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:10-12

1. Certainty of what the Lord Jesus came to do

a) Revealed

i) Abolished death

ii) Brought life

iii) Immortality to light through the Gospel

b) Appointed

i) Preacher

ii) Apostle

iii) Teacher of the Gentiles

c) Testimony

i) Not ashamed

ii) I know whom I have believed

iii) I am persuaded that He is able

To keep what I have committed to Him until that Day

 

CONCLUSION

1. Certainty of Faith

a) Absolutely Possible

b) Wonderful impact on life

2. Challenge

a) To look back on 2021 candidly

b) To look forward to 2022 courageously with Certainty of Faith