Introduction:     The Apostle Paul took every opportunity to share is testimony. Here in these verses he shares that wonderful experience of the grace of God and the impact it made on his life. (Ills. Evangelism – one beggar to another where he found bread). I believe Paul says here that he is living proof that God can change anybody! Let us look at his testimony.

 I.         HIS PRESENT   (V.12)

A.                 A Life Of Gratitude  (“I thank”)

B.         A Life Of Yieldedness (“our Lord” – “enabled”) = (dunamoo); to empower: - enable, (increase in) strength (-en), be (make) strong.

C.        A Life Of Responsibility (“faithful” = someone in whom to have confidence). Paul could be counted on! Can you?

D.        A Life Of Humility (“putting me in the ministry”) = diakonia, dee-ak-on-ee'-ah; attendance (as a servant, etc.); Not glamour or prestige, but humble service.

II.         HIS PAST (V.13-16)

A.        A Vocal Sinner (‘blasphemer”) = one who rejects the deity of Jesus with their eyes wide open! (Adrian Rogers)

B.         A Vicious Sinner (“persecutor and injurious”)

C.        A Victorious Sinner (“mercy”) This is how God responds to lost people. He mercies them! Description of lost folks at the end of this verse. Lost people act like lost people! His grace is more than sufficient (v.14)

D.        A Visible Sinner (vv.15-16) – (‘faithful saying” – there are 5 faithful sayings in the Pastoral Epistles, this is the first). Paul says, “I was the biggest sinner to ever walk this earth, and look what Jesus did for me!

III.               HIS PROFESSION  (V.16)

A.                 A Loving Savior  (“longsuffering”)

B.                 A Living Savior (“them which should hereafter”) – (Jesus is alive in me!) Paul’s life is a pattern for salvation and for life with Christ! We are living proof of what God can do!

IV.       HIS PRAISE   (V.17)  -  When we think of where we were and where we were going and then  think of what God has done, what else can we do but to praise Him!

Conclusion:       For a life that counts. To be real. If your life is to be living proof of the grace and power of God, then understand that there will be a fight, (v.18). We must hold the faith, (v.19). Or else, we will become shipwrecked and live a life of failure, (v.20). You must make up your mind if you will stand for God and stand on His Word or: (Ills. Samson walking in circles grinding at the mill. The children of Israel walking in circles, wondering in the wilderness till they died). What is your life “Living Proof” of?