The Church of Eleven22 — “Jesus Saves Sinners” (1 Timothy, Week 3)

Date: January 19, 2025
Host: Pastor Joby Martin

Episode Overview

In this sermon-centered episode, Pastor Joby Martin continues the 1 Timothy series, focusing on the heart of Christianity: the gospel message that Jesus saves sinners. With humor, candor, and deep biblical teaching, Pastor Joby tackles the recurring human tendency to misunderstand God’s law and the gospel. The central aim is to make clear that no one is saved by good works or legalistic morality, but only by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Using both scripture and personal anecdotes, he breaks down the “law vs. gospel” debate, highlights diagnostic (not prescriptive) uses of the law, and emphasizes the transformative power of grace for all—regardless of spiritual background.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Note-Taking, Discipleship, and the Purpose of the Letter (00:02–05:00)

• Pastor Joby opens by encouraging the congregation to take notes for deeper discipleship, stating the church is not for entertainment but “disciple making business.”
• He summarizes the backstory of Paul and Timothy: Paul’s mentorship, Timothy’s upbringing (by a single mom and grandmother), and challenges as a young pastor.
• Context sets up why Paul is urging Timothy to guard the gospel against distortions by “twisting” it for selfish aims.

“The aim of my charge is love. And then when we get here today, what he does is Paul is famous for this... he’s going to chase two... rabbit trails: the law of God and the Gospel of God.” (03:30)

2. Law vs. Gospel (05:00–21:00)

• Martin Luther’s view is quoted extensively to clarify the distinction:
  • The law reveals our duty, but not our means of salvation.
  • The gospel, in contrast, tells what Christ has accomplished for us.
• People often err on the sides of legalism (thinking good works earn God’s favor) or licentiousness (that nothing we do matters)—both contrary to the gospel.
• The law is not to be “unhitched” from the Old Testament; rather, God’s Word (Old and New Testament) is always a gift and always trustworthy.

“If you will get into it, it will get into you and it'll begin to change all kind of things about your life.” (13:00)

• Pastor Joby compares improper uses of the Bible (authority over vs. under, a sledgehammer vs. sword) and encourages using Scripture as both a “map” (guidance) and “mirror” (self-examination).

3. The Law as Map and Mirror: Illustrated with Humor (21:00–36:30)

• Using Psalm 19 and Psalm 1, he amplifies the Old Testament's celebration of God's law as perfect, life-giving, and trustworthy.
• Introduces “The Daily Blade” devotional podcast as a practical tool for daily biblical engagement.
• Extended illustration:
  • The law as a “mirror” that shows us our flaws, not as the tool that removes them—just as a mirror can’t clean your face.
  • The law’s point is to reveal our need for a Savior, not lay out how to “fix ourselves.”
• Ten Commandments Quiz: Using both humor and finger signals, he walks through each commandment, showing that everyone present breaks them.

“The problem’s not in the mirror. The problem is the image I see in the mirror, which is me.” (24:49)

• He exposes the folly in thinking good people go to heaven, since by God’s standard all fail.

4. The Purpose of the Law: Exposing Our Need for Grace (36:30–55:30)

• Paul’s list in 1 Timothy 1:9-10 is unpacked, connecting it to the commandments and everyday contemporary sins.
• Cautions against self-righteousness or ranking of sin (“We look at these lists like you look at a group photo. First thing you do is like, where am I?”).

“So don't get too hung up on the list. Just know we're all on this list.” (40:38)

• Specifically addresses controversial topics such as sexual immorality, homosexuality, enslaving (human trafficking), and lying—not to condemn, but to underscore the universal need for grace.
• Clarifies biblical stance on slavery, explaining the Bible, rightly interpreted, is not pro-slavery and Christian activism has worked for freedom throughout history.

5. The Gospel: Paul’s Testimony and the Example for All (55:30–01:19:00)

• Paul’s own story—once a violent persecutor, now a model of God’s mercy—serves as the ultimate illustration:
  • No one is too good to need a Savior; no one is too bad to be saved.
  • Quoting Philippians 3, Pastor Joby explains that self-righteous works are “skubalon” (rubbish, animal dung) compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

“If you think your good works somehow earn a right standing with God—that’s bull skubalon. That’s what that is.” (01:11:46)

• Paul’s “trustworthy saying” (1 Timothy 1:15):

  “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

6. Invitation and Application: The Universal Call to the Gospel (01:19:00–end)

• Pastor Joby issues a heartfelt invitation to all, especially those feeling unworthy, referencing the experience of men in the Salvation Army program—no one is beyond redemption.
• Uses the story of Paul’s conversion (“kicking against the goads”) to prompt listeners to question how long they will resist God’s call.

“There’s more grace in Jesus than sin in you.” (01:23:10)

• Outlines a simple response: Admit you’re a sinner; believe Christ’s sacrifice counts for you; call on the name of the Lord for salvation (Romans 10:13).
• Leads a prayer for salvation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Note-Taking and Discipleship:

  “Taking notes in your journal will not get you into heaven. But I think you'll get first in line to eat when we get there.” (01:10)

• On the Authority of Scripture:

  “It's not submission until you don't like it.” (11:58)

• On the Use of the Bible:

  “Some people have used the word of God not as a sword of a spirit against the evil one, but... as a sledgehammer against you.” (16:10)

• The Law as a Mirror:

  “You ever try to use your vacuum cleaner as a sledgehammer? For a second, it's fine. Then what do you have? You don't have a vacuum cleaner and you still need a sledgehammer.” (15:45)

• On the Point of the Ten Commandments:

  “The point of the law is that we would know we're not just mistakers in need of a life coach, that we are sinners in need of a savior.” (20:30)

• On Self-Righteousness:

  “If you do and you declare yourself righteous, you are by definition self righteous and full of pride. And you're going straight to hell.” (34:20)

• On Grace for All Types:

  “If you’re really good, Paul was better than you at religion, and he needed a savior. And if you came dragging yourself in here out of the pit, you can be saved too.” (01:16:35)

• The “Bull Skubalon” Moment:

  “If you think your good works somehow earn a right standing with God, that's B.S.—that's bull skubalon.” (01:11:46)

• On God’s Saving Power:

  “Anyone that thinks they're too far gone, the Bible says God's arms are not too short to save.” (01:18:00)

Important Timestamps

• 00:02–05:00 — Introduction, background on Timothy, and setting up law vs. gospel.
• 05:00–21:00 — Law and gospel distinction, use of the Bible, Psalm reflections.
• 21:00–36:30 — The law as a mirror, 10 Commandments humor, universal diagnosis of sin.
• 36:30–55:30 — Application of the law, controversial sins, and correcting misunderstandings.
• 55:30–01:11:00 — Paul’s testimony, “Bull Skubalon,” grace for everyone (“good” and “bad”).
• 01:11:00–01:16:35 — Invitation, admitting our sin, believing, calling on Jesus.
• 01:16:35–End — Communion explanation, remembering the gospel, call to worship.

Final Takeaways

• The real point of both this letter and the gospel message: None of us can achieve righteousness by our good works. All have failed God’s standard. Yet Jesus came specifically for sinners, and his grace, not our performance, saves.
• The law exposes our need; the gospel offers the cure.
• Whether you are church-raised and “good” or recovering from a messy past, the answer is the same: admit your need, believe in Christ, and call upon his name.

Recommended action from Pastor Joby:
“Call on the name of the Lord. Jesus always answers that prayer—100% of the time.”

For further growth:

• Listen to “The Daily Blade” podcast for daily scriptural focus.
• Re-engage with Scripture not as an authority over, but submitted under—especially when it says things we don’t like.
• Remember communion as pounding the gospel into our heads, not ritual, but living rehearsal of grace.