The Worst Trade in History
Sermon Notes
Welcome, CityBridge Family! This morning, David Marvin is guiding us through 1 Timothy 1:12-17, where Paul gives thanks to God for the radical transformation and grace shown to him—allowing him to use his story for God's glory. In these verses, Paul essentially writes a spiritual resume, highlighting his absolute worst moments in a way that brings hope to those reading, reminding us that no one is too far gone for God. To help you dive deeper, we've provided a weekly reading plan with discussion questions. You can find it on the CityBridge App to follow along!
Key Points
Grace Transforms Our Identity
Grace Redefines Our Purposes
Grace Fuels Our Gratitude
Discussion Questions
How does God's grace redefine your purpose?
What is your heart posture toward worship? Is it driven by a sense of duty or a true delight in the Lord? How can gratitude from God’s grace change response?
What is your heart posture toward serving? Do you see it as an obligation or an opportunity? How can gratitude from God’s grace change response?
How does God's grace transform your identity?
Transcript
Shocking trades grab our attention. Just as the world reacted to Luka Doncic being traded from the Mavericks to the Lakers, the early church must have been stunned when the Apostle Paul switched teams—from persecutor of Christians to one of their greatest leaders. But God is in the business of making trades, not in sports, but in people’s lives. He doesn’t make trades based on merit; He does so by His grace.
Paul knew this firsthand. Writing to Timothy, he thanks Christ for giving him strength and appointing him to service, despite his past as a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent opponent of the gospel. He received mercy not because of his worthiness but because of God’s overflowing grace. Paul declares that Jesus came to save sinners, and he sees himself as the worst of them. Yet, God used him as an example of His perfect patience and redemption.
Grace changes everything. It transforms identity, redefines purpose, and fuels gratitude. Paul was not just forgiven—he was completely changed. He once dragged Christians from their homes, seeking their destruction, but God made him a preacher of the faith he tried to destroy. His story is proof that no one is beyond redemption. If God can save Paul, He can save anyone.
Grace is often misunderstood. Mercy is not getting the punishment you deserve, but grace is getting what you don’t deserve. Paul didn’t just avoid punishment—he was given a mission. He went from being an enemy of God’s people to being entrusted with the gospel. This transformation is not just for Paul; it’s for everyone who comes to Christ. God doesn’t just wipe away sin—He gives a new identity.
Paul describes God’s grace as overflowing, using a Greek word that scholars believe he made up. It means "super-abounding," a grace that doesn’t just cover sin but overflows beyond imagination. He illustrates this with a story of his son’s color-changing car. Just as the car transforms when placed in water, Paul’s life was completely changed when submerged in God’s grace. No past is too deep for grace to reach.
Grace also redefines purpose. Paul says he received mercy so that his life would display Christ’s patience and bring others to faith. Our past, no matter how broken, can be repurposed for God’s glory. He doesn’t waste pain. What once brought shame can become a testimony of His goodness. A failed marriage, addiction, or a painful past can be transformed into a ministry of hope for others.
Paul doesn’t keep his story to himself. He knows that sharing what God has done encourages others to believe that transformation is possible. Just like Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile inspired others to do the same, our testimonies show that God still changes lives. When we share how God has healed, freed, and restored us, we remind others that He can do it for them too.
Too many people let guilt keep them from returning to God. Studies show that many young adults avoid church because they feel unworthy. But the gospel is for the unworthy. Paul, a murderer and persecutor, didn’t let his past disqualify him from God’s grace. Instead, he became a living example of it. Grace means we are not defined by our worst moments but by Christ’s redemption.
Paul ends his reflection with worship. He praises the immortal, invisible, and only God, giving Him honor and glory forever. Grace fuels gratitude. When you truly understand what God has done, worship becomes the natural response. You don’t serve out of obligation—you serve because you’ve been changed. You don’t strive to earn God’s love—you already have it. Gratitude frees you from the weight of trying to prove yourself.
Gratitude also gives freedom. When you know you’re forgiven, you stop hiding. You stop pretending to be perfect because you know that your identity is in Christ, not in your failures. Grace allows you to be honest about your past because it has been covered by the cross. And when you live from a place of gratitude, entitlement fades. Everything is a gift. Every breath, every opportunity—it’s all undeserved grace.
Paul saw the world differently after encountering grace, like a colorblind person putting on lenses and seeing vibrancy for the first time. Grace changes the way we see ourselves, others, and life itself. We stop defining ourselves by what we’ve done and start seeing ourselves through God’s love. His grace isn’t just enough—it’s overflowing.
The greatest trade in history was not in basketball. It happened 2,000 years ago when Jesus traded His righteousness for our sin. The spotless Son of God was given for a broken, rebellious world. It was the most lopsided exchange ever made, and yet God made it willingly. Now, He offers that trade to everyone. The question is—will you accept it?
