2 Timothy 1:6-7 - Wed. PM
There are many reasons why Christians do not use their spiritual gifts in the church and in public. But one of the most common reasons Christians avoid using the abilities that God gave them is because they are Fearful.
Unconquered FEAR holds us back from serving the Lord like we should. What do Christians fear?
Rejection by society, friends and relatives
Harm - physically, mentally or verbally
Loss of social status / standing.
Loss of financial or commercial standing.
Sometimes we Fear Social rejection. We just don't want to be seen as peculiar or different. It boils down to being ashamed of what and Who we stand for - Jesus Christ.
illus: During the Boxer rebellion of 1899 & 1900, the Extreme Nationalist Chinese attacked all foreigners in the land including missionaries. They surrounded one Missionary compound and gave only one way of escape through one gate. They placed a wooden cross in the mud in the walkway and told the Missionaries if they would walk out and trample the Cross denouncing Christ, they would be spared. The first 7 students trampled the cross and were spared, but the 8th student, a young girl, walked around the cross and was immediately shot down. Because of one young girls stand 92 other students followed her to a martyrs death, not denying the Lord that saved them.
Being Bold for Christ and not being ashamed almost always requires some price to be paid even if it's only social rejection. As we continue in 2Tim. 1:6, Paul Challenges Timothy to:
1. Deal with his Fear
2. Use his spiritual gifts
3. Not be ashamed of the Lord Jesus or those who serve Him.
2Tim. 1: 6, Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
We all need reminders to take care of our worldly responsibilities, the string around the finger, the little note in that place you always go to. We also need Spiritual Reminders to take care of our spiritual responsibilities - don't forget to (fill in the blanks in your own life). What am I not doing that God has given me to do?
We all need the reminder to use everything God has entrusted to us - Spiritual Gifts, Natural Talents, etc.
Paul said to Timothy "stir up your gift". Stir means to kindle, stir up the coals, fan the glowing embers of your gift into a full blown fire.
To often Christian's spiritual gifts are just smoldering.
Why are your gifts smoldering?
1. Are you afraid?
2. Are you to busy with the World's work to do the Lord's?
You need to deal with these questions. They should provoke you to deal with the "why nots" of using your spiritual gifts.
v. 6, "through the laying on of my [Paul's] hands"
This does not mean that Paul was the one empowered to give gifts. The book of 1 Cor. 12:1-11 is quite clear that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts not men. The laying on of hands in Paul's Eastern culture signified identification and association and most certainly confirmation. The teaching by some that men can give gifts is completely without biblical backing.
1Ti 4:14, "Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership."
The laying on of hands is not what gives the spiritual gift the Holy Spirit is.
With the Laying on of hands men acknowledged another man's gifts.
Read Acts 13:2, "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3, Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away."
Paul's words in 2Tim. 1:7, seem to imply that Timothy may have been struggling with fear, fearful of using his God given gifts.
v. 7, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Any tendency towards being timid, fearful, embarrassed to live for Christ, IS NOT FROM THE LORD.
It would be from yourself
Your reaction to the World... rather than reacting For God.
What has God given us?
1. Power - Spiritual Enablement, Divine protection if needed
2. Love, God's Love... why is this so important to remember ?
3. Sound mind ... stable thoughts, Spiritual & Eternal thinking...
Do we have any spiritual reason not to use our God given spiritual Gifts? No! Do we have any reason why fear should hold us back from using our gifts for God's glory? No! Do need this reminder from time to time? Yes! In fact, we should ask ourselves on a regular basis, "am I being a good steward of all the God has entrusted to me?"Let's take this reminder and apply it to our lives. Let's remember that God has given us power, His love and a stable mind in the light of Eternity to use our Gifts for God's purpose and glory.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 - Wed. PM
There are many reasons why Christians do not use their spiritual gifts in the church and in public. But one of the most common reasons Christians avoid using the abilities that God gave them is because they are Fearful.