Love is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23), without which all we do is as annoying and obnoxious as walking around banging a cymbal (I Corinthians 13). I know this involves living with gospel integrity – that’s universal – but for you, this means you will _ without being timid in using it in a way that as doors open and opportunities arise, it becomes a vehicle for the testimony of Jesus. When God places you in the world on His behalf, He fills you with the power to do what He has called you to do with your flaming ember in your sphere of influence. God has given you an ember to fan into flame God empowers you to that which he has called you.
Well, that’s something you get to wrestle with. God’s people stand on Resurrection power and receive ongoing power to live the gospel and share the gospel in a way that connects with people.įor Timothy, this meant living with gospel integrity and teaching with boldness, because that was his gift ‘fanned into flame’ for this purpose. For you, this means…. They said, “What does this mean?” And Peter stood up immediately and preached the gospel. What happened? Well, in that case, we see 15 people groups confounded that Galileans were speaking in a language they could understand. Second, we see the presence of God descended on Jesus with the imagery of a dove (Luke 3:22 4:14) and on believers at Pentecost with the imagery of fire (Acts 2:1-13) as the presence of the promised Advocate or Helper who will be with us forever (John 14:16) became clear. (Romans 8) This is the rock that cannot be shaken (Psalm 62), the cornerstone, the firm foundation (Isaiah 28:16) on which our life finds stability and hope. What can separate us from the love of that kind of God? Nothing. Power. The commentaries are in almost unanimous agreement that this is two things, First, the Resurrection power on which we stand, the reality of placing our faith in Jesus, who has the power to conquer sin as proven by his ability to conquer death. Why? Because the Holy Spirit brings three very important things to those speaking about Jesus. So Paul reminds him that when the Spirit of God blows over the embers of a teacher, and when a teacher fans that ember into flame, timidity or shame in talking about Jesus or his relationship with a persecuted Paul is not result. This seems like a kindly phrased rebuke, as if Timothy had been timid with the testimony of the Gospel when he should have been bold. This is the only time this form of the word is used in the New Testament, and Strong’s Concordance says it involves “ reticence”, which is silence.Timothy was a teacher who wasn’t teaching based on verse 8, that silence had to do with being ashamed to teach about of the testimony of Jesus and apparently his relationship to Paul. How does this build the church or make God’s name great in the community?įor the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. Use them. Like, do stuff! Where do your desires, skills and opportunities intersect?.Build them. Study, learn, observe in others.This isn’t everything on the above list, but it’s a start. Identify them (, which also has a personality test.I suspect that the Holy Spirit takes virtually everything about life and “give gifts” of extraordinary ability to make that part of life an outpost of the Kingdom of God. “Fan these embers into flame.” How do we do this?
God had given to Timothy a charisma, a spiritual gift. Paul tells him to fan it into flame, a metaphor drawn from the fanning of the embers of a fire.
We talked last week about the first 6 verses. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.įor this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. Day and night I remember you before God and give thanks to Him whom I serve with a clean conscience, as did my ancestors. Timothy, you are constantly in my prayers. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
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