Fan God's Gift into Flame

Two years ago, Robin & I drove to NB. An elder I respected for his wisdom, faith, and stuff he taught me was dying. I spent 5 min. with Maarten. That visit was why we drove 15h there and back. 12 h later, Maarten crossed the finish line of his marathon of faith and joined his Saviour in glory.

Maybe you experienced it with someone you love. Last words and moments b/f death can be memorable for better or worse.

That’s the situation with this letter from Paul to Timothy. Paul knows he has almost finished his race. He wrote a final letter to Timothy; aware others would read it after Timothy.

Paul was a mentor to Timothy. He calls him “my dear son”. Paul knew 3 generations of believers in the family: Lois, Eunice, and Timothy all had sincere faith in Jesus.

They lived Lystra were Paul planted a church on his 1st church-planting mission. When Paul returned to Lystra on his 2nd church-planting trip, Paul urged Timothy to join the team.

Paul mentored Timothy on their frustrating trip across Asia. HS wouldn’t let them preach anywhere. Finally, in Troas, they were directed by the HS to cross the Aegean and preach in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth. From Corinth, Paul sent Timothy back to Philippi to see how the church was doing. Later, Paul sent Timothy to preach and teach as a leader in Ephesus. It’s discipleship: learning by doing.

As elders, pastor, and congregation we mentored Pastor Cody and Joel. This summer at Crosspoint they tried things, asked questions, and explored ministry. Both said it a good experience.

It was good for our ministry too. Crosspoint built relationships and saw people grow in faith who we wouldn’t have connected with us if Pastor Cody and Joel hadn’t been here.

But mentoring people in faith is not just about a summer in ministry. All Christians are invited to mentor and teach according to the resources and abilities God has given you. It happens intentionally in most households as parents and guardians, grandparents and families raise their children in faith.

It often starts with songs & prayers at meals and bedtime.

Some families read a Children’s Storybook Bible and move on to the Bible as children grow older.

Other households memorize Ps. 23 and the Lord’s Prayer and sing songs of faith together.

Some households or couples start the day with Bible-reading and prayer.

Others do devotions at meals or just before bedtime.

Reading the Bible, praying, and intentionally worshipping God make Chr. faith grow.

Faith is caught when there are opportunities to live out of your deeply-rooted beliefs and talk about trusting God in your day-to-day activities.

It’s how God instructs the Israelites to pass faith to the next generation as they enter the Promised Land. Moses told God’s people in OT book of Deuteronomy:

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NIV)

Trusting and obeying God shapes our life 24/7. Your life in Jesus Christ is not just expressed for an hour or two a-week.

And your life of faith not just something that happens privately in households. As a church family, we are committed to grow in faith together. It’s a promise we make to each other every time an adult or child is baptized and every time a person publicly professes or reaffirms their faith.

This week we are kicking off our ministries. On Friday, we had a feast! It was a great to visit over dinner and hear details of Crosspoint’s ministries.

Earlier, we commissioned leaders in our discipleship ministries. Many of Crosspoint’s ministries launch this week

New members’ class on Wed.

Cadets and GEMS on Thurs. – incl. counsellors in training!

Alpha on Fri.

Bible study on Gospel of Mark

people engaged in 1:1 discipleship – mentoring in faith

The goal is to help each other – leaders and participants alike – to grow in faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

If you’ve never been involved in this kind of thing – if you’re new to faith or to Crosspoint – you might be reluctant to get involved. Perhaps you haven’t gotten involved since Covid.

It takes a certain boldness to jump into the community and participate. We’re encouraged by Paul’s words to Timothy:

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. II Timothy 1:6–7 (NIV)

You don’t dredge power, love, and discipline from yourself – they’re gifts from God the HS. Rely on God for what you need.

And Timothy is reminded not to be ashamed of the gospel. Perhaps you can relate. In Timothy’s day, the culture didn’t know or respect the gospel of Jesus. The idea of salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection was foreign, odd, and counter-cultural.

There was so much resistance to the gospel that Paul and other church leaders were persecuted and beaten, imprisoned and killed for their faith in Jesus. Paul says, “Don’t let that stop you! Don’t let my chains make you ashamed of the gospel.” There’s resistance today too. The Gospel is counter-cultural.

Paul gives his readers a brief outline of the gospel.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

Called to holy life means:

- Rescued from unholy life.

- Called from unholy life.

Tough to do, but admitting our disobedience and sin is key to getting help.

HS convinces us.

Not our idea/plan: salvation is instigated by God’s grace

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,

God’s plan originated “before the beginning of time.” That’s a long time ago!

Jesus reveals God’s grace:

Our Saviour is God himself, appearing w/in his creation:

100% God; 100% human.

who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. II Timothy 1:9–10 (NIV)

He broke the power of sin by taking punishment for human sin upon himself @ the cross. Death is destroyed when Jesus rose again – assuring us that sin & death are defeated. You are raised to new life with Jesus!

A life of faith will include suffering for the gospel. The forces of evil consistently resist the authority and reign of Jesus Christ on a cosmic scale, on a community scale, in your household, and in your heart. I don’t think anyone here this morning will be executed for your faith the way the Apostle Paul was, but I can guarantee that you will face resistance to your faith and your life in Jesus.

Paul reminds Timothy – and you – that Jesus has won. B/c of Jesus’ victory over all his enemies, you can live your faith and mentor others in faith under Jesus’ protection.

When we are faithful in living out the gospel and mentoring others in faith, there will be opposition and suffering. Paul speaks plainly about his own experiences:

Of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. II Timothy 1:11–12 (NIV)

If you trust Jesus to rescue you from an unholy life, keep trusting him to guard you to the end of the race.

Take the adventure God has mapped out for you, even when it leads through suffering, b/c when you cross the finish line, when you breath your last breath, you will see your Saviour, your Rescuer, your God face-to-face in glory. Crossing the finish life will be a celebration w/ God and a great throng of other believers. Reaching the goal is worth the blood, sweat, & tears.