“Stoke Your Fire”

1) Examine yourself:

Where are you at in your relationship with the Lord?)

2) Things that quench the spirit:

Things that hinder your relationship with the Lord and stop the work of God in your life)

3) Fan the flame of the fire and catch fire for the Lord:

Encourage you to push forward into your relationship with the Lord

Intro: Have you ever felt scared or uncomfortable with something the Lord has called you to do?

Maybe you feel an urging you to share your faith with someone, like a family member or friend, that has never heard the Gospel before

Maybe its a gifting that you have that you’re nervous about using

I can remember when I first got saved I was living in Santa Cruz. I used to wake up every morning and go check the waves.

Each morning all the locals would meet to decide if it was worth surfing.

Ungodly conversation was taking place and I was scared to speak up

In 2 Timothy chapter 1, Paul is writing to Timothy who was a pastor in Ephesus.

Ephesus was a place similar to world we live in today. Ephesus can be described as a modern day San Fransisco or Las Vegas (Sin city)

The purpose of the letter was to encourage young Timothy to press forward into his gifting, but also into his relationship with the Lord

(V4) Paul writes, oh Timothy I remember your tears as we parted (I know you’re suffering)

(V5) But I also remember your genuine faith

Do you have genuine faith?

Timothy 1:6-7

1. (V6) This is why I remind you to fan into the flames the spiritual gift God gave you

a) Timothy, I know its difficult but I am reminding you not to back away, but push forward

Timothy may have been intimidated

He was dealing with conflict

The message of Christ was not popular

Paul says, Timothy don’t be ashamed of me or the of the Gospel

b) Paul says, Timothy don’t leave your fire unattended

Molly has great intentions when she says, “Hey babe I can build a fire”. She builds the fire but gets busy and I come out into the living room and the fire is out. If you a leave a fire for a prolonged period of time it goes out

The same thing can happen to us spiritually speaking. Spending time in the presence of God is like adding wood to your fire.

Maybe you are thinking there is no heat coming from my fire place. I would ask this question…

Did you forget to put a log on the fire, are you neglecting to spend time in the presence of God?

c) Paul is telling Timothy to fan the flame of his heart and to use the gift God has given you

1.1 (V7) God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a self-discipline

a) I have this verse memorized

The enemy reminds me of my faults and my weaknesses, but God reminds me its not me its about Him

Notice the sandwich in V7 (Power, Love, and self-discipline)

Imagine our worship: Clanging loud symbols together, without love its just noise

God has given us everything we need to live a life that is well pleasing, which leads me to my final point

2. (V1) Be a Living and Holy Sacrifice

a) To be on fire for the Lord, you’re life must be a living sacrifice

You’re life is holy (Set apart)

b) Don’t copy the behavior of this world

c) Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think

Timothy 1:6-7 (Outline)

a) Don’t leave your fire unattended because it will go out

b) Fan into the flames by growing spiritually

c) God has given you the tools through the Holy Spirit (Power, love, and self-discipline)

Romans 12:1–2 (Outline)

a) You’re life must be a living sacrifice

b) Set apart from the world

c) Allow God to transform you