The Spirit of Fear
Notes
Transcript
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Background:
Paul was encouraging his protegé, Timothy to be bold and courageous. Timothy may be a little shy and timid, and Paul did not want him to be overwhelmed with the responsibilities of ministry.
Spiritual Gifts
God can give you spiritual gifts so that His purposes can be fulfilled in your life.
Greek word for fear here - delia, does not mean lack of faith as is common in scripture..neither is it the reverent fear of God… it is cowardice or timidity.
Truths about this spirit of fear (Cowardice or Timidity):
Fear holds you back.
2. Fear is not just an emotion, but spiritual bondage.
3. Fear has an antidote given to us by God.
Fear holds people back.
… from realizing God’s purpose and using the gifts God gave them.
How do you describe a phenomena, when you have the willingness to do something and yet you are unable to do it? It is like being paralyzed.
It paralyzes you from your potential.
Story of Gideon (threshing wheat in the winepress) — it is not necessarily lack of faith in God, but a paralyzing fear of the enemy. (he came to steal, to kill, and to destroy)
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” 15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
Fear causes paralysis from being used by God and the devil has stolen from you.. missed opportunities, time even years.. Fear not for God will restore what the enemy has stolen
My testimony of my calling and how I was prevented.
I had a calling from God even at from a young age.
At a young age, I loved to study, memorize and speaking before people..
When I was born again, I was 15 years old, in High School, God further confirmed that calling and that He would use the natural giftings as a teacher of the Bible.
College in my sophomore year.. debating an atheistic professor..
This fear held me back for many years.. what has the enemy stolen? (mention opportunities)
I prayed to the Lord — I stepped out in faith and fought this..
Until I was delivered from this fear by the grace of God — the gifts and the callings of God are irrevocable.
Has the enemy held you back from your calling? What has he stolen from you? What has fear done to you?
2. Fear is not just an emotion, but spiritual bondage.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear...” (verse 7a)
Could there be a spirit of fear?
What people experience in their minds. Negative thoughts.
Fear is demonic.
Just like Gideon. He felt so unworthy and small compared to the enemy.
Testimony of how my young mind as a child was bullied by the enemy (horror movies)
“Did I blaspheme against the Holy Spirit?”
“Am I really a child of God”?
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
Paul has to give the church this reminder, because they do not live to their fullest potential in the Kingdom of God.
Rebuke the spirit of fear!
3. Fear has an antidote given to us by God.
Antidote - Something that will cure or counter the effects of.
The Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind.
The Spirit of Power:
The spirit of power produces bravery and the resolve necessary to face and endure danger, challenges and difficulty
Talent, Training and Time cannot take the place of the power of the Spirit.
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
The Spirit of Love:
Self-sacrificial love. Love for God and Divine love for others.
We love ourselves and the extension of ourselves (members of our family) by nature, God has to teach us to have love for others.
If we love only ourselves, we will be afraid to take risks. I might get hurt loving others.
I might have to spend too much time and energy..
I might lose my life (missions).
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Love fuels our service to God and our fellowmen. It is God’s love…
A Sound Mind:
Be sober-minded
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
A Sound Mind (from the Amplified Version)
cultivates sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]
This sobermindedness is not generated on our own, God has already given us the Holy Spirit..
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Stir up the gifts in you through the means of grace, the Spiritual disciplines..
a. Studying and Meditating on God’s Word. (The Lord said to Joshua…)
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
b. Fellowship (talk about online)
c. (Most importantly) Prayer.
Prayer
.. Go back to Story of Gideon. (the fleece, the 300 and the enemy camp)
Satan is a defeated enemy! you don’t have to hear from him. Just listen to the word of the Lord, that He will deliver the enemy in your hands
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”