Believing in our Witness

Introduction/Scripture

Introduce Believing Together.

Believing Together is a vision for all of FMC and our future. If you did not receive a bag last week, make sure that you grab one today. I have been so grateful for the daily devotionals written by our church that has come in my email each morning. Hopefully you have received those.

Believing Together goals:

100% spiritual participation

$5 Million dollars

2 Questions I want you to consider over the coming weeks:

Is the vision worth my sacrifice?

What does a sacrifice look like for me/family?

Today we talk about activating our faith.

2 Timothy 1:6–13 NIV

For 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. 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. 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, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And 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. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

Intro….

When we think of witnessing to our faith, what comes to mind? For many of us, the idea of sharing the gospel or standing up for what we believe can evoke fear or uncertainty. The world often challenges us to compromise our faith or remain silent about the transformative power of Jesus Christ. But Paul’s letter to Timothy reminds us of the responsibility and privilege we have to witness to our faith and boldly share the good news of Jesus.

Background:

Paul and Timothy's relationship is one of the most touching and powerful mentor-mentee dynamics in the New Testament. Paul, the apostle and spiritual father, took Timothy under his wing during his missionary journeys, after being impressed by Timothy's faith and reputation (Acts 16:1-3). Paul saw great potential in Timothy, who was the son of a Jewish mother and Greek father, and he personally discipled and trained him for ministry.

Over time, Timothy became a trusted companion and co-worker with Paul, often serving as Paul's representative to various churches. Paul trusted him to handle complex church issues, such as in Corinth and Ephesus, showing his deep confidence in Timothy's abilities and character.

In 2 Timothy, their relationship takes on a more personal tone. Written during Paul's imprisonment and likely near the end of his life, this letter carries a sense of urgency and deep affection. Paul refers to Timothy as his "beloved child" (2 Timothy 1:2), showing how close they were. In this letter, Paul encourages Timothy to remain strong in faith, endure hardship, and carry on the ministry, knowing that Timothy would continue Paul's legacy.

The letter serves as both a personal farewell and a final charge, as Paul expresses his longing to see Timothy one more time and passes the torch to him to lead the next generation of believers.

In this passage from 2 Timothy, Paul urges Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God" and to not be ashamed of the testimony of Christ. Today, as we explore this text, we will look at three key truths for witnessing to our faith:

1. Fan the Flame of Faith

2. Overcome Fear with God's Spirit

3. Guard the Good Deposit

1. Fan the Flame of Faith (v. 6)

Paul begins by reminding Timothy of the gift of God that is in him. He encourages Timothy to "fan into flame" this gift, which suggests that Timothy’s faith and spiritual gifting needed to be rekindled and energized.

Personal Responsibility: Each of us is responsible for keeping our faith alive and active. It’s easy for our spiritual fervor to diminish over time due to distractions, challenges, or complacency. But Paul calls us to reignite the flame of faith.

The Gift of God: This flame represents the unique gifts God has given each of us for His kingdom's work. God has entrusted us with a calling to share His message, and we must continue to stoke the fire of that calling, making sure it shines brightly for others to see.

Witnessing to our faith begins with us nurturing our own relationship with God. You can’t give what you don’t have. So the question today is: are we fanning the flame of our faith, or are we letting it grow dim?

Spirit and Truth

2. Overcome Fear with God's Spirit (v. 7-8)

Paul goes on to say that "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." The spirit we have received as believers is not one of timidity or cowardice.

Not of Fear: Fear is one of the biggest obstacles to witnessing. We fear rejection, ridicule, or discomfort. But God has not called us to a life of fear. Rather, we have been given a spirit of power.

Power, Love, and Self-Control: The Holy Spirit equips us with boldness (power) to proclaim the gospel, with compassion (love) to reach others, and with discipline (self-control) to remain faithful to our calling.

Fear of Rejection: APL cohort

Believing Together: Self Discipline

Wesleyan Classes

Paul encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul’s chains. In the same way, we must not be ashamed of our testimony. Witnessing may not always be comfortable. In fact, Paul reminds us that we may share in suffering for the gospel. But when we are filled with the Spirit of God, we can overcome fear and boldly stand as witnesses, even in the face of opposition.

3. Guard the Good Deposit (v. 12-13)

Paul concludes by talking about the "good deposit" that was entrusted to him. He says, "I am convinced that [God] is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me."

What is the Good Deposit? The good deposit is the gospel message—the truth of Jesus Christ that has been passed down to us. It is the treasure of salvation, hope, and eternal life through Christ. This is what we are called to witness to and protect.

Introduce Grace Reidy’s Video. Grace is a woman that faithfully follows Jesus. Her husband tragically passed away suddenly in March and since then I have witnessed her boldly witnessing to her faith. But this good deposit came to her when she immigrated to the United States. She did not know english or the gospel and someone made a huge sacrifice to share with her.

Video.

Guarding the Gospel: As witnesses, we are entrusted with guarding the truth of the gospel in a world that often seeks to distort or diminish it. But guarding the gospel doesn't mean hiding it; it means boldly sharing it and living it out in our daily lives.

In the last 10 years George Barna measured changes in biblical worldview in our country. This included church and non-churched individuals. Already in 2020, this national survey found that only 6% of American adults have a biblical worldview. The Cultural Research Center conducted three major surveys along these lines:

Syncretism

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

Rejection of Biblical Principles

1. concluded that America’s dominant worldview is syncretism. Syncretism is a salad bowl of ingredients that people mix together and call it faith. Little bit of this and little bit of that.

2. The second confirmed earlier research in the growth of “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism” as the most popular form of syncretism. This general view is to “believe in a God who remains distant from people’s lives” and “the universal purpose of life of being happy and feeling good about oneself.”

3. The third found that Millenials are “substantially more likely” than previous generations to “reject biblical principles in favor of more worldly spiritual perspectives and practices.”

The world…and unfortunately the Church” is growing increasingly more secular, isolated, and divided. We are at a crossroads. The urgency for all of FMC is because the gospel is the only necessary answer to this.

The question is will we sacrifice for it? Sacrifice comfort, sacrifice reputation, sacrifice conveniences.

Paul knew that his sufferings and challenges didn’t compare to the treasure of the gospel. He wasn’t ashamed because he was fully convinced that God would guard what had been entrusted to him. When we witness to our faith, we too must have confidence in God’s power to protect and uphold His truth.

Activate our faith is tricky. There is not a button. And God will not force his way in. That is the rub. So we have to position ourselves for more, individually and collectively.

Chicago: Transformation….