Fan The Flame
Notes
Transcript
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 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, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
I believe that time will show this to be one of the most significant events in American history, perhaps even in world history.
It is significant because of the age in which we live.
It is significant because of what each of these men represent.
It is significant because of the response that has come from it.
It seems that a fire has been ignited in the hearts of many believers, especially young believers.
My goal here is very simple, to fan the flame.
When you are building a fire, the most critical time is when you are getting it started. You have to be constantly engaged, feeding it, providing fuel, fanning the flame, so that you can get it built up enough to provide heat and warmth for the whole house.
I see that as being the most critical need at this time, to fan the flame, to feed the Holy Spirit fire.
It seems that Paul also saw this as a critical need as he writes to his son in the faith Timothy.
Timothy is a young, timid church leader in a hostile environment not unlike our own.
6 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,
We need to see our current circumstance as a gift from God.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
God has allowed us to be alive at this specific moment in human history. Don’t miss it.
2. The flame is a gift, but to fan it is our responsibility.
14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.
You may not know what your gift is, but you will never figure it out by doing nothing.
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.
What stands in the way of our use of God’s gift?
Fear.
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Fear of the unknown, fear of what others may think, fear of failing.
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
It is not as if the christian is never afraid, but we do not let fear control us.
I may not understand all that is going on in the world, but I know the One who does.
Will we be content with that?
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
3. The power of God is displayed through our suffering for Him.
If we are bold in our testimony about Jesus, we will share in suffering.
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
Suffering is part of the christian life and part of our sanctification.
It isn’t that we want to suffer, but we are not afraid to suffer.
“Christians are not a new philosophy but a divine revelation. That’s why you can’t just exterminate us. The more you kill, the more we are. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
- Tertullian
It is time for the church of Jesus Christ to rise up.
To put off this comfortable and complacent christianity that has plagued the american church for so long.
It is time for us to repent of our apathy, our lack of concern for spiritual things, our compartmentalization of our faith to Sunday morning, it is time to surrender fully and completely to Christ.
To surrender our lives, our families, our friendships, our work, our comfort and security.
Before we go out into the world trying to do all these things, we need God to do His work in us.
You can’t bring any change in the world until God has brought His change in you.
We need to prioritize personal holiness.
The thing that will quench that fire in your soul faster than anything is unrepentant sin.
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
