Rekindle the Flame
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For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
Rekindle the gift of God that is within you.
The NIV translation says “fan into flame the gift of God”.
When I read this verse I recall all the camp fires that I’ve rekindled after they had burned down into glowing embers on a cool night. Gathering sticks, adding new fuel to the fire, getting down low and blowing on the embers until a flame ignites and begins to burn the new wood. Once again, there is heat to keep us warm, awake and energized.
How is your fire today? How is it with your soul? Are you warm, awake and energized? Or has your flame burned down into glowing embers? Where you once walked with power and purpose, radiating with joy to all around you, your now find yourself lukewarm and burned out.
If so, I hope Paul’s word to Timothy begins to rekindle your flame today.
Early this past May, the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church, gathered in Cortland, NY for our Annual Conference celebrating our first full year as a Conference. The theme of the Conference was “Fanning the Flame” based on our passage in 2 Timothy this morning. All the delegates present, clergy and laity alike, representing all the congregations that make up the Northeast GMC, had something in common - we had all been deeply impacted by the disaffiliation process that we all went through in order to stay true to the faith that had been entrusted to us. Some churches faced more challenges than others, some are still in the middle of it today, but for all of us, I believe it is safe to say, there was a weariness and an uncertainty to what the future would hold. For so long, a good amount of time, energy and resources were spent on necessary but painful actions that at times seemed to distract us from our purpose.
So this theme, the focus, of the May Conference was “fanning the flame” - blowing a fresh wind on those embers that still had fire in them, but had grown cold. A significant amount of time was spent in worship - coming together as One and praising our Good God who had walked with us through a difficult journey. A significant amount of time was spent in prayer. Weary people came forward during times of corporate prayer to receive the laying on of hands and having prayer spoken over them. And a significant amount of time was spent encouraging the Body, speaking new life, and sharing of ministry opportunities that bring hope - like our church multiplication efforts - planting new faith communities in the Northeast and of our global partnerships in Spain and in Malawi.
At the Conference, Rev. Stephen Taylor, our C.S. (Conference Superintendent) shared with everyone why the Northeast decided to partner with Malawi. The GMC denominational leaders had decided that for us to be a globally minded and connected Church, it would be good for every conference to find other international conferences to be partners with. As the NE Conference leaders prayed over the list of potential partners, one of them said “You know what the name Malawi means in the local language don’t you - it means “Flames”. Steve said that was all the affirmation they needed.
Jump forward to the Malawi’s Convening Conference that I recently attended, the theme of that conference - as noted in the banner on the screen - was “Fanning the Flames of the Pure Gospel.” This was the start of a new day for the Methodists in Malawi - who had also sacrificed much to get to this point. In many ways, the suffering they have endured is much more than what we went through. It included threats, bribes, false accusations, walking away from what little financial security was present. But for the sake of the gospel, they counted it worthwhile. Flames were rekindled during out time together - this young, fledging conference was greatly encouraged by the presence of their new Bishop, their brothers and sisters from America, and the ordinations of their beloved pastors. There was much joy shared as we worshipped together.
There are times when we need to rekindle the gift of God in us.
Life has a way of wearing us down - yes even within the Church. Disappointments, unreasonable expectations, dysfunctional relationships, difficult challenges, guilt, worry - all this can bring about suffering and we can find ourselves being depleted. Going through the motions, but missing that excitement, joy and zeal we once held. It is like driving a car when the spark plugs are misfiring - you are moving but you are lacking power.
It is highly likely Timothy was going through a time of great stress and challenge leading the church in Ephesus. He was dealing wtih false teachers leading people astray, opposition from those outside the church, and he was operating in a time of persecution - very much aware that his mentor, the Apostle Paul, was imprisoned and awaiting execution for preaching the gospel. It is safe to say that he had a lot on his shoulders.
In spite of what he himself was facing, Paul took the time to send this letter of encouragement and instruction to Timothy - directing him back to the hope that is only found in Jesus Christ. Paul was Timothy’s spiritual mentor, he knew his family, he had watched Timothy grow in the faith, he entrusted leadership of the local church to him and knew the obstacles he faced. Maybe the suffering was taking a toll, maybe the constant hardship was diminishing the fire, or maybe Timothy was on point and Paul just wanted to make sure he was keeping his fire burning - that he was, in the words of John Stott, exercising his gifts faithfully while waiting on the Lord in prayer for constant renewal.
What does Paul say to encourage his brother in Christ?
First, he calls him “my beloved child” - Paul was Timothy’s spiritual father. Timothy’s real father was not a Christian, so Paul was the one who developed his faith and provided and example to follow. Paul also reminds him of the faith that he received from his godly mother and grandmother. Paul calls Timothy’s faith a sincere faith, a genuine faith. A faith that has been tested and found to be true.
Sometimes, we need to remember where we came from and how God has used others to plant that seed of faith in our lives, those who have watered that seed and cultivated it until it took root. When our embers are just faintly glowing - recall your faith story. Remember what has been entrusted to you, what it is you believe.
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 God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Timothy had received a gift of God’s grace when Paul and the elders of the Church laid hands on him and commissioned him for the work he was to do. The Greek word for this gift is charisma. We do not know which specific Charisma(s) he received from the Spirit of God, but it was whatever was necessary for him to be effective. Maybe it was the gift of pastor, teacher, or evangelist. Every believer receives a charisma, a gift of God’s grace, when they receive the Holy Spirit. God has provided you with a spiritual gift for you to offer up in service to the Body of Christ which is His Church. Employing your gift or gifts, helps keep that flame burning - because you are doing what God has purposed you to do. We’ve studied spiritual gifts before and if anyone needs help identifying their gifts, we have resources that can help. It may be teaching, serving, encouraging others, offering words of wisdom or knowledge, healing, discernment - there are many possible gifts. The point is - use your gifts.
And use your gifts no matter the cost. What do I mean by that?
Fanning the flame implies that you are fully committed. You are all in. You desire to brightly burn for God. I am going to take what God has given me and boldly apply it in my life - unashamedly.
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
When we receive Jesus Christ, we receive His perfect love. God’s complete and unconditional love. Dwell on that a minute. God loves you. He completely, unconditionally loves you. That is true. It is who He is, he is the Good Father we sing about. 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” When you accept Jesus and you are all in - you are being perfected in love. There is a boldness that comes with that - one that you must step into. You now have God on your side. Your eternal life is secure. Death is not the end. Therefore, what is there to fear? Think about what you have received:
Spirit of Power - the original word here is dunamis (doo'-nam-is) - it is where we get the word dynamite. God has given us His power. We are told in scripture that the same power that resurrected Jesus from the dead now lives in us. God works in us and through us - therefore, whatever He leads us to do, we have the power to do it. We are to exercise strength and courage is our faith - which is the opposite of fear.
Spirit of Love - the Greek word here is agape - which is the selfless, unconditional, sacrificial love that Jesus gave to us and that we in turn, are to give to others.
Spirit of Self-Control - Paul is describing what it takes to be a good soldier for Christ - one needs self-control, which the Holy Spirit provides, in order to turn away from behaviors and temptations that can trip us up and extinguish our fire.
To rekindle the flame - remember what has been entrusted to you, what you believe, boldly use your gifts for God’s glory through His Church, operate not in fear, but in the Spirit of Power, Love and Self Control. And finally…do not be ashamed.
Jesus said in John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
If you are an “all-in” follower of Jesus, boldly using your gifts, walking in the Spirit - then you can expect times of trouble, hardship, tribulation and suffering. Just look at the life of the One you are following. Jesus’ journey here on earth lead to the cross.
Boldly proclaiming the gospel to a fallen world led to the Apostle Paul’s imprisonment.
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,
There is that “power of God” again. That same power that works through your gifts will also enable you to move through suffering for His sake. The suffering of the saints exposes the evil in the world, it reveals the spiritual battle that we are all in, and it leads to a deeper dependence on God.
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.
Jesus is able to guard that treasure that was entrusted to Paul, the treasure that Paul in turn entrusted to Timothy, and that same treasure that has been passed down to us. The treasure is the gospel - it has the power to rescue and redeem the lost. So no matter what we face, what sufferings may come our way, Jesus guards that treasure within His Church and that treasure will be shared until Christ returns.
Rekindle the flame, Church! Remember what has been entrusted to you, what you believe, boldly use your gifts for God’s glory through His Church, operate not in fear, but in the Spirit of Power, Love and Self Control. And Do not be ashamed.
Let us help one another keep the flame burning through our worship, praying for one another, mutual encouragement, keeping our focus on what God is doing right now. And I will add one more thing - there are ministries that offer spiritual renewel. The Walk to Emmaus is one - there are others. IF you are in a dry season, and you know something needs to change, reach out and let me know. I’d be glad to share some resources with you.
Amen,
