Dont Let you Gift Die

Stir It Up

This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let’s is rejoice and be glad in it.  How many of you are glad to be in the house of worship one more time giving God praise honor and glory.  For the Lord He is God a certainly worthy of all of our praise.   Its not by accident or incident but its by God divine appointment that you al has gathered here at the Evergreen BC, for one reason and one reason only and that to life His Holy name.

……..

 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, mydearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, andpeace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Text: Don’t Let your Gift Die!!!

Sub Text: Stir it up

This letter has been called “Paul’s Last Will and Testament.”At the time of the writing of this letter Paul didn’t have much longer to live. He offers Timothy some final powerful instructions for serving in the ministry. In his opening verses Paul confirms that Timothy is the man to carry on his work. Paul also speaks candidly and courageously about what it takes to be a soldier in the army of Jesus Christ. Because in order to be a soldier for the Lord, you must be front line material.

Paul’s Apostleship

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:1)

The word apostle means “sent one.”In the New Testament the word primarily refers to one who had a direct commission from Christ. Paul’s apostleship came directly from Christ (Acts 26:16–18). In stressing his apostleship, Paul was affirming his call and claiming the Lord’s authority for his message.

As Paul wrote this letter he was locked away in a cold, dark dungeon in Rome. He had already been sentenced to death row and was awaiting his execution. As Paul faced death he focused on the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:1)

What a sad thing it would be to face death without such a promise from God! One thing about the promises of God is that they are sure. Whenever God makes your promise you can bank on it. Whenever God makes your promise you can go to sleep at night. whenever God makes your promise you don't have to pace the floor all night wondering if God is going to come through God always honors his word.

 Paul had a life that no other man could have taken. He had eternal life! He knew that physical death for the believer was only an exit into the eternal presence of God. This was the day for which Paul had longed. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. (Philippians 1:23) Soon Paul’s soul would be where his heart had already been for sometime. He would soon be with his Savior.

Paul’s Awareness

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (2 Timothy 1:2) Paul speaks from the very depth of his heart. Here his affection for Timothy stands out. Paul addresses Timothy as his dearly beloved son.

As we come to this writing of Paul of this particular text. By the time we get to this particular text. Paul writes to this young Timothy who is his spiritual son in the gospel. Paul has one reason to writing to young Timothy in this particular text and Paul message to young Timothy was to stir it up, not to stir up anything, but stir up the gift that God has placed in you It's right here in our text in verse number six he says wherefore I put in remembrance that thou stir up the gift which God is in thee by the putting on of hands. So literally Paul is telling Timothy you need to stir it up.

In other words young Timothy what Paul is saying to you this afternoon is whatever God is put there it's still there but you need to stir it up. And that's my same message I came to tell Evergreen and First Baptist on this afternoon at this harvest program we need to stir it up. God has already placed it there but we need to ignite once more again. And that's what I came to tell somebody today that is time for you and I to stir up the gift which God has already placed in you.

You will never reach the potential, you will never reach the placeand you will never reach the Plan of God, if you consider yourself one of those who claim that you're not able to exemplify what God has placed in you. It's a reminder to us this afternoon God with his sovereign self all by himself with his purpose he has placed in each and every one of us sitting in the solitude of this sanctuary potential. God has placed a prize in each and every one of us. God has given you a gift, a gift to be used in worship And to be utilized in the body of Christ. And God didn’t run out of gifts when He was passing them out.

When Paul writes to this young Timothy this young pastor he is in a Roman prison. He's in a Roman prison but he's not Rome's prisoner Paul's citizenship lies in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul realized that his time is almost up. Paul is looking on the outside of his prison cell window looking at the very knife that Nero is sharpening to protection  that's going to take his very life.

Paul has been faithful Paul has been honest Paul has been true. Paul has fought the fight of good faith. Now Paul nearly reaches the end of his life and now Paul is passing the torch down to young Timothy. But while Paul is passing the torch down to young Timothy he senses something that Timothy have a gift but he see the gift is not being utilized to his full ability. The fire that once burned in this young pastor Timothy Paul says it seems like your blaze is going out. Paul said that the light that Timothy once had is fading away. And I don’t know who I’m talking too but keep your fire abided for the Lord.

But what would be the reason Timothy were allowed the flame to flicker. Maybe the reason that Timothy allows the flame to flicker is because of fear. Maybe the pressure has weighed him down. Maybe he's looking at the persecution of the Saints and now Timothy realizes being young pastor in the ministry he may be feared that he don't have what it takes to lead the church home.

And so Paul does not just give him a soft comforting word. When we look at the context of the text Paul gives Timothy a command. Paul gives Timothy a demand. Paul gives Timothy a divine mandate. Paul tells Timothy to stir it up the gift that God has placed in you. Because Paul knows just because something is dormant doesn't mean that is dead. Just because something like light is on its decline of demise it doesn't mean that it's dead. And I want to tell someone they're sitting in Evergreen today, God has placed a gift in you, it may be dormant and look like it's almost about to demise but I stand flat footed here today to let you know that your gift is not dead,  your gift is not buried. So it’s our storing season, so Stir it up.

God has placed something in you that you must exemplify, that you must get out. God has placed something in you that can be used for the purpose of building his Kingdom. And so the reality of our text today is how do I stir up my gift Thank God has worked in. And as at that sect the holy scriptures Paul helps us appreciate and tell God thank you, because in verse #6 that you and I must fan the flame the gift of God that he has placed inside of us by the laying on of hands. 

The first thing I see in this text is that we need to Rekindle the fire.

Paul ana-su-pri-yo begins this letter by telling young Timothy to fan the flame that is already in him. Paul uses this Greek word and

it is a powerful Greek term that means starting from scratchbut reigniting something that once was, that already exist. Paul is literally telling young Timothy to look for something new. Don't just look for something new what Paul is telling Timothy is that what God has already placed in you it's enough You just got to stir it up. And I know it's harvest season and I know it's the usher annual anniversary but even the ushers have to stir it up the choir members have to stir it up the deacons have to stir it up the deaconess have to stir it up choir & praise team the whole congregation that's sitting under the sound of my voice we have to stir it up. Just  look at your neighbor and say “stir it up.

And I don't know who I came to preach to this afternoon at this Harvest Program, but you need to know that you are enough that God has made you fearfully and wonderfully made that regardless what labels people have tried to attach and tie to your name. You need to know that you're enough. And I just need about 5 people on this side and five people from this side and five people from the choir stand they know that you know you know that you know that you are enough, You ought to signify by waving your handyou ought to signify by telling God thank you ought to signify by giving the Lord a hand type of praise I stand to testify that God has given you everything that you need to be enough.

So, Evergreen you have to understand this afternoon when Paul gives this stern direct message to young Timothy you need to understand that This is a clear message. Timothy flame had not gone out, it had some kind of way dimmed over a season of what he was dealing with and the tragedy which he was seeing. And we find today that Paul was writing to young Timothy simply you have him to reignite what other people has caused you to dem.  And I stopped by the Evergreen Baptist Church to let you to know that don't you allow nobody to dictate how you praise God. They don't know your storyso tell them to stay out of your glory. They don’t know how much hell it took you to get here today, so stay out my hallelujah. In fact they don't know how much painit took you to get here so stay out of my praise, but you pressed your way here with your mind stayed on Jesus. Timothy is saying in our text today that you have to get to the place To understand that people's labels don't dictate what God has placed in your life. In other words they mad because God has placed something in you that they wished they had in them.

Paul wants young Timothy to understand Evergreen that God has given you something on the inside of you, and what God has given you you ought to desire to give it back so then God's gets the glory from you. Is not man's glory but it's God's glory. We see Paul here in verse number six he reverenced the laying of hands As a symbolic significant movement that what happened in the early church history. Paul simply wants Timothy to know, that you had a mother and a Grandmother Lois and Eunice come that were Pioneers, Trail Blazers, helping him to thank God that this faith that you have you didn't get it by looking in the air, but you have a legacy inheritance of serving God. In other words Timothy is in your bloodline and whatever's in your bloodline every now and then it shows up. Timothy have a legacy serving, praising God. And I don't know who I came to preach to today in this harvest program but you need to know that the atmosphere has already been set, there has been people that came before you that have a legacy of serving God that have a legacy of praising God. And you can't let what you're going through stop you from giving God what God has placed in you. Its time to fan the flame. 

If we open up this side door and just take a look across the side backyard of Evergreen. We'll see some headstones. But some of those headstones out there serve as a bookmark of the evidence of the Old Trailblazers, have left a legacy of how we ought to act when we come to God's house.

Evergreen is right here in our text we find that Paul gets Timothy to  understand what's in you is not gone out but it’s dem. It simply means that God has given you the power to resurrect, revive, restart whatever is in you so that God can use it for his glory. I like how the songwriter says this she says For your gloryI will do anything. You're gifting and your purpose your anointing it is still there. God did not take it away, and just like Paul talks to young Timothy I came to tell somebody today that because God has given it to us we have to use it, You and I have a responsibility of stirring it up. Do I have a witness?

Then church he helps us understand in verse number 6 that if you're going to stir up the gift that God has given you you gotta do it with intentions, on purpose. In other words I came to church on time intentionally. I praise God with on purpose I give him glory with intentions I came on purpose to tell him thank you. Paul helps us to understand in this text that if you want your gift or fire to keep going you have to understand the importance of being spiritually Devoted to the things that keep your fire ablaze.

These believers in the early church they help us to understand and thank God that if you're going to keep your fire hot and burning for the things of God there are at least a few things that you have to do. The early church understood that when the Holy Ghost came in acts chapter 2 that after Peter stood up 3000 people were saved in order for them to keep their salvation and order them to keep the motivation to keep going they were going to have to do a few things. And every now and then our gift looks dim. Our gift looks dim because we need some oil on it so the question is today is the oil flowing.

You want to know why sometimes a gift is dem? You want to know why sometimes people can't see your light? You want to know why people can't see your fire? Well three things are missing out of your life. In the early church the first thing they did in acts chapter #2 Verse 42 common the text says

1st of all:  they came together to pray.

The early church realized that if they came together in prayer God will hear and answer their prayer. Much prayer much power.  And I don't know if there's somebody sitting in Evergreen today that can testify that when you almost lost your mind prayer kept your mind in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Jesus. That when you wanted to give up, give in, and give out prayer kept your mind in perfect peace.

The early church Understood there's power in prayer. It’s something about a praying church.

Prayer is one of the most powerful spiritual disciplines God gives us,. Scripture shows that prayer is not just talking to God—prayer is God’s chosen method of releasing His power, His presence, and His purposes in our lives. Lets me help you understand what prayer does

1. Prayer Connects Us to God’s Presence

Prayer brings us into direct fellowship with the Father.

2. Prayer Invites God’s Power Into Human Problems

Prayer opens the door for God’s intervention—healing, deliverance, strength, and divine help.

3. Prayer Aligns Our Will With God’s Will

Prayer doesn’t just change things—it changes us.

Jesus prayed, “Not my will but Yours be done.” — Luke 22:42

4. Prayer Releases Wisdom and Direction

When you pray, heaven gives clarity.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given.” — James 1:5

5. Prayer Breaks Spiritual Strongholds

6. Prayer Brings Peace in the Midst of Chaos

Prayer guards the heart and mind with supernatural peace.

“And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds.” — Philippians 4:6–7

7. Prayer Builds Intimacy and Trust

8. Prayer Invites God’s Provision

Jesus taught us to ask for daily bread and for the Father’s supply.

“Ask, and it shall be given you.” — Matthew 7:7

9. Prayer Advances God’s Kingdom

Praying invites God’s rule and reign in homes, churches, ministries, and communities.

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…” — Matthew 6:10

And I know it's harvest time but it's prayer time just looking for a church that don't mind praying to God. 

Prayer is our hall pass to God presence

Prayer aligns our heart with the will of God

Prayer is Heaven interference with earth will

Prayer doesn’t always move the storm, but it gives you peace in the storm

Prayer unlocks Heaven’s supply

Prayer moves mountains

Not only

1st of all:  they came together to pray

2ndly: they also fasted

     3rdly: they also studies the word of God

In this season of life, if we are going to be intentional in our praise you're going to have to learn how to pray learn how to fast and trust God and read his word.

This text also help us to understand and take value that Paul is telling this young preacher Timothy you can't expect the fire to burn if you're not putting fuel on the fire.

It reminds me when I'm barbecuing. Y'all done got some boogie and so rich y'all don't BBQ no more y'all smoke meat. But I watched my brother BBQ all the time. And he lite this wood he adds a bag of charcoal to it but he also have some lighter fluid. He places the wood, he places the charcoal, then he soak everything down with lighter fluid. Now once the lighter fluid has soaked in the wood and the charcoals. Then he get some matches and strike a match and throw it on the wood. Everything becomes a fiery flame that's when you know you BBQ and not smoking meat. But then he add to meet and sausage and brisket whatever he's smoking he added to the BBQ pit. And every now and then he goes outside to make sure that the flame is still where it needs to be and if the flame is about to go out he opened the side door of the BBQ pit and he blows on the coals, to reignite the flame.

And I don't know who I came to preach to this afternoon but I came to blow on your worship. I came to blow on your praise. I came to blow on whatever God has put inside of you to keep his ministry growing all I'm trying to tell you is we can't allow the flame to die out.

Paul is instructing young Timothy that you got to understand you have to understand the importance of putting fuel on what God has already placed in you. And that's a word for somebody sitting in the solitude of this sanctuary that God wants you to put fuel on the fire in which God has already given you.

Let me try it this way:

This text reminds me of weight training.  Me and my son, and my wife goes to the gym from time to time.  And I must remind him that you don’t see results the first time you lift the weights.  If you anything like him, He goes to the gym for one day and lift one dumbbell and he is flexing in the mirror.  But how many know it don’t happen the first time?  I have to remind him it’s the consistency of carrying the weight what you have been given. 

Evergreen, there are so many of us under the sound of my voice, you quit while you was carrying. But I want to remind somebody in there this afternoon that if you carry it consistency the more God is compelled to move and deal with your crisis. 

And all I’m trying to tell you is you got to fan the flame Consistently.  Consistency is the key.

Paul was reminding Timothy about his spiritual walk. Umm that if you fan the flame you have access to where God has already placed in you. You and I have access to power-Anointing-wisdom. But in reality we are not using what God has given us access to. Timothy had access to everything Paul was teaching him but his flame was dying out  because he wasn't using. And we need to be reminded today if we don't use the gift we will lose the gift.

And I wonder if that's somebody testimony today that you're going to strive to rekindle what once was. I find that most of our work is in what grandma used to do. But God haven't given grandma and you the same gift. Our going to heaven it's tied to holding on to grandma's coat tail but I need to remind somebody here today that you must grab your own coat tail. But I have decided to rekindle what God has placed inside of me so that God can get all of the glory about what he has instilled in me.

Not only

1st of all:  they came together to pray

2ndof all: you got to reject the spirit of fear

In verse #7 Paul gives us a strong reminder us that..

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Paul has now shifted his focus from praying together to rejecting the spirit of fear. Because in verse #6 Paul tells Timothy to fan the flame but then in verse #7 he tells us God has not given us the spirit of fear.

One thing we need to understand today is that fear does not come from God. Paul uses this word fear to young Timothy for a lack of courage. I find that this spirit causes us to hesitate when we really need to go forward. Timothy had good reason to be timid. Timothy had good reason to be intimidated. To remind us to that Timothy was young in the faith.  Timothy was a young pastor leading a church. Timothy was leading as society people who are critics who was questioning or not whether Timothy was called for the task or not. And every now and then that person got some kinfolk that listening to our preaching. They're wondering if we've been called. And while this is going on Paul confronts young Timothy with a rebuke and a reassurance.

Paul tells Timothy I need you to understand that God does not give the spirit of fear.  Paul was reminding Timothy that if you're fearful, that does not come from God

there's someone sitting in Evergreen all this afternoon that you thought your fear was coming from God and I need you to know today that any fear that you're fearing, it  does not come from God. Fear come from the enemy it's the enemy number tactics that he uses to knock us off course so we can't fan our own flame. And so while Fear is present in the life of the believer it keeps us from going forward and doing what God really has called us to do.

Fear Paralyzes us.

Fear steals our peace.

Fear steals our joy

Fear distracts us from God

Fear makes us doubt God's presence in our life.

Genesis 15:1

“Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

Genesis 26:24

“Fear not; for I am with thee, and will bless thee…”

Genesis 43:23

“Fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure…”

Deuteronomy 31:6

“Fear not, nor be afraid of them…”

“Fear Joshua 8:1

“Fear not, neither be thou dismayed…”

not, neither be discouraged

Judges 6:23

“Peace be unto thee; fear not…”

Revelation 1:17

“Fear not; I am the first and the last…”

But Paul reminds Timothy in verse #7 that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power love and a sound mind. And so Paul confronts young Timothy and tell him that you cannot allow fear to paralyze you From doing what God called you to do.

And as I studied the Bible scripture reminds me to fear not.

Fear not for I am with you.

Fear not I will strengthen you

Fear not I will help you.

fear not I will hold you up.

You remember when the disciples was in a storm. They were on the sea of Galilee. And while they were on the sea of Galilee a storm arose. You know the story. The Bible says that all of a sudden Jesus comes walking on water. When Jesus came walking on the water nobody says nothing but Peter. Peter says Lord if it's you bid me to come to you. Peter does something that has not been seen no other time in scripture. Peter walks on water Peter got out of the boat and confidence and soon as he took his eyes off Jesus he started to sink. And all I'm trying to tell you this afternoon is that fear come when you take your eyes ohh Jesus.

And so Paul reminds us today if we're going to get to the place where God wants us to be we have to learn to allow fear not to get in the way of our God is leading us. We must understand that fear operates in the spirit. God has not given us the spirit of fear but that's where fear operates.

For 43 days the government will shut down. Putting a freeze on snap benefits. But you have more people that was not getting stamped afraid then the people who are getting snapped a 43 day government shutdown allows us to see that God is still in control and it doesn't matter what it looks like God still has the last say so and we can't allow people to put fear in us that God has not given us the spirit of fear. 

But know a benefit plan. 

Better than the government plan.

That will keep you when you can’t keep yourself.  Who’s mind is stayed on thee.

He is my refuge and strength in the time of trouble

He will hold me

He will keep me in the bosoms of his arm 

I’m closing.  There is a movie called Shaw Shank Redemption.  This movie will catch your attention.  It stars a young man by the name of Andy.  And Andy goes to prison for killing his wife.  Andy is wrongly convicted in prison.  But there is a scene where Andy is in prison and His homeboy Red is showing Andy the ropes while he is in Shaw Shank Prison. The warden see something in Andy that nobody else saw.  Andy used to be an investment banker.  The warden starts to use Andy so he can take money off the top.

There is a scene where Andy talks to the warden into letting him get into the PA announcement booth at the prison. Andy get there and begins to play Mozart for the prisoners. What Andy was doing here was fanning the flame that one was.    Andy locked the door.  The warden can’t break in.  Andy is sitting there with his feet on the warden desk.  Leaned back in the warden chair having the time of his life, with Mozart music playing for the prisoners.

Andy now is put in solitary confinement. Red is now saying Andy can’t handle this kind of pressure, he aint built like that.  Andy goes into solitary confinement for 40 days.  Nobody knows what is going on with Andy.  They don’t know if Andy has lost His mind. 

When Andy Comes out of 40 days in confinement everybody starts running up to him.  And Red played by Morgan Freeman, He says Andy how did you make it 40 days of Solitary Confinement?  Andy says I made it because I had Mozart playing in my ears.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

And I’m wondering if there is anybody here today. 

That’s you testimony That the reason why I made it this far.

The reason why I made it this far. 

The the reason I’m here today is

Not because of Donald Trump

Not because of the Government

Not because of DEI

But I’m here because of GOD

While fanning my flame

 I had wonderful worship playing in my ear.

I had worship down in my heart. 

And I wonder if there is anybody here that want to Give God some praise Because when you think of the goodness of Jesus and all that HE done for you.  Your soul begins to cry out. Hallelujah

For goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 

And so, I wonder is there anybody here that want to give God the fruit of your lips.

Well do me one favor won’t you.  Lean over to one neighbor. And say neighbor, this is my story, and this is my song, I’m praising my savior, all day long.

And if that neighbor don’t get it, lean over to your other neighbor, and say neighbor, this is my story, and this is my song, I, praising, my savior all day long.

Well, do me one more favor.  If you know the Lord has been good/kind.  If you know the Lord

has been better you  than you been to your own self

has made ways for you. 

And you know the Lord has open doors for you. 

You ought to praise His name

I dare you, to get out of your seat and begin to give God the fruit of your lips.  If you know God has made ways, when the enemy trued to close doors begin to tell God thank you, for opening doors the enemy tried to close.

But I for one more reason

Why I’m so excited

I got one more reason

I got one more reason why I shout like I do

BECAUSE!!!!

One Friday (3 times)

He died until

The birds stop singing

The monkeys stop swinging

The dogs stopped barking

The Fish stopped swimming

They laid Him in a borrower tomb. 

Y’all know what He did…

Do to u know what he did?

Don’t fool me now

Do you know what he did?

I can’t tell it until the 3rd day

Stayed there all night Friday night.

Stayed there all day Saturday.

Stayed there all night Saturday night..

Is there anybody here that know He didn’t stay dead.

Eaarly!!!! (4 Times)

He Hot up!!!!

Didn’t He get up?

Didn’t He get up? 

Open your mouth and shout Yea!!!

Shout Yea!!!

I wish I had.

I wish I had. 

I wish I had.

Someone in the sanctuary today

That know

That know that you know

That God will make a way for you

That God will see you through

Early, early, EaRRRRly, Sunday morning, my rock

stepped out of a Rock,

on top of a Rock,

And declared  All power ….in his hands..

1. Resurrection Power (Power Over Death)

Jesus rose with power over death, hell, and the grave.

This means:

Death could not hold Him

The grave had to release Him

Hell could not defeat Him

Kingdom power

– Authority over angels

– Authority over demons

– Authority over nature

– Authority over governments

– Authority over eternity

3. Power to Save and Give Eternal Life

4. Power to Transform Lives

5. Power of Victory

Jesus rose with victory power:

Victory over sin

Victory over Satan

Victory over death

Victory over the grave

He rose with:

Resurrection Power

Redemptive Power

Kingdom Power

Eternal Power

Unstoppable Victory Power

All Power in heaven and earth

Tabernacle here 40 more days, stepped on a resurrection cloud, and ascended up to heaven, now he’s seated at the right hand of power, interceding your case, my case

.

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:54

Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O tgrave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.