The Key to Effectivity in Ministry

Intro

Text - 2 Timothy 1.6-7

2 Timothy 1:6–7 NKJV

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.

Title - Stir Up the Gift In You

Background

Paul was writing Timothy a pastoral letter

a pastoral letter is mostly words of encouragement addressed to a person or group of persons.

Paul was concerned with Timothy’s ministry

he was going through tough times

he may be experiencing discouragement

Paul begins by addressing the real issue

not the people, nor the circumstances surrounding Timothy

but his own view of God’s work in His life

The Main Point

Our effectiveness in the ministry or in our calling, is not in the quality or characteristics of the problems we face.

Our effectiveness or ineffectivity lies in how we view ourselves in light of what God is doing in our life.

Sermon Points

Timothy’s real struggle - his fear

2 Timothy 1:6–7 NKJV

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.

verse 6 was Paul’s admonition - stir up the gift…

verse 7 was the reason behind Paul’s admonition - Timothy was fearful…

Timothy’s fear was actually “cowardice”

“fear” has 2 types

first type - fear induced by the object or person you are facing

second type - fear induced by how you feel about yourself or your capability (PAGKADUWAG; NADUDUWAG)

Timothy was not afraid of the enemies of the gospel.

Timothy was fearful of what he cannot accomplish

fear - Grk. DEILIA, timidity, cowardice; the trait of lacking the quality that enables to face danger or pain

spirit (of fear) - character that is manifested (i.e. by the Holy Spirit)

Timothy’s fear is manifested in various ways

2 Timothy 1.8 - he was becoming ashamed of the testimony

2 Timothy 1.13 - he was wavering in his steadfastness

Timothy’s ‘cowardice’ is preventing him from being effective in his ministry

Paul admonished him to be strong

2 Timothy 2.1-2

Paul admonished him to be diligent in his work

2 Timothy 2.15-16

The solution to Timothy’s problem - the gift that is already in him

In his first epistle to Timothy, Paul reminded him to NOT NEGLECT his gift

1 Timothy 4:14–16 NKJV

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Timothy’s effectivity in ministry lies in his gifts

your progress will become evident to all

you will save yourself and those who hear you

Timothy must “stir up” his gift

it is already in him

it needs a “stirring up”

grk anazopyreo - to revitalize; rekindle

set on fire again

Every Christian is responsible to keep the fire alive in his/her spiritual gift.

His gift has laid low, lost the passion

Timothy must take action - stir up the gift

How do you rekindle your passion for the ministry?

Timothy must understand the kind of spirit he has received from God

NOT the spirit of cowardice, but -

the spirit of power (grk DYNAMIS)

Acts 1.8

the spirit of love

love casts out fear

real love from God inspires us to take risk for the sake of those who need God

1 John 4.18

the spirit of sound mind (grk. SOPHRONISMOS)

to cause someone to become wise

the Holy Spirit you received from God is able to make you wise in dispensing your gift, in your ministry

THIS PERSPECTIVE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE GIFT IS NOT OURS. IT BELONGS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Timothy must take more actions

bravely share (partake) in the sufferings

2 Timothy 1:8 NKJV

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

Hold fast the pattern of sound words

2 Timothy 1:13–14 NKJV

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

be diligent to present yourself approve before God

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Conclusion

All of us may come to a place where it looks like we cannot continue anymore -

not because we are afraid of the enemy

but because we are afraid we cannot measure up to God’s purpose, that we don’t have the strength to accomplish the work, that we are too weak for the task

The simple key is to look inside of us and behold the kind of Spirit that is in us!

1 John 4:4 NKJV

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

The Holy Spirit in us is GREATER IN EVERY WAY that the spirit of this world!

WE ARE NOT POWERLESS!

WE ARE NOT DEFICIENT!

WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GUIDE US IN EVERY WAY!

Song - Come Holy Spirit