Fanning The Flame

FANNING THE FLAME

2 TIM 1:6 “6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

INTRO: FAN -  to blow a current of air steadily and lightly across or around something, either cooling or agitating it.

So when it comes to fanning the flame it is not about self but others; it is not about how I’m doing in my relationship with God but how am I being a blessing  to others.

I.            HOW TO MAINTAIN THE FLAME

1.       Submit our spirit to the Holy Spirit

                                                   i.      Gal. 5:16 “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

2.       Have fellowship with other believers

                                                   i.      Eph 5:19 “19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

3.       Be in step with the Holy Spirit

                                                   i.      Gal 5:25 “25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

4.       Be obedient to God’s voice

II.            WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THIS FLAME?

1.       It is a Gift of God - something that is given to somebody, usually on order to provide pleasure or to show gratitude

2.       They involve our ministries

                                                   i.      1 Cor 12:28 “28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.”

3.       They involve the gifts of the Spirit

                                                   i.      8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

4.       We will be accountable to them

                                                   i.      James 3:1 “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

III.            KEY POINTS IN MAINTAINING THIS FLAME

1.       2 Tim 1:8 “8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,

                                                  i.      Not be ashamed of the Gospel

                                                ii.      Not be ashamed of other believers

2.       2 Tim 1:9 “9who 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,

                                                  i.      To Live Holy Lives

3.       We haven’t done anything by ourselves

CONCLUSION: