Setting Fires

2 Timothy 1:3-7 (NIV)

Encouragement to Be Faithful

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 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 did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

[1]

I. Introduction: If we are only out to be nice, mild-mannered folk, we should either change our name or change our calling.

Citation: Stephen Brown in Leadership, Vol. 8, no. 2.

II. Consider the Friend

A. Faithful to His God

B. Faithful to His Forefathers

C. Faithful to His Friend

III. Consider the Family

A. A Connection to the Friend

B. A Heritage of Family

C. A Present Faith

IV. Consider the Flame

A. Ignition of Flame Needed

B. Initiation of Gift Repeated

C. Integrity of Spirit Pleaded

1. Chutzpah not cowardice

2. power

3. love

4. self-discipline – self possession and Government, Able to control oneself and think in a healthy way, which the unconverted cannot do.

V. Conclusion: Smokey the Bear – A cub from the fire in Lincoln National Park in New Mexico whose motto became “Only you can prevent forest fires.”

----

[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.