October 7, 2018

Stir Up The Gift Of God Which Is In You. ๐Ÿ’–

2 Timothy 1:6-7 The Message (MSG) Version: That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.
Forerunner Commentary
[source: Bibletools.org]

The apostle is talking about a spirit that has been “given [to] us.” It is identified here as a “gift of God” that can be “stir[red] up.” It is bestowed through the laying on of hands, as we see throughout Scripture. Paul says that God's Spirit is not about human fear. Later in this letter, he reproaches Timothy for being ashamed of the gospel message and of Paul. The younger man seems to have been in some danger of letting down and needed to be admonished to be strong and to endure hardship. All of this is part of the fear to which Timothy was apparently inclined.

Paul contrasts the frame of mind—the spirit—that would curtail Timothy's effectiveness with the Spirit given by God. Paul calls the latter “a spirit . . . of power and of love and of a sound mind.” As in I Corinthians 2:12-16, God's Spirit is linked with mind. If we are yielding to His Spirit, then our minds will be sound; they will be disciplined and self-controlled. Our minds will be sensible, sober, balanced, and restrained, and we will have wisdom, discretion, and solid judgment. Through the guidance of God's Spirit, our minds will operate in a way different from, and often incomprehensible to, those in the world, because we are being impelled by the essence of God's own mind, which is the absolute epitome of sound-mindedness and the opposite of the course of this world.

The Spirit of God is also a spirit of love. We can combine this with Romans 5:5: “. . . the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Along with that, the first element of the fruit of God's Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22). Godly love is an action—doing the right thing toward God or another person, regardless of the personal cost involved. Its foundational definition is in the commandments of God. A fear of sacrifice—a fear of giving up what is valuable to us—comes from the spirit of the world, but God's Spirit enables us to love through doing what is right and trusting that God will work things out.

The remaining attribute listed here is power. It is the Greek word dunamis, which can also be translated as “ability,” “strength,” or “mighty works.” Dunamis is the capacity for achieving or accomplishing. The Holy Spirit gives a person the capacity for God's will and work to be done through him. But this is not a personal power. Even the miracles with which Jesus Himself is associated were actually performed by the Father (John 5:19; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10). Thus, the power of the Holy Spirit is the outworking of God the Father, rather than something we can use for our own ends.

It is critical to understand that the power of God's Spirit is under the constraint of the love and sound-mindedness of God's Spirit. In other words, it is not simply power for the sake of power, nor is it for self-gratification or self-glorification. The evident power in the Acts 2 account of Pentecost has given rise to churches that seek after similar supernatural displays, yet those displays are entirely divorced from the love and sound-mindedness of God.

People can seek this power for the wrong reasons, and it can be misused. Simon Magus tried to buy the power of God to use for his own ends (Acts 8:9-24), and even the congregation at Corinth had to be admonished because they were not using their spiritual gifts for the benefit of the Body (I Corinthians 12). In the midst of his discussion of God's various gifts, which are simply the outworking of God's power, Paul spends a whole chapter explaining godly love (I Corinthians 13), implying that the Corinthians' approach to those gifts did not include enough love or sound judgment.

He spells out that anything they received—such as spiritual wisdom or the ability to heal or do other miracles, to prophesy, to discern spirits, to speak in tongues, or to fulfill the office of apostle, prophet, or teacher—whatever the spiritual ability, God's Spirit is the source of it all, so there is no ground for boasting. The use of the power of God has to be constrained by the love and sobriety befitting the Most High God, so that He is the focus, not the individual.
[source: Love Worth Finding Ministries]

An elderly nurse, a member of Charles Spurgeon’s congregation, was living in the poor house, and the great Spurgeon went to visit her. He saw a framed certificate on her wall that she had received when a wealthy man she had cared for died. She didn’t know what it was. Spurgeon read it and learned the man left her his vast estate. Yet she was living destitute, not knowing the value of what she’d been left.

When Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, He left you an incredible gift—your spiritual gift. Maybe you’ve not discovered yet what you have in Jesus. Could it be you have it framed on the wall, not using it? Or have left your gift under the tree, unopened and unappreciated?

God didn’t save you to sit but to serve! He gave you a spiritual gift. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7). If you’re a child of God, that includes you.

Grace here is the Greek word charis—a God-given spiritual ability for service and ministry. But like that poor woman, you may be a gifted child who doesn’t know what you have or how to use it.

Your spiritual gift goes beyond talent. You don’t choose your spiritual gift anymore than you choose your natural gifts—like the color of your eyes or skin. Just as you get natural talents genetically by your first birth, your spiritual gift is given to you at your new birth, the gift of your ascended Lord. It is supernatural. You can develop your natural gifts, and you can develop your supernatural gifts.

Wherefore he saith, When He [Jesus] ascended up on high, He led captivity [the devil] captive, and gave gifts unto men [you]. (Ephesians 4:8)

When the Lord Jesus purchased our salvation, at the same time He broke Satan’s back. Satan’s kingdom came crashing down. His malevolent forces were crushed by Calvary. Jesus Christ led captivity captive. Satan had taken the world captive, but Jesus took Satan captive. His kingdom is ruined. The spoils of the battle—our grace gifts to serve our great King—are given to us.

Never despise or overlook your gift. It is a spiritual gift from our Conqueror, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God didn’t save you to be a member of Christians Anonymous. He put you here to serve; you’ve been called into the ministry. Your spiritual gift is to bless the church, not to bless you—not for your enjoyment but your employment. It’s a tool, not a toy.

Do you really want God to use you? Then stop praying for God to use you—get usable, and God will wear you out! Five principles will help you discover your spiritual gift:

• Desire. What do you enjoy doing? What do you do well naturally? What would be disappointing if you couldn’t do it?

• Discovery. You discover your gift as you endeavor to do it. Others will say, “You blessed me when you did that,” or “You’ve given me such wisdom here,” or “You have the ability to lead in this area.” Others will help you discover it.

• Development. As Paul told Timothy, stir up the gift of God. Study to show yourself approved. No matter what your gift is, like a natural talent, you must develop it through study and work.

• Dependence. Your spiritual gift must operate in the power of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts operate with supernatural power. Depend upon the Holy Spirit.

• Deployment. Put it to work with other saints. In the fellowship of the church you’re going to discover your place. When these gifts work together, the body matures, and we become more and more like Jesus.

You are a gifted child. Don’t leave your gift hanging on the wall. Find out what God wants you to do and get busy doing it.

When you serve Him, joy begins to flow. Ask God to show you your ministry. Accept yourself, discover yourself, be yourself, and give yourself for the glory of God.
I would just like to point out for those of you who do not know, Muhammad, the creator of Islam, was born in 571 A.D. Muhammad's older wealthy wife had her cousin translate the Bible, which is the basis of Judeo-Christian faith, and they twisted all of its content to make up the Quran which is the basis of Islamic faith and used to establish Islam's Global Caliphate under sharia law. The Quran totally contradicts the Bible and doesn't even make any sense to a person who actually reads it. The Quran says that Jesus was NOT THE SON OF GOD. The Quran says Jesus was merely a man, a prophet of God like Muhammad himself. But in the same breath, the Quran says that Mary the mother of Jesus, was chosen of God and had given a VIRGIN BIRTH to Jesus.

I would also like to point out that Muhammad has no lineage to Abraham, therefore Islam has no claim to the "Abrahamic faith". Islam does not worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). God (Yahweh) changed Jacob's name to Israel. That is where Israelites come from and this is where the Kingdom of Israel is established and shall remain God's treasured possession. For it is written God said to Moses, "This is the promised land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give it to your descendants." (Deuteronomy 34:4).

Islam literally teaches in their books to their children to hate Jewish people and Christians. Islamist salivate at killing Jews and Christians. Islam and their apologists will tell you this is a lie because non-Muslims are not allowed to be taught the Islamic faith. Click this link to find out, Why The Holy Qur’an Cannot Be Given To Any Non-Muslim? It explains, "Islamic Jurisprudence (law) says that Qur’an cannot be given as a present to non-Muslims nor it can be given into his custody." Basically, only if they're certain a non-believer will convert to Islam. But never forget, once you convert to Islam, it is forbidden to leave Islam punishable by death. How is that peaceful and freedom loving? It is not forbidden nor punishable by death for a person to leave, decide not to follow Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, or even Sikhism.

Islam also teaches in the Quran that God allowed Abraham to slice the throat of his son Ishmael and their god brought Ishmael back to life for his obedience to their god. Islam teaches Isaac wasn't anything special and wasn't even alive when this happened. Islam teaches their god ALLOWED Abraham to murder his son Ishmael. If you haven't read the Bible then you wouldn't know that Muhammad made this up and twisted what was written in the old testament of the Bible documented MILLENNIA BEFORE Muhammad was even born and Islam came to be in 666 A.D. God almighty, creator of the Universe, tested Abraham's faith commanding him to give his son ISAAC as a sacrifice. When Abraham was about to do it, an angel of God appeared and stopped him at the last minute and gave Abraham a ram to sacrifice to God in his son's place.

Furthermore, Islam teaches that Jesus was NOT THE SON OF GOD, was simply a man, a prophet of god, but in the same breath Islam says that Jesus was a Muslim and is their Messiah (The Mahdi) they're waiting for to return to save them and the world of evil. How can this be if Muslims didn't exist when Jesus graced the earth and Islam was created until 7th centuries AFTER Jesus graced the earth. Islam teaches that the Bible is one big fat lie. The Old Testament, first half of the Christian Bible, is the Hebrew Bible (The Jewish Torah) documented MILLENNIA BEFORE Muhammad was even born. The New Testament, second half of the Christian Bible, documented CENTURIES BEFORE Muhammad was even born, discusses the teachings and person of Jesus who is Jewish, as well as events in first-century Christianity started by the twelve Jewish disciples of Jesus Christ. Islam forbids Muslims to read the Bible punishable by death. It is forbidden to offend Islam, punishable by death. It is forbidden to leave Islam, punishable by death. That's the only way their necromonger faith can grow.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because what you don't know can hurt you and will be used against you.

UPDATE 10/8/18 at 3:16pm: Islam is not a race. Just like Scientology is not a race. Neither is Buddhism, or Hinduism, or satanism. There are Arab Muslims, Asian Muslims, African Muslims, Latin American Muslims, European Muslims, Caucasian Muslims. Catch my drift? (emphasis mine)
written by Edward Hardee
[source: Sermon Central]

Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-8

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, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 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. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Introduction

Can’t you just feel the love and affection that Paul has for Timothy in these verses? Many times in his writings to Timothy, Paul refers to himself as his “spiritual father”. Paul met him on one of his missionary journey’s to Lystra. Timothy was already a solid Christian because of the faith of his mother and grandmother and despite of his Greek believing father.

Soon Paul and Timothy would travel together. Paul and Timothy became very close. Paul acted as an mentor to the ministry of Timothy. Timothy was young and timid and needed someone to lift him up and carry him.

As I have told you before Timothy reminds me of myself. I thank God for the many men who have become my mentors over the years. Men who I can lean on. Men who I can trust. Men who have experience who I can go to with advice. We all need someone like that.

Anyway after a while Timothy picks up his own ministry in Ephesus and Paul continues his missionary journeys, encouraging the churches. Paul wrote 1 Timothy to Timothy and Titus as a guide for the church.

2 Timothy was written from a Roman prison. Here Paul is writing his finally memories. Soon he would be beheaded. This is why you feel so much affection between these two leaders in the early church. You feel such a connection. Paul is desiring to once again see Timothy. It seems from the scripture that he made it just before he was beheaded.

Paul here is wanting to give some spiritual advice to a young minister. I don’t mean young by the age but I also mean young by the maturity in the ministry.

Stir up the Gifts

So now we come to verse 6.

1 Timothy 1:6 ¶ 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. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Paul is reminded Timothy of his calling. This calling was not placed in him or put in him by man but is a divine calling for Christ himself. This calling was affirms and gifts were transferred by the “laying on of hands”.

James tells us that it is connected with physical healing. In the book of Acts we see that often times in scripture that people were baptized in the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands. Here and in 1 Timothy 4:14 we see that laying on of hands was used to impart a spiritual gift. 1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

This is something we don’t need to be afraid of. It also explains why many times when a person comes for prayer automatically people begin to lay hands on them.

Yet Paul’s main focus is to Timothy to “stir up the gift.” These words can mean two things, both are powerful. 1. “to keep blazing and to keep the flame of fire burning”. 2. “to rekindle and to restir the flame”. It is not that the flame has gone out but that it needs some stirring up. It needs some rekindling.

Oh if we could only grasp this truth in our lives. Seeing that it is so easy to let that fire in our lives die down. To let that gift just become smoldering ashes. But we are challenged by the word to “keep that fire blazing” and if it has come to only smoldering ashes to “rekindle the fire”.

I don’t believe you ever lose the potential of fire in our spirits. It is something there that nags at you and reminds you of the fire. But it is there. Some just need to stir it up while others need to rekindle that fire. But let me give you hope today it can be done. It is not dead. Oh how God wants to light your fire.

Which Gifts?

It could be any number of gifts listed in scripture. We know that the Bible speaks of 9 spiritual gifts found in 1 Cor 12:8-10 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

He could also be talking about the ministry gifts found in 1 Corinthians 12:28.

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