January 21, 2024
Sermon Series: Remain Devoted and Faithful To The End
Book: 2 Timothy
SERMON: REKINDLE YOUR SPIRITUAL FLAME
2 Timothy 1:6-10
Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote Second Timothy. He had already appeared for his preliminary hearing before the Supreme Court of Rome before Nero himself. During his trial, no man stood with him. He had to face the charges all alone (2 Tim. 4:16-17). Paul was about to be sentenced to death---and he knew it (2 Tim. 4:6-8). He would never be able to write again. Second Timothy was to be his last will and testament—the last words he would ever pen. Several things were weighing heavily upon his heart.
· Paul’s heart ached for Timothy’s companionship. He needed Timothy. He wanted “his dear son” by his side in his final hour.
· Paul wished to share some final matters with his son and successor---just in case Timothy didn’t arrive in time.
· Paul wanted his son, Timothy, to equip himself by the power of the Holy Ghost -—to fulfil the tremendous task begun by Paul.
· Paul felt the need to fortify the courage of his dear son. Timothy was trustworthy, but he was sometimes weak in courage and physical strength.
· Paul wanted to prepare his son for the perilous times coming upon the earth in the last days.
Good morning, beloved brothers and sisters! Isn’t it a blessing to be together in the house of the Lord today? I hope you are feeling as excited as I am to unravel this lesson and dive into God’s Word. We are going to explore a passage from 2 Timothy, where we will be focusing on how to rekindle your spiritual flame.
When we read between the lines of this epistle, it seems young Timothy’s spiritual flame has diminished, at least at some degree. Therefore, these verses reveal how to rekindle your spiritual flame. Let’s look at three actions that will help us.
I. REMEMBER YOUR SPIRITUAL RESOURCES v. 6-7
We all need a regular rekindling, as Paul writes to Timothy in verse 6a. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift 0f God. The word “stir up” means to kindle into flames.
The word “gift” refers to the spiritual gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit when we become Christians to equip us for God’s purpose. Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift.
In verse 7, Paul said: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Satan’s most effective weapon in quenching our spiritual flame is fear. An acrostic that describes the fear that Satan plants in our heart is:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
When you need to rekindle your flame, God has given you three great resources.
1. The first resource is the spirit of power v. 7b. The word “power” means “dynamite” and “dynamic.” It refers to a great force or energy. God infuses us with His power so we can be effective in use of our spiritual gifts.
2. Our second resource is the spirit of love v. 7c. Agape love – is a supernatural love that enables us to love all, regardless of who they are or how they act.
3. Our third resource is a sound mind v. 7d. This means we can remain cool, calm, and collected when others do not.
To rekindle your spiritual flame:
1. Remember Your Spiritual Resources v. 6-7
II. RELY ON SPIRITUAL POWER v. 8
The resources God supplies enable us to be faithful to the finish.
Paul writes: Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord v. 8. Timothy may have been struggling with fears of being arrested and executed. Paul’s impending execution planted fear in the hearts of all believers, which was Nero’s intent.
When we are being intimidated, we should not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. We are not to be ashamed of Christ, or of other Christians who are suffering because of Christ. Suffering, being ridiculed, or enduring persecution in any form, is not something we must endure in our own strength but by the power of God v. 8c. This kind of enduring power is not available until we need it.
To rekindle your spiritual flame:
1. Remember Your Spiritual Resources v. 6-7
2. Rely On Spiritual Power v. 8
III. REVIEW YOUR SALVATION v. 9-10
When your spiritual flame begins to flicker, remember who saved you and called you with a holy calling v. 9a. Why did God save us? He saved us so we would live holy lives in a sinful world. We are to let our lights shine. We are saved not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.
Before time began, God made provision for our salvation which is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death v. 10a-b. The word “abolished” means “to render inoperative.” Jesus took the sting out of death (1 Cor. 15:54-57). Death is no longer our enemy; it is our friend because it is not the end of life but the beginning of eternal life. Death is a comma, not a period.
To rekindle your spiritual flame:
1. Remember Your Spiritual Resources v. 6-7
2. Rely On Spiritual Power v. 8
3. Review Your Salvation v. 9-10
Responsive Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-10
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