Stir up the Gift of God May 29, 2016
2 Timothy 1:4-6 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.
Timothy had been walking in Paul’s gospel for 14 years but at this point something was lacking in Timothy. There were things hindering him.
2 Timothy 1:7-8 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;
The power of God is the love of God. Embrace afflictions and don’t be afraid to suffer for Christ’s sake.
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
When it gets tough embrace the sound words, not those from “friends” like Job’s. The only way you will lay ahold of faith is by love. Paul knows exactly what Timothy needs.
What is this gift received by putting on of hands?
Acts 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
This leaves no doubt as to the gift - it is the Holy Ghost. Timothy had been filled with the Spirit but he needed to be full. A big part of stirring it up is allowing the Lord to continue the tongue language as you praise Him in spirit and in truth. The Holy Ghost is a gift that you receive after you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour and the evidence is speaking in tongues.
Acts 10:44-46 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
The zeal for bridal truth only comes from living and abiding in the fullness of the Holy Ghost. We have the opportunity right now to know the love of Christ in a relationship with Jesus as His readied wife. God used the mighty men and women of the Old Testament to write unto you love letters. The Holy Ghost causes you to continue in truth in love with Jesus Christ. He shows you how much Jesus loves you. We need the mighty wind of the Holy Ghost to go on with Him. You can’t do it on your own. When you are full you’ll realize you are new, not all the things you thought defined you. See His grace and mercy.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
It is an “exuberant love fight”. It’s love that will win Christ. It must increase continually if you are going to win Him. That gift of the Holy Ghost is everything you need. He takes the things of Christ and makes them yours. He sheds the love of God abroad in your heart (Romans 5:5). If you need more power, more love, more faith – the answer is the Holy Ghost. Why do we not yield to the Holy Ghost? This is the gift that keeps on giving. It only gets better and more powerful moment by moment. Worship in tongues in the Spirit. Forbid not to speak in tongues. May we too have the same testimony as Paul, he was glad he spoke in tongues more than all (I Corinthians 14:18). Follow Paul as he followed Christ!
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Sermon Topics: Filled with the Holy Spirit,Heavenly Language,Holy Spirit,Speaking in Tongues