ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE WORKERS 2 Timothy 1
Vv1-2. Paul opens with his claim to apostleship. It seems an unnecessarily starchy and formal opening given that he was writing to Timothy, who was his colleague, and dearly loved son. But, Paul cannot forget his important work of church planting among the Gentiles; the work he received a divine summons to do.
Vv3-5. When Paul longs to see Timothy night & day, he offers intercession for him and the church at Ephesus. This highlights Paul’s disciplined prayer life. Despite constant danger and frequent hazardous journeys his prayer life did not suffer. The tears shed by Timothy at Paul’s departure (Acts 20:37) were a pledge of greater joy at the possibility of their reunion. In the absence of modern telecommunication Paul longs to be alongside Timothy again. As Paul thinks back to the powerful home influences which had shaped his own faith. He reminds Timothy of his grandmother Lois, and his mum, Eunice, who were Christians and probably Church leaders. So, Paul encourages Timothy with news that faith from his Nanna & mum now resides in him.
Vv6-10. “Fan into flame the gift of God”. What is the gift of God that we need to fan into flame? The gift of God, sometimes called the anointing, is the passion and zeal to serve the Lord with our whole heart in the power of the Holy Spirit. Constantly pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit as you serve. Your service to the Lord is a spiritual gift.
A NSW colleague of mine has a train driver in her small group. The train driver was passionately aflame about driving trains, so somebody in her group asked him what inspired him. A far-away look came over his face and he told us why. This is what he said:
“As a small boy growing up, all things mechanical were interesting and exciting. In a little boy’s world, the steam engine was the ultimate. It had side rods that moved back and forth, giant driving wheels that could haul a passenger locomotive in excess of seventy miles an hour, and large steam cylinders that could produce nearly two thousand horse power for heavy freight hauls across the Dividing Range. It had lubricators, steam injectors, air compressors and all sorts of levers and gadgets. Just enough to fill a small boy’s mind.
“Friday afternoons would find my grandfather and me down at the train depot. Grandfather was a farmer. In his early years, he used steam traction engines to work the land and the love of steam was always with him.
“The highlight of our visit was to watch the Riverina Express, pulled by a thirty-eight class steam engine. We would watch in silence, both wishing we could be aboard the footplate.
“Our concentration would be broken by the friendly waves from the crew aboard the thirty-eight class. We would think about the wonder and adventures of a train driver as the Riverina Express disappeared down the track. “Even then, I knew I must follow both our dreams, his and mine.”
As we listened to the train driver, we could all see how the dream set before him that fanned his inspiration. A fortunate few know exactly what fans their inspiration. Paul was inspired because God set him apart from birth so that he might preach Christ.
But, Paul puts his finger on the pulse of Timothy’s inspiration when he commanded him to “fan it into flame” the gift he had been given by God. Being gifted and called by God are the basis of all spiritual inspiration in our lives. However, it is our passion and determination to fan into flame that gift that is the fire that fuels our inspiration and shares Jesus’ light with the world.
Unfortunately, the anointing leaks from us. Zeal fades out when we are discouraged or depressed. Rom 12:11 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” Be aglow in the spirit! Keep reminding yourself of God’s call on your life. Fan it back into flame. Be useful for God again. This is because the Holy Spirit does not produce cowardice, timidity or fear. Rather he produces, power, love and self control. Do not be ashamed to share your faith in Christ. He will give you the words to say. You do not have to worry about what other people think. Sure, it is all about performance. Its not a performance to those you might be worried about. But, its a performance for an audience of One.
Seven steps to fanning the anointing into flame.
1. Acknowledge your zeal and anointing may have decreased. I have learned the first step to any change is the acknowledgement that it needs changing. If you find yourself not doing the things you first did. Decide today to repent and go back to your first love (Christ). Ask for his forgiveness. Our Father God awaits us with open arms.
2. Keep your first love first. We do well to remember the warning given to the Laodicean church, “I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Rev3:15f
3. Protect your anointing. We protect our anointing by living a holy separated, consecrated life. Our Father God requires that we be holy as He is holy. It may be useful to ask God to help you to see into the spiritual realm. The Holy Spirit can instruct us to guard our eyes (being careful what we allow ourselves to see) and ears (what we allow ourselves to hear) as a part of the protection of the anointing in our lives.
4. Become a student of the Bible. Study to show yourself a workman approved unto God and rightly dividing the truth. Many of God’s people start out great, but end up religious fanatics because they become imbalanced somewhere along the way. All Bible and no Holy Spirit will puff you up. On the other hand, all Holy Spirit and no Bible will blow you up. It is important to have a balance of Spirit and Word so we grow up.
5. Live a simple lifestyle. Deny your flesh all it wants, often. The Apostle Paul admonished us in the race of life, “I make my body do what I want it to do so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1Cor 9:27
6. Walk in love. How can we love God and not love each other? Again, we gain instruction from the Apostle Paul simply paraphrased, “The gifts are useless in your life if you don’t have love.” 1Cor 13:2
7. Live prayerfully. Jesus went apart often to pray and listen to the Father. We must follow His example to continue to walk in His anointing. Prayer prepares you for anointed service. Additionally, it helps you continue in anointed ministry. Get to know God in prayer and get to know His plans of service for you.
Vv11-12. The gospel has the power to change lives. That’s why Paul says in Rom 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God to save everyone who believes.” Paul declares here that he was appointed a herald (preacher), apostle (a sent one), and a teacher. It is because Paul is true to his calling that he is suffering persecution, and will ultimately be martyred for his love for Jesus. His testimony is that “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able…”. It is not what Paul believes that makes the difference, but knowing whom he believes. It is not a set of doctrines that brings life, it is the person of Jesus.
Now, in the words, “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able…”, Paul uses the perfect tense three times. Let me try to paraphrase what he means. Over many experiences in my life since I first trusted Jesus as my Saviour, I have come to the point in my life today where I can say without wavering that I know and trust Jesus Christ as my true special friend. Furthermore, as a result of my daily experience of trusting him over the years, I am persuaded to conclude, beyond doubt in my mind, that God can and does act, and that he is willing and able to help me. That is a powerful testimony!
God is able to guard what I’ve entrusted to him for that day = Everything that is precious to Paul: his own soul, his ministry among the gentiles, his converts, his apostleship, and the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ until he returns or calls him home. Everything of any value to Paul, he entrusts it all to the Lord.
Vv13-14. Follow the instructions to help you keep the anointing
V15. Phygelus & Hermogenes deserted Paul, probably because they did not want to suffer persecution along with Paul. They were not whole hearted; they lost the anointing.
Vv16-18. In comparison to these two fellows, Onesiphorus had searched hard for Paul and finally found him in Rome so that he might care for him. He was a model of Christian kindness, and had been ministering at Ephesus before Timothy. Now he had come to Rome showing the consistency of his loyalty to Paul.
So, what have I been saying? Most people think of the anointing as something mystical that either you have or do not have. On the other hand, many mistakenly think God’s power only rests upon those who publicly minister—preach, teach, prophesy, etc. I think both ideas are wrong.
Yet, when I see someone operating in their gifts of administration or helps, I see the anointing. When I observe them doing the setting up or cleaning I see the gift of helps, and I recognize the anointing to serve. God’s anointing empowers you to do whatever He calls you to do. If the Holy Spirit has gifted you to serve, begin to recognize and stir the anointing, and fan it into flame. Know that you have the anointing and equipment to do all that God created you to be and do. Now be sure to stir it up to the glory of God. Keep reminding yourself of God’s call on your life, whether it be driving trains, helping others, preaching, or doing something else. Follow the seven steps and fan the anointing back into flame and be useful for God again. God’s anointing is for every Christian who is willing to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.
