Look at the mess this world is in today. This is the result of generations of people rejecting the true God of heaven and worshiping the creature (His creation) more than it worships Him (Romans 1). Are you afraid of what you see? How do we act in this ungodly world as Christians?
(2 Timothy 1:6-8)…..6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
How does God intend for His children to act like? Does He want us to be afraid (timid)? No! He wants His children to be…….
- Fearless
a. Men/women of God don’t always start out with boldness
- Peter displayed fear on several occasions
- Read: (Matthew 14:26-31) (Matthew 26:69-75) (Galatians 2:11-12)
- Paul himself feared at times – (1 Corinthians 2:1-3)
- Yet these men developed boldness – (Acts 4:13) (Acts 21:13)
b. How is one made fearless
- Perfect love casts out fear – the more we experience His love – the less we fear
- Read: (1 John 4:17-19)
- As men/women of God grow in – faith – love – fear is removed
- Boldness is to be prayed for – (Ephesians 6:19)
- Loving
a. Men/women of God don’t always start out loving others or showing compassion
- James and John developed the reputation as Sons Of Thunder
- Read: (Mark 3:17) (Luke 9:51-56)
- Yet – John – a Son of Thunder – became the apostle teaching love – (1 John 4:7-8)
b. How is one made to love – both God and others?
- By God loving us – (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10) (1 John 4:9-11)
- Sound Mind
a. The Greek word (sophronismos) denotes one of – sober mind – of prudence and discretion – mind being well balanced – stable in life and doctrine
- Bishops (elders) must be sober (sophrone) – (1 Timothy 3:2) (Titus 1:8)
- Older men are to be temperate (sophrone) – (Titus 2:2)
- Older women are to teach (sophronizo) younger women
- To be sober (sophronizo) – (Titus 2:4)
- To be discreet (sophrone) – (Titus 2:5)
b. Most of the time our fears are the result of wrong thinking
- So how does one obtain a sound mind?
- Through obedience to the words of His Son – (Matthew 7:24-29)
- By setting one’s mind on the things above – (Colossians 3:1-3) (Romans 12:1-2)
b. Satan (our adversary) has blinded and corrupted the minds of the world – and he even wants the believers to remain confused and in fear
- We – like Timothy – might need to be reminded today to stir up the gift of God that is in us
- Let us pray – ask God for a boldness in – standing – living – teaching – the Gospel of Christ