'Man Up!' (Mentor Series cont.)

(If needed, notes from Sunday, 4/15/12, FBC Ruston, Dr. Chris)

2 Timothy 2: 6-18

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
(Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty)
15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
* Written by Paul to Timothy, the young pastor at Ephesus, around AD 66-67, probably Paul's final letter. He's in prison, probably for the second time, and chained
* Do you have fears today?

* Paul asks Timothy to "fan the flame of the gift" he has, to not be timid in the faith ( v. 6-7)

1. We All Have Fears

2. God Makes Available To Us Great Internal Resources
(v 6-7) .. a spirit of power, love, self-discipline
a. courage
b. power
c. love
d. self control, a sound mind, a rational, reasonable manner
All these come through the Spirit, to help us to do what we are called to do

3. Live Rightly And Boldly

a. Live and share your Christianity boldly
v. 8 -- 'dont' be afraid to testify'
v 9-12 -- I know whom I have believed

b. Stand By Others Proudly
v. 8 -- Timothy, don't be ashamed of me in my chains
v. 15-18 -- Some friends bailed on Paul, and one stuck close

Stand for others ... this isn't 'good advice' .. this is 'biblical principal' ... it made it into the Bible for a reason.

-30-