Be an encourager
2 Timothy 1:7-9
Introduction-
Please turn with me to 2 Timothy 1:7-9 as we continue in the series “learning from the Apostle Paul.”
Paul is writing a letter of encouragement to Timothy.
It is a real good letter since Paul has been arrested and was sitting in jail.
Kind of hard to write a letter of encouragement under those conditions.
I am sure that no one but me has ever had to put on a happy face when they did not feel like it.
I am sure I am alone that sometimes situations cause us to need a little encouragement and that our pitcher is empty on what we can give out.
This letter was Paul’s heart to someone that he cared about and one that he had taken a vested interest in.
They had some history together.
2 Timothy 1:7-1:9
So tell me this morning;
How do you get from fear to confidence?
Where do you get encouragement so that we might be able to give some encouragement to those around us?
Paul was remembering that Timothy had some history with him.
He expresses to his friend that he longs to see him and be with him.
Paul also wanted to stir up within him a flame of hope and a flame of faithfulness.
Even though at the same time Paul was not in an ideal place in his life.
(7) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love, and self-discipline.”
Boom, there it is! Write it down!
God does not give us a spirit of fear!
He goes on to say that faith had begun by the teachings of his family and at conversion there should have been some change.
Faith and fear cannot dwell in the same place!
He tells us that perfect love cast out fear- that fear is the opposite of faith and power from God.
Truth be told;
Fear renders us powerless!
It takes our strength and causes us to submit to things that we would not if we were not afraid.
The word power translated here is the Greek word “Dunamus, and is where we get our word dynamite.
Why would Paul say all this to his student of the faith?
Because why would God call us to something that He would not give us the power to get done.
Most things that God ask us to do that would have any kingdom benefits would be something that we cannot do in our own strength. (repeat)
Why would Paul say this?
(8) “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who 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.”
God had war on terror long before any politician dubbed the phrase.
God has been battling fear for us a long time.
I think that there are 2 kinds of fear-
1. There is the healthy fear of God which gives Him reverence.
To put God in the right position in our lives.
2. The fear that is not of God that paralyzes us
Fear of what people might say or think
Fear of death
Fear of stepping out of your comfort zone.
God says “ Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
Yet most live in fear!
Fear is a fire alarm- it should signal danger, that is what it is designed to do. But for Christians, our response is to allow God to give us the correct response, and act in His strength and guidance.
Paul is telling Timothy all this because He loves him, and he wants to be an encourager.
The best testimonies I have ever heard has come from people who have gone through great trials and come out on the other side.
The drunk who gives up alcohol
The addict who kicks the habit
The man/women who overcomes a divorce that they had no control over.
Paul is writing a letter from prison as a message of encouragement.
“ I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard that what I have entrusted to him.”
Yes, you can conquer fear! In Jesus name!
When you put your trust in God!
When you realize it is not in your strength, your might, but by my Spirit says the Lord.
When you stir up inside of you the gift of God, the Spirit of the living God inside of you!
We move from fear to confidence in God when we get plugged into God’s power!
Dynamus! Dynamite! More than we could muster up within ourselves.
I don’t know about you, but his words encourage me.
Those times you think you are on an island all alone waiting for a ship to come and rescue you. And all you see is water! But no ship!
Did you know there is fear of fear;
Phobo-Phobia- the fear of fear.
There is also a fear of church;
Eccesio-Phobia, the fear of church!
That must be why so many people run away from God instead of toward God in their hard times.
So if you didn’t get it yet- you can defeat fear in your life- Say amen!
It will take the Lord actively in your life to do it!
The second thing, again found in verse 8 (repeat verse)
“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who 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.”
As we are encouraged by the things God has done in our lives, we should be encouragers to others.
That is the only way that Apostle Paul can write this letter to Timothy.
Being arrested and in prison is not his first choice, but because God encourages him, he will in all things encourage others.
Being an encourager does not mean everything has to be going perfect in your life.
If that was the case very few could be encouragers.
We decide that we will not let circumstances in our lives keep us from living that holy life God desires and by choice we will be sensitive and encourage those around us.
Encourage by definition is one who inspires hope and courage, to give support to others in their time of need.
It is not someone who is perfect!
Not someone who has numerous resources.
It is someone who has guarded what God has given them and by His help and power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives gives to someone who is in need.
William Arthur Ward
Flatter me, and I may not believe you
Criticize me, and I may not like you
Ignore me, I may not forgive you
Encourage me, and I will not forget you.
We are called to be the sons and daughters of encouragement.
Mark Twain
“Keep away from people who try to battle your ambitions, small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great!
Ask the Lord to help you encourage someone who needs a second, third chance.
Joshua in the Bible was that kind of person, the kind of person who chose to be an encourager.
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
There is Paul’s point coming to light. I believe he heard Joshua words in those times of discouragement, and gave words of encouragement to those that needed them.
Be strong and brave
Do not be terrified (that word fear again)
Do not be discouraged
For the Lord is with you and wants to help you
Be careful Timothy to obey all that the Lord has told you, because success is not guaranteed.
Joshua 1:6
“Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them,”
The Lord encourages us so that at the right times we can be encouragement to others. We can pick people up at those low times in their life.
Illustration to close; I shared this years ago
You might have heard of the married couple asleep in bed on a stormy night who were awakened by a loud knock on the front door. The man crawled out of bed and grumpily went downstairs. When he opened the door he found a man dripping wet and obviously very drunk who said to him, “I cannot get my car started. Can you give me a push? To which the man of the house sharply said, no, go and sober up and we will sort this out in the morning. He slammed the door and stormed upstairs. When he got back to bed and explained what had happened to his wife she was indignant and said to him, that was not a very Christian response. He could be in trouble and you have just sent him out in the storm for the rest of the night. Reluctantly the man got out of bed a second time and put on his coat and went downstairs. He figured he wasn’t going to get any peace until he did something for the man out in the rain. When he got to the front door the rain was stopping and he couldn’t see the man. He could hear a faint noise out in the front yard so he called out, hello? Are you still there? What can I do to help? To which the other man relied, could you give me a push? I’d be happy to if I could see you, where are you? I’m over here on your swing!
Here is how we end it today-
Maybe you’re here and you could just use a push- the Lord wants to be your encourager and give you that push.
Maybe you are here and the Lord can use you to give someone else a gentle push! You can be the encourager!
Amen.
