Stir Up The Gift Of God

Stir up the gift of God

Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-12

There has been for the past few months, a particular challenge:

(1) To be heroes of the Lord.

(2) To the men in particular, to be mighty men.

Here in this gathering, I believe that our Lord is seeking people who will press into what He has for us. Not as people who are ill equipped, but as people who are:

"complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy.3:17

That text in 2 Timothy is actually in reference to the Scriptures, which are fully sufficient and the final authority in all matters of conduct, morality and life-style.

So as part of our weaponry we have the Scriptures, which when applied to every aspect of our lives, produce a good character. We are also people who have been gifted by God for the profit of all.

In 1 Corinthians 12 we find listed the nine fold gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are diverse, but nevertheless flow from the One God who works all in all.

We also find listed other gifts in Romans 12, which Paul reminds us:

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, LET US USE THEM:" Romans 12:4-6

If we are going to be heroes of our Lord, then we have to use the gifts that God has given to us.

The story of David and Goliath remains to this very day, the classic example of superior odds being overcome by faith, daring and skill.

David (1 Samuel 17) when he went out to fight Goliath knew what his gifts were. He knew that he could not fight the battle with what was someone else’s equipment and gifts.

He knew that Saul’s amour was no good for him. Yes it was a privilege to be able to go into battle with the King’s amour and weapons. It could even bring on an ego trip, "Have look at me, I’m in the KING’S! Amour, I have the KING’S! sword and shield." Yet David had the strength of character to know that to take the king’s amour and weapons would mean death to him, and the routing of the armies of Israel

David was aware of his strengths and weaknesses, he knew that he would not be able to fight the giant on the giant’s terms. He was going to take that fight to Goliath, not permit Goliath to bring the fight to him.

So with his firmly rooted faith in God, his God given gifts and talents. The skills that he had learned over the years, in practice and actual use, he went and stoned the giant and cut his head off.

The Lord comes to you knowing what you have, knowing what you are able to do, knowing you, and says;

(2 Timothy 1:6) "Stir up the gift of God, which is in you...”

"Rekindle the gift of God that is within you.."

That word "Stir" or "Rekindle" in the Greek, means to fan it up afresh that which has become little more than a smolder. Bring it once again to full flame, which has become as it is by neglect.

The Greek word is derived from two other Greek words. One means fire or fiery. The other means a living being, in particular an animal, brute or beast. So the level of the stirring that you are being called too is not some small camp fire, where you can sit around and sing nice little songs whilst keeping one’s self warm. This is total arson on that which is keep you lukewarm, to such an extent that it a driving furnace, full of energy and bringing change by the shear force of life that has now arisen within.

To give you some idea of the intensity that is being called for is to be round in the Hebrew word with much the same meaning. In Song of Solomon it is used three times in the same context:

(Song of Solomon 2:6+7, 3:5 & 8:4) "His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me.

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, DO NOT STIR NOR AWAKEN LOVE until it pleases."

The Hebrew word that is used means:

(1) To rouse one-self, awake, awaken, incite.

(a) To rouse one-self, awake

(b) To be roused

(c) To stir up, incite

(d) To rouse a cry of destruction

(e) To be excited, be triumphant

(f) To act in and aroused manner, awake.

That word "LOVE" is referring to sexual aroused. The cry of the Shulamite to the young ladies is: "Don’t stir this pent up passion that is within me, as it will not find true satisfaction until it is within the correct context of marriage."