Fan Into Flames

2 Timothy 1:5-7 (NLT): “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

THE FAITH: There Are Different Types of Faith:

Strong faith, Romans 4:20 (NKJV): “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,”

Common faith, Titus 1:4 (NKJV): “To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and [a] the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.”

Active faith, James 2:18 (NASB 1995): “But someone [a] may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Great faith, Matthew 8:10 (NASB 1995): “Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, ‘Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith [a] with anyone in Israel.”

Divine faith, Galatians 2:20 (NASB 1995): “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and [a] the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Precious faith, 2 Peter 1:1 (NLT): “This letter is from Simon [a] Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. ‘I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness [b] of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.”

Overcoming or Victorious faith, 1 John 5:4 (NLT): “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”

Little faith, Matthew 8:26 (NIV): “He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 14:31 (NIV): “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’”

Growing faith, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (KJV): “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth…”

Shipwrecked faith, 1 Timothy 1:19 (KJV): “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck…”

Dead faith, James 2:17 (NASB 1995): “Even so faith, if it has no works, is [a] dead, being by itself.”

THE FIRE. The Apostle Paul knew by the Spirit that Timothy’s Fire Was Cooling. Battles, Bureaucracy & Busyness will take your focus off your Fire. The Fire of God comes from the Spirit of God.

Matt 3:11 (NLT): “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

The Apostolic Pattern of Faith . Repentance –> Confession –> Water Baptism –> Holy Spirit and Fire Baptism

Timothy’s Fire Wasn’t Out —> There Just Weren’t Any Flames. The Apostle admonished him to Fan into Flames the Gift of God.

Don’t Let Your Fire Go Out –> Fire Needs Fuel –> Something to Consume

Heb 12:29 (NIV): “for our God is a consuming fire.” If there is nothing to consume the fire will go out.

The Fire of God Runs On The Oil of God. Matt 25:1-4 (NLT): “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.”

THERE ARE 3 KINDS OF CHRISTIANS YOU WANT TO AVOID: Complainers – They Are Drainers;

Gossipers – They Are Cancerous; Self Promoters – They Are Glory Thieves.

THERE ARE 4 KINDS OF CHRISTIANS YOU NEED IN YOUR CIRCLE:

The Humble – Meek

The Helpful – Servant

The Mindful – Kind

The Prayerful – Passionate

Rev. Bryan A. Tomes

Crossroads Community Church