WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:09.660 Did you do anything to prepare for the Arctic blast we got in the middle of last week? 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:17.740 Well, I heard the weather forecast and I lift the pilot light in my gas logs. 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:23.059 And on Tuesday night and Wednesday night, I fired them up. 00:00:24.060 --> 00:00:26.219 I enjoyed the warmth. 00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:29.160 I enjoyed seeing the fire burn. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:40.420 Well, I've been thinking about a different kind of fire ever since our men's ministry dinner, supper, whatever it was that Rick cooked. 00:00:41.140 --> 00:00:45.460 He did a good job, by the way, last Tuesday night. 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:53.320 Boy Scout brought a great message on the importance of every Christian, 00:00:53.320 --> 00:01:03.340 making sure we keep the spiritual fire burning brightly in our lives every day. 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:11.640 He was talking about maintaining a close relationship with Christ in terms of a spiritual fire. 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:13.740 Well, that got my attention. 00:01:13.739 --> 00:01:15.979 It really did. 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:26.479 I have thought about the kind of spiritual fire that is really burning in my life right now. 00:01:26.480 --> 00:01:36.200 And I've thought about what kind of spiritual fire is burning in the lives of our church family. 00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:39.600 It really got my attention. 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:43.260 I've thought about it off and on some this week. 00:01:44.700 --> 00:01:51.480 You know, if we are Christians, when we were saved, here's what happened. 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:58.780 God did a supernatural work called regeneration or the new birth. 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:11.219 He gave us the desire to acknowledge our sin and separation from God, to turn from our sin, change our mind about the way we're living, repent. 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:16.180 He caused the light to come on. 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:23.099 I'm talking about He enabled us to see by faith that Jesus Christ is His Son. 00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:31.680 And He came into this world to die on a cross as our substitute, pay the penalty for our sins. 00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:39.780 When God saves us, He does this work in us to give us such a desire to turn from our sin, to trust Jesus. 00:02:41.219 --> 00:02:49.639 He puts His Spirit in us when He does this, to live with us forever. 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:53.219 Every Christian is indwelled by the Holy Spirit. 00:02:54.599 --> 00:03:06.939 Now one way to describe this, this work of God when He saves us, is that God's lit a spiritual fire in our soul. 00:03:06.939 --> 00:03:14.099 Now, if you are a Christian, you know what I'm talking about. 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:16.659 You may not have ever thought about it exactly this way. 00:03:16.979 --> 00:03:30.039 But if you're a Christian, you know that whenever it was God saved you, He did a work in your soul, heart, life, however you want to describe it. 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:34.900 He lit a spiritual fire. 00:03:36.699 --> 00:03:47.259 Now, nobody in this room is going to pretend that there's always been a burning, bright, warm spiritual fire in our lives. 00:03:47.259 --> 00:03:51.939 So let's just all be honest. 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:59.899 If you're a Christian, is the spiritual fire within you right now more like a pilot light? 00:04:01.899 --> 00:04:05.199 A pilot light in my gas logs. 00:04:05.859 --> 00:04:08.219 When it's lit, there is fire. 00:04:08.519 --> 00:04:10.199 But you've got to go over to the fireplace. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:14.919 You've got to look down and see that little bitty flame. 00:04:18.219 --> 00:04:20.300 And there may be some Christians in this room. 00:04:21.959 --> 00:04:24.860 You know that the Spirit of God lives within you. 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.319 You know you're a follower of Jesus. 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:34.959 But for whatever reason, the fire is burning very, very dimly right now. 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:47.219 Or would you say that by the grace of God, the fire in you right now, spiritually speaking, is a roaring blaze? 00:04:48.899 --> 00:04:53.159 People who know you, they see the Lord in you. 00:04:54.759 --> 00:05:00.179 They even feel the warmth of His love when they're around you. 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:05.240 That may be some people's experience right now. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:06.840 And you thank God if it is. 00:05:08.780 --> 00:05:15.780 Or it could be that right now, you're not really a pilot light, but you're not a blazing fire either. 00:05:17.220 --> 00:05:18.960 You're somewhere in between. 00:05:18.959 --> 00:05:26.239 Well, this message this morning is designed just like that message on Tuesday night. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:30.680 To cause us all to think about what kind of fire is burning right now. 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:34.139 And to help us do that, I want you to turn to 2 Timothy chapter 1. 00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:37.359 2 Timothy chapter 1. 00:05:38.740 --> 00:05:43.779 And what we're going to do is look at how the Apostle Paul had to encourage Timothy, 00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:47.679 a dedicated, committed Christian, 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:49.839 leader. 00:05:51.019 --> 00:05:53.039 But Paul had to encourage him 00:05:53.039 --> 00:05:55.579 at times 00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:57.680 to fan 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:59.319 the fire, 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:02.680 fan the flame that was in him 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:05.879 because it wasn't burning bright enough. 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:08.560 2 Timothy 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:10.039 chapter 1. 00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:12.299 Let me say this. 00:06:13.299 --> 00:06:15.179 I'm interrupting the series 00:06:15.179 --> 00:06:16.859 on our stewardship 00:06:16.860 --> 00:06:17.920 of time now. 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:19.040 We're talking about our stewardship 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:21.100 in life of our time, talents, and treasures. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:23.840 Last week, we began the part about time. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:26.000 We're going to continue it next week, Lord willing. 00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:28.520 This week, today, 00:06:29.580 --> 00:06:30.560 I want us to think about 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:32.100 the spiritual fire 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:34.740 if 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:36.000 it is burning 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:38.240 and how brightly it's burning in our lives. 00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:40.960 2 Timothy 1, beginning in verse 3. 00:06:40.960 --> 00:06:42.960 Paul is writing 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:43.579 to Timothy. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:46.599 This is a letter from Paul to Timothy. 00:06:47.239 --> 00:06:48.779 I thank God whom I serve, 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:50.219 as did my ancestors, 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:51.859 with a clear conscience, 00:06:52.539 --> 00:06:54.659 as I remember you constantly 00:06:54.659 --> 00:06:56.519 in my prayers night and day, 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:59.620 and as I remember your tears. 00:07:00.899 --> 00:07:02.519 I long to see you 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:05.179 that I may be filled with joy. 00:07:05.179 --> 00:07:08.560 I am reminded of your sincere faith, 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:11.360 a faith that dwelt first 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:12.519 in your grandmother Lois 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:13.699 and your mother Eunice, 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:15.420 and now I am sure. 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:16.660 He's talking about I'm confident. 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:17.899 Not a guess, 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:19.000 but I'm confident 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:20.680 dwells in you as well. 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:22.379 For this reason, 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:24.300 I remind you 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:27.340 to fan into flame 00:07:27.340 --> 00:07:29.340 the gift of God 00:07:29.340 --> 00:07:30.680 which is in you 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:33.439 through the laying on of my hands, 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:35.340 for God gave us 00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:37.819 a spirit not of fear, 00:07:38.419 --> 00:07:39.619 but of power 00:07:39.619 --> 00:07:41.139 and love 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:42.699 and self-control. 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:45.479 Does the fire 00:07:45.479 --> 00:07:47.699 of Christian faithfulness 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:49.859 need to be fanned 00:07:49.859 --> 00:07:51.419 into a flame 00:07:51.419 --> 00:07:53.859 in your life 00:07:53.859 --> 00:07:54.759 right now? 00:07:56.539 --> 00:07:57.620 Think about it. 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:00.679 Sometimes, 00:08:01.239 --> 00:08:02.459 in all of our lives 00:08:02.459 --> 00:08:02.939 as Christians, 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:04.779 sometimes the fire 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:06.120 is low. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:08.379 Maybe the flicker 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.779 of a pilot light. 00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:11.120 Sometimes, 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:12.759 the light is just not, 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:13.719 the fire is not 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:15.139 what we know 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:15.800 it ought to be, 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:16.560 what it has been 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:17.000 in the past, 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:18.300 what we want it to be today. 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:19.939 And so, 00:08:20.980 --> 00:08:22.459 even in faithful Christians, 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:24.740 sometimes we need 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:26.220 to fan the fire, 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:27.480 fan the flame. 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:29.000 That was true 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.740 about Timothy. 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:31.420 Paul met Timothy 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:33.120 on his second mission trip. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:33.940 It's recorded 00:08:33.940 --> 00:08:35.300 in Acts chapter 16. 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:37.039 We see from 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:38.460 the New Testament record 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:39.300 in Acts 00:08:39.300 --> 00:08:40.460 and in some of Paul's letters 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:40.800 that they had 00:08:40.800 --> 00:08:42.000 a very close relationship. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:43.700 Paul considered him 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:45.100 to be like 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:46.320 a spiritual son. 00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:49.300 Paul was Timothy's mentor. 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:51.320 And Paul had 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:51.980 a lot of confidence 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:52.480 in Timothy. 00:08:53.320 --> 00:08:54.320 He sent Timothy 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:55.039 sometimes to be 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:55.899 his representative 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:56.920 to another church. 00:08:57.840 --> 00:08:58.879 He had confidence 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:00.100 in Timothy's ability 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:01.080 to be a faithful 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:02.299 Christian leader. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:04.220 He even gave him 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:04.860 the responsibility 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:06.820 of leading the church 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:07.639 at Ephesus 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:08.939 and dealing 00:09:08.939 --> 00:09:10.480 with some hard issues 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:12.159 for a period of time. 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:14.620 Both 1 and 2 Timothy 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:15.419 in the New Testament, 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:16.059 two letters, 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:16.740 1 Timothy, 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:17.460 2 Timothy. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:18.919 Both were written 00:09:18.919 --> 00:09:20.019 to this young man 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:21.980 when he was still 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:22.519 at Ephesus 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:23.940 leading the church 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:24.460 there. 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:28.660 Timothy was not 00:09:28.660 --> 00:09:30.000 nearly as strong 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:30.519 a leader 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:32.040 as the Apostle Paul was. 00:09:33.660 --> 00:09:34.560 Paul knew it 00:09:34.560 --> 00:09:35.340 and he knew him well. 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:37.019 That's no knock 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:37.440 on Timothy. 00:09:37.580 --> 00:09:38.740 It's just who he was. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:40.860 And so sometimes 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:42.639 as you read 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:43.759 through these letters, 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:45.460 sometimes you see 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:46.519 Paul having to 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.639 encourage Timothy. 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:49.120 Sometimes he's 00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:50.240 having to 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:51.920 prod him along. 00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:54.139 Sometimes he just 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.120 basically giving him 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:56.240 a list of instructions. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:09:58.980 Sometimes Timothy 00:09:58.980 --> 00:09:59.860 had to be told, 00:10:01.319 --> 00:10:02.480 remain faithful, 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.019 be strong, 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:05.439 hang in there, 00:10:06.319 --> 00:10:07.379 fulfill your 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.480 responsibilities. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:11.840 If you have any doubts, 00:10:12.199 --> 00:10:13.539 read 1 and 2 Timothy. 00:10:14.439 --> 00:10:15.500 You see this. 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:16.819 And now what we're 00:10:16.819 --> 00:10:17.500 looking at this morning 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.580 specifically, 00:10:19.700 --> 00:10:20.500 verse 6, 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:21.720 for this reason, 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:23.139 I remind you 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.519 to fan 00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:25.899 into flame 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:27.120 the gift 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:27.560 of God. 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:29.440 Now, 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:31.220 if Paul 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:32.080 had to say 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:33.000 that to Timothy, 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:35.080 being the man 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:35.980 that he was, 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:37.500 mentored, 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:38.139 trained, 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:38.660 equipped 00:10:38.660 --> 00:10:40.120 by Paul, 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:42.820 how much more 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:43.460 do we need 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:44.180 to hear that 00:10:44.180 --> 00:10:45.899 at times? 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:47.779 And this may be 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:48.480 the very time 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.699 that you need 00:10:49.699 --> 00:10:50.639 to hear this 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.100 as well. 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:52.179 But, 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:53.439 before we go 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:53.799 any further, 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:55.159 why would Timothy 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:56.100 need to hear this? 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:57.179 Why? 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:58.959 Why do we 00:10:58.959 --> 00:11:01.720 let the fire 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:02.699 that God lights 00:11:02.699 --> 00:11:03.279 in us 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:03.879 as a Christian, 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.079 that sometimes 00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:06.879 blazes brightly, 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:08.379 why do we 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:09.579 let it go out? 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:11.199 Why does it 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:12.480 get dim 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.220 at times? 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:13.860 Well, 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.199 no doubt 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:15.000 there's a lot 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:15.680 of reasons 00:11:15.680 --> 00:11:17.840 and if the fire, 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:18.820 the spiritual fire 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:19.740 of faithfulness 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:20.220 is not, 00:11:20.220 --> 00:11:21.660 you know, 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:22.680 blazing up 00:11:22.680 --> 00:11:23.080 in your life 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:23.480 right now, 00:11:23.920 --> 00:11:25.120 you think to yourself, 00:11:25.280 --> 00:11:25.680 why? 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:27.379 What are some reasons? 00:11:28.140 --> 00:11:29.220 Identify the reasons, 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:30.520 that's important 00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:30.980 before you can 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:31.840 find the solution. 00:11:32.640 --> 00:11:33.520 For some people 00:11:33.520 --> 00:11:34.280 it may just be 00:11:34.280 --> 00:11:35.620 the busyness of life. 00:11:36.040 --> 00:11:36.620 You may not have 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:37.480 really thought about it 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:37.980 right now, 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:40.180 but you're just 00:11:40.180 --> 00:11:42.220 so pulled 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:43.240 in different directions. 00:11:43.540 --> 00:11:44.639 So many demands 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:45.399 on your time, 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:46.660 you never intended 00:11:46.660 --> 00:11:47.360 for it to be, 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:48.440 but when you're 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:49.279 confronted with this 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:50.240 question this morning 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:52.019 about the fire, 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:52.960 the spiritual fire 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:53.420 of commitment 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:54.060 in your life, 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:55.879 you know, 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:56.759 you have to admit, 00:11:56.920 --> 00:11:58.379 it is not nearly 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:00.139 as glowing 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:02.800 as it used to be. 00:12:03.800 --> 00:12:05.100 A lot of different reasons, 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:07.000 but there's two 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.639 in Timothy's life 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.800 that we see in Scripture 00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:10.980 and so that's where 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:11.700 I want us to focus 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:12.639 our attention this morning. 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:13.680 Number one, 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:15.560 he had some physical problems. 00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:17.460 Timothy dealt 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:18.500 with physical illnesses 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.320 at times 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:21.379 and Paul instructs him 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:22.540 on how to deal with it 00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:24.519 in 1 Timothy chapter 5. 00:12:25.180 --> 00:12:25.639 He says, 00:12:25.820 --> 00:12:26.879 no longer drink 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:27.879 only water, 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:29.580 but use a little wine 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.220 for the sake 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:31.100 of your stomach 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:33.620 and your frequent ailments. 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:35.460 Now Paul's not encouraging him 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:35.860 to go out 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.720 and become an alcoholic. 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:37.960 He is saying, 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.039 use wine 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:39.899 for the sake 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:40.700 of your stomach 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:42.860 and your frequent ailments. 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:45.600 Paul knew Timothy. 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.659 He knew that he had 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.720 stomach problems 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:49.700 that evidently 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:51.399 caused him 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:52.120 not to be able 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:52.899 to function 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:54.159 or function well 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:55.360 at times. 00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:56.919 And so, 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.519 here's the solution. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.960 You got a problem? 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:01.980 There is a legitimate, 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.220 helpful way 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:04.060 to take care of it. 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.000 Paul's saying, 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.040 do it. 00:13:07.540 --> 00:13:08.120 We don't know 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:08.879 why he stopped, 00:13:09.660 --> 00:13:10.740 but Paul's telling him now, 00:13:11.160 --> 00:13:12.779 take care of yourself. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.240 Do what you need to do 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:14.980 to be in better 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:16.420 physical condition. 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:18.080 Now, 00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:19.279 before we go any further, 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.019 I want to say something 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:21.300 to make this real clear. 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:23.500 I know 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:25.779 that people have 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:27.800 physical illnesses, 00:13:28.160 --> 00:13:28.820 problems, 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:30.379 problems that prevent 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:32.200 them from doing 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:32.960 a lot of things 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:33.860 they would like to do. 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.840 There may be times 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:36.500 in your life 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:37.620 when there is a physical 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:39.520 issue going on 00:13:39.520 --> 00:13:40.540 and you just cannot 00:13:40.540 --> 00:13:42.300 do what you want 00:13:42.300 --> 00:13:42.700 to do, 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:43.760 what you've committed 00:13:43.760 --> 00:13:44.360 to do, 00:13:44.780 --> 00:13:45.640 and it's legitimate. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:46.180 So, 00:13:46.260 --> 00:13:47.100 I'm not trying to inflict 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.220 guilt on someone 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:50.040 who has this kind 00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:50.460 of problem. 00:13:52.260 --> 00:13:53.760 But some problems, 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:55.120 some issues 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.580 that we deal with, 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:58.620 they just make us 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:59.259 feel bad. 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:03.120 They may 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:05.580 cause some pain. 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.819 They may 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:09.580 make us a little bit 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:10.059 weak. 00:14:11.179 --> 00:14:12.460 But the truth is, 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:14.299 we can deal with it. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.659 Truth is, 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.399 there's a lot of things 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:17.899 that happen to us 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.279 in life, 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.419 we just gotta learn 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:20.740 to suck it up and go. 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:21.720 That is, 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.559 what can be sucked up 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:24.299 and gone with? 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.199 We live today 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:31.559 in a very soft world. 00:14:33.239 --> 00:14:34.239 You don't have to tell 00:14:34.239 --> 00:14:34.739 many people 00:14:34.739 --> 00:14:35.759 to take care of themselves. 00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:38.119 They go overboard 00:14:38.119 --> 00:14:39.199 in taking care of themselves. 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.859 But in a day gone by, 00:14:42.859 --> 00:14:43.699 more people, 00:14:44.479 --> 00:14:45.799 Christians and otherwise, 00:14:46.599 --> 00:14:47.799 just had the mentality, 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:49.739 you do what you can do, 00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:51.979 even if it is 00:14:51.979 --> 00:14:53.539 in the midst of difficulty. 00:14:53.819 --> 00:14:54.439 One of those men 00:14:54.439 --> 00:14:56.500 was John Calvin. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.259 One of the most 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:59.639 influential Christians 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:01.139 who has ever lived 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:02.719 was John Calvin. 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:05.519 Most people in this room, 00:15:05.619 --> 00:15:06.039 you're familiar 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:07.299 with the Protestant Reformation. 00:15:07.839 --> 00:15:08.439 One of the most 00:15:08.439 --> 00:15:10.159 important events, 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:12.239 God breaking into history 00:15:12.239 --> 00:15:13.500 in the history 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.059 of the world. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:17.079 The two most well-known 00:15:17.079 --> 00:15:19.059 and leading reformers 00:15:19.619 --> 00:15:20.659 were Martin Luther 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:22.240 and John Calvin. 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:26.659 Calvin lived a very 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:28.740 productive life. 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:31.219 He wrote many books 00:15:31.219 --> 00:15:33.199 on the Christian life, 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.059 on theology, 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.539 the deep things of God. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.980 He wrote a commentary 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.899 on just about every book 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.360 of the Bible. 00:15:38.459 --> 00:15:38.899 Not all, 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:39.980 but just about every book 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.360 of the Bible. 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.539 He preached numerous times, 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.799 most weeks, 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:46.259 and multiple times 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.019 on Sundays. 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:49.019 He corresponded widely 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:50.699 with people. 00:15:51.099 --> 00:15:53.139 One of his greatest influences 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.019 was through his written correspondence. 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:57.479 He was also very involved 00:15:57.479 --> 00:15:58.979 as a civic leader 00:15:58.979 --> 00:16:00.459 in the city of Geneva. 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.519 Calvin did more 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:05.079 than anyone I've ever known. 00:16:06.359 --> 00:16:07.279 Accomplished more 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:08.539 than anyone I've ever known. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:11.159 I want you to look 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:13.039 at how he did all this 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:14.579 in the midst of dealing 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:16.399 with multiple illnesses. 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.240 Look at this. 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.120 He was plagued 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.519 with constant headaches 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:23.620 which hardly ever left him. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.500 The pain was so intense 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.360 that many nights 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.240 he could not sleep. 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:29.000 He also had some kind 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:30.539 of disease of the trachea 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:31.079 which, 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.519 when he spoke too much, 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:34.179 caused him to spit blood. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.919 Several attacks of pleurisy 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.980 prepared the way 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.740 for consumption 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.879 of which he finally died. 00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:43.580 He had acute hemorrhoids, 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.420 the pain of which 00:16:44.420 --> 00:16:46.000 was unbearably increased 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:48.480 by an internal abscess 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.460 that would not heal. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:51.180 He had gallstones 00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:52.120 and kidney stones 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.920 in addition to stomach cramps 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:56.740 and wicked intestinal influenzas. 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.539 To top it all off, 00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:59.779 he had acute arthritis. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.340 In one of his letters 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:01.960 to a friend, 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:02.500 he said, 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:04.299 if only my condition 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.900 were not a constant 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:08.060 death struggle. 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:10.519 Now, 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.420 what I've just read 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:12.019 about Calvin 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.780 is widely known 00:17:12.780 --> 00:17:13.300 by people 00:17:13.300 --> 00:17:14.580 who read him, 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.300 historians. 00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:20.100 I read where 00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:20.960 some people said 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.800 that Calvin was, 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.220 he was sometimes 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.580 hard to deal with. 00:17:25.840 --> 00:17:27.500 He was irritable a lot. 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.220 Wouldn't you? 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:34.539 But Calvin 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:37.059 was used by God 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:39.700 in a tremendous way. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:43.039 But all that he did, 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:46.140 he worked through pain, 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.100 discomfort, 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:51.200 dealing with multiple 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:53.380 physical issues. 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:56.300 He left a lasting mark 00:17:56.300 --> 00:17:57.420 on the Christian church 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:59.420 in the midst of all this 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:01.640 and in a relatively short life 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:03.820 of 54 years. 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:07.320 It's hard to find 00:18:07.320 --> 00:18:08.180 someone like that today, 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.620 isn't it? 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.580 We live in a world 00:18:10.580 --> 00:18:11.700 where people are soft 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:13.280 and they use 00:18:13.280 --> 00:18:15.060 the least little problem 00:18:15.060 --> 00:18:15.960 as an excuse 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:17.580 to avoid fulfilling 00:18:17.580 --> 00:18:18.520 their responsibilities, 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.140 to avoid work, 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:22.600 to avoid fulfilling 00:18:22.600 --> 00:18:23.720 their commitments 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:25.340 to friends, 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:25.980 to family, 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:27.820 in the church. 00:18:29.060 --> 00:18:29.540 Now again, 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:30.220 I want to emphasize, 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:32.160 some people are truly 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.080 disabled 00:18:33.080 --> 00:18:35.000 and unable 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.200 to live 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.360 a physically demanding 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:37.980 life. 00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:40.240 And if that's you 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.840 at times, 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.960 don't feel guilty. 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.840 Don't feel guilty 00:18:43.840 --> 00:18:45.420 for what you cannot help 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.560 and it's serious. 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.560 It prevents you 00:18:48.560 --> 00:18:49.340 from doing things 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:50.519 you really want to do, 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.299 fun things, 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.379 as well as things 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:53.919 you might not want to do 00:18:53.919 --> 00:18:54.559 that are more 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.339 of a responsibility. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.740 But many people 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.579 are too quick 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.379 today 00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:00.859 to give in 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.199 to physical problems 00:19:02.199 --> 00:19:04.279 and to refuse 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.519 to just work through 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:07.059 minor pain 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.779 and discomfort. 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:10.099 What we all need 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.659 to understand, 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.639 God calls us 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.299 to serve Him 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:13.919 with the gifts, 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:14.419 talents, 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.199 and abilities 00:19:15.199 --> 00:19:17.679 that He gives us 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:20.519 both in the world 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.960 and in the church 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:24.240 and God's call 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.080 is not limited 00:19:25.080 --> 00:19:26.220 to just serving Him 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.019 on the days 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.240 when we feel great. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.039 God's call 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:31.900 is not limited 00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:33.140 to just the times 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.259 when everything's 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.039 going our way 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.019 and we have no aches 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.640 and pains 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:38.100 or things like that. 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.420 God calls us 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.240 to be faithful, 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:42.680 for you to be 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:44.440 a faithful husband, 00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:45.259 father, 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:46.299 wife, 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:46.720 mother, 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:48.900 child, 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:49.940 student, 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:50.799 worker, 00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:53.940 worker in this church. 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.440 Even on the days 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.880 that you don't feel 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.440 real good, 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.600 on the days 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.320 that you'd rather 00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:02.320 just be sort of 00:20:02.320 --> 00:20:03.600 taking it easy, 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.500 sitting back 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.720 in your easy chair. 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.880 God calls us 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:09.140 to be faithful 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:09.660 to Him, 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.420 to the responsibilities 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.440 of life 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.800 that He has given us 00:20:12.800 --> 00:20:14.820 and sometimes 00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:16.700 that means 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.880 we've got to deal with 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.620 and work through 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:20.360 some pain 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.100 and discomfort. 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:22.660 You know, 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.580 sometimes God 00:20:23.580 --> 00:20:24.640 uses us 00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:27.180 specifically 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:29.320 our weaknesses 00:20:29.320 --> 00:20:31.840 instead of our strengths. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.340 That's what Calvin 00:20:33.340 --> 00:20:34.460 discovered in his life. 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:35.279 You know, 00:20:35.320 --> 00:20:35.880 you might think, 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.019 well, 00:20:36.060 --> 00:20:36.960 what could Calvin 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.259 have accomplished 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.360 if he'd have been well? 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.259 he may not have 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.879 accomplished half 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.699 as much as he did 00:20:41.699 --> 00:20:43.919 because God 00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:44.759 used him 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.779 in those kind 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.500 of situations 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.759 the way it did. 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.159 That's what the 00:20:49.159 --> 00:20:50.279 Apostle Paul learned. 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:51.859 Calvin, 00:20:51.979 --> 00:20:52.559 no doubt, 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:54.599 took comfort 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.839 from what Paul said 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:57.099 in 2 Corinthians 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.979 chapter 12. 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.399 See, 00:20:58.459 --> 00:20:59.099 Paul had some kind 00:20:59.099 --> 00:20:59.439 of problem 00:20:59.439 --> 00:21:00.599 called what he called 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.939 his thorn in his flesh. 00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.299 Some people think 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.740 he may have been 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.519 poor eyesight. 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.379 Some people think 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.179 he may have battled 00:21:06.179 --> 00:21:07.679 malaria off and on 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.539 throughout his ministry, 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.400 throughout his life. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:10.640 Well, 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.299 Paul understood 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.180 his weaknesses, 00:21:12.820 --> 00:21:13.820 that thorn in the flesh, 00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:15.220 and I want you to look 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:17.100 what he did 00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:17.960 in relation to God 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.420 about it. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.460 He says, 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.660 three times I pleaded 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.120 with the Lord 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:22.039 to take it away from me. 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.960 But he said to me, 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.799 my grace is sufficient 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.500 for you, 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.460 for my power 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.259 is made perfect 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.420 in weakness. 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:31.420 God chose 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:33.060 for Paul 00:21:33.060 --> 00:21:34.740 to have to deal 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.240 with whatever 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.640 that thorn was, 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.019 and God 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:39.059 was going to use him 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.259 in that particular 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.980 weak situation 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:45.460 for greater glory, 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:48.120 for greater good. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.539 Paul's life 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.079 was not one 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.000 of fun 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.000 and feel good, 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.180 but God gave him 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.599 the grace 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.440 to work through 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.779 the pain, 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.019 the suffering, 00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:01.339 and be the effective 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.420 man of God, 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.359 servant of God, 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.480 writer of Scripture, 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.000 missionary evangelist 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.839 that he was. 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.279 I want to emphasize 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.960 here to today's parents, 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.660 grandparents, 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.160 teachers, 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:13.799 influencers, 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:15.440 influencers of children. 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.940 Children need to learn 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.799 that just feeling bad 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.860 is not an excuse 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:21.860 to stay home 00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:22.539 from school 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.460 or church 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.620 or not fulfill 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:25.559 your responsibilities. 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:32.319 If I make somebody mad, 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.079 so be it. 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:35.579 don't allow 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.379 your child 00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:37.220 to be weak 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.699 because you are weak 00:22:38.699 --> 00:22:41.279 and you teach them 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.119 to be weak 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:46.019 and just give in 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:47.879 to any minor ache 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:48.500 or pain 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.619 or not feel good 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.399 or somebody hurt 00:22:50.399 --> 00:22:51.159 their feelings 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:51.919 and things along 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:52.439 this matter. 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:55.320 don't allow 00:22:55.320 --> 00:22:57.080 your child 00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:58.320 to use such 00:22:58.320 --> 00:22:58.860 excuses 00:22:58.860 --> 00:23:00.400 to be lazy 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:02.340 and or 00:23:02.340 --> 00:23:03.220 irresponsible 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.360 which a lot 00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:04.880 of people 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:05.740 will 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.200 both children 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.740 and adults. 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:11.120 The best way 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.680 to teach 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.320 your children 00:23:12.320 --> 00:23:13.019 this is by 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.640 example, 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:16.360 by you being 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:16.860 this way. 00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.080 When I was 00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.700 growing up, 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:21.440 my mother 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.779 at times 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:25.460 had extreme 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.680 migraine headaches. 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.299 But I can probably 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.120 count on one hand 00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:29.779 the number of times 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.600 she actually 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:32.279 went into bed, 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.400 went to bed, 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.539 got the room 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.259 real dark 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.620 and only came out 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.360 to go to the bathroom 00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:38.180 to throw up. 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:41.000 She battled 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.620 those headaches 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.759 for years. 00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:44.460 Got up every 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.000 morning and went 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.140 to J.P. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.620 Stevens Clemson's 00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:48.680 textile plant 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.180 and worked 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.740 all day, 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.160 every day. 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.700 Came home 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.160 and worked. 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.779 That was the 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.240 model, 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.660 example, 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.680 she set for me. 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:58.460 And I can remember 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:59.700 one time as a kid 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:01.160 saying something 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:02.299 to her about, 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:04.299 I don't feel good, 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:04.580 mama. 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.860 I don't want 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:06.360 to go to school 00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:06.759 today. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.160 And I can remember 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.920 it very well. 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:09.819 She told me 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.500 there's a lot of days 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.079 I don't feel like 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.720 going to work. 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.319 There's a lot of days 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:13.900 you're not going to 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.680 feel like doing 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.240 a lot of things 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.819 but you just got 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.400 to do it. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.220 My mother was 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:20.059 a fine Christian 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:20.559 woman, 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.019 hard worker 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.079 and she was 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.980 sympathetic 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:27.059 occasionally 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:30.259 when you really 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.720 needed sympathy, 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:32.759 seriously. 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:36.059 but she saw 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:37.200 through the 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.920 scams, 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.599 the whining, 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:40.920 the being 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:41.640 weak. 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.960 She just 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.680 basically told you 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.559 suck it up and 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.299 go bud 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:49.119 and that's what 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:49.700 you need to do 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.319 as a parent, 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:52.440 as a grandparent, 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.900 as a teacher. 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.059 Oh, 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.920 I know you'll 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.500 get into it 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.019 today because 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.140 of these weak 00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:59.879 parents that 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:01.140 don't support you 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.000 as you're trying 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.640 to help their 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.180 children. 00:25:04.280 --> 00:25:05.100 Our hats ought to 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:05.680 go off to every 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.460 teacher in this 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.720 building right now 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:09.040 because of all the 00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:10.140 junk they have to 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:10.900 put up with 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:12.360 from parents 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:13.720 who don't truly 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:15.940 know their child 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.740 and love their 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.560 child and be 00:25:17.560 --> 00:25:18.020 willing to do 00:25:18.020 --> 00:25:18.759 whatever it takes 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.540 for their child 00:25:19.540 --> 00:25:20.580 to be their best, 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.720 Christian or not. 00:25:23.340 --> 00:25:24.220 But we as 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.700 Christians, 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.640 we need to set 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.560 the bar high 00:25:26.560 --> 00:25:28.820 on what we are. 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:30.399 We don't just 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:31.119 give in to 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:32.159 little weaknesses, 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.679 but we truly 00:25:33.679 --> 00:25:34.299 seek to be 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:34.980 faithful to the 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:36.460 Lord, feel like 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:38.000 it or not, and 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.859 not let the fire 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.579 grow out just 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.319 because we're 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:43.079 lazy, don't feel 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:45.679 good, have a 00:25:45.679 --> 00:25:46.139 little ache and 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:46.779 pain here or 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.019 there. 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:48.480 Paul told 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.200 Timothy to deal 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.419 with his 00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:50.220 treatable physical 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.839 problems and not 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.599 let it keep him 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.399 from being faithful 00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:54.720 to God's call on 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.379 his life. 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.639 That wasn't 00:25:56.639 --> 00:25:57.200 Timothy's only 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.579 problem. 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:59.379 He was timid, 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.259 shy, whatever 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.759 you want to call 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:00.899 it. 00:26:01.179 --> 00:26:01.439 So we're going 00:26:01.439 --> 00:26:02.139 to look at this 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:02.879 under the category 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:03.699 of personality, 00:26:03.939 --> 00:26:04.299 psychological, 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.619 emotional issues. 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.559 And again, let me 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:08.199 say, I know there 00:26:08.199 --> 00:26:10.839 are psychological 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.980 serious issues, 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:13.119 mental illnesses. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.919 We're not talking 00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:15.339 about that in this 00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:15.619 point. 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:18.199 Timothy was shy 00:26:18.199 --> 00:26:18.799 or timid. 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:19.839 Look in 2 Timothy 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.539 1, 7. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.740 For God, he's 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:23.339 telling him, fan the 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:23.720 flame. 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.819 For God gave us a 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:27.259 spirit not of fear, 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.359 but of power and 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.119 love and self 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.539 control. 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.319 Paul says things 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:31.920 throughout this 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.799 letter to encourage 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:34.119 Timothy, assert 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:35.180 yourself, boy. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:37.079 Be a man. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.079 Be a leader. 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.180 Stand up. 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:39.920 Speak up. 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.980 Confront some 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.339 people. 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.379 Don't just let 00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:43.319 everything go. 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.039 There's false 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.559 teachers who are 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.079 going to destroy 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.720 the church. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.299 They're going to 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.579 destroy the gospel 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.559 among these people 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.339 if you let them. 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.160 And Paul was 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.559 having to tell him, 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.420 you be assertive. 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.220 Don't let that 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.680 happen. 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:56.580 Paul even pointed 00:26:56.580 --> 00:26:57.460 this out to the 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.320 church at Corinth 00:26:58.320 --> 00:27:00.519 and asked them to 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.140 take care of 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:01.480 Timothy. 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:02.039 I want you to look 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.420 at this. 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.100 I want you to think 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:03.720 about what this is 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:03.980 saying. 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.519 Paul is writing to 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:07.700 a church and he 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.720 says, when Timothy 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:10.980 comes, see that you 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.779 put him at ease 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:14.140 among you. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.039 Maybe they were just 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.019 mean people. 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:20.619 Or maybe Timothy 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:23.960 was so shy that he 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.500 was easily 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.139 intimidated. 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.759 For he is doing 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.359 the work of the 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.500 Lord as I am. 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.839 So let no one 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.779 despise him. 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:33.319 Help him on his 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.759 way in peace that he 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:36.299 may return to me for 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.599 I am expecting him 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.960 with the brothers. 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:43.099 Timothy was not a 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:44.639 natural born leader. 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:47.400 That's why Paul had 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.100 to go to bat for 00:27:48.100 --> 00:27:49.620 him, encourage him, 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.440 prod him like he 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:50.660 did. 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.040 Evidently, Timothy 00:27:53.040 --> 00:27:55.100 did not like being 00:27:55.100 --> 00:27:56.080 out front. 00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:57.940 Taking on the 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:59.680 responsibility as a 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.420 church leader to 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.600 confront and 00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:03.759 correct people and 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.400 issues. 00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:06.520 But God called him 00:28:06.520 --> 00:28:07.120 to do that as a 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:07.600 church leader. 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:08.820 And Paul had 00:28:08.820 --> 00:28:09.680 mentored him and 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.700 prepared him and 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.940 sent him to this 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:13.280 particular church or 00:28:13.280 --> 00:28:14.280 group of churches in 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:16.160 Ephesus to do this. 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.119 The point needs to be 00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:18.940 made here that God 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.119 calls us to step out 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:21.339 of our comfort zones at 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:21.859 times. 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:23.119 I'm talking about in 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:23.519 terms of our 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.119 personality. 00:28:25.639 --> 00:28:28.460 He calls us to not 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:31.599 give in to some 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.799 personality or 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.519 psychological, 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:35.859 emotional weaknesses 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:39.639 that we would cause us 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.339 to naturally want to 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.799 sort of stand back. 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:43.940 not do what we're 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.680 supposed to do. 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.000 You know, the most 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.740 well-known and 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.419 respected and 00:28:48.419 --> 00:28:49.500 influential preacher of 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.419 the 19th century was 00:28:50.419 --> 00:28:51.299 Charles Spurgeon. 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:54.039 He accomplished a lot 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:55.259 like Calvin through his 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.399 preaching, his writing, 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.720 starting in school, 00:28:58.159 --> 00:28:59.359 orphanage, lots of 00:28:59.359 --> 00:28:59.859 things. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.960 You know, he battled 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.960 depression throughout his 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.339 ministry. 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:08.059 He was sometimes so 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:09.419 depressed. 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:12.060 He was bedridden and 00:29:12.060 --> 00:29:13.039 unable to preach. 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.080 There were times, 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:17.320 periods where he just 00:29:17.320 --> 00:29:18.180 couldn't get up and go 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:21.060 for two out of the four 00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:22.400 Sundays of a month. 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:25.120 He described the effect of 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:26.640 depression that it had on 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.259 him like this. 00:29:27.800 --> 00:29:29.740 My spirits were sunken so 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:32.240 low that I could weep by the 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:34.580 hour like a child, and yet I 00:29:34.580 --> 00:29:37.400 knew not what I wept for. 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:40.400 I want you to understand 00:29:41.060 --> 00:29:41.800 what I'm saying here. 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:43.980 Depression can be real. 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.400 It can be devastating. 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:49.640 This man that God used in a 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:51.180 great way who did not want, 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:52.200 he wasn't looking for an 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.440 excuse not to do what he 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.140 was called to do. 00:29:55.040 --> 00:29:56.120 There were times he was 00:29:56.120 --> 00:29:57.519 overwhelmed with depression 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:59.560 and he could not function. 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:02.360 And what compounded his 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:03.720 depression sometimes, some of 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:05.600 his biographers say, is he 00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:06.680 felt guilty for it. 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:10.000 He battled real, what would 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.960 be called today, clinical 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.620 depression. 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.240 That if he had been in our 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:15.240 day, he'd have been treated 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:18.039 with medication and other 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:19.860 ways for that. 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.400 That's one of the reasons why 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:22.000 I'm pointing it out. 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:23.700 He had some real problems. 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:27.720 And it knocked him down at 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.299 times. 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:31.880 But by the grace of God, he 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:33.420 never gave into it. 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:35.660 He never gave up. 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:38.680 He was knocked down at times, 00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:40.160 but by the grace of God, he 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.100 didn't stay down. 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:44.759 He came back time after time 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.279 after time. 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.880 It was a battle, don't 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.300 misunderstand. 00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:50.300 A battle throughout his life. 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.880 But he wouldn't give up. 00:30:53.560 --> 00:30:55.140 He refused to give up. 00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:57.759 Don't ever count yourself out 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:59.480 because of your limitations. 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:02.039 God uses imperfect 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.500 people. 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:05.779 God uses all kinds of people 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:07.859 to accomplish his purpose in 00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:10.339 this world and in our church. 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:13.000 And I want to, again, stress 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.859 this to parents. 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:17.079 Don't let your children use 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:19.119 excuses like, I'm too shy. 00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:22.639 I get nervous in front of 00:31:22.639 --> 00:31:22.939 people. 00:31:23.939 --> 00:31:25.259 Or I just want to stay at home 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.899 all the time. 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:29.479 Don't let your children 00:31:29.479 --> 00:31:31.939 retreat into a world of 00:31:31.939 --> 00:31:34.919 unreality by playing video 00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:36.799 games all the time or spending 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:39.539 hours a day on social media. 00:31:41.219 --> 00:31:44.399 Such unreality will not help 00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:44.759 them. 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:47.819 But it will certainly hurt 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.139 them. 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:49.519 It will damage them. 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:53.139 Your child, your grandchild, 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:55.299 your, the children you have 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:57.399 influence over, they need to 00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:59.319 learn to develop healthy social 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:03.039 skills and where possible 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:05.720 develop a healthy, active body. 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:09.379 And they cannot do that inside 00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:11.539 all the time with their face 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:13.299 buried in an iPhone, an iPad, 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:15.079 a computer, or some other 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:16.399 electronic gadget. 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:19.759 And I want to say this and 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:21.099 make people even more mad. 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:25.279 If you're a parent, you are in 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:27.039 or supposed to be in control. 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:33.319 And you can take things. 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:37.220 You pay for it, it's yours. 00:32:37.419 --> 00:32:38.339 It ain't theirs. 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:42.019 We got too many weak kids today 00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:43.039 because we have too many weak 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.740 parents. 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.799 You don't have, if you were a 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:49.000 parent, your goal was not to be 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.599 their buddy. 00:32:51.399 --> 00:32:52.959 Sometimes you're going to be in 00:32:52.959 --> 00:32:54.879 their eyes so mean, you're like 00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:56.000 the devil himself. 00:32:57.199 --> 00:32:58.819 I don't mind the fact that I 00:32:58.819 --> 00:33:00.439 sprouted horns a lot with my 00:33:00.439 --> 00:33:00.859 boys. 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:05.659 When they needed it. 00:33:06.659 --> 00:33:08.559 There are some hills worth 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:10.219 spilling blood on. 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:13.299 I spill too much blood on too 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.539 many unnecessary hills. 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:18.240 But there are some that it's 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:21.819 worth the fight for your child's 00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:24.579 spiritual, emotional, physical 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:26.039 well-being. 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:29.099 So I want to encourage you, do 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:29.839 what it takes. 00:33:32.659 --> 00:33:34.139 Don't bail them out every time 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:34.819 they get in trouble. 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:39.200 Be the parent. 00:33:39.639 --> 00:33:41.259 Be the one in charge. 00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:44.000 Whatever it is, however you can 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.079 have the influence that you can 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:45.379 have. 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:48.000 Some Christians allow the 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:49.220 spiritual fire of Christian 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:51.139 faithfulness to die down because 00:33:51.139 --> 00:33:54.299 of their unwillingness to get out 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:55.200 of their comfort zone. 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:58.180 And they use personality, 00:33:58.480 --> 00:34:00.399 emotional, psychological issues 00:34:00.399 --> 00:34:03.980 as excuses not to be faithful. 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.879 What does your spiritual fire 00:34:06.879 --> 00:34:08.199 look like right now? 00:34:09.279 --> 00:34:10.679 Is it a pilot light? 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.880 Or is it a roaring fire? 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:15.300 Or where is it in between? 00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:16.539 One more question. 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:18.340 Will you ask God to help you to 00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:20.639 fan your fire of Christian 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:22.800 faithfulness into a flame right 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.460 now? 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:25.539 Paul pointed out the key to 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:27.099 fanning the flame into a real 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.059 fire in verse 7. 00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.619 He says, 00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:30.460 For God gave us a spirit not of 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:32.059 fear but of power and love and 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:32.699 self-control. 00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:34.880 Timothy had God-given power. 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:38.159 The word spirit there, look on 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:39.360 the screen there. 00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:41.119 It's a little s. 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:43.259 It may be a general reference to 00:34:43.259 --> 00:34:45.480 what God does in us to strengthen 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.880 us, our spirit. 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:48.900 I think it's more likely Paul's 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:50.500 talking about the Holy Spirit there 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:52.519 and that it should be translated 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:56.440 with a capital S that for God gave 00:34:56.440 --> 00:35:00.039 us his spirit who indwells us as 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:02.119 Christians and his spirit is not a 00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:06.480 spirit of fear but he is a spirit of 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:09.239 power and love and self-control and 00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:10.860 will work that in and through us. 00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:14.639 The truth is whatever our gifts are, 00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:18.000 God supplies us with the power and 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:19.159 ability to use them. 00:35:19.319 --> 00:35:20.000 Look at this verse. 00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:22.319 One of my favorite verses in all the 00:35:22.319 --> 00:35:24.279 Bible, for it is God who works in you 00:35:24.279 --> 00:35:26.379 both to will and to work for his good 00:35:26.379 --> 00:35:26.739 pleasure. 00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:30.139 If you're a Christian, there is a fire 00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:30.739 within you. 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:33.719 Whether it be bright or not, there is a 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.379 fire in you. 00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:36.440 That's the spirit of God working in you 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:38.579 and he is the one who gives you the 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:41.119 desire to be pleasing to God, to do 00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:43.279 God's will and gives you the ability 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:43.840 to do it. 00:35:44.620 --> 00:35:47.960 When we use our gifts in the power of 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:50.880 the Holy Spirit, we will not be 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:51.800 crippled by fear. 00:35:53.200 --> 00:35:54.860 Paul says we'll serve God with power, 00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:55.840 love and control. 00:35:57.060 --> 00:35:59.160 I want to wind this up by something 00:35:59.160 --> 00:36:00.900 Tommy Lee, professor at Southwestern 00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:02.400 Seminary when I was there years ago. 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:05.019 He does a good job of describing what 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:06.380 it means for Christians to fan the 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.840 fire of Christian faithfulness to a 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.060 flame. 00:36:08.160 --> 00:36:08.620 Look at it. 00:36:09.240 --> 00:36:11.300 Because Timothy had genuine faith, 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:14.060 Paul urged him to set it ablaze. 00:36:14.560 --> 00:36:16.600 The expression fan into flame describes 00:36:16.600 --> 00:36:19.320 the act of rekindling the embers of a 00:36:19.320 --> 00:36:20.039 dying fire. 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:22.160 The command does not imply that Timothy 00:36:22.160 --> 00:36:24.420 had let his spiritual flame go out. 00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:27.539 It's an appeal for a continual, vigorous 00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:29.260 use of his spiritual gifts. 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:31.940 Rekindling his gifts would involve 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:34.460 fervent prayer, obedience to God's word, 00:36:34.820 --> 00:36:37.019 and demonstration of an active faith. 00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:41.940 If your spiritual fire is not a roaring 00:36:41.940 --> 00:36:44.519 blaze right now, I want to encourage you 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:49.820 to go to God in prayer, spend time with 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:51.659 him and his word on a regular basis and 00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:54.139 just ask him, fan the flame. 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:57.159 It'll never happen if you don't spend time 00:36:57.159 --> 00:37:01.900 regularly, daily with the Lord in meaningful 00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:06.199 prayer, just talking to God, reading his word, 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:07.159 listening to him. 00:37:08.239 --> 00:37:09.559 I want to encourage you also to find a 00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:11.559 Christian friend to talk about the things 00:37:11.559 --> 00:37:12.199 of God with. 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:14.359 Pray for each other. 00:37:14.759 --> 00:37:15.679 Encourage each other. 00:37:15.939 --> 00:37:16.899 Challenge each other. 00:37:17.799 --> 00:37:19.000 Find a friend. 00:37:19.399 --> 00:37:20.779 Make a new friend to do this with. 00:37:20.980 --> 00:37:22.579 It could be you do it with your spouse. 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:24.439 It could be you do it with an older child. 00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:25.659 Your parent. 00:37:26.379 --> 00:37:27.339 Find somebody. 00:37:28.179 --> 00:37:30.980 And then start using what God's given you. 00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:32.859 Your talents, your gifts, your abilities. 00:37:32.860 --> 00:37:36.920 In some kind of ministry that will truly honor 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:42.059 God and help us as his church to serve his 00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:42.500 purpose. 00:37:43.760 --> 00:37:49.160 Ask God to help you know what you need to do to 00:37:49.160 --> 00:37:56.140 fan the flame of Christian faithfulness now so that it 00:37:56.140 --> 00:38:00.420 will burn more brightly this coming week. 00:38:00.420 --> 00:38:01.519 Let's pray together. 00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:05.159 Father, show us now how we should respond. 00:38:05.840 --> 00:38:10.579 Help us to see, to be certain, and then to respond that way. 00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:14.700 Father, if there are people in this room who there is no fire 00:38:14.700 --> 00:38:17.300 within them because they do not know you, they don't have a 00:38:17.300 --> 00:38:21.200 relationship with Jesus, help them to see that clearly, but to 00:38:21.200 --> 00:38:25.820 know if they will admit their need, turn from their sin and trust 00:38:25.820 --> 00:38:31.820 Jesus, call upon him to save them, that you will light the fire 00:38:31.820 --> 00:38:32.740 right now. 00:38:33.059 --> 00:38:34.340 You will change their life. 00:38:35.340 --> 00:38:36.340 Help them to do that. 00:38:37.200 --> 00:38:41.320 Let's just all, in an attitude of prayer, listen to the Lord and 00:38:41.320 --> 00:38:44.900 respond to him however he's speaking to you. 00:38:45.140 --> 00:38:47.580 If I could pray with you here at the front, I'd be happy to do 00:38:47.580 --> 00:38:49.320 that during these next few minutes. 00:38:49.640 --> 00:38:50.700 Let's just respond to the Lord. 00:38:50.699 --> 00:39:20.679 Thank you.