Rise Up, Tribes, The Joy, Been so Faithful, Christ Be Magnified

What one fear have you conquered or taken steps to overcome this year?

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,² To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.³ I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, ⁴ longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.  ⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, ¹⁰ but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹ for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. ¹² For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. ¹³ Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.¹⁴ Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

God empowers us so we can accomplish His calling for our lives. Every one of us has a calling from God. All the Bible characters we’ve looked into the past few weeks fulfilled their callings. You have to make a decision: are you going to say “yes” to God’s “good, acceptable, and perfect” will or calling (Romans 12:2)? We’re not going to experience His perfect plan if we don’t obey His calling for all of us. God’s specific calling is attached to His general calling of gospel sharing and making disciples wherever you are. But is fear preventing you from obeying God’s call? We can’t experience God’s amazing plan for our lives if we allow our fear to take control. We must step into faith to experience the blessings of God’s calling for our lives!

Timothy was somebody who had fears stepping into God’s calling. Who was Timothy?

• Had a Greek father and Jewish mother
• Disciple of the Apostle Paul
• Joined Paul in his missionary journey in his late teens/early twenties
• Called to pastor the church in Ephesus
• He was young compared to the church leaders
• Ephesus was a place where false teachers were a huge problem

The young pastor was tasked to turn people away from wrong doctrines (1 Timothy 1:3). Timothy must have felt afraid, and Paul reminded him that how he responds will determine if they will look down on him or not (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy was to set an example in how he lives his life to win their respect. Paul encouraged Timothy by saying that God has not given us a spirit of timidity (2 Timothy 1:7).  How did Paul help Timothy turn fear into faith?

GOD’S GIFT

Paul was writing from prison, and in his final letter to Timothy, he reminded him of God’s gift (2 Timothy 1:5-6). This includes the gift of power, love and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).  We need these to fulfill God’s calling for our lives, including loving those we disciple. Discipline is needed to do the hard work of fulfilling God’s calling. God has given everything for us to be able to do what He called us to do (1 Peter 1:3). Paul reminded Timothy that the message we proclaim is the power of the gospel — the only message that can lead to our salvation (2 Timothy 1:8). We have the power of God to proclaim the gospel, so we don’t have to be afraid! God did not just save us so we can go to heaven, but also to fulfill His calling for us (1 Timothy 1:9). Paul knew that God is able to guard his life, through the Spirit and that’s why he wasn’t afraid (2 Timothy 1:12,14). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will be with His disciples to help us do His work (John 14:16-17). When God calls, He provides!

GOD’S GRACE

The grace of God was also available for Timothy — also a gift from God (2 Timothy 2:1). We don’t deserve the ability to share the gospel or make disciples; it’s only by God’s grace. Apart from the grace of God, we cannot fulfill God’s calling.

Like Timothy, God calls us to make disciples (2 Timothy 2:2). Our call from God is to be a good soldier for Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Say “yes” to God’s call and be a soldier in the spiritual battle. But remember, we can’t do this apart from God — we get too easily distracted! We need to have the discipline of an athlete, work hard, and follow the rules to win the prize; and be like a hardworking farmer (2 Timothy 2:5-6). The ultimate showcase of God’s grace was the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (2 Timothy 2:8-9). It is because of this undeserved grace that Paul was able to suffer hardship in fulfilling God’s call for his life. Because of God’s grace, you can turn your fear into faith.

GOD’S GUIDANCE

We have God’s Word to guide us as we fulfill His calling. Paul warned Timothy that times will be difficult in the last days, and this is why we need God’s guidance through the Bible (2 Timothy 3:1-3). There will be people even in church who will pretend to be Christians but do not truly love God (2 Timothy 3:4-5, 13). Paul reminds Timothy to “remember” everything that Paul taught him (2 Timothy 3:14). Paul mentored Timothy, even from prison. How about you? Who’s mentoring you? Are you discipled by the world, or by godly people? Corruption and other evil deeds are passed on by “mentors”. The only way to end that cycle is for us to be discipled by godly men and women who will pass on the Word of God to us, so we can be equipped to do what is good (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We have to be discipled by godly people, and we are to disciple others. Even our government leaders can be transformed into godly men and women if they are taught God’s Word and be discipled for Christ. Are you immersed in the Word of God? The Bible’s positive effect on people’s lives is tremendous! You can’t grow in Christlikeness if you are not immersed in God’s Word and discipled by godly people. “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” (Charles Spurgeon).

GOD’S GLORY

God’s glory awaits those who, by faith, fulfill God’s call so as Paul’s life was about end, he reminded Timothy to keep moving forward in every season (2 Timothy 4:1-7). Paul has given his all to fulfill God’s call, and he wanted Timothy (and all of us) to do the same. If we do, there’s a reward that awaits all those who long for His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). There are many   rewards in store for us in heaven, but the greatest of which is Christ Himself. That’s the ultimate motivation for fulfilling God’s calling. By His grace, step into faith and obey God’s will for your life.

Pray for people, especially the youth, who are facing many fears in life.

Be an example of someone who lives a life of love, a sound mind and of power through the Holy Spirit.

Fulfill God’s calling to proclaim the gospel and make disciples — share about Jesus to a young person this week and get involved in helping youth become disciples of Christ!

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• PRAY for the protection, safety and release of kidnapped American Christian missionary, Kevin, serving in Niger (West Africa). For God to turn the hearts of the kidnappers to repentance and salvation. Peace and comfort for Kevin’s family.

• Pray for persecuted Christians in Africa — many have been beheaded or murdered; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• PRAISE God that the rest of the living Israeli hostages have been restored to their families safely! Continue to pray that even all the dead hostages will be returned to their families for burial.

• For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• For Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism; may this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God

for help and comfort.

• For protection of Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese Christians and other minorities, and freedom from oppression. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout their region.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives

• Earthquake victims in northern Cebu, Davao Oriental. Seek God’s mercy upon our land. May many more Filipinos turn to Jesus!

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• For elders, pastors, dleaders, and families to become holy, humble, harmonious, happy, and heart-working.

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.