MKCC Messages

Last Words - Gifts - Fanning the Flame

Milton Keynes Christian Centre

In today’s episode of Last Words, we explore how Paul’s heartfelt letter to Timothy still speaks powerfully to us today. The message urges listeners to awaken their spiritual gifts, resist fear, and embrace service with love, discipline, and boldness. Listen for a faith-filled reminder that your gift is essential to God’s plan for His church and the world.

So it's great to be in the presence of God and with you today. I'm really excited as we track along with our new series, Last Words. So before we proceed, could we share a word of prayer together? Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you, thank you for the opportunity to be in the house. Lord, we ask that, as your word says, you've given some to be teachers, some to be evangelists, some to be apostles, some to be pastors, some to be prophets, so that your saints, your children, the church will be equipped so that the body will be edified.

And so we'll come into maturity not to be tossed to and fro by any form of doctrine, but words that come from what you've written in the Word. And so, Father, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ that you will equip us and we will be edified in Jesus name. Amen.

As I mentioned about the series we started last week, Pastor James did a very good job by introducing the series. And he talked, he shared a very poignant story about his father in law and the significance of that, encapsulating the importance of last words. And today I'm going to take it further, as Paul in Paul's letter to Timothy. Words can be powerful. Words can build or can break communities, friendships, businesses, nations.

You know, lives can either be torpedoed by words or they can be propelled by words. Many people have gone on to do great things inspired by words. Many have gone on to do things. That is nothing to write home about based on words. So words are really, really powerful.

I remember when I finished my national service, I was about 22, and my father and mother of blessed memory gave me the opportunity to come and work for them in the family business. And having worked with them for a while, one day my parents called a meeting.

I had a lot of hair at the time.

Now, this is what you call God is my baba.

So dad and mom asked me, you know, to. We had a meeting, as I was saying, and they said to me, we've watched, we've observed how you've served us, how you've, in my mother's words, how have you served your father and I? And we would like to invest in you, we would like to send you to the United Kingdom to further education. Now, initially I reacted because I didn't want to leave my comfort zone. I didn't want to leave the confines of the community that I love so dearly.

But after a while, as they would say, my heart overruled my head. And I thought in the Context of destiny and my future. This was a great opportunity. Over the years, I discovered that it was the plan of God for my life. So of course I applied to a couple of universities and I got an offer and I had to go and get a visa.

When I got to the British High Commission, I was few years into, well, probably like less than two years into having dedicated my life to Jesus, having walked away for close to a decade. So I was hungry, hungry for things to do with God, information about God. And somebody gave me a book written by a gentleman called Dr. Edwin Lewis Cole entitled Maximize Manhood. And as I was reading that book, it caught the attention of a gentleman who sat across.

So of course it triggered a conversation about faith, Christianity. And he asked me, what are you going to England to go and do? I said, I'm going there to study. And then he started speaking to me about making sure when I get to England to get myself planted in the church to serve God. But there was something that he said that I've never forgotten.

As we were speaking, suddenly, imagine in the British High Commission, he just began to prophesy Isaiah 60 to me. That was the first time I'd heard somebody speak out of those words. And he began to say, arise, shine as you go to England, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people. But the Lord will arise over you and kings will come to the brightness.

He was speaking all those words, it ignited something within me. Well, I never saw the gentleman again. Our paths haven't crossed since then. It's been 29 years to this year. I still remember his name, but those were the last words he left with me in pursuit of my, you know, my education, as it were, within the context of the plan of God for my life.

As we look at the story of Paul and Timothy, we see here these are Paul's last words to Timothy. Because Paul is in a cold, damp prison and he knows time is ticking. But also there is a lot at stake. The church of the Living God is at stake. People that he's mentored are at stake.

I can just picture or imagine what was going through his head. What's going to happen when he's not around? Who is going to take over? And we see in that conversation, in the letter, he says to Timothy, my beloved son Timothy, he said, I call into remembrance the faith, the genuine faith that is in you. Because I've seen that same faith in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice.

And I am persuaded that Faith is in you. So he said, for this reason, or some version, says, therefore stir up the gift of God in you. He said, for God has not given you the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. And then he encourages him, don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor I his prisoner. And he goes on to talk about, you know, joining in the suffering because he knew that all this was possible through our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the gospel.

And so he begins to encourage his protege. He begins to encourage, remind him of his legacy because it was for Timothy to remember where he was coming from. But also in that letter, he was reminding Timothy where he was going as far as his future is concerned. So as he mentioned Lois, he mentioned Eunice and also inspired Timothy to, to pass on what had been taught to him. So he said, stir up the gift of God that is in you.

Now, this is a seller moment. The question is, what's my gift? Or if you know the gift of God already, how do I keep that gift, you know, stirred up? Because the environment we live in, it's always a cultural clash between the kingdom of God and the world we live in. And if care is not taken, we could bury our gifts.

But that's not God's original plan for our lives. So he says, stir up the gift that is in you by the laying on of my hands as he reminded him of that. It's very important that we remind ourselves the gift of God. God is the giver of the gift. The source of the gift is our God.

Now, I love presents. I love unwrapping presents. I look forward to Christmas. I look forward to birthdays. I love surprising my wife with presents.

I like the look on the face when I surprise her. And also because I'm adding to my love language bank so that I can increase. That's the secret. Anyway. You know my secret now, anyway.

So what's the point if somebody gives me this gift when I keep the gift and every time I walk past it, I'm like, oh, this is a nice gift, but I don't do anything about it. I don't unwrap the gift and get into what's in the gift so that I can use it in the same way. God has given us a gift, but we got to discover what's in the gift, what is given to us. It doesn't stop there. When we discover what is given to us or when we are aware of what is given to us, then we need to ask him for the grace to be able to use that gift.

Because that gift, even though God gave it to us, it's not for us, but it's to bless his body, his church and humanity. So the question is, what's that gift he gave? God is the giver of the gift. In First Corinthians, chapter 12, from verse 4 to 6, it says, There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service by the same Lord, there are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone, it is the same God at work.

So God the giver as we receive the gift. But this is so encouraging to hear. In Romans 11:29, it says, the callings and the gifts of God are irrevocable. Which means once God gives you those vocable gifts, he doesn't change his mind about you, but the onus is on you and I to use the gift that God has given to us. So as Paul was reminding Timothy of his calling and his ability to preach, to teach, and to lead the church, we are being reminded of what gift that God has placed in us.

He goes on further. He says, stay up the gift, Stir up the gift.

Did anything to be given the gift that God has given to us? For some of us here, there are people going to classes to be able to do what you do, but for you, it just fell on you. It's like, you don't have to do anything. You don't have to struggle. It's normal.

That's when you know that the gift is by the grace of God. It he says in 2 Timothy 1:9, it says, 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 given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. The gift of God is based on grace. Freely given and not end, freely giving and not end. So once we discover God is the giver of the gift, and we understand that the gift of God is by virtue of God's grace, we also need to understand that the gift that God has given to us needs to be developed.

It needs to be utilized. Because spiritual gifts grows stronger through you, through prayer, through the Word, through service. And so you and I must nurture and grow the gift God has placed in us through faith and boldness. Because if we don't do anything about it, the gift is not stirred up.

I like what the Word of God says. In Proverbs, chapter 17, verse 3.

It says, the refining pot is for silver, but the Furnace for gold. But the Lord tests the heart. And so in the place of growth, the scripture says that a man's gift makes room for him or makes room for her. Him or her. A woman's gift, it doesn't matter, you know, it encapsulates both the male and female gender.

A man's gift makes room and brings your gift before kings. It opens doors, but also there is a place, the seasons, you go through phases you go through, where your gift, through the development, God is developing character. Why? Because, number one, God is not impressed with the gift, your gift, because he gave it to you and I in the first place. But what God is looking for is the heart, the character.

So what's the point in being very gifted, but far away from godly character? And so in the process of, you know, when growth, God develops our character so that we can be good representatives of Him.

When the character is developed, then our gift brings glory to God.

The purpose or one of the purposes of the gift is to glorify God.

When you let your light shine before man, when people see your good works, at the end of it all, the praise, the honor, goes to God. So when we serve with our gifts is to bring honor to the giver of the gift. We are not to be ashamed, but we are to glorify God through faithful witness in serving him with our gifts, sacrificial service, and perseverance in trials empowered by God's strength. Because in Timothy's case, Paul knew that there were difficult days ahead. He knew that Timothy was going to step into uncharted waters.

He knew the challenges that lay ahead in regards to the Church. He knew that when he had, you know, passed on and gone to be with his Maker, the church was going to face persecution, difficulty. But he encouraged him to persevere with his gift. In 1st Peter 4, 10, 11, it says, as each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

If anyone ministers, let him do it as with ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. When we serve God with our gifts, let's think about it for a moment. Is to bring God the glory. That's why whatever we do, we don't do it unto men, but we do it unto God so that God receives the praise.

So it's to glorify God. But also our gift is for Serving is for service.

The example we see in Jesus. Jesus came and he served. And so ask God, God, what's my gift? Or if you've not discovered it already, what's my gift? Or if you know what your gift is.

God, use me.

God, use what you've placed in me. God, I want to serve you in the kingdom. What can I do to add value to your kingdom? In Second Timothy chapter 1, verse 8, he said, Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share with me the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.

So understanding the gift of God is from God. Understanding, that is, by grace in the places of growth, God builds godly character in us. The gift is to glorify God. But also we need to understand that we need to be good stewards of the gift that God has given to us. We must place value on the gifts that God has given to us and strive to be good stewards.

I make a quick reference to the parable of the talents in Matthew chapter 25 from verse 14 to 30. Read it. Steady it. Each one was given a gift according to their own ability. Sometimes it can be intimidating because you look at somebody's God given gift and you're thinking, how can I be like that?

But the question is, God has made you unique and your gift is as unique as the person that you feel intimidated by. So I encourage you to to stir up the gift that is in you to bring glory to God. So how do we keep the spark alive? As I had that encounter in the British High Commission when the gentleman spoke to me and it said something in my heart, how do we keep the gift or the spark alight? I'd encourage you.

According to 2 Timothy 1:5, our Paul reminds Timothy of the faith that is in his grandmother and his mother. Reflect regularly on the godly examples and spiritual influences in your life. Stay connected. You know, this day and age, the word mentor is becoming an obsolete word. But it's essential I encourage the young people.

There are countless people in this house that God can use as a paw to you, if you understand what I'm saying, to speak and to inspire. There could be a Mordecai in the house, to an Esther here there could be a Lois, to a Eunice here there could be a Moses, to a Joshua. Here they are. Because in this house I believe that God has blessed us. And so I encourage you to stay connected to your faith.

You know, quote unquote, faith, lineage, mentors, family. If you're Part of a life group, you're part of a team. There are people in there you can connect with. But also you need to intentionally fan the flame. Because you have to put your gift regularly or utilize your gift, whether it's in church or to humanity.

And look for opportunities to serve. Opportunities to serve. You must be intentional about the gift. Don't leave it for someone. Don't leave it for the opportune time.

No, you take that responsibility to stir the gift. And you cannot stir the gift without relying on the Holy Spirit. As Paul reminds Timothy that God has given us the spirit of power, the Holy Spirit empowers us to be able to utilize our gifts. The spirit of power, the spirit of love. Another version says, self discipline and not fear.

Because when we do that, we have total dependence on God. Because there comes a time when the seasons of life, it can draw you away. But when you're totally dependent, you're totally dependent on God. It helps you.

I encourage you to stay disciplined and self controlled. Create routines to feed your gift. Prayer opportunities to serve, scripture, meditation, meditating on the scripture study, rehearsing, serving, resisting distractions that cool your passion or pull you away from God's purpose. We have to be intentional. And then we must be bold in using our gift for the glory of God.

Because sometimes it can be, as I said, intimidating. But I pray that God will fill our hearts with the boldness to be able to step out. If you're here and you've not utilized your gift for a while, I believe God is stirring something in your heart to rise and use that gift that is given to you. So this is what I say to you. Stir up the flame, strengthen your faith and serve God with fearless love.

Because you are that essential to the kingdom of God and to the plan of God, for humanity, for his church. You are essential. You are part of the plan, the picture. You're not just passing through. You are that important.

So as I close, I want to pray for you that God will step in our hearts, his gifts.

Father, your word says that creation eagerly wait for the manifestation, waits for the revealing of God's sons, God's daughters. There are people here, God Almighty, that need to discover what their gift is. And there are people that need to work on the gift that they have already discovered. And so I pray for the staring of your spirit in their hearts. Lord, push someone away from the environment that doesn't give them or actually dampens the gift of God in them.

Father, help somebody to be intentional about serving you with their gift because you will build your church and the gates of hell or Hades shall not prevail against it. So we thank you for all your people here today, including myself. Father, we thank you for those that are watching online, those that will watch subsequently. May your name be glorified in Jesus name. Amen.

There are people to the left hand side of the determinant to my right. If you've been touched by God's word, to be able to serve God. If you don't know Jesus, I encourage you. That's a start. Give your life to him and he'll be more than happy to talk to you, to pray with you.

God bless you as you go into your week. Amen.