WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:01.760 Well, good morning, NBC. 00:00:01.840 --> 00:00:09.439 Uh, that video is a snapshot of what you will experience if you choose to become a Colson Fellow in training this coming year. 00:00:09.599 --> 00:00:17.839 Our next class begins April um not April August the first, and we are can uh currently accepting applications uh for the program. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:24.960 And as you saw in the testimonies there, I think if you choose to take this bold step, it will be nothing short of transformational. 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:33.759 Now we have an information session next Sunday, March the 29th, in between the two services at 1015 in YFMB 201. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:36.560 Uh, we'd love to talk with you more about that. 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:40.560 Now you might be asking the question, why become a Coulson fellow? 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:42.960 Is it really worth my time and money? 00:00:43.200 --> 00:00:45.119 And I want to argue today, yes. 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:54.479 Uh, and I want to start here because your training in the Colson program, should you choose to accept, will give you courage in our current culture. 00:00:54.640 --> 00:01:00.799 Uh, one of their mottos is this faith is always personal but never private. 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:04.560 Faith is always personal but never private. 00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:15.280 And it's too many Christians in today's world that want to keep their faith private because we fear pushback from friends or coworkers or even family. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:17.120 And so we stay silent. 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:19.519 We keep certain topics off limits. 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:21.040 We don't want to offend. 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:22.319 Why is that? 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:28.879 Well, the one woman in the video stated the answer I hear most often, and that's this I didn't feel equipped. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:31.680 I didn't feel equipped. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:36.799 Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where you didn't feel equipped? 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:39.760 Oh, you might say, well, yeah, I know a lot of Bible verses. 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:45.040 I can quote John 3.16, uh, Ephesians 2, 8, and 9, Romans 12, 1 and 2. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:52.159 I know those like the back of my hand, but I don't know how to apply those to the complex topics of our day. 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:56.799 And that is what the Colson Fellows program will equip you to do. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:02:04.239 And so, as you heard, if you have a hunger for this deeper formation, I can guarantee you it will be a five-course meal. 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:10.400 And at the end of the day, you will be full and ready to live as a 21st century Christian witness. 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:16.960 You'll develop clarity for the mind, confidence for your soul, and courage for faithful living. 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:23.199 Now, providentially, that is the topic that Paul addresses in 2 Timothy 1, 6 through 18. 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:24.879 That's where we'll be this morning. 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:27.360 2 Timothy 1, 6-18. 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:30.080 Uh, join me in your Bibles there. 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:35.680 Paul shows Timothy in this passage how to develop courage under fire. 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:37.360 Courage under fire. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:41.599 Now, you might be thinking, well, Pastor Bob, that all sounds good, this Colson stuff. 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:43.520 I like the equipping part. 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:48.879 I want the clarity, I want the confidence, uh, but I don't know about this courage thing. 00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:51.759 I don't know if I can handle the pushback. 00:02:52.080 --> 00:03:00.000 And no, it will not be easy, but when you step into that uncomfortable place, that's when I think God opens doors. 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:04.879 So let's talk about some pushback stories in today's world. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:10.639 Do you remember the news story about Dodgers pitcher Blake Trainin from 2023? 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:25.280 That due to his devout Christian faith, he publicly criticized the team for inviting the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a satirical LGBTQ charity group, to perform at uh Pride Night at Dodgers Stadium. 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:30.800 And he specifically stated his issue was the blasphemous use of Christian imagery. 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:36.719 Now that took courage to make a public statement, and he was mocked online for his stance. 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:41.280 Our northern neighbors in Canada are not an exception to pushback. 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:54.159 In the province of Alberta, education minister Demetrios Nicolains faced severe public backlash this past December for merely mentioning Jesus during his Christmas message. 00:03:54.639 --> 00:04:00.159 Critics on social media called for his termination due to the far-right messaging. 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:04.319 Just for mentioning Jesus at Christmas. 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:10.240 Now, if you're a faithful Christian in Nigeria, not a day goes by when your life is not on the line. 00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:21.199 In 2025, an average of 32 Christians were killed per day across the country due to violence from the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, and others. 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:28.560 Perhaps you saw the viral videos of Nigerian pastors calling attention to this genocide. 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:31.600 Now that is pushback. 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:40.000 Now, friends, I don't know what your story is, but I'm willing to bet you've received some pushback on your Christian faith in this life. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:44.879 And it's in those moments that it's tempting to keep your faith private. 00:04:45.279 --> 00:04:49.839 It's natural to say, I'm not equipped, I'm not ready. 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:55.839 Yet while our faith is always personal, always, always personal, it should never be private. 00:04:56.079 --> 00:05:00.000 When we live faithfully, pushbacks are inevitable. 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:08.720 And so the question we should ask, and the one I think Paul answers today, is this how do we respond when our faith costs us? 00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:17.519 If we are to be a faithful church for the next 175 years, we need courage amidst the pushback. 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:19.360 Now, how do we get this courage? 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:25.199 Well, Paul gives us three action steps in 2 Timothy 1, and I'll voice them this way. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:27.439 First, you need to fan the flame. 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:32.160 Second, you need to shun the shame, and then finally, you break the chain. 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:35.600 Let's look at each of those in turn and let's pray before we get there. 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:39.040 Heavenly Father, thank you so much for each person who's here today. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:45.439 Thank you for those that are in person, those that are with us online, those that are watching or listening later on to this message. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:47.439 I pray that you would convict us, Lord. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:49.279 I pray that you would exhort us. 00:05:49.360 --> 00:06:00.160 I pray that you would give us confidence that we never thought we could have because of the work that you have done on the cross, Lord Jesus, for the fact that you are sovereign over all things. 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:03.519 Help us to rest, to hold on to that. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:09.439 To you, Lord Jesus, the object of our faith, who are ever who is our ever secure. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:14.319 Would you be with us as we look at your word today and open our eyes in Jesus' name? 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:15.279 Amen. 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:16.160 Amen. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:19.279 So first, you gotta you gotta fan the flame. 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:28.319 Now, if you received the bookmark last week, you can take that out, or if you got a connection card in the front row that Pastor Dave was talking about, take those out and give yourself a little fan right now. 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:29.920 You gotta fan the flame. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:31.279 Fan the flame. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:37.680 Now imagine if your hair was on fire and you were fanning the flame and you were keeping to do that, what would happen? 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:42.800 Or imagine that your wife decides to turn her blow dryer on you when your hair is on fire. 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:43.680 What would happen? 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:46.079 Hopefully this has never happened to you. 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:48.319 The fire would spread. 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:51.920 Keep that image in your mind as we read the text. 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:53.040 Look at verse six. 00:06:53.279 --> 00:07:04.000 Paul writes, For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:10.000 Now, before I break this down, if you missed week one, let me remind you of the context. 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:19.680 Paul is writing this letter to Timothy, his protege, his spiritual son in the faith, while in a Roman prison awaiting execution. 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:22.720 The persecution under Emperor Nero is growing. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:32.000 Paul knows his days are numbered, and he opens this letter by exhorting Timothy to remember the faith that was passed down to him. 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:42.240 Now we don't know Timothy's exact location or mindset when he reads this letter, but I'm sure he is feeling some of the cultural pushback from the empire. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:45.279 Christians have targets on their backs. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:52.079 And it's in this moment that Paul says, for this reason, fan into flame the gift of God. 00:07:52.399 --> 00:08:00.639 In other words, because Timothy has a sincere personal faith in Jesus Christ, passed down from his mother and grandmother. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:02.160 We learned about that last week. 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:06.480 It can't simply be private, it must be shared. 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:09.839 The flame of the Spirit must spread. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:14.720 Now, this command, fan into flame, the gift, has a dual meaning. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:19.439 First, it describes a fire burning at its brightest intensity. 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:25.199 But second, it also conveys the image of a rekindling of fire that is fading. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:31.199 Both are vivid images highlighting the intensity of Paul's command. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:35.039 The Greek word is in the present tense, meaning it's a progressive action. 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:39.440 You don't just fan once, you have to keep fanning that flame. 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:43.440 Now, to help you visualize this, let me give you another illustration. 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:46.639 We have a shared interest group here at MBC. 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:50.720 Go check out our shared interest page if you want to know more about those groups. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:54.080 But one of them, one of those groups, they love to camp, right? 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:57.440 And it would not be a camping trip without a campfire. 00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:15.519 So imagine you are camping, you're roasting those marshmallows on the fire, and your face now is covered, it's smeared in chocolate because you ate one too many s'mores, and the fire is dwindling, everybody's ready to hop into bed, they're tired, they want to get in the tent and curl up in that sleeping bag. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:22.720 And then somebody, that late-night person, you know who you are, grabs a stick and starts to poke the fire. 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:23.200 Right? 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:27.200 And then they start adding some kindling and they blow on the fire. 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:31.279 And then maybe they add some gasoline to the fire and it becomes an inferno. 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:33.600 And then nobody's going to bed. 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:44.080 This is the image that Paul is getting at, that these coals, this firewood may be fading in the midst of persecution, Timothy. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:47.200 But underneath it's still got some hot embers. 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:51.600 And if you don't poke them, if you don't fan them, the fire is going to go out. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:55.679 You'll miss the delicious reward of the s'mores at the end. 00:09:56.240 --> 00:10:00.720 Now a campfire keeps you warm, but picture a forge. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:03.279 A forge changes the shape of things. 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:10.879 When a blacksmith heats the iron to the point where it glows, he doesn't stand back and admire the light that the fire created. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:12.240 He puts it to work. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:20.240 He's hammering, he's shaping, he's forming something useful out of that raw material because the fire isn't the point. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:23.279 What the fire makes possible is the point. 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:28.480 And this is what God intends when he calls you to fan the flame. 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:40.080 Not a faith that glows warmly in private and keeps you comfortable, but a faith that is hot enough to be worked to transform your home, your workplace, your neighborhood. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:46.480 The Spirit doesn't give you fire so you can sit by it, he gives you fire so he can put you to work. 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:57.279 The gift of God in verse 6 refers to the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts he bestows on the Christians, specifically Timothy in this context. 00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:11.279 But later in chapter 4, Paul will offer a charge to Timothy very famously preach the word in season and at a season, that Timothy must bring gospel heat to a dying world despite the pushback. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:15.360 Now there's a famous quote attributed to the preacher John Wesley. 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:23.519 When asked why so many people came to hear him preach, this is his answer. 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:28.080 I just go and set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn. 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:33.039 Now there's no solid evidence that Wesley actually said that, but it does preach. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:40.240 Would that we would have more preachers like that that would say, Lord, would you set me on fire right now? 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:44.639 When was the last time you asked the Lord to set you on fire for him? 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:48.159 Now, Paul anchors his reminder in a moment. 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:52.399 He talks about Timothy's ordination to gospel ministry. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:12:00.320 This was the laying on of my hands, which was a formal commissioning ritual to affirm a calling to a pastorate. 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:03.759 Both Paul and the elders would lay their hands on Timothy. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:06.480 And that's a practice we still do today. 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:10.879 In fact, I remember ten years ago when I was ordained to gospel ministry. 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:15.519 Here's a collage of pictures that the late Jim Flood put together for me. 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:23.600 I received charges and the elders laid their hands on me to affirm my call to commit my life to gospel ministry. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:35.279 And so I resonate with this passage because my own spiritual mentor preached that day from 1 Timothy, encouraging me to always remember the gift of God in my life. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:47.279 That if you want to have courage, you must fan the flame continuously, because the enemy would love nothing better than seeing the flame go out in your life, Christian. 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:51.440 Similarly, in the Colson Fellows program, we do a commissioning. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:55.440 That Chuck Coulson was a Marine and he didn't like the idea of graduation. 00:12:55.600 --> 00:13:00.000 Instead, you were commissioned to go out and live in service to Christ. 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:11.039 In fact, on June 6th, we're going to host a commissioning service for our first class of Coulson Fellows, and then recognize them at the annual anniversary service on June 7th. 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:19.039 And afterwards, they must live a commissioned life, always fanning the flame, even when our faith costs us. 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:23.679 And my prayer is that the Spirit would set them aflame for the gospel. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:28.399 How will you respond when your faith costs you? 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:31.039 You have to fan the flame. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:35.919 Now, Paul takes it a step further and tells Timothy where his power comes from. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:37.360 Look at verse 7. 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:45.200 For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control. 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:51.440 So after encouraging Timothy about this gift from God, he now explains what the gift is not. 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:53.600 The clause begins in the negative. 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:55.759 What type of spirit did God give us? 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:57.840 Not of fear. 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:02.080 And I want you to hear that, church, because we don't need to be afraid. 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:09.600 Too many Christians in this world live in fear of things that have no power over us. 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:13.200 The Greek word for fear is very important here. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.480 It is the word dahlia. 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:22.320 It's used only here in the New Testament, and it must not be confused with the fear of the Lord, which is a different word entirely. 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:28.639 Dahlia is always, always in the negative, and it refers to moral cowardice. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:30.799 It's a character defect. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:35.600 In fact, I love how the contemporary English version translates this clause. 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:39.279 God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:44.080 I want the significance of that to sit with you for a moment. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:47.840 That Christians are not cowards. 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:54.960 Over the course of church history, if you go back and look, Christians have always taken risks for the spread of the gospel. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.320 Read the book of Acts. 00:14:56.480 --> 00:15:00.559 Paul enters towns to tell people about Jesus and they try to stone him. 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:11.759 Today, missionaries enter closed countries where their lives are at risk to bring the kingdom of God and share the life-altering message of Jesus, and many have died on that mission. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:17.919 MBC, if you want to fan the flame, Dahlia has no place here. 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.519 We need courage. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:24.639 We cannot be silent when issues arise, when the name of Jesus is mocked. 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:30.480 And so it's worth reflecting: is there any fear in my life that needs to go? 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:34.080 Where do I need to fan the flame? 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:42.879 Now, this past fall, we hosted a showing of the documentary Truth Rising, produced by the Colson Center and focus on the family. 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:52.080 And the film highlights the decline of truth and the Christian worldview in the West and calls Christians to courageously lit out their faith publicly. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:56.080 The film serves as a framework for the Colson Fellows program. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:16:00.960 It's just been turned into a study, and in fact, there's a few happening, and you can jump in on them. 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:08.399 Several Christian leaders were highlighted in the film, one of whom was Katie Faust, the founder of Them Before Us. 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:16.320 Now, some of you might remember that four years ago we hosted Katie for an underground sessions event before she became rather big time right now. 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:20.320 She's very a very compelling speaker and has a remarkable testimony. 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:28.799 But in the film, she documents how God challenged her to step out in faith, despite her fear, and speak for the rights of children. 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:38.879 Her thesis is this: all children have a natural right to their biological mother and father, and anything that violates this violates the natural right of a child. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:43.679 So this led her to take some bold steps despite cultural pushback. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:46.080 And in the film, she gives us a challenge. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:51.360 She says this the lived-out Christian life is genuinely high risk. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:56.480 But the problem is that too many Christians don't want to risk anything. 00:16:56.960 --> 00:17:00.320 We want our faith to be personal and private. 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:02.720 Is that what God calls us to? 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:05.279 Is that what Paul is saying to Timothy? 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:13.359 In fact, right now she is leading a new initiative called Greater Than, which means children's rights are greater than adults' desires. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:18.960 The goal, one of the goals, is overturning the Obergefeld decision that legalized same-sex marriage. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.559 Now that's rather bold. 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:23.519 It seems crazy, but many people thought Roe vs. 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.960 Wade wouldn't be overturned. 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:29.519 And so to speak up courageously like that, you need the power of God's spirit. 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:32.960 Because Christians aren't cowards. 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:37.599 We are bold because the lion of the tribe of Judah is behind us. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:39.519 In fact, another quote attributed to St. 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:42.240 Augustine captures our challenge. 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:44.480 The truth is like a lion. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:48.720 You don't have to defend it, you just let it loose and it will defend itself. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:52.960 Again, no evidence that Augustine actually said that, but it preaches. 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:58.640 Now the temptation to fear in Timothy's day was not irrational. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:07.279 To understand why Paul has to say, don't be afraid, you have to understand what fear looked like in Timothy's world. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:11.759 Emperor Nero declared Christians enemies of the state. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:13.680 That was not abstract. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:18.720 Nero had Christians lit on fire to illustrate what would happen. 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:23.200 He would put them on stakes as they were on fire in his garden for parties. 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:29.839 He had believers sewn into animal skins and then thrown to the dogs and lions in the arena. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:34.240 He crucified them along the Appian way in public spectacle. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:41.200 In fact, the Roman historian Tacitus, no friend of Christians, called it a display of savage cruelty. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:45.119 And that was the empire that Timothy was living in. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:54.880 That's what was happening when Paul writes this letter to be publicly identified as a follower of Jesus Christ was not merely socially awkward. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:58.000 It was potentially a death sentence. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:19:04.720 So when Paul says, fan the flame, don't be ashamed, he's not offering a motivational slogan. 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:09.440 He's asking Timothy to do something genuinely dangerous. 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:14.720 The temptation to keep faith private wasn't weakness, it was survival instinct. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:17.359 And Paul says, fan the flame anyway. 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:20.079 Now, what would you have done if you were Timothy? 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:23.359 Would the fear or temptation grip your heart? 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:26.559 Or would you have leaned into God's spirit? 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:31.440 A spirit, he says, of power and love and self-control. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:36.720 Power is the dynamic, explosive capacity from God. 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:40.240 The word behind this is where we get our English word dynamite. 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:49.279 When a hostile colleague challenges your faith in a meeting, this power is what enables you to answer with clarity rather than shrinking. 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:52.480 You draw on God's power, not your own eloquence. 00:19:52.640 --> 00:20:03.119 In fact, Amy Huber was telling me the other day that she was speaking with Mark Schaaf from Walk Through the Bible, and he's got contacts in Iran, and the church is exploding there despite what's happening. 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.960 That's the power of God. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.160 Love. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:09.279 Unconditional, others-directed love. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:14.000 The spiritual power Paul describes is never self-serving. 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:23.680 That when the cultural pushback comes, when we are labeled a bigot for what we believe, this love keeps you engaged with people rather than retreating from them. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:27.680 You speak truth, but you speak it for their sake. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:31.440 So imagine Timothy doing this for his persecutors. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:33.839 And then finally, self-control. 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:38.880 That disciplined steadiness, a sober, sound mind. 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:45.440 When the internet is on fire and everyone around you is reacting with outrage, Christians do not. 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:49.759 They speak with measured courage rather than heated emotion. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:53.119 And when the winds blow, Christians stand. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:21:00.960 So ask yourself, church, is there a place in my life where fear, where moral cowardice has settled in? 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:04.240 Where have I gone silent when I should have spoken? 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:06.720 Where do I need to fan the flame? 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:11.680 Because when our faith costs us, Paul tells us that is what we should do. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:15.359 Fan the flame of the dying embers in your heart. 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:17.119 It's a constant battle. 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:22.240 But when we do, it enables us to live out point number two shun the shame. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:25.119 Fan the flame, shun the shame. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:35.519 Now I'm going for the memorable alliteration here, but just so we're clear, uh, the definition of shun is to avoid using, accepting, engaging in, or partaking of. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:38.640 In other words, you gotta stay away from shame. 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:44.720 Now, this is not an easy task in today's world because we live in a cancel culture moment. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:49.759 That people will shame you on the internet more quickly than they'll shame you in person. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:55.920 There are several stories of people being shamed or shunned in the Truth Rising film. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:59.359 And that's not terribly different from Paul and Timothy's time. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:05.440 The Greco-Roman world was what sociologists called an honor and shame culture. 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:07.920 In Roman society, it was all about what? 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.200 Strength and honor, right? 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.640 You've seen Gladiator. 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:13.279 Shame was something to be avoided. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:16.960 Historian John Dixon says this in his book, Humilitas. 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:25.440 Much of public life revolved around ensuring you and your family received public honor and avoided public shame. 00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:33.200 And in Nero's Rome, the ultimate public shame was confessing Jesus before a watching world. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:36.960 Now, what is the honor-shame code of today? 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:39.759 Are there labels we want to avoid? 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:49.440 Believing what Scripture says about modern-day issues might get you called a homophobe or an anti-abortion advocate or even a Christian nationalist. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:55.759 Now, those might not be fair, but in our current discussion, they are meant to bring public shame. 00:22:56.559 --> 00:23:00.319 But Christians must not be ashamed of their testimony. 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:05.359 And it's striking now that Paul uses the Greek word for ashamed in his argument. 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:08.640 He uses this word three times to make his argument. 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:11.200 It's the backbone of the rest of the section. 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.400 Look at verse 8. 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:23.680 He writes, Therefore, first, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:28.319 Not ashamed is the beating heart of this section. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:43.279 Author Alfred Garvey comments that not ashamed for Paul was not mere emotional resilience, but assurance that his trust in God will ultimately vindicate him rather than leave him disillusioned. 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:50.079 So first, Paul encourages Timothy not to be ashamed about his testimony for Jesus. 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:58.079 And that's true of every Christian's witness, but church, you have to ask, are you ashamed to mention the name of Jesus to others? 00:23:58.400 --> 00:24:01.920 Do you go to work and no one knows you have faith in the Lord? 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:04.400 And if so, maybe ask why. 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:11.519 As Christians, we should want to tell people about all the Lord has done in our lives and make a public profession. 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:17.119 Second, Paul tells Timothy not to be ashamed of him or his suffering. 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:20.079 And that point is also applicable for us. 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:28.240 Has there ever been a time when someone you knew stood up for the Lord and you made sure to let people know you had nothing to do with them? 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:35.279 When the suffering comes, you will find out who your true friends are and who really loves Jesus. 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:40.480 Paul is calling Timothy to be a co-sufferer with him. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:51.359 Paul will also give examples later of people who walked away from him, and those who stood by his side even searched for him in prison at great personal risk. 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:59.759 Because to be a Christian is to be an outsider in this world, and we will only have the strength to suffer by God's power. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:03.039 But the gospel is worth that pushback. 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:09.920 And so now Paul launches into a long and beautiful explanation of the riches of the gospel message. 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:15.359 And as we read, I want you to ask yourself: is this gift worth suffering for? 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:21.680 Is it worth shunning the world, the shunning, shunning the shame the world throws at us? 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:28.960 Paul writes that Jesus is the one who saved us and called us to a holy calling. 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:56.319 Not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher, and apostle, and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.400 Now, do you see what he just wrote? 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:04.799 Sit and savor those words for a moment. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.119 Let's meditate on them. 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.799 We don't do that enough. 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:20.480 Friends, we will have no motivation to fan the flame or shun the shame if you do not believe in Jesus' fame. 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:22.480 That's what Paul's saying here. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:24.400 This is powerful. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:26.880 We have to be clear on the gospel. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.920 So let's break it down. 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:30.880 First, he says Jesus saved us. 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:37.599 That Jesus Christ loved you so much, he left his place in heaven and came to earth on a rescue mission. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.880 Speaking of cost. 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:42.079 Your salvation cost Jesus his life. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.599 Speaking of shame. 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:49.119 Picture hanging naked on a tree while people mock you and spit upon you. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.960 Jesus shunned the shame. 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:56.400 Second, Jesus called us to salvation through the power of his spirit. 00:26:56.640 --> 00:27:02.880 He reached out, he grabbed your dead heart, and he infused spiritual life into it. 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:13.039 That dunamis, the power of the spirit, comes through, courses through your heart because Jesus called you, he awakened you, he made you alive. 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:19.440 John Scott captures this magnificently when he writes this in his commentary. 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:30.400 Salvation is a majestic word, denoting the comprehensive purpose of God by which he justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies his people. 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:36.319 First, he pardons our offenses and accepts us as righteous in his sight through Christ. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:45.839 Then he progressively transforms us by his spirit into the image of his son until finally we become like Christ in heaven with new bodies and a new world. 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:50.079 The broad scope, magnificence of salvation, friends. 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.839 That's good news. 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.920 How does he do that? 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:56.240 He does it by grace. 00:27:56.640 --> 00:28:01.039 Note that Paul specifically says our works have nothing to do with this. 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:04.960 God saves us because of his own purpose and grace. 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:09.359 His unmerited favor rests on us because of Jesus. 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:21.440 And I want to emphasize that important point because too many Christians, maybe some even here today, still instinctively believe that our works have something to do with our salvation. 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:24.799 We can still think, I gotta be a good person. 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:27.920 I gotta get that done for Jesus to love me. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:33.839 And the reason we have so much fear in our lives is because we don't think that Jesus is enough. 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:41.599 We're trusting in the other saviors of money or acceptance or romance or power, people pleasing. 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:47.599 But when God saves us by grace, nothing else matters, and there's nothing that God cannot ask of us. 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.960 He owns it all. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:54.319 So, fourth, this idea, this was God's idea from the beginning. 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:57.440 Before the ages began, he knew your name. 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:59.839 He knew he was going to call you to himself. 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:03.200 And now Jesus Christ, the Savior, has come to earth. 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.240 And what did he do? 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:06.559 He abolished death. 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:09.839 That is a powerful word. 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:12.480 He abolished death. 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.599 Death has no power. 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:15.920 We spoke about that a few weeks ago. 00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:20.079 And then he brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:23.279 Death is dead, but everlasting life is here. 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:25.200 Easter's coming. 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:29.680 Now it's worth noting that humans, in and of themselves, are not immortal. 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:38.559 Only God possesses immortality, but it's through the gospel that Jesus shares that immortality through our resurrection bodies. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:41.359 And then finally, this is why Paul preaches. 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.880 This is why he suffers. 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:47.440 This is why he can shun the shame of the world because Jesus is enough. 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:49.039 Do you believe that, church? 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:57.440 When you do, you can shun whatever shame is thrown at you, even if it costs you everything. 00:29:57.680 --> 00:30:00.000 Now, Paul emphasizes this in verse 12. 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:01.039 He continues. 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:13.200 Secondly, again, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he's able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:22.799 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:27.519 Guard the good, deposit, and trusted to you. 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:31.359 Now, why is Paul not ashamed? 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:35.039 I know whom I have believed. 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:41.839 Or a better translation would be, I know whom I have trusted, whom I have trusted with my life. 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:49.119 And then he uses the interesting phrase, he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me. 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.880 Now, what is this is speaking of Jesus. 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.720 What is Jesus guarding? 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:56.240 The very gospel message itself. 00:30:56.960 --> 00:31:06.559 That Paul's trust is fully in Jesus, that even if Paul dies, Jesus will raise up more preachers to tell the world the message of salvation. 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:10.400 And so Paul can face his death bravely and with confidence. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:12.319 But then there's the flip side. 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:18.079 Paul turns to Timothy and says, You also have to guard the good deposit. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:23.759 By the power of the Holy Spirit, Timothy must guard the message and keep it pure. 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:29.119 And so Paul is saying to him, listen, the Roman world will try to shame you, Timothy. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:32.240 It will tempt you to compromise the gospel message. 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:38.640 It will make you comfortable with its wealth and try to distract you from the truth. 00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:43.920 And if you don't follow the pattern of this world, they will try to cancel you and shame you. 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:46.480 And he says, Timothy, don't fall for it. 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:49.519 Even if they try to kill you, don't fall for it. 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:53.839 By the power of the Holy Spirit, guard the good deposit. 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:58.400 So, MBC, how about us? 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:05.359 Are we willing to shun the shame to guard the deposit entrusted to us? 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:13.839 Now it's very easy to say, well, Pastor Bob and Pastor Dave, they can do the guarding, and I'm just along for the ride. 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:16.480 I'll give the money so they can do the work. 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:24.160 Now we do take preaching seriously, but God has called the church to keep proper doctrine. 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:30.960 We have to tell people about the gospel message, and we have to ensure it is the true message. 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:33.839 And that may require shunning the shame of the world. 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:38.720 But don't worry, we're in good company from church history. 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:40.640 In fact, let me tell you a story. 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.640 Very famous one, you might know it. 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.920 It was around A.D. 00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:54.160 155 when the Roman proconsul had Polycarp, the age bishop of Smyrna, and disciple of the Apostle John, dragged into the Roman arena. 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:56.880 The crowd was bloodthirsty. 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:59.680 And the official gave him a way out. 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:05.680 He said, Swear by Caesar, curse the name of Christ, save yourself. 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:10.880 Now Polycarp's answer very famously has echoed through 20 centuries. 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:13.119 He said, 86 years. 00:33:13.359 --> 00:33:15.759 Imagine being in the arena at 86. 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:17.519 I've served him. 00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:19.359 And he has done me no wrong. 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:22.960 How can I blaspheme my king who saved me? 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:25.519 And the crowd erupted. 00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:30.240