Sunday, 12/18/16, we continued our Christmas series, “First Come, First Serve”.  In it we looked at this Big Picture Question:

Big Picture Question:  How did Christ Come for Us to Serve our Community?

And we pursued that question through 2 Timothy 1:5-12:

2 Timothy 1: 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 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, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore 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, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 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, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me

And in answering that question, we found these three answers in the passage:

Big Picture Question:  How did Christ Come for Us to Serve our Community around us? 

• He gives us a fearless spirit.
• He gives us a shameless testimony.
• He gives us a trustworthy faith.

He gives us a fearless spirit.

2 Timothy 1: 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 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, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Timothy had a wonderfully, Godly family.  And Paul, the author, wants him to grow into that legacy.  Paul wants Timothy to fan into flame all the love and grace that has been poured into him.  Paul wants Timothy to begin living out this truth:  God has not given him (and you) a spirit of fear.

No earthly fear is from God.  Instead, God gives His children a spirit of love, power, and self-control.  Part of what holds us back from loving and serving others is our fear.  We fear rejection, we fear hard work, and we fear that our needs will not be met.  But like Timothy, we can live knowing that God’s gift of power, love, and self-control are much greater than our spirit of fear.

He gives us a shameless testimony.

8 Therefore 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, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 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, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do.

Paul urges that there is no reason to be ashamed of what Jesus has done for us.  Jesus Christ was born to bring about the purposes and grace of God.  We have earthly reasons for shame:  our sin, our anger, etc.  But none of those things kept us from the love of Jesus.  He was born to take those things away.  And because of that removal of shame, we are not ashamed of Jesus.  We can proclaim Jesus and serve others knowing that He will remove other people’s shame, just as He did ours.

He gives us a trustworthy faith.

But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me

Again, there is no need for shame anymore.  Jesus, the object of our faith is true and trustworthy.  We can serve others and tell others about Jesus knowing that He will protect us until the day He returns.

We concluded our sermon in this way.

Big Picture Question:  How did Christ Come for Us to Serve our Community around us?

Truth:  Our shameless testimony and trustworthy faith in Christ enables us to serve our community with a fearless spirit.

Application:  Live knowing that Christ replaces your sin and shame with a faith and spirit to serve others.

Action:  In 2017, help Evident Grace put an end to shame by serving those in need and those at risk.

And if you would like any more information about Evident Grace, you can find us at www.evidentgrace.com.