Stir Up The Gift
by Pastor Robert V. Shipman, Sr. | September 20, 2013
STIR UP THE GIFT
1 Timothy 1:6
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
I am a fan of professional sports. You don't need to know which ones, but I can tell you that although do not know everything about every aspect of my teams, I love to see them play, and I am ecstatic when they win. When they play, even during what seem to be sure losses, I have confidence that they will come through in the end. And so, whatever good they do, I applaud. I shout. I find a reason to talk good about them.
Although my worship experience is far too sacred to place in the same category as my sports teams, (because God's holiness is not to be cheered, but revered; His power not to be applauded, but appreciated; and His acts should lead us to thanksgiving, not to mere ecstasy). I believe that the enthusiasm I express during time of worship should minimally, at least ,be equal to that of my sports behavior.
But God should be given more! The command of Paul to his cohort Timothy expresses it well: "Stir up the gift of God that is in you..." Whether worship, devotion to the preparation of sacred things at Church, or to the task of making disciples, we Christians must not simply wait for a new unction or motivation, we must stir up what is in us. God has ensured the abilities that He has given us in several ways. He has given us the Holy Spirit to live within us; given His angels to watch over us and attend to us; He has given us living water springing up into everlasting life, and He has given us the ability and charge to stir ourselves--excite ourselves--for the work He has called us to do.
The Word of God to Timothy is also the Word of God to you and me. Don't wait any longer to do what God has commissioned you to do. Even if you don't feel like it, "stir up the gift of God that is in you..." You will experience joy and victory in Jesus as you find excitement and reasons to do God's will.
Blessings!
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