Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Vajta Conference Session Five: Pete Nelson

image One of Pete Nelson's favorite things in life is to be at the Bible College in Hungary. It's a pleasure to hear someone teach when he's doing what he love best.

Text: 2 Timothy 1:6-12

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (English Standard Version)

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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

This is Paul's last letter. Megalomaniac Caesar Nero is in power and Paul is in a dungeon waiting for death. Paul is writing to Timothy as one soldier to another; mentor to disciple.

Paul wants Timothy to know that he has nothing to fear. No matter how oppressive the present regime may be, you belong to God. Fear is not from God. Timidity and cowardice are not from God. Courage is.

Cowards are on this list:

Rev 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

Fear of failure is our biggest fear. Paul's encourages Timothy to stir up the gift within him.

Stir up your gift. Watch your fear shrink.

Photo by Dave Groth

No comments: