TOPIC:‌“The Holy Spirit's Magnificent Service”

‌           by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap

 

TEXT:‌II Timothy 1:1-7

 

‌‌“Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee…For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7)

 

‌According to verses 6 and 7 God has given a special Gift to every believer. In giving attention to these verses it is important to realize that the reference here is to the Holy Spirit. The word “spirit” in verse 7 should be spelt with a capital “S” for it refers, I believe, to the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.

 

‌It is interesting to note that in early Apostolic times it was customary for the Holy Spirit to be imparted through the laying on of hands which is indicated by the words in verse 6: “which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (NIV). As in Acts 8:17 and 19 with Philip in his ministry at Samaria. In Acts 9:17 this is how Paul received the Holy Spirit. And in Acts 19:6 regarding the believers at Ephesus we read: “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them.”

 

‌But it is also important to realize that in this dispensation of the church age the Holy Spirit indwells every believer once they become a believer in Christ. This is a fundamental truth we need to grasp. Note the words of verse 14: “by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.”

 

‌It seems that Paul believed Timothy was in some kind of spiritual danger. Paul does not tell us exactly what this danger was. I believe that though Timothy was a saint he was not yet ready to be a soldier. A careful look at II Timothy chapter 1 verses 1 through 7 seems to indicate the possibility that Timothy had lost some of his former zeal for the Lord.

 

‌Thus it was that Paul writes in verse 6 and exhorts Timothy to “stir up the gift of God” or as Weymouth renders it “rekindle God's gift” or as Phillips puts it: “stir up that inner fire.” Now it is possible for the flame, the excitement of having God's Holy Spirit to go out in the life. So the question: If the Holy Spirit indwells every Christian, and he does, then what is his purpose of indwelling? What is his ministry in the life of the Christian?

 

‌In this verse which is our text I want to mention four aspects of the Holy Spirit's magnificent ministry.

 

I.

 

‌Consider the first: The Holy Spirit indwells us to EMANCIPATE us from FEAR. Note the words of verse 7: “For . . .