Bro. Tim Baker
First Baptist Church Festus/Crystal City, MO
June 14, 2009

  1. Recognize your gift  1.6-7
    1. Every Believer possesses a spiritual gift!
      1. Timothy’s gifts are:  I Timothy 4.2-5
        1. Preaching – Preach the Word
        2. Teaching – Convince, rebuke, and exhort
        3. Evangelism – Do the work of the evangelist
      2. Things to understand about your spiritual gift  I Cor 12.4-7
        1. A spiritual gift is given in unique areas  12.4-6
          1. i.      Speaking – prophecy, knowledge, wisdom, teaching, and exhortation.
          2. ii.      Serving – leadership, helps, giving, mercy, faith, and discernment.
        2. A spiritual gift is given to everyone  12.7
        3. A spiritual gift is a manifestation of the Spirit
        4. A spiritual gift is given for the profit of all
        5. A spiritual gift is for the edifying of God’s church for His glory.
    2. Be courageous!
      1. A spiritual gift receives action through the faith and commitment of the recipient.

C.K. Barret, The Pastoral Epistles, NCIB, ed. H.F.D. Sparks (Oxford: University Press, 1963), 93.

  1. The Holy Spirit does not produce “timidity” or cowardice.  We will falter or fail in this attitude or mindset.
  2. Rather we are to exhibit:
    1. Power – a forcefulness of character that can use authority boldly.
    2. Love – a love that produces ministry and endures opposition by granting forgiveness and a refusal to seek revenge.
    3. Self-discipline – Use restraint and oppose indulgence with which will provide wise guidance.
  1. Use your gift for His glory  1.8-12; 1.8 – “Join with me”
    1. A call to share in His kingdom!  1.9
      1. To take hold and enjoy a new quality of life.
      2. To enjoy fellowship with Christ.
      3. Commit to living in fellowship with Christ and other believers.
    2. A purpose in living for Him
      1. A holy calling should result in living a holy life
      2. Expect suffering but understand that the Holy Spirit can produce strength to help us bear suffering.
      3. Paul’s calling
        1. led to his gifts being exercised  1.11
        2. led to him suffering  1.12a
        3. To which he displayed a trust and confidence in Christ being able to keep him.  1.12b
  1. Entrust others  1.13-14
    1. A mentor’s responsibility
      1. To make a deposit
      2. Exemplify the teaching of Christ
        1. Sound doctrine
        2. Through faith and love in Christ Jesus
          1. i.      Keep a faith which was focused upon Christ Jesus.
          2. ii.      Compassion in directing and teaching others through Christ Jesus.
        3. Through hearing  1.13 – “Which you have heard in me”
          1. i.      Observing the lifestyle of a child of God
          2. ii.      Listening to our actions and words
          3. iii.      Understanding through our faith and dependence on God
    2. A mentee’s responsibility
      1. Receive the deposit
      2. Guard the deposit or treasure that has been entrusted to you.
      3. Carry on the work
      4. Focus on that special enabling which the Holy Spirit makes available for use in ministry.