2 Timothy 1:4-7

Introduction:

1. The first step in this is to recognize the danger of apathy.

2. Two of the churches of Asia addressed in the Revelation of Christ were struggling with lost zeal for different reasons.

a. The church at Ephesus had much to commend (Revelation 2:1-3, 6).

b. Nonetheless, they were in danger for having left their first love (Revelation 2:4-5; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14).

c. The church at Laodicea was lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22).

3. Both congregations were in danger of being cast away if they did not light a fire in their hearts.

4. How do we avoid falling into apathy and lukewarmness?

Discussion:

I. Remember What The Lord Has Done

A. The Bible stresses the power of remembrance in faithfulness to God (Exodus 12:23-28; 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:15; 6:4-12; 8:18-20; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 2:11-18; 2 Timothy 1:6; 2:14; 2 Peter 1:12; 3:1; Revelation 2:5).

B. The first step in rekindling our fire is remembering His goodness toward us in His indescribable gifts (2 Corinthians 9:15).

II. Honestly Assess What Hinders Us

A. Honest self-examination is imperative for improvement.

B. Again, the Bible is filled with calls for self-examination (Psalms 119:59-60; Lamentations 3:40; Haggai 1:2-5, 7; Matthew 7:5; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:4).

C. No one can fix what they do not know is broken, so we must be real with ourselves about what hinders our zeal.

III. Fan The Flames

A. As Jeremiah, His word in our heart should be like a fire shut up in our bones which we cannot bear to hold inside (Jeremiah 20:9).

B. There are at least three motivations in the Bible to fan the flames.

1. Duty to God

2. Love for God and humanity

3. Fear of judgment

C. Zeal as our duty and purpose.

1. Christians exist to do God's good work (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:11-14; Romans 12:1).

2. The churches at Ephesus and Laodicea had to renew their zeal to be restored with Christ (Revelation 2:5; 3:19).

3. Paul calls for stoking the fires of Christian zeal (Romans 12:11; 2 Timothy 1:6).

D. Love drives everything (Matthew 22:36-40; 2 Corinthians 5:14).

1. That love demands action.

a. If we love the Lord, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15; 15:14).

b. If we love His people, we will keep His commandments (1 John 5:1-3).

c. Love for the lost compels us to act (Romans 1:16-17; 10:13-17).

2. Without love, nothing matters (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

E. Fear of consequences likewise promotes zeal.

1. The Hebrews writer was clear about the danger of turning back (2:1-4; 3:7-8, 12; 6:4-6; 10:26-31; 12:25).

2. His voice blends with a chorus of similar warnings (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5; 13:1-5; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Revelation 21:8).

Conclusion:

1. Every servant of God must beware of the danger of apathy.

2. No one is immune to departing from their first love, and as the church at Ephesus, we may even retain many commendable deeds.

3. If we combine the elements of memory, self-reflection, and working to fan the flames, we can maintain or reignite the fire in our hearts.