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God’s Gift of Self-Discipline and a 21 Day Journey to a Christ Awakening 2 Timothy 1:3-12 7 … God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV84) 2 2

Jesus Christ is Lord over every government and political leader Jesus Christ is Lord over every government and political leader. He alone is worthy to be the One in whom we place our greatest hope. 3

The One who leads us out of darkness and into the light is also the One who best keeps us in the light and takes us into the richness of His life. 4

Why would I place my hope in Him? 5

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who has promised and provided for the most fulfilling hope we could ever have in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. 6

A 21-Day Christ-Awakening Journey 7

God’s Gift of Self-Discipline or Self-Control The self-discipline that God calls us to exercise in the filling in of our calendars 8

Self-discipline and self-control are gifts from the Spirit of God given within a set of multiple character qualities and we receive them in exchange for surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ. 9

2 Timothy 1:3-7 (NIV84) 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 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. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (or a sound-mind in action). 10

Timothy has sincere faith. Philippians 2:20-23 (NIV84) 20 I have no one else like him (Timothy), who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 11

fan into flame the gift of God. Why does a person like Timothy who has such a sincere faith and such a proven record of selfless service need these exhortations? First exhortation: fan into flame the gift of God. 12

What God doesn’t give his followers: a spirit of timidity or a spirit of fear. 13

How to get his spiritual fire burning strongly again? “Timothy, God gave us … a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”. 14

How God gives His graces. 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV84) 12 …. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. 15

Paul entrusts his life to Jesus and Jesus guards Paul’s life. 16

Self-discipline is a gift from the Spirit of God. 17

Power, love and self-discipline are a team that works together to fan into flame the fire of our faith in Christ. 18

Paul’s first assignment to Timothy begins to be fulfilled when Timothy once again entrusts his life to Jesus. 19

Paul’s second assignment to Timothy: suffer with him for the gospel. 20

Review once again how your relationship with Christ is sustained. Timothy: Review once again how your relationship with Christ is sustained. 21

Jesus invites us into a partnership to share in His mission and His victories, and to grow into His likeness as we pour our lives into Him. 22

2 Timothy 1:8-12 (NIV84) 8 So (Timothy) do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. 23

Would you like to be more confident that when you entrust your life into Jesus’ hands that He will truly guard your life with His? 24

A 21-Day Christ-Awakening Journey To benefit from this journey, it will take self-discipline and an investment of at minimum 20-30 minutes each day. 25

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We celebrate Communion with our Lord at His Table

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