Young People's Group

OVERCOMING OUR FEARS IN MINISTRY

by Pastor Mitch
June 01, 2008

The Problem Of Fear In Ministry

Fear is an erratic and crippling feeling. It often stops us from ministering as we should. Young Timothy struggled in ministry. A real problem was his youth. The youth tended to be despised. He also had to face opposition from false teachers. Paul wrote of how he was mindful of Timothy’s tears in ministry (2 Timothy 1:4). It had not been easy for him. He struggled with fears as he sought to minister.

Paul encouraged Timothy that the Lord had not given him a spirit of fear.

“God has not given us a spirit of fear” 
2 Timothy 1:7

Timothy had a spirit of cowardly fear. It persistently caused him to serve with little confidence. We know that having such a spirit is not from God. Let’s remember that God has given us His Holy Spirit to enable us to serve Him well.

Being Filled With The Spirit Of God

When we first believed in Christ, our Father in heaven gave us the gift of His mighty Spirit. Very often, we tend to underestimate what the Spirit can do in our lives. How can the Spirit of God fill us in our lives as we serve?

1. Being Filled With The Spirit Of Tremendous Power

“But of power” 
2 Timothy 1:7

The Spirit of the Lord can strengthen and empower us for ministry. He can work mightily in our lives and enable us to do things that we never thought possible. God’s powerful spirit can give us courage and boldness to do His work and to share His word powerfully. Is this possible? Yes, it is. Let’s begin by praying for the Spirit’s empowering.

2. Being Filled With The Spirit Of Great Love

“And of love” 
2 Timothy 1:7

Another great thing that the Spirit of God will do in our lives is that He will extend the boundaries of our “heart”. He will give us a big heart of love for people, especially the lost. It is this love for others that will drive us to minister to people.

3. Being Filled With The Spirit Of A Sound Mind

“And of a sound mind.” 
2 Timothy 1:7

The Spirit of God will also give us a positive and sensible mindset. We do not need to be untowardly troubled and fearful about serving the Lord. We can cultivate a mind that is strong and ready to serve in any way that the Lord wants us to. Let’s not be fearful. Let’s seek instead to be filled with the power of the Spirit in ministry.

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