Stir up the gift

S. Sekou. Abodunrin

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands 2 Tim 1:6

Paul writes this when his ministry was close to its end. Usually folks say the important things then.

You need to remember that the instructions in the book of Timothy are quite unlike the other epistles of Paul. They give us a peep into the type of instruction that one minister gave to a younger minister by the Spirit of God. The things of the Spirit of God can be learned and we should endeavour to press into this knowledge and walk.

There is a growing number that believe that what transpired between Paul and Timothy was that a spiritual gift was imparted when Paul laid his hands on Timothy. However, while this is a sacred cow for many, you cannot really find an instance in scripture where spiritual gifts were communicated from one human to another. Some would even cite the things that Paul told timothy above.

I want you to notice that Paul did not say to Timothy …..stir up the gifts of the Spirit, which is in thee .. Did he? Look at it again - He didn't.

What he said is that Timothy should stir up the gift of God, which was in him. Whatever it was then that was communicated to Timothy by the laying on of hands is not the gifts of the Spirit, but the gift of God. This is not just semantics :)

The exercise of Spiritual gifts is really governed by the Spirit of God and not by man. It is not safe to exercise a gift just because you choose to. There is something about learning to wait for the timing of God for the exercise of that which is given to you by God through his Spirit. We get over into fleshly operations when we try to exercise gifts of the Spirit thinking that we just “stir it up” - if you are conversant with the flow of the Spirit you realise that you don't just “stir up a gift”, but that you wait on the Lord who governs the exercise of these gifts of the Spirit.
The instruction of Paul to timothy obviously implies that this “gift of God” could be stirred up by Timothy; the implication is that minister Timothy can do this whenever he chooses. This is scriptural and valid and more of us should practice this instruction.

Stirring up the gift is your responsibility; scripturally speaking, no other person can do it for you. So do not try to get another person to do for you that which the Spirit will teach you to do. You have no business sitting down there like you have nothing residing deep within for you do. You do not need hands laid again, what you must do is stir it up. Paul told timothy in effect that it is what he has within that counts. Do not go about chasing some extra anointing - use the one that you already have by firstly stirring it up. When we do not stir up the gift, we loose awareness of spiritual things and begin to think that what we need is some extra thing that's out there somewhere.

Some folks are always looking for someone to stir them. There is something not right about that. Timothy had a memory problem -he forgot some things. He forgot the important things and began to rest on his age and his inabilities in the natural. This tendency to forget the things that really mattered got him into timidity and fear and made him shy away from the development of that which God had committed to his charge. Paul says what you need is to bring these facts to your mind then get stirred up by stirring the gift of God within.

So what is this “gift of God” that Paul instructed Timothy to stir up?

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money Acts 8: 17 - 20

The Apostles Peter and John laid hands because they had a ministry in this area. Phillip had stirred the whole city and he could have ministered the Holy Ghost to these Christians, but they recognised that Peter and John were “specialists” in this area and so Phillip opened the door for the expression of this ministry. The point I want you to see is that they ministered the Holy Ghost through the LAYING ON OF HANDS.

Simon recognised that there was a power by which the Apostles ministered the Holy Ghost. He wanted this power. He had watched the Apostles minister the Holy Ghost; he knew exactly how they ministered - through the laying on of hands.

There is a lot that we can glean from this passage. We have a scarcity of Peter's response in our day. People talk of a money-anointing connection. I guess in our day some would say he was sowing “into the anointing” or “plugging into the anointing” in the Apostolic office by sowing money! Apparently Peter 's theology didn't recognise such. He said - your money perish with thee :)

Peter linked this with the “gift of God”. Clearly then, the gift of God refers to what we know as the baptism of the Spirit.

We can then say that the “gift of God” that comes through the laying on of hands is the baptism in the Holy Ghost. Some could say that eternal life is the “gift of God”, while that is true, it cannot be what Paul had in mind because salvation is neither communicated nor received through the laying on of hands.

We understand then that Paul is teaching timothy primarily that speaking in other tongues, which originates from the baptism of the Spirit, is the valid way to get stirred up. If you link this with 2 Tim 1.7 it means that as you speak in other tongues your mind will get past certain ministerial fears more quickly and a divine boldness will awaken out of you with power.
Getting past these fears and operating in a sound mind is what is called edification.

You do not need to run around town looking for extra anointing or extra hands laid on you. Now, I didn't say that it is wrong to have hands laid on you, but asides the case of healing, it seems laying on of hands is initiated by God and not man. What you need is edification - you can initiate this. Edification hands you over to boldness and fearlessness. Naturally, this means that you will be able to stand in your call more fully with precision. You see, that which stirs the gift of God will take you into the fullness of God and hand you over to the greater anointings that should be your walk.

If I place the word on my lips and boldly declare it, I will get stirred. The same is true of worship and recalling the private conversations you have had with the Lord.

…. To be continued

Why did Jesus appear to Saul on the road to Damascus?

S. Sekou Abodunrin

[For context please read Luke 11: 1 – 13, Acts 9: 1 – 18]

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 7:60, Acts 8:1

Stephen faced the full venom of religious persecution. This whole episode was overseen by a young man who was full of offense. While the heavy stones were landing on Stephen and splitting his head he remembered the type of man that he was – he was a new creation love spirit. Stephen manifests a royalty and calm in the midst of this storm – he had time to remember to kneel down! Apparently this was his preferred prayer posture! He had the choice of allowing the hatred in Saul and the mob drive him to fleshly retaliation.

He also had the choice to follow the example of Jesus and allow love rise out of his spirit and dominate that frenzied mob action. He opted for the love option, for he was a love man. A fellow doesn’t make such decisions on the spur of the moment. He was a hardened lover. He loved his enemies and was as merciful as his heavenly father is merciful.

I want you to notice that Stephen cried with a loud voice. It is important to meditate deeply on what he conveyed through this loud cry. He was extending mercy to Saul and his companions! We know that Saul was consenting to this death. Saul got more than he bargained for. The things he heard pouring out of the mouth of Stephen were from another world. Saul didn’t know what God was like, but he could see it in Stephen. Through Stephen then God was gong to have good advertisement that will register on Saul’s senses. Saul was a natural man, a man of the senses, he needs to have a demonstration out in the sense realm and God was willing to give this to Saul, the trouble was there was a scarcity of men who would be sold out to love no matter what.

Stephen prayed a short but deeply spiritual prayer that was born of love. His desires were tied up with the desires of Jesus. He said for Jesus not to lay the offense against Saul and his companions. This caught the attention of Saul. This caught the attention of Jesus. Usually he is seated in heaven, but this time Stephen saw him STANDING. He is standing because of the type of love that Stephen is demonstrating. Jesus now has an opportunity to answer the prayer of Stephen. This was the door of love that Stephen opened to Jesus so that Jesus, a man of heaven, could come into the earth and make an appearance to Saul.

Stephen operated in the spirit of the new covenant – he operated in forgiveness. This was the same forgiveness that he had received from the father in Christ Jesus. You recall the case in Mt 18 involving reconciliation? The actions of the brethren can loose the Spirit to go after the errant brother or close the door in such a way that the Spirit is limited in manifesting restoration. Jesus as the head of the church and the saviour of men needs to be given audience before men so that his influence can be manifested. What Stephen did in allowing love to make a statement through him effectively gave Jesus such a door through which he could pursue Saul. He chose to make his appearance on the road to Damascus.

If you closely study the events surrounding Saul’s encounter you realise that while Stephen’s love walk was the door through which the Spirit could manifest Jesus to Paul, the Lord needed the love walk of another believer in order to manifest his healing life to Saul. This is why Jesus approached Ananias. Ananias could walk in unlove and thus delay Saul’s deliverance or he could open a further door to Jesus so that he could give Saul a first rate demonstration of his love.

The stones split the head of Stephen, but couldn’t break his love resolve. We have a scarcity of this in our day. Stephen remained a love man to the very last – Jesus stood up for such a man! Old Sekou would have prayed what’s now known as “dangerous praying” asking for the death and destruction of his enemies, but Jesus has used Stephen to teach that love can have full sway. Dangerous praying is really ignorance about love. Stephen really provided a door through which Saul could walk out of the room of hate and unlove. This is a clear case of Stephen, a new creation man, walking in a degree of judgement that sentenced Saul to an encounter with Jesus.

You have read of how Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus. Is this a case of randomness of spiritual operations or is there something we can learn from it?

Jesus died for Saul, but religious zeal was stealing Saul away from Jesus. There is nothing that is as effective in stealing men away from Jesus as religious zeal. Love in expression will break the power of religion over the minds of men. Jesus has a rare chance to get through to Stephen and through Stephen get through to Saul. What happened to Stephen never really left the mind of Paul. He was branded by this type of hot love. Jesus could go after Saul in hot pursuit without Saul requesting it. Stephen’s prayer would be answered and he will bear love fruits. Do you realise that as you choose to walk in and enforce mercy to the undeserving you take the game up one more level to where the Saul’s of this life have no hiding place from the power of love?

Stephen recognised that the torment and anger he could see on the face of Saul was really a reflection of the state of Saul’s heart. It is a known law that the face reveals the hidden emotions of the soul. This meant that Saul was really a man on a journey. He saw Stephen as enemy, but Stephen saw him as friend. This was a friend on a journey.

For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? Luke 11:6

Saul’s hatred is making a demand upon Stephen. Stephen must have something to present to Saul. Stephen could present unlove or he could reach into the mind of Christ and present love. Stephen enters into communion with Jesus and receives and releases love and forgiveness towards Saul. Saul isn’t like many Christians today who would dig out of their flesh the most deadly acts of unlove and go to the level of the ignorant man who walks in hate. There is a tendency to curse in these situations or even send Saul to hell. This would mean that Stephen is ploughing contrary to the way that Jesus has ploughed. Jesus is waiting patiently to receive the precious fruit of the earth – a man like Saul. Stephen presented love to Saul and by doing this he was receiving bread for Saul. He was bypassing the flesh of Saul and making it possible for Saul’s inner man to participate in the heavenly bread – Jesus.

Stephen extended friendship on a new level to Saul. The Holy Spirit enforced it by manifesting Jesus to Saul. Saul came breathing threatenings, while the Lord Jesus through Stephen was breathing love. Love in the resurrected man is stronger and mightier than any threat that the man of hate can bring.

…to be continued

Giving what you have from God

S. SEKOU ABODUNRIN

I want to encourage you to read through 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13 & 14. In 1 Corinthians 12 we have the manifestations of the Spirit, while in chapter 13 we have the great expose on love. The Apostle felt it important to discuss these two concepts before going onto chapter 14. Chapter 14 is in effect an application of chapter 12 and 13. Chapter 14 will not make any sense until you realise that it is an outline of how love will seek to bring the greatest possible benefit through the manifestation of the Spirit. It is seeking to describe love beings in fellowship. When you mix love and the manifestation of the Spirit together you have the local church in expression.

The local church is a place where love reaches out through one believer to bless another believer. This puts the supernatural in proper perspective. The supernatural manifestations of the Spirit are not a badge of spirituality in themselves, they only serve their purpose when we are well adjusted to our love nature. Love is spirituality. The manifestation is an aid to showcase this love. The manifestation will also as quickly showcase unlove and confusion if these lessons are ignored, the problem is not with the manifestation, but with unlove.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal 1 Cor 12:7

We see that the manifestation is given; it is given by the Spirit to our spirit so that we can receive it and give it on to others. It is easier to think that the problem is on the giving side so we plead with God to send manifestation whereas he is far more willing and able to manifest himself than our asking can ever express. He has given, but do we receive? Many dont receive, Then some that receive are unaware that God's intent was to bless others. The reason for the manifestation of the Spirit is to bring benefit or profiting to the believers around you. The implication of this is that there is a whole lot that the Spirit of God would pour out to you in your private life that is not really meant for you alone. Often the believer has been conditioned to expect this flow when he is in “meetings”, while it is true that there will be manifestation while gathered with other believers the real flow happens when you are not in a “spiritual” environment. This is the very reason why many Christians think that the Spirit does not flow through them when in reality he does but unlove stops them from pressing further to bring the manifestation out into the open where it can bless some other person. We are often expecting some “new” thing, when we already have his ministry within.

This is where 1 Cor 13 comes in. It is the prevalence of God’s love within you that will open you up to the fact that the manifestations of the Spirit that you often personalise are really meant for the edification of another person. We are often not sensitive to this because of the ceiling that the flesh imposes on our soul – things like sadness, depression and melancholy. So when the comfort of God flows out of our spirits we quickly appropriate it for ourselves and sadly it all ends there. The melancholy is reversed and we are now happy!! Yippee!! In reality if you weren’t sad to start with, it would have been obvious that the surge of encouragement that you can perceive must be for another’s benefit. The fact then is that until I learn to walk in God, I would unconsciously think every “word” or “prophecy” that comes to me in private is for me! We are the hand that Christ will use to extend comfort into the lives around us. Because we think this way we know that utterance manifestations will pour out of our spirits by God's Spirit to edify people.

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Cor 1:4

This teaches that in any trouble we can expect comfort. We receive from this comfort, but the comfort of the Spirit that is flowing in the midst of our tribulations is not primarily given for our benefit alone but that through us, as yielded vessels, God is able to convey his mercy to others. We are required to take this edification that we have in the midst of trials and tribulations and brood upon it until we become full of the ministry of God. When we get to the presence of other men, the Spirit reaches within this fullness that we have within and pours out tremendous blessing to others. This is only possible when love reigns in me. Otherwise it is all about me.

Very often believers are waiting for some mysterious force to shake them or make their teeth rattle before they move out in the spirit, but the truth is that you can rise up within and allow the activity of the Spirit in you to bless others.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying 1 Cor 14:26

According to the truths presented in 1 Cor 14 believers ought to go to church conscious of the fact that they already have something. You receive this in private. The emphasis in our day makes church largely a thing of “coming to get”, which is good in its own place, but there is something better – coming to give that which you have from God. He is talking of things that we had before the meeting and not because we came to the meeting to start with. Imagine what would happen when believers become so love-aware that they rush to meetings in order to give that which will edify another. The implication is that before the meeting you are meant to have something, and this is not about offerings, but about the release and operation of the Spirit through you!

Since you already have these things before the meeting, it shows that there is nothing magical about the venue that suddenly causes you to be spiritual. The meeting is not really where you come to get something to give “on the spur of the moment”; it is a place where you watch for the timing of when to give what you already have.

As we develop in love, we become so conscious of the people that God wants to reach out to that we become full of the answers. We carry these answers into the meetings. You realise that Paul just listed 5 broad categories – psalm, doctrine, tongue, revelation & interpretation. This would mean that a church of 50 Christians would have about 10 people each with about the same message to deliver! This is good. The thing to note is that you shouldn’t go for a meeting and everything spoken was over your head. You should have a witness. Everyone ought to know something before the meeting.

Paul said two or three should do the speaking in the general meeting. He is not saying only these should talk at all. This definitely means that the greatest blessing doesn’t happen in the general assembly, otherwise why did everyone come with things to minister and you allow only two or three? Love will teach you that there is timing for the delivery of what you have. Likely you belong to some unit or group in church, what do you do there? Talk about the size of the new church bus? Or the colour of Gordon brown’s latest shirt? These are powerful opportunities to deliver what you have. While hugging the folks at close of service the love-man doesn’t fume that he wasn’t called out to minister, he knows the people to hug, the ones to run after at the close of service so that he can release the ministry of God.

… to be continued.