Inspiring Others

2 Timothy 1:1-7

Do I surround myself with people who  motivate (inspire) me, or do they drag me down?  The Apostle Paul was truly an inspiration to the younger Timothy.  In 2 Timothy 1:1-7 we discover how Paul inspired Timothy in his calling as Christ's servant.  

We all need inspiration and encouragement as we seek to please our Lord in ministering for Him to others.  When Paul speaks of his apostleship, there are unmistakable themes in his messages as there should be in our message to others.

• His apostleship was an honor

He was chosen by the will of God.  To be an inspiration to others, every Christian must regard himself/herself as a chosen vessel of God to fulfill a purpose of God.  What an honor it is to be chosen by God to fulfill a mission He has for me.

• His apostleship was a responsibility.

Paul's responsibility was to be an instrument through whom the blessings of a new life in Christ would be shared with others.  No Christian is ever chosen entirely for his own sake, but rather what he can dofor the benefit of others.

• His apostleship was a privilege.  
  
  Paul’s message of new life in Christ was a message of privilege.  To Paul, Christianity was not a threat of damnation, but rather of the good news of salvation in Christ.  Paul’s message was not to terrify men by dangling them over the fires of hell, but rather to move them to astonished submission at the sight of God’s love.
  Paul’s gospel message was of privileged love, not fear...love seeking the best for others.  For Paul, there was no greater joy than bringing someone to Christ.  Our true inspiration is in a person, not a thing.
  
  

How Can I Inspire Others?

Inspiration is a wonderful motivator to greatness.  What inspires you?

• Being appreciated
• Having a purpose in life
• Receiving words of encouragement
• Having a sense of being needed or wanted
• Receiving hope when there seems to be no hope
• Having someone be willing to listen to my story  

Paul’s object in writing this letter is to inspire and strengthen Timothy for his task in Ephesus.  Timothy’s battles were against heresies and infections that were a threat to the body of Christ.  So then, in order to inspire and strengthen him to keep his courage high and his efforts bold, Paul reminds him of certain things.

• He reminds him of his own confidence in him. 

There is no greater inspiration than to know that someone believes in us.  Showing respect to someone is always more effective than the threat of punishment.  The fear of letting down those who love and respect us is a great motivator.  It is truly life-changing.

• He reminds him of his family tradition.

Timothy was walking in a wonderful heritage.  His grandmother and mother provided Timothy with a wonderful spiritual heritage.  If he failed, he would not only stain his own name, but he would lesson the honor of his family name as well.

• He reminds him of his setting apart to office and of the gift bestowed upon him.

Any office held has not only a tradition associated with it, but the strength that the tradition supplies.  We are never alone.  We have not only the strength that God supplies through the Holy Spirit, but the strength supplied through the communion of fellow Christians.
Paul reminds Timothy of four qualities that characterize the Christian teacher.

1. Courage - Fear is not of the Lord because He is ever present with us as the "Comforter."
2. Love - As a child of God, I am loved and perfect love casts out fear. 
   1 Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  No one should ever enter the ministry of the church unless there is love for God’s people within his heart and a burning desire to see the lost come to Christ.
3. Power - Power to cope, power to shoulder the task, power to stand erect in the face of a shattering situation.  Power to face a soul-searing sorrow or a wounding disappointment.
4. Self-discipline - Self-discipline has been defined as the control of oneself in the face of panic or of passion.No man can ever rule others unless he has first mastered himself.  The word Paul uses for self-discipline is divinely given as self-control.  Unless one contols his own passions he is unable to be a great minister over others.  
   “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”  Brian Tracy

Conclusion

There are times when we all need a special dose of inspiration to help us keep on keeping on.  One of Satan's weapons is to get us to feel discouraged.  He discourages us by getting us to feel that we are unimportant, by depriving us of daily necessities, and moving those who are directly involved in our daily activities to belittle, criticize and put down our intended God-given purpose in life -- to share the Good News of Salvation in Christ.

However, in Christ, 

• We have great courage to go on. 
• We have God's love that motivates us and removes all doubt and fear.
• We have power to cope with life's great disappointments and
• We have the ability to overcome the struggles in life that rob us of being over-comers.