Paul and his son in the faith, Timothy, shared a deep and revolutionary connection.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was their common bond.  It was the treasure that they shared. Entrusted to them by the Lord Jesus himself not to hide and keep, but to guard and give for generations to come.  They had already witnessed what this good news does. It had already begun to turn the world upside down. First the man. Paul’s entire world was transformed: his heart, his mind, his career, his peers, his status, his safety. Then the cities. Every city that Paul carried this eternal wealth to was changed: from Jerusalem to Antioch, to Cyprus, to Antioch of Pisidia, to Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Cilicia, Lycaonia, Galatia, Troas, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, to Corinth, and to Ephesus, and from Ephesus… just everywhere!  Every city itself was changed.  Economic systems were leveled. Social statuses were flattened. Hordes without hope were suddenly moving up with courage and vision.  Men and cities were renewed.  All because of Jesus, and the gospel of his resurrection.

Paul and Timothy lived entrusted with this gospel of Jesus that was spreading like wildfire.

And now arrives a moment of crisis in the rapid growth of the gospel.  The pivotal mentor figure in the movement is imprisoned and nearing execution.  The crucial young protégé is on the verge of emotional collapse, beleaguered by critics and heretics.  Timothy’s vision of the kingship of Jesus has diminished as personal contact with his dear guide, Paul, has been cut off.  The new leader and servant of this gospel movement is stalled.  His poetential in doubt.  The question that chills Christ followers in this moment is, “Will the fire go out?”  Was this Jesus thing a fad?  Will the revolution progress further? Is it over?  Has Timothy burned out? Will the fire of this gospel advance?

In 2 Timothy, Paul writes one final life-or-death plea to Timothy to further courageously ignite this prevailing movement of the gospel. He does not pen an empty plea, however.  Paul puts forth an emotional appeal that is absolutely loaded with the resources required to accomplish what is asked. “Timothy, fuel the ignition! Take this and let the fire burn bright. Take this and pour it on, Timothy! You’ve got what you need to keep the wildfire spreading!”

How about you, young Christian man? How about you, woman of faith? How about you, shepherd, evangelist, servant…? Are you on the verge of quit? Are you overwhelmed by the apathy that surrounds you? Are you cut off from your early spiritual inspiration? Has your view of Jesus’ ultimate kingship diminished?

Then join me these next months in 2 Timothy and hear your Father’s voice say to you, “Ignite the fire!”

Seven Resources That Fuel Wildfire Gospel Movements:

1) Power: Ignite spiritual desire.                                     Sunday, May 1

2 Timothy 1:1-12

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 gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2) Patterns: Ignite sound teaching.                                 Sunday, May 8

2 Timothy 1:13 – 2:13

[13] Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [14] By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

3) Preparation: Ignite gospel training.                           Sunday, May 22

2 Timothy 2:14-26

[15] Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

4) Pitfalls: Ignite humble tenacity.                                  Sunday, May 29

2 Timothy 3:1-9

[3:1] But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

5) Priorities: Ignite authentic productivity.                   Sunday, June 5

2 Timothy 3:10-17

[14] But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

6) Preaching: Ignite situational readiness.                     Sunday, June 19

2 Timothy 4:1-5

[4:1] I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

7) Perseverance: Ignite missional endurance.              Sunday, June 26

2 Timothy 4:6-22

[16] At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! [17] But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.