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Josh Breslaw: ReKindle Evangelism (2 Timothy 1:1-12, 2:8-13)
Josh Breslaw, pastor of First Baptist Church in Gonzales, began his tenure there with a sermon on Paul’s instructions to Timothy. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul suggests his young protégé needed to “rekindle the gift of God” given to him.
Paul referenced Timothy’s mother and grandmother as examples of the faith Timothy needed. Breslaw suggested Paul was disappointed in Timothy for not living up to his mother and grandmother’s example.
Breslaw explored reasons why Paul exhorted Timothy to rekindle God’s gift in him. Timothy’s problem seems to have been cowardice, his “playing it safe.” A generation later, John sent Jesus’ message to the same church Timothy served—the church in Ephesus—which still needed to rekindle its “first love.”
Breslaw challenged his hearers to examine the work they are doing in Christ’s name and whether they are doing it in Christ’s power and fueled by passion for Christ. He concluded with a call to be rekindled through the Holy Spirit or to make a first commitment to following Christ.
This sermon was delivered June 5, 2022—Pentecost Sunday—for the morning worship service of First Baptist Church in Gonzales. It was the first sermon in a series on 2 Timothy titled “ReKindle.”
A sermon script is available here.
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