Embracing Courage: Responding to Spiritual Hunger
Summary
This week, I was deeply encouraged by the stories and hunger for God I witnessed among churches across our nation. There is a spiritual hunger rising, a longing for something real and authentic—something only Jesus can satisfy. The world has been feeding us spiritual junk food, and people are realizing their deep need for the living water that only Christ provides. God has appointed ordinary believers—people like you and me—to point others to this living water. We are not just bystanders; we are called to step into this moment with faith and courage, trusting that the Spirit of God within us is more than able to meet the hunger of our generation.
We must recognize that if we have the Spirit, we have both the ability and the responsibility to respond to the needs around us. Yet, fear and shame often hold us back. We shrink from sharing the gospel because of past rejection or ridicule, and we begin to see the world through the lens of shame rather than through the eyes of Christ. But Jesus calls us to see with new eyes—eyes of faith, not fear. True courage is not the absence of fear, but the fruit of trusting God while staring fear in the face.
Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1 remind us not to settle for less than God’s best. First, we are called to a prayer life on fire—one that fans into flame the gift of God within us. This is not about striving in our own strength, but about stewarding what God has given us, leaning into His power, love, and self-control. Second, we must not settle for anything less than our true identity as children of God. Shame is a universal struggle, but our identity is not found in our failures or in the world’s approval, but in Christ’s finished work on the cross. Finally, we are not to settle for anything less than the kingdom of heaven. Our true home is with Christ, and we are called to guard the good deposit entrusted to us, pressing into God’s heart and living with an eternal perspective.
Let us not settle for mediocrity or half-heartedness. Instead, let us receive our identity, fan into flame the Spirit’s gift, and walk with shameless courage, knowing that God is with us and goes before us.
Key Takeaways
- The world is hungry for something real, and God has chosen to meet that hunger through His people. We are not just passive observers of revival; God’s sovereign plan unfolds through the intentional, prayerful, and sacrificial response of His church. If you have the Spirit, you are both able and responsible to respond to the spiritual needs around you. [05:59]
- Fear and shame are powerful forces that can paralyze us, causing us to settle for less than God’s best. True courage is not the absence of fear, but the act of trusting God while facing fear head-on. The Spirit within us is not one of fear, but of power, love, and self-control, enabling us to move forward even when we feel inadequate. [13:13]
- A vibrant, on-fire prayer life is essential for fanning into flame the gifts God has placed within us. Prayer is not passive; it is the preordained means by which God unleashes His promises and power in our lives and in the world. We are called to pray audacious, bold prayers, refusing to settle for mediocrity or spiritual apathy. [28:44]
- Our identity as children of God is the antidote to shame. Shame is not just about what we’ve done, but about who we believe we are. In Christ, all our shame was nailed to the cross, and we are called to receive and rest in our royal status as beloved sons and daughters, not striving for acceptance but living from it. [39:08]
- We are not to settle for anything less than the kingdom of heaven as our true home. This world is not our final destination, and we are entrusted with the responsibility to guard the good deposit of faith. Spiritual maturity means pressing into God’s heart, living with an eternal perspective, and courageously walking through suffering and even death, knowing that Christ has overcome and the best is yet to come. [43:26]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:33] - A Nation Hungry for God
[05:59] - Responding to Spiritual Hunger
[07:31] - Revival: God’s Power and Our Responsibility
[09:01] - Don’t Settle: The Heartbeat of the Early Church
[10:20] - Three Areas Not to Settle
[12:28] - Courage: Trusting God in the Face of Fear
[14:19] - Fanning into Flame: Stewarding God’s Gift
[17:39] - Overcoming Fear and Excuses
[22:02] - The Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control
[24:10] - The Centrality of Love
[26:31] - Our Identity and Spiritual Transformation
[28:44] - Prayer: The Means of God’s Power
[32:56] - Shame and the Gospel
[39:08] - Receiving Our Identity in Christ
[43:26] - Living for the Kingdom of Heaven
[45:00] - Declaration and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- 2 Timothy 1:6-14
(This was the main text for the sermon.)
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### Observation Questions
1. In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, what does Paul tell Timothy to do with the gift of God, and what kind of spirit does God give us instead of fear?
2. According to the sermon, what are the three areas where we are called not to settle? ([10:20])
3. In verses 8-10, what does Paul say about shame and the calling we have received in Christ?
4. What does Paul mean when he says in verse 12 that he is convinced God is able to guard what has been entrusted to him?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes “fanning into flame” the gift of God, rather than just passively receiving it? How does this relate to the idea of spiritual hunger in our generation? ([05:59])
2. The sermon says that fear and shame can paralyze us and keep us from sharing the gospel. Why do you think these emotions are so powerful, and how does the Spirit help us overcome them? ([13:13])
3. The pastor mentioned that our identity as children of God is the antidote to shame. How does understanding our identity in Christ change the way we respond to rejection or failure? ([39:08])
4. Paul talks about “guarding the good deposit” entrusted to us. What does this look like in practical terms for believers today? ([43:26])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon described a spiritual hunger in our nation and said that God wants to meet that hunger through ordinary believers. Who in your life do you sense is spiritually hungry, and what is one step you could take to point them to Jesus this week? ([05:59])
2. Fear and shame often keep us from sharing our faith or stepping out in courage. Can you think of a recent time when fear or shame held you back? What would it look like to “stare fear in the face” and trust God in that situation? ([13:13])
3. The pastor challenged us not to settle for a mediocre prayer life. What is one specific way you could “fan into flame” your prayer life this week? Is there a bold or audacious prayer you feel led to pray? ([28:44])
4. Shame is described as a struggle with identity, not just actions. Are there areas in your life where you feel unworthy or like an outsider? How might receiving your identity as a beloved child of God change your perspective? ([39:08])
5. The sermon said we are not to settle for anything less than the kingdom of heaven as our true home. Are there ways you find yourself settling for the things of this world instead of living with an eternal perspective? What is one practical change you could make to “press into God’s heart” this week? ([43:26])
6. The pastor led the church in a declaration: “I am a child of the King who is not moved by this world, for my God is with me and goes before me. I do not fear because I am His.” How does this statement challenge or encourage you? Would you be willing to make this your own declaration this week? ([45:00])
7. The sermon mentioned that spiritual maturity means pressing into God’s heart, even through suffering. Is there a difficult situation you are facing where you need to remember that “the best is yet to come” in Christ? How can the group pray for you in this area? ([41:56])
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Devotional
Day 1: Don’t Settle for Anything Less Than a Prayer Life on Fire
God has given you His Spirit, not a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. You are called to fan into flame the gift of God within you, to steward and cultivate a prayer life that is alive, bold, and expectant. Prayer is not a passive act but the very means by which God unleashes His promises and power in your life and in the world. He longs for you to ask, to seek, to knock, and to keep on asking—not just for your own needs, but for the sake of His mission and the people around you. Don’t settle for a mediocre, half-hearted prayer life; press in, ask big, and let your prayers become a consuming fire that casts out fear and aligns your heart with God’s desires. [14:19]
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)
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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Reflection: What is one specific area where you have stopped praying boldly because of discouragement or fear? Will you commit today to fan that prayer into flame again and ask God for His power in that area?
Day 2: Don’t Settle for Anything Less Than Your Identity as Children of God
Your identity is not defined by your past, your shame, or the labels others have placed on you. In Christ, you are a beloved child of God, called to a holy calling not because of your works, but because of His purpose and grace. Shame tries to convince you that you are unworthy, unlovable, or an outcast, but Jesus has taken all your shame to the cross and given you a new name and a new status. Receive your royal status as a child of the King, and let go of the pride and shame that keep you from accepting His unconditional love. Stand shamelessly in the identity secured for you by Christ, and let that truth shape how you see yourself and others. [39:08]
2 Timothy 1:8-10 (ESV)
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Reflection: Where do you most feel the pull of shame or the need to prove yourself? How can you intentionally receive and rest in your identity as God’s beloved child today?
Day 3: Don’t Settle for Anything Less Than the Kingdom of Heaven
This world is not your true home; you are a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, entrusted with a good deposit and called to guard it with courage and hope. Even as you walk through suffering, uncertainty, or even the valley of the shadow of death, you do not face it alone—Christ is with you, and the best is yet to come. Don’t settle for the fleeting things of this earth or let fear keep you from pressing into God’s heart and His kingdom. Abide in Him, seek His kingdom first, and let your hope be anchored in the reality that your true home is with your King, both now and forever. [43:26]
2 Timothy 1:12-14 (ESV)
…But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Reflection: What earthly things are you tempted to settle for instead of seeking God’s kingdom? What is one way you can intentionally set your heart on your true home in Christ today?
Day 4: Courage Is the Fruit of Trusting God While Staring Fear in the Face
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the result of trusting God even when fear is present. True bravery means looking fear in the face and moving forward because you trust the One who goes before you, comes behind you, and is with you. God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control, and He calls you to take heart and step out in faith, even when you feel inadequate or uncertain. Let your courage be rooted in God’s faithfulness, not your own ability, and remember that He is able to do abundantly more than you ask or imagine through His Spirit at work within you. [13:13]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Reflection: What fear is holding you back from stepping into what God is calling you to do? What is one step of courage you can take today, trusting that God is with you?
Day 5: God Moves Through the Willing and Sacrificial Response of His People
Throughout history, God’s renewal and revival have come through the intentional, sacrificial, and faith-filled response of His people. He is sovereign and all-powerful, yet He has chosen to work through the prayers, obedience, and willingness of ordinary believers like you. You are not called to passivity, but to active participation in God’s mission—responding to the hunger and need around you with the truth, love, and hope of Christ. Don’t settle for watching from the sidelines; embrace the honor and responsibility of being part of the greatest mission the universe has ever known, and let God’s Spirit move through you to bring transformation to the world. [07:40]
Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
Reflection: Where is God inviting you to step out in faith and serve or speak up for Him? How can you respond with willingness and intentionality today?
Quotes
And so instead of seeing the crowds as ripe for the harvest like Jesus did, we'll see them through that lens of shame and rejection. But Jesus is calling us to see the world around us with new eyes, through gospel glasses. Faith over fear. Courage over cowardice. To take heart. To take courage. To lean into the one who's able to do abundantly more than we ask or think, according to the power that is at work within us. Not only according to your own ability or inability, but according to the power at work within you, which is his Holy Spirit. [00:06:49] (42 seconds)
Because in every renewal movement throughout history, the preordained means through which he sovereignly moves is his willing and even sacrificial people. Every time. Every time. So make no mistake, it all requires a very real intentionality and a very real response ability to faithfully, even tenaciously, receive and walk out our commission. And guys, what a joy. Like, aren't you glad he designed it this way? Like, he has invited. That's the honor. I want you to see, literally, it's like the Chick -fil -A thing. Like, when somebody says thank you or you're involved, it's like, my pleasure. Like, what an honor. [00:08:18] (43 seconds)
But we settle because we're afraid our best isn't good enough to achieve what we're after. We settle because fear focuses our attention on ourselves or our circumstances and it takes our attention off of God. Like, we ask the questions like, what if I can't? Or like, what if they don't? [00:11:39] (22 seconds)
Oftentimes people think that if there's a presence of fear, then they're paralyzed and can't move forward. And it's like, okay, God's not with me because I feel fearful. But true courage, as any truly brave person will tell you, is directly staring fear in the face and moving forward anyway. Why? Because you trust the one who goes before you, comes behind you, and is with you. But how? How do we do this? [00:13:18] (28 seconds)
come some of y 'all need to take your eyes off of the old that's passed away and behold the new that has come you're not more noble because you're transfixed on the old man that you used to be behold King Jesus behold the identity that he declares over you the purpose and the calling guys the same power that raised Jesus from the grave lives in you but hear me again fear is real and fear is a liar fear tells you that you have a particular personality and you're not really wired for these kinds of things fear fear tells you that that you're not really able to do those types of like big God stuff because you're wired a different kind of way fear lies to you saying you don't have the resources within yourself to be used by God like that but that's for those people not you that's fear I recently heard a guy on a podcast this is one of those podcasts I found myself yelling at I heard him say it was a Christian podcast and the guy says you know I believe God moves in power today I'm just skeptical by nature because of my upbringing [00:17:39] (88 seconds)
The song Fear is a Liar, anybody heard that one by Zach Williams? It's a fantastic song. This is some lyrics. He says, fear, he is a liar. He will take your breath, stop you in your steps. Fear, he is a liar. He will rob your rest, steal your happiness, cast your fear in the fire, because fear, he is a liar. That is dead on. I don't even think Zach Williams understood the context of this passage that deeply, but I think the Spirit of God did within him. And I think that that really articulates what kind of fear Timothy would have been struggling with, and I think the church tends to struggle with in general in this mission and commission we've been given. So the Spirit in you, Christian, is the Holy Spirit. And when we fan him into flame, he becomes that consuming fire which swallows our fears. Like, he is the Spirit of power and of love and of self -control. [00:22:02] (68 seconds)
Our God is the God of relationship. He values our attention and intentionality. He longs for us to align with what he longs for, so don't settle for a mediocre half -hearted prayer life. Fan it into flame, even a consuming fire, and then cast your fear in that fire. [00:32:02] (20 seconds)
he is beckoning you to himself I can promise you that he is beckoning you higher up and deeper into his love for you and for those around you last week I closed with some exhortation and this week I want to do it again because we all need it including me and so this week I want to do a little differently though I want you to receive this by repeating this phrase after me and with me and so it's actually a quote that hangs on my daughter's room it's really simple it's just a reminder of our identity in Christ okay and so I'm gonna read this phrase and then I want you to repeat it after me okay it'll be on the screens as well you guys ready and then we're gonna close in prayer I am a child of the king who is not moved by this world for my God is with me and goes before me I do not fear because I am his let's pray [00:45:37] (77 seconds)
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