Stir up the Gift

Pastor Hilton opens his message by reading 2 Timothy 1:6, where Paul exhorts Timothy to stir up the gift of God within him. He clarifies that this gift is not merely a natural talent or skill but a holy, specific calling placed by God according to His purpose and grace. Using the example of Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, he illustrates that gifts can be a spiritual heritage, passed down through faithful generations. However, he emphasizes that God can also impart new gifts directly to anyone at the altar. The pastor warns against neglecting or allowing life's distractions to let this gift grow dormant. He urges the congregation to remember that their gift is necessary for the health and growth of the church body. Drawing from Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, he explains that believers are interdependent members of one body; each person's unique gift, whether prophecy, teaching, giving, or showing mercy, is meant to be used in concert with others for collective edification. He challenges any judgment or prejudice that would undermine another's contribution, insisting that spiritual gifts are distributed by the same Spirit. Pastor Hilton concludes by calling for a fresh stirring of these gifts in 2026, emphasizing that now is the time to dust off, renew, and activate what God has placed within each believer for the furtherance of His kingdom.