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Come Before Winter 2 Timothy 4.6-21 Introduction:
Each year it is the same; in September we have the signs of fall. Football
season begins, cooler weather,
leaves start to change. By October the hot days of summer are over and the
leaves are usually in full color. Then comes November and the first real signs
of the next season. I tell people that I like fall weather but I don’t like
what it means. Fall is time to get ready for winter, get in the firewood,
winterize the house, etc. Winter does not officially start until December 21st
but we need to think of Paul’s words in 2
Timothy 4.21. I)
Background A)
Paul 1.
Arrested at 2.
At that time he wrote , Philippians, and Colossians 3.
For a time he was released but now he is in prison (2nd imprisonment)
B)
Paul’s condition 1.
Physically described in Galatians 6.17 which is one of the earliest writings 2.
The body shows the wear and tear of being a disciple, 2
Corinthians 11.24-28 II)
2 Timothy 4.6-7 A)
Paul is facing death 1.
His life was not being taken as much as being offered.
a. He uses the term “departure” which
means to unloose” . Used both militarily and nautically.
b. Militarily it refers to the taking down of the tents and breaking
camp.
c. Nautically it refers to loosing the ship and setting out to sea. 2.
His life is being offered to God , v. 7
a. Paul used a
number of metaphors to describe the life of a
Christian. Here he uses a fighter and a runner.
b. Paul told Timothy to “fight the good fight” 1
Timothy 6.12
c. As one thinks
about the life of Paul he thinks of the many issues he
faced in his preaching. The same goes today. Satan does not stop
and neither can we.
d. Runners do not receive the prize at the ¼ or ½ way mark but at the
finish line. B)
He was facing this with hope, v. 8 1.
Philippians 1.7-8 we see the conflict of wanting to depart and be with God
and wanting to remain a while longer 2.
Philippians 1.22-23 a tough choice
(but you can’t beat the retirement plan) 3.
What makes this so important? It will be given when Christ returns “the last
day” 4.
Who will bestow it upon Paul? Jesus 5.
We also can receive the same crown on that last day. C)
2 Timothy 4.9-11a 1.
Paul desired companionship, did not want to be alone
a. He was alone; think of all the people he knew, Romans
16
b. Why was he alone? False brethren, others working in other areas,
some may have already been offered to God in death. 2.
Specifically he mentions Demas. He forsook Paul, let him down. Why? Because he
love this present world instead of the crown of righteousness. 3.
All of us need people around, we need to spend time with older people 4.
Luke traveled with Paul to D)
2 Timothy 4.11b “John Mark” 1.
Acts 13.13 he left the first
missionary journey and went home 2.
Acts 15 Paul would not take John Mark
with him; he did go with Barnabas (Acts
15.39) and Paul took Silas (Acts
15.40) 3.
We see the growth of John Mark by this time, Colossians
4.9-10 4.
Who was right about John Mark? He proved himself useful 5.
No one else stood beside Paul. V. 16 III)
Get ready for winter, 2 Timothy 4.12-13 A)
Prepareing for winter 1.
He wanted things that would help him make it through the winter 2.
When will winter come? Depends on the year! B)
When will winter come in your life? 1.
James 4.13 tomorrow is uncertain
a. Have heard of a member dying in services, preacher visiting the
sick and then dying before the sick
b. Always remember a time when my father-in-law was going through cancer
treatments. Read in the newspaper of a couple that had been to hospital for
treatments that were killed in car accident. 2.
1 Peter 1.24 Lyle Alzado spoke of
taking steroids and having brain cancer, he was scared 3.
Galatians 6.10 “as we have
opportunity” IV)
2 Timothy 4.21 A)
Come before winter hits 1.
Danger of winter travel, make every effort to come 2.
Did Timothy make it? We do not know B)
We need God before winter comes in our life 1.
Became a Christian, be faithful in
services, Hebrews 12.1-3 2.
Lack of action is a lack of faith 3.
How determined am I to serve God? Conclusion:
The Lord stood with Paul, 2 Timothy 4.17.
He stand with you. |