Come Before Winter

Introduction:

2 Timothy 4:9 (NASB95)

9　Make every effort to come to me soon;

2 Timothy 4:21 (NASB95)

21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.

Observation:

*Paul repeats twice “Make every effort to come...”

*"every effort" should be made

*timing is important: “soon”, “before winter”

Why come? Why come before winter?

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

9 Make every effort to come to me soon;

10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. [1]

*Paul knows he is going to die soon (2 Tim. 4:6)

*Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted Paul (2 Tim. 4:10)

*To bring a cloak for Paul, and the books, especially the parchments (2 Tim. 4:13)

Historical Background:

*Paul was a prisoner in a Roman dungeon when he wrote this letter - 2 Tim. 1:8, 16; 4:6-13

*II Timothy was written around A.D. 67

*The tradition is that Paul, as a Roman citizen, was beheaded on the Ostian Road just outside of Rome some time before Nero's death (June A.D. 68)

*Apparently Timothy did come and was put into prison (Hebrews 13:23)

Key Points

*Timothy is important to Paul, he helps Paul even with his personal needs and is the person Paul counts on in his greatest need.

*How can all of us be like Timothy? What are ways we can serve OTHERS?

Illustration #1 – The Shortest Message Ever

Years ago, the Salvation Army was holding an international convention and their founder, Gen. William Booth, could not attend because of physical weakness. He cabled his convention message to them. It was one word: "OTHERS."

Source: Unknown.

Being Servants

Examples of service from the Bible

1.Timothy - helps Paul with physical needs...cloak, parchment

2.John 6:9 – There is a lad here who has 5 barley loaves and two fish… / feeding of the 5 thousand

3.John 12:3 – Mary anoints Jesus’ feet

4.Matthew 9:2 – And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed…

5.Luke 8:1-3 Women contributed to the support of Jesus and his disciples out of their private means

6.John 13:3-15 – Jesus washes the disciple’s feet

Key point – no matter who you are, you can serve others

How can we be effective in serving others?

1)Don’t let your age stop you – in the story of the feeding of the five thousand, a little boy was able to serve

2)Be ready to make sacrifices – Timothy was in jail for answering Paul’s request for help

3)Be humble – Jesus washes the disciples feet

4)Remember OTHERS – Phil. 2:3-4

a)do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Illustration #2 – The Servant Commander-in-Chief

During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier. Their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. Asked why by the rider, he retorted with great dignity, "Sir, I am a corporal!" The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. The job done, he turned to the corporal and said, "Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again." It was none other than George Washington.

Today in the Word, March 6, 1991.

Application – What will you do this week to serve OTHERS?

1.In the home

2.In the church

3.In your school

4.At your work

5.In your community – Phoenix Rescue Mission, Homeless people