"COME BEFORE WINTER"
2 Tim. 4:9-22
(By Connie Adams and reworked by David Riggs)
Intro.
A. All Scripture is beneficial, though at times, we may not
understand the benefit and purpose of certain passages.
B. Catholics tell us that the Scriptures were never intended to be
the sole authority in religion.
1. They say, "Some of the epistles were no more than personal
letters, and were not to be used as one's only authority."
2. They give the example of where Paul tells Timothy to "come
before winter."
a. They say, "It had meaning and purpose for Paul and
Timothy, but not for us."
3. However, even in the same book where the expression
"come before winter" is found, we have 2 Tim. 3:16-17
which shows that the Scriptures furnish us completely for
every good work.
a. No one has the right to say, "The Scriptures do NOT
thoroughly furnish us for every good work."
C. Let's examine the expression, "Come before winter."
1. We can see why such would be important to Paul and
Timothy, but what meaning or benefit could this possibly
have for us?
I. FIRST, LET'S LOOK AT THE CONTEXT OF THE PASSAGE.
A. Paul spoke of soon departing from this life in 2 Tim. 4:6 and,
therefore, the book of Second Timothy is considered to be the
last letter of Paul in the New Testament.
1. Since Paul thought he would soon die, no doubt he is calling
Timothy to him to bid him farewell.
a. When one is in a difficult situation, it is good to have
close friends to call on.
b. Most of us have a lot of associates, but few close
friends.
c. Paul probably had only three close friends at this time.
(1) The Lord, who stood with him and strengthened
him. 1 Tim. 4:16-17
(2) Luke, who was there with him at that time. 2 Tim.
4:11
(3) And Timothy, who was his "true son in the faith." 1
Tim. 1:2
2. Perhaps Timothy first learned of Paul when Paul first came
to Lystra preaching the gospel. Acts 14:8-20
a. This is where Paul was stoned and left for dead.
(1) Friendships made during some disaster (such as a
shipwreck, hurricane, etc.) are not likely forgotten.
b. Later, when Paul visited Lystra a second time,
Timothy joined with Paul on his journey.
(1) Paul had very high regard for Timothy. Phil. 2:19-24
3. Paul wanted Timothy to bring him certain things.
a. His cloak. 2 Tim. 4:13
(1) No doubt, some brethren in Rome would have
gladly given Paul a coat, but Paul didn't want to be
a burden to anyone.
b. The books and parchments. 2 Tim. 4:13
(1) Timothy had certain "books" in his possession he
was to bring to Paul.
(a) Paul told Timothy to give heed to reading. It
would take certain books for this. 1 Tim. 4:13
(2) Parchments were used as writing paper in those days.
II. WHY COME BEFORE WINTER?
A. Evidently, Paul did not think he would survive until spring.
1. It was dangerous to travel on the seas during winter. Acts
27:9-10
B. Literally, there are some things which should be done before
winter.
1. Farmers know this more than anyone.
2. There was a man who cut a lot of firewood, but left it in
the woods. Later, when he needed it, he was not able to go
to the woods without getting his truck stuck. Thus, the wood
was of no benefit to him at the time when he needed it.
C. Figuratively, we need to accept certain calls now. There are
some "calls" we have now which we may not have later.
1. The call to readiness. Matt. 25:1-13
a. We learn several lessons from this passage. First, "Don't
sleep until you are prepared."
(1) The wise looked forward and planned.
(2) Some see only the present with no thought of the
future.
b. Secondly, "Don't expect others to do your work for
you."
(1) We won't go to heaven by "riding the coattail" of
another.
(2) Others cannot step in and do what we are
personally responsible to do.
c. Thirdly, "No second chance will be given."
(1) They wanted the bridegroom to open the door, but
the door was forever shut to them.
2. The call to make things right with others. Matt. 5:23-24;
18:15-17
a. The opportunity we have to set things straight at the
present time may not be available in the future.
b. I heard of a man who, after twenty years, went back to a
congregation where he once worshiped, and made a
public confession for the wrongs he had done to his
brethren while there.
(1) Why did he do that? He wanted to go to heaven!
3. The call of present opportunity. John 12:1-8
a. The disciples criticized Mary, but note Jesus' reply.
b. This was an opportunity for Mary to honor Jesus and
she took advantage of it.
c. If she had put it off, the opportunity would have been
lost forever.
d. We need to show honor to good brethren now because
we may not have opportunity to do so next year.
4. The call to make the most of our time now. Matt. 26:36-
46
a. The Lord needed sympathy and encouragement at that
time.
b. The disciples did not understand what Jesus was facing,
although He had told them plainly several times.
Matt.16:21-22
c. These three men would later be willing to lay down their
lives for Christ, but they could never "watch" for the
Lord again.
d. Often, we intend to do some favor or say some kind
word to our parents, grandparents, or close friends, but
we let the opportunity pass us by. Gal. 6:10; Eph. 5:15-
16; John 9:4
e. When Clare Boothe Luce, then seventy-five years old,
was asked, "do you have any regrets?"; she answered,
"Yes, I should have been a better person - kinder, and
more tolerant. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the
night, and I remember a girlhood friend of mine who
had a brain tumor and called me three times to come and
see her. I was always too busy, and when she died, I
was profoundly ashamed. I still remember that after
fifty-six years."
(1) Diligently doing good as we have time and
opportunity brings no regrets.
5. The call to obey the gospel. Matt. 11:28-30
a. The call is to believe (Mark 16:16); repent (Acts 3:19);
confess (Rom. 10:9-10); and to be baptized in the name
of the Lord (Acts 2:38).
(1) If you are already a Christian, but living in sin,
the call is to repent and make yourself right with
God. 1 John 1:9
b. Notice how quickly the disciples responded to Jesus'
call to follow Him. Mark 1:16-18
c. Consider the danger in not answering the call. 2 Thess.
1:7-9
d. In other words, "come before winter." The opportunity
to obey may not always be available.
III. CONSIDER THE BIBLICAL EMPHASIS ON ANSWERING OUR CALLS TODAY.
A. Now is the accepted time. 2 Cor. 6:2
B. If you hear His voice today, obey today. Heb. 3:7,15; 4:7
1. There are no passages which say "obey tomorrow."
C. The emphasis is on NOW because of:
1. The uncertainty of life. James 4:14
a. One may pass from this life at any time.
(1) Automobile accidents claim thousands of lives
every year.
(2) Even the young die with fatal diseases.
b. Tomorrow, one's heart may change. His heart may be
acceptable today, but not tomorrow.
2. The Lord could come at any time. Mark 13:33-37
Concl.
A. Thus, Paul asked Timothy to give diligence to come before
winter.
B. Let us suppose that Timothy delayed in going to Paul.
1. He had matters to attend to in the congregation where he
was.
2. He finally starts, but he is told that he had missed the
last ship until Spring.
3. What an anxious winter Timothy would have spent.
4. But Spring finally arrives, and Timothy is standing on the
dock ready to go.
5. He arrives in Rome and goes to the prison to inquire of
Paul, only to be turned away by the guards.
6. He finally goes to the brethren in Rome, and finds out that
Paul had been executed sometime during the winter.
7. And they say to him, Paul's last words were, "Give my love
to Timothy."
C. Let us learn to take advantage of the opportunities we now
have.
1. Indeed, "Come before winter" - "Act in the accepted
season."
Chart:
Some Present Gospel Calls:
The call to readiness. Matt. 25:1-13
The call to make things right with others. Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15-17
The call of present opportunity. John 12:1-8
The call to make the most of our time now. Matt. 26:36-46
The call to obey the gospel. Matt. 11:28-30