"Come Before Winter"

II Timothy 4:9,11,13, 21

We are looking at four verses, which at first glance may seem very insignificant.

Paul was in prison in Rome.

a. Timothy was in Ephesus, a different continent, hundred of miles of away.

b. In this last letter preserved from Paul, the apostle asks that Timothy come to him.

c. There is no record of how Timothy responded, or whether he made it in time to see Paul, but the text shows something’s about friendship and about things that are important and urgent.

First, let’s consider some things about the setting of the text.

A. This was Paul’s last letter, while he was in prison awaiting execution.

1. II Tim. 4:6

2. This last chapter especially personal, reflections of a man on death row.

B. But even on death row, his concerns continued to be for the furtherance of the gospel.

1. 4:1-2 (Preach the word!) This had been his life’s work and would be his dying admonition.

2. Verse 3-4 (He saw a dark time coming for the church, a falling away.) He loved the church and wanted it to stay pure.

3. Verse 5 (A special encouragement to Timothy.)

4. Verse 13 (He would need his coat because of the approaching winter, but even in theses last weeks he wanted his books and papers.)

C. Demas had forsaken him (vs. 10), and Alexander had done him evil (14).

D. He faced execution and had stood trial without anyone standing by his side, but his faith had not wavered (6-8, 16-18).

E. In these circumstances we can feel the warmth of his friendship for Luke, who was now with him (11), and for Timothy whom he hope to see.

For the devoted Christian, the strongest friendships are those we have in Christ (9,11).

F. This is not to discount the importance of family ties, or the friendships in the community, but to show that those who serve Christ together have a special bond.

1. Paul and Timothy had traveled, preached, worked, and endured together for years.

2. Dottie Jackson – "Where would we be without our Christian family? I don’t see how other people do it."

3. We have felt this just by visiting other congregations.

4. How much more is the case when together we have been involved in teaching, leading the work, and worship, together baptizing and cooperating together in good works.

G. Someone has observed that the apostle Paul and Napoleon Bonaparte are the two most famous prisoners in history.

1. Contrast their life’s work and why they were imprisoned.

a. Both were trying to conquer the world.

b. Crossed borders; fought battles; affected millions; receive fame; etc.

2. In his prison cell on St. Helena, Napoleon remarked; "I wonder if there is anyone in the world who really loves me."

3. But Paul had many friends and these two were especially close.

H. Prov. 18:24

I. Prov. 17:17

1 We have such friends.

2. I have such friends right here after being here just a year.

3. But I also still have close friends from a lifetime of being in the church.

J. Of course, friendships in Christ arise our friendship with Jesus.

1. Jn. 15:13-14

2. "What a friend we have in Jesus."

Some things, if they are ever to be done, must be done before winter (21).

K. Why before winter? Possibly for three reasons –

1. Difficulty of travel.

2. Needed his coat.

3. Execution date was near.

L. But we are looking at "winter" in a figurative sense.

1. "Winter" suggests getting there too late.

2. "Opportunity knocks but once." That is true of some opportunities, but we are more likely to fail in those opportunities that have come so often that we take them for granted.

a. Life is brief and uncertain.

Ø Prov. 27:1

Ø Jas. 4:14

b. Many of us are already near the winter of life ("there is no fool like an old fool" has merit when one thinks he has so much time that he can neglect things that are important).

c. Is there some fault that needs to be corrected; some note of encouragement; some visit, call; some gift; some expression of gratitude and appreciation; some good deed; some debt; etc.?

M. We like to think Timothy arrived in time and stayed with Paul until the end.

1. But imagine what if after getting the letter he decided to go, but first had some things he needed to do.

2. Then when ready to go he found winter had already closed travel possibilities.

3. When he did arrive he learned that he was too late, that Paul was dead.

4. That he was told how Paul had anxiously looked for him every day.

N. I can’t help but think of my own life how I have more than once regretted that I let myself be so busy that I took for granted a friendship with some who are now gone.

1. But with "winter" approaching we especially need to look at our eternal needs.

2. Jere. 8:20

3. Rom. 13:12

Jim Pharr

Lenoir, NC