Quite a number of years ago now I saw what was one of the most impacting presentations of my entire life. An actor – Phil Nash – performed a dramatic reading of 2nd Timothy called “Come Before Winter.” It was just him – in costume, alone on the stage with a few props, reciting the book as Paul the Apostle would have dictated it to Tertius his secretary.
What doesn’t come across in the written word but does so strongly when it is performed – is the emotion of Paul – facing death, abandoned, accused, alone – at the end of his life. He asks for nothing but the company of Dr. Luke, a favorite coat, and some parchments. “Do you best to get here before winter” Paul says in verse 21. But although he faces touch emotional and physical trials that will end up costing him his life – Paul gives one of the most encouraging messages to his young protégé Timothy – a message that ought to keep us going when the going gets tough.
1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.
There is always a bigger picture to your life when you belong to Jesus. No matter how many times people attack you or put you down, no matter what you go through in this life – remember that you are in God’s presence – the God who will judge with His ultimate truth. That He is coming back and is setting up His kingdom. You are not alone and you have a purpose.
And his charge is this: Preach the Word! You ask why we at Calvary Chapel are so focused on teaching verse by verse through the Bible? This is one of the reasons right here. And notice how important it is by the buildup!
To preach: In Greek societies at that time, this term was used of a person whose duty was to go about announcing the honors that have been bestowed on someone, hence a "herald." We are charged to proclaim the honor bestowed on us by the Word of God – namely that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners! (1 Timothy 1:15).
Part of that charge is when and how to proclaim: “be prepared” can mean to continue in something despite opposition. Do you have people or circumstances that oppose you living your life as a witness to the reality of Jesus Christ? Don’t quit and don’t be cowed.
Then he mentions three ways of preaching –
Correct – it means to call a spade a spade – sharing God’s truth means telling people that they are wrong.
Rebuke – is a stronger form of correct – to show displeasure in sin. In our society today tolerance would tell you that anything anyone does is okay – God’s truth says there are things that are wrong – and it’s not good. There are moral absolutes. Our problem is that we get caught up in legalism – focusing on things that don’t matter, like what translation of the Bible you read or whether you dance or go to movies – and it confuses the argument when we then talk about the problem of living in open sin.
Encourage – it means to appeal strongly – or “urge”. You are not just telling the truth and rebuking unbelief and sin – but urging people to repent and give their hearts to Jesus Christ. It is indeed an honor to bring the bad news of sin and the good news of forgiveness in Jesus.
All this is to be done in this spirit – “great patience and careful instruction.”
Here’s an alternate translation:
2 Tim 4:2 To preach the message. You should be persistent in doing this, whether you feel inclined to preach or not. You must show people what they have done wrong, and Rebuke them for their sins. But you must also encourage people as you teach them very patiently. (from the UBS New Testament Handbook Series. Copyright © 1961-1997, by United Bible Societies.)
Why? Because not everyone will listen:
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
People will deceive themselves into listening and even purposefully surrounding themselves with ideas that “suit their own desires.” It can be rendered “what they are itching to hear.” The more people agree with something then the more true it must be. We are a society that decides truth based on a poll.
People will turn aside to myths – which are concocted stories that have no historical basis – legends. When the truth doesn’t suit you – make it up! And our hearts are so deceitful that many will actually believe it. That’s why we have so many zealous people believing things that are not true. Believing something hard enough or being sincere enough will not make it true and will not make it efficacious – which means that it works.
Paul tells Timothy to keep your head and don’t stop doing everything you need to do as a pastor. You can keep your head because the gospel is true – and it does work. Jesus did really rise from the dead – it has historical veracity.
Paul says “keep going” but he gives Timothy a dose of reality about where that “going” can go:
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.
You can really tell that Paul knows the end is near. And it was. Tradition says that Paul was beheaded by Nero. But look at how he describes it in 5 ways:
1. Poured out as a drink offering: It’s a picture of one of the sacrifices. Paul was willing to be sacrificed for the Lord. Would we but have that courage if the Lord called us to be poured out. But it’s not just that he’ll die – his death will be a sacrifice to the Lord – it’ll count – and so does your sacrifice.
2. My departure. There is a time to stick it out and a time to leave. The word comes from a term used to release a sailing boat from its’ moorings. One of these days you are going to throw off the bow and stern lines of your boat and sail on into eternity. It’s not the end – but the beginning of an exciting new journey.
3. Fought the good fight. “I fought well” would be another way to say it. Who won the fight was up to God – all that mattered was that he was in the fight and did what his coach said to do. We too should simply focus on doing what God tells us, and not worry too much about how it turns out.
4. Finished the race. The focus here is not on “winning” but on “going the distance.” The Christian walk is a marathon, not a sprint.
5. Kept the faith. Paul’s stuck to what God told him to do. Oh but if God could say that about us when it’s time for us to leave the shore.
So now as he sets sail he’s looking out to the other side – realizing that more awaits him – a “crown of righteousness.” The Bible talks about several different “crowns.” James 1:12 & Revelation 2:10– the Crown of Life, 1 Peter 5:4 the Crown of Glory. We don’t know exactly what they are – but they are some kind of reward we receive for what the Lord has done through us.
What I like is that even these crowns we will acknowledge really belong to Jesus:
Revelation 4:9-5:1 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created
and have their being."
Do you “long for his appearing” (vs 8)? I’m sure Paul would rather have had the Second Coming occur before his execution. It didn’t happen. So for the rest of the chapter, and the conclusion of the letter, Paul relays some very personal hurts and needs.
9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
I won’t focus on any of these individuals – but notice in verse 11 he talks about Mark. Most likely this is John-Mark who Barnabas had brought along on their missionary journeys together. In Acts 15 Barnabas wanted to take him along again – but Paul refused because John-Mark had left them earlier in Pamphylia. There was such a row about it that Paul and Barnabas actually split ways.
It’s a reminder that there are times in ministry when going separate ways is the best course – not everyone is going to agree on everything. But it’s also comforting because the Lord brought about healing – perhaps as Mark matured or Paul mellowed. In contrast there was Demas – who had been a co-worker, but had become ashamed of Paul’s chains and deserted him. Are you more concerned with looking good in the world’s eyes than being a benefit to others?
Luke was also there – Dr. Luke, who wrote Luke’s gospel and Acts. It’s neat to see him there, tending to Paul’s wounds – both physical and spiritual.
All Paul really wants now is his coat, his books, and Timothy.
14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
“Great deal of harm” is the idea of “accusing” so it’s likely that this Alexander (probably not the one in Acts 19) was a witness against Paul. He’s not cursing Alexander as much as predicting what will happen. We are all held accountable for our actions. More than that Paul is warning Timothy not to get in a tussle with him. And there are people who you should avoid – even in the body of Christ. People who are only out to cause harm. It doesn’t mean they aren’t saved, but are not aiding the cause of Christ.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I love this – it reminds me of the hymn: “Though none go with me, still I will follow – no turning back, no turning back.”
When everyone deserts you – Jesus will NEVER desert you but will be by your wide, giving you the strength to carry on. No matter what people stand in your way to do you harm like Alexander, it is God who is your ultimate defender – and why? So that Paul could keep on preaching the Word as he told Timothy to do.
It’s not likely that Paul means he was literally thrown to the lions, as some Christians were – but it’s a metaphor from Daniel. You might face lions – impossible odds – but it doesn’t matter. As long as God is with you then whether you live or die you are going to be with Him forever.
He will bring you safely to His heavenly kingdom too – you can count on it.
19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you
Priscilla and Aquila were fellow tent makers that were a ministry team. It would have taken months for the letter to get to Timothy and for him to get to Rome. “Come before winter.” The cry of a man who needed the comfort of a good friend before winter, and death, settled over him.
Conclusions
Is it winter where you are?
Do you feel like you are in a prison, with no one to help you but plenty to attack? Do you feel you are without comfort, at the end of your rope – facing the lions and the cold and the end? I want you to know some things:
You are never alone. Jesus promised “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
You have an advocate in Jesus who will defend you to His death
There is another shore. Even if your boat is sailing it is going to a good land!
Are you sad?
Sometimes the emotional, physical, and even spiritual aspects of trials and life takes its toll and we feel like just giving up and crashing.
When that time comes – remember Paul. Paul finished the race, he fought the fight well – he didn’t give up. Now you might say – well he’s Paul the Apostle- he can do anything.
No – he was Paul, the Christian. What Paul did he did not do because of his merit or his strength but the strength and merit of the Lord on his behalf.
Yes, there will be times of sadness – I think Paul was sad. But he was also hopeful.
Are you ready to give up?
Maybe all you see are people who have rejected the gospel and you. Two things: keep preaching and keep your head.
Don’t overreact and blast people – but don’t let them stop you either!
