Text: 2 Timothy 4:21

Introduction: Some people dread “Winter Time” because of the cold. Others love it….what about you? After CHRISTmas and New Year’s people seem to be SAD –

Seasonal
Attention
Disorder

Cold weather has a way of CHILLING us! However, the Holy Spirit WARMS us up with the “FIRES” of Faith in our heart.

The apostle Paul, while awaiting execution in a Roman prison {some bible teachers say the sanitation conditions were awful} writes this second letter to his son in the Lord Timothy…..which is called his “Swan Song.” While unable to travel, he exhorts Timothy to keep “Fighting the Good Fight of Faith” (2Tim 4:1-8), because troubling days were on the horizon (2Tim 3:1-7). But the Lord Jesus was with him, as He is with us.

By the way, travel was forbidden by ship in the Mediterranean Sea from November to March.

1. How can we keep from getting “ICE COLD” toward people this WINTER? (2Tim 4:9-20)

“Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:”

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia…. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works. Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.”

2. How can we keep the “FIRES of FAITH” burning in our hearts? (2Tim 4:13)

“The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”

Conclusion: During “WINTER TIME,” we need the proper clothing to warm our bodies. At the same time, while most CHRISTians are experiencing stormy “spiritual” blizzards, the parchments (the Word of God) are sure to ignite hot coals of fire that will burn in our hearts brightly. Do you need thawing out? Are you feeling the “chill” of the world blowing on your neck? As we stay on fire, it will insure those around us to stay warmed with the Father’s LOVE & Forgiveness!

Turn up the HEAT!!

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese