Come Before Winter

The message entitled Come before Winter was a message preached by Clarence E. Macartney annually in the month of October. In 1955, Macartney preached the message the 14th and the last time in Pittsburgh. On January 10, 2021, Pastor Steve Njuguna preached the message at Faith Harvest International Church-Juja.

 

... v21. Do your utmost to come before winter ... (2 Timothy 4:1-22). Paul an apostle and a renown author did not have many friends. He had Timothy, Luke; the physician and Our Lord Jesus ...a friend who sticks closer than a brother... (Proverbs 18:24). Paul testified that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, stood with him even when everyone else deserted him; at a very trying moment which was in the last of his last days. People whom he never expected to desert him were, Demas and Alexander the coppersmith, who seemed to have hurt him when he needed him most.

 

Paul, did not seem to have acquired much property for himself by the time of his death. The items he treasured most were a cloak, books and a parchment; writing material made from untanned skins of animals. May be the parchment contained the most of the New Testament that we have today. There is no evidence that Timothy made it to see Paul before his departure. However, Paul expected him urgently. Firstly, because he needed his cloak as winter was fast approaching. Secondly, if Timothy delayed, may be the sea would not be favorable for sailing. Finally, may be Paul needed that true fellowship of a friend.

 

As Pastor Steve was preaching, what came into my mind was Our Lord Jesus Christ. He was deserted by His very close friends in the time of need. Then they all forsook Him and fled. .... and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked (Mark 14: 50-52). The man who fled naked is thought to be either Mark, Lazarus or Simon of Bethany. In the time of need they failed to stand with Him in the time of need for an hour. …. Could you not watch one hour?... (Mark 14: 50-52). Worse still, because of our sins His Father seemed to desert Him at the cross. Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).  

 

The emphasis was, the urgency of loving God and man. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:15, 16). How dedicated are we in prayer and service to God? How often are we available for one another? How often are we a shoulder when a family member needs us? God is watching and will judge me and you according to our deeds. Then we will discern, “Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him. (Isaiah 3:10).

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