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Come Before Winter, 2018
Come Before Winter
11.4.18
What is it that God wants you to do today in order to enjoy the blessings and rewards for tomorrow?
The problem is we are drowning today, and we do not take the time to focus on tomorrow, much less next month, next year, or five years from now.
"As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing. Do your best to come to me soon. " (2 Timothy 4:5-9, ESV)
"Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. " (2 Timothy 4:21-22, ESV)
Why does Paul want Timothy to come see him before winter?
Practical reason- Mediterranean Sea became almost impossible to cross in midst of winter.
Personal reason- Paul had a pretty good idea that he will not live past winter.
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. " (2 Timothy 4:6, ESV)
Procrastination destroys many good intentions.
Now is the only time we have. We don’t have yesterday or tomorrow - only now.
The question is: How are you going to spend your now?
1. In your personal life
A. Trusting Christ as Savior
"Now is the day of salvation. " (2 Corinthians 6:2b)
B. Sharing Christ
LifeWay research shows 80% of those who attend church one or more times per month believe they have a personal responsibility to share their faith.
However, 61% have not told another person about how to become a Christian in the past six months.
If we are convinced that the news of Jesus is life-changing, we cannot help but spread it!
We spread what we are in awe of.
3 key opportunities to invite someone to church:
NEXT Sunday: Dr. Robert Smith
December 9: Christmas music
December 16 & 24: Candlelight services
2. In your family
A. Evaluate what you are emphasizing with your children/grandchildren
A majority of young adults who are active in church grew up in a home where the gospel was central in their home. It was not something that was simply added in when nothing else was going on.
If my children/grandchildren imitated your walk with the Lord, would you be pleased?
"I think we would be shocked if we knew how many homes of parents who love to sing of God’s grace on Sunday completely forget that grace as they parent their children the rest of the week. But without the intervention of God’s grace, your children will not be who they are supposed to be or do what they are supposed to do. " -Paul David Tripp
B. Express your love and appreciation to those you love
What if you made it your goal to write one hand-written note per week?
Imagine the difference you could make with 10 minutes/week!
3. In your church
A. Serve!
Needs in the church today that will make an impact on others:
Go Bus drivers
Seize the Brain coaches
Greeter
Extended Care
Encourager for homebound members
B. Commit to go on a mission trip in 2019
We are called to live as full-time missionaries right where we live and work!
Can you pray?:
"God, are you calling me to serve you as a full-time missionary? If you are, the answer is yes. I don’t know how it will work, but I want to be completely obedient. "
C. Invest financially in the church
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. " (Matthew 6:21)
"You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. " -Charles Spurgeon
Following Christ and growing in your walk with Christ isn’t magic.
It requires actions on our part, which develop into habits and life disciplines.
There is a huge gap between wanting something and actually making it happen-it’s called discipline.
Don’t just let your life happen... choose what to do with it, or in the end, you’ll wonder where it went.
View all episodes
By First Baptist Church Decatur, ALCome Before Winter
11.4.18
What is it that God wants you to do today in order to enjoy the blessings and rewards for tomorrow?
The problem is we are drowning today, and we do not take the time to focus on tomorrow, much less next month, next year, or five years from now.
"As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing. Do your best to come to me soon. " (2 Timothy 4:5-9, ESV)
"Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. " (2 Timothy 4:21-22, ESV)
Why does Paul want Timothy to come see him before winter?
Practical reason- Mediterranean Sea became almost impossible to cross in midst of winter.
Personal reason- Paul had a pretty good idea that he will not live past winter.
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. " (2 Timothy 4:6, ESV)
Procrastination destroys many good intentions.
Now is the only time we have. We don’t have yesterday or tomorrow - only now.
The question is: How are you going to spend your now?
1. In your personal life
A. Trusting Christ as Savior
"Now is the day of salvation. " (2 Corinthians 6:2b)
B. Sharing Christ
LifeWay research shows 80% of those who attend church one or more times per month believe they have a personal responsibility to share their faith.
However, 61% have not told another person about how to become a Christian in the past six months.
If we are convinced that the news of Jesus is life-changing, we cannot help but spread it!
We spread what we are in awe of.
3 key opportunities to invite someone to church:
NEXT Sunday: Dr. Robert Smith
December 9: Christmas music
December 16 & 24: Candlelight services
2. In your family
A. Evaluate what you are emphasizing with your children/grandchildren
A majority of young adults who are active in church grew up in a home where the gospel was central in their home. It was not something that was simply added in when nothing else was going on.
If my children/grandchildren imitated your walk with the Lord, would you be pleased?
"I think we would be shocked if we knew how many homes of parents who love to sing of God’s grace on Sunday completely forget that grace as they parent their children the rest of the week. But without the intervention of God’s grace, your children will not be who they are supposed to be or do what they are supposed to do. " -Paul David Tripp
B. Express your love and appreciation to those you love
What if you made it your goal to write one hand-written note per week?
Imagine the difference you could make with 10 minutes/week!
3. In your church
A. Serve!
Needs in the church today that will make an impact on others:
Go Bus drivers
Seize the Brain coaches
Greeter
Extended Care
Encourager for homebound members
B. Commit to go on a mission trip in 2019
We are called to live as full-time missionaries right where we live and work!
Can you pray?:
"God, are you calling me to serve you as a full-time missionary? If you are, the answer is yes. I don’t know how it will work, but I want to be completely obedient. "
C. Invest financially in the church
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. " (Matthew 6:21)
"You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. " -Charles Spurgeon
Following Christ and growing in your walk with Christ isn’t magic.
It requires actions on our part, which develop into habits and life disciplines.
There is a huge gap between wanting something and actually making it happen-it’s called discipline.
Don’t just let your life happen... choose what to do with it, or in the end, you’ll wonder where it went.