LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT
METHODIST CHURCH
SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 17
SEPTEMBER 2023
2 TIMOTHY 4 VERSE 21 – “Do
thy diligence to come before winter”
The great apostle Paul was
ready to be offered up. He could look
forward with anticipation to a great eternity with his Lord and master. He had fought a good fight, he finished the
course. He remained steadfast,
unmoveable in his service for Christ.
Paul, knowing his departure was at hand, had important things to say to
Timothy. “Keep on preaching the word of
God, finish the fight, keep the faith.”
Paul had a deep desire – he wanted to renew fellowship with his fellow
labourer in the gospel. Demas had forsaken
him. Timothy was reliable, stable. Timothy would stand wholeheartedly with
Paul. Paul told him when to come – verse
9 “come shortly”. He also told when not
to come – verse 21. “Timothy, if you don’t
come before winter you will have missed your opportunity therefore don’t delay,
get here at the next opportunity that is granted to you. Do thy diligence to come before winter.” It may seem a really insignificant text of
scripture. Many would read and overlook
it. Many wouldn’t give it a second
thought. An urgent appeal. There is urgency when it comes to the message
of the salvation. There are 3 truths to
grasp.
A determination needed. Paul said to Timothy twice “do thy diligence”. An appeal not to be taken lightly by
Timothy. Not to look down upon it as
unimportance, insignificant statement. This
was to be taken seriously. He was called
on to ponder it, not to allow anything to hinder him. Do his utmost to do Paul’s request. Make haste to get to Paul at the next
opportunity he could get to come. He was
aware of many hindrances that could deter him.
Timothy was pastor of a church at Ephesus with many responsibilities on
his mind. In the midst of a busy
schedule he was urged to take time out and grace the apostle with his presence. “Timothy do thy diligence to make this a
matter of urgency and priority. Be
determined to come to me. Be persistent and
earnest. Make your way to me.” When it comes to the business of salvation
the same principle applies. The
salvation that Jesus purchased had immense cost, it must not be taken
lightly. Many have no regard for the
plan of salvation. They are overlooking
it. It ought not to be the case. It must be taken seriously by all men. They must ponder it and strive with all
diligence until they receive it. Are you
overlooking salvation? Maybe you are
taking it lightly. Do you look upon God’s
plan of redemption as unimportant and insignificant? You must take it seriously. You must think about it and seek it with all
diligence until you obtain it. Don’t
allow anything to stop you in coming to the Saviour of the world. Do thy diligence. Could it be I am speaking and there is
something hindering you from receiving God’s salvation? Maybe something in the past or in the present
or even in the future. Maybe it is the
fear of what family and friends think.
Maybe you think you will not be able to keep it. Maybe you are thinking you are beyond
redemption. What is keeping you
back? Is life too busy? Have you too many other commitments to even
consider salvation. You have many responsibilities
and duties. Make the salvation of your
soul the priority, a matter of urgency, the number one concern. Be determined to come to Christ. Don’t allow anything to stop you or hold you
back. Luke 13 verse 24 “strive to enter
in at the straight gate.” Make every
effort. Your heart, soul and mind to
this urgent matter of salvation. Strive
to see your Saviour there. Unsaved
friend do thy diligence. Make every
effort to come to Jesus Christ. There is
a determination needed.
Secondly, an invitation
extended. There were no restrictions
placed on this invitation. An open invitation. The last thing he would have wanted to do was
give him the wrong impression. To be
confused and bewildered about what he was saying. He was clear – “Timothy do thy diligence to
come.” Draw near, come closer
Timothy. He knew without doubt what he
had to do if he wanted to see Paul. Paul
wasn’t coming to him. He had to go to
Paul. We are left in no doubt as far as
God’s invitation is concerned. The Lord
has died on the cross of Calvary for your sins.
Now he extends an invitation to come.
Have you come to the Lord? Have
you accepted his open invitation to come? “Have you been to Jesus for the
cleansing power, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?” Have you come? Could it be that the master has been inviting
you for some time? He has been saying “come
unto me” but you have been refusing him.
Don’t refuse the greatest invitation you will ever receive. It is worth noting it was an invitation he
extended and not a command. Paul put
great urgency on it. “Timothy do you
best, your utmost to come to me shortly.”
He didn’t say “you must come to me now, immediately”. No he was not going to force Timothy’s
hand. He extended an open invitation. The same principle applies when it comes to
God’s dealings with men. The Lord will
never force his way into your heart and life.
He may persistently invite you to come.
You must decide to accept his invitation. You must open the door and invite him in. Would you not come at the king’s urgency? “Again he sent forth his servants saying Tell
them which are bidden, Behold I have prepared … all things are ready, come unto
the marriage.” (Matthew 22 verse 4) This invitation is from the Lord. He sends forth servants to urge many to
come. John recorded those words in
Revelation 22 verse 17 “And the Spirit and the bride say come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of
life freely.” Come and partake of the blessing
of the gospel. Come and be saved. Come at the threefold salvation. Come for rest of the soul. Matthew 11 verse 28 “come unto me all ye that
labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” You are not being asked to come to a church
or a clergy. The object of faith is the
Lord Jesus Christ. When you come
admitting under the burden of sin and shame he will give you rest. To come means to believe, to receive, to eat,
to drink, to look, to confess. It means
to hear, to enter a door, open a door, to touch a hem of his garment, accept
the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Have you accepted his invitation?
I trust you have. A determination
needed. An invitation extended.
Thirdly, there is an
opportunity limited. Paul said in
verse 9 “do thy diligence to come before winter.” If Timothy was going to see the apostle Paul
now was the time. This was his opportunity but it was limited. Time was passing by and winter was on the way
but why was it so crucial to make his journey to Paul before the winter
season? The weather conditions would
make it too dangerous to travel, all the ships would be in port during winter
thus Timothy could not see Paul. If
Timothy waited too long he would miss the opportunity to travel to Paul and by
that time it would be too late. The day
of opportunity for Timothy was coming swiftly to an end. Time was running out. Friend today the day of grace for invitations
to receive God’s great salvation is coming swiftly to an end. The opportunity to seek the Saviour will not
last forever. We are living in a day of
opportunity but it is greatly lifting. 2
Corinthians 6 verse 2 “Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day
of salvation.” If you want to get saved
now is the acceptable time. Not next
week or next year. Today. Seek the Lord for salvation while you have
the opportunity. “Today is time accepted,
tomorrow you may call in vain.” Today if
you will hear his voice harden not your hearts.
The prophet in Isaiah 55 verse 6 said “seek ye the Lord while he may be
found, call ye upon him while he is near.”
The Lord will not always be found.
Not always be near. He will not
always strive with man. Genesis 6 verse
3 “my spirit shall not always strive with man.”
The opportunity for you to come to Christ is limited. None of us are guaranteed another day. This could be your last day, your last
night. Death could put its cold chilling
hand on your shoulder. With the greatest
urgency come to Christ now for your time to do so is limited. Has the Lord been convincing you of the power
of the Holy Spirit of sin, righteousness and judgment? Don’t close your ears to God’s speaking
voice. There could come a day when he
will knock on your hearts door for the last time. Come before winter while the spirit is
striving, while you have the opportunity.
Don’t allow another summer to pass by without Christ. Your opportunity to receive so great a
salvation is coming to an end. The determination
here is don’t look on God’s plan of redemption as so unimportant. Don’t allow anything to prevent you to come
to the Saviour. An invitation is
extended – “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give
you rest.” Don’t refuse the greatest
invitation you will ever receive. There is
an opportunity limited. Paul said “Timothy
if you are going to see me now is the time.”
Now is the appointed time. Not
tomorrow or next week or next month or next year. Today seek the Lord for salvation while you
still have the opportunity. Would you
not come before winter? The longest day
of the year is past, the evenings are starting to drop down. That in itself is a clear reminder that
opportunities to receive the Saviour are limited. Time is passing by. Friend come before winter.
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