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13. Facing Winter Seasons (2 Timothy 4:9-22)

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Make every effort to come to me soon. For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry. Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds. You be on guard against him too, because he vehemently opposed our words. At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me—may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth! The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen. Greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth. Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

2 Timothy 4:9-22 (NET)

How should we face winter seasons—times of hardship and difficulty? In this text, Paul was in a Roman prison awaiting an imminent death sentence. He calls for Timothy to do his best to come before winter. Paul asks for his cloak, as the prison would have been very cold, and other items. But more importantly, he wanted to see Timothy before he died.

We all experience winter seasons—times of difficulty, and eventually death—even as Paul did. Second Timothy 4:9-22 is Paul’s last written words before he was beheaded. In these final words, we learn six principles about faithfully facing our winter seasons—our times of trial.

Big Question: What can we learn from 2 Timothy 4:9-22 about facing winter seasons—various trials in life including death?

When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Seek the Help of Godly Saints

Make every effort to come to me soon. For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry. Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus…Greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth. Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

2 Timothy 4:9-12, 19-21

Throughout Paul’s letters and the book of Acts, there are at least 100 different names listed as a part of Paul’s circle of friends and co-workers.1 Paul was no lone ranger; he knew he couldn’t complete the task the Lord gave him alone. This was especially true as he faced his final hours. He asks Timothy to come before winter, as travel would have been difficult at that time, if not impossible. He asks for him to bring a cloak and books (v. 21). He also asked for him to bring Mark (v. 11). In his final hours, he sought the help of his beloved friends.

This was similar to Christ’s final hours. Before Christ went to the cross, he approached his inner circle of Peter, James, and John—asking if they would pray with him for an hour. In the same way, when facing various trials, we must seek the help of brothers and sisters. This may include asking for prayer, counsel, or practical things like money.

Sadly, many are not prepared for the winters of life simply because they have not developed relationships with the Body of Christ and/or are not willing to ask for help. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:21, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you,’” Yet, many do this, and consequently, impoverish themselves. Instead of seeking help, individuals and families often try to brave the winters on their own—without God’s provisions through the body of Christ.

Solomon said this about the importance of friends and their support:

Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor. For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself? Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Essentially, the wise king said that it’s incredulous to try to walk this life alone—there are too many unforeseen trials. What will one do when he falls and is all alone? What will one do if he lacks the resources to stay warm? What will one do if attacked by others? When Paul faced his winter season, he had Luke beside him, and he also sent for Timothy and Mark.

Who is your Luke, Timothy, and Mark? Who are those that you call upon in times of trouble? Who do you seek for prayer and counsel? James 5:16 commands us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another so that we may be healed. If we are going to be prepared for the winter, we must surround ourselves with godly brothers and sisters, and be willing to humbly ask them for help.

Application Question: Why is it so hard for many to ask for help in times of hardship? Who do you ask for help in times of trouble?

When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Continue Ministering to Others

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry. Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus

2 Timothy 4:11-12

When Paul requests Mark, the reason he gave was that Mark would be of great help to him in ministry (v. 12). This is surprising for several reasons: First, Paul and Barnabas had once fought over Mark, as Paul didn’t want to take him on their second missionary journey (Acts 15). Mark had left them during the first journey, and therefore, Paul didn’t want to take the risk. However, now, Mark is helpful to him. This reminds us that no matter how many times we fall or fail, God can still use us and others. Mark not only returned to the ministry but also wrote the Gospel of Mark. It seems he became an intimate disciple of not only Paul and Barnabas, but also Peter. In 1 Peter 5:13, Peter calls him his son. Previously, Peter also abandoned his mentor, Christ, in his most difficult hour. No doubt, Peter could relate well with and empathize with Mark. He also saw Mark’s great potential, even as Christ saw Peter’s.

But secondly, this request stands out simply because Paul is focused on “ministry” only months before his death. If there was ever a time to focus on himself, certainly, it was in this hour, as he awaited his execution. It’s normal to be self-consumed when we go through winter seasons. We say, either to others or just to ourselves, “This is a time where I just need to focus on me. This is a time where I need to be selfish!” However, that is not how Paul was, and it certainly wasn’t how Christ was. Philippians 2:3-5 says:

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,

We must have the mindset of Christ by considering others above ourselves, even as Paul did. In his winter season, Paul did not become self-consumed, he continued doing ministry. In fact, when he had his preliminary hearing, Paul’s focus was still on preaching the gospel. In verse 17, he said, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear...” At his hearing, he boldly declared the gospel to all the Gentiles listening, including the magistrates and possibly Nero.

In our winter seasons, we must continue to minister to others, and at times, even increase it. Now, this is not denying that we need seasons of rest and recovery. But our rest and recovery is so that we can minister again, and more effectively. Sometimes, ministry is the exact thing a person needs, when going through a hard time. Consider these promises: Proverbs 11:25 (NIV) says, “…whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Matthew 5:7 says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Isaiah 58:6-12 promises tremendous blessings to those who minister to others:

No, this is the kind of fast I want. I want you to remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke, to set free the oppressed, and to break every burdensome yoke. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe him! Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood! Then your light will shine like the sunrise; your restoration will quickly arrive; your godly behavior will go before you, and the Lord’s splendor will be your rear guard. Then you will call out, and the Lord will respond; you will cry out, and he will reply, ‘Here I am.’ You must remove the burdensome yoke from among you and stop pointing fingers and speaking sinfully. You must actively help the hungry and feed the oppressed. Then your light will dispel the darkness, and your darkness will be transformed into noonday. The Lord will continually lead you; he will feed you even in parched regions. He will give you renewed strength, and you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring that continually produces water. Your perpetual ruins will be rebuilt; you will reestablish the ancient foundations. You will be called, ‘The one who repairs broken walls, the one who makes the streets inhabitable again.’

For those who spend themselves in ministering, God promises direction, healing, righteousness, protection, answered prayer, provision, and an even more effective ministry. This passage describes Paul. He was a repairer of broken walls and one who makes streets inhabitable again.

When we serve others, God pours grace all over our lives. He makes even our winters a season of harvest. Are you ministering to others, even when things are difficult? Often by becoming self-consumed, we make our winter seasons colder. Sometimes we isolate ourselves and replay our problems over and over—making them bigger in our minds and causing greater discouragement and depression. Often, ministering to others is exactly what we need, even if all we can offer is prayer. In Paul’s first imprisonment, the gospel advanced, as the Roman guards and Caesar’s household heard the good news through him (Phil 1:12-13, 4:22). The same thing happened in his second imprisonment, as he continued his ministry.

Like Paul, are you ministering to others in your winter seasons? Or have you become self-consumed?

Application Question: Why is it so important to serve others when going through difficult seasons? What are some of the benefits and how have you experienced them?

When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Abide in God’s Word

When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments.

2 Timothy 4:13

Interpretation Question: What were the cloak, scrolls, and parchments?

Paul not only asked Timothy to come to Rome but also for him to bring a cloak, scrolls, and parchments. Since these items were expensive and it would be strange for Paul to leave them of his own volition, many believe Paul was arrested in Troas. The cloak was “‘an outer garment of heavy material, circular in shape with a hole in the middle for the head.’”2 It was often used not only as a jacket but also as a blanket. We don’t know for sure what the scrolls and parchments were. Many believe the parchments were Old Testament manuscripts and the scrolls were possibly the Gospels.3 Even while Paul was waiting to die, he wanted to continue studying God’s Word. Charles Spurgeon used this passage to rebuke pastors who preached but neglected study. He said this of Paul:

He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books!4

In fact, Paul was probably meditating on Scripture when he wrote this final section of 2 Timothy. Some scholars have noted how verses 16-18 are similar to Psalm 22—the very Psalm Christ quoted while on the cross (Matt 27:46). Lock, a commentator, notes how there are nine verbal similarities between the texts.5 Consider Kent Hughes’ comments:

There is something else remarkable here, in that Paul’s reference to the lion’s mouth is substantial evidence that as he faced death on this occasion he was meditating on Psalm 22, the same Psalm that occupied Jesus at his death. The text here resounds with allusions to Psalm 22: 1) Verse 16, “everyone deserted me,” alludes to Psalm 22:1, “why have you forsaken me?” 2) Verse 16, “no one came to my support,” references Psalm 22:11, “there is no one to help.” 3) Verse 17, “I was delivered from the lion’s mouth,” alludes to Psalm 22:21, “Rescue me from the mouth of the lions.” 4) Verse 17, “and all the Gentiles might hear it,” is similar to Psalm 22:27, “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord.” 5) Verse 18, “and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom,” echoes Psalm 22:28, “dominion belongs to the Lord.” The old apostle was filled with the Word so that he was like a lion—confident and regal.6

To the very end, Paul was seeking to be like his Lord. In Philippians 3:10-11, Paul shared how he wanted to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, have fellowship with his suffering, die like him and be resurrected like him. Like Christ, Paul probably meditated on and quoted Psalm 22 before his death.

Similarly, when we encounter winter seasons, we must sink our roots deep into God’s Word. Instead of allowing complaints and curses to come from our mouths, Scripture must flow from them. Charles Spurgeon said that the believer must meditate on the Word of God so much that his blood becomes ‘Bibline’. If someone were to cut him, Scripture should flow out. We see this in Christ’s words on the cross when he cries out words from Psalms: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Psalm 22:1) and “Into your hand I entrust my life” (Psalm 31:5). Paul seems to do the same.

Meditating on God’s Word brings tremendous benefits, especially when we are struggling. Psalm 19:7-8 says,

The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves one’s life. The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.

The Lord’s precepts are fair and make one joyful. The Lord’s commands are pure and give insight for life.

Meditating on Scripture refreshes us, gives us wisdom, makes us joyful, and gives us guidance. When we don’t meditate on God’s Word, we find ourselves burnt out, lost, angry, and short-sighted. When Job was in his winter season, he also drank deeply from Scripture. He said that he loved God’s Word more than his daily bread (Job 23:12).

Are you meditating on Scripture during your winter seasons? Are you being like Paul, Christ, and Job?

Application Question: In what ways have you experienced God’s grace in winter seasons by living in God’s Word? In what ways have you experienced lack by not meditating on it?

When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Offer Grace to Those Who Fail Us

For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica… Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds. You be on guard against him too, because he vehemently opposed our words. At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me—may they not be held accountable for it.

2 Timothy 4:10, 14-16

Observation Question: What people harmed or disappointed Paul while he was on trial in Rome?

During Paul’s winter season, many failed him. Demas, who previously was a faithful co-worker (Philemon 24, Col 4:14), deserted Paul, because he loved this present world (v. 10). Associating with Paul could have led to his imprisonment and death; therefore, Demas chose worldly comfort and security instead of the cross of Christ. We don’t know if he turned fully away from Christ, although it’s possible. First John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” This is an assurance of salvation text, as 1 John was written to provide tests of salvation (1 John 5:13).

We don’t know for sure who Alexander the metalworker was. Some have speculated that it might have been a maker of idols who lost business, as people converted to Christ (cf. Acts 19:23-41). But he was possibly the same Alexander mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20. Paul talked about how Alexander had shipwrecked his faith by not holding on to sound doctrine and not keeping a clean conscience. If this was the same man, he was probably a former elder in the Ephesian church who became a false teacher (cf. Acts 20:29-30).

How did Alexander harm Paul? When Paul says, “Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm,” it can also be translated “Alexander the coppersmith charged me with much evil” (v. 14).7 This expression may refer to an actual courtroom setting and legal charges. In Roman courts, there were two hearings: the first was where the charges were established, and the second was where the verdict was handed down.8 In the preliminary hearing, Alexander probably heaped up false charges against Paul—calling him an insurrectionist and an enemy of Nero (just like the Pharisees did with Christ). Alexander also strongly opposed the gospel—possibly declaring that it was antagonistic to Judaism and the pluralistic religions of Rome, where Nero was a god amongst many gods. Paul’s response to Alexander’s crime was, “The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds” (v.14). Some versions say, “May the Lord repay” (Young’s Literal) or “Lord reward him” (KJV). However, these are poor translations. Paul did not call a curse down on him but simply stated a fact: God will ultimately bring justice.

Not only was Paul hurt by Demas and Alexander—both probably previous co-workers—but he was also hurt by the Roman Christians who failed to support him at his hearing. No one defended him by declaring that the charges were untrue. Luke and Tychicus probably had not reached Rome yet. Many believers had migrated from Rome because of the widespread persecution, and those that remained were intimidated by the potential consequences of associating with Paul. Similar to Christ’s trial, false witnesses lied about Paul, and his friends were nowhere to be found.

When facing winters of the soul, we must be aware that many might fail us as well. Sometimes our closest friends will walk out on us. Others won’t reach out, maybe, because they’re afraid and don’t know what to say. At times, people might hurt us by talking behind our back or to our face. However, the failures manifest, we can be sure that they will, at times, happen. People are frail and prone to sin, just as we are.

Application Question: How should we respond when others hurt us, as modeled by Paul?

  1. When hurt by others, we must let God fight our battles. Again, when Paul recounts Alexander’s damaging actions, he merely states, “The Lord will repay him,” (v. 14). Similarly, Romans 12:19 says, “Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” We must trust God to fight our battles—we shouldn’t try to take revenge or get even. Judgment is coming, and God will do what is just.
  2. When hurt by others, we must bless them. At the Roman Christians’ failure, Paul simply said, “May they not be held accountable for it” (v. 16). He blessed them—asking God to forgive them, even as Christ did when others failed him (Lk 23:34). Scripture calls us to do the same. Romans 12:20-21 says, “‘Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

We must overcome evil with good by entrusting our battle to the Lord and blessing those who curse us. If we instead respond with evil, we do so to our own peril. God will also be just, when he considers our response to wrongs against us. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and don’t sin” (NKJV). We can be righteously angry over sins committed against us and others and allow that righteous anger to lead us into sin. One such sin is unforgiveness. Christ said if we don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive us (Matt 6:15). Also, he taught that God would hand us over to torturers for withholding forgiveness—referring to God’s discipline (Matt 18:35, cf. 1 Cor 5:5). When referring to sin, in general, David said if we cherish iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us (Ps 66:18). Responding in a wrong or vengeful way to others’ failures may hurt them, but it often hurts us more.

Sadly, many leave winter seasons with emotional baggage and strongholds—bitterness, unforgiveness, and even addictions—therefore, missing God’s best. However, if we respond correctly to the failure of others like Paul and Jesus, God will bless us. He will use our winter seasons to mature us and give us a greater ministry (cf. 2 Cor 1:3-7, Rom 5:3-5, James 1:2-4).

Are you blessing those who failed you? Or are you withholding forgiveness—bringing God’s discipline upon your life?

Application Question: How have you experienced the failure of others during a winter season? How did you respond? How can we extend grace when others have extended evil to us?

When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Trust in God’s Faithfulness

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth! The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.

2 Timothy 4:17-19

Though everyone had forsaken Paul (v. 16), Christ stood beside him and strengthened him to preach the gospel to all at his hearing (v. 17). In fact, Paul declared that Christ would continue to deliver him (v. 19). Paul trusted Christ. This was the same Christ who blinded Paul on his way to Damascus and called him to be an apostle (Acts 9); the same Christ who trained him for three years while in Arabia (Gal 1:17); the same Christ who comforted him while he was in Corinth saying that the Lord had many people in that city (Acts 18:9).

We don’t know how Christ appeared to him. Was it a vision, a voice, or his actual presence? We don’t know, but when Paul was forsaken by others, Christ stood beside him, strengthened him, and delivered him from the lion’s mouth.

‘Deliverance from the lion’s mouth’ was a common figure of speech for deliverance from danger (cf. Ps. 22:21, 35:17). However, it also could have referred, specifically, to being delivered from Nero or Satan (cf. 1 Pet 5:8). Either way, Christ was faithful to Paul.

Interpretation Question: What did Paul mean when he said the Lord would deliver him from every evil attack and bring him safely to heaven (v. 18)?

Obviously, Paul did not mean that Christ would deliver him from execution. In 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul said that the time of his departure was near and that he was already being poured out like a drink offering. Most likely, Paul was referring to God delivering him from falling into sin by denying Christ and his Word to avoid execution. For the Christian, there is something worse than death and that is denying Christ (cf. Matt 10:33).

In Philippians 1:19-21, Paul used similar language when talking about God delivering him from his first Roman imprisonment. He said,

for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

What was his deliverance? It was being unashamed and having courage to exalt Christ in his body, through life or death. Sometimes it is God’s will to deliver us from trials, but most times, it is God’s will to deliver us through them. Paul could trust God with both—whether delivered from or through. By God’s grace, Paul would be faithful to Christ in his trial and be taken safely to heaven.

Sadly, many essentially deny Christ in their trial. Instead of trusting him, they become angry at him—essentially declaring that he is unjust, unloving, and unwise. Or, like Demas, they turn away from God to trust in the things of this world instead. By distancing themselves from God (and other believers), they make their trial worse and reject much of God’s grace. Instead of being strengthened like Paul, they are weakened by their own neglect of the Lord.

If we are going to faithfully face our winter seasons, we must trust in the Lord—whether it’s his will to take away the trial or take us through. Either way, his will is always good. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” We may not understand everything, but we must trust that God does, and that he is working all things for our good (Rom 8:28). He has good plans for his children. Do you trust him?

Application Question: What should we do when we lack trust—when we doubt God’s plan and his goodness? How do we increase our faith in God?

  1. We develop our trust in God by studying Scripture. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. As mentioned previously, we must saturate ourselves in God’s Word during trials in order to build our faith and trust God more. Apart from Scripture study, our faith will be weak.
  2. We develop our trust in God by prayer. One man who doubted Christ said, “I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24, paraphrase). At one time, the disciples, similarly, exclaimed, “Increase our faith!” (Lk 17:5). When we lack faith, we must ask for it; we must cry out for more grace. Scripture says that those who continue to ask, seek, and knock will receive (Matt 7:7-8).
  3. We develop our trust in God by remembering times when he was especially faithful to us. When Israel miraculously crossed the Jordan River on dry land, God commanded them to take twelve stones from the riverbed so they would always remember (Josh 4:5). Similarly, after God provided manna from heaven for Israel to eat, he made them place a jar of it in the Ark of the Covenant to help them remember (Ex 16:33). Likewise, the Patriarchs would often build altars and name them, or the land around them, in order to remember God’s grace (cf. Gen 33:20). Since we’re terribly prone to forget God’s past graces, we must take efforts to remember them. We can do this by writing them down in our journals or making other memorials and visiting them when doubting.

To face our winters, we must trust God and not deny him by turning to sin. His will is good whether it is to protect us from the trial, remove it, or go through it.

Application Question: Why is it important to trust God in winter seasons? How do you strengthen your faith when it’s weak?

When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Live in Prayer

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

2 Timothy 4:22

Finally, as Paul faces his winter, he closes his letter with a benediction, “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you” (v. 22). The word “your” is singular and “you” is plural.9 Thus the NIV translates it “you all.” He prays for Jesus to be with Timothy and asks for grace upon the Ephesian church. Every one of Paul’s benedictions include the word “grace.” Grace was a central word in Paul’s theology. Believers are both saved by God’s grace and daily sanctified by it. Therefore, like Paul, we must always cry out for grace in prayer, not only for ourselves but also for others.

Prayer must be the atmosphere believers live in, especially when in trials. Consider what Paul says to the Philippians, a church that was being persecuted from outside and had disputes from within (cf. Phil 1:28-29, 4:2-3):

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

By choosing not to worry in our difficult seasons, but instead, praying, giving thanks, and presenting our requests to God in every situation, God will provide peace and guard our hearts. Peace and protection of our hearts is directly linked to our prayer life. Lack of prayer leads to worry, doubt, and various sins, especially when going through trials.

Are you living in prayer? Are you praying in every situation—the good, the bad times, and the dull? Prayer is the doorway for grace both to endure and excel in our trials.

Application Question: How would you rate your prayer life 1-10? What are some disciplines that help with praying consistently? How have you experienced special grace during winter seasons through prayer—both yours and that of others?

Conclusion

How can we faithfully face our winter seasons—times of hardship?

  1. When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Seek the Help of Godly Saints
  2. When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Continue Ministering to Others
  3. When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Abide in God’s Word
  4. When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Offer Grace to Those Who Fail Us
  5. When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Trust in God’s Faithfulness
  6. When Facing Winter Seasons, We Must Live in Prayer

Copyright © 2017, 2018 (2nd Edition) Gregory Brown

Unless otherwise noted, the primary Scriptures used are taken from the NET Bible ® copyright © 1996-2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations and commentary have been added.

BTG Publishing all rights reserved.


1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 257–258). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

2 Stott, J. R. W. (1973). Guard the Gospel the message of 2 Timothy (p. 120). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

3 Teacher’s Outline and Study Bible - Commentary - Teacher’s Outline and Study Bible – 2 Timothy: The Teacher’s Outline and Study Bible.

4 Spurgeons Expository Encyclopedia [Baker], 11:386.

5 Stott, J. R. W. (1973). Guard the Gospel the message of 2 Timothy (p. 123). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

6 Hughes, R. K., & Chapell, B. (2000). 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: to guard the deposit (p. 269). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

7 MacDonald, W. (1995). Believers Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 2127). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

8 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 2 Timothy (p. 211). Chicago: Moody Press.

9 Hughes, R. K., & Chapell, B. (2000). 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: to guard the deposit (p. 271). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Related Topics: Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Suffering, Trials, Persecution

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