Sunday morning, Nov. 5, Charles T. Carter preached his “Come Before Winter” sermon for the 55th straight year in a row.
Dr. Carter finds an opportunity each October or November to deliver the message he developed from the idea of another preacher, Clarence E. Macartney, whose original manuscript of the theme was dated October 1915.
It was 1968 when Carter first debuted his own version of the theme out of 2 Timothy 4:9, 21, and this year he shared it with the congregation of FBC Birmingham.
FBC Birmingham pastor Jim Cooley thought to spread the word about the special presentation and a sanctuary full of guests showed up, appreciative to get to hear “Come Before Winter” again.
Paul’s letter to Timothy shares how he is anxious for Timothy to come to him before winter because of pending travel hazards and because Paul had a premonition he was going to die, Carter explained.
‘Life’s opportunities’
2 Timothy 4 helps us understand the urgency to do what we need to do now. It helps us see “the passing of life’s opportunities.”
Where should our urgency focus?
1. Receiving Christ (Ps. 39:7 and 2 Cor. 6:2b).
2. Sharing Christ (John 4:35).
3. Living for Christ (James 4:14).
Living for Christ
Receiving Christ as soon as we understand His invitation provides more time to share with our family and friends and to show His love to those in our lives, Carter noted. And living for Christ starts with:
A. Reforming our character.
“Whatever your character is today, you are in the process of becoming forever — unless you make a conscious decision to change. Do it now while there is still time.”
B. Restoring broken relationships.
“Is there someone somewhere you have a broken relationship with? … Sometimes people let that go on forever and ever. Don’t do it. Take care of it right now.
“With your family, your family needs to hear you say, ‘I love you,’ amen? Do it now.”
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Live with urgency while we have time, Carter urged.
“The smallest deed done is better than the biggest intention left undone.”
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