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Come Before Winter:

A Sermon on Urgency, Grace, and Legacy

by Reverend Danny Rhoades

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Scripture Text:

“Do thy diligence to come before winter.” — 2 Timothy 4:21 (KJV)

Introduction:

Beloved, today we gather around the final words of a man who knew his time was short. The Apostle Paul, writing from a Roman prison, facing the shadow of Nero’s judgment, pens a letter not of despair—but of deep, holy urgency. His words to Timothy are not just logistical. They are spiritual. They are legacy. They are love.

"Do thy diligence to come before winter."

This is not just a seasonal request. It is a cry from a heart that knows the value of presence, the weight of time, and the power of grace.

I. The Winter of Delay

Paul’s plea is simple: Come before winter.

Why winter? Because in those days, travel was dangerous in the colder months. Ships stopped sailing. Roads became impassable. If Timothy waited too long, he might never reach Paul again. The opportunity to comfort, to serve, to say goodbye—would be lost.

And so it is with us. There are winters in life—moments when delay becomes denial. When procrastination becomes regret. When the door that was open begins to close.

How many times have we said, “I’ll call them tomorrow,” or “I’ll visit next month,” or “I’ll forgive when I’m ready”?

But tomorrow isn’t promised. The seasons shift. And winter comes.

Paul’s words remind us: Do it now. Say it now. Go now. Forgive now. Serve now. Love now.

II. The Warmth of Fellowship

In these final verses, Paul names names. Prisca and Aquila. Onesiphorus. Erastus. Trophimus. Eubulus. Pudens. Linus. Claudia. All the brethren.

Why does he do this? Because fellowship matters. Because legacy is built in relationships. Because the church is not a building—it is a people.

Paul, though imprisoned and facing death, is still thinking of others. He sends greetings. He remembers the sick. He honors the faithful. He lifts up the names of those who walked beside him.

And then he says to Timothy: Come.

Not just for Paul’s sake—but for Timothy’s. Because there is something sacred about showing up. About being present. About standing beside those who suffer, those who serve, those who are finishing their race.

In your ministry, in your family, in your community—who needs you to come before winter?

III. The Promise of Preservation

Verse 18 declares:

"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Paul is not afraid. He is not bitter. He is not defeated. He is preserved.

Though his body may be bound, his spirit is free. Though Nero may judge him, God has already redeemed him. Though winter may come, heaven is near.

This is the promise we carry:

That no matter the season, no matter the suffering, no matter the delay—God preserves.

He delivers. He sustains. He welcomes.

Paul’s final words are not a lament. They are a doxology.

"To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

IV. The Benediction of Grace

The letter closes with a blessing:

"The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen."

Paul doesn’t end with fear. He ends with grace.

He doesn’t curse the darkness. He blesses the light.

He doesn’t cling to control. He releases Timothy into the hands of Christ.

And so must we.

When we’ve done all we can—when we’ve written the letters, made the calls, preached the sermons, served the meals—we must trust that grace will carry the rest.

Conclusion: Come Before Winter

Beloved, this sermon is not just about Paul. It’s about us.

It’s about the moments we’re given. The people we’re called to. The urgency of love. The power of presence.

Winter is coming. But today is still autumn.

There is still time to go.

Still time to speak.

Still time to serve.

Still time to love.

So I say to you, as Paul said to Timothy:

Do thy diligence. Come before winter.

And may the Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit.

Grace be with you. Amen.

Angels Helping Us

by Reverend Danny Rhoades

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Text: Mark 16:1–8 (and expanded reflections on verses 9–20)

Tone: Inspirational & Adventurous
Tradition: All Denominations

Introduction: The Dawn of Hope

Brothers and sisters, imagine with me a pitch-dark dawn, the air still heavy with grief. Three women - Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome - approach the tomb of Jesus. Their hearts are weighed down by sorrow; their feet ache from the long walk, and their minds buzz with the question: Who will roll the stone away for us? (Mark 16:3). They carry spices to anoint a body that they believe is gone forever.

But history shifts at sunrise! They discover the stone rolled back, an empty tomb, and suddenly an angel appears. His presence is like lightning; his garment white as snow. And his words: “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here” (Mark 16:6).

Church Brothers and Sisters, that moment is the hinge of human history. It’s an adventure of faith - an encounter with the heavenly realm breaking into our world. Today, we’ll journey into that radiant dawn, exploring how God’s angelic messengers continue to help us, guide us, and deliver us into the victory of Christ’s resurrection power.

1. Angels as Divine Messengers in Scripture

Scripture is replete with angels: Gabriel announcing to Mary, the angel of the Lord rescuing Peter from prison, Michael contending for God’s people. Hebrews 1:14 reminds us,

“Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”

From Genesis to Revelation, angels serve as God’s emissaries, bridging heaven and earth. In the All Denominations tradition - Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant alike - we affirm that God dispatches angels in answer to prayer, in moments of crisis, and as guides along our pilgrim way.

Catholic Emphasis: Guardian angels accompany each believer.
Orthodox Perspective: Angels accompany us in liturgy, chanting with the heavenly hosts.
Protestant View: Angels act under God’s sovereign will, sent to protect, encourage, and deliver.

Mark 16 invites us to consider: if an angel came at the tomb announcing resurrection, how much more does God send angels into our everyday struggles?

2. The Angel at the Tomb: A Model of Divine Help

In Mark 16:5–7, the angel speaks four powerful truths:

“Do not be alarmed.” Fear melts before God’s messenger.
“You seek Jesus.” Angels always redirect us to Christ.
“He has risen.” They bear witness to the miracle of salvation.
“Go, tell his disciples…” Angels send us back into mission.

This encounter is not static history but a living story. Whenever we face fear - be it illness, loss, or doubt - angels stand ready to say, “Be not afraid; remember, Jesus is alive.” They remind us that death does not have the final word and that, even in darkness, God’s light is breaking forth.

3. Angels in Our Modern Adventure of Faith

You may not see wings fluttering at your bedside, but angelic help often arrives in surprising ways:

• A doctor who appears with the exact diagnosis you feared but needed to hear.
• A stranger who pays for your groceries when you lack funds.
• A timely word in a phone call that brings comfort in grief.

These acts can be understood as angels sent to us. Hebrews 13:2 counsels, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” When we open our hearts to kindness, we may partner with divine helpers we never see.

Example: A man once found himself stranded during a blizzard on a mountain road. Just as hypothermia set in, a pickup truck pulled up, rescued him, and offered warm blankets. Later, he discovered that no one claimed that vehicle - an unsolved mystery. He believed an angel had risked its form to rescue him. His gratitude deepened his faith in God’s unseen care.

4. Practical Applications: Cultivating Openness to Angelic Ministry

Pray for your guardian angel. Invite their presence.
Serve others sacrificially. As we bless, God often returns blessing through unseen hands.
Be attentive to promptings. A sudden sense to call someone, to give, or to pray - this may be an angelic nudge.
Study Scripture. The more we know God’s Word, the more we recognize angels’ activity in our story.

In the All Denominations tradition, we practice these disciplines in community - whether in the sacraments, in Bible study, or in simple fellowship. These are environments where heaven and earth collide, and angels are at work amid our shared praises and prayers.

5. Embracing the Great Commission with Angelic Encouragement

Mark 16:15–18 commands us:

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation… And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.”

When we step out in obedience, angels go before us and follow behind, confirming God’s Word by “accompanying signs.” Every victory in evangelism, in reconciliation, in healing, is a testament not only to our labor but to God’s angelic legions at work.

Adventurous Challenge: Are you willing to step into unknown territory with a simple proclamation, “Jesus is risen!”? As you do, expect angelic help to open doors, to prepare hearts, and to bring unity.

Conclusion: Rise in Faith and See Angels at Work

Dear church, the resurrection message is an invitation to adventure: to live each day as if the stone has been rolled away from our own hearts. We are called to look for angels in the dawn - those messengers who remind us that death is defeated, that God’s power is at work, and that our mission is urgent.

Let us rise from our pews with Mary and the other women, carrying the spices of our gifts - our time, our talents, our treasures - anointing the world with the fragrance of Christ. And let us heed the angel’s words:
“Go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you” (Mark 16:7).

An angelic host surrounds this church - guarding, guiding, cheering us on. Open your eyes of faith, and believe that at this very hour, angels are helping you. May you sense their presence, follow their lead toward good works, and ever proclaim the glorious news: He has risen!

Alleluia! Amen.

- Blessing in the Face of Bitterness -

A quiet walk of grace through the storm, where prayer replaces retaliation and light leads the way.

📖 Scripture: Luke 6:28 (KJV)

“Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, today's sermon will be about a kind of love that doesn’t make sense to the world. It doesn’t shout back. It doesn’t seek revenge. It doesn’t even walk away with a smug “I told you so.” No, this kind of love blesses in the face of bitterness and prays in the presence of pain.

That’s the kind of love Jesus calls us to in Luke 6:28. And let’s be honest—it’s not easy. It’s not natural. But it is holy.

The Weight of the Words

Let’s break it down:

“Bless them that curse you” — That means when someone speaks harm over you, you speak healing over them.
“Pray for them which despitefully use you” — That means when someone manipulates, mistreats, or mocks you, you don’t retaliate. You intercede.

This isn’t weakness. This is warfare—spiritual warfare fought with grace instead of grudges.

The Power of Blessing

When you bless someone who cursed you, you’re not just releasing them—you’re releasing yourself. You’re saying:

And when you pray for someone who used you, you’re not pretending they were right. You’re inviting God to do what only He can do—change hearts, heal wounds, and bring justice in His time.

I’ve seen it in my own life. Folks who tried to tear down what we were building. People who mocked the ministry, doubted the calling, or tried to use kindness as a weakness.

But every time I chose to bless instead of bite back, something shifted. Not always in them—but always in me. My peace deepened. My purpose sharpened. And my porch got a little wider for the next weary soul who needed a place to rest.

Brothers and sisters, in conclusion, here’s the Three challenges, I bring before you today:

Who do you need to bless today?
Who’s been cursing you, and how can you respond with grace?
Who’s used you, and how can you pray for them—not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace?

This isn’t easy. But it’s holy. And it’s the kind of love that turns the world upside down.

Closing Prayer

Lord, give us the strength to bless when we want to break.

Give us the courage to pray when we want to protest.

And give us the grace to walk in Your footsteps,

even when the road is rough.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sermon by Reverend Danny Rhoades

October 31, 20

- The Lessons from the Book of Obadiah -

From Destruction to Restoration

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, today, we turn our hearts and minds to the Book of Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, yet rich with lessons that resonate through the ages. As we delve into these sacred scriptures, let us reflect on the themes of sin and destruction, the omnipotent Day of the Lord, the hopeful restoration of Israel, and the glorious vision of the Messiah’s eternal kingdom.

The Sin and Destruction of Edom

In Obadiah, we find the prophet speaking against the nation of Edom, descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother. The Edomites stood accused of pride, violence, and indifference. Obadiah 1:3 says, "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?"

Edom’s sin was not merely in their pride but in their failure to help their brother Israel during their time of need — indeed, they reveled in Israel’s downfall. This serves as a stark reminder to us all about the nature of sin. Sin often begins subtly, but it leads us to a path of destruction if left unchecked. It separates us from God and from one another, fostering division and strife.

Let us examine our hearts today. Are there areas in our lives where pride, indifference, or a lack of compassion have taken root? As a community united in Christ, let us commit to support and uplift each other, remembering Paul’s admonition in Galatians 6:2, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

Obadiah also speaks of the Day of the Lord, a time of divine judgment not only for Edom but for all nations. This day is not merely one of punishment but also one of divine justice and revelation. Obadiah 1:15 warns, "For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head."

This prophecy encourages us that wrongdoing will not prevail; God’s justice will ultimately triumph. The Day of the Lord is a reminder of God's sovereign rule over the world, and that every action we take has consequences in His divine economy.

As we anticipate this day, let us live in a manner that honors God, seeking justice and righteousness in our own lives and in the world around us.

Despite the grim prophecies against Edom, Obadiah ends with a note of hope — the restoration of Israel. Verses 19-21 depict a future where the exiles return and possess their inheritance. This promise of restoration is not just physical but spiritual, pointing forward to the work of Christ, who reconciles all things to Himself.

In our own lives, restoration and reconciliation should be a continual process. We are called to be agents of reconciliation, embodying the hope and healing found in Christ. Let us reach out to those estranged, offering forgiveness and seeking peace, modeling our Savior who reconciled us to God.

Finally, Obadiah, though focused on historical events, casts a vision towards the eternal kingdom of the Messiah. This kingdom is characterized by peace, justice, and the full knowledge of the Lord covering the earth as the waters cover the sea.

As believers, we are already citizens of this kingdom through Christ. Let us therefore live as ambassadors of this kingdom, spreading the good news of Christ’s love and the hope of His eternal reign. Let our lives reflect the values of this kingdom — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Brothers and sisters, in conclusion, the Book of Obadiah, though brief, challenges us to reflect deeply on sin, judgment, restoration, and the hope of the Messiah’s eternal kingdom. May we take to heart these lessons, allowing them to transform us more into the likeness of Christ.

Let us go forth in peace and love, bearing the light of Christ to a world in need of hope and restoration.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 1:24-25).

– INTRODUCTION –

🙏 Hi, my name is Reverend Danny Rhoades, and I’m a Baptized Christian

Ordained Minister of the “Universal Life Church Ministries.” My wife Minister Emily

Rhoades and I are also the owners of CowBoy’s Country Emporium, a

charming little country store located on Hwy. 276, between Emory and

Tawakoni, Texas. and we also operate a ministry called the “Rhoades Well

Traveled Ministry.” Our ministry aims to bring people of Christian faith

together by emphasizing what we all have in common.

"Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story."