Demas, a Tragic Failure
II Timothy 4:1-10
Text (emphasize verse 10)
Last chapter from Paul.
a. Saddest statement he ever wrote.
b. In Prison awaiting execution.
c. Dedicated his life to the souls of others.
d. Sorely needed the support and the companionship of his friends.
e. But Demas forsook him, no doubt fearing a like fate and specifically loving this present world.
Demas a minor character of the New Testament.
f. Only mentioned three times.
g. Yet is probably more familiar then those who are named more often.
Col. 4:14- part of a team.
Philemon 24- what a title.
But the last recorded words…
I Cor.10: 12
h. Even a close companion and co-worker of Paul could fall away.
i. His case definitely presents a warning to ourselves but first we want to consider that there was a time when the story of Demas was a happier one.
Though not recorded, his Christian life must have started in a wonderful way.
A. When one becomes a Christian it is always a wonderful experience.
1. Acts 8:39
2. Acts 16:33-34
3. Perhaps you can remember your own conversion.
B. When we consider the case of Demas, we know that there was a time when he believed and obey the gospel.
1. All New Testament conversions follow the same pattern.
2. Acts 2:41
3. Acts 17:30
4. Rom. 10:10
5. Acts 2:38
6. Don’t know who baptized him but imagine if it was Paul, or Peter…
C. Yes, Demas’ Christian life must have begun in a wonderful way.
1. But we are not talking just about Demas. To make this lesson useful we nee to recall, once again, the happy occasion when we were baptized.
2. The point to remember is that it was the greatest event in our lives. It was a time when we were determined that we were going to live right and be dedicated Christians.
There was a time when Demas was a faithful and loyal worker (Philemon 24).
D. "Fellow laborers"
E. He was living the Christian life
F. He was a worker, a fellow laborer with Paul himself.
G. Everyone should be a worker for the Lord.
1. I Cor. 15:58
2. It can’t be said that everyone is a fellow laborer. We don’t want to seem harsh, but think about it.
a. Laborers—Affiliated
b. Workers—Watchers
c. Do things—Others let them
d. Zealous—Satisfied
e. Fire—Lukewarm
f. Second mile—Do the minimum
g. Do all they can do to build up the church—But with others if it were left up to them the church would die
H. If Philemon 24 had been the last word.
But Paul wrote about, his one time co-worker, friend, and brother (II Tim. 4:10)
I. He forsook Paul, the cause, and Christ.
J. Some do not believe it is possible to fall, but here is someone who did.
K. The Bible abounds with warnings of falling.
1. Lk. 14:28-30
2. Lk. 8:13
3. Gal. 5:7
4. Heb. 10:35
5. II Pet. 2:20-22
L. How did this happen to Demas?
1. Could guess many things.
2. The simple answer is that he loved this present world.
3. His love for the world overcame his love for Christ.
M. When a person tries to hold on to hold on to the world with one hand while holding on the Lord with the other, there will be a tug-of-war and the world usually wins.
1. Mt. 6:24
2. I Jn. 2:15
N. I’m sure it was a gradual thing with Demas. So it is with us.
Leave you with these words from Heb. 2:1-3
James Pharr
Lenoir, NC