Demas, The Backslider
Rex Yancey
2 Timothy 4:9-10
The apostle Paul is nearing the end of his life. He is in a Roman prison giving perhaps his final address to his protégé in ministry, Timothy.
Paul was loved and hated. He was supported and attacked. He was praised and cursed. You can say what you want to about him. But you will never be able to say his life was dull.
Demas was a promising associate of Paul. He was young, aggressive, and enthusiastic. But something went awry.
I have been in the ministry 55 years and I have seen many come and go. I have seen pastors, deacons, and good church workers abandon the Christian life. They were once excited about serving the Lord. They were some of the best workers in the church; but today they are nowhere to be found.
J. C. Ryle said, ''It is a miserable thing to be a backslider. Of all the unhappy things that can befall a man, I suppose backsliding is the worst. A stranded ship, a broken-winged eagle, a garden overrun with weeds, a harp without strings, a church in ruins-all these are sad sights. But a backslider is a sadder sight still.''
Demas is mentioned three times in Scripture. Colossians 4:14, ''Luke the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.'' Philemon 1:24, ''There salute you, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.'' And our text today. ''For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world...''
The name Demas means ''Popular.'' He perhaps had a winsome personality and made friends easily. Perhaps the name means that he was well known and well respected by others. However, in Christian circles today he has become popular for backsliding.
What happened in his life that caused him to abandon his Christian convictions?
1.HE FORGOT THE PRICE PAID FOR HIS SALVATION.
1 Corinthians 6:20 ''For you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.''
A.He was selfish.
He was living as though he belonged to himself. Once ...
Rex Yancey
2 Timothy 4:9-10
The apostle Paul is nearing the end of his life. He is in a Roman prison giving perhaps his final address to his protégé in ministry, Timothy.
Paul was loved and hated. He was supported and attacked. He was praised and cursed. You can say what you want to about him. But you will never be able to say his life was dull.
Demas was a promising associate of Paul. He was young, aggressive, and enthusiastic. But something went awry.
I have been in the ministry 55 years and I have seen many come and go. I have seen pastors, deacons, and good church workers abandon the Christian life. They were once excited about serving the Lord. They were some of the best workers in the church; but today they are nowhere to be found.
J. C. Ryle said, ''It is a miserable thing to be a backslider. Of all the unhappy things that can befall a man, I suppose backsliding is the worst. A stranded ship, a broken-winged eagle, a garden overrun with weeds, a harp without strings, a church in ruins-all these are sad sights. But a backslider is a sadder sight still.''
Demas is mentioned three times in Scripture. Colossians 4:14, ''Luke the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.'' Philemon 1:24, ''There salute you, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.'' And our text today. ''For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world...''
The name Demas means ''Popular.'' He perhaps had a winsome personality and made friends easily. Perhaps the name means that he was well known and well respected by others. However, in Christian circles today he has become popular for backsliding.
What happened in his life that caused him to abandon his Christian convictions?
1.HE FORGOT THE PRICE PAID FOR HIS SALVATION.
1 Corinthians 6:20 ''For you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.''
A.He was selfish.
He was living as though he belonged to himself. Once ...
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