Lessons From A Failure 1 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for

Lessons From A Failure

1

for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

2 Timothy 4:10

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3


The general rule for a person that is intent on starting a new business is to study other business like the one they want to start. They study the methods of those that have preceded them and use the methods of those who were successful.

2


The main business of a Christian is the Christian life. It is the "vocation" that is above everything else that the person might do. The gain of success in this business is great. But the loss if it should fail is even greater.

3


In the New Testament, both the successes and the failures are presented to us. Paul is an example of one of those that are successful. He always had others with him. Some were preachers, such as Timothy and Titus. Others that were with him, we might not know just exactly what their duties were. But they were there, none the less.

4


During his first imprisonment at Rome, he had with him, among other Demas (Col. 4:14). When Paul wrote to Philemon, he called Demas a fellow worker (Philemon 24).

5

Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

Colossians 4:14

as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

Philemon 24


In the 2nd imprisonment Paul was treated as a felon (2 Tim 2:9) and writes of Demas for the last time (2 Tim 4:10).

6

for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

2 Timothy 2:9


What a sad commentary, "Demas has forsaken me." That means more than just being separated. From this we can learn several important lessons.

7


Freedom Of Human Will Demas acted voluntarily.

Man has the power to make choices - Deut 30:19; Matt 11:28; Rom 6:16

8


9

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;”

Deuteronomy 30:19

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Romans 6:16


Freedom Of Human Will We don't know what made him

go away. He was exercising his own will.Perhaps divided allegiance and companionship - 1 Cor. 15:33

10


11

Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

1 Corinthians 15:33Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals.“ (NASV)Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (KJV)


Freedom Of Human Will We don't know what made him

go away. He was exercising his own will.Perhaps divided allegiance and companionship - 1 Cor. 15:33

In our day, it could have been Television, Computer, Movies, etc.

Many are charmed by the allurement of easy money.

12


Possibilities Of Apostasy Demas ceased to be what he

had been as a Christian.Love of the world had come in - 1 Jn 2:15

13


14

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.

1 John 2:15


Possibilities Of Apostasy Demas ceased to be what he

had been as a Christian.Love of the world had come inTo that extent he had apostatized

15


Possibilities Of Apostasy The theory of the "Impossibility

of Apostasy" is taught widely by most religions.But if man cannot fall

•He has lost his power of choice•No freedom of will

The Bible say man can fall - Ezek 18:24; 1 Cor 10:12; Heb 3:12-13

16


17

“But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.”

Ezekiel 18:24

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 10:12

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13


Apostasy Is Always Gradual None go astray all at once

Change may take yearsBut there are certain symptoms

•Decides to find fault with everybody and everything

•Extreme sensitiveness•Repeated absence from assemblies•Lack of Bible study and prayer

18


Apostasy Is Always Gradual Time to check apostasy in

the first stages

19


Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes Demas still had sense of

judgmentAs far as we know he still believed

20


Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes Simply allowed love of world to

grow until overbalanced live for Christ.Then he forsook the Lord."We know the right, approve it tooCondemn the wrong, yet the wrong pursue“

This saying solves many riddlesIt explains our inconsistencies

21


Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes Illustration of man drinking

to the neglect of his family. Why?

22


Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes All will agree that man's

mental capabilities are far superior to his physicalBut if there is a big game on TV, will stay home instead of going to services

If some attraction comes to town: will go there with the crowd 23


Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes Many times those in the

church are controlled more by sentiment rather then the word.Many problems in the church, but questions of Immodest Dress or Marriage/Divorce cannot be discussed with many because of sentiment 24



church are controlled more by sentiment rather then the word.Giving is discussed as plain as baptism in the Bible yet is controlled by personal desires

25



church are controlled more by sentiment rather then the word.It is the same with almost all endeavors

26


Tastes Can Be Cultivated Illustrations

Certain foodsSocietyWicked companyTrashy literature

27


Tastes Can Be Cultivated Sin is usually abhorrent at first

But one may so familiarize themselves with it

Until its ugliness disappears

28


Tastes Can Be Cultivated When one enters the church,

he is a babeServices cannot appeal to him as to one older in the Lord

But he cultivates that joyNo earthly pastimes come before - Psa 84:10

29


When we look at the examples of those who have gone before us, we need to be careful about what we see, and how we interpret the data given.

30


We have the ability to make a choice as to whether we will follow those that were successful or those that failed. Whatever we do, will determine our eternal existence.

31

Documents

Lessons From A Failure 1 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for