Keep your eyes on Jesus

2 Timothy 4:9–18 KJV 1900

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 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.

I. Retreating

Demas had forsaken Paul even though he started off well.

Colossians 4:14 NKJV

Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

II. Relocating

Crescens and Titus

III. Remaining

Luke

Colossians 4:14 NKJV

Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

IV. Returning

Mark

Acts 15:37–39 NKJV

Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

V. Reprobate

Alexander the coppersmith

Acts 19:33 NKJV

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.

1 Timothy 1:20 NKJV

of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

VI. Refreshing

Priscila and Aquila

Acts 18:1–3 NKJV

After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

VII. Removed

Onesiphorus had died.

2 Timothy 1:16–18 NKJV

The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

VIII. Retired