Tale of Three Men
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Abandonment and gratitude
Abandonment and gratitude
Paul is drawing to an end of his journey and the end of his letter, his final writings. This morning we start a journey at looking at significant people to Paul, and to the church. All for our understanding.
(insert personal story) people who have impacted in positive, negative and in restoration ways)
Now as for our characters, but need to keep in context and back up a verse
9 Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
First we have Timothy, in Ephesus whom Paul wants to come to him.
Demas who deserted Him
Crescens who left to Galatia
Titus who left to Dalmatia
Luke who is with him
Mark whom Paul requests to come too.
This morning we are going to look at three of the men and the examples they set so to see what we can learn, Demas, Luke and Mark. A tale of three men.
The apostate Demas
The steadfast Luke
The penitent Mark
The Apostate Demas
The Apostate Demas
The story, the questions raised regarding Demas and the apostate today.
Demas served as a fellow laborer with Paul (Phm1:24; Col4:14)
He is noted as one with Paul sending greetings to others
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
And to the church at Colossi
14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
This was during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment
(Transition) though a servant who Paul thought highly of he, at the end of his life was abandon, forsook by Demas.
Yet he forsake Paul (2Tim4:10)
10 Demas fell in love with this present world and has deserted me, going off to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Hendrickson states “not that he merely left Paul, but left him in a lurch, abandoned Paul”
Why did He do it, our verse tells us “He loved the present world”
This is different then the one who has the world choke out the word (Mk4:19), but the one who willingly because of the world and the things of the world leaves the truth. Makes me think of (Rom1:22-32) where they traded the truth
He loved the world more (2Tim4:10; 1Jn2:15-17)
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
Here is what some commentators had to say regarding Demas loving the world
Barnes/Gill both state “He did not want to die”
Clarke “He reverted back to Judaism”
Erdman “The tradition of most is that he became as apostate from the faith”
(Transition) any way about it, it was not good. Paul was left in a lurch at a minimum, and at worst he forsook his faith and forsook the Lord and fell away from the Lord. In other words chose to give up his salvation.
Now, something to ponder, to consider:
Will we follow the apostate Demas, can we?
Can we start a life of faith become an apostate?
To fall from grace (Gal5:4)
Gal5:4 “4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”
To be entangled by the world (2Pt2:20-22)
2Pt2:20-22 “20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.””
To fall from our steadfastness (2Pt3:17)
2pt3:17 “17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,”
To become hardened by sins deceitfulness (Heb3:12-14)
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
Don’t stop, press on, reach forward. For we can get caught back up into the world like Demas and give it up.
To love the world , and be distracted by the world and render us fruitless (Lk8:14)
14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
We don’t want to be distracted by the worries of the world, the riches of the world, the deceitfulness of sin and render ourselves fruitless. For a disciple is known by their fruit according to Jesus (Mt7:15-20; ref only)
(Transition) Do not forsake your faith! Now may we look at our next person? When I say forsake it is not a slip, it is a decision, it is not a sin, but a habit of sin, it is not just not walking with God, but walking against God.
Our next person set’s a different example.
The steadfast Luke
The steadfast Luke
Luke the author of the gospel after researching for Theophilus and the writer of Acts because he wanted to continue about what Jesus both did and what He taught. He is our example of steadfast, let’s look together.
Luke labored with Paul (Col4:11, 14, Act16:10-22, 20:3-5)
In Col4:11 Paul is starting to make mention of those who labored with him on the missionary trips and in (v.14) he mentions Luke
Col4:14 “14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.”
Then we see further proof
10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis;
Notice the word “we” Luke the writer of Acts is now inserting himself, which means he is travelling with Paul now.
And further evidenced
3 And there he spent three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 But these had gone on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas.
Here we see the word “us” so Luke was with Paul here on the 3rd missionary trip too.
Then there is still more about the steadfast Luke
Luke went to Paul in Rome in prison (Act27:1, 28:16)
1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius.
Here is the we,
16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
There is no evidence that Luke was under arrest, but while Paul was, he still stayed with Paul, ministered to Paul, suffered with Paul
Luke proved himself to be steadfast and faithful Christian (2Cor8:18-19; Phm1:24; Col4:14; 2Tim4:11)
There is a good chance he is the brother sent with Titus to travel and partake of the gracious works being done in and for the gospel (you can look at (2Cor8:18-19)
24 And also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, workers together with me, send greetings.
and we have looked at Col4:14 “14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.” - before and 2Tim4:11 from our passage today. So Luke the faithful, the steadfast was with Paul in his last days.
(Transition) again we get to a point maybe can can do some self examination on looking at Luke’s example and can we follow his example.
Can we live a life characterized by faith and being steadfast in the Lord (1Cor15:58; Heb3:14)?
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
Or as written by the Hebrew writer
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
Other examples were church of Colossi to Paul (Col2:5) and the members of the household of Stephanus (1Cor16:15-18)
Listen to the words of Paul to the brethren in Colossi. col2:5 “5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.”
Or the household of Stephanus
15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
17 I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
Faithful, steadfast, giving! What great examples of being steadfast we have, may we prayerfully strive to be steadfast like that.
(Transition) With such a contrast between the apostate Demas and the steadfast/faithful Luke, there is still one more to look at today.
The Penitent Mark
The Penitent Mark
Mark, also known as John Mark, cousin to Barnabas, son of Mary (Act12:12). Has an amazing story that we can learn from.
He was a man who joined in prayer (Act12:12)
12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Who travelled with Paul and Barnabus (Act12:25, 13:5)
act12:25 “25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.”
5 When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper.
Mark not just a proclaimer but a helper too. but yet he left the mission field and returned to Jerusalem, and that did not set well with Paul (Act13:13; Act15:36-41)
36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also.
38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.
40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Later, Mark redeemed himself and was useful to Paul again in the ministry as noted in our passage (v.11) and we have looked at (Col4:10 and Phm1:24) previously.
He was useful and dear to Peter too (1Pt5:13)
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark.
He is author of Gospel of Mark
He died in Alexandria of Egypt, sometime between 62-68 depending on historians, but was by rope around the neck and dragged through the streets
(Transition) - In looking at the shortcoming and the restoration to service of Mark we have seen a few things and can we learn and follow, if needed, his example?
Is our commitment, our engagement, our service all that it should be? That can be corrected!
Have we not been as steadfast and faithful as Luke, we can readjust and recommit.
May we not be lukewarm Christian Rev3:15-16 “15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”
Or an apostate christian like Demas who forsook the faith, we can repent, and return, be restored
Mistakes can be corrected, sins can be forgiven
May we be a people who accept opportunities for restoration and for service
May we be a people even if we stumble or get stalled out in our awalk, can bet back up and continue the race
12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
(invitation slide- who do you serve)
in closing may we remember the difference is determined by the direction of your devotion - Mark Copeland. So, love the Lord and serve the Lord, engage with the Lord!
Invitation - (Song) (Prayer) (Exit)