Lessons From A Failure

1. Lessons From A Failure 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

2. Lessons From A Failure • 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.

3. Lessons From A Failure • 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.

4. Lessons From A Failure • 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.

5. Lessons From A Failure • 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). as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. Philemon 24 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Colossians 4:14

6. Lessons From A Failure • 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). 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

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

8. Lessons From A Failure • Freedom Of Human Will • Demas acted voluntarily. • Man has the power to make choices - Deut 30:19; Matt 11:28; Rom 6:16

9. Lessons From A Failure “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

10. Lessons From A Failure • 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

11. Lessons From A Failure Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals.“ (NASV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (KJV)

12. Lessons From A Failure • 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.

13. Lessons From A Failure • 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

14. Lessons From A Failure 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

15. Lessons From A Failure • Possibilities Of Apostasy • Demas ceased to be what he had been as a Christian. • Love of the world had come in • To that extent he had apostatized

16. Lessons From A Failure • 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

17. Lessons From A Failure “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

18. Lessons From A Failure • Apostasy Is Always Gradual • None go astray all at once • Change may take years • But there are certain symptoms • Decides to find fault with everybody and everything • Extreme sensitiveness • Repeated absence from assemblies • Lack of Bible study and prayer

19. Lessons From A Failure • Apostasy Is Always Gradual • Time to check apostasy in the first stages

20. Lessons From A Failure • Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes • Demas still had sense of judgment • As far as we know he still believed

21. Lessons From A Failure • 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 too Condemn the wrong, yet the wrong pursue“ • This saying solves many riddles • It explains our inconsistencies

22. Lessons From A Failure • Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes • Illustration of man drinking to the neglect of his family. Why?

23. Lessons From A Failure • Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes • All will agree that man's mental capabilities are far superior to his physical • But 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

24. Lessons From A Failure • 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

25. Lessons From A Failure • Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes • Many times those in the 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

26. Lessons From A Failure • Actions In Life Controlled More By Likes And Dislikes • Many times those in the church are controlled more by sentiment rather then the word. • It is the same with almost all endeavors

27. Lessons From A Failure • Tastes Can Be Cultivated • Illustrations • Certain foods • Society • Wicked company • Trashy literature

28. Lessons From A Failure • Tastes Can Be Cultivated • Sin is usually abhorrent at first • But one may so familiarize themselves with it • Until its ugliness disappears

29. Lessons From A Failure • Tastes Can Be Cultivated • When one enters the church, he is a babe • Services cannot appeal to him as to one older in the Lord • But he cultivates that joy • No earthly pastimes come before - Psa 84:10

30. Lessons From A Failure • 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.

31. Lessons From A Failure • 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.