Gospel According to Demas — E.A. Johnston

Luke and Demas as Companions of Paul

In Colossians 4 14 we read, Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Both of these men were yeasel to the Apostle Paul, and he considered them friends. But each man ultimately had a choice to make.

Luke's Faithful Record and Demas' Disappearance

One followed Christ and eventually wrote the book of Acts and the gospel of Luke. The other followed the world, and we never heard from him again. The last we hear of Demas is in Paul's letter to Timothy.

Demas Forsakes Paul for the Present World

In his closing words, he tenderly writes, Do that diligence to come surely unto me, for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed unto Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Only Luke is with me. Here we find Luke by Paul's side, comforting him and being there for him, whereas Demas turned his back on Paul and the gospel to go back into the world. I've seen this play out time and time again through the years with people I've known in the church.

The Gradual Drift from Christ to Worldly Pursuits

Early on, when they first become Christians, they get all on fire for God and can't stop talking about Jesus. Then, in time, they cool off. They talk less and less of Christ and more and more about their jobs or things of the world.

They get perhaps successful in business, join a country club, and their sports and amusements end up taking up all their free time. No longer do they have time for Bible study or sharing the gospel. Oh, they might still serve on a committee at church, but mainly it's because it gives them a good reputation and some business connections.

Ravenhill's Illustration of a Harmless Distraction

They, like Demas, have gone back into the world, and you never hear anything from them again. Leonard Ravenhill used to tell a story about a friend of his who was on fire for God. Every time he was around that man, all that friend wanted to talk about was Jesus.

And every time Leonard Ravenhill spent time with this friend, he himself became more thirsty for Christ and things of eternal worth. Do you know people like that friend? People that make you more thirsty for God?

Well, this man was like that. Every time he got around him, this man just wanted to talk about Jesus and winning souls. Then, one day, he began collecting stamps. As his stamp collection grew, so did his enthusiasm for stamp collecting.

Leonard Ravenhill said, This man called me up one day and said, Come on over to my house, and I'll show you my new stamp collection of British Colonials. I just paid $50 ,000 for them. Ravenhill said that pretty soon, this man no longer wanted to talk about Jesus or the things of God.

Examining What Has Stolen Our Affection for Jesus

He just wanted to talk about stamps, a harmless little thing like a stamp drew that man away from God. What is it with you? What is the thing, no matter how seemingly harmless, that has stolen your affection from Jesus?

Why is your Bible a closed book? Why is your prayer life so stale and infrequent? Why, oh, why is your walk with God so up and down? Is there anything in your life, friend, which has dampened your passion for Jesus and the spread of the gospel?

The Final Warning from Demas' Example

For Demas, it was the commerce of the world. When Demas went back into the world, that was the last we heard from him. Is the world hearing from you, friend?