What happened to Demas?

“Ye are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

The average life-span of a soul winning Christian is dwindling. Twenty-five years ago it was said to be seven years. From the time they first get Saved and active in the Church, until the FBI can’t find them to get them in Church. Fifteen years ago it was five years… Now, some say it is three…

I want to consider a Biblical character that is indicative of this problem, and can give us some answers why we see this happening—and that is Demas. He is a character in the Bible that many Christians know little about. Many of us have heard sermons in Church about Demas, usually stemming from one single verse...

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…” (II Timothy 4:10)

I want to simply look at what we know about Demas, and see WHY it was that he departed from the work.

“Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.” (Colossians 4:14)

In this passage, written in AD 62, we see that Demas was mentioned as a Dedicated Secondary. He was someone who was apparently involved enough, and familiar to the Church at Colossi, to where Paul felt a salutation from him was warranted. He had just started his ministry, and was like a match that is just being lit.

“Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-labourers.” (Philemon 1:24)

In this passage, written in AD 63, we see that Demas was recognized not only as involved with the work, but as being Diligent in Service. He was a fellow-laborer with Paul, and obviously of great value. Often we refer to someone that is actively serving as “On Fire” for God, and in his case this was like a burning match with a clear flame.

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…” (II Timothy 4:10)

In this final passage, written in AD 66, we see that Demas is being lamented as having Departed from Service. We do not know the exact circumstances of his departure, but the strong wording by Paul, as he considered it a forsaking leads one to believe it wasn’t a pleasant departure. As we consider his service we could say that he was “Burnt Out” and out of fuel, like a burned out match.

The problem that we see is that Demas burnt out too quickly. Like a lit match that can only burn so long as it has fuel, which is the wood it is made from, he was burning in his own strength and had a short life.

We need to remember this:

“The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord…” (Proverbs 20:27)

We need to be like a candle, not a match. A candle has a string wick, which is no different from wood; it will burn out quickly on its own. BUT, what the candle has, in addition, is a layer of wax. That wax is the real fuel that burns slowly and keeps the wick from burning out too quickly.

The question we must ask is simply what is the wax that will keep the Christian burning longer?

Prayer- Philippians 4:6-7

Reading God’s Word- Psalm 119:11

Church/Fellowship with believers- Matthew 18:20

These are the things that will fuel a Christian’s life so they can continue to burn brightly for the Lord. Ask yourself... Are you keeping yourself covered?