𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗦’ 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘 𝘃𝘀 𝗣𝗔𝗨𝗟’𝗦 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘

DEMAS’ ATTITUDE vs PAUL’S ATTITUDE
“Only One Finished Well”

Key Text: 2 Timothy 4:7–10 (KJV)

INTRODUCTION — Why This Contrast Matters

Not everyone who starts with Paul finishes like Paul.
Demas and Paul both labored in ministry.
Both knew truth.
Both served alongside the apostle.
Yet one loved this present world, and one loved Christ above all.

This is not a salvation issue—but a service, reward, and finishing issue (1 Cor. 3:11–15).
In the Dispensation of Grace, believers are secure—but faithfulness still matters.

Tonight, we will examine 9 contrasts that reveal why Demas deserted and why Paul endured.

PRIORITY — Worldly Affection vs Worthy Affection
2 Timothy 4:10; Philippians 1:21

A. Demas Prioritized the Present World
“Loved this present world” (2 Tim 4:10)
Temporal pleasure outweighed eternal purpose
B. Paul Prioritized the Person of Christ
“For me to live is Christ” (Phil 1:21)
Christ, not comfort, was central
C. Priority Determines Permanence
What you love decides how long you last
Colossians 3:2

PATH — Comfortable Retreat vs Costly Road
2 Timothy 4:10; Acts 20:24

A. Demas Chose the Easier Path
Walked away when pressure increased
B. Paul Chose the Calling Over Comfort
Finished the course regardless of cost
C. The Narrow Path Produces Eternal Gain
Matthew 7:14 (applied spiritually)

PERSEVERANCE — Abandonment vs Abiding
Colossians 4:14; 2 Corinthians 11:23–27

A. Demas Abandoned the Ministry
Left when sacrifice intensified
B. Paul Abided Through Affliction
Shipwrecks, stripes, prisons
C. Endurance Marks Faithful Servants
2 Timothy 2:3

PERSPECTIVE — Sight-Driven vs Faith-Driven
2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20

A. Demas Walked by Sight
Visible loss discouraged him
B. Paul Walked by Faith
Lived by Christ living in him
C. Faith Sees Beyond Circumstances
Hebrews 11:6

PRESSURE — Flight from Suffering vs Fellowship in Suffering
2 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 2:9–10

A. Demas Fled the Fire
Departed when persecution rose
B. Paul Fellowshipped in Christ’s Sufferings
Rejoiced even while chained
C. Suffering Refines Servants
Philippians 3:10

PURPOSE — Earthly Ease vs Eternal Evangelism
2 Timothy 4:10; Colossians 1:25

A. Demas Drifted from Purpose
Ministry no longer worth the cost
B. Paul Devoted Himself to the Mystery
“To fulfill the word of God”
C. Purpose Anchors the Soul
Ephesians 3:1–9

POWER — Self-Preservation vs Spirit-Empowerment
2 Timothy 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:17

A. Demas Preserved Himself
Avoided danger
B. Paul Relied on the Lord’s Strength
“The Lord stood with me”
C. God’s Power Sustains Faithful Workers
2 Corinthians 12:9

PERFORMANCE — Unfinished Race vs Finished Fight
2 Timothy 4:7–10

A. Demas Did Not Finish Well
Good start, poor ending
B. Paul Finished His Course
Faith kept, fight fought
C. Finishing Matters More Than Starting
1 Corinthians 9:24

PRIZE — Temporal Loss vs Eternal Reward
2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Corinthians 3:13–15

A. Demas Forfeited Reward
Saved, yet empty-handed
B. Paul Anticipated the Crown
Righteous Judge rewards faithfulness
C. Rewards Are Grace-Motivated, Not Law-Earned
Romans 8:18

CONCLUSION — Two Men, Two Loves, Two Outcomes

Demas was saved, but sidetracked.
Paul was saved, and steadfast.
This passage is not about losing salvation—
It is about losing reward, testimony, and finishing well.
The question is not: Are you saved?
The question is: Who do you love more?

CALL TO ACTION — Choose the Pauline Path

Examine your affection — What pulls your heart?
Embrace your calling — Don’t trade purpose for pleasure
Endure to the end — Finish your course
Live for the crown — Not comfort
2 Timothy 2:15
1 Corinthians 15:58

FINAL THOUGHTS — Only One Finished Well

Demas loved this present world.
Paul loved the appearing of Christ.
Both were saved.
Only one finished well.
Be a PAUL—Not a DEMAS.
Live for eternity—not ease.
Finish faithful.