What Kind Of Servant Are You?

What Kind Of Servant Are You?

Copyright © June 2010 by Rev. Donnie L. Martin. All Rights Reserved

Text: 2 Tim. 4:9-22

I. FORSAKING SERVANTS

A. Demas Forsook The Lord Because Of Covetousness.

B. Demas Forsook The Lord Because Of Corruption.

II. FAILING SERVANTS

A. Mark Was The Servant Who Ran.

B. Mark Was The Servant Who Was Restored.

III. FAITHFUL SERVANTS

A. Luke Was A Steadfast Servant.

B. Luke Was A Smart Servant.

Intro: In the last chapter of Second Timothy, Paul gives some final instructions to Timothy. This young preacher is exhorted to be faithful in preaching the Word (vss. 1-4); to be serious about the ministry (v. 5a); and to fulfill the ministry to which God had called him (v. 5b).

In this morning’s text, Paul not only gives some general instructions, but also mentions a number of fellow laborers in the work of God. For the purpose of today’s message, I want to focus on three people mentioned in verses 10 & 11. Paul makes mention of a man named Demas, then Luke, the physician; and finally, John Mark. Each of these men is representative of a particular type of service to the Lord. As we examine these men, and the type of service they rendered to Christ, we need to come to some conclusions about our own Christian service. What kind of servants are we? Are we living a life committed to pleasing Christ, or are we living a life characterized by self-interest and preoccupation with the things of the world? The real answers to those questions are obtained by an honest desire and willingness for the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts, and show us what’s there.

The fact is that God knows what kind of servants we are. All our rationalizing won’t change what He knows to be true of us. Only as we willingly submit to His examination, and admit that His findings are true, will we have any hope of being different.

Theme: Some of God’s servants are:

I. FORSAKING SERVANTS

2 Tim. 4:10a “For Demas hath forsaken me…”

A. Demas Forsook The Lord Because Of Covetousness.

2 Tim. 4:10a “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…”

1. God’s Word warns us against worldly infatuation.

1 John 2:15a “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…”

Col. 3:2 “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”

NOTE: Please note that First John 2:15 does not tell us that it is wrong to possess things of the world. It does say however, that we are not to be in love with them. As I’ve stated before: There is a big difference between a Christian possessing things, and things possessing a Christian. Being covetous of what the world has can be deadly.

Recently I laid a small circle of poison around a hill of stinging ants. Thinking the tiny granules of poison were food, the ants began to pick them up and carry them throughout the colony.

I returned later to see how well the poison was working. Hundreds of the stinging ants were carrying the poison down into their hill. Then I noticed a hole in the circle of poison. Some of the poison was moving the opposite way—away from the hill. Some smaller, non-stinging ants had found this “food” and were stealing it from their ant neighbors. Thinking they were getting the other ants’ treasure, they unwittingly poisoned themselves.

When we see someone with more than we have, we must beware. The hunger to beg, borrow, or steal our way into what is theirs may poison us spiritually.1

2. Riches and worldly goods are unstable investments.

1 Tim. 6:17 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”

Prov. 23:5 “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

NOTE: No matter how much money or things a person is able to accumulate they won’t be able to keep it.

If thou art rich, thou art poor, for like an ass whose back with ingots bows, thou bearest thy heavy riches but a journey, and death unloads thee.2

3. Ultimately worldly gain is not important.

Matt. 6:31 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Matt. 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”