Who Are You?

The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on February 11, 2024.

II Timothy 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

Paul was in jail awaiting death. Tradition says he was beheaded. He desired to see Timothy one more time. Six people are mentioned here by Paul.  I ask you. Who are you like?  Who do you want to be like?

Tychicus. He was a utility man. In baseball, the utility player can play any position on the field. Timothy was in Ephesus pastoring the church and couldn’t get away. Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus so that Timothy could come see him. Tychicus was willing to go fill in. We need those kinds of people in every church–willing to be used whether as an usher, a teacher or whatever the need.  Tychicus may not have done as well as Timothy was doing, but he was willing to serve. Do we want the Lord to use us where he needs us?

Mark. He was earlier known for being a quitter. But he became faithful.  Back in Acts 15 we read the story of an argument between Paul and Barnabas. Paul wanted to go back to see how churches that had been started were doing. Barnabas wanted Mark to go; Paul did not. It was because Mark had bailed on a previous trip. So these two men separated, agreeing to disagree. Paul took Silas with him. Barnabas took Mark.  God used this. Now instead of one missionary team going out; two went.  I believe that Paul and Barnabas still loved each other even though they disagreed.  We will disagree about things but we don’t have to get mad and fall out.  Mark is the ideal illustration of a person getting away from God. He failed–we all do. But Mark didn’t let it stop him and keep him down. You may experience failure but you can still be used by God. Near the end of his life, who was one of the men Paul asked for:  Mark.

Luke. Faithful always. The wise old veteran stayed with Paul. He was not deterred by any of the things that happened to Paul or himself. He just kept hanging in there. We need these kinds of people. I’ve never been to a perfect church. Why? Churches are made up of imperfect people. The devil likes to throw cogs in the wheel to stop the work of God. We need these “Timex” Christians who “take a licking and keep on ticking.”  They’ve seen it all but they stay put. Luke was a stayer.  Paul felt certain Luke would stay with him. I want to be a Luke and be that faithful to what God wants.

Titus. He fits many of us. He was faithful but had a tendency to get discouraged. We all get that way from time to time.  In the book of Titus we find he wanted to leave the church. Paul wrote that letter to him encouraging him not to give up. Pray for me as your pastor. It’s very easy for a pastor to get discouraged. If I do, it will affect this church. I believe God’s people ought to live right so when we see things going on, it can be discouraging. In each of our lives any number of things can bring discouragement: death, divorce, illness.  Discouragement robs our joy.  So, hang in there!  Don’t give up!

Crescens. We don’t know anything else about him. He must have been faithful and pleased God. This is the only place he’s mentioned. We may assume that all the unnamed people in Hebrews 11 included Crescens. He just worked. No pats on the back.  Just worked. We won’t always get noticed and recognized but keep working for the Lord.

Demas. He left Paul.  He had been faithful but became a quitter. He loved this present world more than the work of God. He set his affections on earth, not heaven. He cared more for this world than the next. Don’t be a Demas. 

Look back at these men.  Who are you?  Who do you want to be?  Let God use you where he wants. Be more faithful. Don’t be discouraged. Serve without recognition. Let’s all strive to be a Luke remaining faithful to the end.