THE
PROBLEM OF STAYING IN SERVICE

Text;
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and
walked no more with him.

Intro.
Why will some leave the Lord's service? The question is not new. Paul
had to face it, ("Demas hath forsaken me." "No man
stood by me.") He recognized the weakness of mankind when he
penned the words, Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well
doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

2 Th
3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

How
often have we spoken the wish,"If we could only have kept all
those who have gone through our baptistry!"

To
face the problem of keeping men in service we must find out why they
leave it. This requires searching for the various motivations people
have for entering the service of the Lord in the first place. When
one enters the Lord's service for the right reason he will not find
so many excuses for leaving it.

.I.
Why some start to follow Christ. {Some are saved, others are not.}

A.
To satisfy the desires of the flesh. John 6:26 Jesus answered
them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not
because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves,
and were filled.

The
need was a real one but not a lasting one.

1.Some
turn to the Lord to try to save a faltering marriage.. This can work
if one sees himself a sinner before God and truly repents. Otherwise,
when the situation changes, the desire to serve God leaves.

2.
At a personal crisis in one’s life. Fear of death; Facing a jail
sentence; loss of a job; bankruptcy; etc. When health is restored,
the charges are dismissed, or another job is offered, and the bank
account begins to grow, then where will Christ be, in the scheme of
things?

3.
For social contacts. One soon finds these can be had in less
demanding organizations.

4.As
a showcase for one's talents. "I can do this group a lot of
good!" Then a larger stage beckons.

5.
The emotional pressure of the moment. 'Summer-time religion. Soon
looks for a new 'high' somewhere else.

B.
To meet a recognized and deeply felt spiritual need. These are the
ones who stick.

1.They
see God, not as a crutch or a temporary aide, but as the Holy, Just
Creator who is the giver of and sustainer of life.

John
6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou
hast the words of eternal life.

John
6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son
of the living God.

2.They
have not come in pride, bearing gifts to appease Him, but in the
abject humility of repentance. {Not only admitting sin but changing
their views of it to see it with horror.}

3.
They have come, not to put God on trial to see if religion will work,
but rather in complete surrender.

4.
They have come in complete commitment to Him.

Peter,
James and John left their ship, Luke 5:11 And when they had
brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Matthew left his tax gatherers table. Luke 5:28 And he left all,
rose up, and followed him.

5.You
can't commit your life to Christ and expect 'business as usual'

a.
You family life will be changed.

b.
You goals in life will change.

c.
You might have to find a different job.

d.
You may lose a lot of friends. If you can't win them to Christ!}

e.
You might have to thin out your wardrobe!

f.
You will probably have to learn a new way of talking!

6.
Yet the cost is small, compared to what He has done for us.

2
Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though
he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his
poverty might be rich.

II.
Commit yourself.

A.
Not to the preacher, but to Christ.

B.
Not to follow christians but to Christ.

C.
Not to a certain job within the church, but to serve Christ,

D.
Not to satisfy some need within yourself, but to meet the demands of
a righteous God.

He
alone is unchanging and when we commit ourselves to Him for His
purposes, we will stick and find our needs are met in Him.