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. Pauls had to face it,"Demas hath forsaken me." "No man stood by me." He recognized the weakness of mankind when he penned these 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 might 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 and Just Creator who is the giver 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 trust and 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 have to give up a lot of friends. (If you can't win them to Christ!)
e. You might have to thin out your wardrobe! (or thicken it up)
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.