Read: 2 Timothy 4:9-18
When the Apostle Paul penned these words he was doing so from prison. At this time in his life he was old, probably sick, but above all lonely! Paul's greatest need was fellowship. During his ministry he was often surrounded by his fellow workers. He would also have younger men around him who were just starting out in the ministry, and Paul was their mentor. Perhaps this was why it was so difficult for Paul when Demas left him and the ministry. Demas had been referred to by Paul as a 'fellow-labourer' in his epistle to Philemon, but now he was to be known as the quitter. What a terrible label to carry for the rest of your life!
Growing in up in my neighborhood that was one of the worst names someone could use against me. To call me a quitter! It was usually followed by the chant, 'Winners never quit and quitters never win!'
(Galatians 6:9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
In this passage, Paul challenges the believers in the churches of Galatia to 'faint not' and to not quit 'well doing' or doing that which is right. Let's talk about quitting this morning. [2] There are times when…
I. We Should Quit
A. When we are going in the wrong direction.
1. There is no virtue in continuing down the wrong path.
2. We often do this…perhaps we men more so than the women…
3. But once we find ourselves heading in the wrong direction…we need to turn around.
4. The Bible calls that 'Repentance'
a. Repent means to change direction…first in our thinking…
b. And then in our actions or behavior.
c. We must turn to Jesus Christ and away from our sin and self.
d. We do that when we exercise faith in God's only way of salvation…Jesus Christ.
e. When we turn away from our religion…our efforts…and embrace the truth that Jesus Christ died on Calvary in our place to bring us eternal life!
f. That is what Jesus was talking about in Luke 13
(Luke 13:3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
5. This morning if you have never trusted Christ as Savior, you are headed in the wrong direction
6. You need to quit…and turn to Jesus by faith!
B. A Biblical example. Cf Luke 15:17-20
1. The lesson of the prodigal son is one of when we should quit.
2. As believers, we sometimes stray from the path…we get sidetracked by this world or our own sinful ambition.
3. When that happens, we need to quit!
4. We need to return to the Father!
5. For some it may take longer than others, but when we realize we are headed in the wrong direction…we need to quit and get back to God.
6. For some this morning…this may be exactly what you need to do.
a. There was a time when you faithfully served God with your life…
b. But something distracted you …something caused you to get sidetracked …something caused you to start down a path that would ultimately lead to heartache and sorrow.
c. It is time to quit and get back to God.
d. Why continue down that path any longer?
e. 'And when he came to himself…he arose and came to his father.'
II. We Think We Should Quit
A. Sometimes we get hurt and we allow our emotions to take over and want to quit.
1. We must be careful not to allow ourselves to be controlled by our emotions.
2. As Christians, we are to be filled with the Spirit of God.
3. That means we are to be under His control, not our emotions.
4. More often than not, when we allow our emotions to control us the results will be regrettable. Ex. Jephthah's foolish vow
(Ecclesiastes 7:9) Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
B. Sometimes we feel we are so tired that we cannot go on.
1. Example of the Bataan Death March.
a. In April 1942 in the early days of WWII, approximately 70,000 captive soldiers were forced by the Japanese army to march 100 kilometers in the hot Philippine sun with little or no food or water.
b. A survivor of the march said this, "You would be amazed how far you can go after you're so tired you think you must quit, when you know that if you do you'll get a bayonet through your back or a bullet through your head."
2. It is natural for us to become tired in our service for God…
3. But we must not quit serving Him, even if we think it is justified.
(Isaiah 40:31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
4. God has promised to renew our strength if we don't quit.
III. We Shouldn't Think About Quitting
A. We are what we think…
1. Does that sound like pop psychology?
2. Well it isn't… it is Bible!
(Proverbs 23:7a) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
3. What does that mean? If we fill our hearts with thoughts of giving up…with thoughts of quitting…
4. Before long…we will quit!
5. In pre-marital counseling I will ask the couple what their plans are for their 25th wedding anniversary.
6. Why…I want them to think about their commitment in the long term.
7. How do we think about our commitment to Christ? Is it in the long term? It should be!
B. What are we thinking?
1. Are we thinking about quitting? Are we thinking about giving up?
2. There is a blessing to those who do not quit.
3. "… In due season we shall reap if we faint not."
4. Don't quit…don't give up…there is too much at stake.
Someone has said that "If Columbus had turned back no one would have blamed him, but then no one would have remembered him either". The margin between success and failure is often determined by one's determination not to quit.
What is our determination this morning? Come to the Lord today! If you have never trusted in the finished work of Jesus Christ for your salvation, determine to come now! 'Now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation.'
Christian, what are you thinking this morning? Are you thinking about quitting? Have you been hurt or discouraged? Don't quit! Growing weary and think you cannot go on? Don't quit! Have you thought about giving up on that friend or loved one who needs to come to Christ? Don't quit! The songwriter put it this way, "I have decided to follow Jesus…no turning back…no turning back."