WE CAN’T AFFORD TO TURN BACK NOW
Acts 13:13
INTRODUCTION:
Story of John Mark, young brash, brave. Maybe thought it’d be cool to go with the great Apostle Paul on his Missionary journey.
Yet it says he turned back. We do not know why.
Perhaps it was:
Too rough Too hard Too much sickness Not enough recognition
Whatever the reason he did turn back.
Later we se him become a staunch supporter of the church, but just now he had quit.
Many today quit when the going gets a little tough.
The Bible says, “if footmen tire you what will horsemen do”
Jer 12:5
If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? (NIV)
As Christians we are in a war, a war for the souls of men & women, boys & girls.
We CANNOT be like Mark:
I. WE CAN’T AFFORD TO TURN BACK
A. From our Serving
1. Wholly to the Lord
Matt. 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Eph. 6:7
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
2. Give God as good a job as we used to give the Devil
John 4:34
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
B. From Our Sowing
Jesus said:
Matt. 28:19-20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1. The Harvest is great but the laborers are few
Luke 14:23
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
2. How – With Power
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
3. How – With tears
Psalm 126:5-6
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
B. From Our Supporting
Mal.3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
1 Cor. 16:2
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
1. Personal – YOU
2. Periodic – 1st day of wekk
3. As you have been prospered of the Lord.
Paul said God would supply our needs.
Phil 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
He dresses the flowers of the field
Feeds the birds of the air
Are not we more precious than these?
II. NO, WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO TURN BACK FROM THESE THINGS
A. Because we are too near Home
1. Closer today than yesterday or this morning
See Jesus face to face, no more tears, heartaches, pain, parting
Streets of gold, gates of pearl, JESUS!
B. Because there will be a reunion
Loved ones gone before be there to meet us.
All saints we read about in the Word
Most of all, see Jesus face to face
C. Because we are out to please God
Peter and John put in prison for healing lame man & told not to preach in Jesus’ name anymore.
Acts 4:19-20
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
We cannot but speak the things we have seen & heard. ARE WE?
Col. 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Most of us please men, doing the will of the crowd.
What of you? What are you doing?
CONCLUSION:
Have you turned back?
Whom are you pleasing?
