WHY MOST CHRISTIANS FAIL TO BECOME GOOD CHRISTIANS
Text: Acts 15:35-40 II Timothy 4:6-11
Have you ever seen somebody get saved and join the church or maybe some family joins the church and the first thing you think is,
"Boy, these are going to be good people."
After they have joined the church, they asked for that Sunday school class, or bus route that no one wants.
They take a load that older and or a mature Christians should have. But, all the time in your mind you are saying "Boy these folks are going to be great!"
And then you watch them grow. They are faithful to all services, including Wednesday night and you get excited about it. For a pastor this is a dream come true. To watch someone get save and grow in the Lord.
Then all of a sudden, you notice "Hey, they are missing a lot of services."
Just a few to start with scattered out through a couple of months. They come up with some pretty good excuses, but you know what is coming. And they quit all together.
This is a tragedy, and by the way you if your not a Christian (saved - born again) how could you ever expect to succeed in the Christian Life.
So First of all let us see what is a Christian.
Then secondly why does he fail.
I. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
The word "Christian" only appears three times in the bible.
Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, I Peter 4:16.
In Acts 11:26 we find that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
So from this we gather that a Christian is:
A. One That Has Believed That Christ Is His Savior.
B. One That Followed The Teachings Of Jesus Christ Only.
C. One That Experiences A Change.
1. Changed life-style.
2. Change in behavior.
Paul had lived this kind of testimony, turn to Acts 26:28.
D. One That Expects A Challenge.
1. From the word of God.
2. From the pastor.
3. From other Christians.
E. One That Reproduces Himself.
II. WHY DO CHRISTIANS FAIL?
A. It Is Possible That They Did Not Count The Cost Of Discipleship.
Please get it clear that I am not talking about what it costs you in money.
There is a vast difference in between just being a Christian, and being a really good Christian.
Example: It is easy to get married. A girl can get married without money, without work; all she needs to do is say "yes" and beat it to the nearest preacher or justice of the peace. Multitudes get married without ever having a serious thought about the matter. But after the girl is married, then to be a really good housewife cost something, or husband.
We find that the Apostle Paul had the same kind of thing happen to him.
Paul had chosen what he had thought to be good men to go with him on his missionary journey.
But something happened and John Mark wanted to go home and Demas forsook Paul.
Remember, there is a vast difference between being converted, a child of God, and really serving God acceptably.
Salvation is free but our service is not. I have thought a lot why they may have left Paul.
1. The cost of losing old friends.
2. The cost of losing family.
3. The cost of winning souls.
4. The cost of going into the Ministry.
B. It Is Possible That They Did Not Recognize The Importance Of Their Task.
If there ever has been a time needed in our churches to understand the magnitude of this thing of being a Christian witness, "it is today."
I believe that the most important thing that’s happening today here on the face of this earth is getting people ready for the coming of our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
1. The task of winning souls.
2. The task of building the church.
C. It Is Possible That They Did Not Realize The Greatness Of His Co-laborers
There is a third reason why John Mark did not follow Paul and Barnabas. It was the fact that he did not realize the greatness of his co-laborers.
Sometimes we do not see it, even when it’s right in front of us.
1. Think About The Great Men Of The Past.
a. Noah
b. David
c. D.L. Moody
d. Mention Others
2. Great men of the present.
All these men never new there destiny.
Some great old people will never be known. You don’t have to be a preacher.
John Mark was counting on a big shot, but he just found Paul willing to do what God wanted him to do.
He was trying to find a new experience, But what he found was a man getting ready to tell the old, old story.
D. It Is Possible That They Loved The Things Of This World More.
1. Praise of men.
I don’t think either John Mark or Demas realized that the rewards would not be here but in heaven.
So many people will not work unless brag on them for every little thing that they have done.
I would like to find somebody that would just do it for Jesus.
I think about what I have heard people say over the years,
"Well, they just don’t appreciate me over at that church any more.”
What are you working for the praise of men or the praise of God.
2. Attractions of this world.
Conclusion:
I praise the Lord for those of you who serve the
lord faithfully, day in and day out, week in and
week out. Your service is a tremendous
testimony for this church and our Savior. But,
if you’re here today, and your life doesn’t
measure up as it should; you may have failed the
Lord in some way that only you know about, don’t
be discouraged and give up. The Bible says in:
I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But don’t stop reading there. Look at the next
Verse, God doesn’t want us to lead a defeated,
discouraged life! He makes us a promise! Look
at verse 9:
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Sometimes our sins can cause us to doubt our
salvation.
If there is something you need to get right with
the Lord, please don’t leave here defeated. Take
hold of the Word of God and claim his promises.
If you are willing to come to God, trusting in
His Word, you can leave this place forgiven and
cleansed, and ready to be used of Him.
