When You Feel Like quitting Don’t!
By Pastor Ron Crandall
Introduction:
John 21:1-4
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
(KJV)
Poem: Author unknown
When things go wrong as they sometimes will
When the road your trudging seems uphill
When funds are low, and your debts are high
You want to smile, but, have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must
But, please don’t Quit
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
You can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so afar
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things go wrong, you must not QUIT!
This poem has new meaning for me, for you see the past two years it nearly seemed to me that God had forgotten my address. Now I know none of you have ever experienced that feeling. But, Church, though I know God, I went through the fire. Write this down, if you get nothing else from this message, "Know that there is finality to your trial."
I want to minister on the thought, "When You Feel Like quitting Don’t!"
Are you a Quitter? Are you looking for your nets or poles tonight to go fishing to?
Most of us have felt like quitting at one point or another, maybe you have thought about it and thought about it till you’re blue in the face.
Maybe you to can identify with Peter. Hey I’ve had those same feelings, I know how the disciples felt. They felt like Jesus where are you? You said you were the Messiah and now you’ve left us out here on our own, I don’t get it!
I’m going fishing and at least that something that won’t leave me with nothing to show for my effort.
1 Pet 4:12-14
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
(KJV)
But check out verse 3;
In the last part of that verse it says: "but that night they caught nothing"
There are six crucial words right here:
"and that night they caught nothing." tells us God did not intend for them to return to something Familiar!
He wanted them to know, that He was their power source so, the result was they caught Nothing! It’s what my wife says every time I go fishing.
This does not in any way reflect on their ability to fish.
If you think you’re the only person who has missed the mark or are struggling with problems, or challenges. You are wrong. If we were to search the bible you would find many who are listed in Faiths hall of fame who struggled:
*** Yet these men can still be found in the Hall of Faith
Have you ever heard this quote?
** When the going get tough the tough get going
But reality is for a lot of us is,
** When the going gets rough, the ranks thin
Do you know that 35,000 churches have been closed and their doors shut for good in just the last year?
I’ve had people say to me Pastor what’s the use?
My response to them and to you this day is: The Bible declares “If I’ll cry out he will answer my call, honey it may not be in Ron Crandall’s time, but he has never been late yet!”
It doesn’t matter if 90,000 churches close he is still God!
When we realize this one Fact, we then understand God will cause us to know his hand and might and that we are still his:
Jer 16:21
21 Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.
(KJV)
Zech 4:6
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
(KJV)
My bible declares unto me the harvest is ripe unto harvest and that there is a people who need a preacher. They need a testament to God’s awesome Power, and you, with all our faults, problems and idiosyncrasies, are the glorious example of how God can take that which man judges as not worthy but he judges as worthy through the Blood and entrust this harvest.
We must understand:
Key 1:
"Warfare always surrounds the birth of a Miracle!"
Samson- When he slew a thousand philistines he was in the midst of warfare. God used him mightly and then we hear him as he cried “En Ha kore’ or I thirst, and all of a sudden a bubbling brook came forth from the ground to give him drink and quench his thirst. (the miracle)
So you must not quit, just understand who you are in Jesus
He believes in you enough that he gave his life to entrust the harvest to you. And he called you as a chosen generation... to show forth the Praises and be a be a light to those who are in darkness.
1 Pet 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (KJV)
Key 2:
All men fall, great men get up
David- Fell from greatness with Bathsheba going to the point of murder to get what he wanted, yet we find him rising from the dust of his failure to crying out to God “Take not thy Holy Spirit from Me!”
I can live without my Wife
I can live without my children
I can live without my mother and father
I can live without all the temporal pleasures of this life
But I cannot live without your presence in my life!
Key 3:
When the devil is just pounding you, remember this
STRUGGLES ARE PROOF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN CONQUERED!
Peter and the other Disciples forgot this one element.
You see they forgot that anything dead can float… but it takes life to swim through the struggles of this life. 2 Kings 6:6(the axe head did swim)
Key 4:
"Your battlefield is first won in the heart, before it is won on the battlefield"
Peter- could have let the struggle at the court yard roll over him, not so for....
Jesus had passed his way not to see how much he could torture this man, but, rather he saw something in him and he passed your way and mine because he saw what we could become through him.
I’m always impressed for a lack of better words, but misery loves company
we find 7 men fishing and 3 were not even fishermen.
Hey, might not be able to fish but if everyone else is going, I’ll just go with them
Here are 3 mistakes people make:
1. People tend to look back when times are tough
Luke 9:62
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
(KJV)
Gen 19:26
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (KJV)
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
But now Peter exhausted from the trauma of the cross and his perspective on how Jesus was going to rule his Kingdom. The cross was not a part of his definition of a messiah in whom he had followed.
Peter & His perspective: Jesus was to rule from Jerusalem.
God’s perspective: Jesus was to die for the remission of all who would sin and become the bridge for them to the throne of God.
Yet Peter went back to what he knew to be facts:
He went to the rock,
from which there he could fashion a needle to mend his nets with
He gathered the thread by which to make his nets
He went to the tree by which to build a boat
He went to the waters of the sea,
for there he knew he could find fish there
But, Jesus the Son of God he could not Hear, Touch or See, so he simply said
"I go fishing" I’m gonna quit, cause I can’t Hear, touch or see him anymore.
Key5:
Church : "You will never defeat the devil with natural weapons and natural warfare"
Jesus was tempted to turn the stone into bread, he replied “ It is written man shall not live by bread alone, but, by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Illustration:
A while back I had the privilege to be in service with Dr. M.F. Corin, and somebody asked him why he still came to church when he cannot hear very well or see very well and with that impairment how could he feel the touch of God anymore. Pastor Corin replied simply "Young man I want God to see me here".
Oh he could stay home and he would seem to have a valid excuse, but, he simply was saying I’m not a quitter.
He began to tell me after church of the times God had saved him. And his little eyes just sparkled as he was ministering once again to a Young Pastor, he emphasized to me You must hold tight to the masters Hand.
When you feel like quitting remember how many times that you know about, that Jesus has saved you from death, healed your body.
I’ll guarantee you that when you start your spirit man stirs up the gifts that you’ll be lifted out of your depression, oppression and the God of light will be shining through and in you.
2ndly: Don’t look for rewards:
Heb 11:25
25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.
(NIV)
Matt 19:27
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
(KJV)
Phil 3:7-8
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
(NIV)
Alot of times we want to quit just because we didn’t get the perks
We’re looking to man to validate our walk, our experience, our fulfillment in ministry or just in life generally.
But, my bible tells me:
"For it is the Love of God that constraineth us"
Well Brother Crandall unless someone shows they appreciate what I’m doing , I’ going to Quit!
"For it is the Love of God that constraineth us"
You’ll live for God because of his Love
You’ll serve because of the price on Calvary
Rom 12:1
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(KJV)
Paul said they can’t kill me,
For I died with Christ
Jesus asked Peter: Do you love me?
John 21:15-17
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
(NIV)
Key 6:
The key to an overcoming spirit of Victory, is by serving others!
Onesihorus 2 Tim. 4:19 - Precilla and Aquilla
If you’ve been touched by Jesus you will want to serve even in the midst of your trouble.
As a pastor I think I have heard almost every excuse I can think of, reasons they feel they cannot serve the master.
Excuses:
* I’m just not cut out to teach small children, it’s really not fulfilling to me
* I just can’t work with that person, I say to you tonight, stop grinding your axe and look at your similarities.
Do you both love Jesus? Do you believe he died for our sin?
We would be there but,
We could all begin to make excuses till our hair falls out, but, in relation to God just where does your excuse stand.
When you look at or think about the Cross of Calvary know this one thing Jesus never gave up on us, the bible says in the midst of his trial and beating he "NEVER SAID A WORD !
He did not as many of us would do judge them right there for what they where doing to him.
So when you think about or look at the Cross, You tell Jesus why you want to quit.
Many of us would expect a harsh judgment, but, I’m here to tell you tonight he understands more than you think he does.
And you will see a nailed scare hand reaching outstretched to you, and hear calm voice saying just hold on, "I’ll never leave thee or forsake thee".
3rdly: Don’t look at others
Heb 12:2-13
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
13 "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
(NIV)
People will fail you!
Family will fail you!
Brothers will fail you!
Churches will fail you!
Pastors will fail you!
But one Fact remains the same "God will never fail you!"
"Oh that we would just keep our eyes on Jesus"
He’s not called us to build up our kingdom, rather he has called us to build HIS Kingdom
God is not going to measure your head when you get to heaven, but he is going to measure your heart for your reward.
You see all service is equal in the sight of God
God is keeping a record make no mistake
I’ve caught myself doing this:
Who is that man?
Who is that Preacher?
Why do they get everything good?
What about me?
I think I’ gonna Quit, don’t you know, Without God you will self-destruct.
You better plant your allegiance on one side or the other
If you don’t make it to heaven who will wear your crown? play your harp? or live in your place that God has prepared just for you?
What would have happened if they had not gone fishing, if the had chosen not to quit? What would have happened to the great commission?
But, when Jesus appeared
John said “That’s my Lord"
Peter jumped into the water and began to swim toward Jesus!
Use the Illustration of the Rich man who had a crippled son to close with.
There were 6 Keys in this message:
1. Warfare is always surrounded by the birth of a miracle.
2. All men fall, great men get up!
3. Struggles are a proof you have not been conquered.
4. Your battlefield is first won in the heart, before it is won on the battlefield.
5. You will never defeat the devil with natural weapons and natural warfare.
6. The key to an overcoming spirit of Victory is by serving others.
Gal 6:9-10
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
(KJV)
Invitation
