What's The Point?

“What’s The Point?”

Introduction:

Do you ever get discouraged? Do you ever feel that you are the only faithful servant of God left? Do you ever feel that you are not being effective what you are doing for the Lord? Do ever feel like the church is in a stand still? I do sometimes. Sometimes I get tired and discouraged and sometimes I wonder what the purpose of it all is. I’ve learned that not only being a minister by trade, but also being a Christian by lifestyle can be very discouraging. The reason is probably because most people care about the future of the church. As I look around I know there are many that have been Christians for many years, and perhaps tonight you are weary. Perhaps tonight you are discouraged. If you are I want to bring a message to you that applies to us all. I think that so many times we as Christians go through spiritual highs and lows, and we are riding on a giant roller coaster of the faith. Sometimes we get really excited and we want to charge Hell and pull people out of the fires. Sometimes we get really excited and want to consume every ounce of information that we can about God. This is the way that Peter was when Jesus said that he was going to be handed over and killed. Peter spoke up, and said no way, I won’t let you go, I will even come and die wit you. Other times we get down and discouraged and we don’t feel like we can do anything. Sometimes we look around the church and it seems like little is being done. Sometimes we just get discouraged and flat out tired of caring. Sometimes we feel like we are in a small minority of people who even care, and that drive us to complacency. That drives us to do nothing, but sit and commentate on how bad things have become instead of being productive. That attitude cools our fire down. This is the attitude of Peter after Jesus was arrested as he denied him three times.

Sometimes I want to know what is the point of it all? Why are we here? Does the church really have a chance to actually reach people? I know that in the past the church has been effective and some churches today are booming, but are we beyond the point of no return? What is the point of serving God diligently? What’s the point in being a small voice amongst a screaming crowd? Can we really make a difference in the world?

I have heard often since I have been here of discouragement and weariness among the faithful here. I know that many are discouraged by others lack of commitment; I know some want to be doing more than they feel they are doing. I want to assure you tonight there is a point in all of this. There is a reason to keep on keepin’ on. I want to encourage you to listen to this message and hopefully those of you who want to be encouraged and revived will be renewed and ready to serve again. Remember this too, Satan wants more than anything to render you ineffective for God’s service. Discouragement will come. I know many things have come along that have discouraged believers here, but do not give up, do not bow down. I know many hard times have befallen people here, but do not let that be excuse for complacency. I know there are many that feel tired and discouraged, but do not let Satan get the best of you.

Text: I Corinthians 15:58

I. I’m All Alone

Sometimes I feel all-alone. Sometimes I feel that I am one of only a few people that really care. I know logically that there are many people in the world who are still faithful to God and to His Word, but sometimes its hard to see that. Do you ever feel that more people are unfaithful even within the church than are faithful? I do sometimes. I do not think I am the first or the last person to ever feel like that. In fact the greatest Old Testament prophet felt like that at times.

I Kings 19:14-18

Elijah felt all alone in the world. He felt that everyone else had bowed the knee to false idols, but he wasn’t all alone. God told him that there was still 7,000 who have not bowed the knee. God was teaching Elijah that though he may feel alone he wasn’t.

We are in a spiritual war. We are the army of God, but sometimes I feel like the only soldier left in the fight. Sometimes I feel greatly out numbered. Sometimes I worry about the future of the church as a whole because it seems that more people are dying off than are entering into the church. Let me assure you today you are not the only one. You are not all alone