---

In Philippians 1:3–5, Paul begins his letter to this church by telling them that he thanked God for them every time he prayed, specifically for the fact that “your fellowship in the gospel was from the first day until now.” For years I’ve read that verse and really never gave it a lot of thought. But the other day this verse jumped off the page. Why you ask? I think it is because I am coming to value what Paul valued. He was so thankful for this simple thing. Paul had been through much of the same things that you and I who have served God for any length of time have been through. What is that? People walking off and quitting. Sadly, churches had listened to false reports about him and dropped him. In fact when he writes the last chapter of his last book, he is all alone. Demas had forsaken him, and everyone was gone as well. What a sad state for this giant for God to be in!

Now think about what he is saying when he writes and thanks God for the Philippians' fellowship from the first day until that present day. He was thanking God for the fact that they had never quit on him. That is profound! Why? Because quitting is so common. Dropping out and off of the scene was so prevalent that someone who lasted from the first day to last day was someone he constantly thanked God for! Some of you reading today used to serve and stand faithfully with your pastor, but not anymore! This should not be!

Most of my articles each month are directed at the pulpit and the tone of the pulpit. But this month I want to say some things to folks who read the Trumpet each month who fill the pew. If you want to be a blessing to your church and to your preacher be a start to finish Christian! Ride the storms out! Stay by the stuff! Don’t quit! Don’t drop out! Don’t fall by the wayside! Certainly I don’t believe people should confuse what I’m talking about with a plea to stay in a church where the pulpit is as dead as last years Christmas tree. If you are in that kind of a mess GET OUT before you die! I’m talking to believers who are allowing the cares of this life to crowd out God. I’m talking to people who are not out on visitation like they once were! You are on the verge of dropping out altogether. You will break some man of God’s heart, for sure! Where is your loyalty to the cross? Do you not care about the great heart of God? Quitting is common; but it shouldn’t be! Quitting isn’t Christian. Your lame excuses won’t work at the judgment seat of Christ.! Don’t quit!

Pastor Steven E. Mays – Faith Baptist Church, Laurens, SC.
BroMays@FaithBaptistTrumpet.org