Five Reasons Churches Get Left by the Wayside

Introduction:
    Congregations are like a body, with a head, members, different functions, etc. They also suffer like a body with disease, stumbling, weariness, hurt, and falling.

I. Many churches have fallen, closed up.
    A. Seemingly more small, struggling churches—division common, why does it happen?

II. As a vehicle, churches sometimes lack “a ______________.”
    A. Someone to take the wheel?
        1. Stand up & be counted, Isa. 6:8; Acts 9:16; Jhn. 21:18-19; 1 Cor. 16:13
    B. Takes wheel, but never cranks up.
        1. Just sits with the power—Jhn. 1:40-42; Acts 18:24-26
    C. Takes wheel, but lacks abilities—wreck in the making.
        1. Unqualified elders; preachers who shouldn’t; deacons not serving
    D. Drives well—then rests and never starts again.
        1. Israel started temple foundation, then rested for 16 years.
        2. Some do good, sit down and admire—never get up again.
        3. Rom. 1:13; Phil. 3:13-14

III. Sometimes they lose ________________.
    A. Lose their goal? Haggi 1:2, 4, 9 Forget how to get there? Acts 4:29—not disciples.
    B. Change their mind? Discouraged? Tired? Heb. 10:35-36

IV. Sometimes ___________________.
    A. What keeps us stuck? Usually not doctrine.
        1.  Sunday night communion? Head covering? Hurt feelings?
        2. Jer. 5:3—hard headed; Col. 3:12

V. Sometimes ____________________.
    A. Efficient machinery requires….to get the job done.
        1. Preparation; oil; care; maintance.
    B. Do we consider gravel & ladies heels more than the church?
        1. Many churches plan to do nothing!
        2. No preparation; planning; consideration; care; maintenance—break down!

VI. Sometimes ____________________________________________.
    A. Need doesn’t matter; won’t run on hot air—Rev. 3:1; past? If?
        1. Every dragging foot takes more gas—riding; blaming; criticizing.
     B. Takes regular refueling—Haggai 1:14; Heb. 10:24

VII. Sometimes churches lose their lampstand.
    A. Some drift to stop; grow cold; lose influence; get left!
    B. Not necessary here!
        1. Anybody to stand to the work: determine direction; develop abilities; put off rest till later?