Finishing Strong
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Introduction
Last lesson in our June series “The Incredible Race”
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Paul wrote 2 Timothy from a dark and damp Roman prison cell, just before his death in AD 67.
So some would argue that Paul did not finish strong given his situation
No doubt, no regrets, no disappointment in his last Epistle
His mind was not on himself, dwelling on the injustice that had befallen him. Instead, he trusted that God had him right where He wanted him.
What Does it Mean to Finish Strong?
What Does it Mean to Finish Strong?
"To end on a good note.” To have a good and excellent ending
"To end on a good note.” To have a good and excellent ending
Finishing strong can be harder than it sounds.
Our natural human tendency is often to compromise our level of excellence as time passes by.
Standards can slip as we experience "performance creep" meaning best practice is eroded and poor practice becomes acceptable.
Four Suggestions On How to Finish Strong
Four Suggestions On How to Finish Strong
1. Set Goals and Milestones
1. Set Goals and Milestones
Life is time in motion. If you want to take control of your prayer and study life, you must make your time count.
Not a sprint, its a marathon, but it doesn’t mean you should just stand motionless on the track
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
2. Build Momentum
2. Build Momentum
You need momentum to finish strong. (Riding a bike uphill - need to build momentum)
You can gain momentum when you meet each of the milestones.
Consistency as a sure way to generate all the momentum
The goal is consistency - not perfection
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
3. Avoid Negative Self Talk and Thought
3. Avoid Negative Self Talk and Thought
I’ve done too many bad things, it’s too late for me, I can’t turn my lift around
Self-pity obliterates God and puts self on the throne. In essence, self pity says that God does not really know what he is doing,
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Something the Devil does not want to you hear
Lied like Abraham, willing to call you for service
Cheated people like Zacchaeus, will befriend you in front of your enemies
Left home and blown your money like the Prodigal Son, wait for you with open arms of forgiveness
lived a life like Rahab the prostitute, will to use you for His plan
Caught in the act of adultery, will to forgive you in front of your accusers
Denied him like Peter, He will give you a 2nd chance
Only one lost out of a 100 people -
IMPORTANT NOTE: Jesus does not save you IN your sin!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Jesus does not save you IN your sin!
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NET)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
4. The Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing.
4. The Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Solomon said it best:
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.