BE ADVENTEROUS ENOUGH TO FINISH WHAT YOU HAVE STARTED!
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We started this series with, Be Audacious enough to confront your Giant. Last week we spoke on being Adamant enough to trust what God has given you. Next week we will talk about Fighting from victory, not for victory.
Today we are talking about
Being Adventurous Enough To Finish What We Have Started.
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Let’s jump right into it -
“Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp. (David took the Philistine’s head to Jerusalem, but he stored the man’s armor in his own tent.)
As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?”
“I really don’t know,” Abner declared.
“Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.
As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said.
And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.”
Imagine the scene:
David standing over the fallen giant
He grabs the sword of the giant and with a single driving blow he removes the head form the giant.
Bending down he takes the giants head by the hair and carries it into the camp of Israel. Thrusting it into the air so all the men could see.
All the men cheering, shouting and celebrating a rush of victory runs over them and they charge the enemy.
Called into to meet the King, David, is still carrying the head of Goliath.
David, was Adventurous enough to finish what he had started!
David, was Adventurous enough to finish what he had started!
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Do you know who always finishes what they start? God!
Do you know who always finishes what they start? God!
God never quits on us –
God never quits on us –
When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
God never quits- He always finishes what he started and that includes you!
You could say that:
God is adventurous enough to finish what he started!
God is adventurous enough to finish what he started!
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With God as our example:
With God as our example:
Finish what you start –
Finish what you start –
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.
We often think the adventure is found in:
We often think the adventure is found in:
the next thing,
the next task,
the next relationship,
the next job,
the next church,
next school year
But where the real adventure is found in finishing what you started.
But where the real adventure is found in finishing what you started.
In the original Rocky movie, Rocky Balboa trained hard but lost his title fight to Apollo Creed.
While Rocky 1 was a Box office success Rocky 2 was a huge hit.
The reason is because Rocky 2 was all about Rocky finishing what he started.
He did not have a new opponent, he did not move on to the next thing,
No, he finished what he started and beat Apollo Creed and won the title!
Be adventurous enough to finish what you have started!
Be adventurous enough to finish what you have started!
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Finish off the giants in your life
Finish off the giants in your life
Addictions,
sin nature,
fighting for your marriage,
fighting for your children or grand-children,
ministry,
college,
job
Imagine if David would have walked away after the giant fell.
Maybe Goliath comes too, and heals from his wound.
Maybe Goliath becomes a greater problem for Israel.
But no, David was Adventurous enough to finish what he started.
But no, David was Adventurous enough to finish what he started.
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Finish the Christian life well
Finish the Christian life well
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Paul gives young Timothy they greatest advice a young man could ever receive.
Pour it all out
Fight the good fight until you win
Remain faithful
What awaits is the crown of life – the reward for
Being Adventurous enough to finish what you started.
Young or old we all need to hear Paul’s advice and apply it to our lives.
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You see -
The Temptation to quit may be you last giant.
The Temptation to quit may be you last giant.
I am too old, too tired,
I have already done that,
I have been fighting for years, I am ready to relax
Just remember you are not finished until like Paul you can say you have finished the race.
Are you fully poured out?
Are there no more opportunities to help others, love others, lead others, mentor others, bring others to Jesus?
Video of finishing strong -
Video of finishing strong -
I want to share a short video with you about finishing strong!
God did not give you life so you can start the race, he gave you life so you can finish - and finish strong!
Be adventurous enough to finish what you have started!
Be adventurous enough to finish what you have started!
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I am going to end today by giving you:
I am going to end today by giving you:
6 steps to Finishing strong
6 steps to Finishing strong
F – Firm belief in the Sovereignty and Love of God.
F – Firm belief in the Sovereignty and Love of God.
(All things work together for the good.. I will never leave you or forsake you.)
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I – Intimate relationship with God –
I – Intimate relationship with God –
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
The closer you draw to God the closer he draws to you. You will gain strength, courage, and power to complete the race through intimacy with God.
The closer you draw to God the closer he draws to you. You will gain strength, courage, and power to complete the race through intimacy with God.
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N – Never say never –
N – Never say never –
The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Your words will either propel you or stop you. Never say I can’t, because with God all things are possible.
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I – Increase your faith – by looking at the example of Jesus
I – Increase your faith – by looking at the example of Jesus
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
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S – Step by step (One step, one day at a time –
S – Step by step (One step, one day at a time –
do not look to far ahead, when you feel the struggle, pain, focus on one step, one day.)
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H – Heroic Sacrifice (Sacrificial living)
H – Heroic Sacrifice (Sacrificial living)
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Constantly give yourself to God and others sacrificially until it becomes your life-style.
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Look at your neighbor and let’s say it together -
BE ADVENTUROUS ENOUGH TO FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED!
BE ADVENTUROUS ENOUGH TO FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED!