Finishing Strong: The Courage to Endure
Summary
In today's message, we explored the critical theme of finishing well, particularly for men, in their spiritual and life journeys. Starting well is important, but it is the courage to finish that truly defines a man. Drawing from the Apostle Paul's words to Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith," we are reminded that it takes courage to persevere through life's challenges and reach the finish line. The world is filled with stories of unfinished dreams and ministries, and we must strive to be among those who finish strong.
Statistics show that only one in ten Christian men finish well, a sobering reality that calls us to action. We are not called to be quitters but to be men who endure and complete the race set before us. The Bible teaches that "better is the end of a thing than its beginning," emphasizing the importance of perseverance. We must ask ourselves if we will be the ones who hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant," at the end of our race.
The temptation to quit often intensifies as we near the finish line, but quitting doesn't happen overnight. It begins when we stop pushing forward and start convincing ourselves that our efforts don't matter. The Bible is filled with examples of men who started strong but faltered at the end, like Noah, Gideon, and Solomon. However, it also tells of those who endured, like Joseph and Nehemiah, who kept their eyes on their God-given purpose.
To finish strong, we must remain humble and dependent on God, surround ourselves with brothers who encourage us, refuse to compromise even in small areas, run with the end in mind, and make God our ultimate reward. Men who finish strong never outgrow their need for God, and they understand that their ultimate prize is not earthly but eternal.
Key Takeaways:
- Stay Humble and Dependent on God: Self-reliance is the first step toward self-destruction. We must remain humble and dependent on God, recognizing that our strength comes from Him. Pride can lead to downfall, as seen in the stories of Samson and King Uzziah. [19:32]
- Surround Yourself with Brothers: No man finishes strong alone. We need brothers who push us forward and encourage us in our walk with God. Isolation can lead to vulnerability and downfall, as seen in the lives of Samson and Judas. [23:41]
- Refuse to Compromise: The downfall of great men often begins with small compromises. We must guard against allowing little sins to take root in our lives, as they can lead to greater destruction. [26:50]
- Run with the End in Mind: Keeping our eyes on the finish line helps us endure hardships and stay focused on our God-given purpose. Men who finish strong live for eternity, not just for today. [29:30]
- Make God Your Ultimate Reward: Chasing temporary rewards can lead to abandonment of faith. Our ultimate prize is God Himself, and we must live for the day we hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." [33:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - Introduction to the Series
[01:25] - The Importance of Finishing Well
[02:18] - Paul's Example of Finishing Strong
[03:08] - Unfinished Stories and Statistics
[04:48] - Ecclesiastes on Finishing
[05:22] - Will You Be the One?
[06:12] - Prayer for Strength and Endurance
[07:14] - The Temptation to Quit
[08:49] - The Problem with Quitting
[11:25] - Biblical Examples of Unfinished Stories
[14:41] - The Discipline of Endurance
[16:24] - Five Characteristics to Finish Strong
[18:32] - Commitment to Humility
[23:41] - Surrounding Yourself with Brothers
[26:32] - Refusing Compromise
[29:30] - Running with the End in Mind
[33:31] - Making God Your Ultimate Reward
[37:23] - The Tragedy of Quitting
[39:43] - Prayer for Strength to Finish Strong
[41:27] - Final Encouragement and Blessing
[42:01] - Invitation to Give
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Finishing Well
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Timothy 4:7 - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
2. Ecclesiastes 7:8 - "Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."
3. Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"? How does this relate to the theme of finishing well? [02:18]
2. According to the sermon, what are some examples of men in the Bible who started strong but did not finish well? [11:25]
3. What statistic from Steve Farah's book "Finishing Strong" was mentioned in the sermon, and why is it significant? [03:54]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of humility and dependence on God in finishing well? [19:32]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the end of a thing be considered better than its beginning, as stated in Ecclesiastes 7:8? How does this perspective influence one's approach to life's challenges? [04:48]
2. How does the sermon suggest that small compromises can lead to a greater downfall? What biblical examples were given to illustrate this point? [26:50]
3. In what ways does the sermon emphasize the importance of community and brotherhood in finishing strong? How does this align with biblical teachings? [23:41]
4. What does it mean to "run with the end in mind," and how can this mindset impact one's spiritual journey? [29:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you started something with excitement but struggled to finish. What factors contributed to your perseverance or lack thereof? How can you apply this reflection to your current spiritual journey? [07:50]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with brothers who encourage and push forward. Who are the people in your life that fulfill this role, and how can you strengthen these relationships? [23:41]
3. Identify a small compromise in your life that could potentially lead to a larger issue. What steps can you take this week to address it and prevent it from taking root? [26:50]
4. Consider the concept of making God your ultimate reward. How does this perspective shift your priorities and actions in daily life? What practical steps can you take to keep this focus? [33:31]
5. The sermon mentions the temptation to quit intensifying near the finish line. What are some signs that you might be nearing this point in your spiritual or personal journey, and how can you prepare to overcome it? [08:49]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of humility and dependence on God into your daily routine? What specific actions or prayers can help you maintain this posture? [19:32]
7. Reflect on the question posed in the sermon: "Will you be the one who hears, 'Well done, good and faithful servant'?" What changes or commitments do you need to make to ensure you finish your race well? [05:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Humility as a Foundation for Strength
To finish strong in life and faith, one must remain humble and dependent on God. Self-reliance can lead to self-destruction, as pride often precedes a fall. The stories of Samson and King Uzziah serve as cautionary tales of how pride can lead to downfall. Humility is not about thinking less of oneself but recognizing that true strength comes from God. By acknowledging our limitations and relying on God's strength, we can navigate life's challenges with grace and perseverance. [19:32]
"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength instead of seeking God's guidance and support? How can you invite God into these areas today?
Day 2: The Power of Brotherhood
No man finishes strong alone; we need the support and encouragement of others. Isolation can lead to vulnerability and downfall, as seen in the lives of Samson and Judas. Surrounding ourselves with brothers who push us forward in our walk with God is crucial. These relationships provide accountability, encouragement, and strength when we face challenges. By building a community of faith, we can support one another in our spiritual journeys and help each other finish strong. [23:41]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Who are the brothers in your life that encourage you in your faith journey? How can you strengthen these relationships and be a source of encouragement to them as well?
Day 3: Guarding Against Compromise
The downfall of great men often begins with small compromises. It is essential to guard against allowing little sins to take root in our lives, as they can lead to greater destruction. Compromise can be subtle, starting with seemingly insignificant decisions that gradually erode our integrity and commitment to God. By remaining vigilant and refusing to compromise, even in small areas, we can protect our spiritual walk and finish strong. [26:50]
"Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom." (Song of Solomon 2:15, ESV)
Reflection: What small compromises have you made in your life that could potentially lead to larger issues? How can you address these areas and recommit to living with integrity?
Day 4: Living with the End in Mind
Keeping our eyes on the finish line helps us endure hardships and stay focused on our God-given purpose. Men who finish strong live for eternity, not just for today. By maintaining an eternal perspective, we can prioritize what truly matters and make decisions that align with our ultimate goal of hearing, "Well done, good and faithful servant." This mindset encourages us to persevere through challenges and remain faithful to our calling. [29:30]
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal priorities? How can you begin to make this shift today?
Day 5: God as the Ultimate Reward
Chasing temporary rewards can lead to the abandonment of faith. Our ultimate prize is God Himself, and we must live for the day we hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." By making God our ultimate reward, we can find fulfillment and purpose beyond earthly achievements. This perspective helps us prioritize our relationship with God and align our lives with His will, ensuring that we finish strong in our spiritual journey. [33:31]
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:25-26, ESV)
Reflection: What temporary rewards are you currently pursuing that may be distracting you from your relationship with God? How can you refocus your heart and mind on making God your ultimate reward?
Quotes
Starting well means nothing if you don't finish well. It takes excitement to start, but it requires courage to be able to finish. You will not be able to get to the finish line as a man if you do not take a hold of courage and determine it doesn't matter what comes my way I will get to the finish line. [00:01:38]
Only one in 10 Christian men will finish well. Only one in 10 Christian men will finish well, and I'd like to just ask you to let that sink in for a moment. If we lined up 10 men, you know, right here, and according to statistics, only one of them will finish strong. Only one of them will finish strong. [00:04:05]
The temptation to quit is strongest when the finish line gets closest. Let me just say that again. We get tempted to quit the more and more we draw closer to the finish line. And so the problem with quitting is that it doesn't happen overnight. And that's what is so sad about this. [00:08:45]
The Bible is filled with men who started strong but did not finish well. I'd like to just give you some of these stories so that you can be able to see what I'm talking about because this tends to be, you know, it looks like a tendency of men to begin with excitement but to lack the courage to be able to finish strong. [00:11:20]
Stay humble and dependent upon God. Did you hear what I said? Because we need to do this. And so, you know, because many men fall because they stop believing in their own strength. Many men fall because they begin to depend upon themselves. Maybe they begin to depend upon their connections, their friendships, who you know they get to do life with. [00:19:44]
Surround yourself with brothers who push you forward towards the Lord. Surround yourself with brothers who push you forward. They push you forward towards the things of God, the purposes of God, the call of God. They push you to walk with God and to be all that God called you to be. No man finishes strong alone. [00:23:32]
Refuse to compromise even in the small areas. The downfall of great men rarely begins with big sins. It starts with small compromises. Who catch for us the little foxes. Esau did not lose his birthright in one moment. He gave it up with a single meal. It's not the great things Esau did that costed him, you know, his birthright. [00:26:32]
Run with the end in mind. Run the race, but run it with the end in mind. One of the biggest reasons that men end up giving up is because they lose sight of what they are fighting for. They lose sight of what they are fighting for. Athletes don't train for fun. They train with a goal in mind. [00:29:30]
Make God your ultimate reward. Men who finish poorly do so because they start chasing the wrong rewards. They begin chasing everything else. In 2 Timothy 4:10, you find a very sad story. And I'd like to just go ahead and read that story for us so that we can be able to see what I mean. [00:33:31]
The greatest tragedy that we can face or we can go through is not failing or falling. It's quitting. It's giving up. Because if you fall, you will rise again. The Bible actually says the righteous man may fall seven times, but seven times he rises up and keep on running. But those who quit, the Bible has no answer for you. [00:37:23]
The enemy does not need to destroy you if he can make you quit. If he can make you quit on your parenting, if he can make you quit on your family, if he can make you quit on living for God and serving God's purposes, if he can make you quit on your purpose, the enemy does not need to destroy you because quitting is enough. [00:38:43]
Anyone can start, but only the courageous finish and finish strong. Anyone can start. In fact, many people can start fast, but it takes fearless men to finish strong. And so I don't know whether you're ready to finish strong. Where are you right now in your race? Where are you charging forward with endurance? [00:41:27]
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