Finishing Well: Running Your Race with Endurance

Devotional

Day 1: Start Well—Embrace the Gospel as Your Beginning

Every journey with Jesus begins at the starting line of the gospel. No matter your age or stage of life, you are invited to surrender your attempts at self-sufficiency and receive the grace that Jesus offers. The gospel is not about earning your way to God, but about recognizing your need for a Savior and trusting in Christ’s finished work. Don’t wait for a “better time”—today is the day to start well, to lay aside excuses, and to step into the life God has for you. [49:27]

Acts 20:26-27 (ESV)
"Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God."

Reflection: What is holding you back from fully embracing the gospel and starting your journey with Jesus today? Can you name one step you can take right now to begin?

Day 2: Stay on the Course—Hold Fast to God’s Word

It’s not enough to start the race; you must also stay on the course God has marked out for you. In a world full of distractions and shifting values, it’s easy to be tempted to edit or add to the gospel, or to follow teachings that sound appealing but stray from the truth. Staying on course means holding tightly to the Word of God, refusing to compromise or chase after the latest trends, and remaining faithful to the path Jesus has set before you. [52:46]

Acts 20:28-31 (ESV)
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you’ve been tempted to compromise or “edit” God’s Word? What is one way you can recommit to staying on the course this week?

Day 3: Run Your Own Race—Resist Comparison and Focus on Your Calling

God has given you a unique race to run, and comparing yourself to others only leads to frustration and discontent. When you focus on what others have or how they are running, you lose sight of the gifts, opportunities, and calling God has placed in your life. True freedom and joy come from embracing your own story, being grateful for what God has entrusted to you, and keeping your eyes fixed on the eternal inheritance He promises. [57:31]

Acts 20:32-33 (ESV)
"And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find yourself most tempted to compare with others? How can you intentionally celebrate your own journey and God’s unique calling for you today?

Day 4: Encourage Others—Build Up the Team as You Run

The Christian life is not a solo race; it’s a team event where we are called to encourage, support, and help one another. Just as runners in a relay or team race rely on each other, we are meant to build up the weak, give generously, and remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. When you invest in others and help them run their race, you discover the joy and strength that comes from community and shared purpose. [58:55]

Acts 20:35 (ESV)
"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"

Reflection: Who is one person you can encourage or support in their spiritual journey this week? What specific action can you take to help them run their race well?

Day 5: Respond to God’s Pursuit—It’s Never Too Late to Start Again

No matter where you are in your journey—whether you’ve never started, have taken a break, or feel like you’ve been running away—God is pursuing you with love and grace. He invites you to start (or restart) your race today, to surrender your life to Him, and to experience the joy of running with Him and His people. There is no better time than now to respond to His call and let Him set your course anew. [01:03:39]

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV)
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Reflection: If you sense God inviting you to start or restart your journey with Him, what is one prayer or step of surrender you can offer to Him today?

Sermon Summary

Life is a race that each of us is called to run, and the way we run matters deeply—not just for ourselves, but for those around us. As we approach the Christmas season, it’s a good time to reflect on how we’re running our race with Jesus. Many of us are at different stages: some just starting out, some in the thick of life’s challenges, and others feeling the urgency of time. But no matter where we are, the call is the same: to finish well, with no regrets, and to give everything we have to the journey God has set before us.

Paul’s words in Acts 20 remind us that finishing well begins with starting well. The starting line is the gospel—embracing the truth that we need a Savior, that Jesus has come to rescue us, and that life with Him is the only way to truly run the race set before us. Too often, we delay starting, waiting for the “right” season, but the truth is, the earlier we start, the more likely we are to finish well. There’s no perfect time—only the present moment to say yes to Jesus.

But starting isn’t enough. We must stay on the course. In a world full of distractions and voices trying to redraw the boundaries of faith, we’re called to hold fast to the truth of God’s Word. The temptation to edit or modernize the gospel is strong, but faithfulness means running the race as it’s been marked out for us, not as we wish it to be.

Another challenge is comparison. It’s easy to look around at others—their gifts, their successes, their journeys—and feel inadequate or envious. But God has given each of us a unique race to run. True freedom and joy come when we stop comparing and start embracing the path God has given us, trusting that our inheritance is secure in Him.

Finally, we’re not running alone. The Christian life is a team event. We’re called to encourage and support one another, to help the weak, and to remember that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. When we run together, we can go farther and finish stronger than we ever could alone.

So today, consider where you are in your race. Have you started? Are you staying on course? Are you looking around, or are you encouraging others? There’s no better time than now to start—or to start again—and to run with everything you have, trusting that God is with you every step of the way.

Key Takeaways

1. Start well by embracing the gospel Starting well means recognizing our need for Jesus and fully embracing the gospel as the foundation of our lives. Delaying this decision only makes it harder to finish well, as the “right time” never truly arrives. The sooner we surrender to Christ, the more of our lives we can offer Him, and the more deeply we can experience His transforming grace. [46:20]
2. Stay on the course—hold fast to truth Faithfulness requires us to resist the temptation to alter or dilute the gospel to fit cultural trends or personal preferences. The race marked out for us is not one we design, but one we receive from God. Staying on course means being people of the Word, anchored in truth, and refusing to compromise, even when it’s unpopular or difficult. [52:46]
3. Run your own race, not someone else’s Comparison is a thief of joy and a barrier to finishing well. When we covet others’ gifts, opportunities, or lives, we lose sight of the unique calling God has given us. Embracing our own race brings freedom and contentment, allowing us to live authentically and gratefully, trusting that God’s plan for us is good. [57:31]
4. Encourage others as you run The journey of faith is not a solo endeavor. We are called to build up, support, and encourage those running alongside us. When we help others finish well, we strengthen the whole body of Christ and experience the blessing of giving ourselves away for the sake of others. True victory is found in community, not competition. [58:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:44] - Book Recommendation: Humility by Andrew Murray
[29:19] - Christmas at First Baptist Preview
[30:20] - The Importance of Community
[31:11] - Opening Prayer
[31:39] - The Running Analogy
[32:24] - My Cross-Country Story
[34:38] - Lessons from the Race
[37:17] - The Desire to Finish Well
[38:35] - Paul’s Farewell in Acts 20
[41:58] - Paul’s Purpose: Finishing the Course
[43:22] - Four Keys to Finishing Well
[46:20] - Start Well: Embracing the Gospel
[49:49] - Stay on Course: Guarding the Truth
[53:33] - Don’t Look Around: Avoiding Comparison
[57:49] - Encourage Others: Running Together
[61:27] - Reflection and Invitation to Start
[64:47] - Prayer of Surrender
[73:09] - Matching Challenge and Closing

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

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### Bible Reading

**Acts 20:17-35 (ESV)**

> 17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
> 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
> 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

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### Observation Questions

According to Acts 20:24, what does Paul say is his main purpose in life?
In the sermon, what does Pastor Mike say is the “starting line” for running the race of life with Jesus? [[46:20]]
What warning does Paul give the elders about what will happen after he leaves, and how does he tell them to respond?
How does the sermon describe the Christian life—as a solo race or a team event? [[58:33]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize the importance of “finishing the course” and not just starting it? What does this reveal about his view of the Christian life? [[41:58]]
The sermon talks about the temptation to “redraw the lines” of the race or to “edit” the gospel. Why is it so important to hold fast to the truth, even when it’s unpopular? [[52:46]]
How does comparison with others affect our ability to run our own race well, according to both Paul and the sermon? [[57:31]]
What does it mean that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” in the context of running the race together? How does this shape our relationships in the church? [[58:55]]

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### Application Questions

Pastor Mike said that many people delay starting their race with Jesus, waiting for the “right time.” Have you ever found yourself putting off a step of faith or obedience? What is holding you back from starting (or starting again) right now? [[46:20]]
Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to “edit” or compromise the truth of God’s Word to fit in or avoid conflict? What would it look like for you to hold fast to the gospel this week, even if it’s hard? [[52:46]]
Think about a time when you compared your journey, gifts, or circumstances to someone else’s. How did it affect your joy or sense of purpose? What is one practical way you can focus on running your own race this week? [[57:31]]
Who in your life needs encouragement right now in their walk with Jesus? What is one specific thing you can do this week to support or build up someone else in your church or small group? [[58:55]]
The sermon described the Christian life as a team event, not a solo race. How connected do you feel to others in your faith journey? What steps could you take to deepen your sense of community and mutual support? [[58:33]]
Paul says he “did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” Is there a part of God’s truth you tend to avoid or ignore? Why, and what would it look like to embrace it more fully? [[46:44]]
Looking back at your life, is there a moment you regret not giving your all to the race God set before you? What would it look like to “finish well” from this point forward? [[37:17]]

Sermon Clips

You need to start well. You finish well by starting well. Every race that you ever run, you have to start it right in order to finish it right. You have to start with the right mentality, and you need to actually just start it. [00:43:35] (19 seconds) #StartRightFinishRight

Sometimes when we think about following Jesus, we don't start until we think we're ready. And I find this happen over and over again when people are thinking about following Jesus. They're like, I'm going to do that, but I'm going to do that when I'm ready. And when I live it up a little bit, and when I'm finally ready to settle down, then I'm going to follow Jesus. [00:44:00] (21 seconds) #StartBeforeReady

You have to choose at some point to start, and you cannot flip a switch and all of a sudden finish well. You start right where you are. You are not promised tomorrow. You have to start at some point in your life and say, I'm going to start well. And here's the trick. The earlier you start, the easier it is to finish well. [00:46:03] (24 seconds) #StartToFinishWell

You need to actually run the race. You need to stay on the course. I don't care what race you're running, whether it's the turkey trot you're running in a couple weeks, or, you know, if you're like a competitive runner. At some point, you need to follow the rule. And the key rule is, you can't just make the race up for yourself, right? [00:51:00] (18 seconds) #RunTheRaceRight

There are some who will come among you, who will look like they're Christians, who will say a lot of the same vocabulary that you'll find in the Bible, or that strong Christian teaching will use. But they're teaching a different gospel. They're adding health and wealth to the gospel. They're adding a different sexual ethic to the gospel. They're changing it in some way. And they're saying, listen, we found something new. If somebody tells you, I found something new that no other person has ever taught before, run. [00:51:50] (39 seconds) #BewareFalseGospels

When you run, they taught us when you're running, you've got to look ahead. Don't look behind you. The minute you start looking behind and see who's catching up to you, you lose. Right? The minute you start looking around to see how fast somebody else is running, you're going to lose the race. Why? Because they're focused on beating you. You're looking at not getting beat. You're putting your attention, your focus not on completing the race, but just instead you're looking like, how's that person doing? [00:53:23] (30 seconds) #FocusForward

If I had somebody else's gifting, if I had somebody else's opportunity, man, then I would be enough. You know, I wish, just like safe space, right? I wish I had the ability to sing. Anybody else? Like, anytime somebody's going to really sing, I'm just like, man, I'm so jealous. Because I make a noise, and it's joyful, but it is not beautiful, okay? [00:55:49] (23 seconds) #RunYourOwnRace

We're all running a race, but we're not running it against each other. We're running it together. And when we run together, we can do far more than we can possibly imagine. [01:00:57] (16 seconds) #TimeToRestart

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