Imagine

Imagine what the world would look like if we didn’t give up on the assignment God has given us.” (Nicki Koziarz)

 

²¹ “Go to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and tell him that I will shake heaven and earth. ²² And I will overthrow many kings and kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of those other people. I will destroy their chariots and their riders. I will defeat their war horses and riders. These armies are friends now, but they will turn against each other and kill each other with swords.” ²³ This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: “Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant, I have chosen you. I, the Lord, tell you that at that time I will use you like a signet ring to represent my authority!” This is what the Lord All-Powerful said. (Haggai 2:21-23, ERV)

Leaders need extra encouragement to finish well.

How can we finish well?

1.   See the finish.

¹³ Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. ¹⁴ I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven. (Philippians 3:13-14, ERV), see Haggai 2:21-22 above

2.   Serve to the finish.

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have stayed on course and finished the race, and through it all, I have kept believing. ⁸ I look forward to what’s in store for me: a crown of righteousness that the Lord—the always right and just judge—will give me that day (but it is not only for me, but for all those who love and long for His appearing). (2 Timothy 4:7-8, VOICE), see Haggai 2:23 above

3.   Seal the finish.

¹³ So it is with you. You heard the true teaching—the Good News about your salvation. When you heard it, you believed in Christ. And in Christ, God put his special mark on you by giving you the Holy Spirit that he had promised. ¹⁴ That Holy Spirit is the guarantee that we will get what God promised for his people. This will bring full freedom to the people who belong to God, to bring praise to God’s glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14, ICB), see Haggai 2:23 above

"Stopping at third adds no more to the score than striking out. It doesn't matter how well you start if you fail to finish."  (Billy Sunday)[i]

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[i] Inspired by the sermon “Finishing Well: Facing the Unfinished, “(installment four, final) Sunday July 14, 2019, Pastor Dave Jansen, CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH.