Living Forward

Finish and Celebrate

Colossians 4:17, 2 Timothy 4:7, John 17:4

“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.”
Philippians 3:13-14

Colossians 4:17, “And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”

2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”

John 17:4, “I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”

What does it take to Finish?

1. Keep Clear Focus

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.

2. Do the Hard Work

Craig Groeschel: “Habits will eat your willpower for breakfast.”

Jesus on finishing:

• John 4:34, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and finish his work.”
• John 5:36, “I have a greater witness than John’s: for the works which the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I do—”
• John 17:4, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”
• John 19:30, “Jesus said, ‘It is finished!’

3. Stick together

Philemon 1:2, “to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.”

 Romans 12:5, “In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

 Three Steps to Consider:

• Step #1—step toward Jesus
• Step #2—step back toward Jesus.
• Step #3—step into obedience

 Note: Today we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together.