John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
The strongest desire of Christ was to finish the work of His Father, is it yours?
Websters 1828 definition for FINISH:
To arrive at the end of, to complete. 2. To make perfect. 3. To bring to an end; to end; to put an end to. 4. To perfect; to accomplish, to polish to the degree of excellence intended.
Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. KNOW WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST - WHO YOU BELONG TO
No Other Agenda - JESUS is the Agenda - His Footsteps Are The Example
Philippians 2:3-11 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
John 6:26-29 26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
THE WORK OF GOD DOES NOT CONSIST OF WHAT YOU CAN GET FROM JESUS AND OTHERS, BUT WHAT YOU CAN GIVE TO JESUS & OTHERS 1 Cor 9:24-27 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
REALIZE THAT YOU ARE NOT IN A SPRINT - YOU ARE IN A MARATHON
Testimony - (ATTITUDE) of Gratitude like… (David, Daniel, Jonah, Hannah, Paul, Jesus)
Colossians 2:6-7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Romans 1:20-22 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (NOT THANKFUL = FAKES / SNAKES / UNBELIEVERS)
THANKSGIVING SETS OUR HEART ON GOD WHO IS BIGGER THAN OUR ENEMY When it feels like you have no place to turn, turn to thanksgiving. Thank the Lord for his forgiveness, for releasing YOU from all past sins. Thank him for delivering you from the teeth of the lions and for giving you a new home in heaven and for all his past blessings, for all his promises, for all that he is going to do. In everything, give thanks!
Psalm 39:4-13 Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in
vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
DIVINE PURPOSE NOT YOUR OWN (IDENTITY IN CHRIST - ETERNAL VALUE)
Luke 14:33-35 ONLY WHAT CHRIST DOES THROUGH YOU WILL LAST
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU!
Acts 20:19-27
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
EVEN IF YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE - NEVER GOING TO QUIT - FINISH THE RACE
1 Corinthians 10:12-14
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. IT’S NOT HOW YOU START - BUT HOW YOU FINISH, FINISH STRONG!
Hebrews 10:22-25 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
IF GOD SAID DO IT THAN WE CAN DO IT - THROUGH FAITH!
Hebrews 12:1-3 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. WHERE IS YOUR FAITH? NEVER GIVE UP!
2 Timothy 4:7-10 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Philemon 1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Demas started the race (Got distracted / Stopped following the breadcrumbs)
2 Tim 2:2-4 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may PLEASE HIM who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
IF NOT TAKING GROUND FINISHING STRONG - WE ARE LOSING GROUND
YOU ARE NOT THROUGH THE GATE YET - DON’T PLAY GAMES WITH GOD
Leviticus 6:12-13 And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. 13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. CRUCIFIED LIFE - HABITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - PATTERNS OF OBEDIENCE
EVERY DAY IS A DELIBERATE ACT OF WORSHIP (GIVE GOD BEST DAILY) Why?
Nearly 300 year old Testimony of Moravian Missionaries
1727 Protestant refugees from the Catholic country of Moravia
Settled in a German community “Herrnhut” soon much division / strife
Cried out for help to God led to repentance and revival in the community
Led to a 24/7 prayer that lasted for over 100 years in Herrnhut
Influenced William Carey, John Wesley, and the birth of the Great Awakening
In 1732, five years after the initial outpouring of the Spirit, two Moravian tradesmen, 36-year-old David Nitschmann and 26-year-old Johann Leonhard Dober, became the first missionaries to leave Herrnhut. They heard of the plight of African slaves on the island of St. Thomas in the Caribbean, and how there was a spiritual hunger but they had no one to share the gospel with them. They determined to go by any means necessary, even when they were told they would have to sell themselves into slavery in order to minister among the slaves. (As it turns out, when they offered themselves as slaves in Copenhagen, they were laughed at because no one would buy white men as slaves, so they traveled to St. Thomas by working their trades.)
According to the story that has stirred missionary zeal the world over for the past near-300 years, as they stood on the ship departing from the wharf, looking for what they believed to be the last time of the faces of their loved ones, they raised their fists and cried, “MAY THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN RECEIVE THE REWARD OF HIS SUFFERING.”
The answer to finishing strong: THE PASSIONATE LOVE & BURNING DESIRE TO GIVE JESUS THE INHERITANCE HE DESERVES WITHOUT RESERVATION - NO PRICE TO HIGH (No Holding Back)
Deuteronomy 4:20 But the Lord hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
Deuteronomy 32:9 For the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
Psalm 28:9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
YOU ARE HIS INHERITANCE - THE REWARD OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS
(Closing Scripture) KNOW WHO YOU ARE (Who am I Lord?)
Ephesians 1:15-23 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
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