Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans
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Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 1
“ Finish Line Christianity”
Philippians- Chapter 4
** (SLIDE)
JOSTLING MY WAY THROUGH THE CROWD, I PLACED MY FOOT
ON THE EDGE OF THE STARTING LINE. IT WAS THE WALLA
WALLA UNION BULLETIN FUN RUN. BUT, I WAS THERE FOR
MORE THAN JUST “FUN”, I WAS SERIOUS ABOUT WINNING. AS
THE STARTING GUN SOUNDED, I SPRINTED FROM THE LINE. A
TRUCK WITH A TELEVISION CAMERA IN THE BACK OF IT HAD
TO SPEED UP TO KEEP AHEAD OF ME. AS I ROUNDED THE FIRST
CORNER, I NOTICED THAT I’D ALREADY TAKEN A SUBSTANTIAL
LEAD. SUDDENLY, I BECAME BREATHLESS, MY LEGS BEGAN TO
TREMBLE. I WONDERED HOW TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT BEING
EMBARRASSED. AS I TRANSITIONED FROM A SPRINT TO A JOG,
EXPERIENCED RUNNERS EASILY PASSED ME BY. MY HOPES
FOR A STRONG FINISH WERE DASHED. I FINALLY STUMBLED
ACROSS THE FINISH LINE #167.
OUR SUBJECT FOR THIS MORNING IS “FINISH LINE
CHRISTIANITY”. Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 2
MANY OF US STARTED STRONG AS CHRISTIANS, BUT
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY LOST OUR STEAM. OUR
EXPERIENCE WITH GOD BECAME FLAT, WE STOPPED GROWING.
TODAY, AS WE EXPLORE PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER 4, YOU WILL BE
STRETCHED, CHALLENGED AND ENCOURAGED TO LIVE IN
SUCH A WAY THAT YOU FINISH THE RACE STRONG.
** (SLIDE)
THE CITY OF PHILIPPI WAS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED ON A
MAJOR ROAD- THE EGNATIAN WAY. THIS CONNECTED THE
CITY FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL WITH ROME. PHILIPPI WAS
GRANTED THE HIGHEST STATUS POSSIBLE BY ROME—THAT OF
A ROMAN COLONY.
** (SLIDE)
AS SUCH, THE RESIDENTS ENJOYED SEVERAL BENEFITS- THE
ABILITY TO OWN LAND, EXEMPTION FROM TAXES AND RIGHTS
IN ROMAN COURT.
PHILIPPI BECAME A MELTING POT OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY. IT
WAS INTO THIS SETTING THAT PAUL PLANTED THE CHURCH OF
PHILIPPI. Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 3
ALTHOUGH IT WAS PAUL’S MISSION TO PREACH FIRST TO THE
JEWS, APPARENTLY VERY FEW LIVED IN THE CITY. THERE
WASN’T A JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.
** (SLIDE)
JEWISH BELIEVERS MET ON THE BANKS OF THE GANGITIS
RIVER FOR WORSHIP AND PRAYER. FIRST CENTURY JUDAISM
REQUIRED ONLY 10 MEN WHO WERE BELIEVERS TO JUSTIFY
BUILDING A SYNAGOGUE. PAUL QUICKLY EXPANDED HIS
MESSAGE TO REACH NON-JEWS.
THE FIRST THREE GENTILE CONVERTS WERE INDICATIVE OF
THE DIVERSITY FOUND IN THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED CHURCH.
LYDIA, A WEALTHY WOMAN WHO SOLD PURPLE CLOTH TO THE
RICH.
A POOR SLAVE GIRL WHO WAS POSSESSED BY A SPIRIT.
A MIDDLE-CLASS JAILER.
THEY REPRESENTED 3 DIFFERENT ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS,
3 DIFFERENT SOCIAL CLASSES AND CAME FROM
3 DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS. Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 4
THE BELIEVERS IN PHILIPPI EMBRACED THE MESSAGE OF THE
GOSPEL,
“THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, THERE IS NEITHER SLAVE
NOR FREE…
** (SLIDE)
“FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.”
THIS WAS A HEALTHY, FLOURISHING CHURCH PLANT—FULL OF
JOY, GENEROSITY AND LOVE.
NO CHURCH IS WITHOUT STRUGGLES, HOWEVER. HERE PAUL IS
ADDRESSING A GROUP OF MATURE CHRISTIANS. NOTICE
PHILIPPIANS 3:14-16,
** (SLIDE)
“I PRESS TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD
CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. THEREFORE LET US (PAUL IS
INCLUDING HIMSELF), AS MANY AS ARE MATURE, HAVE THIS
MIND; AND IF IN ANYTHING YOU THINK OTHERWISE, GOD WILL
REVEAL EVEN THIS TO YOU. Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 5
** (SLIDE)
“NEVERTHLESS, TO THE DEGREE THAT WE HAVE ALREADY
ATTAINED, LET US WALK BY THE SAME RULE, LET US BE OF
THE SAME MIND.”
** (SLIDE)
IN CHAPTER 3 PAUL SAYS, “I PRESS ON,” (V.12) “REACHING
FORWARD TO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE AHEAD.”(V.13)
PAUL’S OBJECTIVE IS TO, “PRESS TOWARD THE GOAL.” (V.14)
THE GREEK WORD USED FOR GOAL REFERS TO THE MARKER AT
THE END OF THE RACE, THE FINISH LINE…WHERE RUNNERS SET
THEIR GAZE AND SPRINT TOWARD.
** (SLIDE)
ON JANUARY 15, 1927, A HISTORIC SWIM KNOWN AS THE
“WRIGLEY OCEAN MARATHON” TOOK PLACE. IN AN EFFORT TO
BOOST TOURISM ON HIS ISLAND AND PROMOTE HIS CHEWING
GUM, WILLIAM WRIGLEY OFFERED $25,000.00 TO THE FIRST
PERSON TO SWIM THE 22 MILES FROM CATALINA ISLAND TO
THE CALIFORNIA COAST. Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 6
BETS WERE LAID WITH ODDS OF EIGHT TO ONE THAT NOBODY
WOULD FINISH THE RACE. DESPITE THAT…102 SWIMMERS
INCLUDING 15 WOMEN ENTERED THE CHILLY 54 DEGREE
WATER…ONLY ONE OF FINISHED, A 17 YEAR OLD BY THE NAME
OF GEORGE YOUNG.
12 HOURS INTO THE RACE AND CLOSE TO MIDNIGHT, ONLY 12
SWIMMERS WERE STILL IN THE WATER. GEORGE FOUND
HIMSELF ENTANGLED IN A BED OF KELP. HIS TRAINER
OFFERED TO PULL HIM FROM THE WATER. JUST AT THAT
MOMEMT A TUG BOAT PULLED ALONGSIDE WITH A MESSAGE,
“WE GOT A TELEGRAM FROM YOUR MOTHER IN TORONTO.
SHE’S LISTENING OVER THE RADIO. HER TELEGRAM SAYS, ‘I
KNOW YOU WILL WIN.’” YOUNG SHOUTED BACK, “WIRE HER—
YOU BET I WILL—FOR YOU.” TWO AND A HALF MILES FROM
HIS GOAL, YOUNG SAW LIGHTS ON THE SHORE. THOUSANDS OF
SPECTATORS WERE FLICKERING THEIR HEADLIGHTS AND
HONKING THEIR HORNS TO ENCOURAGE THE YOUNG MAN. AT
2:30 A.M. YOUNG COULD SEE WHAT HE WAS HEADING FOR, THE
PRIZE WAS WITHIN HIS GRASP. IN JUST 30 MINUTES, HE WOULD Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 7
REACH THE SHORE. AS YOUNG FELT THE OCEAN FLOOR
BENEATH HIS FEAT AT 3:05 A.M. REPORTERS RUSHED INTO THE
WATER TO GREET HIM. WHEN LATER ASKED WHAT WAS THE
MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE SWIM, HE SAID THAT THERE
WERE MANY ROUGH SPOTS, BUT THE MOST DIFFICULT CAME
ONE AND ¼ MILE FROM SHORE WHEN THE OUTFLOWING TIDE
WAS PUSHING HIM BACK. SEEING THE FINISH LINE INSPIRED
HIM TO PUSH ON.
WHILE 101 OTHER CONTESTANTS PULLED OUT SHORT OF
REACHING THEIR GOAL, GEORGE YOUNG PRESSED ON.
IN OUR PASSAGE TODAY, WE READ THAT THE PHILIPPIANS
BELIEVERS ARE RUNNING THE RACE WELL…BUT WILL THEY
FINISH WELL? PAUL IS PROUD OF THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH,
** (SLIDE)
PHILIPPIANS 4:1, “THEREFORE, MY BELOVED AND LONGED-FOR
BRETHREN, MY JOY AND CROWN…” IN VERSE 3, PAUL NOTES
THAT HIS FELLOW WORKERS IN PHILIPPI HAVE THEIR NAMES IN
THE BOOK OF LIFE. Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 8
WOW! WHAT A CHURCH. THEY WERE READY FOR SPIRITUAL
MEAT…THESE WERE NOT SPIRITUAL BABIES THAT COULD
ONLY HANDLE MILK.
IN CHAPTER 4, PAUL CHALLENGES THEM IN SEVERAL AREAS
THAT HE PERSONALLY HAS GROWN IN. PAUL USES THE
PHRASE, “I HAVE LEARNED…” TWO TIMES. FOR PAUL, THESE
HAVE BEEN RECENT GROWTH AREAS. THEY DIDN’T COME TO
HIM NATURALLY. HE WAS CONSTANTLY LEARNING FROM
JESUS. WHAT AN EXAMPLE OF SPIRITUALLY MATURITY.
WHAT SPIRITUAL LESSONS DID PAUL STILL NEED TO COVEY TO
THIS CHURCH OF MATURE CHRISTIANS? WHAT DID THEY
CONTINUE TO WRESTLE WITH ON A DAILY BASIS?
PAUL IDENTIFIES FIVE SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVES IN CHAPTER 4
FOR “FINISH LINE” CHRISTIANITY.
** (SLIDE)
THE FIRST “FINISH LINE” MARKER IS FOUND IN VERSE 4,
“REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. AGAIN I WILL SAY, REJOICE!” Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 9
PAUL HAD LEARNED THAT LIFE HAS MANY BURDENS. HE
REFERS TO A “THORN” IN HIS FLESH THAT HE WISHES CHRIST
WOULD REMOVE FROM HIM. SOME BELIEVE HE WAS CRIPPLED
OR PERHAPS HAD POOR EYESIGHT. WE KNOW THAT PAUL
CONSTANTLY FACED HARDSHIPS—BEATINGS, PRISON,
SHIPWRECKS, STONING. HE DISCOVERED THE IMPORTANCE OF
A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE. PAUL PENS THESE WORDS
FROM PRISON--- REJOICE—AGAIN I SAY, REJOICE!
EARLY ON IN MINISTRY, I THOUGHT THAT BEING IN AN IDEALIC
SETTING IN TERMS OF WHERE I LIVED WOULD BRING ME MORE
HAPPINESS. IF I COULD LIVE NEAR A MOUNTAIN, A LAKE OR
EVEN THE OCEAN.
I’VE DISCOVERED THAT TRUE JOY FOR CHRISTIANS DOESN’T
COME FROM BEING IN IDEAL CIRCUMSTANCES—IT COMES
RATHER FROM OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. NOTICE THE
ALL-IMPORTANT PHRASE, REJOICE IN THE LORD. REJOICE--IN
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD! REJOICE- CENTERED IN
CHRIST! Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 10
EVEN IN TRAILS, A CHRISTIAN CAN REJOICE KNOWING THAT
GOD WILL USE THOSE EVENTS TO SHAPE THEIR CHARACTER.
TODAY, ARE WE SEVENTH-DAY SADVENTISTS OR SEVENTH-
DAY GLADVENTISTS.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF OUR CHURCH BECAME KNOWN AS A
JOYFUL CHURCH. AS PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND
THEIR SPIRITS WILL BE LIFTED. MATURE CHRISTIANS ARE NOT
THOSE WHO HAVE LONG, SOLEMN FACES THAT LOOK LIKE
THEY ARE BEARING THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD. NO. MATURE
CHRISTIANS SMILE, THEY LAUGH, THEY ARE WARM, LOVING
AND AFFECTIONATE. THEY LIVE IN A REAL WORLD WITH REAL
PROBLEMS, BUT THEY HAVE LEARNED TO REJOICE!
** (SLIDE)
“THE GREATEST ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF THE GOSPEL IN A
LOVING AND LOVEABLE CHRISTIAN.”
THE SECOND FINISH LINE MARKER IS FOUND IN THE VERY
NEXT VERSE, Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 11
** (SLIDE)
“LET YOUR GENTLENESS BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN. THE LORD IS
AT HAND.” (PHIL. 4:5).
PAUL IS STRESSING HERE THE IMPORTANCE OF HONORING GOD
IN THE WAY WE LIVE OUR LIVES. A GENTLE PERSON HAS A
CALM AND FAIR SPIRIT. THEY ARE FULL OF GRACE. THE
OPPOSITE OF GENTLE IS HARSH, EXACTING AND JUDGMENTAL.
WHEN I THINK OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, GENTLENESS IS NOT THE
FIRST QUALITY THAT COMES TO MIND. I SEE HIM AS DYNAMIC,
POWERFUL, ENERGETIC. PAUL DOESN’T SEE GENTLENESS AS
WEAKNESS. RATHER, A PERSON WHO CAN BE GENTLE IN THE
FACE OF ADVERSITY IS THE ONE WHO IS TRULY STRONG.
RESPONDING IN GENTLENESS TO ONE’S PERSECUTORS IS NOT
OUR NATURAL TENDENCY. OUR DESIRE IS TO GET EVEN, TO
PAY BACK THE PERSON FOR THE HARM THEY DID TO US.
CHRISTIANS SHOULDN’T VOLUNTEER THEMSELVES AS A FREE
PUNCHING BAG. THAT WOULD BE A MISINTERPRETATION OF Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 12
THIS TEXT. WE SHOULD REMOVE OURSELVES FROM ABUSIVE
SITUATIONS.
PAUL REMINDS US THAT “THE LORD IS AT HAND.” JESUS IS
COMING SOON. WE CAN RESPOND WITH GENTLENESS BECAUSE
WE KNOW THAT JESUS MADE A PROMISE, “BLESSED ARE YOU
WHEN THEY REVILE AND PERSECUTE YOU, AND SAY ALL KINDS
OF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY FOR MY SAKE. REJOICE AND
BE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD, FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN
HEAVEN…” MATTHEW 5:11-12
WITH GOD’S HELP, INJUSTICES CAN SHAPE OUR CHARACTER TO
BE MORE LIKE JESUS. THIS IS MATURE CHRISTIANITY.
THE THIRD FINISH LINE MARKER IS FOUND IN
VERSES 6-7 OF PHILIPPIANS 4,
** (SLIDE)
“BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER
AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR
REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 13
WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR
HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.”
ARE YOU EVER STRESSED OUT…YOU TOSS AND TURN AT
NIGHT, YOU HAVE A HARD TO CONCENTRATING ON ANYTHING
BUT THE DILEMMA YOU ARE IN, YOUR PATIENCE WEARS THIN
—YOU FIND YOURSELF SNAPPING AT THOSE AROUND YOU,
YOU FEEL YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE RISING. THERE DOESN’T
SEEM TO BE A SOLUTION.
MANY STUDIES HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT STRESS OVER
FINANCES PLAGUES AND DESTROYS MARRIAGES MORE THAN
ANY OTHER FACTOR.
“BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING” THIS IS A TOUGH ONE!
--- (SHARE A PERSONAL ILLUSTRATION OF HOW YOU HAD A
HARD TIME BEING ANXIOUS ABOUT A FINANCIAL NEED)
PAUL ADMONISHES, “BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN
EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 14
THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO
GOD.” OUR FIRST RESPONSE TO STRESS IN OUR LIVES SHOULD
BE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE STRESS RELIEVER. PRAYER.
I’VE FOUND MY HUMAN TENDENCY IS TO TRY AND CREATE MY
OWN SOLUTIONS TO A CRISIS. MANY OF US WHEN WE HIT A
HARD SPOT FINANCIALLY IMMEDIATELY REACH FOR A CREDIT
CARD. THE PRINCIPLE OF THIS PASSAGE GOES FAR BEYOND
THE FINANCIAL AREA.
IN EVERYTHING…WHEN WE FEEL ANXIETY AND WORRY BEGIN
TO SET IN…OUR FIRST ACTION SHOULD BE FALLING ON OUR
KNEES. GOD PROMISES THAT HE HAS A SOLUTION THAT IS
BEYOND OUR HUMAN IMAGINATION. “THE PEACE OF GOD,
WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR
HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.”
** (SLIDE)
THE GREEK VERB USED HERE FOR “GUARD” IS A MILITARY
TERM. OUR MIND IS SEEN AS A BATTLE ZONE. THE PURPOSE OF
A GUARD IN A WARTIME SITUATION IS TWO-FOLD: Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 15
TO PREVENT A HOSTILE INVASION OR TO KEEP THE
INHABITANTS OF A BESIEGED CITY FROM ESCAPING. GOD’S
PEACE IS LIKE A SOLDIER PROTECTING OUR MINDS FROM
SATANIC ATTACK AND KEEPING US FOCUSED ON GOD’S TRUTH.
** (SLIDE)
THE FOURTH FINISH LINE MARKER IS FOUND IN VERSE 8.
“FINALLY, BRETHREN, WHATEVER THINGS ARE TRUE,
WHATEVER THINGS ARE NOBLE, WHATEVER THINGS ARE JUST,
WHATEVER THINGS ARE PURE, WHATEVER THINGS ARE
LOVELY, WHATEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT, IF THERE
IS ANY VIRTUE AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY—
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS.”
WHY IS IT THAT SO OFTEN WE VEGETATE INSTEAD OF
MEDITATE? WE ZONE OUT IN FRONT OF THE TELEVISION AND
ALLOW OUR MINDS TO VEGETATE ON THINGS THAT ARE NOT
TRUE, NOBLE, JUST, PURE, LOVELY AND OF A GOOD REPORT. Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 16
FOLLOWING THE LIST OF WHAT WE ARE TO MEDITATE ON
(TRUE, NOBLE, PURE, LOVELY AND GOOD REPORT), PAUL
TRANSITIONS WITH THIS PHRASE…IF THERE IS ANY VIRTUE
AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY…
THE IF IS LEFT FOR US TO FIGURE OUT…
THESE ARE PRINCIPLES. AS MATURE CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED
TO APPLY THEM TO OUR LIVES. TO MAKE A JUDGMENT CALL…
VIRTUE IS A RARE WORD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT…BUT OFTEN
USED IN GREEK WRITINGS. IT INDICATES MORAL
EXCELLENCE.
I PETER 2:9 USES THIS TERM TO DESCRIBE THE EXCELLENT
NATURE OF GOD.
PETER ALSO EMPHASIZES THAT ONLY THOSE GIVEN DIVINE
POWER CAN BE MORALLY EXCELLENT ON THIS EARTH.
** (SLIDE)
II PETER 1:2 “HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN TO US ALL THINGS
THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS.” Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 17
THROUGH GOD’S INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT, WE HAVE BEEN
GIVEN WHAT IS NEEDED TO BE MEN AND WOMEN OF MORAL
EXCELLENCE. WE DON’T HAVE TO GUESS WHAT GOD WOULD
HAVE US DO IN A GIVEN SITUATION. GOD HAS GIVEN US ALL
THE TOOLS NEEDED TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.
THE FIFTH AND FINAL FINISH LINE MARKER, PAUL REFERS TO
AS A SECRET. A SECRET HE IS GOING TO REVEAL TO US. THIS
AFTERNOON WE WILL EXPLORE THAT SECRET TOGETHER.
THE FIFTH AND FINAL FINISH LINE MARKER, PAUL REFERS TO
AS A SECRET. IT IS A SECRET HE HAS LEARNED TO ANSWER TO.
PHILIPPIANS 4:12 (NIV)
**(SLIDE)
“I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE IN NEED, AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO
HAVE PLENTY. I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF BEING
CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION, WHETHER WELL FED
OR HUNGRY, WHETHER LIVING IN PLENTY OR IN WANT.”
(USE PERSONAL ILLUSTRATION HERE ) Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 18
WHEN I ARRIVED IN TEXAS TO INTERVIEW FOR A POSITION
HERE IN 1998, IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY. THE WIND
WAS BLOWING HARD AND IT WAS SLEETING. I TOOK THE
DRIVE SOUTH ON HIWAY 67 FROM DALLAS TO THE
CONFERENCE OFFICE. THE GRASS WAS BROWN. THERE WERE
HARDLY ANY TREES. DESPITE THE CONDITIONS, I FELT VERY
CLEARLY GOD CALLING ME TO MOVE TO TEXAS. THE NEXT
WEEK, HOWEVER, I HAD A VACATION SCHEDULED TO HAWAII.
I WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE VACATION TO GIVE A
FINAL ANSWER.
ARRIVING IN HAWAII, I GREETED WITH A WARM TROPICAL
BREEZE, BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS, PALM TREES AND SANDY
BEACHES. DURING THAT TRIP, I DECIDED TO INTERVIEW WITH
THE HAWAII CONFERENCE AS WELL.
THEY ENCOURAGED ME TO TURN DOWN THE CALL TO TEXAS
AND WAIT FOR A POSITION TO OPEN IN HAWAII.
FORTUNATELY, I DIDN’T TURN DOWN GOD’S CALL. I’VE
BECOME A PROUD TEXAN. MORE IMPORTANTLY, I’VE Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 19
DISCOVERED THAT WE AS HUMAN BEINGS ARE MOST
FULFILLED WHEN WE ARE EXACTLY WHERE GOD WANTS US TO
BE.
HAVE YOU EVER STRUGGLED WITH FEELING CONTENT? MOST
OF US DO. IT MAY BE THAT WE’D LIKE TO HAVE A NICER CAR
OR A BIGGER HOUSE. WE SEEM TO THINK MORE OR BIGGER
WILL MAKE US HAPPIER. IRONICALLY, WHEN WE LOOK BACK
ON OUR LIVES, IT IS THE TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SIMPLE,
WHEN SACRIFICES WERE MADE, THAT WE WERE THE HAPPIEST.
MORE AND BIGGER DON’T BRING TRUE HAPPINESS.
** (SLIDE)
MOST AMERICAN LIVE AT THE MAXIMUM LIFESTYLE LEVEL
THEIR INCOME WILL ALLOW. THE NUMBER OF FORECLOSURES,
BANKRUPTCIES, AND INCREASING CREDIT BALANCES
INDICATE THAT A GREAT PERCENTAGE LIVE BEYOND THEIR
MEANS. WHY DON’T WE MAINTAIN OUR MORE MODEST
LIFESTYLE WHEN INCOME INCREASES? THIS WOULD FREE UP
RESOURCES TO BE INVESTED IN GOD’S WORK. Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 20
THE REALITY IS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE MORE
AND BIGGER UNTIL WE LEARN THE SECRET THAT PAUL DID.
LET’S LOOK AT WHAT HE DISCOVERED IN PHILIPPIANS 4:13,
** (SLIDE)
“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS
ME.”
THE SECRET TO A COMPLETELY CONTENT, SATISFIED LIFE IS
THROUGH CHRIST LIVING IN US.
5 FINISH LINE MARKERS—CHALLENGING GROWTH AREAS!
** (SLIDE)
HOURS BEHIND THE RUNNER IN FRONT OF HIM, THE LAST
MARATHONER FINALLY ENTERED THE OLYMPIC STADIUM. BY
THAT TIME, THE DRAMA OF THE DAY’S EVENTS WAS ALMOST
OVER AND MOST OF THE SPECTATORS HAD GONE HOME. THIS
ATHLETE’S STORY, HOWEVER, WAS STILL BEING PLAYED OUT.
LIMPING INTO THE ARENA, THE TANZANIAN RUNNER
GRIMACED WITH EVERY STEP, HIS KNEE BLEEDING AND
BANDAGED FROM AN EARLIER FALL. HIS RAGGED Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 21
APPEARANCE IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF THE
REMAINING CROWD, WHO CHEERED HIM ON TO THE FINISH
LINE.
WHY DID HE STAY IN THE RACE? WHAT MADE HIM ENDURE HIS
INJURIES TO THE END? WHEN ASKED THESE QUESTIONS LATER,
HE REPLIED, “MY COUNTRY DID NOT SEND ME 7000 MILES
AWAY TO START THE RACE. THEY SENT ME 7000 MILES TO
FINISH IT.”
BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE ARE HERE TO RUN THE RACE AND
FINISH.
MAY WE BE ABLE TO SAY WITH PAUL,
** (SLIDE)
“I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE,
I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. FINALLY, THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME
THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE
RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, WILL GIVE TO ME ON THAT DAY, AND NOT
TO ME ONLY BUT ALSO TO ALL WHO HAVE LOVED HIS
APPEARING.” II TIMOTHY 4:7-8.