Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans

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 SUBSTANTIALLEAD. SUDDENLY, I BECAME BREATHLESS, MY LEGS BEGAN TOTREMBLE. 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 2MANY 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 3ALTHOUGH 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 4THE 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 OFJOY, GENEROSITY AND LOVE. NO CHURCH IS WITHOUT STRUGGLES, HOWEVER. HERE PAUL ISADDRESSING 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 ATTHE END OF THE RACE, THE FINISH LINE…WHERE RUNNERS SETTHEIR GAZE AND SPRINT TOWARD. ** (SLIDE) ON JANUARY 15, 1927, A HISTORIC SWIM KNOWN AS THE “WRIGLEY OCEAN MARATHON” TOOK PLACE. IN AN EFFORT TOBOOST 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 6BETS 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 NAMEOF 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 OFSPECTATORS 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 7REACH 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 INTHE BOOK OF LIFE. Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans 8WOW! 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 9PAUL 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 IDEALICSETTING 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 10EVEN 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. MATURECHRISTIANS 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 GODIN 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 THEFIRST 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 12THIS 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 BECAUSEWE KNOW THAT JESUS MADE A PROMISE, “BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN THEY REVILE AND PERSECUTE YOU, AND SAY ALL KINDSOF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY FOR MY SAKE. REJOICE AND BE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD, FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN…” MATTHEW 5:11-12WITH GOD’S HELP, INJUSTICES CAN SHAPE OUR CHARACTER TOBE MORE LIKE JESUS. THIS IS MATURE CHRISTIANITY. THE THIRD FINISH LINE MARKER IS FOUND INVERSES 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 13WHICH 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 14THANKSGIVING, 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 15TO 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 16FOLLOWING 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 OFTENUSED 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 17THROUGH 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 TOHAVE 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 18WHEN 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 19DISCOVERED THAT WE AS HUMAN BEINGS ARE MOST FULFILLED WHEN WE ARE EXACTLY WHERE GOD WANTS US TOBE. 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 20THE 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 21APPEARANCE 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 HISINJURIES 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.

Finish Line Christianity- Philippians 4 STEWARDSHIP SERIES, Tom Evans

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