He Began, He'll Finish

He Began, He'll Finish 

by David Brenneman 

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10.

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.  For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,  each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.  If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.  If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.

There's much that we can miss out on when our eyes are not on the Spiritual Finish Line that the Bible, God's Holy Word, says is set before us. 

The greatest aim that Satan's schemes are designed to set out to accomplish in our lives as Believers is to either get us so distracted by everything that we forget our lives in Christ or that we're so discouraged that we shut up or shut down.  

Yet the work of God in Christ Jesus for each and every single Believer is going to be finished.  It's going to be complete, lacking in nothing.  But it's on us to stay focused, stay the course, to persist in our lives as a disciple of Christ. 

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2.

"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.  Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.  The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.  Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." 2 Timothy 2:1-7.

Do you see it yet?  No matter what may befall you, if indeed you are saved in Christ Jesus, He’s GOING to finish what's been started in you to make you more like Christ.  He’s going to be glorified by the work He’s accomplishing in the lives of Believers everywhere. 

We ARE one of those entrusted with gifts from God if we're truly saved.  

We WILL give an account of how we used what we were given.

We MUST not sit on our gifts from the Spirit of God. 

It's going to mean sacrifices.  It's going to mean staying committed to whatever it is that God's put before YOU to be doing.  It's going to mean being uncomfortable at times.  Those in training are always very uncomfortable going through what they do to try to win the prize. 

We're to run in this Christian life in such a way as to want to win. 

Most have heard it said "no pain, no gain".  That's not just for the physical challenges of competing.  It's going to be some uncomfortable times being committed to your walk with Jesus.  Learning that you have baggage that must go in order to get better at running Spiritually.  Deciding that that pain is worth it in order to achieve a greater relationship with Jesus. 

Yes there were certainly a lot of passages to read this morning.  I didn't choose them, God did.  Take them to heart if indeed you're wanting to get better at living for Jesus in all that you do.  If He’s truly the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life, get busy at getting your priorities straight.  

He went to the cross to save you, isn't that worth something to you in showing appreciation to Him?  Think of it this way...He's sponsoring the Spiritual race you're in, He’s in it with you.  Don't you want to bring glory and honor to your sponsor?  Don't you want to finish well?   

We have no end of distractions. 

A great deal of them bring such high levels of joy that we lose track of time.  Then we don't have time to really do what matters in running the race. 

Your challenge is to renew your commitment to being in the race set before you.  

You must choose what is really going to work with Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith. 

He is NOT going to give up in this work that we read He IS doing in our lives.  Note that it doesn't say going to do.  Is doing. 

Make hearing "Well done!" your overriding priority in doing life. 

All New American Standard Bible Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit.