Crossing the Finish Line. The Christian’s hope is a powerful incentive for living. We hear news of...

Crossing the Finish LineCrossing the Finish Line

The Christian’s hope is a powerful The Christian’s hope is a powerful incentive for living.incentive for living.

• We hear news of the death of a We hear news of the death of a Christian that has impacted many lives.Christian that has impacted many lives.

• Our reaction is one of loss and one of Our reaction is one of loss and one of great joy.great joy.

• In Paul’s last letter he wrote of crossing In Paul’s last letter he wrote of crossing the finish line. (2 Tim 4:6-8) the finish line. (2 Tim 4:6-8)


• 2 Timothy 4:6-82 Timothy 4:6-8 - For I am already being - For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.who have loved His appearing.


• For those that remained, the finish For those that remained, the finish stood as an inspiration. stood as an inspiration.

• When a godly woman, Dorcus, died. When a godly woman, Dorcus, died. There was joy and sorrow. There was joy and sorrow. (Acts 9:36-40)(Acts 9:36-40)


• Acts 9:36-40Acts 9:36-40 - At Joppa there was a - At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they died. When they had washed her, they laid laid her her in an upper room. in an upper room.


• 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring there, they sent two men to him, imploring him him not to delay in coming to them. 39 not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought When he had come, they brought him him to to the upper room. And all the widows stood the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. she was with them.


• 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.Peter she sat up.


• Leaving was a joy for her but those she Leaving was a joy for her but those she had helped were understandably had helped were understandably sorrowful.sorrowful.


• All she wanted to do was serve others. All she wanted to do was serve others. Dorcus and Paul were happy to be Dorcus and Paul were happy to be “spent” as a tool in the hands of the “spent” as a tool in the hands of the Lord. (Phil 1:21-24)Lord. (Phil 1:21-24)


• Philippians 1:21-24Philippians 1:21-24 - For to me, to live - For to me, to live is is Christ, and to die Christ, and to die is is gain. 22 But if gain. 22 But if I I live live on in the flesh, this on in the flesh, this will mean will mean fruit from fruit from my my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, Christ, which is which is far better. 24 far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is is more needful for you.more needful for you.

The entry fee for this race is death! The entry fee for this race is death! (Gal 6:14)(Gal 6:14)

• Galatians 6:14Galatians 6:14 - But God forbid that I - But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.been crucified to me, and I to the world.


• What would motivate anyone to freely die?What would motivate anyone to freely die?

• Here is where the power of the gospel is Here is where the power of the gospel is seen.seen.

• Our great shepherd showed us the way by Our great shepherd showed us the way by His freely giving Himself to death.His freely giving Himself to death.


• He plainly spoke of such a sacrifice. He plainly spoke of such a sacrifice. (Mt 20:27-28)(Mt 20:27-28)


• Matthew 20:27-28Matthew 20:27-28 27 "And whoever 27 "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be desires to be first among you, let him be your slave -- 28 "just as the Son of Man your slave -- 28 "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."and to give His life a ransom for many."


• This “ransom” was the only way sinful men This “ransom” was the only way sinful men could be reconciled to God.could be reconciled to God.


• Did Jesus die by accident? Never! Look as Did Jesus die by accident? Never! Look as His willing surrender to the forces that His willing surrender to the forces that sought to arrest him. sought to arrest him. (Jn 18:4-9)(Jn 18:4-9)


• John 18:4-9John 18:4-9 4 Jesus therefore, knowing 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus seeking?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, "I am them, "I am He," He," they drew back and fell to they drew back and fell to the ground. the ground.


• 7 Then He asked them again, "Whom are 7 Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?" And they said, "Jesus of you seeking?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I have told Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am you that I am He. He. Therefore, if you seek Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way," 9 that the Me, let these go their way," 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."none."


• Why did Jesus do this? Consider the Why did Jesus do this? Consider the alternative for you and me! alternative for you and me!


• We die to self because we were already We die to self because we were already dead before God. dead before God. (Eph 2:1-4)(Eph 2:1-4)


• Ephesians 2:1-4Ephesians 2:1-4 And you And you He made alive, He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of who now works in the sons of disobedience, disobedience,


• 3 among whom also we all once 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,with which He loved us,


• When I came to see my sin and self before When I came to see my sin and self before God I was ready to die so I might live.God I was ready to die so I might live.


• What is my sinful soul worth without a What is my sinful soul worth without a sacrifice? This was a “no-brainer” to die in sacrifice? This was a “no-brainer” to die in order to live!order to live!

• Do you remember the day you died? Do you remember the day you died? (Rom 6:3-4)(Rom 6:3-4)


• Romans 6:3-4Romans 6:3-4 - Or do you not know that - Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.should walk in newness of life.


• What kind of race does a dead person What kind of race does a dead person run?run?

The Christian’s race is one of a slaveThe Christian’s race is one of a slave

• We die and become joyful slaves! We die and become joyful slaves! (Rom 6:11-13)(Rom 6:11-13)


• Romans 6:11-13Romans 6:11-13 - Likewise you also, reckon - Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members And do not present your members as as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members from the dead, and your members as as instruments of righteousness to God.instruments of righteousness to God.


• We follow a different path from the world. We follow a different path from the world. We think differently, we act differently and We think differently, we act differently and most of all we die differently.most of all we die differently.

• What memories do you have of the faithful What memories do you have of the faithful Christian that has crossed the finish line? Christian that has crossed the finish line? A slave of God works to serve others.A slave of God works to serve others.

• When we become a slave we empty When we become a slave we empty ourselves and only follow the ourselves and only follow the instructions given from God. instructions given from God.


• Living this life means overcoming the flesh Living this life means overcoming the flesh and choosing the Spirit.and choosing the Spirit.

• This battle will keep us humble and This battle will keep us humble and desiring the finish line. desiring the finish line. (1 Cor 9:24-27)(1 Cor 9:24-27)


• 1 Corinthians 9:24-271 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Do you not know - Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain that you may obtain it.it. 25 And everyone 25 And everyone who competes who competes for the prize for the prize is temperate in is temperate in all things. Now they all things. Now they do it do it to obtain a to obtain a perishable crown, but we perishable crown, but we for for an an imperishable imperishable crown.crown.


• 26 Therefore I run thus: not with 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring and bring it it into subjection, lest, when I into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.become disqualified.


• How does a Child of God treat others? How does a Child of God treat others? How do they dress and act? What How do they dress and act? What hard hard paths do they take in times of pressure paths do they take in times of pressure and ridicule?and ridicule?


• I deeply appreciate hearing old soldiers of I deeply appreciate hearing old soldiers of the cross speak of this struggle. Look at the cross speak of this struggle. Look at their children and the legacy they left.their children and the legacy they left.

• There is a “world” of difference between There is a “world” of difference between the respectable religion of “easy-the respectable religion of “easy-believism” and the life of a Christian believism” and the life of a Christian pursuing holiness.pursuing holiness.


• Some of the greatest examples are found Some of the greatest examples are found when they took time and effort to when they took time and effort to substantially help others. They did not substantially help others. They did not “pass on the other side.”“pass on the other side.”

The glorious finish line!The glorious finish line!

• Physical death is just a finish line to Physical death is just a finish line to another life! another life! (Lk 16:22-23)(Lk 16:22-23)


• Luke 16:22-23Luke 16:22-23 22 "So it was that the 22 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 "And being also died and was buried. 23 "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.his bosom.


• Those who are righteous are escorted by Those who are righteous are escorted by the angels of God to a place of paradise. the angels of God to a place of paradise.

• Those who are unprepared likely have a Those who are unprepared likely have a terrifying death and a worse realization in terrifying death and a worse realization in the world to come.the world to come.

• We know what will happen at our We know what will happen at our resurrection. resurrection.

• We will be raised in a physical body like We will be raised in a physical body like Jesus’. Jesus’. (2 Cor 4:13-14)(2 Cor 4:13-14)


• 2 Corinthians 4:13-142 Corinthians 4:13-14 13 And since we 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present Jesus, and will present us us with you.with you.


• That body will then be changed to a That body will then be changed to a spiritual body. spiritual body. (1 Cor 15:50-55)(1 Cor 15:50-55)


• 1 Corinthians 15:50-551 Corinthians 15:50-55 50 Now this I say, 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- 52 in a moment, in the all be changed -- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. changed.


• 53 For this corruptible must put on 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal incorruption, and this mortal must must put on put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O Death, where Death, where is is your sting? O Hades, your sting? O Hades, where where is is your victory?"your victory?"


• There will also be an angel escort as we There will also be an angel escort as we prepare to meet God. prepare to meet God. (Mk 13:26-27)(Mk 13:26-27)


• Mark 1:26-27Mark 1:26-27 - And when the unclean - And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine "What is this? What new doctrine is is this? this? For with authority He commands even the For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.“unclean spirits, and they obey Him.“


• The world as we have seen it will be The world as we have seen it will be destroyed. destroyed. (2 Pt 3:10-11)(2 Pt 3:10-11)


• 2 Peter 3:9-102 Peter 3:9-10 - The Lord is not slack - The Lord is not slack concerning concerning His His promise, as some count promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.that are in it will be burned up.


• We have a taste of what heaven will be We have a taste of what heaven will be like! like! (Rev 21:1-5)(Rev 21:1-5)


• Revelation 21:1-5Revelation 21:1-5 Now I saw a new Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. her husband.


• 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is is with men, and He will dwell with them, and with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them be with them and be and be their God. 4 "And God their God. 4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."the former things have passed away."


• 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."true and faithful."


• Can you imagine the blessings that the Can you imagine the blessings that the creator of this universe has for us? No, creator of this universe has for us? No, you cannot! you cannot! (1 Cor 2:9; Eph 3:20-21)(1 Cor 2:9; Eph 3:20-21)


• 1 Corinthians 2:91 Corinthians 2:9 9 But as it is written: 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those things which God has prepared for those who love Him."who love Him."


• Ephesians 3:20-21Ephesians 3:20-21 20 Now to Him who 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him the power that works in us, 21 to Him be be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.generations, forever and ever. Amen.


• This is why the love of God is so powerful.This is why the love of God is so powerful.

• We will continue to be who we are after We will continue to be who we are after our death.our death.


• There was recognition of Moses and Elijah There was recognition of Moses and Elijah on the mount of transfiguration. on the mount of transfiguration. (Mt 17:3-4)(Mt 17:3-4)


• Matthew 17:3-4Matthew 17:3-4 3 And behold, Moses 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."and one for Elijah."


• We do not go out of existence! We We do not go out of existence! We continue to live joyfully as a child of God.continue to live joyfully as a child of God.

• This makes death a blessed finish line to This makes death a blessed finish line to eternal fellowship with God.eternal fellowship with God.

Let the death of the righteous be a great Let the death of the righteous be a great motivation to us.motivation to us.

• We need to see others finish the race We need to see others finish the race successfully. successfully. (2 Cor 4:16-18)(2 Cor 4:16-18)


• 2 Corinthians 4:16-182 Corinthians 4:16-18 16 Therefore we 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward outward man is perishing, yet the inward man man is being renewed day by day. 17 For is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more moment, is working for us a far more exceeding exceeding and and eternal weight of glory, eternal weight of glory,


• 18 while we do not look at the things which 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen seen. For the things which are seen are are temporary, but the things which are not temporary, but the things which are not seen seen are are eternal.eternal.


• The life of a sacrificing faith is needed to The life of a sacrificing faith is needed to be seen by others.be seen by others.

• Do you hear voices in your head of those Do you hear voices in your head of those who have gone before?who have gone before?


• What a blessing for a child to see a parent What a blessing for a child to see a parent die in faith! die in faith!

• Are you ready to start your race?Are you ready to start your race?

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