Finished Strong

There are several examples in the Bible of men who started right but did not finish strong.  In society today we are seeing the pattern continued of those who have fallen, failed or simply chosen to disobey God and live in morale sin.  I believe we are hearing more and more of this because of the social media and technologically advanced day in which we are living in. 

I could spend the morning talking about the failure of Saul or of Samson or how Demas left Paul having a love affair for this present world but instead of focusing on the negative, as we as Independent Baptist seem to do more often, I want to think of all those who have finished strong. 

In 2 Timothy 4:6-7 Paul declares to Timothy, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."  Paul declared that the fight he was in was a good fight, a worthy fight and a needful fight.  You and I are in this same contest today.  He declared he had finished the course, the race that God had laid out for him to do.  Remember at his conversion that then Saul asked, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"  God showed him and he did not waiver from it.  Paul also declared that the faith that had been given to him he did not waiver from.  When we look at this great man of God we would think he was a hero to every preacher, yet there were those who were ashamed of him and questioned his bonds and how effective his ministry really was.  In 2 Timothy he speaks of Onesiphorus not being ashamed of his chains.  In Philippians he speaks of those questioning his chains and afflictions.  Yet through it all Paul remained faithful.  The testing of the servant made him stronger. 

So today Christian, may we think of those who have not fallen.  May we think of the faithful men who have stayed true to the word of God.  I think of men like my Pastor, Dr. Glenn Anderson, faithfully preaching the word for over 31 years at Liberty Baptist Tabernacle.  Planting that church in Stockbridge Georgia and founding the Atlanta Bible College.  Winning souls to Christ and because of him many are in the ministry today.  Today he continues to work with world wide missions, and continues to teach and train young men for the ministry.  He is Finishing Strong

I think of my wife's grandfather, Dr. Evertie Moore for over 41 years serving in the mountains of Kentucky.  There he lead souls to Christ, founded a Christian school and served God faithfully.  Today he is teaching new converts in his sons church and continuing to win souls to Christ.  He is Finishing Strong.

There are others who have been faithful, Dr. Lee Roberson, Dr. Tom Malone, Dr. Bobby Roberson and countless hundreds who we will not know this side of glory.  So when we get discouraged with those who have fallen, chose sin over serving, then lets remember those who have finished strong.  Lets take our eyes and place them upon our Savior who Finished Strong and let us determine each and every day that with the Lords help, we too will Finish Strong. 

Keeping the Main thing the Main thing

How is your attention span?  According to the Associated Press, the average attention span has dropped in recent years from twelve seconds to eight seconds.  Adults are finding it harder and harder to focus!  This is true in our churches as well, we have lost focus. 

Years ago I read this phrase in a book, "Keep the main thing the main thing".  While the author was dealing with a secular topic and structure in individuals life, it struck a resounding chord with me and has effected me in my life and ministry.  Later I heard a Pastor, referring to this statement add, "Keep the main thing the main thing, and the main thing is Soul winning!" 

In the summer months our church saw a good number of individuals come to Christ as their savior but few were from door to door soul winning.  Our need to reach our city, community and county with the gospel must resonate a fresh and new in our hearts as we begin our fall campaign in the coming weeks. 

As followers of Christ we can become so distracted and discouraged from doing what we have been commanded and commissioned to do.  As a pastor I can become so concerned with the schematics of the daily operation of the Church that I forget my duty to tell others the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Preachers can become so caught up in what is happening in churches across America that we forget to tend to the flock God has given us.

So, Maranatha- lets FOCUS and remember to "Keep the Main thing the Main thing" this fall and every season.  Get involved in the upcoming equipping sessions and lets see God use our church to reach our Jerusalem with the gospel of Christ.