Sermon
Lanier Christian Church
September Start Up - Outside Worship - September 14, 2014
David Simpson
What God Started - He Will Finish! (Now & Later)
Philippians 1:6
"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." - Philippians 1:6 The Message
Have you ever started something and never finished it?
I don't know how many times I've sat down in my office to write a sermon and never finished it. How many of you have ever started some type of project and never finished it?
Don't feel so alone. You're in good company!
There is a famous painting of President Franklin Roosevelt called the "unfinished portrait." It was being painted by artist Elizabeth Shoumatoff when the President died on April 12, 1945 in Warm Springs, Georgia at his "Little White House."
Leonardo da Vinci developed sketches and models for the 24-foot-tall "Gran Cavallo" horse statue but the bronze to cast the sculpture was diverted to make cannons. Five hundred years later, two full-size sculptures were completed based on Leonardo's work, but da Vinci himself was never able to complete the sculpture.
There's a Roman Catholic Basilica (Church) called the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain that began construction in 1882 and still is not finished...it is currently at about the half way point builders say.
One of the most famous examples of unfinished musical compositions is Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 8 in B minor, or as it is more commonly known, The Unfinished Symphony. For those of you not classically inclined....
Johnny Cash, aware of his failing health, made sure that he recorded the vocals for 60 more songs, with the music being completed after his death. He never heard the accompaniment. (These songs were compiled by producer Rick Rubin and released as American V: A Hundred Highways and American VI.)
Something's Got to Give was an unfinished 1962 American feature film, directed by George Cukor for Twentieth Century-Fox and starring Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Cyd Charisse. Marilyn Monroe died that year and the movie was never finished.
Don't feel so bad if you haven't finished that project you started years ago! You're in good company. There are many just like you!
But I want you to know today that God is NOT ONE OF THEM! The great work He started in you will be finished when Christ returns! And it will be His masterpiece!
I have a very small gift for you today! Give out NOW and LATER Candy.
There are two things I want to share with you today:
God is working in you now. God will finish His work later.
1. God is working in you NOW.
If you have given your life to Jesus, then God started a great work in you through His Holy Spirit.
...God who started this great work in you would keep at it...says Paul.
God will not give up on you. He is going to keep at it every day...shaping you, molding you, helping you, guiding you, forgiving you, strengthening you, giving wisdom to you, correcting you, teaching you and providing for you.
God IS working in you now! Yes...even this very moment.
We've offered songs to Him in worship. Does that mean God is working in me? Yes...if you're listening and singing, these songs fill your heart with praise.
You're listening to me right now as I share God's Word...Does that mean God is working in me? Yes...if you're listening and taking it in, these words are meant to give you hope.
We're experiencing great fellowship today. Does that mean God is working in me? Yes..if you open up your life a bit and share with someone else in conversation, or work alongside them in service today, you'll be blessed by the encouragement that others offer you.
We're going to have fun this afternoon. Nothing spiritual about it, so we think. Does that mean God is working in me even during the fun activities? Yes..if you experience laughter and smiles...God has planted His joy in you.
You could have chosen to be somewhere else today, but God has led you here and this is a divine moment, because He's working in you...NOW. Say it....GOD IS WORKING IN ME RIGHT NOW!
And, whenever you leave today, God will continue to work in you. It's not a Sunday only construction project. God keeps at it every day..working in you and me!
Just how does He do that?
When you pray - God listens. Psalm 17:6 says: "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;" (NIV)
He hears every word of every prayer of every believer. He knows your every desire. Even when you are so broken, and you can't find the right words to say, God knows your heart and he hears your unspoken words.
The real truth about prayer is not that we speak to God and get what we want. It's not that the closer you are to God the more He grants your requests. God is NOT a genie in the sky that grants you three wishes.
The real truth about prayer IS that the more we pray, the more we understand His heart and the more we know His will for our lives.
So it's true, God is working in you now...when you pray.
God keeps at it every day...working in you and me. How does He do that?
When we read His word. You know this verse: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105 KJV)
God works through His Word. His Holy Word is our guide for living. Through His Word God shows us the right path and He reveals to us the wrong path.
So, it's true, God is working in you now...when you read His Word.
God keeps at it every day...working in you and me. How does He do that?
When we as obedient Christians allow His Holy Spirit to fill our lives.
Romans 15:13 says: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
God is working in you and me right now as He provides us with joy and peace and hope for each day.
The Holy Spirit is God's seal that is stamped upon us.
Ephesians 4:30 says: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (NIV)
His seal is like the label in our shirts. And no...it doesn't say made in the USA...it says, "Made by the Almighty."
So, it's true, God is working in you now...when you rely on His Holy Spirit every day, knowing that you belong to Him!
His Holy Spirit gives us hope and joy and peace and assurance.
God keeps at it every day...working in you and me. How does He do that?
When we allow God to work in every situation.
Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (KJV)
God works in every situation. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me."
God will never abandon you, his child! Even through the valleys - He is with you. Even when your life is empty, he is with you. Even when you are standing before your enemy, he is with you. When you are thirsty He leads you to refreshing waters. When you are hungry He provides for your every need.
So, it's true, God is working in you right now...no matter what situation you may be facing.
His presence is comforting as He watches over us, his sheep, as our Good Shepherd. And he doesn't just do this on Sunday. He does it every day and He's doing it right now.
Say it again....GOD IS WORKING IN ME RIGHT NOW!
2. God will finish His work later.
Say it: God will finish His work in me later.
Clearly, God is working in each of us, even at this very moment. But, His work is not complete. He is going to
"keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." (Philippians 1:6)
In reality, all of us should be wearing a sign today that says "under construction." Praise God....He's not finished with me yet! He's still working, even this very day.
There is no quit in God. He never gives up and never gives in. He is your greatest fan. You are the apple of his eye.
Psalm 17:8 (NIV) Keep me as the apple of your eye;? hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Because He loves you and me, God will finish His work.
He will not leave an unfinished portrait. In fact, he's actually working on a masterpiece with each one of our lives.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Have you ever thought of yourself that way before? YOU are God's Masterpiece. And, as He paints these broad strokes across the canvas of our lives, He intends for us to show...or reflect His work of art to others. He wants us to participate with Him in His great plan to reach the hearts and minds of people around the world that Satan has harmed and deceived.
God is working in you now. He wants you to serve Him with good deeds that reflect His love now. But, He also wants you and me to understand that He's not finished with me yet!
You are God's masterpiece, and Peter says you are God's special possession.
In 1 Peter 2:9 we read: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV)
Just understand that you and I are works in progress! The work is not completed. It's still underway. And yet, as He builds, as He paints, as He molds and shapes us each day...He simply asks us to declare Praises to Him. When? Now! Why? Because of what will happen later.
I know that there are days where it seems as if God is distant or that He doesn't care or perhaps you may even feel like God has abandoned you.
But I am appealing to you today to trust God for now and the later to come.
I don't know the specifics of what will happen to your life or mine...but I trust God for my future...what comes later.
I don't know if I'll face sickness or good health..but I trust God for my future...what comes later.
I don't know if terrorism may rear it's ugly head on American soil once again...but I trust God for my future...what comes later.
I don't know what challenges may await me in the days, months and years to come...but I trust God for my future...what comes later.
I don't know the future God has planned for this congregation of His people...but 40 years ago...less than 10 people trusted God for the future of this church and you are the result of their prayers today. And I continue to trust God for the future of this church...what comes later.
The answer to all your troubles, sickness, challenges and doubts is yet to come. You see, we want answers NOW...but God says LATER!
Jesus told his disciples, just hours before the cross, that he was going to leave them. He was going to die. He said, as recorded in John 14:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
Folks, he's gone to prepare a place for us...it's not finished yet. He's working on it right now. But later, we'll be amazed at what He has done!
Let's look at Philippians 1:6 one more time:
"...the God who started this great work in you (will) keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." - Philippians 1:6 The Message
Folks, the answer to your every question is Jesus. And when He appears once again - when He returns from glory, you and I most likely will have no more questions.
Because God is going to bring an end to everything He started. It will be a flourishing, glorious end. Listen to the words of Paul just a few more verses later in Philppians 2:
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place?and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,?in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,?to the glory of God the Father.
I'm telling you..flourishing and glorious doesn't even begin to describe what is coming later!
Revelation 1:7 actually gives us a glimpse of what is to come later.
Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, ?even those who pierced him”;? and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. (NIV)
I know what is coming later. Every eye will see Him...and all will eventually understand that Jesus Christ IS Lord!
Don't blow it NOW....don't forfeit your life NOW with hearts filled with doubt...but with eyes of faith...look ahead to the glorious truth of what is coming LATER. Say it....God will finish His work in me later.
Conclusion
On the cross Jesus died for our sins. You know that. His last words were: "It is finished." You know that too. What you may not know is that phrase is one word in the Greek language of the New Testament. It is "tetelestai" meaning, FINISHED.
And it wasn't uttered with a whimper. It was shouted by our Lord....FINISHED! The work of salvation was finished. His mission was finished! He died for you. He died for me.
And some day later, when Jesus comes again, He will return triumphantly, and He will make all things new...no more sorrow, no more tears, no more pain and no more death...and more than likely He will finish the masterpiece of what He started; He will finally destroy Satan and all evil...and say at the completion of his glorious heaven...FINISHED!
NOW...our sins are forgiven; LATER...our hope will culminate in the wonders of a glorious heaven. I can't wait!
The widow of Billy Graham, Ruth Bell Graham is buried on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C.
Her tombstone, along with her date of birth and death, bears this inscription:
"END OF CONSTRUCTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE."
God is working on each of us right now...and later He will complete the construction project of our lives with a glorious, flourishing finish. May we praise Him every day until that day when his masterful construction is complete.
*Opening illustrations from "Unfinished Creative Work" on Wikipedia. Remainder of sermon original by David K. Simpson, one of his children "still under construction."
