Series: Action [#199]
HOW TO ENJOY LIFE- A STRONG FINISH
Philippians 3:12-21
Introduction:
This is a Summer Olympics year. There are many athletes from all over the World training and competing to represent their Country in Paris, France. I remember how crazy 2016 was for Tharon. Tharon was training at a level like I had never seen from him. Everything from his diet to his mental health to his physical strength mattered. Tharon competed well at the Trials and made Team USA. That year, Tharon competed at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro; and came home with 2 Silver Medals. I was so proud of him; but I could hear him saying to me, “It wasn’t Gold”.
After Rio, Tharon continued to train. He was training for the World Championships in Mexico City; and he was training even harder. He was focusing on 2 things that I had been training him on since he was 9 years old- Start fast and finish strong; and that is what he did. Tharon went on to make the World Championships Team and win 2 Gold Medals in Mexico City in the events that he had won Silver in Rio.
Paul says that life is a race and he had run a good race and wanted to finish strong. When you get to the end of life, what is it that you want to be able to say? What do you need to do to ensure a strong finish?
Philippians 3:12-13
In order to ensure a strong finish…
1. Admit that you have not yet arrived.
In order to finish strong, be reminded that you are not perfect. When you begin to think that you can do no wrong, you will fall. Pride goes before the fall. The older I get, the more I realize that I do not know much. I do not know how many years God will leave me on this Earth; but I know that as long as I am here, I have much to do.
Philippians 3:13
In order to ensure a strong finish…
2. Don’t hold on to the past.
Although we can learn from our past mistakes, if we hold on to them, they will just haunt us. It is very difficult to move forward while looking back. Try walking forward and looking behind you at the same time- It will not turn out well for you.
Tharon has been retired from International Swimming Competition for several years; but he has continued to use his swimming skills. Tharon is the 1st blind NCAA Swim Coach. A key point that Tharon, (and other Swim Coaches) push, is never look back. Whether it is running a race in Track or swimming a race in the pool; if you look back at your opponent, there is a real possibility that you will lose the race. You must focus on finishing and not the past.
Philippians 3:14
In order to ensure a strong finish…
3. Focus on your goal.
What are you living for? What is your purpose? If you do not have goals, you will find yourself just trying to survive day by day. I would suggest to you this morning that you figure out your purpose and have goals that lead you to that purpose. Some of your goals should be short term goals; but some of your goals should be long term.
Most of you here this morning probably have some financial goals. If you are retired, you are living off of the success of your financial goals. For those of you that are still working jobs, hopefully you are not just living check to check- If you are, hopefully there will be a time when you can save for the future. Are your financial goals the most important goals in your life?
Most of you have occupational goals. Whatever your job is, most people want to promote and improve at your job. Again, if you are retired, hopefully you are enjoying your life having completed the occupational season of your life. For those of you that are still building your career, how far are you willing to go to meet those goals. How many hours are you sacrificing? How many relationships are you sacrificing? Are your occupational goals your most important goals in your life?
How about your relationship goals? There are many different types of relationships- There are family relationships, work relationships, Church relationships, friendships, and hopefully a spiritual relationship with God. Your relationship goals should be important to you. All of your relationship goals are dependent upon your relationship with God.
You can make it without money or a job- You can even make it without people; but you cannot make it without God. If your goal is Heaven, that is only through Jesus Christ. Paul said that he was pressing on to win the prize- Eternal life. Are you pressing on for Jesus?
Philippians 3:15-21
In order to ensure a strong finish…
4. Don’t quit.
The old Southern Gospel song comes to mind, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus”. You live 1 day at a time, and you should strive to be more faithful today than you were yesterday. You should strive to live your life for Jesus knowing that there will come a day when you will enjoy your inheritance in the Lord for all eternity.
This is a tough point. The saying, “When the goings get tough, the tough get going” sounds great; but is not easy. You cannot finish the race of life strong, if you quit. Place your faith in Christ for all things. Remember that “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Conclusion:
Keep your mind on the things of Christ and finish strong.
