Can You See the Finish Line?

As Christians, we should all have an aim or a goal. We should be running toward a mark or a finish line. How then can you run for a finish line if you don’t know where it is? How can you reach a goal that is undefined? Such was the topic of Pastor Nathan’s message today entitled, “Can You See the Finish Line?”

Reading from Colossians 1:1-3, we can see a Christian’s goal clearly defined. Paul encouraged us to look up. As born-again Christians, we are seated together in heavenly places. We have become new creations. Our old life is dead. The old man of sin has been recreated, and we must begin to look up. Our affections are now above. Colossians 1:1-3 (Barclay) If then you have been raised to life with Christ, your heart must be set on the great realities of that heavenly sphere, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Your constant concern must be with heavenly realities, not with worldly trivialities. For you have died to this world, and now you have entered with Christ into the secret life of God.

Most Christians do not even argue that we are living in the last days, and many believe we are living in the last of the last days when we look at the evil that covers the earth. There is no dispute; evil versus good is real. The devil hates God’s people today as much as in the days of Paul. In Acts 20:22-24 Paul notes that bonds and affliction await him, but he makes a determination in his heart. “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Paul wanted to fulfill his destiny in life. He wanted to reach the finish line, and he wanted to finish his course in joy!

God desires the same for us. He wants every person to be saves and to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He wants to change our heart and our destiny. He wants us to be that new creation and live out the plan He has for us. Every Christian is called to be a light in a dark place. (2Peter 1:19) Each of us should desire to fulfill our calling, but Paul also warned that with great opportunities we may also face many adversaries. Should we then tremble in fear? On the contrary, Jesus told us to be of good cheer for He has overcome the world! (I Corinthians 16:9 AMP, John 16:33)

Paul kept his eyes in the right place. He kept his eyes on the finish line. In II Corinthians 4:8-18 Paul talked about the constant troubles and dangers the early Christians faced. They were troubled but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, hunted but not abandoned by God, knocked down but not destroyed. Because of their service to Jesus, they faced death each day, but they never gave up. In the midst of all this trouble, Paul kept his eyes on the finish line. He fixed his gaze upon the unseen realm. Paul knew that this world would soon be gone, but what we cannot see will last forever! Likewise, we must keep our eyes on what God is doing in us. If we keep our focus on the eternal, it will manifest in our lives. This world is temporary and it will change, so we must keep our eyes upon the eternal, on Jesus. All of Heaven is cheering us on! (Hebrews 12:1-2) When our eyes are on Jesus and His Word, the trivial will fall away.

In conclusion, Pastor Nathan looked at the life of Stephen, the very first martyr. He pointed out that Jesus, Himself, was a culture changer, a revolutionary. Jesus was put to death because He spoke and demonstrated the truth of God in love. Stephen was a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost. He was also a culture changer who preached and demonstrated the works of Jesus. Those that disputed his ministry were not able to successfully withstand and cope with the wisdom and the intelligence [and the power and inspiration] of the Spirit by whom he was speaking (Acts 6:10 AMP). Thus, they resorted to false testimony and lies resulting in Stephen’s death, but Stephen never lost sight of the finish line. Stephen died doing exactly what God had called him to do. When he gazed up into Heaven, Jesus stood up to welcome him home! He even prayed for his persecutors just like Jesus did. (Acts 7:60, Luke 23:34) Stephen reached his goal. He crossed the finish line!

And what of our world today? Are there still martyrs? What about Charlie Kirk? He was a man called to reach students for Christ on high school and college campuses all across the USA. Many will call his death a political assassination, but like Stephen, he died doing what God called Him to do. He was martyred for speaking the truth, for sharing his faith, for speaking the Word of God. No doubt, he has reached his goal and Jesus has stood up to welcome him home. He has finished his course. He has reached the finish line! His death is a sober reminder of the battle that rages for the souls of men, women, and children every day. At the time of Stephen’s death, young Saul of Tarsus was standing by holding the coats of those who killed Stephen. (Acts 7:58) Unquestionably, his martyrdom had an impact on Saul (Paul) who later was radically saved and revolutionized the world with the revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although Charlies’s death was tragic, it is proven that God will use his legacy to raise up young men and women who will go and reach this generation for Christ. May we each find our place and do what God has called us to do. May we focus our attention on the eternal, the unchanging goal. Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15