Finishing Strong

We’ve all watched athletic competitions where a team has a lead going into the final quarter but rather than picking up their level of play to put the opponent away, they start playing to hold the lead.

Pastor Mark Kremer
Directional Pastor

We know what happens all too often, the momentum shifts and the lead disappears.  Finishing strong is an important concept in our spiritual life as well as in athletic competition.  Too many believers grow to a certain point in their walk with God and then try to coast the rest of the way home thinking their life is good enough. 

The apostle Paul certainly didn’t buy into “good enough” Christianity.  He was determined to finish strong and press on with all his might to accomplish the purpose God had for his life.  In Philippians 3:8-14 we see and hear his passion to finish strong, including these words from Phil. 3:12, “.  .  .  not that I have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” 

To put it another way, he wasn’t about to quit until his work on earth was completed, and his work wouldn’t be done until he took his final breath.  Read some of the last words Paul wrote, prior to his death, to Timothy (II Tim. 4:7), and you’ll see that Paul lived out this passion to finish strong.

Finishing strong will be the major theme here at LBC in the next couple of months as we conclude the “For This Purpose I live Campaign” and prepare to enter the new auditorium on Easter weekend, April 7/8, 2007, just 20 weeks from now. 

Beginning this weekend, November 18/19, we’ll have the chance to review the amazing things God has done to this point in our history as a church, through men and women of faith. 

We’ll also be challenged to join hands with the entire community of Christ-followers at LBC to finish the current phase of our mission strong and prepare for what God has in store for us next.  You’ll be thrilled and challenged when you see the open door of opportunity God has set before us, to see thousands of lives transformed locally, regionally and globally in the years to come.  

Don’t miss the special team gathering (worship services) this weekend, where we believe God wants to encourage and motivate us to give Him our all in the months to come in order to accomplish the mission He has given to us. 

It’s just about time for the 4th quarter to begin.  Are you ready?