Everyone loves a great start, a runner that blast out of the blocks, a team that runs up a big lead in the beginning of the game. However, if we are not careful we can start strong but falter at the end. While a good start helps, a good finish is up to you.
CHARACTERISTICS OF FAST STARTERS WHO DON’T END WELL
Ø Ecclesiastes 9:11 The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.
1) THEIR WEAKNESSES GO UNADDRESSED
Ø While King Solomon is known as the wisest man in history, he ultimately fell short because he failed to follow God’s command to not accept foreign wives and to not accept their god’s. The god’s of Solomon’s wives ultimately created his downfall.
2) THEY ABANDON THEIR LEADERSHIP
Ø 2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.
3) THEY LOOK BACK
Ø Luke 17:32 REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE.
ELIMINATE PLAN B
History records the life of Hernan Cortez, a Spanish conquistador who many credit for conquering Mexico. When Cortez landed on the coast of Mexico with a force of 700 men, he knew that this could be the most dangerous mission they had ever undertaken.
He had already conquered Cuba, but now he was on a conquest to conquer Mexico.
Cortez knew that once he set out to conquer this new land, there would be many obstacles to overcome – but the reward would be great!
He knew that there would be many opportunities to turn around and go back to the safe land that they had already conquered - a comfort zone.
Cortez knew that if given the opportunity, many would be tempted to turn around when the battle heated up.
So, after these 700 warriors disembarked from their ships and made it onto the shore, Cortez BURNED HIS SHIPS IN THE HARBOR, thereby committing his entire force to survival through conquest.
Hernan Cortez secured his place in history as the man who conquered Mexico – simply because he removed all opportunity to turn back!
CHARACTERISTICS OF ENDING STRONG
1) PAUL KEPT FIGHTING
Ø 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
§ Paul’s deathbed was no place of sorrow. He had planted churches, mentored leaders, established doctrine, and written epistles.
THREE STEPS OF PAUL’S FIGHT
Ø DEVOTION - But this one thing I do. (Philippians 3:13B)
Ø DIRECTION - Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. (Philippians 3:13C)
Ø DETERMINATION - I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
2) DAVID “FIXED” HIS HEART
Ø Psalm 57:7 “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”
§ “I have no Plan B”, David said, “There is only one option, and that is to keep my eyes fixed on God!”
WE HAVE STARTED STRONG IN 2010
Ø ATTENDANCE: We have averaged 121 in our Sunday attendance up from 82 per week from 2009.
Ø WISE MEN / WOMEN PRAYER: We launched a new prayer ministry every Sunday morning led by Sis. Strawcutter. This prayer ministry has completely changed the atmosphere of AU.
Ø WOMEN’S / MEN’S EVENTS: Our men’s and Ladies ministries have started out very strong this year with great attendance and participation.
Ø YOUTH RALLY IN LANSING: DRIVE brought 12 students who were inspired by the Worship from the section three praise band and the local church drama team.
Ø IBC LIVE RECORDING IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN ~ 17 young adults and students attended the live recording in Indy. We participated in amazing worship and fellowshipping.
Ø JANUARY 31st ~ MISSIONARY JACK LEAMAN ~ 32 families made monthly commitments which totaled $1,331. This will fund our home and foreign-based missions.
Ø PRAYER PARTNERS TRAINING: Sis. Strawcutter trained 10 altar workers in a two-part series.
Ø OVERHAULIN’ KIDZ EXPANSION: Overhaulin’ kidz expansion from 2 to 4 classes
o Added full Wednesday program, Kidz church has held strong at 20
WE HAVE HAD OBSTACLES - AU BLOOPERS
Ø THE ONE-DAY INTERN – Bro. Jordan Hopper agreed to be an AU intern for the months of February & March to help train a youth praise band. He was also going to help pastor in the area of media. However, he was offered a more permanent position and decided to take the position.
Ø STRAWBERRIES – Pastor was convinced that strawberries would profit enough money to repaint the foyer and hallways but instead we barely broke even.
§ “If you want God to take you to the next level in your marriage, your business, or anything, YOU’RE ASKING FOR A TEST!
§ There are many painful tests people in the Bible have faced, including: Noah test of tenacity, David’s test of waiting, Solomon’s test of contentment, Naaman’s test of humility, Mary’s test of saying “yes”, the disciples’ test of courage, and Jesus’ test in the wilderness.
WE MUST FINISH STRONG
Ø V.ALUE IS OUR WORD FOR FAMILIES
Ø I.NSTRUCTION IS OUR WORD FOR DISCIPLESHIP
Ø S.EEK IS OUR WORD FOR EVANGELISM
Ø I.NSPIRATON IS OUR WORD FOR WORSHIP
Ø O.NE ACCORD IS OUR WORD FOR FELLOWSHIP
Ø N.EEDS-CENTERED IS OUR WORD FOR MINISTRY
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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