The Finish Line
by Chris Cumming
Today is the last day of the Days of Unleavened Bread. This is the Holy
Day that denotes your making it all the way through the Salvation Process. Today we speak to all of us staying in the race to
the finish line.
The purpose of my sermon today is to encourage all of us to be there at the end.
Finish the race!!
To finish the race and guarantee your entrance into the Kingdom of God, we are
going to discuss three key scripture sets that speak to all the necessary
elements to keep you in the race to the end.
To get to the finish line we must fight, finish and keep faith throughout:
Key Scripture One:
2 Timothy 4:7-8
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, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all
them also that love his appearing. [emphasis mine]
I have fought a good fight:
I have fought the good fight - The figure is drawn from the Grecian games.
Literally, "I have striven a good strife." ~People New Testament
I have fought a good fight - The Christian life is often represented as a conflict, or warfare; see the notes on 1 Timothy 6:12. That noble conflict with sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil, Paul now says he had been able to maintain. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
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Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also
called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
I have fought a good fight - Every reader will perceive that the apostle, as was his very frequent custom, alludes to the contests at the Grecian games: Τον αγυνα τον καλον ηγωνισμαι· I have wrestled that good wrestling - I have struggled hard, and have over come, in a most honorable cause. ~Adam Clarke
I have fought a good fight - For a good fight rend. the good fight. For the phrase, see on 1 Timothy 6:12 ...discussed above. ~Vincent's Word Studies
I have finished my course:
I have finished my course - Drawn from the games also. The race is run to the end. ~People's New Testament
I have finished my course - The Christian life, too, is often represented as a “race” to be run. ~Barnes Notes
I have finished my course - I have started for the prize, and have come up to the goal, outstripping all my competitors, and have gained this prize also. ~Adam Clarke
I have kept the faith:
I have kept the faith - In spite of every opposition and affliction he has remained true. ~People's New Testament
I have kept the faith - I have steadfastly maintained the faith of the gospel; or, have lived a life of fidelity to my Master. Probably the expression means that he had kept his plighted faith to the Redeemer, or had spent a life in faithfully endeavoring to serve his Lord. ~Barnes Notes
I kept the faith — the Christian faith committed to me as a believer and an apostle (compare 2 Timothy 1:14; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:10). ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Quoted verses:
2 Timothy 1:14
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which
dwelleth in us.
Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast
some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten
days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the
hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth.
I have kept the faith - As the laws of these games must be most diligently observed and kept, (for though a man overcome, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully-2 Timothy 2:5), so I have kept the rules of the spiritual combat and race; and thus, having contended lawfully, and conquered in each exercise, I have a right to expect the prize. ~Adam Clarke
I have kept the faith - by which he means, not so much the grace of faith, that was kept by Christ, the object, author, and finisher of it, and through his effectual grace and powerful intercession; but rather the profession of faith, which he had held fast without wavering; and chiefly the doctrine of faith, which was committed to his trust, which he had kept pure and incorrupt against all opposition; unless his faithfulness and integrity in the ministerial work should be thought rather to be intended; and which sense is favoured by the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, which render it, "I have kept my faith"; or have been faithful to my trust, as a good steward of the mysteries of God; not concealing and keeping back any thing that was profitable, but declaring the whole counsel of God; and now what remained for him was the crown of righteousness; and this he says for the comfort and encouragement and imitation of Timothy and others. The phrase seems to be Jewish; it is said by the Jews, that he that does not keep the feast of unleavened bread, is as he who does not נטיר מהימנותא, "keep the faith of the holy blessed God". ~John Gill
To get to the finish line we must proceed according to Godly procedures. We
must do it His way.
Key Scripture Two:
2 Timothy 2:5
English Standard Version
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5
King James
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive
lawfully.
Notice the commentary on the middle phrase:
Is he not crowned - Though he may have conquered, except he strive lawfully - unless he enter according to the rules of the athlete, and act as these direct. No man, however zealous he may have been, is to expect the Well done, good and faithful servant, from Jesus Christ, unless he have labored in the word and doctrine, preached the truth as it is in Jesus, and built up the Church upon Him who is its only Foundation. ~Adam Clarke
What kind of attitude do we need to get to the finish line?
Here is what I think in answer to this question:
1] Regardless of the advantages one has by birth, education, duty position or
respect from others, they count these as loss for Jesus Christ.
2] One should count as loss or dung anything that hinders progress in the
Salvation Process.
3] One should be ready to trade worldly knowledge for knowledge of Christ.
4] One should be ready to give up all worldly things for Christ.
5] One should be willing to give up self-righteousness for the righteousness of
Christ.
6] One should be motivated to exercise all elements of the Salvation Process to
know the power of the resurrection.
7] One should want to share in the same sufferings Jesus did.
8] One should want to put strenuous exertions in the Salvation Race to obtain
the first resurrection to eternal life.
9] One should confess that though they are not currently perfect, I follow after
Christ.
10] One should press on to the finish line.
Is there a place in scripture where we see these attitudes verified?
Key Scripture Three:
Philippians 3:7-14
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God
by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of
his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I
follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of
Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus.
Notice the commentaries:
Verse 7: But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
But what things were gain to me - The advantages of birth, of education, and of external conformity to the law. “I thought these to be gain - that is, to be of vast advantage in the matter of salvation. I valued myself on these things, and supposed that I was rich in all that pertained to moral character and to religion.”
Perhaps, also, he refers to these things as laying the foundation of a hope of future advancement in honor and in wealth in this world. They commended him to the rulers of the nation; they opened before him a brilliant prospect of distinction; they made it certain that he could rise to posts of honor and of office, and could easily gratify all the aspirings of his ambition.
Those I counted loss - “I now regard them all as so much loss. They were really a disadvantage - a hindrance - an injury. I look upon them, not as gain or an advantage, but as an obstacle to my salvation.” He had relied on them. He had been led by these things to an improper estimate of his own character, and he had been thus hindered from embracing the true religion. He says, therefore, that he now renounced all dependence on them; that he esteemed them not as contributing to his salvation, but, so far as any reliance should be placed on them, as in fact so much loss.
For Christ - Greek, “On account of Christ.” That is, so far as Christ and his religion were concerned, they were to be regarded as worthless. In order to obtain salvation by him, it was necessary to renounce all dependence on these things. ~Barnes Notes
Verse 8: Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
For the excellency of the knowledge - A Hebrew expression to denote excellent knowledge. The idea is, that he held everything else to be worthless in comparison with that knowledge, and he was willing to sacrifice everything else in order to obtain it. On the value of this knowledge of the Saviour. ~Barnes Notes
For whom I have suffered the loss of all things - he dropped all confidence in his carnal privileges, and civil, ceremonial, and moral righteousness, for Christ and his righteousness; he parted with all for this pearl of great price; he lost his good name, credit, and reputation among men, and suffered afflictions and persecutions in various shapes; he lost the comforts of life, being often in cold and nakedness, in hunger and thirst, and was ready to suffer the loss of life itself for professing and preaching Christ. ~John Gill
Verse 9: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
And be found in him - Be found a believer in Christ, not having mine own righteousness - not trusting in any thing I have done or could do, in order to my salvation; relying on no scheme of justification, set up either formerly by myself or by others. ~Adam Clarke
But that which is through the faith of Christ - That justification which is received by faith through the atonement made by Christ. ~Adam Clarke
The righteousness which is of God - Which proceeds from God, or of which he is the great source and fountain. ~Barnes Notes
Verse 10: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.
That I may know him - To be the true and promised Messiah, and experience all that salvation which he has bought by his blood. ~Adam Clarke
That I may know him - To know HIM is more than merely to know a doctrine about Him. Believers are brought not only to redemption, but to the Redeemer Himself. ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
The power of his resurrection - In having this body of my humiliation raised from death, and made like unto his glorious body. This seems to be the sole meaning of the apostle; for it is in virtue of Christ’s resurrection that we are to be raised incorruptible and immortal. ~Adam Clarke
The fellowship of his sufferings — by identification with Him in His sufferings and death, by imputation; also, in actually bearing the cross [stake] whatever is laid on us, after His example, and so “filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ” (Colossians 1:24); and in the will to bear aught for His sake (Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; 2 Timothy 2:11). As He bore all our sufferings (Isaiah 53:4), so we participate in His. ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Quoted verses:
Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of
the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Matthew 10:38
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
2 Timothy 2:11
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with
him:
Isaiah 53:4
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Verse 11: If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
If by any means — not implying uncertainty of the issue, but the earnestness of the struggle of faith (1 Corinthians 9:26-27), and the urgent need of jealous self-watchfulness.
Quoted verses ...which we covered in sermon, "Pistol Shot"
1 Corinthians 9:26-27
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth
the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Attain unto the resurrection of the dead — The oldest manuscripts read, “the resurrection from (out of) the dead,” namely, the first resurrection; that of believers at Christ’s coming (1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; Revelation 20:5-6). ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Quoted verses:
1 Corinthians 15:23
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are
Christ's at his coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:15
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
Revelation 20:5-6
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and
shall reign with him a thousand years.
These three verses alone should be more than enough to urge you on to the finish line.
Verse 12: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Not as though I had already attained - Had already obtained the great prize. It still requires effort. The prize is at the end of the race.
Or am already made perfect. - He never claimed to have received such a state; nor does he intimate anywhere that such a state is ever reached on earth.
But follow after - Press on, as one who must push forward.
If so be that I may apprehend. - The idea is, I press on in the hope that I shall lay hold upon the prize.
That - He will seek to lay hold of that for which Christ laid hold of him at conversion, viz., his eternal salvation. ~People's New Testament.
Notice what Barnes Notes says for this verse
But I follow after - I pursue the object, striving to obtain it. The prize was seen in the distance, and he diligently sought to obtain it. There is a reference here to the Grecian races, and the meaning is, “I steadily pursue my course;”
If that I may apprehend - If I may obtain, or reach, the heavenly prize. There was a glorious object in view, and he made most strenuous exertions to obtain it. The idea in the word “apprehend” is that of taking hold of, or of seizing suddenly and with eagerness; and, since there is no doubt of its being used in an allusion to the Grecian foot-races, it is not improbable that there is a reference to the laying hold of the pole or post which marked the goal, by the racer who had outstripped the other competitors, and who, by that act, might claim the victory and the reward.
That for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus - By Christ Jesus. The idea
is, that he had been called into the service of the Lord Jesus, with a view to
the obtaining of an important object. ~Barnes Notes
Verse 14: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus.
I press toward the mark - As he who was running a race did. The “mark” means
properly the object set up at a distance at which one looks or aims, and hence
the goal, or post which was set up at the end of a race-course, and which was to
be reached in order that the prize might be won. Here it means that which is at
the end of the Christian race - in [the Kingdom of God].
For the prize - The prize of the racer was a crown or garland of olive, laurel, pine, or apple; see the notes at. The prize of the Christian is the crown that is incorruptible in [the Kingdom of God].
Of the high calling of God - Which is the end or result of that calling. God has
called us to great and noble efforts; to a career of true honor and glory; to
the obtainment of a bright and imperishable crown. It is a calling which is
“high,” or “upward” - (ἄνω anō) - that is, which tends to the skies. The
calling of the Christian is from heaven, and to [the Kingdom]. He has
been summoned by God through the gospel of the Lord Jesus to secure the crown.
It is placed before and above him in [the Kingdom]. It may be his, if he
will not faint or tire or look backward. It demands his highest efforts, and it
is worth all the exertions which a mortal can make even in the longest life.
~Barnes Notes
So let us get going. Keep responding to your high calling. Keep running.
Press toward the mark.
Finish the race!!