FINISHING STRONG

We receive an admonition from God in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians to make an effort to finish well in life.  …during this time of waiting for His final appearance, He will keep you steadfast in the faith to the end so that when His day comes you need fear no condemnation.  (I Corinthians 1: 7b-8)  It is a common practice of God to mention something challenging He wants us to be aware of in our Christian journey.  These verses tell us that as we wait for the return of Christ to the earth, remaining steadfast in the faith will be a challenge.

1945 was said to be a banner year for rookie evangelists in America.  27-year-old Billy Graham came on the scene packing auditoriums with thousands in attendance.  In the same year, two other men were considered esteemed by their peers as having even more potential than Billy.  Chuck Templeton and Brian Clifford had the same results as Graham and were considered as better prospects.   Time magazine called Templeton the “Babe Ruth” of evangelism while one of his seminary professors called him “the most gifted, talented young man in the history of American preachers.

Brian Clifford was also seen as one of the most gifted, powerful preachers that had ever come on the American scene.  He preached at Baylor University and bell tower ropes were cut beforehand so as not to interrupt his sermon.  At age 25 he touched more people, influenced more leaders, and set more attendance records than any clergyman in American history.

In 1945 these three men came shooting out of the blocks like a rocket.  Most of us have heard of Billy Graham but what about Templeton and Clifford?   In 1950 Templeton left the ministry to pursue and radio career and announced that he no longer believed Jesus was the Son of God.  In 1954 Clifford left his family, lost his health, and died.  He was done in by alcohol and financial irresponsibility.  He left his wife with two Down’s Syndrome children and at the age of 33 died of sclerosis of the liver.  He was found in a rundown hotel in Amarillo, unhonored and unsung.  A few pastors put together enough money to give him a pauper’s burial.

A recent survey found that one out of ten who started in public ministry at an early age finished strong by age 65.  Things such as immorality, discouragement, liberal theology, an obsession with money and material goods, and the use of alcohol or drugs were all common pitfalls that did the nine out of ten. 

If we are going to finish strong, we are going to have to make some tough decisions.  The apostle Paul said that he chose to finish strong lest he become a castaway.  It is sobering to realize that the great theologian and minister Charles Spurgeon died at age 59 in depression and despair.

Some of the keys to finishing strong include…

• If you are a Christian leader, always remember that you are a servant and not a king to the people.

• Always rely on prayer, purity, and the power of the Holy Spirit as opposed to methods.

• Keep a sense of humor.  Be able to laugh at yourself.

• Serve your generation.  Once you tap into the joy of serving others you will never care about being served again.

• Be nice to those who serve under you.  Think of how much better the end of life would have been for King Saul, Solomon, Absalom, and Haman if they had practiced this.

• Choose to enjoy the journey.  I have taken many long drives and flights in my involvement with missions, evangelism, and public ministry.  If I begin to feel like complaining on one of these journeys, I remind myself of how much better cars are than horses and airplanes are than ships.  I find ways to fill the time with worship, good company, long naps (on airplanes), and reading material.  I give thanks for the goodness of God in giving me the privilege to do what I do.

• Get a vision of the finish line.  A man without a vision will usually return to his past.  This is verified by the lives of Judas Iscariot vs. the Apostle Paul.

• Have a determination to persevere and not quit.  There are three things about quitting:  It is a sign of success.  The more you have the more you want to quit.  You can have the luxury of wanting to quit if you know you are not going to quit. 

God wants you to finish strong!