In what ways can we "finish the work" God has given us today? The Verse at the Center “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.’” (John 4:34) Why Finishing Matters • Finishing brings the Father glory (John 17:4). • The harvest window is brief (John 9:4). • Eternal rewards are tied to completing the assignment (2 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:58). Our God-Given Assignment • Every believer is God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10). • Core mandate: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). • Specific callings differ—family roles, vocations, spiritual gifts—but all flow from the Great Commission. Practical Ways to Finish the Work Today 1. Make God’s will your sustenance – Start each day with the Word—“Man shall not live on bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). – Let obedience, not personal comfort, set the agenda. 2. Witness with words and actions – Share the gospel (Romans 1:16). – Live “above reproach” so the message rings true (Philippians 2:15-16). 3. Disciple intentionally – Invest in a few, as Jesus did (Mark 3:14). – Teach, model, and encourage until they replicate (2 Timothy 2:2). 4. Serve sacrificially – Meet practical needs (James 2:15-17). – Use spiritual gifts for the common good (1 Peter 4:10-11). 5. Persevere under pressure – “Run with endurance the race set out for us” (Hebrews 12:1-2). – See trials as opportunities to prove Christ’s sufficiency (James 1:2-4). 6. Guard against distraction – Lay aside “every encumbrance” (Hebrews 12:1). – Prioritize time, media, and resources around kingdom goals (Ephesians 5:15-17). 7. Pray without ceasing – Partner with God’s power (Colossians 1:29). – Intercede for workers and open doors (Colossians 4:3-4). 8. Give generously – Invest treasures where moth and rust cannot touch (Matthew 6:19-21). – Support missionaries and local ministries advancing the gospel (Philippians 4:15-17). 9. Engage the global vision – “You will be My witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). – Adopt unreached peoples through prayer, advocacy, or going. 10. Rest in Christ’s finished work – Our labor flows from His completed redemption (John 19:30). – Confidence in grace frees us from burnout and legalism (Hebrews 4:9-11). Motivation for the Long Haul • Love for Christ compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). • The Spirit supplies strength beyond our own (Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:29). • A coming crown and “Well done” await the faithful servant (Matthew 25:21; Revelation 22:12). Living It Out Finish today’s assignment—large or small—with the same focus that drove Jesus. As we abide in Him, each obedient step becomes part of God’s grand design, bringing glory to the Father and advancing His kingdom until the day we, too, can say, “I have finished the race.” |
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