SERMON: “FINISH!”
Theme: God Did Not Bring You This Far to Leave You Unfinished!
Main Scriptures: Philippians 1:6 and Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
Supporting Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1–2; 2 Timothy 4:7–8; Ecclesiastes 7:8; John 19:30; Nehemiah 6:3; 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Central Thought: It is not enough to start the race, plant the seed, or begin the assignment. We must remain faithful until we finish what God has called us to do.
Scripture Reading
Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Introduction: Everybody Starts, but Not Everybody Finishes!
Church, there is something powerful about that one word: FINISH!
Anybody can start something, but it takes determination, discipline, dedication, and divine strength to finish it.
But I came with a word from the Lord today: DON'T STOP NOW! FINISH!
Somebody may be saying, "I've been praying, but nothing has changed. I've been serving, but nobody appreciates me. I've been giving, but I'm still struggling. I've been believing God, but I'm getting tired."
I want to remind you that being tired doesn't mean you're defeated, and being delayed doesn't mean you're denied!
Paul gives us two powerful promises in our foundational scriptures.
In Philippians 1:6, Paul reminds us that God finishes what He starts.
In Galatians 6:9, Paul reminds us that we must not quit before the harvest.
Put those two scriptures together, and you discover this truth:
God is faithful to complete His work, and we must be faithful to continue ours!
Tell somebody, "I didn't come this far to quit!"
I. F — FAITH: Believe God Will Finish What He Started
Philippians 1:6
Paul declares, "Being confident of this very thing..."
Notice Paul doesn't say, "I'm hoping." He says, "I'm confident!"
Confidence means having a settled assurance that God is able to do what He has promised.
Paul wrote these words while imprisoned. His circumstances were difficult, but his confidence in God remained strong.
He understood that his circumstances did not determine God's ability to fulfill His purpose.
Three things we learn from Philippians 1:6:
1. God is the Author of the work. He begins the transforming work of salvation in our lives.
2. God is the Sustainer of the work. He continues to strengthen, correct, and develop us.
3. God is the Finisher of the work. He will bring His work to completion in Christ.
Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Church, Jesus is not only the Author; He is also the Finisher!
When God starts working on your character, He doesn't abandon you because you make a mistake.
When God starts developing your faith, He doesn't stop because you encounter a storm.
When God starts preparing you for ministry, He doesn't throw you away because you experience difficulty. Your present condition is not your final conclusion!
Somebody shout, "God is still working on me!"
II. I — INSIST ON CONTINUING: Don't Let Weariness Stop You
Galatians 6:9
Paul says, "Let us not be weary in well doing..."
Notice he doesn't say that we will never become tired. He warns us not to surrender to weariness.
There is a difference between being physically tired and spiritually giving up.
You can be tired and still faithful.
You can be wounded and still worship.
You can be disappointed and still determined.
You can be under pressure and still praise God.
Consider Elijah in 1 Kings 19. After a great victory on Mount Carmel, he became discouraged, fearful, and exhausted.
God did not discard Elijah. He provided food, rest, and renewed direction.
Sometimes, when you're weary, you don't need to abandon your assignment. You need to be refreshed so you can continue.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
You may have to rest, but you don't have to resign!
Tell your neighbor, "I'm tired, but I'm not through!"
III. N — NEVER ALLOW DISTRACTIONS TO STOP YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Nehemiah 6:3 (KJV)
“And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?”
Nehemiah had been called to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.
The enemies of God's people tried to intimidate him, discourage him, and distract him.
But Nehemiah understood something: every invitation does not deserve your attention.
He said, "I am doing a great work."
In other words, "I cannot come down because God has given me something to finish."
Some people will distract you with criticism.
Others will distract you with unnecessary arguments.
Some circumstances will distract you with fear.
But you must learn to say, "I cannot come down!"
Nehemiah 6:15 (KJV)
“So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.”
They finished despite opposition!
Church, don't allow distractions to delay what God has assigned you to accomplish.
Preaching Point: Don't come down from your assignment to entertain people who aren't helping you complete it.
Somebody shout, "I'm staying on the wall!"
IV. I — INVEST IN THE PROCESS: You Cannot Reap What You Refuse to Sow
Galatians 6:9
"...for in due season we shall reap..."
Harvest doesn't begin at harvest time. Harvest begins at planting time.
Before a farmer enjoys the harvest, he must prepare the ground, plant the seed, and faithfully care for the crop.
There is a process between planting and reaping.
Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
You cannot expect spiritual maturity without investing in prayer, the Word, and obedience.
You cannot expect a strong family without investing in love, forgiveness, communication, and commitment.
You cannot expect a healthy church without investing in discipleship, evangelism, service, and spiritual growth.
Some people want the harvest but don't want the labor.
They want the victory but don't want the battle.
They want the crown but don't want the cross.
But God is teaching us that there is a process before the promise is fully realized.
James 5:7 (KJV)
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”
Don't dig up your seed because you haven't seen your harvest!
Tell somebody, "My seed is still working!"
V. S — STAY STEADFAST: Your Labor Is Not in Vain
1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Paul gives us three instructions.
First: Be steadfast. Remain firmly committed to Christ and His Word.
Second: Be unmovable. Don't allow trials, criticism, or opposition to move you away from God's truth.
Third: Keep abounding. Don't merely maintain your service. Continue growing in faithfulness and obedience.
Look at Joseph.
He had a dream, but before that dream was fulfilled, he experienced betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment.
Yet Joseph continued to trust God.
The pit was not his finish line.
Potiphar's house was not his finish line.
The prison was not his finish line.
God had a greater purpose.
Genesis 50:20 (KJV)
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
Joseph's journey teaches us that difficult chapters do not necessarily mean the story is over.
Preaching Point: Don't mistake a difficult chapter for the end of your story!
Somebody shout, "I'm still standing!"
VI. H — HOLD ON UNTIL YOU FINISH!
2 Timothy 4:7–8 (KJV)
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
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.”
Paul did not say, "I had an easy fight."
He said, "I have fought a good fight."
He didn't say, "I never experienced opposition."
He said, "I have finished my course."
He didn't say, "Everybody stayed with me."
He said, "I have k
