[By Ron Halbrook] Part One

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6 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

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Introduction 3. After we begin, what then? Finish what you start for Christ The sinner begins to hear Christ The Christian begins to follow Christ The church begins to serve Christ 8

I. Finish What You Start for Christ A. The Soldier’s Spirit John Paul Jones of Le Bonhomme Richard to British captain of Serapis: “Sir, I have not yet begun to fight.” 9

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I. Finish What You Start for Christ B. The Athlete’s Determination Don Schollander, 5 Olympic gold medals, 37 U.S. records, 22 world records 13

Don Schollander, 5 Olympic gold medals, 37 U.S. records, 22 world records 14 In top competition a whole new ingredient enters swimming—pain. You learn the pain …in every race. You can back off, or you can force yourself to drive to the finish, knowing that the pain will become excruciating. Right there, the great competitors separate from the rest….If you push through the pain barrier into real agony, you’re a champion. [Don Schollander, “Not the Triumph But the Struggle,” Reader’s Digest (June 1971): ; p.224]

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I. Finish What You Start for Christ C. “Agonize” to Sustain Relationship with Christ Greek agonizomai: strive as soldier, athlete  Contend, strive, labor fervently  Strain every nerve  Do one’s utmost  Practice rigid self-control  Struggle one’s hardest  Exert all one’s strength 17

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22 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

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25 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

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32 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

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34 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

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