Making the Impossible Possible: Beyond Finishing Well Joshua 23 & 24

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

Six Barriers to Finishing Well by Bobby Clinton 1. Finances – their Use and Abuse 2. Power - its Abuse 3. Pride - leading to a downfall 4. Sexual Misconduct 5. Family Issues 6. Complacency or Plateauing 1. Finances – their Use and Abuse 2. Power - its Abuse 3. Pride - leading to a downfall 4. Sexual Misconduct 5. Family Issues 6. Complacency or Plateauing

Joshua’s challenge to the Leaders Joshua 23 A. A review of the past vv. 3–4. B. A promise for the future v. 5. C. A responsibility for the present vv. 6–16. A. A review of the past vv. 3–4. B. A promise for the future v. 5. C. A responsibility for the present vv. 6–16.

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ― Elna Baker “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ― Elna Baker

6 Characteristics for Finishing Well 1)They maintained a personal vibrant relationship with God right up to the end. 2)They maintained a learning posture and can learn from various kinds of sources. 3)They manifest Christ-likeness in character as evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. 1)They maintained a personal vibrant relationship with God right up to the end. 2)They maintained a learning posture and can learn from various kinds of sources. 3)They manifest Christ-likeness in character as evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

6 Characteristics for Finishing Well 4)Truth is lived out in their lives so that convictions and promises of God are seen to be real. 5)They leave behind one or more ultimate contributions. 6)They walk with a growing awareness of a sense of destiny and see some or all of it fulfilled. 4)Truth is lived out in their lives so that convictions and promises of God are seen to be real. 5)They leave behind one or more ultimate contributions. 6)They walk with a growing awareness of a sense of destiny and see some or all of it fulfilled.

Planning to Finish Well How will you plan? With whom will you consult regarding your plan? How will you plan? With whom will you consult regarding your plan?

Beyond Finishing well This is a vision for finishing that is includes others. What group, organization, family, relationships will you include?

Joshua’s challenge to the people Joshua 24 Covenant renewal at Shechem v.2 Identifying our God vv. 2–13 Our History with God vv. 14–18 Renew Relationship with our God vv.19–21 Consequences for Unfaithfulness vv. 22–27 Renewing the Covenant v. 28 Dismissal into their Inheritance Covenant renewal at Shechem v.2 Identifying our God vv. 2–13 Our History with God vv. 14–18 Renew Relationship with our God vv.19–21 Consequences for Unfaithfulness vv. 22–27 Renewing the Covenant v. 28 Dismissal into their Inheritance

5 Enhancements Perspective – have a life-time perspective Renewal – creating times with God for intimacy, challenge, and new vision. Disciplines – these help prevent plateauing. Learning posture – God refines vision Mentoring – relational empowerment Perspective – have a life-time perspective Renewal – creating times with God for intimacy, challenge, and new vision. Disciplines – these help prevent plateauing. Learning posture – God refines vision Mentoring – relational empowerment

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians

What area(s) of my life currently feels impossible?

What am I doing to grow? How am I going to grow? How can I improve my self -management ? What am I doing to grow? How am I going to grow? How can I improve my self -management ?

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4.7

Areas to Explore 1. The Right Purpose 2. The Right Priorities 3. The Right People 4. The Right Plan 5. The Right Practices 6. The Right Parameters 1. The Right Purpose 2. The Right Priorities 3. The Right People 4. The Right Plan 5. The Right Practices 6. The Right Parameters

Areas to Explore 1. The Right Purpose: Describe your sense of destiny and purpose? 2. The Right Priorities: Describe the healthy balance you maintain between Christ, marriage, family, and work? 3. The Right People: Name your spiritual relationships that better enable you to fulfill God’s purposes. 1. The Right Purpose: Describe your sense of destiny and purpose? 2. The Right Priorities: Describe the healthy balance you maintain between Christ, marriage, family, and work? 3. The Right People: Name your spiritual relationships that better enable you to fulfill God’s purposes.

Areas to Explore 4. The Right Plan: Describe your plan for personal development that includes a commitment to lifelong learning. 5. The Right Practices: List the spiritual disciplines that help shape and encourage Christ’s life in you. 6. The Right Parameters: Name the parameters and accountability safeguards that help you maintain purity and avoid the abuse of people, money, and power. 4. The Right Plan: Describe your plan for personal development that includes a commitment to lifelong learning. 5. The Right Practices: List the spiritual disciplines that help shape and encourage Christ’s life in you. 6. The Right Parameters: Name the parameters and accountability safeguards that help you maintain purity and avoid the abuse of people, money, and power.