Fought, Finished, Kept.

Rev. Jerry Jones - Calvary Tabernacle 75th Anniversary Celebration:

2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."


FIGHT:

When you take a stand for anything in this world today, you have to fight... But when you take a stand for the highest calling of all - Jesus Christ - all forces of evil will be after you.

We are fighting a "good fight", as Paul says. And a good fight is a fight in which you win! We are victorious!

FINISHED:

Never give up! There are people that quit, lay down their burden, and decide the price is too high. But we must make the decision - make it certain - that we complete the job God has given us.

It's easy to start. But it's not the same at the finish line. There's many who start, but much less that finish. And it doesn't matter how you cross the finish - what matters is that you GET across the finish! Paul didn't mention the race, he only said that he finished it! Make up your mind to finish!

KEPT:

There are many reasons to quit, and the devil will give us thousands of excuses, but God gives us ONE reason to keep going - His true Word; the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Matthew 10:22
"And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."

Keeping the faith is the most important - it is the reason for it all! Never lose sight of what we're fighting for - never let go!

2 Timothy 1:12-14
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us."

Our reason is One God! In Jesus' name! One doctrine! After two thousand years, we're still praising Him today! We're still separate saints! We've got a hold of something good!

Job 2:3
"Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil. And still he holds fast to his integrity!"

Hold fast! Hold on to the Truth. We should love God until the last breath we take. We are anointed - and we have something that is sacred and beautiful - never lose it!

Paul kept THE faith. Not just any faith, but THE faith. Not a faith that is acceptable to the world, but the ONE TRUE faith. Repent of our sins, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Live life with a pure heart - a purity and holiness that manifests itself both inwardly and outwardly. This is the only faith worth living for! And the only faith worth dying for! The only faith worth sacrificing our lives for... so that on that glorious day we may hear the Lord say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

I have made my decision
I have state my claim
I have drawn a line in the sand
And I'll not be ashamed
With the world behind me
And the cross before
By the grace of God
I will serve the Lord