GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:10-20; Luke 23:33-43

Introduction

Last week we discussed "Signs of the end time", and today, we are looking at "Pressing on to the end." The end is near indeed and we must take cover in the Lord. Beginning well and ending wrongly is an abomination, we must end and end well.

Apostle Paul says to us, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Spiritual Burnout

One major challenge all the people who have sought to walk with God meet has been “spiritual burnout”. 

This is a condition in which a person realizes that going forward in the spiritual journey has become stale or uncomfortable. Physical exhaustion and attraction to sin become the direction. When a person is going through a period of burnout, spiritual life no longer becomes exciting. The tendency then is to call it quits.

Remember, Jesus welcomed us into our new status as Christians in Luke 9:57-62 to count the cost before walking with Him. Meanwhile, the journey with Christ amidst the challenges that hit us, and many people begin to give up (John 6:66-67). But whatever the cause of giving up may be, God Himself makes sure that such a person will always get back on the right track (Col. 1:19-20).

In the New Testament, Paul, at a point, highly commended a young man, Demas, for his commitment to ministry (Col. 4:14; Phm. 1:24). 

However, sometime later, Paul sorrowfully wrote,  "For Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica." 2 Timothy 4:10 (NIV) Do not fall like Demas but press on to the end for the crown of glory.

A little lost on the focus of our faith, we can give up, missing the goal. In the Christian life, whenever something else, apart from Christ, takes precedence in our lives, spiritual burnout occurs. But, as Hebrews 12:2, encourages us, to look, “unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith…”, victory will be ours. 

Our best example in all matters of pressing on to the end is Jesus Christ. 

For, at a time when the whole world was crushing in on Him, He went to Mount of Olives to pray and urged the disciples, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:40. He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

For Christ to press on to the end, "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him." Luke 22:43. Jesus on the cross struggling to the end still had the strength to forgive the people saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 (NIV)

Precious one, spiritual burnout is a reality in the Christian race. It hunts us all at one time or the other. But it is not sinful to come to such a point in life. What matters is how we react to the situation. If it is something sinful that led us to such a situation, then we have to acknowledge the issues and pray ourselves out of it/them. 

If on the other hand, it has come about as a result of physical exhaustion, then we need to relax, eat well and take time to rest. 

Remember the experience of Elijah in the first Kings. Before undertaking the forty-day journey, the angel of God made sure Elijah had had a good and wonderful lunch. 

In Hebrews 12, we are told that we have a cloud of witnesses cheering us on unto victory. 

That reminds me of the time we were in secondary school. During athletic seasons each school would make sure of sending some students to the sports stadium whose main objective was to cheer the individual athletes to victory. 

In our case, the “cheer Leader” is Christ Jesus Himself (Acts 7:56). 

When we find ourselves in such a situation, may we hear that little voice that spoke to Elijah, saying,  “Cheer on, my son/daughter. It won’t be long and you will be coming home”.  

It was for that purpose that Jesus told His dear ones, “Come unto Me, all you who are burdened, and I will give you rest…”. 

May we all be renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit, that none of us would be found wanting when the trumpet sounds. 

So brother, and sister, let us keep on keeping on and encouraging one another seeing it won’t be long before we will be going home. AMEN!

Shalom aleichem...