The Church has Left the Building预览

People have told me that when they are on their deathbed, in the last days of their life, their entire life flashes before their eyes. I am sure you look back at past relationships, past decisions, your legacy, and you begin to say your final goodbyes to everyone. In the last days of your life, will you be satisfied with the life that you have lived? Paul pens some of his last words in chapter 4. Paul tells Timothy he has fought the good fight, that he has finished the race and that he has kept the faith.

Are you fighting the good fight? The Church has left the building. You are the hope of the Church. You are critical to the mission given to us by Jesus. Are you fighting until the end? How many days do you take off? How many “fights” do you let other people fight? We are in a battle. People are dying all around us, spending forever apart from Jesus. We are called to fight for relationship. Fight for people around us.

Are you going to finish the race? We are in a marathon. Some of us can see the finish line.  Are you going to finish? I completed a half-marathon several years ago. It just about killed me. I trained for months. I woke up early to start the race. It began to rain at mile 2. In Texas, when it rains, it floods. My shoes were soggy. I was cold and wet. There were many times I wanted to quit, but I kept my eyes locked ahead of me and when I saw the finish line, I had more energy than ever, and I crossed that line and wanted to cry. I did it. I finished. I gave it my all. I want to feel the same way when I finish my life. Life is short. The finish line is near. Keep your head up. You’re almost there.

Keep the faith. Don’t fall into other temptations. Believe in Jesus. Pursue people like He did. Leave the church. Leave your house. Leave the safety of your family. Why? Because Jesus left Heaven. Let this time be a wakeup call. Let us look back at 2020 and all say, “Wow, the Church really did leave the building. The Church isn’t just a building. The Church became the followers of Jesus!