Businessman Oskar Schindler arrived in Krakow in 1939, ready to make his fortune from World War II, which had just started. After joining the Nazi party primarily for political purposes, he staffed his factory with Jewish workers for similarly pragmatic reasons. When the SS began exterminating Jews, Schindler arranged to have his workers protected to keep his factory in operation, but soon realized that in so doing, he was also saving innocent lives. When the war was ending, and he had saved many lives, he cried out “I could have done more.” Schindler had saved countless lives, but he felt he could have saved more.

Regret is one of the most galling emotions. Some feel regret over for the mistakes they have made. Others feel regret for the things they didn’t accomplish. I’ve heard it said, “It’s better to regret something you did, than something you didn’t do.” To avoid the feeling of regretting something you didn’t do, you must finish well.

Today we are celebrating our senior class. Four young men, who have finished well. Some have been at Apostolic Christian School for only a short time. Others have been here the majority of their life. They have endured classes, homework, projects, and tests. In addition to the academic disciplines, they have endured peer pressure, family issues, personal turmoil, and have overcome obstacles that only a select few are aware of. Together they have finished well.

Just as they are finishing this phase of their life , they are about to embark on a new journey that demands that they finish well. Trust me when I say, that it may feel like the last eighteen years of your life have moved at the pace of a slug, the next eighteen years will fly by faster than a jet airplane. It is important that you take what you have been taught here, and apply it to the next portion of your life, so you may finish well.

In Acts chapter twenty the Apostle Paul is about the leave the Ephesian church that he started. His mission at Ephesus was about complete. Paul doesn’t believe that he will see them again (Acts 20:25). As Paul is about to leave for Jerusalem and meet his fate there, he gives an overview of what he had accomplished in that place.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

I want to look at a few points within this farewell address and see how you can finish well.

1. Finishing Well Means Being Cautious

A. Be Cautious of What You Love

“And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews” (Acts 20:18-19).

As you take the next steps you must be mindful of your surroundings, and emotions. When Israel was ransacked by Nebuchadnezzar they brought the best of the young people to Babylon first. They wanted them to be awed at the beauty and splendor of Babylon (Dan. 1:1-5). Like Daniel, and his friends, you must have your convictions settled now. The seduction of your emotions and feelings are powerful, whether you are on a college campus, a full time job, or in the company of beautiful people.

Paul knew his surroundings in Ephesus were dangerous. The Gentile people loved their pagan gods and idols (Acts 19:21-41). The Jews were also hostile towards Paul’s teaching about Jesus (Acts 20:19). Despite this Paul preached Christ to the people in Ephesus (Acts 20:20-21). Paul cared more about pleasing God, than pleasing men. Paul didn’t count his life of any value, rather he was committed to the task of winning souls, and loving Jesus.

B. Be Cautious in What Motivates You

Your motives can and will be seduced. Are you motived to make more money? Are you motivated to become more popular? Are you motivated to simply find a companion? Your affections are powerful weapons that the enemy of your soul would like use against you.

Paul says, “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel” (Acts 20:33). Paul wasn’t motivated by money. Paul was motivated by pleasing God. For you to finish well you must be motivated to please God in all of your decisions.

“You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:34-35).

Paul worked hard, but he didn’t work hard to simply make more money. Rather, he worked hard to help the weak. In other words, Paul worked hard so he could serve others, and serve his God-given purpose. Paul refers to what Jesus said, “It is more blessed to given than to receive.” Finishing well is about giving. Giving involves the giving of your time, abundance, and life. No one at the end of their life regrets giving, they may regret that they didn’t give more. They regret not spending more time with their family. They regret not giving more to the Kingdom of God. They regret not praying more. If you are going to finish well, you must know what motivates you.

C. Be Cautious in What Masters You

The natural process from high school to secondary schooling, whether on a college campus or a trade school, is to become a master in the discipline you want to pursue. To be successful you need to become a master. On the other hand you must be cautious of what masters you.

Many have left the safe confines of a Christian school to be exposed to various ideas and philosophies, only to become enslaved to them. Atheism, agnosticism, and a myriad of anti-Christ philosophies have become the loudest voices on many college campuses, and even in the work place. The friends you keep, and the crowd you associate with will want to influence your life. Will you be mastered by peer pressure and cultural acceptance? Or will you be a mastered by your faith in Christ?

Paul was a servant of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:1; Acts 20:19); and he was a servant to all (1 Cor. 9:19). Paul’s master was none other than Jesus Christ, and he mastered to the cause of saving as many people as possible (1 Cor. 9:22). If you will submit yourself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and to His will, then you will undoubtedly finish well.

2. Finishing Well Means Laboring Well

A. Labor With Passion

“Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears” (Acts 20:19a). “Remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears” (Acts 20:31).

To say that Paul was passionate about preaching the gospel would be an understatement. Finishing well demands that we labor with passion. Passion will push you through obstacles and resistance.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

The King James Version translated it as “labored more abundantly.” The Greek definition of “more abundantly” means “greater” “super abundant” or “exceedingly.” Passion produces a healthy work ethic. Whatever you pursue in this next stage of your life, pursue it with passion.

Paul labored with tears in his eyes, because within Paul’s heart was a passion to win as many lost souls as he could. What others seen as weakness in Paul (2 Cor. 10:10), God viewed as passion.

Read of Paul’s passion: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Again he said, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Paul was obsessed with his call.

A passion to make a worthwhile difference is indispensable to effectiveness. Passion and vision need to work together. Passion energizes vision, and vision disciplines the passion. The clearer the vision, the greater the passion.

B. Labor with Purpose

“How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:20, 26-27).

Twice Paul said that he didn’t “shrink” from preaching the gospel. To “shrink from” means to “draw back” “avoid” or “hesitate.” Paul labored with a purpose. Nothing was going to stand in his way, no matter the cost. Whether it was pagan idolatry, or Judaizers desiring to go back under the Law of Moses, he was not going to be dissuaded. He was going to preach day and night, and in public and in private. That’s laboring with a purpose.

Finishing Well

Paul wrote to Timothy towards the conclusion of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Three things we see that Paul did to finish well:

• I have fought the good fight

• I have finished the race

• I have kept the faith

Fought the Good Fight

The phrase “have fought” and “fight” in the Greek means “agony” or “agonize.” Both words that Paul used were in reference to athletic training. In essence Paul was saying that he used great effort and energy in defending the faith. Paul admonished in Timothy to also fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12).

We are to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). Like Paul and Timothy, we are to give our energy and effort in living out the faith, preserving the faith, and defending the faith. To do so is to finish well.

Finished the Race

To avoid wandering from the faith, you must have the discipline to stay the course. The word “race” or “course” (as some translations use) means in the original language refers to the running a race, fulfilling a calling, or military service. Paul used this same terminology when addressing the Ephesians elders (Acts 20:24).

The writer of Hebrews admonishes Christian believers to lay aside any weight or sin that may hinder their endurance to finish the race set before them (Heb. 12:1). If you are going to finish the course, and endure the race, you must lay aside any encumbrances that cause you to stumble.

Kept the Faith

Finally, Paul said that he “kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). In the Greek the phrase “have kept” carries the idea of “watching over” or “preserving.” Earlier in this same letter Paul tells Timothy to “guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Tim. 1:14). The definition in Greek of “to guard” was a military term used for a soldier to be on watch for that which had been entrusted to him. Paul had kept the faith, and wanted Timothy to keep it as well. Do not forsake, or neglect the faith that you have been taught. You are to guard it like it’s a treasure.

Conclusion

Bible commentator, John MacArthur” relates a story to Paul’s farewell:

“In 1904, William Borden, a member of the Borden dairy family, finished high school in Chicago and was given a world cruise as a graduation present. Particularly while traveling through the Near East and Far East, he became heavily burdened for the lost. After returning home, he spent seven years at Princeton University, the first four in undergraduate work and the last three in seminary. While in school, he penned these words in the back of his Bible: “No reserves.” Although his family pleaded with him to take control of the business, which was foundering, he insisted that God’s call to the mission field had priority. After disposing of his wealth, he added “No retreat” after “No reserves.” On his way to China to witness to Muslims there, he contracted cerebral meningitis in Egypt and died within a month. After his death, someone looking through his Bible discovered these final words: “No regrets.” He knew that the Lord does not require success, only faithfulness.”

*This was written and used in our Christian school’s final chapel service celebrating our senior class*