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So often in the church world, we are focused on getting people birthed into the kingdom that we can tend to lose sight of seeing them reach the finish line. Finishing strong is more important than starting strong.

In the book of Matthew, we are told, “but the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24:13).  Did you catch that? It did not say those who burst out of the starting gate will be saved. It said those who make it to the end will be saved.

We have a 73 percent “walk-away rate” in the church today. Why? Because we are messing with the wrong idea. We are so focused on ‘trying to get people into heaven’, that we are failing to ask an important question. Are these people actually saved?

Starting is important, but making sure folks cross the finish line is even more important.

How do we do that?  We have to actually preach the Gospel. The Gospel is what transforms. The Gospel is what brings life. I’ve sat in camp and church gatherings and listened, and a majority of what I hear is morals being pushed up on a pedestal. Jesus is who needs to be put on a pedestal. “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). 

And once we preach the Gospel to the crowd, we keep the Gospel the center focus of their discipleship. Keep the focus as “falling in love with Jesus every day” as the main driving point (Rev 2:4-5). And when that becomes the drive and the focus, you win every time!

Keep the focus on Jesus and His Good News, and you’ll never lose. Even if your numbers in attendance are low, you still win.