Finishing What You Start | Special Message from Pastor Greg Laurie

Dec 28, 2025

Explore the powerful message about finishing strong in faith and life. Discover how neglecting spiritual priorities can lead to a relapse, just like Israel after rebuilding Jerusalem. Marriage parallels highlight the importance of mutual attention and commitment. Learn to keep your focus on Jesus amid challenges and embrace public commitments to faith. The episode emphasizes the necessity of separating from ungodly influences and investing in God's kingdom, urging listeners to respond to calls for repentance and renewal.

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ADVICE

Finish Strong, Not Just Start Strong

Start well but plan to finish stronger by maintaining spiritual discipline and commitment.
Work out your salvation daily and aim to finish the race with joy, not just begin it.

ANECDOTE

Mules, Humor, And Marriage Maintenance

Greg Laurie recounts his 51-year marriage and a humorous honeymoon mule story to illustrate maintenance in marriage.
He emphasizes consistent attention and love as the secret to a lasting marriage.

INSIGHT

Eyes On Jesus Maintain Momentum

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus to maintain spiritual momentum and perseverance.
The devil wants you to give up, so resist and run the race with endurance.

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After experiencing God’s blessings, the people of Israel still returned to their old ways. Sound familiar? If you’ve found yourself drifting spiritually and falling into the same patterns—a fresh start is close by.

Spiritual momentum is building! Help us continue to meet this unique moment by supporting our evangelistic efforts in 2026—give before the year ends!

Notes:

Focus verse - Nehemiah 10

#1 Starting strong is good, finishing strong is better.

Samson started well but did not finish that way.

Marriage is like our relationship with God.

The moment you begin to neglect and take your marriage for granted, trouble follows.
The same is true of our Christian life.

The bible says, “Work out your own salvation.”

#2 Stay focused.

When we take our eyes off the Lord, we will get discouraged.

Nehemiah 4:14

Israel did not remember the Lord.

This was not just about the physical state of the walls.
This was about the spiritual state of their lives.

#3 Israel promised to carefully follow all the commands of scripture.

Read Nehemiah 10:28–29

Jesus is the unique and only miracle working Son of God who died and rose again.

#4 Israel chose to obey the word of God.

The surrender to God’s word happened from top down.
Nehemiah 10:28

It’s one thing to believe the word of God, it’s another thing to surrender to it.

#5 Israel separated themselves from ungodly influences.
Nehemiah 10:28–30

To live a godly life, you need to separate yourself from some things and join yourself to others.

The three most important decisions you will make in life are:
What am I going to do with Jesus Christ?
What am I going to do with my life?
Who am I going to marry?

Israel was pulled down by ungodly people.

2 Corinthians 6:14

Separation does not mean isolation.

#6 Israel was invested in God’s kingdom.
Nehemiah 10:32

If we follow God’s principles about giving, we can expect Him to meet our needs.
2 Corinthians 9:8

Nehemiah 13:8

Little compromises lead to bigger problems.

Jesus finished what he started.

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Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org.

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