December 18th, 2025
by Ronnie Harris
by Ronnie Harris
“STRONG FINISHERS” II TIMOTHY 4:7
We had the pleasure of hearing from Mike Rohrbach who founded Run To Win Ministries, a local youth sports ministry that runs Christian Sports Camps for kids. Mike was the Team Captain for the '77-'78 Washington Husky National Championship Football team, was the chaplain for the for the NBA Seattle SuperSonics for 20 years, UW Football for 17 years, UW Men's Basketball for 22 years and is currently the Chaplain at Seattle Prep Football.
Here are his notes from Men's Breakfast on 12-13-25.
It’s been said that a man’s last words are often his main concern. The Apostle Paul shared in II Timothy 4:7 some powerful words about Finishing Strong! We all know that we must rise up and finish strong. Strong finishers are individuals who live with all the energy, determination and inspiration available to them to guarantee success. They are totally committed and completely unwavering in their pursuit to bring their goals to completion even if some have not been met! Great individuals and teams are marked by the characteristic of being “strong finishers” and having a commitment to excellence along the way.
Jesus had a total commitment to finish the work God had given Him to accomplish. Jesus’ final statement from the cross was “tetelisti”, which translates, “It is finished!” He completed the job. Jesus accomplished what was set before Him to do, no matter what the cost. The Apostle Paul was also a strong finisher. His entire life was marked by a steady quest to achieve his goals and realize his dreams. Though often forced off track, Paul always regained his focus and pressed on with sheer determination, faith and trust. His aim was always grounded in determination, focus and faith. Like an athlete who has paid the price, Paul was able to say, “I have fought the good fight.” He was also able to say that he had brought to completion what he set out to do, “I have finished the course.” And finally, through it all, he had not wavered or lost sight of the source of his success, “I have kept the faith.”
Let’s look at six of the keys to his success.
POSSESS A FINISHER’S HEART—Paul’s claim that “I have fought...” carries with it the determination and dedication of one who possesses a finishers spirit. Paul endured much but he aggressively, with an all-out disciplined effort, fought ahead. We need to possess that same attitude. I Cor.9:24
PREPARE FOR THE BATTLE—Paul was fighting “the good fight.” He recognized that he
was in the midst of an intense battle. He was not going to be caught off guard. We’ve got to be committed to going the distance; prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually.
PURPOSE TO STAY ON COURSE—Paul had “finished the course.” To do so, one must remain focused, intent and true to their commitments. Distractions will come, but they must be dealt with so that you don’t veer off course and miss the mark. Jer. 29:11
PROPEL YOURSELF THROUGH THE TAPE—To finish the course that God had set before Paul was a major accomplishment. Not only did Paul finish the course, but he finished strong, he ran through the tape, he went the distance. Paul was committed to ‘run to win’. Phil 3:14
PROTECT WHAT IS IMPORTANT—Paul then concludes the statement with, “I have kept...” Paul was an individual who held on to what’s important. The word “kept” translates “Guarded”. Envision armed soldiers guarding a prized possession. That’s what Paul is saying. John 15:5
PURSUE FAITH TO THE END—The most important thing to Paul, the thing that he guarded the most was his faith. “I have kept the faith.” What an accomplishment! To remain faithful to the end, no matter what the cost, was his goal. Paul remained faithful to the end. Heb 11:6
The question for all of us is - will we be strong finishers, individuals who are committed to run through the tape and go the distance?
We had the pleasure of hearing from Mike Rohrbach who founded Run To Win Ministries, a local youth sports ministry that runs Christian Sports Camps for kids. Mike was the Team Captain for the '77-'78 Washington Husky National Championship Football team, was the chaplain for the for the NBA Seattle SuperSonics for 20 years, UW Football for 17 years, UW Men's Basketball for 22 years and is currently the Chaplain at Seattle Prep Football.
Here are his notes from Men's Breakfast on 12-13-25.
It’s been said that a man’s last words are often his main concern. The Apostle Paul shared in II Timothy 4:7 some powerful words about Finishing Strong! We all know that we must rise up and finish strong. Strong finishers are individuals who live with all the energy, determination and inspiration available to them to guarantee success. They are totally committed and completely unwavering in their pursuit to bring their goals to completion even if some have not been met! Great individuals and teams are marked by the characteristic of being “strong finishers” and having a commitment to excellence along the way.
Jesus had a total commitment to finish the work God had given Him to accomplish. Jesus’ final statement from the cross was “tetelisti”, which translates, “It is finished!” He completed the job. Jesus accomplished what was set before Him to do, no matter what the cost. The Apostle Paul was also a strong finisher. His entire life was marked by a steady quest to achieve his goals and realize his dreams. Though often forced off track, Paul always regained his focus and pressed on with sheer determination, faith and trust. His aim was always grounded in determination, focus and faith. Like an athlete who has paid the price, Paul was able to say, “I have fought the good fight.” He was also able to say that he had brought to completion what he set out to do, “I have finished the course.” And finally, through it all, he had not wavered or lost sight of the source of his success, “I have kept the faith.”
Let’s look at six of the keys to his success.
POSSESS A FINISHER’S HEART—Paul’s claim that “I have fought...” carries with it the determination and dedication of one who possesses a finishers spirit. Paul endured much but he aggressively, with an all-out disciplined effort, fought ahead. We need to possess that same attitude. I Cor.9:24
PREPARE FOR THE BATTLE—Paul was fighting “the good fight.” He recognized that he
was in the midst of an intense battle. He was not going to be caught off guard. We’ve got to be committed to going the distance; prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually.
PURPOSE TO STAY ON COURSE—Paul had “finished the course.” To do so, one must remain focused, intent and true to their commitments. Distractions will come, but they must be dealt with so that you don’t veer off course and miss the mark. Jer. 29:11
PROPEL YOURSELF THROUGH THE TAPE—To finish the course that God had set before Paul was a major accomplishment. Not only did Paul finish the course, but he finished strong, he ran through the tape, he went the distance. Paul was committed to ‘run to win’. Phil 3:14
PROTECT WHAT IS IMPORTANT—Paul then concludes the statement with, “I have kept...” Paul was an individual who held on to what’s important. The word “kept” translates “Guarded”. Envision armed soldiers guarding a prized possession. That’s what Paul is saying. John 15:5
PURSUE FAITH TO THE END—The most important thing to Paul, the thing that he guarded the most was his faith. “I have kept the faith.” What an accomplishment! To remain faithful to the end, no matter what the cost, was his goal. Paul remained faithful to the end. Heb 11:6
The question for all of us is - will we be strong finishers, individuals who are committed to run through the tape and go the distance?
Posted in Note from Ronnie
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