Radical City Shaker and Disciple Maker

Ps Francis Alvarado

One characteristic of a great runner is a good finisher. He stays on track and not gives up. He is determined to reach his goal – the finish line. Likewise, a City Shaker and a Disciple Maker must also be a good finisher, for only at the finish line you will receive great rewards. Like Apostle Paul who once said in 2 Tim 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Looking at Apostle Paul’s life, before his Encounter with God, he has lots of things he can be proud of. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, concerning the law, a Pharisee, persecuting the church, which is blameless in the law. But he then counted all these loss for Christ that he may gain Christ and he be found on Him not having his own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith (Phil 3:4-11). He then pressed on toward the goal! (Phil 3:12-14)

There are five distinctive characteristics of a good finisher revealed by Paul’s life written in 2 Cor. 5:14-21. First is having the radical motive – the love of God compels you to do (v.14). It is all about the love of God, if this compels you, there’s no room for excuses. Colossians 3:23 says that whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Next, is having the radical mindset –looking at things the way God sees them (v.16). Even in the darkest situation, think radically because there is always a good side. What you think determines your actions and your actions are based on your mindset but if you don’t have the mind setting hence, you don’t have actions. A man or a woman who experienced radical moments is the third one (v.17). He knows very well what Christ Jesus has done in the Cross of Calvary and experienced life transformation in every day. A Christian with a testimony is never ashamed to share it and the Good News because he experienced radical change. Fourth is a man or a woman who receives the ministry radically – ministry as a God-given opportunity to serve Him and people (v.18). God has bestowed each one talent and gifts and our gift back to God is to use those talents for His glory. Die empty in a way that every time you give your service to God you’re giving your BEST! Last is being a radical messenger of God – an ambassador of God (v.20).An ambassador is not entitled to speak of his own opinion but of the one who sent him like Jesus from His Father, every time He speaks, He speaks life. You are Christ’s ambassador but the question is do they know you as such?

Every CSDM are not just good starters but also good finisher. Like Paul, having these characteristics will let you finish the race while enjoying and enduring every obstacle that you will encounter, remember only at the finish line that you will receive great rewards. So, fight a good fight, finish the race and keep the faith!