Stay 'til the end!

Have you been to a movie recently and had to answer the call of nature so urgently that you headed out just as the credits started rolling?

And then later you heard from someone about the "extra scene" with crucial plot information (usually setting up a sequel) that was saved until after the credits.

And you thought - "I should have stayed 'til the end"?

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Or the sporting event where many fans thought it was a lost cause.  
So they chose to beat the crowds in the parking lot and leave early.
Only to find out later that their team had pulled it all together and won?
They were definitely thinking - "I should have stayed 'til the end"!

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This Sunday in our sermon ("Jesus loves the Good Life") we heard about a young man who "should have stayed 'til the end".

The Bible recalls his story in three separate areas.
Matthew 19:16-26 | Mark 10:17-27 | Luke 18:18-29

A confident young man who "has it all" (it seems) comes to Jesus and asks what he has to do get to heaven - to be saved from any sin that he perhaps, maybe, might have committed.

Jesus recalls a few commandments and asks this young man if he's kept them.
Oh - yes - the young man is sure he has.  He's got those bases covered.

And then the kicker - just one more thing, Jesus says.
Take all of your wealth and give it to the poor - and then you will have treasure in heaven.
In other words - young man - what is REALLY the most important thing in your life?

In the Matthew and Mark telling of the story - we hear "At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.".

He should have "stayed 'til the end" - because Jesus went on to explain to those who were still gathered around him.

Mark 10:24-27

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again,“Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said,“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Stay (in faith in Jesus Christ) 'til the end, my friend.
It's going to be AMAZING! 

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Lord - I am prone to wander off at the shiniest thing that grabs my attention.
I need your help to keep be steady, steadfast and true.
And to "stay 'til the end".
You've promised the most glorious ending - one that I can't even imagine.
Thank you!
Amen.

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