Faith-Driven Goals: Shaping Your Future Self

Summary

In this series, "Shaping Your Future Self," we explore the profound impact of setting faith-driven goals to become the person God intends us to be. Life is unpredictable, and while we can't control our circumstances, we can control our responses and choices. The Bible encourages planning, but with humility and flexibility, acknowledging that our plans should align with God's will. In uncertain times, it's wise to make short-term plans and hold them with an open hand, ready to adapt as needed.

The first principle in shaping your future self is the power of praise, which we discussed last week. Today, we delve into the second principle: setting faith goals. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it's impossible to please God. Setting goals in faith is a spiritual responsibility, as God Himself sets goals for the universe and for us. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this in Philippians 3:12-15, where he speaks of striving toward his God-given goals.

Goals are statements of faith, stretching our belief in what God can accomplish through us. They focus our energy, helping us avoid distractions and stay committed to what truly matters. Goals also provide endurance, giving us hope and motivation to persist through challenges. They build character, shaping us into the people God wants us to be. Ultimately, good goals are rewarded both on earth and in eternity.

As we embark on this journey, consider two questions: What is the most important personal goal you'd like to accomplish in the next 100 days with God's help? And what is the most important ministry goal you'd like to achieve in the same timeframe? Evaluate your goals by asking if they honor God, are motivated by love, and require dependence on Him. Remember, you will need God's Spirit to empower you, His Word to guide you, and His people to support you.

Key Takeaways:

- The Power of Faith Goals: Setting goals in faith is a spiritual responsibility that aligns us with God's purpose. It requires us to trust God beyond our capabilities, stretching our faith and allowing us to witness His power in our lives. [04:33]

- Focus and Endurance: Goals focus our energy, helping us avoid distractions and stay committed to what truly matters. They provide the endurance needed to persist through challenges, offering hope and motivation to keep moving forward. [10:02]

- Character Building: The greatest benefit of faith goals is not what we achieve but who we become in the process. As we work on our goals, God works on us, shaping our character for eternity. [14:10]

- Evaluating Goals: Not all goals are equal. Evaluate your goals by asking if they honor God, are motivated by love, and require dependence on Him. These criteria ensure that our goals align with God's will and bring Him glory. [21:07]

- Community and Support: We need God's Spirit, His Word, and His people to support us in achieving our goals. Being part of a community provides the encouragement and accountability necessary for spiritual growth and success. [29:14]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Shaping Your Future Self
[00:49] - Planning in Uncertain Times
[01:32] - The Importance of Short-Term Plans
[02:12] - Principle of Praising God
[03:20] - Principle of Faith
[04:33] - Goal Setting as a Spiritual Responsibility
[06:23] - Goals as Statements of Faith
[07:51] - Dreaming Great Dreams
[09:04] - Setting Faith Goals
[10:02] - Goals Focus Energy
[11:22] - Goals Provide Endurance
[13:54] - Goals Build Character
[16:00] - Rewards of Good Goals
[18:34] - Next Steps for 100 Days

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:6
2. Philippians 3:12-15
3. James 4:15

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to Hebrews 11:6, what is necessary to please God, and how does this relate to setting goals? [03:35]

2. In Philippians 3:12-15, how does Paul describe his approach to achieving his goals? What does he focus on? [05:13]

3. How does James 4:15 guide us in making plans, especially in uncertain times? [01:02]

4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how goals can focus our energy and provide endurance? [10:02]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might setting goals be considered a spiritual responsibility, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this align with the examples of biblical figures like Paul? [04:33]

2. How do faith goals differ from regular goals, and why is it important that they require dependence on God? [09:32]

3. What does it mean for a goal to honor God, and how can one evaluate if their goals meet this criterion? [21:07]

4. How does being part of a community support us in achieving our faith goals, according to the sermon? [29:14]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a personal goal you have set in the past. Did it require faith and dependence on God? How might you adjust your current goals to align more closely with this principle? [09:32]

2. Consider the next 100 days. What is one personal goal you would like to accomplish with God's help, and how will you ensure it honors God and is motivated by love? [19:04]

3. Identify a ministry goal you would like to achieve in the next 100 days. How can you involve others in this goal to ensure it is supported by your community? [20:00]

4. Think about a time when you felt distracted from your goals. What specific steps can you take to focus your energy and avoid distractions in the future? [10:02]

5. How can you incorporate the principle of praising God into your daily routine, even when you don't feel like it, to help shape your future self? [02:39]

6. What are some practical ways you can rely on God's Spirit, His Word, and His people to empower and guide you in achieving your goals? [26:26]

7. Reflect on a recent setback. How can setting small, achievable goals help you regain motivation and persistence? [12:56]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Goals as Spiritual Responsibility
Setting goals in faith is a spiritual responsibility that aligns us with God's purpose. It requires us to trust God beyond our capabilities, stretching our faith and allowing us to witness His power in our lives. Faith goals are not merely personal ambitions but are deeply rooted in the belief that God has a unique plan for each of us. By setting these goals, we acknowledge that our lives are part of a larger divine narrative, and we open ourselves to the transformative work of God. As we pursue these goals, we are called to rely on God's strength and wisdom, recognizing that our efforts are ultimately for His glory. [04:33]

Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV): "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Reflection: What is one faith-driven goal you can set today that requires you to trust God beyond your current capabilities?

Day 2: Focus and Endurance through Goals
Goals focus our energy, helping us avoid distractions and stay committed to what truly matters. They provide the endurance needed to persist through challenges, offering hope and motivation to keep moving forward. In a world full of distractions, having clear goals helps us prioritize our time and resources, ensuring that we remain aligned with God's purpose for our lives. By setting and pursuing these goals, we cultivate a sense of discipline and perseverance, which are essential for spiritual growth. The journey may be challenging, but with God's guidance, we can overcome obstacles and remain steadfast in our pursuit of His will. [10:02]

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (ESV): "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

Reflection: Identify a distraction in your life that is hindering your focus on God's purpose. How can you eliminate or reduce this distraction today?

Day 3: Character Building through Faith Goals
The greatest benefit of faith goals is not what we achieve but who we become in the process. As we work on our goals, God works on us, shaping our character for eternity. The pursuit of these goals is a refining process, where God molds us into the image of Christ. Through challenges and triumphs, our faith is tested and strengthened, leading to spiritual maturity. This transformation is not just for our benefit but also for the impact we can have on others as we reflect God's love and grace in our lives. [14:10]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced while pursuing a goal. How did this experience shape your character, and what did you learn about yourself and God?

Day 4: Evaluating Goals with God's Perspective
Not all goals are equal. Evaluate your goals by asking if they honor God, are motivated by love, and require dependence on Him. These criteria ensure that our goals align with God's will and bring Him glory. It is essential to regularly assess our goals to ensure they are not driven by selfish desires but are rooted in a genuine desire to serve God and others. By doing so, we align our ambitions with God's heart, allowing Him to guide our steps and bless our efforts. This evaluation process helps us remain humble and open to God's leading, ensuring that our lives reflect His love and purpose. [21:07]

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Reflection: Take a moment to evaluate your current goals. Do they honor God, and are they motivated by love? What changes can you make to align them more closely with His will?

Day 5: Community and Support in Achieving Goals
We need God's Spirit, His Word, and His people to support us in achieving our goals. Being part of a community provides the encouragement and accountability necessary for spiritual growth and success. The journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone; we are called to support and uplift one another as we pursue God's purpose. By surrounding ourselves with fellow believers, we gain strength, wisdom, and encouragement to persevere in our goals. This community acts as a reflection of God's love, reminding us that we are part of a larger body working together for His glory. [29:14]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support and accountability in your faith journey? How can you also be a source of encouragement for someone else today?

Quotes

The first principle of shaping your future self, becoming who you want to be, is to learn the principle of praising God, even when you don't feel like it. Now, that's what we talked about last week in part one, the power of praise. You know, this past week I have literally been inundated with notes and emails from people saying that that message was the most important message they'd ever heard. [00:25:52]

The second principle in shaping your future self is the principle of faith, and the title of today's message, I'm calling it Pleasing God by Setting Faith Goals. Hebrews 11 verse 6 says this: Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Pretty clear. The only way you can please God is not by your complaints or anything else, but you please God when you trust Him. [00:34:56]

Goal setting is a spiritual responsibility. You may not have thought that, but goal setting is actually a spiritual responsibility. The Bible says God sets goals. He sets goals for history, He sets goals for the universe, He sets goals for the earth, He sets goals for you. The Bible says that Jesus sets goals. He had many, many examples in His ministry. [00:45:20]

Goals are statements of faith. Every time you make a goal, you're actually stating, "I believe God, you're going to help me accomplish this by such and such a time or date. I believe God wants me to do this." That's a statement of faith. Goals stretch your faith. In Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20, it says this: God can do anything, you know that? [00:51:57]

Goals focus my energy. Goals focus my energy. Now, you know as well as I do that the world is full of distractions, right? I mean, everything distracts you. We're in a very ADD culture. Everything distracts you, and there's everything trying to get your attention, but only a few things really matter. And the secret of effectiveness, listen, is focus. [01:02:32]

Goals keep me going. Goals keep me going. Goals give you endurance, they give you diligence, they give you persistence. Goals give me hope to keep moving forward. If you don't have any goal, you're hopeless. Goals give me the power to persist, the power to endure. You see, without a goal, you don't really have any reason to get out of bed. [01:07:10]

The greatest benefit of faith goals is not what you achieve, it's what you become in the process. Faith goals shape your future self. We shape our goals, and they shape us. You see, while you're working on your faith goal, God is going to be working on you, and that's what's going to last for eternity: your character. [01:14:00]

Good goals will be rewarded. Good goals will be rewarded, and I want you to get those goals. I don't want you to miss out on those goals. As your pastor who loves you, I want you to be rewarded. Now, there are two ways that you're rewarded for good goals. First, you're rewarded by people here on earth, and second, you're rewarded by God in eternity. [01:23:50]

I will need God's Spirit to empower me. I will need God's Spirit to empower me. That's why it's a faith goal. One of my favorite verses in the Bible, Zechariah 4:6: You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord. I preached on that verse at the first service of Saddleback when Kay and I started with just the two of us. [01:31:28]

I will need God's Word to guide me. Okay, you gotta get in this book, and in the next 100 days, the more you spend in this book, the more guidance you're going to get for your goals. I can think of an example when Moses gave Joshua a huge goal. Actually, God gave Joshua the goal when Joshua was given this huge goal of this. [01:37:12]

I will need God's people to support me. I can't do it on my own. We weren't meant to be all alone. It is not good for you to be alone. God hates loneliness. That's why He created a spiritual family called the church. In Ecclesiastes chapter 4 verse 12, He says this: The third thing we need, I need God's people to support me. [01:44:41]

Father, we know, we already know that you're going to do some amazing things in the next 100 days in the lives of our Saddleback family. We know that with setting goals in faith, praising you in advance, lives are going to be changed. We know that families are going to be saved. We know that friendships are going to be made. [01:56:20]

Faith-Driven Goals: Shaping Your Future Self

Summary

Study Guide

Devotional

Quotes

Chatbot

Faith-Driven Goals: Shaping Your Future Self