Setting God-Honoring Goals for Purposeful Living

 

Summary

Setting goals is a vital aspect of living a purposeful and fulfilling life. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who were goal-oriented, including Jesus and the Apostle Paul. Jesus often announced his goals publicly, demonstrating the importance of having clear objectives. Paul, in Philippians 3, speaks about striving toward his goals, acknowledging that he hasn't yet reached them but continues to press forward. This mindset is crucial for spiritual maturity and growth.

Goals provide direction and motivation, helping us endure challenges and setbacks. Without goals, life can feel aimless, leading to discouragement and a lack of purpose. Job expressed this sentiment, stating that without a goal, he lacked the strength to endure. Long-term goals help us navigate short-term failures, which are essential for learning and growth. Failure should be seen as an education rather than a setback.

Setting goals is not just about achieving success; it's about character development. God is more interested in who we become than in what we accomplish. As we work towards our goals, God works on our character, shaping us into the people He intends us to be. This process requires intention and effort, as Paul emphasizes the need to strive toward our goals.

Good goals are rewarded both on Earth and in eternity. They bring respect and honor and build a legacy. Proverbs 11:27 states that good goals lead to respect, and 1 Corinthians 9:25 reminds us that we pursue eternal rewards. However, not all goals are good. Goals that honor God, are motivated by love, and require dependence on God are the ones He blesses.

To set goals that God will bless, ask three questions: Will this goal honor God? Is this goal motivated by love? Will this goal require depending on God? Goals that honor God lead us to trust Him more and serve others. Love should be the highest motivation for our goals, as it aligns with God's purpose for our lives. Finally, goals should require faith, as without faith, it is impossible to please God.

In pursuing our goals, we need God's Spirit to empower us, His Word to guide us, and His people to support us. Transformation is possible when we rely on God's power, immerse ourselves in His Word, and surround ourselves with a supportive community.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Goals: Goals provide direction and motivation, helping us endure life's challenges. Without them, life can feel aimless and discouraging. Long-term goals help us navigate short-term failures, which are essential for growth and learning. [03:28]

2. Character Development Through Goals: God is more interested in our character than our accomplishments. As we work towards our goals, God shapes us into the people He intends us to be. This process requires intention, effort, and a focus on becoming who God wants us to be. [07:31]

3. Rewards of Good Goals: Good goals are rewarded both on Earth and in eternity. They bring respect, honor, and build a legacy. However, not all goals are good. Goals that honor God, are motivated by love, and require dependence on God are the ones He blesses. [09:44]

4. Setting God-Honoring Goals: To set goals that God will bless, ask if they honor God, are motivated by love, and require dependence on Him. Goals that align with God's purpose lead us to trust Him more and serve others. Love should be the highest motivation for our goals. [16:07]

5. Relying on God's Power and Community: In pursuing our goals, we need God's Spirit to empower us, His Word to guide us, and His people to support us. Transformation is possible when we rely on God's power, immerse ourselves in His Word, and surround ourselves with a supportive community. [22:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:17] - The Importance of Setting Goals
- [00:48] - Jesus and Paul's Goal-Setting Examples
- [01:59] - Goals Provide Hope and Endurance
- [03:28] - Long-Term Goals and Short-Term Setbacks
- [04:47] - Small Steps Toward Success
- [06:25] - Goal Setting as a Spiritual Responsibility
- [07:14] - Character Development Through Goals
- [09:44] - Rewards of Good Goals
- [12:35] - Setting God-Honoring Goals
- [14:18] - Questions for Setting Goals
- [16:07] - Love as the Motivation for Goals
- [18:09] - Dependence on God for Goals
- [19:18] - God's Spirit, Word, and People
- [23:25] - Prayer and Expectation for Transformation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 3:12-14 - "I know that I'm not yet what God wants me to be. I haven't reached that goal, but I keep moving toward it to make it mine because Christ made me and saved me for this. I keep my eyes focused on the goal so that I may one day win the prize that God has called me to receive through Christ in the Life above."
2. Proverbs 11:27 - "If your goals are good, you will be respected."
3. 1 Corinthians 9:25 - "All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize."

#### Observation Questions
1. What examples from the Bible were given in the sermon to illustrate goal-setting? ([00:48])
2. According to Philippians 3, what is Paul's attitude towards his goals and how does he approach them? ([01:03])
3. How does the sermon describe the role of failure in achieving goals? ([04:01])
4. What are the three questions mentioned in the sermon that we should ask when setting goals? ([14:18])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul's approach to goal-setting in Philippians 3 reflect the importance of perseverance in the Christian life? ([01:38])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that setting goals can contribute to character development? ([07:14])
3. How does the sermon explain the connection between setting goals and receiving rewards both on Earth and in eternity? ([09:44])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between love and goal-setting? How should love influence our goals? ([16:07])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you set a goal that was not aligned with God's purpose. How did it affect your spiritual journey? ([12:35])
2. Identify a current goal you have. Does it require you to depend on God? If not, how can you adjust it to include faith? ([18:09])
3. Think about a goal you have that is motivated by love. How can you ensure that love remains the highest motivation as you pursue it? ([16:07])
4. What small steps can you take this week towards a long-term goal, and how can you view potential setbacks as opportunities for growth? ([04:47])
5. How can you involve your community or small group in supporting you towards your goals? What role can they play in your journey? ([22:20])
6. Consider a goal you have that might not honor God. How can you realign it to bring glory to Him? ([14:36])
7. How can you use the Bible as a guide in setting and achieving your goals? What specific scripture will you meditate on this week to help you stay focused? ([20:26])

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Purposeful Goals
Goals provide direction and motivation, helping us endure life's challenges. Without them, life can feel aimless and discouraging. Long-term goals help us navigate short-term failures, which are essential for growth and learning. [03:28]

"For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:28, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific goal you can set today that will give your life more direction and purpose? How can you begin to work towards it this week?


Day 2: Character Over Accomplishments
God is more interested in our character than our accomplishments. As we work towards our goals, God shapes us into the people He intends us to be. This process requires intention, effort, and a focus on becoming who God wants us to be. [07:31]

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." (Philippians 3:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you allow God to shape your character as you pursue your goals? What specific character trait is He calling you to develop?


Day 3: The Legacy of Good Goals
Good goals are rewarded both on Earth and in eternity. They bring respect, honor, and build a legacy. However, not all goals are good. Goals that honor God, are motivated by love, and require dependence on God are the ones He blesses. [09:44]

"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." (1 Corinthians 9:24, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a goal you are currently pursuing. Does it honor God, and is it motivated by love? How can you adjust it to ensure it aligns with these principles?


Day 4: Aligning Goals with God's Purpose
To set goals that God will bless, ask if they honor God, are motivated by love, and require dependence on Him. Goals that align with God's purpose lead us to trust Him more and serve others. Love should be the highest motivation for our goals. [16:07]

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

Reflection: What is one goal you have that needs to be realigned with God's purpose? How can you ensure that love is the driving force behind it?


Day 5: Empowered by God's Spirit and Community
In pursuing our goals, we need God's Spirit to empower us, His Word to guide us, and His people to support us. Transformation is possible when we rely on God's power, immerse ourselves in His Word, and surround ourselves with a supportive community. [22:20]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support and encouragement in your goals? How can you also be a source of encouragement for others?

Quotes


this I know that I'm not yet what God wants me to be hang on anybody agree with that I know that I'm not yet what God wants me to be I haven't reached that goal but I keep moving toward it to make it mine because Christ made me and saved me for this now I know that I haven't reached my goal but there is one thing I always do forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead I keep my eyes focused on the goal so that I may one day win the prize that God has called me to receive through Christ in the Life above now all of you who are spiritually mature should think this same way too goals keep me going they give me hope to keep moving they give me hope to endure they give me hope to persist [00:67:88]

you see if you don't have a goal in your life any goals in your life you don't really have any reason to get out of bed in the morning except maybe you got to eat uh but but really what's why even why even why why even get out of bed why even live if you don't have any goal for your life job says this in Job chapter 6 verse 11 I do not have the strength to endure you ever felt like that I I just I don't know if I'm going to make it I don't have the strength to endure why next sentence I do not have a goal that encourages me to carry on you got to have a goal to keep you going [00:175:68]

everybody has setbacks everybody blows it everybody makes mistakes everybody has failure in fact failure is the only way you succeed you cannot succeed in life without failing why that's how you learn what work works and what doesn't work so never call it a failure call it an education some of us are Highly Educated we're good at failing now if there's any piece of advice as your friend I could say this to you it's this learn to fail fast okay because you're going to fail you're going to fail so everybody fails I fail all the time [00:222:799]

the greatest benefit to your life over the goals you're going to set in the next 50 days the biggest benefit to your life is not going to be the accomplishments and achievements you acquire because of those goals but what happens inside you while you're moving toward the goal see God is more more interested in your character than he is in your accomplishments you're not taking your success to Heaven you're not taking your um your your your career to heaven but you are taking your character so God is more interested in who you are and what you become than he is in what you do and accomplish and what you succeed at [00:425:52]

while I'm working on the goal God is working working on me does that make sense and that's what God wants to do in your life goals help build your character and that's what's going to last for eternity that's why Paul says in Philippians chapter 3:2 I keep striving toward the goal circle the word striving that means it takes energy it takes effort it takes intention it takes purpose in order to reach your goal and God says while you're doing that while you're working on the goal God is building character in you [00:474:8]

good goals will be rewarded and if you have good goals then there's going to be two reasons to that you're rewarded you're going to be rewarded on Earth by people and you're going to be rewarded by God in heaven when you have a good goal it brings respect when you have a good goal it brings honor when you when you give your life to a good goal it builds a legacy on Earth the Bible says in Proverbs 11:27 let's read this verse aloud together okay read it with me if your goals are good you will be respected [00:570:959]

all athletes practice strict self-control you know they eat right and they sleep right and they they um they you know they work out they exercise they do it to win a prize that will fade away nobody's going to remember yesterday's game in two weeks much less two years they do it to win a prize that will fade away but we do it for an eternal prize so I run Paul says straight to the goal with purpose in every step he was purpose driven goal Setter you need to be that too [00:715:639]

will this goal honor God and what kind of goal will honor God what kind of goal brings glory to God any goal that causes you to trust him more to depend on him more to love him more to love other people more to serve God and serve others to be more unselfish those are going to be good goals the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:20 God paid a great price for you look at the cross so use your body to honor God are you using your body to honor God [00:876:88]

will this goal or is this goal motivated by love that's the second thing you want to ask when you set a goal for your finances for your health for your relationships will this goal is this goal motivated by love God is not going to bless a goal motivated by greed I didn't want to make a whole lot of money God is not going to bless a goal motivated by competition I want to be better than that company God is not going to bless a goal motivated by Envy [00:967:839]

will this goal require depending on God will this goal require depending on God remember I said earlier Hebrews 11:6 without faith it's impossible to please God if you don't have a goal that requires Faith then it's not a pleasing to God goal Romans 14:23 everything that doesn't come from faith is sin if you have a goal that's so small it doesn't require any faith to do it it's a sin whatever is not of Faith the Bible says is sin [00:1089:4]

I need God's spirit to empower me this is not something based on Willpower it's based on God power it's not based on trying it's based on trusting I need God's spirit to empower me Zechariah 46 says you will succeed you will will not succeed it says you will not succeed by your own strength or your own power but by my spirit says the Lord I need God's spirit to empower me to make changes I can't to make on my own [00:1176:159]

you will not be able to reach your goals on your own I haven't been able to reach my goals on my own you need other people in your life a crowd can't support you but a small group can three four five six other people they can know when you're sick they can know when you're having a tough time when you've had a bad day a crowd can't support you but a community a small group can Ecclesiastes 4:12 says this by yourself you're unprotected but with a friend you can face the worst [00:1337:279]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Feb 29, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?