Vision and Goals: The Path to Purpose
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we continue with week three of our series on Vision. I sense that something good is happening in your life right now. While you are here taking care of God's business, God is out there taking care of yours. Angels are being dispatched, and favor is being given. Some of you are about to walk into your dreams and destiny. Let's dive into our opening text from Proverbs 29:18, which tells us that where there is no vision, the people perish. Without a vision, life heads towards ruin and destruction. However, those who keep God's law will be blessed, happy, and fortunate. It was always God's intent that the world would envy the church, not the other way around.
We discussed the importance of vision, emphasizing that everything begins with it. You will become what you see, but what you do not see, you cannot become. Perception leads to process, and process leads to product. If you don't like your product, you need to go back and change your vision. Spiritual vision will produce spiritual strategies. A vision plus a plan plus action equals a spiritually productive life. However, remember that while we can plan, only God can give the answer. Submit your will to His, and you will still end up doing what you wanted to do within His will.
We also talked about setting SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewarding, and Timely. Goals should be godly, obtainable, have the proper attitude, be lifelong, and satisfying. Godly goals give us hope. Job, after losing everything, said he had nothing to live for because he had no goal to encourage him. Without goals, you have nothing to look forward to. Proverbs 13:12 tells us that unrelenting disappointment leaves you heart-sick, but a sudden good break can turn your life around. I prophesy that a sudden good break is coming to someone's life today.
Godly goals also stretch our faith. Romans 1:17 says the just shall live by faith. Once you reach one goal, ask yourself, "What's next?" Never retire, only refire. Matthew 9:27-30 shows us that Jesus asked the blind men if they believed He could heal them. According to their faith, it was done. If you don't have goals, you are not living by faith. Goals can become statements of faith, trusting God to help you accomplish them.
Godly goals build character. Life is a course in character development. Everything that happens to you is an opportunity to grow. Proverbs 11:27 and 15:9 emphasize the importance of personal integrity, moral courage, and honorable character. At the end of the day, what you become is far more important than what you accomplish. God doesn't want your talent to take you somewhere your character can't keep you.
Finally, we discussed the importance of staying focused. Satan always wants to distract you. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:26 says he does not run without a goal. Stay focused on your goals, whether it's getting out of debt, maintaining purity, or achieving academic success. Surround yourself with like-minded people who can help you stay accountable. Remember, everyone in college is not there to get an education. Stay focused on your vision to graduate with honors.
### Key Takeaways
1. Vision is Essential for Life: Proverbs 29:18 teaches us that without a vision, people perish. Vision provides direction and purpose, preventing life from heading towards ruin and destruction. Keeping God's law and vision leads to a blessed, happy, and fortunate life. This principle underscores the importance of having a clear, God-given vision for our lives. [01:38]
2. Goals Give Hope and Direction: Job's experience shows that without goals, life can feel meaningless and lead to depression. Setting personal goals gives us something to wake up for and pursue daily. Whether you're 18 or 80, having a goal or dream to chase keeps you motivated and alive. [23:41]
3. Faith and Goals are Interconnected: Romans 1:17 and Matthew 9:27-30 illustrate that godly goals stretch our faith. Living by faith means continually setting and pursuing new goals. Jesus' question to the blind men, "Do you believe I can do this?" challenges us to trust God for the impossible. Our faith determines the level of our achievements. [46:43]
4. Character Development through Goals: Life is a course in character development. God uses our experiences, including our goals and challenges, to grow us spiritually and morally. Proverbs 11:27 and 15:9 highlight the importance of personal integrity and moral courage. At the end of the day, who we become is more important than what we achieve. [51:53]
5. The Importance of Focus: Staying focused is crucial for achieving our goals. Distractions are inevitable, but we must learn to identify and avoid them. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:26 emphasizes running with a clear goal in mind. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who can help you stay accountable and focused on your vision. [38:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:38] - The Importance of Vision
[03:09] - Vision and Obedience
[04:39] - Spiritual Vision and Strategies
[06:17] - Setting SMART Goals
[09:15] - Measuring Progress
[12:17] - Achievable Goals
[13:54] - Rewarding Yourself
[15:25] - Timely and Trackable Goals
[17:02] - Overcoming Personal Challenges
[20:27] - Tracking Lifelong Goals
[22:03] - Tangible Goals
[23:41] - Goals Give Hope
[25:04] - The Power of a Dream Fulfilled
[26:28] - Overcoming Disappointment
[27:58] - A Sudden Good Break
[29:49] - Hope Deferred
[31:42] - The Tree of Life
[33:15] - Declaring Your Desires
[35:07] - Focusing Your Energy
[36:33] - Avoiding Distractions
[38:34] - Staying Focused
[40:26] - Financial Focus
[42:02] - College and Focus
[43:38] - Staying True to Your Vision
[45:14] - Vision for Academic Success
[46:43] - Faith and Goals
[48:19] - Believing for the Impossible
[50:00] - Living by Faith
[51:53] - Building Character
[53:33] - Character Development in Life
[55:01] - Personal Growth through Challenges
[57:08] - The Importance of Integrity
[58:46] - Setting Smart Goals
[01:00:32] - A Sudden Good Break
[01:01:55] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:03:03] - Call to Action
[01:05:01] - Encouragement and Support
[01:06:46] - Prayer of Salvation
[01:08:05] - Tithes and Offering Time
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified Classic): "Where there is no vision, no redemptive revelation of God, the people perish; but he who keeps the law of God, which includes that of man, blessed, happy, fortunate, and enviable is he."
2. Romans 1:17 (New King James Version): "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'"
3. Matthew 9:27-30 (New King James Version): "When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, 'Son of David, have mercy on us!' And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to Him, 'Yes, Lord.' Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith let it be to you.' And their eyes were opened."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 29:18, what happens to people when there is no vision? How does this contrast with those who keep God's law? [01:38]
2. In Romans 1:17, what does it mean that "the just shall live by faith"? How is this principle demonstrated in the sermon? [46:43]
3. In Matthew 9:27-30, what question does Jesus ask the blind men, and what is their response? How does their faith impact the outcome? [48:19]
4. What are the five components of SMART goals as discussed in the sermon? How does each component contribute to achieving a goal? [07:44]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does having a vision prevent life from heading towards ruin and destruction, as mentioned in Proverbs 29:18? How can this be applied to personal life goals? [01:38]
2. What does it mean to live by faith according to Romans 1:17, and how can setting godly goals stretch one's faith? [46:43]
3. How does the interaction between Jesus and the blind men in Matthew 9:27-30 illustrate the relationship between faith and achieving goals? What can we learn from their example? [48:19]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of setting SMART goals. How can setting specific, measurable, achievable, rewarding, and timely goals help in spiritual and personal growth? [07:44]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current vision for your life. Is it aligned with God's will? How can you ensure that your vision leads to a blessed and fortunate life as described in Proverbs 29:18? [01:38]
2. Identify a specific goal you have set for yourself. Is it a SMART goal? If not, how can you modify it to make it specific, measurable, achievable, rewarding, and timely? [07:44]
3. Think about a time when you faced unrelenting disappointment. How did it affect your hope and motivation? How can setting new goals help you overcome such disappointments? [23:41]
4. How can you incorporate faith into your goal-setting process? What are some goals that you can set which require you to trust God for the impossible, similar to the blind men in Matthew 9:27-30? [48:19]
5. Consider the distractions in your life that prevent you from staying focused on your goals. What steps can you take to minimize these distractions and stay focused, as Paul advises in 1 Corinthians 9:26? [38:34]
6. How can you build character through the goals you set? Reflect on a recent challenge you faced and how it contributed to your character development. What did you learn from it? [51:53]
7. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can help you stay accountable. Who in your life can you rely on for support and accountability in achieving your goals? How can you strengthen these relationships? [43:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Vision is Essential for Life
Without a vision, people perish. Proverbs 29:18 teaches us that vision provides direction and purpose, preventing life from heading towards ruin and destruction. Keeping God's law and vision leads to a blessed, happy, and fortunate life. This principle underscores the importance of having a clear, God-given vision for our lives. When you have a vision, you have a roadmap that guides your decisions and actions, aligning them with God's will. This alignment brings blessings and fulfillment, as you are walking in the path that God has set for you. [01:38]
Proverbs 29:18 (ESV): "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law."
Reflection: What is the vision God has placed in your heart? How can you align your daily actions to move towards this vision?
Day 2: Goals Give Hope and Direction
Job's experience shows that without goals, life can feel meaningless and lead to depression. Setting personal goals gives us something to wake up for and pursue daily. Whether you're 18 or 80, having a goal or dream to chase keeps you motivated and alive. Goals provide a sense of purpose and direction, helping you to focus your energy on what truly matters. They act as milestones that mark your progress and keep you encouraged, even in the face of challenges. Remember, a sudden good break can turn your life around, so keep your goals in sight and stay hopeful. [23:41]
Proverbs 13:12 (ESV): "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."
Reflection: What is one specific goal you can set today that will give you hope and direction? How can you take the first step towards achieving it?
Day 3: Faith and Goals are Interconnected
Romans 1:17 and Matthew 9:27-30 illustrate that godly goals stretch our faith. Living by faith means continually setting and pursuing new goals. Jesus' question to the blind men, "Do you believe I can do this?" challenges us to trust God for the impossible. Our faith determines the level of our achievements. When you set goals that align with God's will, you are making a statement of faith, trusting that He will help you accomplish them. This act of faith not only brings you closer to your goals but also strengthens your relationship with God. [46:43]
Matthew 9:28-29 (ESV): "When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to him, 'Yes, Lord.' Then he touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith be it done to you.'"
Reflection: What is a goal that seems impossible to you right now? How can you exercise your faith and trust God to help you achieve it?
Day 4: Character Development through Goals
Life is a course in character development. God uses our experiences, including our goals and challenges, to grow us spiritually and morally. Proverbs 11:27 and 15:9 highlight the importance of personal integrity and moral courage. At the end of the day, who we become is more important than what we achieve. God doesn't want your talent to take you somewhere your character can't keep you. As you pursue your goals, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Each step you take is an opportunity to develop your character and grow in your relationship with God. [51:53]
Proverbs 11:27 (ESV): "Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it."
Reflection: How have your recent challenges and goals contributed to your character development? What steps can you take to ensure that your character grows alongside your achievements?
Day 5: The Importance of Focus
Staying focused is crucial for achieving our goals. Distractions are inevitable, but we must learn to identify and avoid them. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:26 emphasizes running with a clear goal in mind. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who can help you stay accountable and focused on your vision. Whether it's getting out of debt, maintaining purity, or achieving academic success, staying focused on your goals will help you achieve them. Remember, everyone in college is not there to get an education. Stay focused on your vision to graduate with honors. [38:34]
1 Corinthians 9:26 (ESV): "So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air."
Reflection: What are the main distractions in your life that keep you from focusing on your goals? How can you minimize or eliminate these distractions to stay on track?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If you want to live an effective life, the secret is focus. You don't have time to do everything. Stay focused. Keep the main thing the main thing. First Corinthians chapter 9 verse 26 in the Amplified Bible says, Paul says here, therefore I do not run without a what? Right? I do not flail around like one beating the air, just shadow boxing. You know what Paul is saying here? That Paul never did anything just to be doing it. If you want to do it, then there's got to be a target and a goal. Got to be focused in order to get. You'll never get out of debt if you don't stay focused, right? Because there's always going to be a pair of shoes, an outfit. Come on, somebody. There's always going to be something that comes up. You've got to learn how to say no to yourself today so that you can say yes to yourself tomorrow, right?" [38:34]
2. "Somebody say, I want to stay focused. Come on, look at your neighbor and tell him that's the biggest thing you need to do is stay focused. All right, so if you want to live an effective life, the secret is focus. You don't have time to do everything. Stay focused. Keep the main thing the main thing." [38:34]
3. "You want to know what my recommendation to you is? Find a good church wherever you going to college. Go to school during the week. Go to church on Sunday and build community with like-minded people that you all can help hold each other accountable. Pray for each other. Call each other. Hey, I'm struggling tonight. Can you come on over?" [43:38]
4. "So listen, if you're understanding this, when you don't have something to get up for, then you don't have something to live for. See, what's waking you up in the morning? What's when your feet hit the ground? What has you excited? What are you chasing, right? What are you going after? And there's no age on this. A colonel, Kentucky Friday, chicken. Colonel Sanders didn't start that until he was 75 years old. So whether you're 18 or 80, every single morning when your feet hit the ground, you should be chasing something. You should have a goal, a dream, a desire. And then what am I doing today that's taking me in that direction? If I'm not doing that every single day, guess what, folks? I'm not living." [23:41]
5. "You should have a goal after retirement of building something, doing something, becoming something, chasing something, right? All your life, what's next? I get there. What's next? I get there. What's next? I get there. What's next? So that I always have a reason to get up the next morning. Because those that have been declared righteous live this way. They live by faith." [46:43]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Godly goals stretch my faith. Romans 1 17 says, for in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from what? As it is written, the just shall what? So this is a lifestyle, right? So once I reach one goal, how many know I shouldn't stop? Soon as I reached that goal, I said, ask myself, what's next? Right? Listen, don't ever retire. Only refire. After I retire, now what do I want to do? What goals do I want to accomplish? What do I want to chase? Because if you don't, then you're just going to sit in the house with a remote control in your hand and watch TV and your body was never meant to be sedimentary. Come on, somebody." [46:43]
2. "So godly goals build character. And I'm, at the end of the day, this is what I'm chasing in life. I don't want to be a millionaire. I don't want to be a billionaire. I don't want any of that. I want at the end of the day, I want to be a person of character. I want to be a person of integrity. I want to be a person that did exactly what I said I was going to do, right? Watch this now. This will bless you, right? God's number one goal for your life is to grow you up spiritually, to make you like Jesus Christ in your character. So life is really a course in character development, right? Everything that happens to you is an opportunity for you to grow from it, if you choose to." [51:53]
3. "So godly goals focus my energy and they focus my life. Focus here means to give your attention. See, Satan always wants to get you distracted, right? You ever notice that when you set a goal, the next thing that comes along with that is distraction? You got to look at that. You got to learn how to get to a place where you got to ask yourself, are they helping me reach that goal? Because if they're not, I got to make a decision about this. Is doing this helping me reach that goal? And you'll learn how to notice what is a demonic distraction versus divine assistance. See, it's divine assistance if it's helping me get to that goal. It's a demonic distraction if it's taking me away from that goal." [35:07]
4. "So if you don't have goals, you have nothing to encourage you to keep going. See, why get out of bed in the morning if you don't have a dream, an ambition, or a vision? You have nothing to look forward to if there's nothing, folks, that's waking you up in the morning. You want to get to a place where the clock doesn't even need to wake you up anymore, right? You're so excited about the opportunities that are present in this next day that are going to help me get closer to my goal that I'm getting up before the clock goes off, and I'm getting after it, folks. If you don't have that about you, you are not heading in the direction that you probably want to go in." [25:04]
5. "You got to learn how to stay the course, delay your gratification, and put the reward at the end of your tracking. Everybody clear on that? All right. Now, let's keep going. See, for me, trying to stop cussing was a journey, a three-year journey. Oh, stand up. No, don't do that, don't do that. That was a journey for me, man. That was like a three-year journey. But what kept me going, I kept seeing progress. And I noticed God wasn't condemning me because I was making progress. Everybody clear on that?" [17:02]
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