Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 1:3-7
Set Your Goal
Intro.
1. Goal setting is important (education, career, family, financial, spiritual), cf. Col. 3:1-2.
2. Goal: “The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective.”
3. Goal (telos): “to set out for a definite point or goal…the conclusion of an act or state (termination, result)” (Strong’s); “end.” Examples…
a. Christ was the end of the law for righteousness, Rom. 10:4.
b. The end (result) of sin and the end of holiness, Rom. 6:21, 22.
c. Hold fast our confidence and joy of hope to the end, Heb. 3:6.
I. THE PURPOSES (GOALS) OF GOD MUST BE OUR GOALS.
A. God’s Purposes Accomplish Good Things.
1. Joseph and brothers, Gen. 50:20.
2. The end intended by the Lord (Job), Jas. 5:11.
B. God Turns the Evil Goals of Men and Uses Them to Accomplish Godly Purposes.
1. Suffering and death of Jesus, Acts 3:13-15.
2. Personal suffering of the apostles, 2 Cor. 4:7-15 (11, 15).
C. We Must Make God’s Purposes Our Own, Rom. 8:28, 35-37.
II. THE GOAL OF GOD’S COMMANDMENT.
A. Not to Enslave or Oppress Us, but to Free Us from Sin’s Bondage, Jno. 8:31-32, 34-36.
-If your goal is freedom from sin, then keep the word of Christ.
B. Not to Elevate Some Over Others, Lk. 18:9-14.
-Obedience to God’s command is not self-righteousness, but the result of the faithful, humble servant, Lk. 17:10.
C. Not Outward Compliance, but Inward Commitment, Phil. 2:12-13.
D. The Goal of God’s Commandment is Love, 1 Tim. 1:3-5.
1. From a pure heart, Jas. 4:8; Jno. 14:15, 21
2. From a good conscience, Acts 24:16; 1 Tim. 1:18-19. Moral consciousness toward God and men.
3. From sincere faith, 2 Tim. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:7. Genuine, not a pretentious faith; not a hypocritical faith.
III. YOUR GOAL.
A. The End (Goal) of Faith is the Salvation of Your Soul, 1 Pet. 1:8-9.
1. Every choice, relation, thought, word, and deed is regulated by the primary goal of your salvation, Rom. 6:19-22.
2. Self-discipline to reach the goal, 1 Cor. 9:25-27.
3. Remove every obstacle and replace it with determined faithfulness toward the goal (the prize), Phil. 3:7-14.
4. Set your mind to set your life, Col. 3:2-3.
B. The End (Result) of Rejecting and Opposing the Truth is Wrath, 1 Thess. 2:16. (2 Thess. 1:8-9)
Conclusion
1. What is the goal or aim of your life?
2. God’s purpose for us must be our goal, Eccl. 12:13.
3. Our aspiration (aim, goal) is to please God, 2 Cor. 5:9.
Source: F.Y.C. (For Your Consideration), April 2019 (Ron Adams)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted April 3, 2019