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