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Christians Are Different Because: They Live With A Purpose Introduction: A the first of the year people make "New Year's Resolutions." However, most are quickly forgotten. Within a month about 99% of the resolutions are broken and forgotten until the next New Year. From personal observation I dare to say that most people live their life without any goals. They simply live to exist. God did not make us to simply live and then die, He created us with a purpose. In earlier lessons I talked about the ways that the Christian is different from the rest of the world. We are different because of how we think, how we live, our relationship to sin, and because we are to be humble servants. This lesson deals with the last in this series and this is Christians are different because we live with a purpose or a goal in life. I) Understanding What A Goal Is A) Don't get confused between a goal and a means to an end 1. The goal of a professional football player is to win the Super Bowl. a. He eats, exercises, trains with his team, studies film, but that is the means to winning the Super Bowl. b. If he eats well, trains well, studies hard, and never wins then he will not have obtained his goal. 2. A company often has a "Mission Statement" which expresses the purpose of the company. a. The company's my hire people, provide health insurance, provide a good working environment but that is not the purpose of the company. b. A company exist to make money for its owners. If it hires a lot of people, provides great health insurance, and really great work environment but goes bankrupt it will have failed. 3. We may have a good home, a loving family, make lots of money, have a really good time but that is not our goal in life. They may help us to obtain our goal but they are not the goal itself. 1 Corinthians 9.25. B) Goals must be consistent 1. Cannot have a goal of losing weight and at the same time become a professional fast food eater. 2. We often want things that are contradictory: more government services and lower taxes. 3. Our spiritual goals must be consistent: do more in serving God and reading our Bible. 4. There needs to be one main goal and all other goals must be supportive of that main goal. C) Do you have a goal or goals in your life? 1. What was Abraham's goal in life? He obtained great wealth, many servants, the promise of the land of Canaan, the promise of a great lineage. But was that his ultimate goal in life? He wanted a "heavenly city" Hebrews 11.16 2. What was Joseph's goal? He rose to be second in charge of Egypt, rescued his family from famine. But his goal was to enter the promise land. Genesis 50; Hebrews 11.22 II) Goals As Stated By Paul A) Paul lived a "goal centered life" Galatians 2.20 1. He understood the difference between the means and the goal. Philippians 1.19-21. 2. His body, his life, and his death was to obtain the goal of heaven, 1 Thess. 5.23. B) Other goals as stated by Paul 1. To see his brethren go to heaven, Romans 10.1 2. To preach the gospel in Rome, etc. III) The Christians Goal A) To go to heaven 1. This is different that wanting to not go to hell. Most people are motivated in the short term by the negative but long term motivation is the reward. 2. The Christian understands that heaven is the place God prepared for his people, 2 Timothy 4.8; Matthew 25.34. 3. Somebody may think that we live just to die. Which may sound morbid but that is not why we live. We live so as to live with God, to live the "abundant life" John 10.10; 11.25-26. a. The life we live now is temporary. We were never made to live eternally in this body of flesh as it grows old. b. We are spiritual creatures designed to live in a spiritual body in a spiritual place (heaven). c. Going to heaven is like going home! 4. What must I then do to go to heaven? Read Bible, obey the Gospel, lay aside sin, fulfill responsibilities, etc. B) To help my family go to heaven 1. Most people who do not care about God or religion still want their children to care about God and religion. 2. Any parent worth two cents will want their child to go to heaven. 3. As a parent you have the greatest influence on your children. a. You are the one who can bring them to services b. You are the one who can provide a good example before them c. You are the one who can talk to them about good and bad d. You are the one who can bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Ephesians 6.4. 4. There may be a lot of joys your children give you in life but none can equal that of seeing them obey the Gospel and living the Christian life. 5. In some cases this will include one's spouse who has never obeyed the Gospel. 6. Or one's parents, or siblings, etc. C) To exhibit the life of Christ 1. That was stated by Paul, Phil. 1.20 2. We should make up our mind that we will be the example we ought to be for our children, neighbors, and others. 3. It is through our teaching and living that we will be able to convert others. Conclusion: So as we start the rest of our lives this day let us resolve to do whatever it takes to go to heaven. Whatever the Bible says I will do. If we make that resolution we can all reach our goal. |