Sunday Sermons

Goals

Mark Dunagan
12/10/06 - Sunday Morning

Goals

When you think about it, Christians should be the ultimate in goal-oriented people because our end life is all about reaching the prize above all other prizes, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2); “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Most Christians already know what they should be doing and what their basic goals should be. In this lesson I want to give some practical help concerning some of our goals.

Prayer

No one needs to tell us that we need to pray, for the Scriptures are full of verses on the importance, persistence and frequency of prayer in our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:16-17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2). Yet what are some practical goals that we can have in this area?

· Most Christians are faced with a couple of things that they feel powerless to change or alter. It might not be something in our personal lives yet it affects us. We may find ourselves instinctively drawn to ponder and worry over a certain situation. May I suggest that we make such a matter a central subject of our prayers for the coming year. You might have one, two or three situations like this. Put them on a list, and make a commitment to pray about these things for the entire year. Say to yourself, “Instead of worrying about this or getting depressed and frustrated, I will earnestly pray about this situation every day during the next year”.

· Jesus emphasized the need to be persistent in prayer (Luke 18:1-8; not only do we need to be persistent in praying but we equally need to be persistent in a specific prayer request. It is certainly Scriptural to bring up to God the same request or concern again and again (Matthew 26:42; 2 Corinthians 12:8).

· Make a list of situations and people that used to be included in your prayers but maybe over time you became discouraged and stopped. Put such concerns back into your prayers this year.

Hospitality

“Contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality” (Romans 12:13); “Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:1-2).

· Make a list of brethren that would be especially encouraged by an invitation to your home this year. Be especially mindful of new members, new converts, and visitors.

· Make a list of brethren here that you have never had into your home and put them at the head of the list of people to have over.

Bible Reading

“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture” (1 Timothy 4:13); “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

· We may have read through the Bible in the past, continuing in the effort will prevent you from forgetting great passages, stories or applications in various parts of the Scripture.

· Daily Bible reading throughout the year will help us get more out of each sermon and class period, will help us help others with their questions, challenges and problems, and will also contribute more to our mental pool of wisdom (James 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

· Get on a daily bible reading plan at the first of the year. There are many alternatives.

Involvement

“From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

· Define what is your area of expertise and then find a work in the congregation here that you are excited about, that you have a passion for and then determine to “own” and “champion” that area.

· It might be something physical, as in “owning” some area of building maintenance. “Owning” something means that one becomes the expert in that area, makes the personal investment in time, energy, and mastering a certain skill and thus becomes “the expert” which results in an exceptionally high quality outcome.

· There are many non-physical realms in the life and activity of a local church that one can own. One can become an expert in curriculum development, organizing and maintaining a resource center, the use of multi-media, bible class material and track creation, door-to-door work, mass mailing, advertising, CD copying and distribution and organizing various home bible studies. Thus this year, determine to develop an area of interest and begin to own it (1 Corinthians 16:15).

Evangelism

“Go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19); “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4); “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you” (1 Thessalonians 1:8).

· Over the years what often happens is that we attempt to evangelize all our acquaintances and thus after a couple of years we have run out of contacts. This is an indication that we need to continually be making new acquaintances and friends.

· Make a list of people you would like to get to know more, such as that neighbor with whom you have only had one brief conversation.

· Make a goal of making at least two new friends this year.

· Make a list of at least two people you would like have a bible study with this year.

· Have a goal of being involved in one bible study outside this building that includes non-Christians.

· Link up with a couple of other families, pool your resources and concentrate on saving the soul of a mutual friend, visitor or acquaintance.

· Compose a list of friends that you want to invite to our upcoming gospel meeting in the Spring.

Relationships

“You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way…and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7); “Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life” (Ecclesiastes 9:9).

· Make a list of those things you could do to take your marriage from a level 6 or 8 to a level 10.

· Live each day with your mate this year as if it were your last day together.

· Take a break from “what they need to work on” and concentrate on yourself this year. At the end of the year you might be surprised by how much they have changed.

· If you must offer a criticism or a negative comment have at least two positive things to say at the same time.

· Make a list of the admirable qualities in your mate and compliment them at least once a week.

· When giving a card this year to your mate determine to write more than just “I love you” and then signing your name.

· Make a list of those things that your mate loves and keep that list in mind when buying gifts this year.

· Plan and commit to a regular date night.

Parenting

“Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

· Make a list of things that you are doing as a parent that probably are frustrating your children and seek to adjust these areas.

· Make sure you are regularly taking the time to discuss the most important issues of life with your children.

· Make a list of things you would like to discuss with your kids this year, or what you would have liked to talk about with your parents when you were the current ages of your children.

· Make a list of qualities that you see in your children that you need to praise more often.

· Make a list of qualities that you would like to help your children remove from their lives this year.

· Let them hear you pray for them.

Spiritual Growth

· Make a list of all your blessings and review it often this year.

· Identify your area of spiritual and moral weakness then research this area using Scripture and reading solid books on this topic. Put together your own game plan in overcoming this temptation and in the process develop material that others might be able to use.

· Write down where you want to be spiritually at the end of next year. This would include things that you want to have resolved in your mind, things you want to find an answer for, or better comprehend. Determine which practical tools you want to have for overcoming and succeeding and how you want to react in the future to trials, success and temptation.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017