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Introduction:
The past week has been a week of reflection and planning for many,
as we noted in our last lesson. Hopefully, we have all taken time
to consider exactly how well we have and how well we plan to fight
the good fight, finish the course and keep the faith (cf.
II
Timothy 4:7). As we begin this new year, we need to hone
in on the concept of goals. On your job you have goals. Perhaps
your company has goals relating to profits, sales quotas, quality
standards, productivity, time without accidents, etc. Companies do
not survive without goals. Amazingly, some of us who idolize goal
setting in the work place walk through our spiritual lives
aimlessly. No doubt, we attend the assemblies and Bible classes of
the church regularly; we work at praying and reading our Bibles
regularly. However, many of us have no spiritual growth goals. We
hope growth will just kind-of happen. With this mindset, we might
pick up a tidbit here and there, but we will not grow
consistently. We must set goals and establish plans for growth.
Examine Paul’s approach in Philippians
3:7-21, noting six keys for pressing on to the goal. Discussion: I.
Consider the end first. A.
A catch phrase in modern management and leadership
literature is “begin with the end in mind.” That concept is
not new. Paul demonstrated it nearly 2000 years ago. In Philippians
3:11, 14, Paul explained everything he did was focused
toward the ultimate goal of resurrection. B.
Before we can ever focus on what we want to do with our
lives tomorrow, next week, next month or next year, we must know
what we want our lives to lead to on the whole. A day of judgment
is coming (John
5:28-29). We
need to settle once and for all what we want to happen to our
souls on that day. As Moses said in Psalm
90:12, we must learn to number our days. That is, we must
learn that our days on earth have an end. What do we want then?
Once that goal is set, we can begin setting our goals and plans
for the coming year, month, week or day. II.
Develop the proper attitude. A.
In Philippians
3:13, Paul said, “Have this attitude.” This is more
than just PMA—Positive Mental Attitude. It is not enough for us
to just tell ourselves over and over again, “I think I can, I
think I can.” There are actually three aspects of this proper
attitude. B.
First, we must recognize we have not yet reached the goal (Philippians
3:12). Too many Christians act as if they have arrived.
They know there are a few minor adjustments that could be made
here and there, but overall they are pretty good and so they will
not worry about it. If we are going to grow, we must realize that
we have room for real and significant growth. C.
Second, we must be spurred on by the future and not bogged
down by the past (Philippians
3:13). We must not get so depressed by past failures that
we quit trying. At the same time, we must not become so elated by
past successes that we become blinded to our need to grow. D.
Third, we must have a press on attitude (Philippians
3:13). We must have an attitude that says we can make it
and we will keep plugging away no matter what happens. But we must
have more than just a press on attitude, we actually have to press
on. While it is part of the proper attitude, it is so important
that we must recognize it as a third key to reaching our spiritual
goals. III.
We must press on. A.
In order to press on we have to come to grips with a great
paradox. We have to be content with where we are spiritually and
at the same time be discontent with it. Paul said, “Not that I
have already obtained it or have already become perfect” (vs.
12) Despite this he did not despair regarding salvation.
He was content, resting in God’s grace. At the same time, he was
discontent. As long as God granted him time, Paul was going to
grow. We have to learn that balance. We must have enough
contentment in God’s grace not to despair and enough discontent
with our own state that we keep pushing ourselves to grow in
Christ. B.
We must be happy with progress. Paul’s statement that he
had not attained the goal yet but was pressing on demonstrated he
was noting his progress. “I am not there yet,” he said, “but
I am getting closer.” While we keep the big picture in mind, we
have to be happy with the baby steps to that goal. We have to be
patient with ourselves and others as we grow. C.
Pressing on means putting one foot in front of the other.
We know that the ultimate goal is the resurrection. What
subordinate goals must we meet to reach that goal? We find a list
of subordinate goals in II
Peter 1:5-8. We have to gain faith, virtue, knowledge,
self-control, patience, godliness, kindness and love. Yet, we are
not likely to master any one of these over the next year. Instead
of being overwhelmed by the big picture, we need to look to the
next step. What goals should I make for this year to help in
accomplishing these major goals? Is there a particular temptation
I want to overcome? Is there a passage or book in the Bible I want
to understand? Is there a character trait I want to develop? What
daily disciplines must I develop to reach these goals? Prayer and
Bible reading are a must for all spiritual goals. What about time
spent with other saints? Pressing on means establishing these
steps and then following through with them. If we falter or fall,
we simply pick back up and keep pressing on. IV.
Follow the standard. A.
According to Philippians
3:16, we must live by the standard we have received. Every
company that establishes goals has standards. For instance, a
company may set a high production goals. But they will not weaken
their product quality to reach product goals. B.
Spiritual growth is the same. In all we do, God has
established standards for us. As Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes
11:9, we can follow the desires of our heart, we can
establish the goals we desire, but we must remember we will stand
before God as judge for how we go about accomplishing our goals.
As you strive for your smaller goals, do not allow yourself to cut
corners, take shortcuts or lose sight of your ultimate goal. Keep
the proper perspective by learning and following God’s word to
reach your goals. V.
Remove what will not help you reach your goals. A.
Paul provides the most difficult aspect of reaching our
goals in Philippians
3:7-8. In this passage, Paul said he was willing to lose,
cut off or get rid of anything that kept him from reaching his
important goals. B.
Certainly, sinful attitudes and activities must be removed.
Obviously, sinful influences must be limited. Other personal goals
that are mutually exclusive of God’s spiritual goals for us must
be removed. At the same time, this may mean we have to get rid of
some activities that are perfectly fine in and of themselves. We
have to learn that we have the time to do anything we want to do.
But we do not have the time to do everything we want to do. An
activity may be good. It may be worthy. It may be pure. But if it
distracts us from accomplishing our prioritized goals, we need to
learn to cut it out. VI.
Connect with people who are accomplishing what you want to
accomplish. A.
Finally, Philippians
3:17 demonstrates that we must connect with others who
have already or are successfully accomplishing the goals we have.
This will include examining the saints of scripture and following
the examples they have set for us. As Hebrews
12:1 said, we have a great cloud of witnesses to look to
and follow. B.
More than that, we ought to connect with one another here.
It may include just carefully observing the lives of successful
living saints and trying to mirror their spiritual devotion.
However, it would be even better if we actually connected with
them. Ask them for help. Develop relationships with them in order
to help stimulate you to love and good deeds. C.
Remember Ecclesiastes
4:9-12. Two are better than one. Three are better than
two. Develop a handful of relationships with people who will help
you overcome and push you to grow, reaching your goals. Conclusion: Please do not walk blindly through this new year. Consider where you would like to be spiritually by this time next year and establish plans to accomplish those goals. Connect with others to help you reach them. Pair down the activities that will hinder you from reaching them. Whatever you do make sure it helps you press on for the ultimate goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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