Goals and Objectives of the Spiritual Family

1. Read: Matthew 6:19-21

2. About the Text:

1) When it comes to goals and objectives, Jesus makes things very simple.

2) We must take his words to heart.

3) Jesus says that what you treasure is where your heart is.

4) It is no secret where our heart is because we will declare it by our actions.

3. Last month we discussed taking ownership of my family’s faithfulness.

1) It all begins with me.

2) I can’t pursue spirituality unless I am committed to doing that.

3) This month we want to discuss goals and objectives of the spiritual family.

4. What about our family?

1) What are our goals and objectives? For this year? For the next five, ten years?

2) Some might say:

a. Pay off debts.

b. Get married.

c. Have children.

d. Educate the children.

e. Save for Retirement. Etc.

3) What are the goals and objectives for the spiritual family?

5. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. We don’t want to get confused with “purpose.”

1) The purpose of the universe and everything in it is to glorify God (Psalm 19:1).

2) Inasmuch as we are part of the universe, we share in that purpose.

3) The specific purpose of human beings is to love God and our neighbor (Mat.22:37-40).

4) The specific purpose of the church is to unite humanity together through the saving work of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22, 3:11).

5) These are purposes that reflect God’s design of the world.

6) Goals and objectives are not purposes of design/creation.

7) They are future oriented outcomes that are measurable through work.

2. A goal or objective is future oriented outcome.

1) Paul had a personal goal in his life.

2) “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation” (Romans 15:20).

3. A goal or objective is measurable.

1) Paul’s goal was measurable.

2) He could count the places he had been.

3) He could name the churches he planted.

4. A goal or objective is a product of work.

1) Paul worked to accomplish this goal.

2) He preached the gospel.

3) He wrote letters.

5. Hopefully we have a good idea what an goal/objective is at this point.

1. How do we define our goals and objectives?

1) Flow Chart #1.

2) We divide the secular from the spiritual and set goals and objectives for each separately.

3) Remember our earlier thoughts about goals and objectives?

2. What is wrong with this model?

1) Flow Chart #2

2) It’s confusing!

3) It gives equal weight to both. They are not equal.

4) It leads to growth of the secular and spiritual death.

5) “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

3. What needs to change so that we have the right goal/objective?

1. Everything must be subsumed under this one goal/objective!

1) Flow Chart #3.

2) In terms of our goals and objectives, what are we trying to accomplish when we _____?

3) We must make our life about spiritual transformation.

4) It is only when we view life and reality this way that we will be faithful.

2. Consider the following passages.

1) It is what we are doing. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

2) It is what we are becoming. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

3) It is what we will be. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:19-21).

3. Our one and only goal/objective to have faithful families is to effect spiritual transformation.

1. Make spiritual transformation your goal . . .

1) If you want to have a spiritual family.

2) If you want the church to grow.

3) If you want to change your life for the better.

4) If you want your kids to grow up faithful members of the church.

5) If you want to be a good employee.

6) If you want your kids to come back to the church.

7) If you want your spouse to come to church.

2. Invitation