Goals and Prioities
Vision and belief determines my priorities.
“Like the eye which sees everything in front of it and never sees itself, faith is occupied with the Object upon which it rests and pays no attention to itself at all. While we are looking at God, we do not see ourselves – blessed riddance. The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One.” A.W. Tozer The Pursuit of God
Open the window towards? Where do I turn for perspective? Where do I look?
Daniel 6:10 (ESV): When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Priorities and goals are home wreckers when they are:
Unexamined priorities and goals:
Hebrews 4:12–13 (ESV): For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Lamentations 3:40 (ESV): Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!
Unshared priorities and goals:
Acts 2:42–47 (ESV): 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Proverbs 3:6 (ESV): In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Unaligned priorities and goals:
Galatians 5:25–26 (ESV): If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Ephesians 4:1–3 (ESV): I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Unsupported priorities and goals:
1 Peter 5:5–7 (ESV): Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
James 4:6–8 (ESV): But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded
God’s priorities will be my priorities:
Matthew 4:19–20 (ESV): 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV): Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Matthew 22:36–40 (ESV): 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Questions to Reflect and Discuss:
Passages to consider: Matthew 6:25-34; Ephesians 5:15-21; Hebrews 12:1-3; Philippians 2:3, 4
Ice Breaker: What kinds of resolutions or goals do you think about at the beginning of the year or maybe at your birthday?
• Share what was important to you from the sermon.
Questions:
1. Read Hebrews 12:1-3 and Matthew 6:25-33, What do these passages show us about priorities and goals?
2. What motivates or drives your priorities and goals? What practices help you move towards what is a priority in your life?
3. How does following Jesus impact the goals and priorities you are setting in the different areas/spheres of your life? What can get in the way or distract? What strengthens you in that focus?
4. Challenge: Write out your priorities. Look at how you spend your time, money, energy and thoughts. How well do your ‘on paper’ priorities match your ‘real-time’ priorities? How well do your practiced priorities match with God’s heart and priorities?
Resources:
• RightNow Media Series ideas: Love like That – Les Parrott or Real Relationships – Les & Leslie Parrott
If you don’t have access to RightNow media yet — Text “RLM” to 49775 to sign up for free access to RightNow Media.