About

Big Apple Chapel is a New Testament based church in New York City, modeled after the pattern of the early church, with a strong emphasis on following Christ as a community of His disciples.

Services
  • Sunday - 10:30 am
  • 520 8th Ave, 16th floor
    New York, NY
  • phone: +1 (973) 837-1041
 

Sermons

BAC Sermons

Goals and the Magic Lamp

2003-02-01 Philippians 3:12

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Phil 3:12  Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16  Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

Lock on to target - determined by purpose, objectives, needs, desires

Without goals we’re  like Alice in Wonderland..."Cheshire-Puss... would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to go to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where," replied Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go." 

“Our goal in life is not to be more God-like (omnipotent, omniscient, self-existing, etc.,) ... but to be more Christ-like (serving, sacrificing, God-glorifying, etc.,). What God expects of us is to be more Christ-like as we live out our lives here on earth. You see... Jesus came not only to save us from ourselves... and our warped motives... but also to show us what our lives can... and should be like.”

Act according to plan - and make the most of the minutes

Time is the interval during which we can sin (indulge our desires) or get blessed (invest in our priorities).

I. Our Time Isn’t Our Own

II. We Have All The Time There Is And Will Have To Give An Account For Faithfully Using It According To God’s Purposes

III. Make Most Of Time By Walking In Wisdom

IV. Don’t Spend, Kill Or Waste Time, But Rather Invest It In:  Life Purpose & Plan; Objectives; Goals, Priorities

                         (God {spiritual growth}, spouse, children, ministry {relationships}), work {personal growth}, leisure/recreation)

Manage progress - by evaluation and review

Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.  The only thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn anything from history.

See TOYL Goal Galvanizer

Persevere for the prize - with passion and GRACE (Phil 2:13)

"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about." Charles Kingsley

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

ANSWER 1-3 on a 3x5 card for SHARING AT TOYL VICTORY LUNCH!!

1. Which of your goals for the past year did you make the most progress towards or most proud of accomplishing? Why?

2. What did you learn from doing a Goal Autopsy on a goal that you didn’t reach or make as much progress towards as you intended?

3. What goal are you most excited about reaching this year? Why? How will you ensure you make the progress you desire?

4. Jump Start: Have you made any progress toward a goal this year that you’d like to share? What helped you take early action?

5. How could the Body be of help to you in achieving goals that would please you and God?