Losing Sight of the Goal

Introduction

Good Fight, Right Race, Steadfast Hope

All of us have goals and purposes that we strive towards each and every day.

We want to accomplish something in life and make our mark on the world, yet it is sometimes difficult to maintain that focus.

We can be easily distracted and lose sight of the goal.

The world offers its own set of priorities for you - and it’s not God!

That is why it is so important to focus on that which really matters – what God has called us to do.

Case study - Paul

2 Corinthians 11:24–28 ESV

Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Paul was ready to pass the mantle on to young men like Timothy and Titus, to take care of the churches in the Gentile world.

The apostle looked back on his life and saw what he had accomplished. He had done a great work for God.

He had gone from persecuting the church to being its greatest champion in preaching the gospel throughout the Gentile world.

Identify and Avoid / Eliminate the Distractions

Hebrews 12:1 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

No weights, heavy attire, backpacks, heavy boots

For Paul, one of the things that could have weighed him down and cause him to loose sight of the goal was his past persecution of the Church

Those acts had been forgiven, and he had proceeded on to the great things that God had in mind for him.

1 Corinthians 15:8–10 ESV

Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

He is happy where God has put him and does not ask for more, but he is willing to fulfill his task to the best of his abilities.

Philippians 4:11–13 ESV

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Modern Jesus is the Joel Osteen, Televangelist, Oprah, Jesus of the imagination savior

Lord, where are you! I prayed and prayed and my situation has not changed! How can you not hear the cries of your children? Do you even care!

Lord, thank you for your ever-loving presence in this terrible situation. Without you, I would not make it through the day!

When we avoid the distractions and keep our eyes on the goal, we can enjoy the journey of faith.

Keep on running; Jesus is worth it all.