WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?

by Jim Sasser

INTRO:

1. Most deflections or detours from the strait and narrow way are brought on by our taking our eyes off our goal.

2. The scriptures tell us to be "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith." Heb. 12:2.

3. With our eyes ever fastened on our goal, we will never waver or wander astray.

A. To illustrate this: A small boy and his granddad had a contest to see who could leave the straightest path to a stumb across a snow- covered field.

1) Parting from one another a few steps, they began to walk toward the stump on the other side of the field.

2) Upon arrival at the stump, the young boy cried out: "Grand-dad, your path is perfect, and mine wandered all over the field."

a. "I don't know why. I watched every landmark on either side of the field."

3) To this, the old man replied: "While you looked from side to side, I kept my eyes on the goal ahead."

B. I have witnessed the same thing taking place in trying to lay off a straight furrow across a field.

1). If you keep your eye upon a fixed goal, for use in allignment of the furrow, you will plow a straight furrow across the field.

a. But if you stop, look from side to side, or look back, you will cause a crook to appear in your furrow.

b. And, of course, this being your pattern furrow, you will have crooked places in the rest of the furrows you align on that one.

I. WE ARE LIVING IN A COMPLEX SOCIETY.

A. Since this is so, we are plagued with high-pressure situations and worldly lures.

B. In the storm and stress of a hectic type of life, it is easy to lose sight of an established goal.

C. We are dazzled by the baubles, bangles, and beads of this life, while eternal riches are either forgotten or ignored.

1. Sort of like a baby that reaches out for a shiney penny while ignor- ing a thousand dollar bill.

D. Prizes that are close at hand, spoil our perspective, and blind our eyes.

E. Paul challenges us to a higher concept than this: 2 Cor. 4:18.

F. It is no wonder then that he warns us: 1. "Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with using." Col. 2:22.

G. No, it is not long till these earthly things will vanish away: therefore, do not set them as your goal!

II. OUR TRUE FOCAL POINT OF INTEREST:

A. Yes, our lives would be far more stable and secure if we would always remember our true focal point of interest. The point or object upon which we focus. Col. 3:1,2.

B. We must cultivate the attitude that Paul had: Phil. 3:13,14.

C. We must lift our eyes to loftier heights than this old world has to offer

D. Sometimes we sing: "Look away from the Cross to the Glittering Crown." We also sing: "I'm pressing on the upward way, New heights I'm gaining every day..."

1. We also sing of the home of the soul.

a. So, surely our pilgrimage journey upon this earth will be alot more pleasant if we keep our eyes on the joys that await us there.

III. NEVER LOOK TO THE SIDE, DOWN, OR BACK.

A. I am often amazed as I behold with what ease steel-workers move about on the very narrow beams far above the ground.

1. But their secret, I'm told, is not looking down but straight ahead to their destination.

B. The tight-rope walker (by the way, did any of you see that fellow walking that tight-rope far above the ground and for several city blocks between two very tall buildings in Florida yesterday? JWS) does not look to the earth far below him, but keeps his eyes straight ahead riveted upon his final goal.

C. Even so, we, as Christians, can avoid pitfalls by keeping our eyes ever upon the goal ahead. Phil. 3:20.

D. So, with only fleeting interest, we must pass all the glittering lures this world has to offer.

1. Our primary concern has to do with the glories that shall follow in the life to come.

IV. ABRAHAM'S REAL INTEREST.

A. Abraham was a great man of faith, and very rich in this world's goods; but his interest was elsewhere. Heb. 11:10.

B. His real goal in life was never to be forgotten, and God made it secure. Heb. 11:16.

C. The true children of Abraham, by faith, still maintain this goal.

1. Jesus emphasized this view by saying: Jno. 14:1-3.

D. Yes, we must keep our eyes on that celestial goal.

CONCLUSION:

1. So, it is because of what awaits us, we are told: 1 Jno. 2:15-17.

2. There is not reason that saints of God should gaze so intently and with longing upon this old earth, which is heading for destruction. 2 Pet. 3:10-14.

3. So, to get into Christ, to abide in Christ, and to stay out of everything else---is most easily accomplished by keeping our eyes upon the Lord, and looking to heaven's eternal reward!

A. This reminds me of an old song that says: "Keep your hand upon the throttle and your eye upon the rails."

4. What is your goal in life? Think seriously about it!

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