Sunday 12/29/13 - Sunday Sermon - Purpose, Goals, and Intentionality

In less than 24 hours we begin a new year.  Starting a new year is always a good time to do some evaluation, looking back at the previous year as well as anticipating the coming year. This Sunday Ron had us recall recent messages about abiding in the vine from John 15  suggesting that looking back we need to ask, “Have I done that?” or “How has that gone”.  Has it been a successful year of walking with God…abiding in the vine?  Like driving a car, we need to look in the rear view mirror once in awhile.  But then, even more importantly we best look forward to see where we’re going.

As we begin the new year take some time to think about your walk with God.  Does the kind of devotion and righteousness that God’s word described as characterizing Simeon and Anna’s lives characterize your life?  Ron gave us three things needful if we are to make progress in abiding in the vine and growing more like those saints whose devoted faith is recorded for us in Hebrews 11.

We must know our Purpose  - to glorify God by loving and serving Him 

We must share God’s Goal – the consolation/salvation of others

We must be Intentional – Doing whatever it takes to serve God and bring salvation to others.

New Years resolutions can be good but instead of making self-serving resolutions why not make this a year where we intentionally rearrange your lives around our purpose and God’s goal, doing whatever it takes to make it a daily reality in our lives.