Don't Prostitute Your Body – Part 1 Series

21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. (Philippians 1:21-24)

16Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Last week I suggested the value of goals for the New Year. At the end of each year I take time to review my goals for that year and set new ones for the coming year. I am committed to allowing the Spirit of God invade seven areas of my life. A church staff member said this week, “Where is the financial?” Add it, friend. This list is not exhaustive.

He was an associate pastor. It was his first funeral. He came to the seasoned minister looking for help. He sat down and told the minister about the upcoming funeral and then paused. The veteran man of God walked over to his filing cabinet, opened the cabinet and looked under “F” for finances, faith, and funerals. He grabbed a manila folder that was chock-full of illustrations, sermons, and poems and placed it on his desk.

Then, looking at the young minister, he pushed it across the table and said, “If there is any thing of value in there, take it and make it yours.”

I have published a brief list of my goals for your notes today. These goals will help you get started. If there is anything of value, take it and make it yours (an expanded list is available upon request).

You Need Goals in these Areas

Intellectual: Cultivate The Art of Thinking Well.

I will read one book every 30 days. Read nightly between 10:30p-11:00p

Relational: We Desperately Need Each Other.

Once a week I will talk to Mike Robertson or Matt Chambers about ministry needs, struggles, and joys.

Emotional: Align Mental Health with Scriptural Compass.

Read about one mental health issue each week from In Pursuit of Happiness by Frank Minirith, MD.

Ministerial: What Makes Your Ministry Quality?

I will believe God for something that only He can bring about (identify specifically).

Spiritual: What Does a Man or Women of God Look Like?

I will follow through with a devotional plan everyday for 2006 (worship, Bible reading, prayer).

Personal: You Are Hard-Wired For Success

Be a published author in 2007

Physical: Don’t Prostitute The Body

I will drink 6 glasses of water/iced tea daily (for every Starbuck’s coffee, add two extra glasses).

Imagine that at the holidays you gave me a new leather briefcase. You wanted to show your love and appreciation for the ministry of the church. Your marriage was saved through counseling. Your kids’ lives were changed on a youth mission trip. You grew in faith as the Word of God was preached each week.

With thanks, I expressed my appreciation by inviting you and your wife over for dinner. As usual, my wife made a knockout meal. The fellowship was encouraging. My kids were well behaved. To your amazement I cleared the table; actually did what I preached from the pulpit by serving my wife.

While clearing the table, I began to dump food and trash into the new leather brief case you gave me. You were shocked! You told me it wasn’t intended to be used as a garbage can. Friend, how often do we do the same thing with our body, using it as a trash receptacle instead of a temple?

For many of you, talking about good health in 2006 grabs you about as much as bald tires on an icy hill. Let’s begin with a text from Philippians. The most personal of Paul’s 13 letters to a church, it’s a thank you note for a generous offering. Paul offers these believers a glimpse of some of his most personal struggles. In chapter one we see him struggling to choose between life and death. (No one wrote as extensively about Heaven, death, and the future as the man from Tarsus). Philippians one offers a relevant application for our text today. Here I see three words that give us blue print for good health in 2006. Good Health

Starts with Commitment,

Stands on Conviction,

Is Steadfast in Consistency.

Most of us fail to realize how wealthy we really are. Our balance sheets include, properties, CD’s, vehicles, and other assets. Most fail to add a line for HEALTH. Do you realize that health equals wealth? What is your health worth to you?

How To Possess Good Health