Stand with me now, hold up your Bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
Sermon: "What Is My Target for Life and How Do I Aim for It?"
Opening Scripture:
Open your Bibles to Proverbs 3:5-6 and say, "Amen" when you are there.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Introduction:
Good morning, beloved! Today, we are going to answer a question that is both deeply personal and profoundly impactful: What is my target for life, and how do I aim for it?
In a world where we are bombarded by endless messages about what success looks like—be it fame, fortune, or recognition—it’s easy to get lost, unsure of where to direct our lives. Maybe you’ve felt this pull toward temporary things, only to find that they leave you empty. Perhaps you've tried to hit a target that the world offers, only to discover that it’s a moving goalpost. But I am here to tell you: there is a better target. There is a life that is richer, fuller, and eternal.
And that target is Christlikeness—to live as Jesus lived, to love as He loved, to serve as He served.
So, together, let's explore this question: What is my target for life, and how do I aim for it?
1. Understanding Our Ultimate Target:
To begin, we need to understand clearly what the target is. Our target is not success as the world defines it. It's not wealth, comfort, or recognition. Our ultimate target is Christlikeness. Every believer is called to be conformed to the image of Christ, to reflect His love, His grace, His holiness, and His purpose in the world.
Matthew 6:33 exhorts us, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Philippians 3:14 declares, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
This is not just a vague aspiration; it’s a lifelong pursuit. Christlikeness is the target, and everything else flows from it. This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus—to pursue His character above all else, to model our lives on His example.
When we aim for Christlikeness, we align our lives with His purpose. It’s not about what we achieve in the world’s eyes; it’s about becoming who He has called us to be—an expression of His love and truth in the world.
2. How to Aim Toward That Target:
Now, the question becomes: How do we aim for Christlikeness?
What does it look like to stay on track and consistently move toward this high calling?
Let me offer three principles to guide us as we seek to aim our lives toward the target of Christ.
A. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus:
The first key is simple but powerful: fix your eyes on Jesus. In the same way that an athlete must focus on the finish line, we must fix our gaze on Jesus—the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Without Him, we cannot reach the target.
Hebrews 12:2 calls us to, "Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." Jesus is the perfect model of love, humility, sacrifice, and holiness. The more we look to Him, the more we are transformed into His likeness.
Our focus is so crucial in this life. The distractions are many, the temptations real, and the noise overwhelming.
But when we intentionally turn our eyes to Jesus—through prayer, reading His Word, and meditating on His life—we are filled with His Spirit and power. We begin to see the world, ourselves, and others through His eyes.
B. Live with Purpose and Discipline:
To hit a target, we need more than just good intentions. We need discipline. As Paul reminds us, the Christian life is a race—a race that requires focused effort and intentional steps.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 teaches us, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize." We are to live with purpose, not wandering aimlessly but training ourselves in godliness and holiness.
Living with purpose means making decisions each day that align with the will of God. It means saying "no" to distractions that lead us away from our calling and saying "yes" to the things that bring us closer to Jesus. It means choosing righteousness, even when it’s difficult, choosing to love when it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to forgive when it’s painful.
Discipline in our spiritual lives requires consistent effort: prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s always worth it. Discipline allows us to stay on track, even when the road gets tough.
C. Trust in God’s Guidance:
Finally, we must trust in God’s guidance. We don’t know the whole path ahead of us, but God does. There will be times when the road is unclear, when we don’t know which way to go. That’s when we must lean on God’s wisdom and trust His leading.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reassures us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
When we surrender our plans to God and trust Him with all our hearts, He will guide us. Even when the journey feels uncertain, we can trust that He is leading us on the right path. Sometimes the steps we take may not make sense to us, but they are part of His plan. Trusting in His wisdom and timing is essential to reaching our target.
3. Encouragement and an Invitation to Step Toward Your Target:
I know that sometimes this journey can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to feel like we’re falling short or not making enough progress. We may wonder if we’ll ever become the person God is calling us to be. But I want to encourage you with this truth: You are not alone.
Philippians 1:6 assures us, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
God is at work in you, shaping you, refining you, and bringing you closer to His image. When you fall, He picks you up. When you stray, He brings you back. You are His work of art, and He will finish what He started in you.
So, even when you feel like giving up or like the goal is too far out of reach, take heart! Keep pressing forward. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep walking in His purpose for your life. He will be faithful to complete the work He has begun in you.
Altar Call:
Today, I invite you to make a decision. Perhaps you’ve been aiming at the wrong targets in life, or maybe you've been discouraged by setbacks. Today is the day to realign your focus and aim for Christ. Maybe you need to ask for forgiveness, to recommit to His purpose, or simply to say, "Lord, help me to fix my eyes on You."
I invite you to come forward. Let’s surrender our hearts to Him and make a fresh commitment to aim for the high calling of Christlikeness.
Prayer of Invitation:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with open hearts. We admit that we have often focused on the wrong targets and strayed from the path You have set for us. We ask for Your forgiveness and guidance as we turn our eyes back to You.
Help us to fix our gaze on Jesus, to live with purpose and discipline, and to trust You with all our hearts. Fill us with Your Spirit and lead us in the way of Christlikeness.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Encouragement:
Beloved, as you leave this place, remember that your life’s target is not defined by the world but by the One who created you. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Live with intentionality and discipline. Trust in God’s guidance. As you do, you will hit the mark, reflecting the love and light of Christ in a dark world.
Go in peace, knowing that the One who began the good work in you is faithful to complete it. Keep pressing forward. The target is Christlikeness, and He is with you every step of the way. Amen.
Altar Call for Prayer:
Today, I want to invite you to come forward for a time of prayer. Perhaps you’ve been struggling to find your target, or maybe you’ve been distracted by the pressures of this world. Maybe you've been striving for success, comfort, or recognition, but now you realize that the true target is a life that reflects Christ.
Or perhaps you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, feeling like you can’t hit the mark, or like your mistakes are too great to overcome. I want to tell you this: God’s grace is sufficient. He is faithful to complete the work He has started in you.
If you’re weary, if you need strength, if you want to realign your life toward Christlikeness, I invite you to come forward.
The altar is a place of surrender, a place where we lay down our burdens, our distractions, and our doubts. It’s a place where we invite the Holy Spirit to refresh and empower us to walk in the ways of Christ.
If you need prayer—whether for guidance, for strength, for forgiveness, or for a renewed sense of purpose—come forward. You don’t have to walk this journey alone. We will stand with you in prayer, believing that God will equip you to aim for His perfect target.
Prayer of Invitation:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the calling You've placed on each of our lives. You have called us to become more like Jesus, and that is our ultimate aim. We recognize that on our own, we cannot reach that target, but through Your grace, strength, and guidance, we can.
Lord, I pray for everyone who is responding today. Whether they are seeking guidance, strength, or a fresh sense of purpose, I ask that You meet them here. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit, empower them to live with intention, and renew their hearts.
We surrender all distractions, all burdens, and all doubts at Your feet. Lead us, Lord, to a life that reflects Your love, Your grace, and Your holiness. We trust You to guide us every step of the way.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Encouragement:
As you come forward for prayer, remember that this moment is not just a step toward the front—it’s a step toward a renewed heart, a focused life, and a fresh commitment to aim for Christ. Don’t let anything hold you back.
Whatever you need from God today, He is here to meet you. Come, and let Him strengthen you to fulfill your purpose in Him.
Closing Blessing:
Now, as we pray together and seek God's will for our lives, remember this: the journey to Christlikeness is not a solo journey. God is with you, and He will never leave you. Keep your eyes on Him, press forward in faith, and trust His guidance. The best is yet to come.
Go in peace, knowing that He who has called you is faithful to complete the work He has begun. Amen.
