Life's Highest Goal Pt2

Follow Along with the Message

LIFE’S HIGHEST GOALLIFE’S HIGHEST GOAL

WHAT MATTERS MOST series – Part 2

Mike Prah | January 12, 2025 | favorlife.org

“God, who BEGAN the good work within you, will CONTINUE His work until it is finally FINISHED on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

“My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)

"Let love be your highest goal!” I Corinthians 14:1 (NLT)  

I. The importance (Priority) of Love

1.  WITHOUT LOVE,  ALL THAT I SAY IS INEFFECTIVE

"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” I Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)

2.  WITHOUT LOVE ALL THAT I KNOW IS INCOMPLETE

“If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge … but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.”  I Corinthians 13:2 (NLT)

Examples to say ‘no” gracefully:

 • I’m sorry, but I simply can’t at this time. 

• I have a personal policy . . . 

• It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to, but if anything changes I’ll let you know. 

• It looks like I’m going to have to pass this time. • I just can’t fit it into my schedule. 

• That is such a good cause, but I am already supporting other good causes. 

• No, thank you.

“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.  He replied … A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.” Matthew 16:1,4 (NIV)

3.  WITHOUT LOVE  ALL THAT I BELIEVE IS INSUFFICIENT 

“... If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”  1 Corinthians 13:2 b (NIV)

"…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6 (NIV)

4.  WITHOUT LOVE ALL THAT I GIVE IS INSIGNIFICANT

"If I gave everything I have to the poor  … but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3a (NLT) 5.  WITHOUT LOVE ALL I ACCOMPLISH  HAS NO REAL VALUE"If I were burned alive for preaching the Gospel, but I didn't love others, it would be of no value whatever." 1 Corinthians 13:3b (Living Bible)

5. WITHOUT LOVE ALL I ACCOMPLISH HAS NO REAL VALUE

"If I were burned alive for preaching the Gospel, but I didn't love others, it would be of no value whatever." 1 Corinthians 13:3b (Living Bible)

"Most of all, let love guide your life." Colossians 3:14 (LB)

II. THE REWARDS OF LOVE

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.  REMEMBER that the Lord will give you as a reward what He has kept for His people.” Colossians 3:23-24 (GN)

“Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.” Luke 6:38 (NCV)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34 35 (NIV)