The goal is Christ
Philippians 3
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
There is a disease that is growing rapidly in pulpits all around the world, I mean in every country without exception. It’s what I call “I’m somebody too syndrome.” Many pastors have fallen into the trap of making it their goal to grow their churches to a certain size or build their ministry – whether from the pulpit, blogs, books, radio and television to a certain size in order to be counted as one of the elite, cutting edge, rock-star, celebrity pastors.
We may not agree with the way I described it above, but, when we, as pastors make it our goal to build and pastor large congregations; build up our ministries to a certain fame, we may be pursuing the wrong goal. For most of the people I know with this kind of notoriety, they didn’t go looking for it. The glory of God and the salvation of souls has been and still is their number one goal and pursuit.
Like the apostle Paul,
our goal should be Christ, how to please him, serve him, become like him and bring others along side of us.
Philippians 3:12-19
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
Let Jesus be your goal, your treasure, you pursuit. Let every platform that he gives you be a means of making him famous and not yourself. Just as money is not evil, but the love it is, so is success. It is not evil, but the unhealthy love of it is evil. And Paul adds that
It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 1Tim. 6:10
Let this be you lifelong pursuit – to keep pressing on toward the goal for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Walter Bright 
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Amen brother! …well said and equally true for us lay-persons too. Thanks and God bless.
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Thanks for the comment… I covet your prayers… Have been ill for the past two days… Thanks!
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Too true brother.
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