Path Principle: the Destination

The Path Principle

Your direction, not your intention, determines your destination.

The Destination

• Whatever your goals for what you want to do with your life, there are 10 character qualities, or patterns of living, that are especially important for true success in life.

• We want to become people who– choose to live by these goals, and…– experience in real life the accompanying

benefits that come from doing what God says.

How Do We Identify These Things?

You can tell what is important to God by looking in the Bible for things that God…• Mentions frequently.• Says will bring trouble or rewards.• Especially praises (for example, Psalm 15).

Psalm 151 Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.

Psalm 15

4 Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts.5 Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the

innocent.Such people will stand firm forever.

How Do We Identify These Things?

You can tell what is important to God by looking in the Bible for things that God…• Mentions frequently.• Says will brings trouble or rewards.• Especially praises (for example, Psalm 15).• Says rank as more important than others. For

example, the “better” things listed in – Psalms– Proverbs– Ecclesiastes

Another Example…

• “…the first and greatest commandment” • Matt 22:35-40

Matt 22:35-4035 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

The First Two

1. Love God2. Love people

Jesus identified these two things as the most important things He has commanded us to do.

These things are paramount. There is no particular order to the rest of the list.

1. Love God

• Loving God means putting His interests above my own in every situation.

• We love, trust, and obey God, so that–We will be confident and courageous when

facing challenges.–We will not• Give in when pressured to conform, or• Give up when things get difficult.

1. Love God

“Trust in the Lord completely…”Proverbs 3:5 (ERV)

“The person who knows my commands and keeps them, that’s who loves me.”

John 14:21 (MSG)

2. Love People

• We want to be kind in word and action– Kindness=helpful toward another’s goals

• Due to this kindness, we develop– Influence with others and– Genuine friendships

2. Love People

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Luke 6:31( NIV)

“This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:12 (ERV)

The Rest of the List

Obey & Lead

• We lead or follow effectively and benefit those who

• Lead or follow us…–On the job– At home– In church– In other organizations

Obey & Lead

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother…that it may go well with you. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:1-4 (ESV)

Forgive

• We want to forgive others and ask to be forgiven so that we live…– Emotionally free– Not burdened by• Bitterness• Guilt• Soured relationships

Forgive

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Give

• We want to give and share with others appropriately…– Giving money– Sharing possessions– Experiencing joy as we share– Having a positive impact on the lives of people

• This kind of giving calibrates our hearts to God’s values

Give

“Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with others, because sacrifices like these are very pleasing to God.”

Hebrews 13:16 (ERV)

Live Honestly

• We want to…– Relate genuinely, not secretively– Tell the truth, not lies– Be trusted• On the job• In relationships

Live Honestly

“Do not steal or tell lies or cheat others.”Leviticus 19:11 (CEV)

Choose Humility

• We want a right sense of…–Our own value to God,– The value of others to God.

• We want to be enjoyable to be with—– Confident,

– But not • Arrogant or• Self-centered.

Choose Humility

“be humble toward one another…look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own.”

Philippians 2:3-4 (GNT)

Help

• We want to help others so we…– Take initiative to be helpful,– Are team players who• Cooperate• Do our part

Help

“Strength is for service…Each of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’”

Romans 15:1-2 (MSG)

Learn

• We continue to learn from –Others– God’s Word

• As we do, we gain–Wisdom– Respect from others.

Learn

“Pay attention to what you are taught, and you will be successful.”

Proverbs 16:20 (GNT)

“…whoever learns from correction is wise.”Proverbs 15:5 (NLT)

Use Self-Control

• We…– Are not quick to anger– Do not easily give in to wrong emotions– Think/consider before we speak or act– Choose words and actions that• Add strength and benefit• Rather than destroy and bring regret

Use Self-Control

“Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up.”

Ephesians 4:29 (GNT)

“Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper…than capturing a city.”

Proverbs 16:32 (ERV)

Destination Summary

1. Love God2. Love people• Obey/Lead• Forgive• Give

• Live honestly• Choose humility• Help• Learn• Use self-control

Path Principle: the Destination

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