Goals

Jesus Christ's basic aim was to do his Father's will. Believers have the same objective, which Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit enable them to achieve.

God's goals

To live with his people

Leviticus 26:11–12 See also Psalm 23:6; Zechariah 2:10; John 14:23; Revelation 21:3

And I will make My dwelling place among you, and My soul will not despise you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.

To build his church in Christ

Matthew 16:18 See also Ephesians 2:19–22; Revelation 21:2

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

To perfect his church in Christ

Ephesians 5:26–27 See also Psalm 138:8; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 2:10

to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

Jesus Christ's goals

To do his Father's will

John 6:38 See also Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42; John 4:34, John 5:30; Hebrews 10:7, Hebrews 10:9

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

To preach the gospel

Luke 4:43 parallel Mark 1:38 See also Luke 4:18–19; Isaiah 61:1–2

But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.”

To save the lost

Luke 19:10 See also Matthew 15:21–28 parallel Mark 7:24–30; Luke 15:7 parallel Matthew 18:14; Luke 15:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus Christ achieved his goals

John 17:4 See also Luke 13:32; John 12:31, John 19:28, John 19:30

I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.

Believers' goals

To please God

2 Corinthians 5:9 See also Romans 14:18; Ephesians 5:10, Ephesians 5:17; Colossians 1:9–10

So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it.

To know God

Philippians 3:8 See also John 17:3; Philippians 3:10; 2 Peter 3:18

More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

To be faithful to Jesus Christ

John 15:4 See also Matthew 10:22 parallel Mark 13:13; Matthew 24:13; Philippians 3:14; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:2; Revelation 2:26

Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.

To love one another

John 13:34 See also Matthew 22:34–40 parallels Mark 12:28–31, Luke 10:25–28; John 15:12; 1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 John 4:11–12

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.

To live at peace

Romans 12:18 See also Mark 9:50; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:11

If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

To spread the gospel

Matthew 28:19–20 See also Acts 20:24; Romans 11:14, Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 9:16; 2 Timothy 4:2

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

To grow to maturity

Ephesians 4:13 See also Matthew 5:48; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 2 Corinthians 13:11

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Believers' final goal is heaven

Revelation 7:9–10 See also John 6:40; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52; 2 Corinthians 5:4–5; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 John 3:2

After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

God guarantees that believers will reach their goal

John 14:2–3 See also John 6:39; Romans 8:38–39; Ephesians 1:13–14; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 2:11–13; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:21

In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.