Paul wrote about why he did the things that he did. 1Corinthians 9:19-23

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Look at verse 23 again…

“And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” (1Cor 9:23)

Paul was the type of guy that flipped all the switches, turned all the knobs, and pressed all the buttons in his evangelism efforts.

NEW YEAR, NEW ME

This got me thinking about my goals for the new year. Instead of the typical goals most of us try to write, I decided to take a Paul type approach. I still have GOALS, but now they’re framed “FOR THE GOSPEL’S SAKE.”

Here is my revised goal list for the GOSPEL’S sake.

GOOD Health so I may have the energy to preach the GOSPEL.

3John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

OBEDIENCE to Christ so I may not hinder the GOSPEL from my hypocracy.

Mt 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!

Love of my SPOUSE, my wife, for the sake of the GOSPEL.

Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

My PROSPERITY (financial) goals so that I may have the means to preach the GOSPEL.

3John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

EXAMINE myself & the Scriptures to be a more effective EVANGELIST for the sake of the GOSPEL.

1Co 9:4 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

to LOVE so that all may know I am a disciple of Christ.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

To STAND firm in the faith for the GOSPEL’S Sake.

1Thess 3:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
2Thess 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.