Embracing God's Unconditional Love and Our Worth
Summary
In the sermon, I was reminded of the profound love that God has for each of us. The psalmist's words were a resounding affirmation of God's intimate knowledge and unconditional love for us. I was reminded that God knows us better than we know ourselves, understanding our every thought, our motivations, our struggles, and even the not-so-nice things about ourselves that we wish others wouldn't find out. Despite knowing us completely, God's love for us is unconditional and limitless. The psalmist also emphasized that God's love is always with us, in our joy and in our pain, and there is nowhere we can go to hide from God's spirit.
The sermon also highlighted the message of our inherent worth and belovedness in God's eyes. I was reminded that we are all wonderfully made in God's image and that we are loved above all else in heaven and on earth because we are God's precious children. The sermon drew parallels between this divine love and the love embodied by Mr. Rogers in his television show, where he made each child feel valued and loved. The sermon concluded with an invitation to remember those special people in our lives who have helped us realize that we are loved, embodying God's love for us.
Key Takeaways:
- God's love for us is unconditional and limitless, despite knowing our every thought, motivation, and struggle. ([25:27])
- God's love is always with us, in our joy and in our pain, and there is nowhere we can go to hide from God's spirit. ([28:59])
- We are all wonderfully made in God's image and that we are loved above all else in heaven and on earth because we are God's precious children. ([30:36])
- The importance of people in our lives who help us realize that we are loved, embodying God's love for us. ([35:01])
- The message of our inherent worth and belovedness in God's eyes is a powerful reminder of our value as God's children. ([34:17])
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. The overwhelming love and awe that comes with parenthood is a reflection of God's love for us. God's love for us is even greater than a parent's love for their child, as He knew us before we were even a glimmer in our mother's eyes. He knows everything about us, the good and the bad, and welcomes every part of us with perfect love. [21:34] [22:20] [23:03]
2. God's love for us is unconditional and all-encompassing. There is nowhere we can go to hide from God's spirit. Whether we ascend to heaven or make our bed in hell, God is there. He is with us in our joy and in our pain, and even in the darkness, God's light shines through. [26:14] [26:55] [27:33] [28:15] [28:59]
3. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. He formed us in our mother's womb and knew us from the very beginning. We are wonderful in God's eyes and this Psalm reminds us of our value just because we are God's children. [29:47] [30:36]
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. Psalm 139
2. Jeremiah 1:5
3. Ephesians 2:10
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 139 tell us about God's knowledge of us?
2. How does the speaker describe the love of God compared to a parent's love for their child?
3. What does the speaker mean when she says that God's love is always with us?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the speaker interpret the phrase "fearfully and wonderfully made" in Psalm 139?
2. How does the speaker interpret the idea of God's presence in our lives, even in our darkest moments?
3. What does the speaker mean when she says that we are loved just because we are God's children?
Application Questions:
1. How can we apply the understanding of God's unconditional love in our daily lives?
2. How can we remind ourselves that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" when we face self-doubt or criticism?
3. How can we extend the same unconditional love that God has for us to others in our lives?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unconditional Love
God's love for us is unconditional and limitless. He knows us completely, even more than our spouse or our best friend. He knows our every thought, our struggles, and our motivations. Despite knowing all our flaws and shortcomings, God still loves us unconditionally. His love knows no bounds and we are welcomed into His presence with open arms. [25:27]
Psalm 139:1-4 - "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely."
Reflection: Reflect on the areas in your life where you struggle to accept God's unconditional love. How can you open yourself more to His love?
Day 2: God's Presence in Our Lives
God is always with us. There is nowhere we can go to hide from His spirit. He is with us in our joy, in our pain, and even when it feels like darkness is going to crush us. To God, darkness is as light as day and He is with us through it all. [28:59]
Psalm 139:7-12 - "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in your life. How did it make you feel?
Day 3: God's Creation
God created us in His own image. He knew us from the very beginning and He knows us still. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. We are His wonderful works. [29:47]
Psalm 139:13-14 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Reflection: How does knowing that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God affect your self-image and self-esteem?
Day 4: God's Love for Children
God's love for children is immense. He knew them since the beginning of time and loves them more fiercely than any human ever could. He wants to know us and wants us to know our own value and worth. [22:20]
Matthew 18:10 - "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
Reflection: How can you show God's love to the children in your life?
Day 5: Being Special in God's Eyes
We are special in God's eyes. We don't have to do anything sensational for people to love us. We are loved just because of who we are. We are special just because God has created us and called us His own. [34:17]
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How does knowing that you are special in God's eyes affect your interactions with others?
Quotes
1. "God knows and loves each and every one of us just as we are. We are welcomed in God's warm embrace. There's something comforting about being known so completely. Think of the person who knows you best. How relaxed you can be in their presence. You don't have to hide anything or pretend. You can just be yourself. They already know the things about you that you're not proud of or that you wish you were different. They love you anyway. We have that same comfort with God." - 26:55
2. "God knows us completely, even more than our spouse or our best friend. God knows what worries us, what we care about most in life. God knows what motivates us. God knows our every thought, even the not so nice things about ourselves that we wish others wouldn't find out. Those mean thoughts that cross across our head before we can stop them. God knows the areas we struggle with most in life. God knows the people that we secretly judge, the demons that we wrestle with. God knows the resources that we hold on to too tightly, unwilling to share out of fear or greed. God knows us completely and yet still, God loves us. There are no conditions or limitations to God's love." - 28:15
3. "God is with us in our joy. God is with us in our pain. God is with us when it feels like darkness is going to crush us and there is no way out. The psalmist reminds us that to God, darkness is as light as day and God is with us through it all. For as much as a parent loves a child, God loves us even more." - 28:59
4. "What I mean when I say that you are special is that you don't have to do anything sensational for people to love you. That we are loved just because of Who We Are. We see this truth reverberated through scripture today. The psalmist leaves no doubt that we are indeed known and loved just for Who We Are. That our specialness isn't based on anything that we've done. That we're special just because God has created us and called us his own." - 34:17
5. "The truth is you are the apple of God's eye, loved above all else in heaven and on Earth because you are God's precious child. This message of belovedness maybe above all else is reflected in a life and Ministry of Mr Rogers. Fred Rogers embodied God's love for us in such a concrete way so that each and every child watching his show would know that they were valued and loved." - 31:23
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