Embracing Our Divine Worth and Potential
Summary
### Summary
Today, we reflected on the profound message from Ephesians 1:3-14, which reminds us of our inherent dignity and worth as children of God. We began by considering the innocence and potential seen in newborns, contrasting it with the harsh realities and challenges that life often brings. This contrast highlights how we sometimes lose sight of our inherent goodness and the divine image within us. The recent violent events, such as the attempted assassination of former President Trump, underscore the deep divisions and moral crises we face as a nation. These events challenge us to reconsider who we are and who we are becoming.
The Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians serves as a powerful reminder that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing and are called to live for the praise of God's glory. This divine calling invites us to see ourselves and others through "dignity-colored glasses," recognizing the inherent worth and potential in every person. This perspective challenges us to look beyond superficial differences and societal constructs, embracing a holy sense of optimism and reclaiming the original blessing that God pronounced over us.
We explored the concept of respect, which literally means to "look again." This involves re-evaluating our assumptions and biases about ourselves and others, striving to see the divine image in everyone. Personal anecdotes, such as my own journey with weight loss and the struggle to see myself accurately, illustrate the complexities of self-perception and the importance of recognizing our inherent worth regardless of external factors.
Ultimately, we are called to emulate Jesus' example of seeing and valuing others, as demonstrated in his interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well. This radical acceptance and recognition of dignity are central to our faith and mission as Christians. We are reminded that our purpose is to be vessels of God's goodness, compassion, and love, transforming the world by seeing and affirming the divine potential in ourselves and others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Inherent Dignity and Worth: We are reminded that every person is created in the image of God and possesses inherent dignity and worth. This divine truth calls us to see ourselves and others through "dignity-colored glasses," recognizing the potential and goodness within each individual. This perspective challenges us to look beyond superficial differences and societal constructs. [35:53]
2. Reclaiming Original Blessing: The message from Ephesians encourages us to reclaim the original blessing that God pronounced over us. Despite life's challenges and the harsh realities we face, we are called to remember that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing and are destined for greatness. This holy sense of optimism empowers us to live out our divine calling. [41:40]
3. Respect and Re-evaluation: Respect, which means to "look again," invites us to re-evaluate our assumptions and biases about ourselves and others. By doing so, we can see the divine image in everyone and embrace a more compassionate and just perspective. This process involves recognizing and overcoming the obstacles that prevent us from seeing our true potential. [39:03]
4. Personal Transformation: Personal stories, such as my journey with weight loss, highlight the complexities of self-perception and the importance of recognizing our inherent worth regardless of external factors. This transformation requires a conscious choice to see ourselves and others as beloved children of God, worthy of love and respect. [47:06]
5. Emulating Jesus' Example: Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well serves as a powerful example of radical acceptance and recognition of dignity. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this example, seeing and valuing others beyond superficial differences. This radical love and acceptance are central to our mission as Christians. [45:33]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:23] - Reading from Ephesians
[29:07] - The Innocence of Newborns
[31:35] - Reflections on National Events
[34:58] - Divine Power Within Us
[39:03] - The Meaning of Respect
[45:33] - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
[47:06] - Personal Transformation Journey
[52:03] - Seeing Potential in Others
[55:16] - Embracing Our Divine Calling
[56:49] - Invitation to Communion
[01:04:15] - Communion Response
[01:08:13] - Closing and Sending Forth
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 1:3-14: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us and the beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. This is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the spiritual blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1:3-14 that we receive in Christ?
2. How does Paul describe our identity and purpose as believers in this passage?
3. What does the term "dignity-colored glasses" mean in the context of the sermon?
4. How did the pastor's personal story about weight loss illustrate the concept of self-perception and inherent worth?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "blessed with every spiritual blessing" in Christ, and how should this influence our daily lives?
2. How can the concept of "reclaiming the original blessing" help us navigate the challenges and harsh realities of life?
3. In what ways does the idea of "respect" as "looking again" challenge our assumptions and biases about ourselves and others?
4. How does Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well serve as a model for how we should see and value others?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to see your own worth. How can the message from Ephesians 1:3-14 help you reclaim your inherent dignity and worth?
2. Think of someone in your life who you find difficult to understand or accept. How can you "look again" and see the divine image in them?
3. What are some practical steps you can take to live out your divine calling and be a vessel of God's goodness, compassion, and love?
4. How can you cultivate a "holy sense of optimism" in your daily interactions and outlook on life?
5. Identify a personal bias or assumption you hold about yourself or others. What can you do this week to challenge and re-evaluate this perspective?
6. How can you emulate Jesus' example of radical acceptance and recognition of dignity in your relationships and community?
7. What specific actions can you take to support and affirm the inherent worth and potential in others, especially those who are marginalized or overlooked?
Devotional
Day 1: Seeing Through Dignity-Colored Glasses
We are reminded that every person is created in the image of God and possesses inherent dignity and worth. This divine truth calls us to see ourselves and others through "dignity-colored glasses," recognizing the potential and goodness within each individual. This perspective challenges us to look beyond superficial differences and societal constructs. By adopting this view, we can foster a more compassionate and just world, where everyone is valued and respected for who they truly are. This shift in perspective is not just about changing how we see others but also about transforming how we see ourselves, acknowledging our own worth and potential as children of God. [35:53]
Ephesians 4:24 (ESV): "And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: Think of someone you often overlook or judge based on superficial differences. How can you begin to see them through "dignity-colored glasses" today?
Day 2: Reclaiming Our Original Blessing
The message from Ephesians encourages us to reclaim the original blessing that God pronounced over us. Despite life's challenges and the harsh realities we face, we are called to remember that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing and are destined for greatness. This holy sense of optimism empowers us to live out our divine calling. By embracing this truth, we can navigate life's difficulties with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing that we are inherently blessed and equipped to fulfill God's plan for our lives. [41:40]
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How can remembering your inherent blessing and divine calling help you approach similar challenges in the future?
Day 3: The True Meaning of Respect
Respect, which means to "look again," invites us to re-evaluate our assumptions and biases about ourselves and others. By doing so, we can see the divine image in everyone and embrace a more compassionate and just perspective. This process involves recognizing and overcoming the obstacles that prevent us from seeing our true potential. It requires a conscious effort to challenge our preconceived notions and to approach each person with a fresh perspective, acknowledging their inherent worth and dignity. [39:03]
Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Reflection: Think of a person or group you have preconceived notions about. How can you "look again" and see them in a new light today?
Day 4: Embracing Personal Transformation
Personal stories, such as the journey with weight loss, highlight the complexities of self-perception and the importance of recognizing our inherent worth regardless of external factors. This transformation requires a conscious choice to see ourselves and others as beloved children of God, worthy of love and respect. By embracing this perspective, we can begin to overcome the negative self-perceptions that hold us back and step into the fullness of who God created us to be. [47:06]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you struggle with self-worth. How can you begin to see yourself as a beloved child of God in this area?
Day 5: Following Jesus' Example of Radical Acceptance
Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well serves as a powerful example of radical acceptance and recognition of dignity. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this example, seeing and valuing others beyond superficial differences. This radical love and acceptance are central to our mission as Christians. By following Jesus' example, we can become vessels of God's goodness, compassion, and love, transforming the world by seeing and affirming the divine potential in ourselves and others. [45:33]
John 4:9-10 (ESV): "The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?' (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, "Give me a drink," you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.'"
Reflection: Think of someone who is different from you in a significant way. How can you show them radical acceptance and love today, following Jesus' example?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Potential. It's limitless. But sometimes, over the years, life happens, challenges appear, hopes and dreams get bashed on the rocky shores of our journeys, and we lose the ability to see even people like children that we might love and treasure, or even ourselves or others that we love very much. We lose the ability to see ourselves or others as God sees us and gently calls us to become even more beloved, loved, good, compassionate when we get it right." [30:00] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Imagine looking at the world and yourself as a part of that. Imagine looking at that world through dignity-colored glasses. Dignity-colored glasses. Imagine what you would see and imagine how different your neighbors would look. Imagine how different you might look to yourself. This sort of faith in the very best of ourselves and one another with God's help requires a holy sense of optimism." [41:40] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you look at a caterpillar can you also see the butterfly? And when you look at a beautiful butterfly can you also at least in your mind's eye imagine all the changes it has gone through in order to arrive at its current state of beauty? The remarkable writer Alice Walker says it like this look closely at the present you're busy constructing it should look like the future you are dreaming." [52:03] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Hope never dies. When we put on our divine dignity colored glasses we can see again the story that God chose us to be God's vessel of goodness and compassion and love to the world and that we are God's beloved people together destined to be one family. When we put on our dignity colored glasses and look again at the story that light will shatter the darkness and that even death is not the end it doesn't change us into someone else." [54:43] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "May divine optimism wash over us. Our eyes and the ways we use our eyes to see ourselves and our neighbors. So let us go forth in peace, pray for peace, work for peace. If necessary, wage a little peace, but always love one another. Every single other. Amen." [01:08:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The apostle Paul, or more likely, most mainline scholars believe, someone who knew and loved the apostle Paul, or maybe more than one, wrote this letter we read from a moment ago, Ephesians, in his honor. And it lays out an incredibly inspiring reminder in these early verses of this letter for Christians living in Ephesus and for those who would listen today that we have divine power within as we are children of God." [34:58] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we are willing to receive it and believe it about ourselves, that God created us in God's image and called us good, then we are reminded in Ephesians 1 that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing, has bestowed these gifts upon us, and made them available through us and to us, as well as the ability to see the same in our neighbors." [35:53] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How we see ourselves and how we see our neighbors is really a roadmap to define the divine dream for us as well as the key milestones that we will need to attain in order to live into the divine dream for all of us. God's will, if you prefer that language. Will we learn to respect the inherent dignity and worth of our neighbors? Will we learn to respect the inherent worth and dignity of ourselves?" [37:53] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our tradition is built on the bedrock foundation that people are the primary means through which God works in this world. And so that means that we are channels of divine goodness and love, friends. From the teenage girl visited by an angel and told she would be the mother of Christ. Or back into the First Testament, we learn of Moses as an abandoned baby and later a person with a speech impediment who became a powerful leader even though he also happened to be a murderer." [44:27] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The writer to the Ephesians seemed to know that it is crucial that we learn to give ourselves and others this gift of seeing one another and ourselves and remembering as God sees and remembers. History teaches us that as we progress through life our inherent sense of worth can be challenged or eroded and not seen or maybe even completely obliterated but it can also be affirmed. It can be affirmed and valued and celebrated and the truth is I think if we stop and think about it for a minute we've all seen the effects of both." [53:10] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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