Transformative Journey: Embracing Life's Value in Christ

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound journey of transformation that each believer undertakes, guided by the Holy Spirit, to become more like Jesus Christ. This transformation is not about self-effort but is a divine process that occurs from one degree of glory to another. This theme of transformation and value in God's eyes was woven through various aspects of our lives, including how we view children, handle personal trials, and interact with societal issues.

We began by acknowledging the intrinsic value of every individual, especially children, who, despite their dependency and simplicity, hold immense value in God's eyes. This value is not determined by productivity or capability but is inherent from God. Psalm 139 was referenced to emphasize how God's thoughts about us are precious and outnumber the grains of sand, highlighting that each life is uniquely crafted by God.

The sermon then addressed the challenges and pains of life, recognizing that everyone experiences difficulties. However, these moments are not without purpose. God sees and uses these painful moments to reveal His glory and purpose in our lives. It's in these trials that we often find the true depth of our faith and experience God's sustaining presence.

A significant part of the sermon was dedicated to discussing the societal issue of assisted dying. I expressed concerns about the trajectory such policies could set, where the value of life might eventually be measured by productivity or utility, which is contrary to the teachings of Christ. Jesus came for the broken and the weak, emphasizing that every life has value, regardless of societal standards of productivity.

We also celebrated the act of dedication, where families stood before the church to dedicate their children to God. This act was not just about the children but also a commitment from the parents and the church community to raise these children under God's guidance and love.

Finally, the sermon closed with a call to personal transformation through following Jesus. This transformation is about laying down our own lives and ambitions to find true life in Christ. It's a journey that starts wherever we currently are and progresses as we continue to follow Him.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Value of Life in God's Eyes: Every individual, regardless of their productivity or societal status, holds immense value in God's eyes. This is a fundamental truth that should shape how we interact with others, especially the vulnerable. Recognizing this can transform our relationships and societal structures. [01:14:31]

2. Transformation Through Trials: Our most challenging moments are not without purpose. God uses these times to refine and transform us. This perspective helps us to endure and find meaning in suffering, knowing that our pain is not unnoticed by God. [01:20:38]

3. Societal Values vs. Christ's Values: The discussion on assisted dying policies highlighted the stark contrast between societal values that often measure life by productivity and Christ's values that affirm life based on inherent worth. This calls for vigilance and advocacy for policies that respect all life. [01:25:30]

4. The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth: The dedication ceremony underscored the importance of community support in raising children and living out our faith. It reminds us that we are not isolated believers but part of a larger body of Christ, meant to support and grow together. [51:07]

5. Personal Call to Transformation: The call to lay down our lives to find true life in Jesus is both a challenge and an invitation. It is a daily decision to follow Christ and allow Him to transform us, leading to a life of abundance and true fulfillment. [01:32:49]

### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:05:55 - The Uniqueness of Each Life
01:08:56 - Stories of Faith and Struggle
01:12:35 - The Miracle of Conception
01:14:31 - The Value of Life
01:20:38 - Addressing Societal Issues
01:25:30 - Following Jesus in Modern Society
01:32:49 - Personal Transformation and Commitment
01:44:15 - Closing Remarks and Invitation for Fellowship

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:13-18: "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. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you."

2. 2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

3. John 10:10: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 139, how does God view each individual life? What does this passage say about our creation and value? ([01:05:55])
2. What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 say about the process of transformation for believers? How is this transformation described? ([01:32:49])
3. In John 10:10, what contrast does Jesus make between the thief and Himself? What kind of life does Jesus promise to give? ([01:25:30])
4. How did the sermon describe the role of community in the dedication ceremony? What promises were made by the parents, prayer partners, and the church community? ([47:44])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does recognizing the intrinsic value of every individual, as described in Psalm 139, challenge societal views on productivity and worth? ([01:14:31])
2. What does it mean to be transformed "from one degree of glory to another" as stated in 2 Corinthians 3:18? How does this process reflect in a believer's life? ([01:32:49])
3. How can the promise of "life in abundance" in John 10:10 be understood in the context of personal trials and societal challenges? ([01:25:30])
4. The sermon discussed the societal issue of assisted dying. How does this issue contrast with the biblical view of the value of life? ([01:20:38])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt undervalued by societal standards. How does Psalm 139's message about your intrinsic worth change your perspective on that experience? ([01:05:55])
2. Think about a recent trial you have faced. How can viewing this trial as part of God's transformative process help you endure and find meaning in it? ([01:32:49])
3. How can you actively affirm the value of others in your daily interactions, especially those who might be considered less productive or valuable by societal standards? ([01:14:31])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of community in spiritual growth. How can you contribute to your church community to support others in their faith journey? ([47:44])
5. The call to lay down our lives to find true life in Jesus is a daily decision. What specific ambitions or desires might you need to lay down to follow Jesus more closely? ([01:25:30])
6. How can you advocate for policies that respect the inherent worth of all individuals, especially in light of the discussion on assisted dying? ([01:20:38])
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel stuck or stagnant. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform you in this area, moving from one degree of glory to another? ([01:32:49])

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing God's View of Human Worth
Every person, regardless of their societal status or productivity, is immensely valued in the eyes of God. This understanding should fundamentally alter our interactions, particularly with those who are vulnerable. In a world that often values individuals based on their output or success, it's crucial to remember that our worth is inherent and bestowed by our Creator. This perspective not only enriches our relationships but also challenges societal norms that undervalue the weak and dependent. Recognizing this can lead to transformative changes in how we view and treat every individual we encounter. [01:14:31]

Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth."

Reflection: How can you show someone they are valued by God in your interactions this week?

Day 2: Finding Purpose in Our Trials
Our most challenging experiences are not without divine purpose. God uses these moments to refine and transform us, offering a profound opportunity to deepen our faith and reliance on Him. Understanding that our pain and trials are under God's sovereign care allows us to endure hardships with hope and find meaning even in suffering. This perspective is crucial for sustaining faith during difficult times, knowing that each moment of hardship is a step towards spiritual growth and greater intimacy with God. [01:20:38]

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV): "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Reflection: What recent trial can you view as an opportunity for spiritual growth?

Day 3: Christ's Values Versus Societal Values
The discussion on assisted dying policies highlights a critical contrast between societal values, which often measure life by productivity, and Christ's values that affirm life based on inherent worth. This calls for vigilance and advocacy for policies that respect all life, challenging us to uphold the dignity and worth of every individual, especially the most vulnerable. As followers of Christ, we are called to be voices for the voiceless, standing against societal norms that diminish the value of life. [01:25:30]

James 1:27 (ESV): "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Reflection: How can you advocate for the value of life in your community this week?

Day 4: The Importance of Community in Spiritual Growth
The act of dedicating children is a powerful reminder of the role of community in spiritual growth. It's not just about the children but also a commitment from parents and the church community to raise these children under God's guidance and love. This communal aspect of faith is essential, reminding us that we are not isolated believers but part of a larger body of Christ, meant to support and grow together. [51:07]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the spiritual growth of someone in your community?

Day 5: Embracing Personal Transformation in Christ
The call to lay down our lives to find true life in Jesus is both a challenge and an invitation. This transformation is a daily decision to follow Christ and allow Him to mold us. It leads to a life of abundance and true fulfillment, starting from wherever we currently are and progressing as we continue to follow Him. This journey of transformation is about surrendering our own ambitions to embrace the life that Christ offers. [01:32:49]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to allow Christ to transform you more deeply?

Quotes

1. "God sees you and he sees your moments that are painful and like by a raise of hand who's been through a painful moment in their life not alone but god sees us he created us his purpose is on us and for us and he works through us and part of faith part of belief in who god is is recognizing in the pain that we're not alone because he has ordained his glory to be shown in our lives." [01:14:31]( | | )

2. "We all know that it would be wrong of us to value the baby with a productivity metric do you get what I'm saying if we valued them purely on what they produce we would have to be really delighted by poo we can't judge value on productivity in fact most of what we're doing this morning is placing value on people and recognizing that all of us when we say value." [01:20:38]( | | )

3. "Jesus came not for the well but for the sick Jesus came to save the least and the last and the lost Jesus came for the broken and I'm saying we can't with good conscience allow things to just take forward under a thinly veiled banner of compassion that will lead to a power reverse that the powerful be making value decisions on human life." [01:20:38]( | | )

4. "It will be there will come a time when people will be assessing their own productivity and wondering if their burden on society do you want that it is not the Christ way so let's get into what we're really talking about today we are talking about living the Jesus way following Jesus what does it mean to follow Jesus." [01:25:30]( | | )

5. "Because Jesus has his own value metric you don't have to be someone special to follow Jesus that's pretty cool that's pretty cool because if it wasn't that way around we're all stuffed but it is that way around Jesus invites all of you to follow him all of me all of everyone to follow him we start from." [01:27:48]( | | )

6. "We all with unveiled faces beholding the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image wherever you start from however big the gulf you think between who you are and the glorified God you start from where you are and you're being transformed into." [01:32:49]( | | )

7. "The promise of God on you is this that you are being transformed into the image of Jesus from one degree of glory to another why this comes from the spirit of God it's another admission of we are not enough your power to move forward is because of what God's given you it's a beautiful leveler because no one is sitting here sitting here as a guru are they." [01:32:49]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?