Understanding Our Worth: Embracing God's Unconditional Love
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we gathered to explore a profound question: "What is my worth to God?" This question often plagues many believers, leading them to doubt their value in God's eyes. We began by reflecting on Romans 5:8, which reminds us that God demonstrated His love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. This foundational truth underscores that our worth is not based on our actions but on God's unconditional love.
We often struggle with feelings of unworthiness because we project human behaviors onto God. We assume that, like humans, God’s approval must be earned. However, God’s ways are higher than ours, and His love is not conditional. We explored how our upbringing and societal norms can distort our understanding of God’s love, making us believe we must earn His favor. Yet, the Bible clearly states that we are made in His image and are His children, inherently valuable and loved.
John 1:12 and 1 John 3:1 further affirm our identity as children of God. This relationship is not ambiguous or unattainable; it is a reality we must accept by faith, just as we trust the sun will rise each morning. Jesus taught us to pray to "Our Father," emphasizing our intimate relationship with God. Just as earthly parents love and care for their children unconditionally, so does our Heavenly Father.
We also discussed the misconception around worthiness in the context of the Lord’s Supper. The term "unworthily" in 1 Corinthians 11:27 refers to the manner in which we partake, not our inherent worth. We are all unworthy of Christ’s sacrifice, but His death, burial, and resurrection reveal our immense worth to Him. Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate demonstration of our value to God.
In conclusion, our worth is not determined by our actions or our ability to please God. We are valuable simply because we are His children. God loves us in our brokenness and uses us despite our imperfections. Embrace this truth and live in the freedom of knowing you are deeply loved and valued by God.
### Key Takeaways
1. God’s Unconditional Love: Romans 5:8 teaches us that God’s love is unconditional. He loved us while we were still sinners, demonstrating that our worth is not based on our actions but on His grace and mercy. This truth should liberate us from the need to earn God’s approval. [13:38]
2. Human Projections on God: We often project human behaviors onto God, believing we must earn His love and approval. However, God’s ways are higher than ours, and His love is not conditional. Understanding this helps us to see God’s love as constant and unwavering. [16:58]
3. Our Identity as God’s Children: John 1:12 and 1 John 3:1 affirm that we are children of God. This identity is not ambiguous or unattainable; it is a reality we must accept by faith. Just as earthly parents love their children unconditionally, so does our Heavenly Father. [21:54]
4. Misconceptions about Worthiness: The term "unworthily" in 1 Corinthians 11:27 refers to the manner in which we partake in the Lord’s Supper, not our inherent worth. We are all unworthy of Christ’s sacrifice, but His death, burial, and resurrection reveal our immense worth to Him. [36:17]
5. God Uses Broken People: God uses broken people more effectively than those who appear perfect because brokenness allows His grace to shine through us. Our imperfections do not disqualify us from God’s love or His plans; rather, they make us vessels of His grace and power. [29:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[10:57] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[13:38] - Introduction: What is My Worth to God?
[15:28] - Struggling with Worthiness
[20:37] - Connection with God and Our Worth
[21:54] - Our Identity as Children of God
[23:35] - Accepting Our Identity by Faith
[25:19] - God’s Unconditional Love for His Children
[28:33] - Misconceptions about Worthiness in the Lord’s Supper
[29:26] - God Uses Broken People
[34:38] - The Father’s Love and Our Worth
[36:17] - Worthiness in the Lord’s Supper
[37:42] - Conclusion: Embracing Our Worth in God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 5:8 (NRSV) - "But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us."
2. John 1:12 (NRSV) - "But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God."
3. 1 John 3:1 (NRSV) - "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 5:8, what does God’s action of sending Christ to die for us demonstrate about His love?
2. How does John 1:12 describe the process of becoming children of God?
3. What does 1 John 3:1 say about our identity and the love of the Father?
4. In the sermon, what common misconception about worthiness in the context of the Lord’s Supper is addressed?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that God’s love is unconditional, as stated in Romans 5:8, change the way we view our relationship with Him?
2. What implications does John 1:12 have for our daily lives when we accept our identity as children of God?
3. How can the truth in 1 John 3:1 help us combat feelings of unworthiness and doubt about our value to God?
4. How does the clarification of the term "unworthily" in 1 Corinthians 11:27 affect our approach to the Lord’s Supper?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you had to earn someone’s approval. How does knowing that God’s love is unconditional (Romans 5:8) change your perspective on seeking approval from others?
2. In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your identity as a child of God (John 1:12)? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt?
3. How can you apply the truth of 1 John 3:1 to your life when you face moments of self-doubt or feelings of unworthiness?
4. Think about your upbringing and societal norms. How have they influenced your understanding of God’s love? What steps can you take to align your understanding with the biblical truth of God’s unconditional love?
5. How can you approach the Lord’s Supper with a renewed understanding of its significance, as explained in the sermon? What changes might you make in your preparation for this sacrament?
6. Identify an area in your life where you feel broken or imperfect. How can you allow God’s grace to shine through your brokenness, as discussed in the sermon?
7. Reflect on the analogy of earthly parents and their unconditional love for their children. How can this analogy help you better understand and accept God’s love for you? How can you share this understanding with others who may struggle with feelings of unworthiness?
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Unconditional Love
God’s love for us is not based on our actions but on His grace and mercy. Romans 5:8 teaches us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This profound truth should liberate us from the need to earn God’s approval. Often, we struggle with feelings of unworthiness because we project human behaviors onto God, assuming His approval must be earned. However, God’s ways are higher than ours, and His love is not conditional. Understanding this helps us to see God’s love as constant and unwavering. [13:38]
Romans 5:8 (ESV): "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Reflection: In what ways have you tried to earn God’s love and approval? How can you rest in the truth that His love for you is unconditional today?
Day 2: Human Projections on God
We often project human behaviors onto God, believing we must earn His love and approval. This misconception stems from our upbringing and societal norms, which can distort our understanding of God’s love. However, God’s ways are higher than ours, and His love is not conditional. Recognizing this helps us to see God’s love as constant and unwavering, freeing us from the burden of trying to earn His favor. [16:58]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: How have your past experiences shaped your view of God’s love? What steps can you take to align your understanding of God’s love with the truth of His Word?
Day 3: Our Identity as God’s Children
John 1:12 and 1 John 3:1 affirm that we are children of God. This identity is not ambiguous or unattainable; it is a reality we must accept by faith. Just as earthly parents love their children unconditionally, so does our Heavenly Father. Jesus taught us to pray to "Our Father," emphasizing our intimate relationship with God. Embracing this truth helps us to live in the freedom of knowing we are deeply loved and valued by God. [21:54]
1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
Reflection: How does knowing you are a child of God change the way you view yourself and your relationship with Him? What practical steps can you take to embrace this identity more fully?
Day 4: Misconceptions about Worthiness
The term "unworthily" in 1 Corinthians 11:27 refers to the manner in which we partake in the Lord’s Supper, not our inherent worth. We are all unworthy of Christ’s sacrifice, but His death, burial, and resurrection reveal our immense worth to Him. Understanding this helps us to approach the Lord’s Supper with the right heart and attitude, recognizing the significance of Christ’s sacrifice and our value to God. [36:17]
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (ESV): "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Reflection: How have you misunderstood the concept of worthiness in the context of the Lord’s Supper? What steps can you take to approach the Lord’s Supper with a heart of gratitude and reverence?
Day 5: God Uses Broken People
God uses broken people more effectively than those who appear perfect because brokenness allows His grace to shine through us. Our imperfections do not disqualify us from God’s love or His plans; rather, they make us vessels of His grace and power. Embrace this truth and live in the freedom of knowing you are deeply loved and valued by God, despite your imperfections. [29:26]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel broken or inadequate? How can you allow God’s grace to shine through your weaknesses and use you for His glory?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "One of the hardest things to help people really understand is the simple truth of our worth before God, because many people struggle feeling worthy of God, feeling worthy of his help. And I really think that that's based on how we deal with one another. I think it's based on how we treat one another sometimes and how we expect certain things out of each other. We constantly try to make God act like us because we cannot imagine him acting any other way. So if I have to struggle for your approval, then surely I have to struggle for God's approval. And that's what I mean by making him act like us. He doesn't behave like us. He doesn't think like us." [15:28] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Your worth is not based on your ability to please your father. Your father is pleased that you exist. Your father is pleased. I'm not upset about any one of my children. Do my children always do, did they always do everything I asked them to do the way I asked them to do it? No, sir. No, they did not. But you know what? Did I love them any less? No. Did I love them when they just flat out did wrong? Yes. Did I love them when they rebelled? Yes. Can I tell you something? God loves you even in your rebellion. God loves you even in your mistake." [28:33] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God uses broken people better than he uses perfect people because there are no perfect people. So therefore God doesn't get to use anybody that's perfect. So he gets to only use broken people. And since he gets to only use broken people, that means he gets to use me. He gets to use you. He gets to use your neighbor. He gets to use your sister. He gets to use your brother. He gets to use all of us because brokenness is how God gets through us the best." [29:26] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The real question for the night is, am I worthy of his beatings, his blood, his death, his humiliation on the cross? No, a thousand times. No, I'm not worthy. I'm not worthy at all. But the truth is I'm not worthy of him, but by his death, by his burial and by his resurrection, he showed me my worth. And tonight Jesus is telling you, you are worth my love. You are worth the sacrifice that I gave and you are worth everything that I would ever give so that I can see you saved and not lost." [37:42] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Stress. That's so powerful because it is the connection that we have with God that creates the worth or the worthiness. Let me help you with what I mean by that. John 1st chapter, the 12th verse says, But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave... Power to become children of God. Somebody say children of God. I want you to think about that. Think about your relationship with God. Say children of God. 1st John 3 says, I told my wife earlier, I said, I love the way the King James says it because it's so majestic. The King James says, See what love the Father has bestowed upon us." [20:37] (78 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I don't recall one time that I scolded one of my children for falling when they were trying to learn how to walk. Come on. Come on, y'all. I can't believe that Jesus scolded me just because I fell when I was trying to learn how to walk. Are y'all hearing what I'm saying? I don't remember saying, I'm just going to let my child just be on his own until he recognizes who I am as his daddy. I don't remember thinking like that or talking like that, but yet we put God in that place and we act like God doesn't care. He doesn't care about us, but here he is. The scripture tells us plainly over and over that we are his children. That's who we are, and he is our father." [25:19] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So, as a parent, I want nothing but the best for my kids, and my life would be given in exchange for any one of theirs even today. I don't care how old they are. If I could give my life to save their life, I would do it in a heartbeat because that's my child. So, I want you to check out this scripture. Before I give this idea to my wife to talk just a little bit about us, about the psychology of being a parent, but Matthew 7, verse 7, chapter 7, verse 9 says, is there anyone among you, if your child asked for bread, would you give him stone? Come on, y'all. Or if the child asked for a fish, would you give him a snake? If you then are evil. you're evil, know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?" [27:15] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I want to close very quickly with this because I think this is so powerful because my worth before the father, I've heard people say this, that I'm not worthy of the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, the Lord's table. And they take it from the King James version of 1 Corinthians 11, 7, where it says, Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. People read that and think that it's talking about them as being unworthily that I can't, I can't, but it's, it's not modifying the unworthily is an adjective. That modifies the act, not the actor, it's the action, not the individual. It's the action. It's not the actor because you will never be worthy." [36:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The way we preached it, we preached it, that we had to re-examine ourselves and remember us. When he said, do this in remembrance of me, not us do this in remembrance of me, Jesus said, and what I did for you, don't sit there and remember yourself and your faults and all of yourself, because here's the whole thing. The real question is, what is the real question? What is the real question? What is the real question for the night is, am I worthy of his beatings, his blood, his death, his humiliation on the cross? No, a thousand times. No, I'm not worthy. I'm not worthy at all. But the truth is I'm not worthy of him, but by his death, by his burial and by his resurrection, he showed me my worth." [37:42] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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