Valued by God: Embracing Our True Worth

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound truth that our value is not determined by the world's standards but by God's unwavering love for us. We delved into the importance of recognizing our worth in God's eyes, which is the foundation for valuing others and ourselves correctly. This understanding is crucial for building god-honoring relationships that reflect the value God places on each of us.

We began by acknowledging the common struggle with busyness and the challenge of prioritizing what truly matters. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of life, but we were reminded that we must make time for what we value. The solution to our busyness lies in identifying our priorities and aligning them with God's will for our lives.

We discussed the importance of letting God examine us, allowing Him to reveal areas in our lives that need improvement. By inviting God to search our hearts, we open ourselves to His transformative work, which leads to a deeper understanding of our values. This self-examination is not to condemn us but to guide us toward a life that honors God and reflects His love to others.

We also talked about setting parameters based on our values, which helps us live within the vision God has for our lives. When we know our calling, we can establish boundaries that keep us focused on our purpose. This clarity allows us to automate our decisions, ensuring that our actions align with our godly vision.

Finally, we were encouraged to take action and 'get after it.' Understanding our value in God's eyes empowers us to make changes and pursue the life He has called us to live. We were reminded that God is with us every step of the way, providing the strength and guidance we need to walk in our new identity as valued children of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Our value is not determined by external factors or the opinions of others, but by God's love for us. When we grasp the depth of God's love, we can begin to value ourselves and others correctly. This understanding is the cornerstone of god-honoring relationships and a life lived in alignment with God's purpose. [46:09]

2. Prioritizing our lives according to God's will is essential. We must identify what truly matters and make time for those priorities. This often requires a shift in our schedules and habits, but it leads to a more fulfilling and balanced life that honors God and the people He has placed in our lives. [44:21]

3. Allowing God to examine our hearts is a vulnerable but necessary step in our spiritual growth. It's through this process that we can identify areas that need God's healing touch and align our values with His. This self-examination leads to a life that is more reflective of God's love and grace. [49:03]

4. Setting parameters based on our values and vision is crucial for living a disciplined life. When we know our godly calling, we can establish boundaries that help us stay on course. These parameters guide our decisions and actions, leading to a life that is pleasing to God. [58:06]

5. Taking action is the final step in living out our values. It's not enough to recognize what needs to change; we must also be willing to step out in faith and make those changes. As we do, we can trust that God is with us, empowering us to live as His valued children. [01:02:35]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:23-24 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
2. Luke 12:34 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
3. Proverbs 29:18 - "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 139:23-24 suggest about the importance of self-examination in our spiritual lives?
2. According to Luke 12:34, what is the relationship between our treasure and our heart?
3. How does Proverbs 29:18 describe the consequences of lacking vision or purpose in life?
4. In the sermon, what were some examples given of how busyness can interfere with our priorities? [40:00]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to let God examine our hearts, as mentioned in Psalm 139:23-24? How can this lead to spiritual growth? [49:03]
2. How does understanding our value in God's eyes help us to value others correctly? [46:09]
3. What does it mean to set parameters based on our values and vision, and how can this help us live a disciplined life? [58:06]
4. How can prioritizing our lives according to God's will lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life? [44:21]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by busyness. What steps can you take to better align your priorities with God's will? [40:00]
2. How can you invite God to examine your heart this week? What specific areas of your life do you feel need His transformative work? [49:03]
3. Identify one area in your life where you need to set clearer parameters based on your values. What practical steps can you take to establish these boundaries? [58:06]
4. Think about a relationship in your life that could benefit from a deeper understanding of God's love. How can you show that person their value in God's eyes this week? [46:09]
5. What is one specific action you can take this week to prioritize your spiritual growth? How can you make time for this amidst your busy schedule? [44:21]
6. How can you ensure that your decisions and actions align with your godly vision? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine to support this? [58:06]
7. Reflect on the concept of "getting after it" as mentioned in the sermon. What is one change you feel called to make, and how will you take the first step towards it this week? [01:02:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God-Given Worth
Our intrinsic worth is not a product of our achievements, possessions, or social status, but is rooted in the steadfast love that God has for each of us. This divine perspective shifts the focus from external validation to internal affirmation, allowing us to see ourselves through the lens of God's unconditional acceptance. When we understand that our value is inherent and bestowed by our Creator, we begin to appreciate our own uniqueness and the unique value of others. This realization is transformative, as it not only changes how we view ourselves but also how we interact with the world around us. It fosters a sense of self-worth that is unshakeable by the changing tides of societal opinion and personal accomplishment. Embracing this truth sets the stage for relationships that honor God and recognize the divine imprint on every human soul. [46:09]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: How does understanding your value in God's eyes change the way you view yourself and others in your daily interactions?

Day 2: Aligning Life with Divine Priorities
The relentless pace of modern life often leads to a sense of busyness that can overshadow our true priorities. By intentionally aligning our daily choices with God's will, we create space for the things that matter most. This alignment requires a thoughtful examination of our schedules and habits, inviting a restructuring that honors both God and the relationships He has entrusted to us. It is a deliberate act of placing God at the center of our lives, ensuring that our time and resources are invested in pursuits that reflect His heart and purpose. When we live by God's priorities, we experience a more balanced and meaningful existence, one that resonates with the rhythm of divine intention. [44:21]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can better align your time and resources with God's priorities?

Day 3: The Transformative Power of Self-Examination
Inviting God to search our hearts is an act of vulnerability that paves the way for spiritual growth and transformation. This process of divine examination brings to light the areas in our lives that require God's healing and refinement. It is not a journey toward self-condemnation but toward liberation, as we allow God's truth to reshape our values and guide us toward a life that radiates His love and grace. Through this intimate self-examination, we become more attuned to God's voice and His desires for us, leading to a life that authentically reflects the character of Christ to the world. [49:03]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Reflection: What is one aspect of your character that you can invite God to examine and transform today?

Day 4: Living with Purposeful Boundaries
Establishing boundaries based on our values and God-given vision is essential for living a disciplined and purposeful life. These boundaries act as guardrails, keeping us on the path that God has laid out for us and preventing us from being swayed by distractions or temptations. When we are clear about our calling, we can make decisions with confidence, knowing that they are in line with our divine purpose. This clarity not only simplifies our decision-making process but also ensures that our actions contribute to a life that is pleasing to God and aligned with His will. [58:06]

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Reflection: What boundaries can you set or reinforce in your life to stay focused on your God-given purpose?

Day 5: The Courage to Act on Our Values
Recognizing the need for change is only the first step; the courage to act on our values is what propels us forward into the life God has called us to live. This action requires faith and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones, trusting that God is with us, providing the strength and guidance we need. As we take these steps, we embody our new identity as valued children of God, and our lives become a testament to His transformative power. This active pursuit of God's calling is not a solitary endeavor but a journey accompanied by the assurance of His presence and support. [01:02:35]

James 2:17 (ESV)
"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: What is one change you can make today that reflects your understanding of your value in God's eyes and your commitment to live out His purpose for your life?

Quotes

1) "When I know my vision, I know what I'm called to be and do, I now know how to live within that... A vision creates parameters; it automates your yes and your no." [59:57] (Download)

2) "We all make time for what's important to us... we all value something, but we make time for whatever it is we value." [45:30] (Download)

3) "Let God examine us... stop looking at them through the magnifying glass and look at yourself in the mirror." [48:23] (Download)

4) "We have got to learn how to hold ourselves to God's standards and nobody else's... I need to look at the Bible and hold myself to that." [50:13] (Download)

5) "Until I fully grasp how much God values me, I'll never be able to give True Value and... never really be able to receive full value." [46:45] (Download)

6) "Discipline creates discomfort, and I got to get to a place where I'm so disciplined... that I'll be uncomfortable just so I can be disciplined and walk out what God has for me." [01:01:59] (Download)

7) "Everything else fits around the parameters and the vision... it starts with making it a priority to let God examine us." [01:05:04] (Download)

8) "The hard part is not deciding what I need to get better at; the hard part is actually doing it." [01:02:35] (Download)

9) "We pour out our praise to God... we just focus on you God, we lift our hearts and say you are the god of the universe, you are the god of Our Lives." [33:27] (Download)

10) "I'm going to put my marriage first, or God first... these are the non-negotiables in my life, it's not optional." [01:04:29] (Download)

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