Transforming Our Stories: Understanding God and Ourselves

### Summary

Greetings, Menlo Church! Today, we delved into the power of the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and about God. These narratives shape our identities and influence our interactions with others. Often, these stories are rooted in our past experiences and can either uplift us or hold us back. The theologian John Calvin emphasized that true wisdom consists of knowing both God and ourselves. This dual knowledge is crucial because understanding our need for God helps us grasp what is most true about ourselves.

We explored the importance of the story we tell ourselves about God, which is the most significant narrative we can hold. This story is revealed through the Bible and, most importantly, through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God, and through His life, we see the character of God. We examined several stories from the New Testament that illustrate God's nature: His interruptibility, His compassion, His power, His presence, and His desire for a relationship with us.

Jesus' interactions with people—whether healing the sick, calming storms, or showing compassion to sinners—reveal a God who is deeply involved in our lives. He is never too busy for us, He does not condemn us, and He is always with us. These stories remind us that God is powerful and ever-present, even in our most challenging circumstances.

We also discussed how Jesus uses parables to teach us about God and ourselves. For instance, the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value shows that God is our most valuable possession and that we are incredibly valuable to Him. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection demonstrate our worth to God, who pursues us relentlessly.

As we reflect on these stories, we are encouraged to read the Gospels and let the narratives of Jesus shape our understanding of God and ourselves. By doing so, we can transform our lives and align our stories with the truth of who God is and who we are in Him.

### Key Takeaways

1. **The Power of Personal Narratives**: The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves have a profound impact on our lives. These narratives, often rooted in past experiences, shape our self-perception and influence our interactions with others. Reflecting on these stories and aligning them with God's truth can lead to personal transformation. [22:08]

2. **God's Interruptibility**: One of the most profound aspects of God's character is His willingness to be interrupted. Jesus' interactions with people, such as healing the hemorrhaging woman while on His way to heal a dying girl, show that God always has time for us. This challenges the notion that our needs are too insignificant for God. [30:52]

3. **God's Compassion and Non-Condemnation**: Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery illustrates God's compassion and refusal to condemn. This story teaches us that no matter our past sins or current struggles, God offers forgiveness and a fresh start. We are not disqualified from a relationship with Him. [32:13]

4. **God's Presence in Our Lives**: The story of Jesus calming the storm and casting out demons highlights God's power and His presence with us. Even in the midst of life's storms, God is with us, offering peace and assurance. This presence is a constant, regardless of our feelings or circumstances. [35:00]

5. **Our Value to God**: The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value reveal that we are incredibly valuable to God. Jesus' sacrifice demonstrates our worth, and understanding this can transform how we view ourselves and our relationship with God. We are treasured by Him, and He pursues us relentlessly. [45:09]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[22:08] - The Stories We Tell Ourselves
[23:57] - Intersection of Self-Knowledge and God-Knowledge
[25:34] - Prayer and Openness to God
[26:13] - Exploring Our Stories About God
[28:56] - Jesus Reveals God
[30:52] - God is Interruptible
[32:13] - Compassion and Non-Condemnation
[35:00] - God's Presence in Life's Storms
[37:10] - God is With Us
[39:26] - God Wants Us to Be With Him
[41:01] - The Eternal Conversation of the Trinity
[42:13] - Jesus' Parables About God and Us
[45:09] - Our Value to God
[49:15] - Reflecting on the Gospels
[51:40] - Silent Reflection and Prayer
[52:12] - Closing Prayer and Worship

### Bible Reading
1. **John 1:18** - "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known."
2. **Colossians 1:15** - "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."
3. **Matthew 13:44-46** - "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

### Observation Questions
1. What does John 1:18 tell us about Jesus' role in revealing God to us?
2. According to Colossians 1:15, how is Jesus described in relation to God?
3. In the parables found in Matthew 13:44-46, what actions do the individuals take upon finding the treasure and the pearl? What does this signify about their value?

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) impact our perception of God's character? [28:56]
2. Reflect on the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value (Matthew 13:44-46). What do these parables teach us about the value of the kingdom of heaven and our worth to God? [43:57]
3. How does the story of Jesus calming the storm and casting out demons (Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 8:23-27) illustrate God's power and presence in our lives? [35:00]

### Application Questions
1. Think about the stories you tell yourself about yourself. Are there any narratives that you need to align more closely with God's truth? How can you start this process? [22:08]
2. Jesus demonstrated that God is interruptible and always has time for us. How can you remind yourself of this truth in your daily life, especially when you feel insignificant or overlooked? [30:52]
3. Reflect on a time when you felt condemned or unworthy. How does Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) challenge those feelings? How can you embrace God's forgiveness and compassion? [32:13]
4. In what ways can you become more aware of God's presence in your life, especially during challenging times? How can the story of Jesus calming the storm encourage you? [35:00]
5. The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value show that we are incredibly valuable to God. How does this understanding change the way you view yourself and your relationship with God? [45:09]
6. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection demonstrate our worth to God. How can you live out this truth in your interactions with others this week? [46:23]
7. Consider reading through one of the Gospels this week. How can immersing yourself in the stories of Jesus help you reshape the narratives you tell yourself about God and yourself? [49:15]

Day 1: The Power of Personal Narratives
The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves have a profound impact on our lives. These narratives, often rooted in past experiences, shape our self-perception and influence our interactions with others. Reflecting on these stories and aligning them with God's truth can lead to personal transformation. The theologian John Calvin emphasized that true wisdom consists of knowing both God and ourselves. This dual knowledge is crucial because understanding our need for God helps us grasp what is most true about ourselves. By examining the stories we tell ourselves and comparing them to the truths found in Scripture, we can begin to see ourselves as God sees us, leading to a more accurate and uplifting self-narrative.

The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who had to confront and change their personal narratives. For example, Moses saw himself as inadequate and unworthy of leading the Israelites out of Egypt, but God saw him as a chosen leader. Similarly, Gideon saw himself as the least in his family, but God called him a mighty warrior. These stories remind us that our self-perception can be flawed and that aligning our narratives with God's truth can lead to a transformed life. [22:08]

Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Reflection: What is one negative story you tell yourself about who you are? How can you replace this narrative with a truth from God's Word today?


Day 2: God's Interruptibility
One of the most profound aspects of God's character is His willingness to be interrupted. Jesus' interactions with people, such as healing the hemorrhaging woman while on His way to heal a dying girl, show that God always has time for us. This challenges the notion that our needs are too insignificant for God. Jesus demonstrated that no matter how busy or important His mission seemed, He always made time for individuals in need. This aspect of God's character assures us that we are never a burden to Him and that He is always available to listen and respond to our needs.

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to feel like our problems are too small to bring to God. However, the stories of Jesus' life show us that God values each of us deeply and is never too busy to be interrupted by our concerns. Whether it's a small worry or a significant crisis, God invites us to come to Him with everything. This understanding can transform our prayer life and our relationship with God, knowing that He is always ready to listen and act on our behalf. [30:52]

Mark 5:30-34 (ESV): "And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my garments?' And his disciples said to him, 'You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, "Who touched me?"' And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'"

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt your needs were too insignificant to bring to God. How can you approach Him today, knowing He is always willing to be interrupted for you?


Day 3: God's Compassion and Non-Condemnation
Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery illustrates God's compassion and refusal to condemn. This story teaches us that no matter our past sins or current struggles, God offers forgiveness and a fresh start. We are not disqualified from a relationship with Him. Jesus' interaction with the woman caught in adultery is a powerful example of God's grace. Instead of condemning her, Jesus offered her a new beginning, showing that God's love and forgiveness are available to all, regardless of their past.

This story challenges us to view ourselves and others through the lens of God's grace. It reminds us that our worth is not determined by our past mistakes but by God's unending love and mercy. By accepting God's forgiveness and extending it to others, we can experience and share the transformative power of His grace. [32:13]

John 8:10-11 (ESV): "Jesus stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'"

Reflection: Is there a past sin or current struggle that makes you feel unworthy of God's love? How can you embrace His forgiveness and start anew today?


Day 4: God's Presence in Our Lives
The story of Jesus calming the storm and casting out demons highlights God's power and His presence with us. Even in the midst of life's storms, God is with us, offering peace and assurance. This presence is a constant, regardless of our feelings or circumstances. Jesus' ability to calm the storm with a word demonstrates His authority over all creation and His ability to bring peace into our chaotic lives. This story reassures us that no matter what we face, God is in control and is always with us.

Understanding God's constant presence can bring immense comfort and strength. It reminds us that we are never alone, even in our darkest moments. By trusting in God's power and presence, we can face life's challenges with confidence and peace, knowing that He is always by our side. [35:00]

Mark 4:39-40 (ESV): "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'"

Reflection: What storm are you currently facing in your life? How can you invite God's presence and peace into this situation today?


Day 5: Our Value to God
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value reveal that we are incredibly valuable to God. Jesus' sacrifice demonstrates our worth, and understanding this can transform how we view ourselves and our relationship with God. We are treasured by Him, and He pursues us relentlessly. These parables illustrate that God's kingdom is worth everything, and in turn, we are worth everything to God. Jesus' willingness to give His life for us is the ultimate demonstration of our value to Him.

Recognizing our worth in God's eyes can change how we live and interact with others. It can give us a sense of purpose and confidence, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator. This understanding can also inspire us to share God's love with others, helping them see their worth in His eyes. [45:09]

Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV): "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

Reflection: How does knowing your immense value to God change the way you see yourself and your purpose? How can you live out this truth in your daily life?

Well, Menlo Church, it is so good to be with you. My name is Cheryl. I had the privilege of being a pastor here for a number of years, and it's just fun to be back. I want to give greetings to those at Saratoga and Mountain View and San Mateo, those joining us online. Thank you for being with us this morning.

What a joy to jump into this Storytellers series, because as you know, stories are powerful. We all have a story we tell ourselves about ourselves. We may never tell anyone else these stories, but they're often what we let define us. They're often what we believe to be most true of us.

These stories we tell ourselves about ourselves have incredible power in how we show up with people, how we show up with our friends and coworkers, and at school, classmates, the places that we serve, the neighbors that we know. We tell stories about ourselves, about why we weren't invited, or why we didn't get the job, or why we didn't get the part in the play. Some of our stories are filled with shouldas and wouldas and couldas. Some of our stories are filled with they and them and if and could and should.

Some of our stories about ourselves are joyful. They're grounded and they're rooted in the love that we receive from others and from God. And some of the stories that we tell ourselves about ourselves convince ourselves that indeed, we are the smartest person in the room. These stories are often birthed in childhood, from playground politics, losses and wins, low points and high points. They're shaped by our heroes and by our enemies.

What's the story you tell yourself about yourself? And what kind of power does it hold over you? And then, what's the story you tell yourself about God? Because these two stories about yourself and about God intersect. And they matter more than you know.

The theologian John Calvin said, nearly all the wisdom which we possess consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. The knowledge of God and of ourselves. And in the context of that quote, Calvin was saying we must know ourselves to know our need for God. And we must know God to know what is most true about ourselves.

What is the story you're telling yourself? About God? About yourself? I want to sit with that for a moment. Because that story can change day to day. What's the story you're telling yourself about yourself? About God?

And as we pray, you might, if you feel comfortable, maybe raise your palms upward as just a physical way of saying, "God, I want to receive from you today. I want to hear from you today. I want more of you today." And that is our heart's cry.

Father, would you teach us through your word, by your spirit, but more importantly, would you transform us? That we might become more like you, and like your son, Jesus. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

I want to start with the story that we tell ourselves about God. Whether consciously or unconsciously. Perhaps, you don't believe there is a God. You're with a friend, or maybe you're on a journey, and you're just exploring things of faith. We're glad you're here. We're glad that you might be on that journey.

Maybe your story is that God is far away. And maybe it's that God is just not working for you. For many years, I was in a place, even as a pastor, where my story was God is not working for me. Maybe your story is that God is real, but not really that significant in the everyday things of life. Spreadsheets, and carpools, and homework, and making meals, and all the things that go into life.

Well, it's not going to surprise you that I believe the story we tell ourselves about God is the most important story we tell ourselves. The story of God, of course, is contained in the Bible. And it is revealed to us in Jesus.

There's this moment when Jesus, after his resurrection, runs into this couple who know him, but they don't recognize him. And it says that Jesus began to tell them about himself, beginning in the prophets, beginning in the Old Testament, their Hebrew Bible. Because Jesus shows up on every page of the Bible. Our Old Testament points to who Jesus is, reveals his promises, and the patterns of what is to come. It shows us his presence from the very beginning.

Of course, God has no beginning. But from Genesis chapter 1 on, Jesus is showing up. It's veiled, but he's there. Knowing the whole of Scripture, I think, is really, really important for having a comprehensive story about God. But alas, it would be hard for us to do all of that today in one sermon, so I'm going to hack the system a little bit, and I'm going to jump forward to the New Testament. But I do think the Old Testament is super important.

Here's what we find in the New Testament. John, one of Jesus' friends, a guy who traveled with Jesus, spent time with Jesus, saw him daily. John wrote this. He says, "No one has ever seen God but the one and only Son, Jesus, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father. He has made him known."

Colossians 1: Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. John again: "So God became human and made his home among us. He, Jesus, was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. That is Jesus."

So what is the story you tell yourself about God? I pray that it's grounded in the Bible. I pray that it's through the lens of Jesus that you tell and live the story of God first to yourself. That it starts with you telling that story to yourself.

And so what I want to do this morning is I want to help you write the story you tell yourself about God. So I'm going to give you a little teaser, a montage if you will, a collection of short stories. This is who God is revealed in Jesus. Because Jesus is God.

And Jesus says this about himself. He says, "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father." Another place he says, "The Father and I are one." Jesus again is the visible image of the invisible God. This is who he is. This is his story.

One day Jesus is on his way to heal a girl who was dying. And he's interrupted by a woman who was hemorrhaging for 12 years. But Jesus stops. And he notices the woman. He sees her. And then he listens and hears her story. And they have a conversation.

God is interruptible. That's the story we need to tell ourselves about God. God is interruptible. We think God is too busy for our needs. Surely a dying child trumps my request. But almost every time Jesus heals or comforts or teaches, it's because of an interruption.

Tell yourself this story: God always has time for me. God always has time for me. He's interruptible.

On another day, Jesus is in the temple courts. It'd be like he's in this church building. And these religious leaders, let's just say a whole bunch of pastors, bring in a woman who has just been caught in the very act of adultery. And they throw her in front of Jesus trying to trap him. They say, "The law says we should stone this woman. What do you say, Jesus?"

And Jesus bends down to draw in the dirt. But mostly to draw their eyes away from this woman onto him. An act of compassion, of grace. And then he says to them, "Let anyone without sin be the first one to stone her." And so they walk away.

It says that the oldest ones walked away first because we know we got some sin. And then to the woman, he said, "I do not condemn you. Go and leave your life of sin."

Do you love this? God is so shrewd. He's so kind. He's so wise. Tell yourself this story: That shame, that guilt that you carry, that you've told yourself disqualifies you from any real intimate relationship with God. That thing, that thing—we all have that thing. When you bring it to God, you hear him say, "I do not condemn you. I do not find you useless."

Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, he told himself this story of God. He had been a religiously zealous murderer. But after encountering Jesus, he wrote this: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Tell yourself this story: God has set me free. God has set me free. He does not condemn me.

There's another day when Jesus was out sailing with some friends and a storm came up and the winds and the waves were sweeping over the boat. And Jesus was sleeping, as only Jesus would be doing in a violent storm. And his friends are calling out to him to rescue them.

So Jesus spoke to the wind and he spoke to the waves and they became completely calm. And then they got to shore and they meet two men who were violent and possessed by demons. And Jesus speaks to the demons. And they left the men. And the men became perfectly calm like the sea.

Tell yourself this story: God is powerful. That thing that is so beyond your control—your future, a child, a diagnosis, a broken marriage, an impending loss—God is powerful.

But to me, the most powerful, miraculous thing that happened in that boat was not that Jesus commanded wind and waves and then later demons, but that he was there. The God of the universe put on flesh and stepped into a boat. He was with them.

You see, I don't know what God will do with your circumstances or with mine. But I know, that I know, that I know, that I know, that I know. He will be there. He will be here. He will not leave you. He is with you. He doesn't need you to feel him for him to be with you.

God does not need you to feel him for him to be with you. Repeatedly, the Bible tells us that God is with us. God sees us. Deuteronomy 31 says, "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Hebrews 13: "Be content with what you have, for Jesus has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man, what can people do to me?"

Jesus at his birth, but actually in the prophecy that preceded him, Jesus was called Emmanuel, which means God with us. Jesus tells his followers that when he's going to depart from them physically, he will send his spirit, who is God, not just to be with them, but in them.

The most common definition of a Christian in the New Testament isn't the word Christian. I think it only shows up once. The most common definition of a Christian is in Christ. In Christ. To be in him, and him in us.

Tell yourself this story: God is with me. God is in me. God is with me in my commute, in the cafeteria, in that hard conversation, when the rejection comes, when the diagnosis is not good, when I don't know what to do, when I don't have any control—and we have far less control than we think we do.

God is powerful and he is with me. What is the story you tell yourself about God? Do you tell yourself that God goes to weddings and dinners and parties? Because he does. Or do you tell yourself that he is boring and irrelevant and too narrow, too mystical?

One day, Jesus knows that he is going to die a very horrific death. So he goes to a garden and he asks his friends to come along with him in his distress. And I love this. I love this about God. He needs his friends to be with him.

Tell yourself this story: God wants his friends to be with him. In John 15, Jesus says, "I call you friends." God wants me to be with him. God wants me to be with him.

So Jesus has his friends there in the garden and then he asks them to pray. God asks his friends to pray for him. Then he goes over. He is praying. He is entering into a conversation with God the Father and he asks that maybe this plan could be changed. Maybe he wouldn't have to face this horrific death.

But the Father says no. It is for the love of the world for Jesus to die this way. For the purpose of making all things new. And here is what is awesome: God has been in this conversation for all eternity. This unique triune God that we believe in in Christianity. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. They have been talking to one another for all eternity.

Jesus is talking to the Father. The Father is talking to Jesus. All of them are listening to one another. When we enter into relationship with God, we enter into this ongoing conversation. It is the conversation of the Trinity. You listen to God and he listens to you. You speak to God and he speaks to you.

Tell yourself this story: God listens to me. God listens to me. God speaks to me. Through his word, by his spirit, through the community of the church, God speaks to me.

What is the story that you tell yourself about God? One thing I love is that Jesus tells us stories to help us write our stories about God. He uses the devices of parable and metaphor and simile to tell us what God is like.

Oftentimes when Jesus tells a story about who God is, at the same time he is telling us a story about who we are. He tells us a story about who God is, but at the same time he tells us a story about who we are.

Matthew 13: Jesus said the kingdom of heaven, or the kingdom of God, the way of God, we believe in the realm of God, the kingdom of God is like treasure hidden in a field. And when a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy he went and he sold all that he had and he bought that field so he could have that treasure.

Tell yourself this story: God is my most valuable possession. God is my most valuable possession. He is beautiful. God is worthy of my life. God is to be treasured above all else.

When it feels like your treasures are being stripped from you, the things you love, the things you thought you'd have, he goes on. Jesus says again, "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls." He sold everything he had and he bought it.

Verse 44: The kingdom of heaven of God, his ways, his words, his being—all that God is—is like a treasure. But then verse 45: The way of God is like a merchant. He's like a treasure.

God is a treasure who seeks out treasure. Some theologians suggest that the pearl is us, God's church, his people. The pearl is you. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and he sold everything he had and he bought it.

Does that sound familiar? A merchant looking for fine pearls. Jesus said, "I came to seek." Jesus said, "I came to seek." Jesus said, "I came to seek." I came to seek and save the lost. I came to find you. I came to find you. I came to find you. I came to find you.

Jesus is the merchant. Jesus demonstrates your value to him through his life, his death, and his resurrection for you. He purchased you. That is what it is to be redeemed. He bought you back. He paid the price of his life and his death to make you his own. You, a fine pearl created by God to reflect his image to your spouse, to your friends, to your coworkers, to your classmates.

Tell yourself this story about yourself: I am incredibly valuable to God. I am incredibly valuable to God. The value of a created object is often determined by the one who created it.

I can draw you a picture, which I would really like, but you are probably not going to sell it on Etsy. But a painting by Monet or Degas or Rembrandt—those things are worth millions. You are not my doodles on a piece of scratch paper. You are even more valuable than a Monet, a Degas, and a Rembrandt put together.

For God so loves, for God so loves you. Jesus said in one place, "In the same way the Father has loved me, so have I loved you." Jesus says God is like the shepherd who leaves 99 of his sheep to go after the one that is lost. God pursues you. He pursues what he values—that's you. That's you.

Tell yourself this story: God is my treasure and I am his. If you want something to transform you more than anything else, it is this: God is my treasure and I am his.

Why am I so impatient? Why am I so angry? Why am I so easily wounded? Why am I hurt? God is my treasure and I am his.

So this week, here's what I want to encourage you to do: consider reading through one of the good news stories about Jesus—those biographies of Jesus, the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Pick one of them. Mark's the shortest.

Read all of it. Read a few chapters of it. When you're done, don't take notes along the way. Just read it. And then pause and maybe summarize what you read with this: "God, you are ___ and I am ___."

"God, you are ___ and I am ___ and because you are ___ and because I am ___, I will ___."

Say, "I will" because of who you are and because of who I am and who you say that I am.

What's the story you're telling yourself about God? And what's the story you're telling yourself about yourself?

I want to give us a couple minutes for you to sit with that. I've got some prompts here for you, but I just want to make a space of silence. What is the story you want to tell yourself about God this week? Can you sum it up in one word?

What is the story you want to tell yourself about yourself this week? Can you sum it up in one word?

I'm just going to let us be silent. You can bow your head, you can look around, and then I'll pray in just a little bit. But consider these questions.

Father, thank you for your word and for your spirit that tell us your story. Your story tells us our story. Oh Lord, put in us even greater desire for you as our treasure, that we would treasure you above and beyond all things, that we would draw near to you as you have already drawn near to us.

Thank you, God, that you would treasure us, that you would come after us, and you would keep coming after us and keep coming after us. Oh, we're so, so thankful. We worship you. We love you. We desperately need you. Amen.

May we stand together and respond in worship in the name of Jesus. And sing, "Be exalted now in the heavens, God. You are worthy."

1. "We may never tell anyone else these stories, but they're often what we let define us. They're often what we believe to be most true of us. These stories we tell ourselves about ourselves have incredible power in how we show up with people, how we show up with our friends and coworkers and at school, classmates, the places that we serve, the neighbors that we know." [22:08] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


2. "What's the story you tell yourself about yourself? And what kind of power does it hold over you? And then, what's the story you tell yourself about God? Because these two stories about yourself and about God intersect. And they matter more than you know." [23:57] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


3. "We must know ourselves to know our need for God. And we must know God, to know what is most true about ourselves. We must know God, to know what is most true about ourselves. What is the story you're telling yourself? About God? About yourself?" [24:48] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


4. "Well, it's not going to surprise you, that I believe the story we tell ourselves about God is the most important story we tell ourselves. The story of God, of course, is contained in the Bible. And it is revealed to us in Jesus." [26:55] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


5. "God is interruptible. We think God is too busy for our needs. Surely a dying child trumps my request. But almost every time Jesus heals or comforts or teaches, it's because of an interruption. Tell yourself this story. God always has time for me. God always has time for me. He's interruptible." [31:31] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


6. "Tell yourself this story. That shame, that guilt that you carry, that you've told yourself disqualifies you from any real intimate relationship with God. That thing, that thing, we all have that thing. When you bring it to God, you hear him say, I do not condemn you. I do not find you useless." [33:36] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


7. "God is powerful. That thing that is so beyond your control, your future, a child, a diagnosis, a broken marriage, an impending loss. God is powerful. But to me, the most powerful, miraculous thing that happened in that boat was not that Jesus commanded wind and waves and then later demons. But that he was there." [35:41] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


8. "God does not need you to feel him for him to be with you. Repeatedly, the Bible tells us that God is with us. God sees us. Deuteronomy 31 says, It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." [37:10] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


9. "Tell yourself this story, God is with me. God is in me. God is with me in my commute, in the cafeteria, in that hard conversation when the rejection comes, when the diagnosis is not good, when I don't know what to do, when I don't have any control and we have far less control than we think we do. God is powerful and he is with me." [38:20] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


10. "Tell yourself this story. God listens to me. God listens to me. God speaks to me. Through his word, by his spirit, through the community of the church God speaks to me. What is the story that you tell yourself about God?" [41:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)