Embracing the Value of 'The One' in Faith

In today's message, we explored the profound significance of "the one" in our lives. Often, we overlook the value of a single person, a single soul, in the grand scheme of things. Yet, the Bible consistently highlights the importance of one—one lost sheep, one pearl of great price, one wayward son. The question posed to us is, "Who is your one?" This is the person who might not fit the typical mold of someone we would invite to church or share our faith with, yet they are the very ones who need to experience the love and grace of God.

We are called to see people through the eyes of Jesus, to have healthy spiritual eyes that recognize every individual as a valuable soul. This means looking beyond appearances, behaviors, or societal labels and seeing them as God does. Jesus had compassion for the weary and lost, and we are encouraged to do the same. By putting on our spiritual glasses, we allow God to be our vision, enabling us to see others as children of God deserving of love and grace.

Furthermore, we are called to be the light in the world, to let our lives reflect the love and goodness of Jesus. Our actions, more than our words, can be a powerful testimony to those around us. The story of a grandmother who saw the potential in her granddaughter, despite life's challenges, serves as a poignant reminder of the impact one person can have when they choose to see with spiritual eyes and act with love.

The message concludes with a call to boldness. We are encouraged to be bold in our faith, to invite others to experience the love of Christ, and to not shy away from sharing the gospel. The story of the little boy saving starfish on the beach illustrates that while we may not be able to reach everyone, the effort to save even one is worthwhile. Each person matters, and we are urged to fight for "the one" in our lives, to pray for them, and to trust God to work miracles in their hearts.

**Key Takeaways:**

- **The Value of One:** The Bible emphasizes the importance of one lost sheep, one pearl, one wayward son. We are challenged to identify "the one" in our lives who needs to experience God's love and grace. This person may not fit our expectations, but they are invaluable in God's eyes. [43:12]

- **Seeing with Spiritual Eyes:** We are called to see others as Jesus does, with compassion and love. This requires us to look beyond external appearances and societal labels, recognizing each person as a valuable soul deserving of grace. [46:03]

- **Being the Light:** Our lives should reflect the light of Jesus, serving as a testimony to those around us. By living a godly life openly, we can be a witness to others, showing them the love and goodness of God through our actions. [49:11]

- **Boldness in Faith:** We are encouraged to be bold in sharing our faith and inviting others to experience the love of Christ. Despite fears of rejection or ridicule, the potential impact on a person's life is worth the risk. [54:47]

- **The Power of One Act:** The story of the boy saving starfish reminds us that while we may not reach everyone, our efforts to save even one person are significant. Each individual matters, and we are called to fight for "the one" in our lives. [55:26]

**Youtube Chapters:**

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [43:12] - The Significance of One
- [43:46] - Seeing with Spiritual Eyes
- [44:37] - The Easiest Time to Invite
- [45:16] - Who is Your One?
- [46:03] - Seeing Beyond Appearances
- [49:11] - The Power of Compassion
- [53:18] - A Grandmother's Love
- [53:57] - The What Ifs of Life
- [54:47] - Be Bold for Christ
- [55:26] - The Starfish Story
- [57:29] - Prayer for the One
- [59:18] - Invitation to Accept Christ
- [01:00:09] - Prayer of Acceptance
- [01:01:19] - Closing and Thanksgiving Wishes

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- Luke 11:34
- Matthew 9:36-38
- Matthew 5:14-16

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**Observation Questions:**

1. In Luke 11:34, what does it mean for the eye to be the lamp of the body, and how does this relate to having "healthy eyes"? [43:46]

2. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "the one" using the story of the grandmother and her granddaughter? [53:18]

3. What examples were given in the sermon of people who might not fit the typical mold of someone we would invite to church? [45:16]

4. How does the story of the boy saving starfish relate to the sermon's message about the value of one? [55:26]

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**Interpretation Questions:**

1. How might having "healthy eyes" as described in Luke 11:34 change the way one interacts with others in their daily life? [43:46]

2. In Matthew 9:36-38, Jesus is moved with compassion for the crowds. How does this passage challenge the way individuals view and respond to those who are weary and lost? [46:03]

3. What does it mean to be "the light of the world" as described in Matthew 5:14-16, and how can this be practically demonstrated in one's life? [49:11]

4. The sermon encourages boldness in sharing faith. What are some fears or obstacles that might prevent someone from being bold, and how can these be overcome? [54:47]

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**Application Questions:**

1. Reflect on the concept of "the one" in your life. Who is someone you might have overlooked that needs to experience God's love and grace? How can you reach out to them this week? [45:16]

2. Consider a time when you judged someone based on appearances or societal labels. How can you begin to see them through "spiritual eyes" as Jesus does? [46:03]

3. Think about your daily actions. How can you let your life reflect the light of Jesus more clearly to those around you? What specific changes can you make? [49:11]

4. The sermon talks about being bold in faith. What is one step you can take this week to share your faith with someone, despite any fears of rejection or ridicule? [54:47]

5. The story of the boy and the starfish emphasizes the importance of individual efforts. What is one small act of kindness or service you can do this week that might make a significant impact on someone else's life? [55:26]

6. How can you cultivate a heart of compassion like Jesus, especially towards those who seem weary and lost? What practical steps can you take to show compassion in your community? [46:03]

7. Reflect on the story of the grandmother and her granddaughter. How can you be a mentor or support to someone in your life who might need guidance and love? [53:18]

Day 1: The Profound Value of One
In a world that often values quantity over quality, the Bible reminds us of the profound significance of "the one." Whether it's the story of the lost sheep, the pearl of great price, or the wayward son, each narrative underscores the immense value of a single soul. We are challenged to identify "the one" in our lives who needs to experience God's love and grace. This person may not fit our expectations or societal norms, yet they are invaluable in God's eyes. Recognizing their worth requires us to step outside our comfort zones and extend the love and grace that we have received from God. [43:12]

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)

Reflection: Who is "the one" in your life that you might have overlooked? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week with the love and grace of God?


Day 2: Seeing with Spiritual Eyes
We are called to see others as Jesus does, with compassion and love. This requires us to look beyond external appearances and societal labels, recognizing each person as a valuable soul deserving of grace. Jesus had compassion for the weary and lost, and we are encouraged to do the same. By putting on our spiritual glasses, we allow God to be our vision, enabling us to see others as children of God deserving of love and grace. This perspective shift can transform our interactions and relationships, allowing us to be conduits of God's love in a world that desperately needs it. [46:03]

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone you struggle to see with compassion. How can you ask God to help you see them through His eyes today?


Day 3: Being the Light
Our lives should reflect the light of Jesus, serving as a testimony to those around us. By living a godly life openly, we can be a witness to others, showing them the love and goodness of God through our actions. The story of a grandmother who saw the potential in her granddaughter, despite life's challenges, serves as a poignant reminder of the impact one person can have when they choose to see with spiritual eyes and act with love. Our actions, more than our words, can be a powerful testimony to those around us. [49:11]

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can let your light shine in your community this week, demonstrating God's love through your actions?


Day 4: Boldness in Faith
We are encouraged to be bold in sharing our faith and inviting others to experience the love of Christ. Despite fears of rejection or ridicule, the potential impact on a person's life is worth the risk. The story of the little boy saving starfish on the beach illustrates that while we may not be able to reach everyone, the effort to save even one is worthwhile. Each person matters, and we are urged to fight for "the one" in our lives, to pray for them, and to trust God to work miracles in their hearts. [54:47]

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to boldly share your faith with someone who needs to hear it?


Day 5: The Power of One Act
The story of the boy saving starfish reminds us that while we may not reach everyone, our efforts to save even one person are significant. Each individual matters, and we are called to fight for "the one" in our lives. This means being intentional in our prayers, actions, and words, trusting that God can use even our smallest efforts to make a profound impact. We are encouraged to pray for "the one" in our lives and to trust God to work miracles in their hearts. [55:26]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: Who is "the one" you are called to fight for in prayer and action? How can you commit to being intentional in your efforts to reach them this week?

Amen. Thank you, PT. Good morning.

So as PT said, I'm Pastor Simone Baker, and I've been honored to be here at the Father's House for about four years now. I started first as an intern under him and then came on as staff later on. But I'm just so grateful to be with you guys today.

So let's go ahead and pray and jump in.

So God, I pray for the moving parts in this church here today that made this service come together, God, from the production team to the parking lot and everything in between. Lord, here I am. I'm your willing vessel. Use me. Do as only you can do best, and that is bring your word to your people. In Jesus' name, amen.

All right, so let's talk about the number one for a minute. When we think of the number one, we see it as such an insignificant, small number. But, well, no. First, for example, I want to ask you, how many people can eat one cookie? And if you raise your hand, I'm going to say you're fibbing right now. No one can eat just one cookie.

And one dollar. What is the value of one dollar in this day and age? But the Bible consistently speaks of one. One wayward son, one pearl of great price, one lost sheep. We often overlook the value of just one.

So today I want to ask you a simple question. Who is your one? And while you think about that question, I want to go ahead and read Luke 11:34 to you. It'll be up on the Sky Bible.

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body is also full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.

See, when I read that verse, what I think about is the fact that we need to have healthy eyes so that we can see people in a more spiritual way. Every single person that we come across, every single person that we encounter is a soul and a possible win for the kingdom of God.

Now you see the decorations, you see the Christmas tree. Now around this time of year, we get excited about who we're going to invite to church. We start thinking about who we're going to invite. And why is that? Around this time of year, we get a little bit more excited to invite people to church than any other time of the year? Because it's easy.

It's the easiest time to invite someone to church is during Easter and Christmas. Those are the times that people are more likely to say yes to your invite. You've got family and friends who just are easy people to ask, and you don't have a problem asking them to come to a Christmas program, especially when they offer cookies.

But let's do something a little different this year. I'd like to encourage you to invite the one that is not so easy. Wow. Who is that person for you that you never thought of inviting? Because they really just don't look church-like to you.

I'm willing to bet the moment that I said the title of this teaching today, you already knew who that person was for you. Who that person is that you look at at work every day and you're like, they're not coming to church. And I'm just kind of glad.

When I was writing this, I was thinking, I'm grateful that when God created us, he didn't create us with thought bubbles above our heads. Because everyone right now would see who you're thinking about, and that'd be kind of awkward right now in this moment.

So let's talk about who that one could be for you. Maybe it's not all about looks. Maybe it's the one who comes in late to work every day and just doesn't care. Or the person that chews their food with their mouth wide open.

Maybe it's the one that sits next to you at work and irritates the living daylights out of you just by breathing. What about the one who talks way too loud or way too loudly? I'm a little bit of a kind of a shy person usually, and I don't do loud. So that makes me a little uncomfortable, but that one matters as well.

What about the one who says all the wrong things at all the worst possible times? Or the overachiever, the one who kisses up to the boss and only cares about themselves and the success of themselves over the success of your whole team? That one’s a soul too, and that one also matters and deserves a chance into the kingdom of God.

Now let's be reminded that we don't get to pick and choose who gets to go to heaven. All are welcome, not just the ones we want, not just the ones we like, and definitely not the easiest ones. I pray that you'll begin to see people the way that Christ sees them.

So I'm going to give you two points today to help you have healthy eyes, like we mentioned in Luke 11. The first one is see them. See them as Jesus does. That means that you need to put on your spiritual eyes.

All right, with your Jesus eyes on, now you'll be able to see who was once someone that irritated the living daylights out of you. Now you see a valuable soul. You're seeing them the way that God sees them. With these on, you're no longer seeing black or white. You're not seeing red or blue. You won't see Democrat or Republican, homosexual or heterosexual. You'll see a valuable soul who needs Christ.

So also have compassion. Jesus had compassion for his people. Matthew 9:36-38, sorry, I'm going to need to change these. Hold on a minute, but I'm going to keep my spiritual eyes out.

In spirit, when he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus's heart was deeply moved with compassion because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd.

So here's an example. How many of you have seen the movie The Forge? Right? That was a good movie. You guys that haven't seen it, you're going to need to go see it, okay?

So there's a scene in The Forge where Isaiah goes to meet Joshua Moore, and he's the owner of the company that Isaiah wants a job with. So most people, I would say with sense, sorry Isaiah, would go into an interview looking presentable, right? They want to make their first impression, their lasting impression for the good.

But our friend Isaiah walks into this interview with a basketball jersey on, shorts, and sneakers. Now most people that own the company that see this, if you own a company and you see that, you know, they would see him walking in like that and usher him right back out. Would you? Would you not?

But not Joshua. Joshua Moore saw value in him. He saw something that he could work with. He saw in Isaiah what Isaiah couldn't even see in himself. Joshua Moore took the one that was not easy. He took him under his wing, and he discipled him all while showing him Jesus. That's a beautiful movie. Make sure you go see it.

It may not be easy to see someone in the physical here the way that God wants us to see. I know whatever you're looking at is kind of what you see, but try to have your spiritual eyes. When you put on your spiritual glasses, you allow God to be your vision, and then and only then can you see that person for who they truly are, and that is a child of God.

So point number two: be the light. Be the light in front of them. As you go about your day, shine the light of Jesus and let people see how you can be a light. Just by living, you're more of a witness when you just live a godly life openly than anything else.

Matthew 5:14-16 reads, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Quick story for you today. There was a little girl whose mom couldn't keep her because life was hard. Life was lifing, as the young people say. So her grandma stepped up, and her grandma took her in like her very own.

Now this was a time of the grandmother's life that she should have really been retired. She should have been relaxed, sitting on the porch, sipping tea, traveling the world. But instead, she became a mom again at her more mature age. And the reason why is because she saw value in the soul of that little girl.

Every time the church doors were open, that grandmother had that little girl there. She had her in activities like Sunday school, Christmas pageants. She sang in the choir; she was an usher, Awanas, all while wearing her little frilly socks and her stockings with the little pretty dresses. Her grandma was amazing.

Some nights when the grandma cooked dinner, the little girl would sit at her feet and she'd play with her dolls, and the grandmother would make sure to recite memory verses to her so God's word was embedded deep down in that little girl's heart.

Well, as that little girl grew, she began to have feelings of rejection. She would notice other families and wondered why she didn't have a mom and a dad like everybody else. That rejection grew even more into her adulthood.

But how many of us know that when a Jesus seed is planted, it is so hard to destroy that seed? The world tried to crush it, but the seed was so planted so deep down that even though the world tried, the enemy tried, but couldn't touch it.

Eventually, that little girl became a woman and learned that what she was fearing all these years of rejection really was protection. The grandma stepped in when no one else would, and she turned her life around so very much from something that could have been such a different life.

When she looked at the little girl, she could have seen her father, whom the grandmother despised. She could have seen frustration, long years of work and sadness, homework and tears. But instead, she saw with her spiritual eyes. She saw a soul that needed to be loved and nurtured.

And for that, I'm very thankful because I was that little girl. Because of my grandmother seeing value in me, I'm here today to stand before you and tell you of the goodness of God.

Because of my grandmother and her hard work, when a client sits in my chair and tears are running down her face at the salon, I can hug her and tell her how much God loves her.

Because of my grandmother and her sacrifice, when someone texts me in the middle of the night and feels like they don't want to live anymore, instead of panicking, I can drop to my knees and pray for them and go before the spirit realm over them on their behalf and pray for them.

And because of her seeing the value in me, I can tell you today to do the same for someone else. And don't worry about the what-ifs. What if they already have a church? What if they don't? What if they make fun of me? So what?

What if they get annoyed and angry with me? What if this is exactly what they needed? And instead of getting angry with you because of what you did, they end up loving you.

But here is a what-if that you can ask. Are you ready? What if they died tomorrow? What if you were too scared to invite them to your home, and they die tomorrow, and you never got to tell them about Jesus? That's a what-if that I don't want to live with for the rest of my life.

On a little side note, guys, I do want to thank you all for the cards that you gave for pastor appreciation. I tried to catch everybody, but I know I didn't. So I want to thank you all. They meant so much, and they touched my heart and helped me feel that there was value. So thank you.

But there was one card in particular that stood out. It had a little note in it. And when I opened the note, the Holy Spirit works so interestingly because it had a lot of other things, praise God. But two words literally jumped off the page, and they were "be bold."

And I remember going to that brother and saying, "Brother, what made you put those words?" And he said, "We all need that in this season. It's time for us to all be bold."

So I say to you today, boldly, go out in the world and be bold for Christ. Invite people to the Father's House this year and invite them and speak to them about Jesus.

I want to share one more story with you before we leave. There was this little boy, and he's walking on the beach with his dad, having a great time, and they come across hundreds of starfish just washed up on the shore.

At this little boy's young age, he knows that starfish need water to survive, so he takes off running and he gets to the starfish, and he starts tossing them in the ocean. And now he's frantic because he's like, "Okay, there's so many more," and he's tossing them and he's trying to get as many as he can.

And his dad starts racing after him, and his father finally catches up, and he's breathing hard, and he says, "Son, you can't save them all." That little boy gets down on his knee, picks up one more starfish, and he tosses that starfish in the water.

Yeah, and he looks at his dad so politely, so innocently, and he says, "Dad, that one mattered."

I'm here today to tell you if you know the one that we've been talking about all day and you pictured that person in your head, that one matters. I mattered to someone. Don't give up on that one. Fight for that one.

Let me pray for you. God, we come to you today for the one. We want to pray specifically for that person, Lord, the one that you've laid on our heart, the one that you're nudging on our heart this morning.

God, I pray that we'll take them by the hand and walk them through life and hopefully one day into the gates of heaven. We're boldly praying in faith and watching to see you work a miracle in the life of that individual.

Father, we're ready to see signs and wonders as together we say, "Here I am, Lord, use me." In Jesus' name, amen.

Now if you're here today and you feel like you are that starfish, like you're part of the hundreds scattered across the beach and no one even notices you, I know that feeling very well. I remember feeling washed up on the shores.

I remember feeling washed up on the shores, and if you know my story, you know I remember feeling all alone, like nobody saw me and I didn't matter. But you know what? Jesus saw me, and Jesus came back for me.

Like the boy in the story, and he'll come back for you. The difference in this story, this true story, is that when Jesus comes back for you, his face will be on your face. Your father won't say, "Son, you can't save them all." Instead, in this story, this true story, that boy's father, Jesus, is his father, our father, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Shema.

He says, "Son, go. Go and save them all." And he did. He died on the cross for you, and he's asking you right now to allow him into your heart. He's already done all the work. He's already forgiven you.

Now it's your turn to make a decision. Our Jesus is a gentleman. He's not going to force his way in, and he's knocking on the heart of your hearts right now, and I know some of you can feel him.

Make that decision now, and if this is you, go ahead and slip your hand up. Will you invite him today? Don't be afraid, and we'll pray for you.

I want you guys to know that today you are seen. I see you. God sees you. I see you, sister. I see you.

To those of you who raised your hand, we're going to say this prayer together because family doesn't let family do anything alone. So repeat after me.

Father, I am that one. I'm the one that has felt unseen all this time, but today I know that was a lie of the enemy. You've been seen all along. I accept you today, and I'm willing and ready to walk this life with you by my side.

Thank you for your love. Thank you for your son, and thank you for your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Congratulations, and welcome to the family. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, and we're going to go ahead and continue to worship.

"Every single person that we come across, every single person that we encounter is a soul and a possible win for the kingdom of God." [00:44:05] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"Now let's be reminded that we don't get to pick and choose who gets to go to heaven. All are welcome, not just the ones we want, not just the ones we like, and definitely not the easiest ones." [00:46:18] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"When you put on your spiritual glasses, you allow God to be your vision, and then and only then can you see that person for who they truly are and that is a child of God." [00:49:30] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"So I say to you today, boldly, go out in the world and be bold for Christ. Invite people to the father's house this year and invite them and speak to them about Jesus." [00:55:19] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"That one mattered. I'm here today to tell you if you know the one that we've been talking about all day and you pictured that person in your head, that one matters." [00:56:33] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"God, I pray that we'll take them by the hand and walk them through life and hopefully one day into the gates of heaven." [00:57:29] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"I'm the one that has felt unseen all this time, but today I know that was a lie of the enemy. You've been seen all along." [01:00:59] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)