Sunday September 11, 2022
INTRODUCTION: It was near the end of 2005 after Hurricane Rita that I purchased a 1989 Corvette with T-Tops from a friend. I loved that car! (Show Picture) (Share Story)
I valued that car. And because I valued that car I took really good car of the car. I even bought one of those really expensive car covers.
The last couple of weeks I keep having this reoccurring thought: “If my children just knew how much I valued them and longed to spend time with them.”
THEY SAY THAT THE VALUE OF SOMETHING IS DETERMINED BY THE PRICE YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR IT.
John 3:16- “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
IN SOME OF JESUS TEACHING HE COMMUNICATES OUR VALUE.
Matthew 6:26- “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”
Don’t allow the enemy to tell you that you are undesirable to God!
Matthew 10:29-31- “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
Don’t worry, don’t be afraid, you are valuable to God!
Matthew 12:11-12- “And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”
You are more valuable than religion
Religious people will always value the law above the person.
Matthew 12:14- “Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.”
The moment you devalue a person you become un-like Jesus Christ!
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HEAR THIS!
You’re not a disappointment to God!
You are valuable to God!
God never says oops!
You have no idea how much God loves you and values you!
SO MAY TIMES WE PROJECT THE WAY WE FILL ON GOD! THAT’S WHAT THE PRODIGAL SON DID!
After wasting his inheritance and ending up in the hop pen feeding the pigs with nothing or no-one, all alone! Except for the pigs.
Luke 15:20-24- “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”
Don’t allow your mistakes to determine your value!
Don’t allow what someone said or did to you determine your value.
Did you have a mother or father that communicated to you that you’re worthless! Please allow God to tell you how valuable you are to Him!
How about that spouse that continually communicated to you how worthless you are. Please allow God to tell you how much He loves you and how valuable you are to Him!
Matthew 13:45-46- “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”
The common interpretation of these verses is that a person should be willing to part with everything in order to possess the Kingdom.
However, the meaning could be that Jesus is the purchaser who gave His all to secure the Kingdom so you and I could be part of it.
THAT’S HOW MUCH HE VALUES YOU!
Acts 20:28- “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.”
- Value others as God has valued you!
1 Peter 4:8- “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
CONCLUSION: God desires you! He values you and longs to spend time with you!
One hundred dollar bill illustration.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?