[Drama: lady with priceless china; after back is turned (maybe while talking to another woman), the movers are tossing it around.]
A RECURRING STRUGGLE WITH TRUSTING GOD WITH MONEY WORRIES: “Why would God pay attention to me?”
- For many people, one of the sources of worry is the belief that God isn’t paying attention to them. “Why would God pay attention to me?” they wonder.
- They believe that they will be forgotten by Him because He’s got more important things to attend to.
BELIEVING THAT YOU'RE NOT FORGOTTEN BY HIM:
1. WE HAVE BEEN DECLEARED "MUCH MORE VALUABLE" BECAUSE WE ARE HIS CHILDREN.
- Luke 12:24, 28 – “. . . much more valuable you are than birds!,” “. . . how much more. . .”
- Not only have we been declared “valuable,” but we’ve been called “much more valuable” than the birds.
- Why are we? Because we are His children. We were created in His image.
- If I have scheduled a pastoral visit with one of you and then one of my kids calls and there’s an emergency and they need me, I’m going to cancel my meeting with you. Why? Well, I love you, but you’re not as important to me as my child. Why? Because they’re my child.
- Especially for those who struggle with feelings of being worthless or unworthy, it’s hard to believe that they are valuable. Jesus here makes that declaration: we are valuable.
- It’s easy to believe that God is going to forget you when you consider yourself worthless or unworthy.
- I’ve known quite a few people down through the years who weren’t able to see that they are valuable.
- I am a child of God.
- It’s a stunning thing to consider the thought that God feels toward me the way that I feel toward my children. The God of the universe has that kind of affection toward me!
- There are levels of value and we are at the top of the list because we were created in the image of God.
2. HE'S PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO US BECAUSE THE STAKES ARE HIGHER BECAUSE WE'RE PERMANENT.
- Luke 12:28 – “. . . the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire. . .”
- The flowers are here today and gone tomorrow. Each one does not have eternal value. They are here for a season and then they cease to exist.
- Humans, however, are different. God says that we are eternal. We exist not only in this life, but also in the life to come, whether in God’s presence or away from Him (hell).
- Because of that eternal nature, we are more value because the stakes are higher. You put more thought into buying a house than you do what you’re ordering at a restaurant. One reason: that house decision is going to last a lot longer. Another: there’s something more substantial on that table.
3. THIS IS NOT AN ABSTRACT LOVE BUT ONE THAT TAKES CARE OF SPECIFIC NEEDS.
- Luke 12:28 – “. . . how much more will He clothe you. . .”
- This is not an abstract love that focuses on nice words but isn’t there for you when you need it.
- God is offering here to take care of specific needs.
- In this verse He mentions making sure we have clothes to wear. In earlier verses (like v. 22), He mentions other needs.
- God is practical. He knows that we have practical needs.
- Story of the house on Corey Dr. and the $40,000.
4. SOME WORDS FOR THOSE STRUGGLIN WITH BEING WORTHLESS OR UNWORTHY: "I am who He says I am.”
- Luke 12:28 – “. . . o you of little faith.”
- Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Sometimes we don’t see the value in ourselves. We see ourselves as worthless or unworthy.
- We need to have the faith to believe that we are who God says we are. I am who God says I am.
- It may require faith for us to believe that because we don’t see the value in ourselves.
- Let me just be clear: I am not saying this as a shallow, mindlessly-happy self-esteem truth that ignores our problems or our sinfulness. We have to face the reality of our problems and our mess-ups.
- But God says that even though I have messed up, I am worthy saving and forgiving and investing in. I am His. He considers me worthy of His love.
- For those of you who struggle with feelings of worthlessness or unworthiness, you need to embrace this truth: you are who God says you are.
- “But I feel worthless.” Your feelings are lying to you! God says you’re valuable enough for His Son to die on a cross for you.
- “But I feel like I’m not worthy of His love.” You’re not worthy of His love! He’s not giving it because of what you did but because of who you are. You’re His creation, His child. He wants you. Tell that thought that it’s lying to you.
