R - Ecognize My Net-Worth (Part 4) Series

Recognize My Net-Worth

Series, “Being Spiritual without being Religious” – Part 4

Pastor Jeff Christopherson

October 10, 2004

Start with Authenticity…

Preserve my Personality…

Investigate the Ground Zero of Faith…

Recognize my Net Worth…

Experience a faith that is confident of my God-given value.

val•ue \val-yü\ noun from Latin valēre to be worth, be strong. 1 : the monetary worth of something : marketable price. 2 : something (as a principle or quality) intrinsically valuable or desirable.

a p p r a i s i n g m y v a l u e :

seeing ‘me’ through God’s eyes

(Peter’s example)

1. Jesus is in my corner…

And I’ve been invited into God’s presence.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Peter and Jesus…

“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”). He immediately led him to Jesus. Jesus took one look up and said, “You’re John’s son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock”).” John 1:40-42 (Message)

 Satan destroys my value…

(he is described as the ‘accuser of believers’.) see Revelation 12:10

 Jesus reinforces my value…

(He is described as the ‘interceder for believers’.) see Hebrews 7:25

1. Jesus is in my corner…

2. Jesus calls me, ‘bud!’

And I’ve been included in the family business.

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15

Peter and Jesus…

Matthew 16:13-18 (Message)

“My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret…”

‘name-dropping’ A method of letting others know that we have important friends.

Think about this; God is so proud of you that in heaven He drops your name and includes you in what He is doing.

1. Jesus is in my corner…

2. Jesus calls me, ‘bud!’

3. Jesus paid my tab.

I’ve been forgiven by God Himself.

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:13-15

Peter and Jesus…

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” John 21:15-17a

My value is not found in my personal ‘worthiness,’ but in my eternal worth (the price the Father was willing to pay for me.)

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:32-35

1. Jesus is in my corner…

2. Jesus calls me, ‘bud!’

3. Jesus paid my tab.

4. Jesus picked me first!

And my ‘reason-to-be’ is found in my friendship with Jesus.

“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil.” John 15:19 (Message)

Peter and Jesus…

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17b

Scripture passages from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.

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Digging Deeper @ Home Church: appraising value

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1. What is the biggest ‘travesty of justice’ that you’ve experienced?

What feelings do you have when someone seems to ‘get away with murder?’ Why?

2. Take a few minutes and understand the concept of ‘justification’.

• Justification is a gift given through the grace of God (Rom. 3:24) and takes place the moment we place our faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 4:2; 5:1).