The Direction Of Worth Series

THE DIRECTION OF WORTH

Acts 13:42-52 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

INTRODUCTION: IN PSALM 3, DAVID IS RUNNING FROM HIS SON ABSALOM. IT IS THIS SCENARIO, WHICH PROMPTS THE WRITING OF THIS PSALM; A PSALM THAT EXPRESSES GOD’S RELATIONSHIP TO DAVID AS PROTECTOR DURING THIS TIME OF TURMOIL. IN VERSE THREE, WE READ THESE WORDS, “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.” WHAT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEE IS THAT DAVID SAYS GOD HAS BESTOWED GLORY ON HIM. WHAT HE IS SPEAKING ABOUT IS THE WORTH OR VALUE GOD HAS REGARDING HIM. THIS ISSUE OF WORTH IS OUR FOCUS THIS MORNING.

WE ARE OF GREAT WORTH TO GOD – EVEN IF WE DO NOT REALIZE IT OURSELVES. AT THE SAME TIME THERE ARE MANY IN THE WORLD TODAY THAT DOUBT THEIR INNATE WORTH, OR DENY THEIR WORTH, OR EVEN REJECT THEIR WORTH!

TRANSITION: YET, IN THIS WORLD OF FLUCTUATING WORTH, WE ARE CHARGED – AS WERE PAUL AND BARNABAS WITH COMMUNICATING THE WORTH GOD PLACES IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TO A WORLD THAT EITHER EMBRACES, DOUBTS OR DENIES THEIR WORTH!

WORTH DETERMINED

ACTIONS ARE AMAZING THINGS TO WATCH. THERE IS A FRENZY OF ACTIVITY THAT CAN ERUPT AT A MOMENTS NOTICE THAT BRINGS A GROUP OF PEOPLE INTO A BIDDING WAR FOR WHAT WE MAY SAY IS LITTLE MORE THAN A DUST COLLECTOR, BUT THEY WOULD SEE IMMENSE VALUE IN. AS THE AUCTIONEER CONTINUES, THESE PARTICIPANTS DECLARE THE WORTH OF EVERY ITEM BY THEIR BIDS TO OBTAIN IT

FOR ALL OF MANKIND, GOD, MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE HAS ESTABLISHED OUR WORTH AND VALUE

OUR WORTH IS EXPRESSED IN THE DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS FOR US. WE JUST FINISHED CELEBRATING THIS EVENT LAST SUNDAY.

OUR VALUE IS SEEN IN WHERE GOD WOULD ULTIMATELY HAVE US RESIDE.

WE PUT OUR MOST VALUABLE THINGS IN SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES OR SAFES.

GOD PUT HIS MOST VALUABLE POSSESSIONS IN HEAVEN! THERE IS NO MORE SECURE A PLACE THAN HEAVEN

Matthew 6:19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

THERE IS NO PLACE ON EARTH IMMUNE TO DECAY OR THEFT

THERE NO PLACE FOR DECAY OR THEFT IN HEAVEN!

GOD EXPRESSED OUR WORTH IN

CREATION

INCARNATION – SENT HIS SON TO SAVE US

REDEMPTION – ACCEPTED THE CROSS WORK OF CHRIST

COMMUNICATION – GAVE US A WAY TO HEAR AND A WAY TO SPEAK THE GOSPEL

PATIENCE – WITH EVERY MOMENT HE WAITS, IS A MOMENT WHERE HE SAYS THERE IS STILL TIME TO SPEAK TO ONE MORE ABOUT THE GIFT OF SALVATION!

ILLUSTRATION: IN 1911, THE MONA LISA TURNED UP MISSING AND COULD NOT BE FOUND FOR TWO YEARS.

IT HAD BEEN STOLEN.

BUT AN INTERESTING PHENOMENON OF HUMAN NATURED OCCURRED. IN THE TWO YEARS OF ITS ABSENCE, MORE PEOPLE LOOKED AT THE SPOT WHERE IT PREVIOUSLY RESTED THAN ACTUALLY SAW THE MONA LISA IN THE TWO YEARS PREVIOUS TO ITS THEFT.

MANY OF US SPEND OUR LIVES CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO NOT HAVE THAN WHAT WE DO HAVE. WE DO NOT SEE OUR OWN VALUE AND AS SUCH SEARCH FOR IT