Hello, My Name is…: Valuable and Lovable

Hello, My Name is…: Valuable and Lovable

Introduction

From the beginning God has considered His creation good.  This is a promise we can believe in and a promise we can take to the bank.  The enemy will try to tell you that you do not matter.  That you are not valuable.  That you deserve no respect.  That you are not lovable. No matter what you have done.  No matter what mistakes you have made.  No matter what anyone else says about you… God believes that you are valuable and lovable. 

He believes this so much so that He sent His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ to die for us so that we may have eternal life with Him.  God will never forsake any of us.  He loves you with a love that only He can offer.  He believes in your value.  We need to believe this promise so that we can love others and express our love for God the Father.

Tonight we are going to cover:

-       You Are Valuable

-       You Are Respectable

-       You Are Lovable

God desires that we are successful.  In our success we bring God glory, honor, and praise.  To be successful we need to realize that in Christ we are valuable, respectable, and lovable.   When we rightfully bring God these in worship and thanksgiving we point others to the greatness of God. 

(1)  You Are Valuable

What makes something valuable?  Is it something that is rare?  Is it something that is precious?  Is it something that we cannot do without?  Just what does make something valuable?  Who determines whether something is valuable?

Luke 12:24 (NIV): 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

God desires that we are free from worry and anxiety.  God will make sure that we have everything that we need.  Now this is not to be confused with those things that we desire as wants.  God will give us those things that are good for us.  He will never give us what will not be good for us.  Jesus tells the disciples here that we are to trust God.  If God will provide for the birds, then we can rest in the promise that He will provide for our needs as well. 

God believes that we are valuable.  To God we are priceless. 

(2)  You Are Respectable

What does “esteem” mean?  When we hear about being esteemed what are we talking about?  We are talking about respect.  There are many people though who do not feel that they deserve this respect.  But Scripture reminds us that we are worthy of respect.  Daniel writes something about the angels that is not found anywhere else in Scripture.  The good angels do battle with evil angels in defense of men.

Daniel 10:19 (NIV): 19“Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

Earlier in this 10^th chapter of Daniel we hear that Daniel has no strength.  Daniel repeatedly spoke of his weakness and prayed for his need to be strengthened.  There are times when we feel weak and God loves us so much that He provides strength in those times we feel weakest and lacking respect. 

(3)  You Are Lovable

God loves us.  God’s love is constant.  It is not today I love you and tomorrow I don’t.  It is not conditional love based on what you do.  God’s love is unconditional and constant.  God’s love is consistent. 

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV): 10Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Here mountains are talking about the world.  The world may fall apart.  The hills may come down.  But God’s love and His promises are permanent.  We are redeemed, forgiven, and accounted righteous by Christ’s sacrifice.

Conclusion

God desires that we come to Him and bring Him glory, praise, and honor.  There is rejoicing in heaven every time a person repents and turns to God and believes in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son and our Lord and Savior.  In God’s promises all throughout Scripture we are reminded that we are valuable because He loves all of us and He has accepted you in Christ.  In Christ we are free to live as God intended us to live. 

Why does God love us in this way?  Because He finds the value in each and every one of us as His children.  God will always love us with a love that honestly we do not deserve.  God loves us so much that as recorded in John 3:16, He sent His only son to save us by a death on a cross to pay a price that we could not pay.  There is nothing that we can do to earn the love except receive the gift of faith through God’s grace and love.  We can never “do” enough to earn this type of unconditional love.  That is why we need Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

God surrounds us with His love.  His love which is constant, unfailing, and not dependent on what we do or do not do.  In God’s eyes in Christ we are valuable and we are lovable no matter what we have done.

Prayer

Heavenly Father.  Your everlasting and permanent Word promises that we are Your children.  Let your Holy Word remind us that in Christ You see each of us as valuable and lovable.  Let us be reminded that Your love is never ending, always abounding, and never changing.  Your love is not based on what we do.  Amen!