Sermon Central
-
Part 7 - Self-Esteem Series
Contributed by Pastor Bruce A. Shields on Mar 24, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Part 7 of our series looks at where we get our Self-esteem. If we get it from any other place but God, we are setting ourselves up for low self-esteem.
They Must be Giants
7 – Self-Esteem
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Ministries
www.PS127.org
WELCOME
INTRODUCTION
Most of us are all familiar with the story of David & Goliath.
We are continuing our series entitled “They Must be Giants!”
We have spoken on;
† David & Goliath
† Unforgiveness
† Fear
† Anger
† Hate
† Flesh vs. Spirit
SCRIPTURE READING
“13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”
PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT AND UNDERSTANDING
How does our world place value on people?
Physical beauty, Money, Accomplishment.
By comparing yourself with others.
That’s how many get the value of themselves.
However, if it does not line up with the word of God, it needs to be changed.
There is no biblical guarantee that you will automatically receive healthy feelings about yourself when you accept Jesus as Your Savior. Some people do, but many do not.
If fact some Christians mistakenly label good feelings about themselves as pride or conceit -traits that God hates Proverbs 21:4.
These people resist any feelings of healthy self-worth and zealously defend their feelings of worthlessness under the guise of being humble, spiritual and Biblical.
In the church I think we have mistakenly confused the human self with the carnal self when we talk about it being put to death.
The carnal self is the unredeemed part that has wrapped itself around the human self to control it. The carnal self can be destroyed, but not the human self. I see it as a tension between two verses - “I can do all things through Christ” and “Apart from me you can do nothing”
Joe Namath
Few of us look in the mirror and come to the conclusion of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath. During his heyday as a player, Namath wrote a book titled I Can’t Wait Until Tomorrow... ‘Cause I Get Better-Looking Every Day.
Our Daily Bread, March-May, 1996, p. for March 9
Or the old Mac Davis Song, “Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way... “
But how we view ourselves should be how God views us.
God has already established our value, we just need to acknowledge and recognize it.
I. Creation itself establishes your Value
“27 So God created people in his own image;
God patterned them after himself;
male and female he created them”
You are the crown jewel of God’s creation.
Josh McDowell
“A healthy self-image is seeing yourself the way God sees you-no more no less.”
Building your self esteem.
Valuable Necklace
An American tourist in Paris, who purchased an inexpensive amber necklace in a trinket shop, was shocked when he had to pay quite a high duty on it to clear customs in New York. This aroused his curiosity, so he had it appraised. After looking at the object under a magnifying glass, the jeweler said, “I’ll give you $25,000 for it.” Greatly surprised, the man decided to have another expert examine it. When he did, he was offered $10,000 more. “What do you see that’s so valuable about this old necklace?” asked the astonished man. “Look through this glass,” replied the jeweler. There before his eyes was an inscription: ““From Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine.” The value of the necklace came from its identification with a famous person.
II The Price of Your Salvation Establishes your worth.
“19 Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
1 Peter 1:18, 19
