Our response
1. Do for others what Jesus does
for us.
a. Jesus removes our guilt
i. we can’t take away others’ guilt; only Jesus can
ii. we can tell them about God’s removal of guilt; “Good News”
iii. most people believe God can’t/won’t forgive them.
b. Jesus works in our behalf
i. our self-worth increases when others do things for us (unless
we’re too
proud)
ii. Jesus intercedes with Father for us
iii. he watches over us, we receive his attention
2. Talk isn’t enough; believing
isn’t enough
a. Jas 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and
faultless is this: to
look after orphans
and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being
polluted by
the world.”
i. pure and faultless religion: look after orphans and widows
ii. Greek word: to look upon, to care for, to exercise oversight
iii. “look after” means to stay in touch, take care of their needs, provide
needed guidance.
b. Jas 2:15-17 “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes
and daily food. If one
of you says
to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does
nothing about
his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by
itself, if it
is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
i. the generous attention we receive from God compels us to
take care of
others.
c. Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this
kind of hard work we
must help the
weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘It is
more blessed
to give than to receive.’”
i. serving others increases our self-worth
d. Mt 25:40 “the King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever
you did for one of
the least of
these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
i. serving the King increases our self-worth.
Discussion Questions (small groups)
1. How does accountability relate
to man’s worth?
a. — change groups —
2. Why do people think Christianity
has a low view of man?
a. — change groups —
3. How do married couples’ role
expectations affect each person’s self-worth? How can
role expectations be clarified?