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Message Notes:
THE LIE:
Satan’s lie is self-worth equals performance plus what other people think about us.
4 FALSE BELIEFS:
1. The performance trap. I must meet certain standards to feel good about myself.
2. Approval addict. I must be approved by others to feel good about myself.
3. The blame game. Those who fail are unworthy of love and deserved to be punished.
4. Shame. I am what I am. I cannot change. I am hopeless.
GOAL FOR THIS SERIES:
To find value and worth in Christ, not performance, perfection, success, or approval of others.
This hunger for self-worth is God given, and can only be satisfied by him. Our value is not dependent on earning the fickle acceptance of people. But rather it’s true source is the love and acceptance of God. He alone knows how to fulfill our needs. Satan tricked Eve - said Gods way of thinking was not accurate and that she would be more satisfied by eating the fruit. Eve traded Gods truth for the lie. So did Adam. Man began struggling with self-worth and began the search for significance. Since then, man has tried to find value in what others think. I am who they say I am. Isn’t it funny that we turn to others who have a perspective as limited and darkened as our own to discover our worth rather than just relying on Gods steady uplifting reassurance of who we are. We work so hard to meet their standards. Because our ability to please others dominates our search for significance. Our real value is not based on the approval of others. But in what Gods word says is true of us. (ROBERT MCGEE)
What is an approval addict?
An approval addict feels they must be approved by others to feel good about themselves. They determine their self-worth by what others think… causing them to be addicted to other people’s opinion.
What is God’s answer?
Reconciliation
Reconciliation comes from the Greek family of words that has its roots in allasso…meaning “change” or “exchange.”
MAIN IDEA:
*When we die to ourselves and are born again in Christ, we receive reconciliation. Because of reconciliation, you are totally accepted by God and you no longer have to fear rejection*
Romans 5:6-11 - 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. NIV
2 Cor 5:17 - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” NIV
LET THIS TRUTH SET YOU FREE:
Nothing you can ever do will make you unacceptable to God when you seek his forgiveness.
Eph 1:13-14 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. NIV
1 Cor 13:4-7 – 4 (My Father) is patient, (My Father) is kind. (My Father) does not envy, (My Father) does not boast, (My Father) is not proud. 5 (My Father) does not dishonor others, (My Father) is not self-seeking, (My Father) is not easily angered, (My Father) keeps no record of wrongs. 6 (My Father) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 (My Father) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
ASK YOURSELF:
How much do I really believe each description of my father is…
SUMMARY OF SERIES:
FALSE BELIEFS:
1. The performance trap. I must meet certain standards to feel good about myself.
2. Approval addict. I must be approved by others to feel good about myself.
GOD’S ANSWER:
1. Because of justification. You are completely forgiven and fully pleasing to God. You no longer have to fear failure
2. Because of reconciliation you are totally accepted by God and you no longer have to fear rejection
CHALLENGE:
Promise yourself you will fight Satan’s lie that says self-worth equals performance plus what other people think about you: 1. Identify, 2. Confess, 3. Reject, 4. Replace
If you prayed the prayer to start fresh with God today text “startagain” (one word) to 97000 so we can connect with you and help you take the next steps in this amazing decision.
My Notes:
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