You Are God’s Masterpiece

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Transformed

You Are God’s Masterpiece By Rick Warren — Jan 31, 2015 “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians2:10 NLT) The reason you have value is because of what God says about you, not because of what other people say about you. Many people lack self-esteem. They don’t feel good about themselves because they’re always trying to pump themselves up by the kind of clothes they wear, the kind of car they drive, and the things they say. They’re always trying to pump themselves up to make them feel better about themselves because they really don’t accept themselves — which is rebellion against God. If God wanted you to be somebody else, you wouldn’t exist. But he wanted you! He made you to be you. Real self-esteem comes from three facts: God created you. Jesus died for you. God’s Spirit lives in you. The Bible says, “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). The New Testament was written originally in Greek. The Greek word for “masterpiece” is “poema.” It’s the word we get “poem” from. God says, “You’re my poem. You’re my masterpiece. I don’t want you copying somebody else. I’ve put gifts in you — heart, abilities, personality, and experiences — and I want you to use them.” You have worth because of what God says about you and has done for you. You’re not just wanted; you’re needed! The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, “There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person” (GW). You are needed. You’re needed in your church. You are needed in your community. You are needed in this world. If you weren’t needed, God would not have made you. He didn’t create you to just sit and soak and sour. He brought you here to make a contribution with your life. And everybody is needed. There are no little people in the family of God. Every part is necessary. Do you know what the most important light is in my house? It’s not the big chandelier in the dining room. It’s the little dinky light I turn on every night so that when I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I don’t stub my toe. Every role is important. You are important. You have value because God said so and because he paid such a large ransom for your life when he sent his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for you. Talk It Over What is your role in your church? Your community? In the world? How are you fulfilling it? In what ways have you been trying to boost your self-esteem?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5d_gm9zrnY

Living to Give

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done."
2 Corinthians 9:8, MSG

TODAY'S WORD:

Nothing moves the heart of God quite like taking the time and effort to meet the needs of hurting and desperate people. When you focus on meeting the needs of others, you won't have time to worry about your own needs - which is actually fine since God has promised to take care of your own needs when you spend yourself in behalf of others. The Bible says that God wants to bless you and give you in abundance what you need, so why wouldn't you give? Give anything and everything you can, whether it's time, money, prayer, or just a kind word. So if you want God to satisfy you with every good thing, go out and help somebody in need. Give your life away.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, thank You for giving me so much from Your storehouse of love. Help me to reach out to others, and make their lives more blessed. In Jesus' name. Amen.