Introduction

• We may think less of ourselves and lower our expectations of ourselves.
• God think about us differently than we think of ourselves.
• Psalms 40:5
• Jeremiah 29:10-13
• God has plans for us also!

In God’s eyes we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

• Life should leave us awestruck!
• Ecclesiastes 11:5
  • At 3 weeks
    • The heart begins beating
  • At 6 weeks
    • The heart and its four chambers are fully formed.
    • The first brain waves are detected.
  • At 7 weeks
    • Hands, feet, arms, legs, and all major organs are detectable.
  • At 8 weeks
    • Most major body systems are in place.
    • The brain is highly complex.
    • Right or left hand dominance is detectable.
• Psalms 139:13-18
• Jeremiah 1:5 - God knows us before we are born!
• We are all special!

In God’s eyes we are of great value.

• We should see our own value based on how God sees us.
• Luke 12:6-7
• John 3:16 - This is our value!
• We must stop thinking we are of less value than the value that God places on us.

In God’s eyes we are new creatures.

• New creatures through Christ.
  • I Corinthians 5:17-19; John 3:3-6
  • If you’ve changed from a caterpillar to a butterfly, why would you go back to acting like a caterpillar?
• No longer the former man
  • I Timothy 1:12-16; Philippians 3:4-12, 20-21

In God’s eyes, we are more than conquerors.

• Romans 8:35-39
• Royalty - I Peter 2:9-10
• His workmanship - Ephesians 2:10

Poem: “The Mirror”

Introduction

• II Corinthians 10:12, 18
• Should I be satisfied with the work we are doing now?
• Philippians 3:17

Close spiritual relationships

• Acts 1:12-14
• Luke 24:49
• Acts 2:37, 41-43, 47 - They were united by the gospel.
• Acts 9:31
• Acts 5:41—42 - Their focus was spiritual matters and teaching the gospel.
• Philippians 4:15-16
• What can we do to encourage those who are working for God?
• What prevents us from growing closer to our brethren?

Profound generosity and hospitality

• Mark 12:41-44
• What more can I be doing beyond my contribution to the local church?
• Acts 2:44; 4:32-37
• They had a completely new view of their worldly possessions.
• Acts 11:27
• I John 3:16-18
• I Corinthians 13:3
• How can we find out about others’ needs?

Tested by fire, purified like gold

• I Peter 1:6-7
• James 1:2-4
• Acts 4:1-4, 18-21 - The more persecution there was, the faster the gospel spread.
• Acts 8:1-4
• Acts 12:1-5
• Let us fill our time with selflessly serving others.

• Matthew 5:18 - The iota is the smallest letter in the Greek or Hebrew alphabets.
• There are at least 400 different translations of the Bible. There are an estimated 5.8 billion copies of the Bible currently in existence.
• Are you are peace with where you are right now?
  • Philippians 3:20
  • I John 2:15, 17
  • Hebrews 13:14
  • I Peter 2:2
  • Colossians 3:2
  • Romans 12:2
  • Are you confident you have an eternal home ahead of you?
• How much time do people spend on social media per day?
  • 1 hour per day = half a month per year
  • 2 hours per day = 1 month per year
  • 3 hours per day = 45 days per year
  • 4 hours per day = 2 months per year
• If you timed how long you spend in prayer every day, how would that balance out with social media?
  • Luke 9:23
  • James 4:7
  • I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Luke 20 (continued)

Luke 20:45-47 - Beware of the scribes

• Jesus warned about the scribes because they were influential in society. They knew the Law of Moses, but were leading people astray. They were not properly caring for widows (“devouring” their houses) and actign pious in public just for show.

Luke 21

Luke 21:1-4 - The poor widow’s offering

• Percentage-wise, the widow was putting in significantly more than the wealthy.

Luke 21:5-36 - Jesus prophesies about wars and persecution

• Luke 21:13 - Persecution was coming, but it would be an opportunity for them to bear witness of Jesus.
• Luke 21:34-36 - Jesus warned them to not get so involved in worldly things that they missed the signs they should be watching for.

Introduction

• Genesis 26:3
• Exodus 33:14
• Joshua 1:5 - “I will be with you”
• Luke 13:22-28
• Fathers should be there! Fathers matter.

Step up and deliver fatherly love!

• Ephesians 6:4
• Philippians 3:17 - Follow good examples.
• It is our job as fathers to be there and be that example.
• I Timothy 5:8, 14 - A father must do more than just bring home a paycheck.
• I Timothy 3:4-5 - If you’re only bringing home a paycheck, how would you be qualified to be an elder?

Don’t underestimate the influence your love has on your family.

• I John 3:16
• Matthew 18:21-22, 27, 30-35 - Be gracious with others!
• Your grace will set the tone in your family.
• I Thessalonians 2:5-12 - Paul was there to encourage and show tender love, just like a father should.

• Baptist press survey:
  • “If a child is the first person in a household to become a Christian, there is a 3.5 percent probability everyone else in the household will follow.
  • If the mothers is the first to become a Christian, there is a 17 percent probability everyone else in the household will follow.
  • But if the father is first, there is a 93 percent probability everyone else in the household will follow.”

Learn how to say “No.”

• I Samuel 3:13; 2:33 - Eli talked to his sons, but did not do enough to correct their behavior.
• Colossians 3:21
• Hebrews 12:7-11
• As fathers, we must make sure discipline is present in the house.
• Proverbs 13:24 - Discipline is what you do for children you love.
• Proverbs 19:18; 23:13; 29:15-17
• A child who has always gotten what he wants will have trouble submitting to God.