This week we look at “Personal Dignity”. How you value yourself directs how well you take care of yourself. We look at our value from the world’s perspective and God’s viewpoint.
If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?
Do you like who you are?
Why – Why not?
I have had days where I couldn’t stand to look at the guy in the mirror. I didn’t like him at all. When I was in the depth of my addiction – it was much worse.
Write down the names you have been called. Think of the worst things people have said about you. Think of the worst things that you have though about yourself.
Mine was – “I deserve to die today”
Tonight we are discussing personal dignity. What does this mean?
Dignity:
1: the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed
2 a: high rank, office, or position b: a legal title of nobility or honor
3 archaic : dignitary
4: formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance, or language
Root cause of eating disorder: Self Hatred
Eating disorders, cutting, alcoholism, cutting, any destructive, sabatoging yourself, sex addiction, using your body to hurt yourself, giving yourself away
Ecclesiastes 2
16 For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten.
17 So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
18 I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. 19 And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! 20 So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world.
That was me.
Let we read something else
So why didn’t I check out early? Where could I find value in myself?
I was lied to.
I was told that
my value was in my talent
my value was in my looks
my value was in my skills
my value was in my family
my value was in my health
my value was in my job
my value was in my wealth
If you believe those things - you are believing a lie.
Where is your value?
Let’s start over – at the beginning… the very beginning.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…
Genesis 1: 26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
27 So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Created in the image of God.
So what happened… What went wrong?
Sin/Curse
illustration with paper – ugly paper makes ugly copies
So are we broken? redeemable? Can we be saved from this condition?
How can we return to the “Imago Dei”?
Created in the image of God. What does that mean?
Let’s talk about what Jesus said:
Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
When you think about yourself – your self worth – are you weary? Do you carry burdens? Do you want rest?
And when you think – you are not WORTH any effort, that you are not worthy of any help, when you think you are not valuable to anyone – how do these words hit you?
Hebrews 12:2 He is the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
What did he do – to show you how much he values you?
He did that then… and he is still speaking to you today.
John 1:10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him.11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became humans and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.s And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
God loves you and has a plan for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.12 In those days when you pray, I will listen.13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Wayne Walker
Pastor to the Homeless 
