1 Timothy 1:15 How true it is, and how I long that everyone should know it, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - and I was the greatest of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as an example to show everyone how patient he is with even the worst sinners, so that others will realize that they, too, can have everlasting life. The Living Bible
How people determine their value...
1. Appearance: How good do I look?
2. Affluence: How much am I worth?
3. Achievement: How much have I done?
4. Approval: How much am I liked?
Flaws of determining your value the wrong way...
1. Appearance: Our beauty fades
2. Affluence: Our possessions wear out
3. Achievement: Our successes are surpassed
4. Approval: Our affirmation stops coming
Jesus knows us and still loves us
Luke 19:1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. New International Version
Luke 19:3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. New International Version
Luke 19:5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. New International Version
Luke 19:7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” New International Version
Luke 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” New International Version
Luke 19:9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” New International Version
Four ways you matter to God...
1. Jesus notices you no matter how small you feel
Luke 12:6 “Five sparrows are sold for only two pennies, and God does not forget any of them. 7 But God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. Don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows. New Century Version
Four ways you matter to God...
2. Jesus wants you no matter what you’ve done
Four ways you matter to God...
3. Jesus knows you no matter who ignores you
Isaiah 49:15Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for a child she has borne? Even if that were possible, I would never forget you! 16 See, I have engraved your name on the palms of my hands… New Living Translation
Four ways you matter to God...
4. Jesus affirms you no matter what others say
Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me. New Century Version