How Do You Feel About Yourself?
The Modern Theology of Self-Worth
“ I cannot think of a single
psychological problem - from depression to fear of intimacy to criminal
violence - that is not traceable to poor self-concept .”
•
Nathaniel
Brandon, a noted psychotherapist
The Modern Theology of Self-Worth
“The most serious sin is the
one that causes me to say, I am unworthy… For once a person believes that he is
an unworthy sinner, it is doubtful if he can really honestly accept the saving
grace God offers in Jesus Christ.”
•
Robert
Schuller
The Modern Theology of Self-Worth
“As you accept yourself, you
will see yourself as a person who truly deserves the good things in life.. Once
you accept yourself for your true worth, then the symptoms of vulgarity,
profanity, sloppiness, promiscuity, etc. disappear. There my friend goes your
problem.”
•
Zig Ziglar
The Biblical Theology of Self-Worth
Genesis 3:5-6
5 For God
knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be
like God, knowing good and evil."
6 So when the
woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes,
and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also
gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
The Biblical Theology of Self-Worth
1
Corinthians 10:24
24 Let no one
seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
2 Corinthians 5:15
15 and He died
for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him
who died for them and rose again.
The Biblical Theology of Self-Worth
Philippians 2:4-7
4 Let each of
you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others.
5 Let this
mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being
in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made
Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the
likeness of men.
Biblical Expressions of low
Self-Esteem
“whose sandal strap I am not worthy to
loose.”
•
"John the
Baptist (Luke 3:16)
“For I am not worthy that You should
enter under my roof.”
•
The centurion
(Luke 7:6)
“Father, I have sinned against heaven
and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
•
The prodigal son
(Luke 15:21)
“God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
•
The Publican
(Luke 18:13)
The Cross of Jesus & Our Self-Worth
A
Popular Interpretation:
“The death of Christ on the
cross is God’s price tag on a human soul.. it means we really are Somebodies”
•
Robert Schuller
What
is Evidenced in the Cross?
What
is Evidenced in the Cross?
What
was Gained in the Cross?
What
was Gained in the Cross?
Must I Deny Myself?
Matthew 16:24-25
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone
desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow Me.
25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Destructive Misinterpretation of Scripture?
“Are
we to believe that self-denial means the denial of personal pleasure, desire,
fulfillment or prosperity?
For
too long religious leaders have suggested this with tragic results… Such
attitudes are dangerous distortions and destructive misinterpretations of
scattered Bible verses grossly misread by negative-thinking Bible readers who
project their own negative self-image onto the pages of Holy Scripture”
- Robert Schuller
Destructive Misinterpretation of Scripture?
“I
hope my wife will never divorce me,
because I love her with all my heart. But if one day she feels that I am
minimizing her or making her feel inferior or in any way standing in the light
that she needs to become the person that God meant her to be, I hope she’ll
feel free to throw me out even if she’s one hundred. There is something more
important than our staying married, and it has to do with integrity,
personhood, and purpose.”
- Bruce Larsen
What is the Path to True Self-Worth?
2 Corinthians 12:9,10
9 “And He said
to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I
take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in
distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
What is the Path to True Self-Worth?
•
A true
self-worth comes through knowing who God is.
•
A true
self-worth comes through knowing what God has done.
•
A true
self-worth comes through knowing what I have done to please God.
When
I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,
My
richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Upon
the cross of Jesus Mine eye it seems can see,
the
very dying form of One who suffered there for me.
And
from my smitten heart with tears, two wonders I confess,
The
wonders of His glorious love, and my unworthiness.