Seeing Ourselves As God Sees Us Title Slide: Seeing Ourselves As GOD Sees Us! (Rom.12:3) “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” {Romans 12:3}

Thinking too little of ourselves Thinking too much of ourselves “If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? (1 Corinthians 12:15-16) “And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." (1 Corinthians 12:21) We must find the right balance. Sometimes we think TOO LITTLE of ourselves. (1 Cor.12:15,16) It is a mistake to believe we don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. (Elders, deacons, preachers, men only?) Another problem is thinking TOO MUCH of ourselves. (1 Cor.12:21). Sometimes, we think we’re more important than others—this too is unprofitable. Explain striving for the perfect balance.

Learning to See Ourselves As God Sees Us “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13) Learning to See Ourselves As God Sees Us! Remember, God see the real you. (Heb.4:13) The heart is an open book. He knows our desires, motives, and every thought of our minds. Nothing is hidden; what He sees is the inner you.

Our Nature Made in God’s image We are persons – not things. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) We are persons – not things. We have dignity and honor. God’s created children We have value and worth Our Nature What is Our Nature? First, we are made in the image of God. (Gen.1:26,27) We are not simply things—we are people. We have dignity and honor. We are God’s created children. We have worth and value. Only ones created to have fellowship with God. (1 Cor.1:9)

Our Sins David’s attitude Psalms 26:2 Psalms 139:1 Psalms 139:23-24 We need God’s help to see our sins as they really are. Psalms 19:12-13 Our Sins What about Our Sins? We know we have them. (Rom.3:23; 1 Jno.1:8) Why not adopt the attitude of David? Psa.26:2—examine me and prove me; 139:1—He searches me and knows me. 139:23,24—know my heart to see if any wickedness resides. We need God’s help to see our sins as they really are… Psa.19:12,13—cleanse my secret faults and “presumptuous sins.” (defined) Presumptuous –too bold or forward; showing overconfidence; taking liberties.

Weaknesses and Strengths We all have unique strengths and weaknesses. Look at self and others “beneath the surface.” 1 Samuel 16:7 John 7:24 2 Corinthians 5:16,17 Our Weaknesses and Strengths Our Weakness and Strengths. All have unique strengths and weaknesses. What may be a problem to one person may not even tempt another. Look at self and others “beneath the surface.” Be careful about arriving at false conclusions. (Jno.7:24). 1 Sam.16:7—God only judges the heart. 1 Cor.5:16,17—we have a different standard—a new creation

Our Worth Our Potential People have more value than other creatures. Matthew 6:26 Matthew 10:29-31 Our Worth Our Potential God sees possibilities. Others may also. Revelation 3:8 Acts 9:15,16 Remember, people have more value than God’s other creation. OUR WORTH: Matt.6:26—more value than birds or any other created being. Matt.10:29-31—the hairs of our heads are numbered. What about OUR POTENTIAL? God sees possibilities—other may see too. Rev.3:8—God saw great things ahead for the church in Philadelphia. When He opened the door of opportunity, no one could shut it. Acts 9:15,16—Ananias may have known about Saul’s record, but the Lord saw something else that would be useful in His work.

Learn to see yourself as God sees you. What we have been What we are What we can be We need to see ourselves as those whom God chose to redeem “with the precious blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18,19) Summary—Invitation… Learn to see yourself as God sees you.