2\4 Rooted and Ready

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2 Corinthians 8:12 NIV

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

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2\4 Rooted and Ready

Your Unique Role in God's Plan

"Invaluable:

Your Unique Role in God's Plan"

Introduction

Good morning, church. Today, I want to share a message that is crucial and challenging for us to grasp fully. It's a message that I believe has the power to transform not just how we see ourselves, but how we understand our role in God's grand design.

Have you ever felt insignificant, like your presence or contribution doesn't matter much?

If so, you're not alone. This morning, I want to remind you that in God's eyes, you are invaluable, priceless.

Let's begin with a prayer: Father, we thank You for gathering us here today. We pray that Your Word will speak to our hearts, inspiring us to see ourselves as You see us—as vital and irreplaceable parts of Your family. Help us to embrace our calling and live out our purpose in this world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Main Points

Think about that word for a moment: *invaluable*.

It means more than just important or useful. It means irreplaceable, immeasurable in worth, beyond calculation.

And yet, so many of us struggle to believe that about ourselves.

We live in a world that constantly compares, measures, and ranks people by their talents, status, or social media followers.

But in God's Kingdom, things work differently.

Today, we’re going to look at three reasons why you are invaluable to God’s work.

Not because of what you do, but because of who you are and the unique role you play in His grand design.

As we walk through this message, my prayer is that you’ll come to see yourself through God’s eyes.

Whether you feel like a small cog,( gear) in a big machine or someone who doesn’t have much to offer, I want to assure you: God has a place for you, and you are absolutely essential in His plan.

Let’s dive into our first point: You are invaluable because of who you are in Christ.

You Are Invaluable Because of Who You Are

Scripture: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

Psalm 139:13–14 NIV

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Illustration: Imagine a shepherd with 100 sheep, and one wanders off. Does he dismiss it because he has 99 others? No, he leaves the 99 to find the one Luke 15:3-7 . You are that one sheep—so valuable that God pursues you relentlessly.

Luke 15:3–7 NIV

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Illustration of the Lost Coin:

In Luke 15:8-10, Jesus tells the parable of the woman who lost one of her ten silver coins. She sweeps the entire house and searches carefully until she finds it. When she does, she calls her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her. Just like the lost coin, you are incredibly valuable to God, and He rejoices over you.

The Value of a Masterpiece: Imagine finding an old, dusty painting in your attic. At first glance, it may not look like much, but upon closer inspection by an art expert, it turns out to be a priceless masterpiece. You may not always feel valuable, but God, the Master Artist, has created you with infinite worth.

Bible Examples:

David's Anointing: David was the youngest of his brothers, a mere shepherd boy, yet God chose him to be king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:7-13). God saw his heart and valued him not for his outward appearance but for who he was inside.

Zacchaeus: In Luke 19:1-10, Zacchaeus, a tax collector, was despised by society. Yet Jesus saw him, called him down from the tree, and went to his house, showing that Zacchaeus was valuable and loved despite what others thought.

Quote: "God doesn’t love us because we’re valuable. We’re valuable because God loves us." —Martin Luther

You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Your worth isn’t based on your talents, achievements, or even your past.

It’s rooted in the fact that you are a beloved child of God. You are *invaluable* simply because of who you are in Christ.

Call to Action: This week, take time to reflect on your identity in Christ. Spend a few moments each day thanking God for making you uniquely valuable.

When doubts about your worth creep in, remind yourself of Psalm 139:13-14. You are not an accident—you are a masterpiece.

You Are Invaluable Because of Your Unique Gifts

Scripture: "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Illustration:

The human body is made up of many parts, each with a unique function.

The pinky finger, though small, provides 50% of the hand’s strength. Similarly, your role, no matter how seemingly small, is crucial to the body of Christ.

Puzzle Piece: Imagine a large, complex puzzle. Each piece has a unique shape and design. If even one piece is missing, the puzzle is incomplete. Your gifts are like that puzzle piece—without you, the picture God is creating is not whole.

The Body's Nervous System: The nervous system is mostly hidden, but it’s essential for the body to function. Without it, the body would be paralyzed. Likewise, your gifts, though they may not be visible, are crucial to the function of the church.

Bible Examples:

Moses and Aaron:

Moses felt inadequate to speak to Pharaoh because of his speech impediment, so God appointed Aaron as his spokesperson (Exodus 4:10-16). Together, they fulfilled God’s mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, showing that different gifts work together for God’s purposes.

Tabernacle Construction:

In Exodus 31:1-11, God specifically chose Bezalel and Oholiab, skilled artisans, to lead the construction of the Tabernacle. Their unique talents were critical to creating the place where God would dwell among His people.

Quote: "There are no unimportant members of God’s family. Everyone has a role, and when one is missing, the body is incomplete." —Rick Warren

Each one of us has been given gifts and talents that are meant to serve and bless others. Your role may seem small or insignificant, but in God’s eyes, it is vital. Just as every part of the body is needed for it to function properly, your gifts are essential for the church and the world.

Call to Action: Identify your gifts this week and find a way to use them to serve others. Whether it’s volunteering at church, helping a neighbor, or simply encouraging someone, take a step toward using the unique talents God has given you. If you’re unsure of your gifts, pray and ask God to reveal them to you or ask others where they see God working in you.

You Are Invaluable Because You Are Called to Action

Scripture: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Illustration:

Think about a Gideon (ShareWord) who hands out Bibles. They may never see the impact of their work, but that one Bible could change a life, just as one changed mine. You may never know the full extent of your impact, but rest assured, your actions are part of God’s plan.

The Ripple Effect: Imagine dropping a small pebble into a pond. The ripple effect spreads far beyond the point of impact. Similarly, your actions, no matter how small, can create ripples that touch many lives, even those you may never meet.

The Light Bulb: Think about a single light bulb in a dark room. It may seem insignificant by itself, but once turned on, it can illuminate the entire room. Your actions, guided by God’s calling, can bring light to dark places.

Bible Examples:

Esther: Esther was placed in a position of influence as queen “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

Her courage to act saved the Jewish people from destruction, demonstrating how one person’s obedience to God’s call can change the course of history.

The Good Samaritan: In Luke 10:25-37, the Good Samaritan acted when others passed by.

His willingness to stop and help someone in need not only saved a life but also set an example for us to act out of love and compassion in our own lives.

Quote: "God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called." —Anonymous

God didn’t give you these gifts to keep them hidden. You are called to make a difference.

Just like the ripple effect of a stone thrown into a pond, your actions can influence and impact the world around you.

Remember, it’s not about big, flashy actions—it’s about faithfully stepping into the opportunities God places before you

Call to Action: This week, look for one person or one situation where you can make a difference. It could be offering a word of encouragement, lending a helping hand, or simply showing love to someone who feels unnoticed. Trust that even the smallest act, done in love, can have a big impact in God’s Kingdom.

Final Challenge

As we enter this week, remember that you are invaluable to God’s work—not just because of what you do but because of who you are.

You are uniquely gifted and positioned to make a difference. Let’s commit together to see ourselves through God’s eyes, to embrace our roles in His Kingdom, and to step into the action He’s calling us to take.

Conclusion

As we wrap up, remember this: you are not just another face in the crowd.

You are an invaluable part of God's plan.

Your presence, your gifts, your actions—they all matter deeply to God and to the body of Christ.

If you’ve been feeling insignificant or unworthy, it’s time to wake up to the truth.

You have a purpose that only you can fulfil.

Practical Applications

Reflect on Your Gifts: Spend time in prayer this week asking God to reveal the unique gifts He has placed within you.

Get Involved: If you’re not already serving in some capacity, find a ministry or outreach opportunity where you can use your gifts to make a difference.

Encourage Others: Recognize and affirm the gifts in those around you. Sometimes, all someone needs is a word of encouragement to step into their God-given role.

Let's close in prayer. Father, thank You for the reminder that we are all invaluable to Your work. Help us to see our worth in You, to use the gifts You’ve given us, and to step out in faith to make a difference. Give us the courage to live out our calling and be a light to those around us. May we never forget that we are a part of something much greater than ourselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Talk It Over (TIO) Guide

Quick Summary of the Sermon:

This sermon emphasized the profound truth that each one of us is invaluable to God’s work. We explored how our value is intrinsic because we are God’s children, how our unique gifts play a critical role in the body of Christ, and how we are called to take action, using our gifts to serve others and fulfill God’s purposes. Through illustrations and scripture, we learned that even the smallest contributions can make a significant impact in God's kingdom.

Key Verses:

Main Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:27 - "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

Psalm 139:13-14

Luke 15:4-7

Exodus 31:1-11

Esther 4:14

Ephesians 2:10

Conversation Starters and Questions

Level 1: Start Talking (Spark Conversation)

What’s something you’ve done recently that made you feel valuable?

Have you ever completed a puzzle with a missing piece? How did it make you feel?

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

Level 2: Start Thinking (Deepen the Thought)

What do you think it means to be “invaluable” in God’s eyes?

How does knowing that you are a unique part of the body of Christ influence how you see yourself and others?

Why do you think people often struggle to see their own value in the church or in God's plan?

Level 3: Start Sharing (Open Hearts, Share Stories)

Can you share a time when you felt like your contribution didn’t matter, but later realized it had a bigger impact than you thought?

How has someone else’s seemingly small act of kindness or service made a difference in your life?

Share a story of when you felt God calling you to step out and use your gifts. How did you respond?

Level 4: Start Doing (Commit to Act)

This week, take some time to reflect on the gifts God has given you. How can you use them to serve others in your church or community?

Identify one person in your life who might be struggling to see their own value. Reach out to them with words of encouragement or an act of kindness.

Read Ephesians 2:10 and pray about how you can live out the good works God has prepared for you. Consider journaling your thoughts and sharing them with the group next week.