Max Lucado - Here is Why You Matter to God
Summary:
The preacher passionately reminds listeners that every human being matters deeply to God because we are uniquely created in His image, bearing His likeness unlike anything else in creation. Rooted in Genesis 1:26, he stresses that this divine image, though distorted by sin, remains indelible and defines our inherent worth. The powerful conclusion is that recognizing ourselves and others as God’s image bearers should shape how we view our value, treat people with dignity, and transform society with kindness and respect.
From My Home to Yours
From my home to yours, all the very best. Beginning on Monday, September the 14th, we’re going to do something that I think is really fun. We’re going to journey through the Gospel of John together. We’re going to base this study in part on a brand new book of mine called *You Are Never Alone*. This book releases on September the 14th.
Journey Through John
We’re going to spend the entire fall walking through the Gospel of John, based in part on this book. Now, if you want to get the book, that’d be great. You can order it online or go to your favorite bookstore. But if you don’t want to get the book, it’s still going to be a great study. What’s important, folks, is that we hang in there in these difficult days.
Staying Strong in Christ
Okay, we’re going to stay strong, we’re going to stay focused, we’re going to keep our eyes set on Christ, and we’re going to do that in part based on the Gospel of John. That begins September 14th. Today, if you’ve got about 10 minutes, I’d like to tell you why you matter to God.
A Reminder You Might Need
Now, maybe you don’t need that reminder. If that’s no problem, just post your prayer needs right there on the page before you slip out. We want to pray for you. But if you could use that reminder like many of us could, I’m thinking about a wonderful passage from the first chapter of the first book in the Bible.
Made in God’s Image
Where God said, «Let us make human beings in our own image, and let us make them reflecting our nature.» Or in our image, so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, for the cattle, and yes, earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of the earth. You remember that beautiful declaration of God from Genesis chapter 1, verse 26?
Image Bearers of God
Now, embedded in that declaration is the most wonderful of promises. I mean, it’s wonderful, and that is God made us to reflect the image of God. We’re image bearers. God made us to be more like Him than anything else. Have you ever thought about this? He never declared, «Let us make the oceans in our image, » or «Let us make birds in our likeness.»
Uniquely Created
The heavens above reflect the glory of God, but they do not bear the image of God. They were not made in the image of God, yet you were. We are. And, dear friend, there’s no exception to this promise—no exception. Every man, every woman, born or pre-born, rich or poor, urban or rural, is made in the image of God.
Sin Distorts but Doesn’t Destroy
Now, some suppress it; others enhance it. But we were all made in it, all made in God’s image. I know sin has distorted this image; it has, but it has not destroyed it. Our moral purity has been tainted and compromised, no doubt. Our intellect is polluted by foolish ideas, and we have fallen prey to the elixir of self-promotion rather than God promotion.
God’s Promise Remains
The image of God is sometimes difficult to discern, but do not think, friend, do not think for a moment that God has rescinded His great and precious promise. He has not altered His plan; He still creates people in His image. He still creates people to bear His likeness, to reflect His glory.
Where True Value Comes From
Now, I think this is important. I think it’s important to say that pop psychology is wrong when it tells you to look inside yourself and find your value. I believe the magazines are missing it when they tell you and suggest that you’re only as good as you are thin or muscular or pimple-free or perfumed.
The World Misleads Us
The movies mislead us when they imply that our value increases as our stamina, intelligence, or net worth increases. Religious leaders lie. They lie when they urge you to grade your significance according to church attendance, self-discipline, or spirituality. Listen, friend, according to the Bible—according to the Bible—you are good.
You Are Cherished by God
This is the promise of God. According to the Bible, you are good simply because you’re made in His image, and He cherishes you. He cherishes you because you bear a semblance to Him. Would you please let this truth find its way into your heart? You were conceived by God before you were conceived by your parents.
Loved Before You Were Known
You were loved in heaven before anybody loved you or knew you on earth. You’re not an accident; you’re not a random fluke of genetics or evolution. You aren’t defined by the number of—I don’t know—the pounds you weigh, or followers you have, or car you drive, or clothes that you wear.
Your Worth Doesn’t Depend on Status
CEO or unemployed, it doesn’t matter. Hot list or not list, it doesn’t matter. Blue blood or orphaned, friend, it doesn’t matter. High IQ or low, it doesn’t matter. First string or bench warmer—that doesn’t matter. You are being made. You are being made into God’s image.
A Jewel Purchased by Christ
Now, just print that on your resume: you’re a diamond, you’re a rose, you’re a jewel. You’ve been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, the most precious commodity in the history of the universe, and in the eyes of God, you are worth dying for. Please let this truth define the way you see yourself, please, and please let this truth define the way you see others.
Seeing Others as Image Bearers
You see, every person you see today, every person you see was created by God to bear His image, and every person you see deserves to be treated with dignity and respect because they are an image bearer of God. This means that all people—all people—deserve to be seen for who they are, who they were intended to be: image bearers of the Almighty God.
Impact on Society
Can you imagine the impact this promise would have upon our society if we embraced it? Can you imagine? I mean, what civility it would engender, what kindness it would foster. Friend, racism will not long flourish when people believe that their neighbor bears God’s image.
No Room for Abuse or Neglect
The fire of feuds will have no fuel when people believe that their adversaries are God’s idea. Will a man abuse a woman? Not if he believes that she bears the stamp of God. Will a boss neglect an employee? No, not if she believes that the employee bears a divine spark.
Valuing Every Person
Will society write off the indigent, the mentally ill, the inmate on death row, or the refugee? No, not if we believe—I mean truly believe—that every human being is God’s idea and He has no bad ideas. Parents and grandparents, we get this, don’t we?
A Grandfather’s Love
I can still recall a wonderful moment in which my daughter came into my study a few years back. I was actually studying for a sermon, and my daughter Jenna came in and she told us that she was pregnant with our first grandchild. Now, long before Jenna gave birth to Rosie, I loved Rosie. I already loved her.
Unconditional Love
I had not seen her, but I loved her. She had done nothing to earn my love, but I loved her. I mean, she’d never—I don’t know—brought me coffee or called me Papa or drawn me a picture. She’d never sung me a song; she’d never danced me a dance. She’d done absolutely nothing, but I loved her.
Because She Is Mine
I loved her; I already loved her. There was nothing I would not do for her, nothing whatsoever, and that’s not hyperbole. You grandparents get that; you parents get that. Now, why? Why did I love her so? Because she was mine, and she is mine.
God’s Everlasting Love
Now, why does God love you? Why does God love you with this everlasting love? Why can we be so confident in God’s love? Friend, it has nothing to do with you; it has everything to do with whose you are. You’re His. You’re His. You carry a part of Him; there is something of Him in you.
Disregard the Lies
He made you in His image; He stamped His name on your heart; He breathed life into your lungs. Now, someone along the line called you a lost cause, right? They branded you as a failure, right? Someone dismissed you as insignificant or unimportant. Friend, disregard those lies; disregard them.
A Divine Spark Within
There is a divine spark inside of you, and when you say yes to God, He blows on that holy ember, and it begins to flame, and it grows day by day. It grows within you. Are you perfect? No. But I’ve got to tell you, you’re being made perfect.
Stand on God’s Promise
He bought you; He owns you, and He has this wild and inexplicable love for you. His love for you does not depend on you; it doesn’t. His love for you depends on Him. You’re God’s child, God’s idea, created in God’s image. That’s God’s promise to you. Stand strong on that promise today. God bless you.