Elements City Church
Inward (love yourself.)
We're taking 3 weeks to examine what Jesus said matters most! All of us already live within this movement that Jesus is speaking too as he replied to the question: ‘what is the greatest commandment? - All of us currently relate to God in a certain way, all of us treat ourselves in a certain way and all of us relate to others in a certain way. Jesus isn’t calling us to do something out of the ordinary – but he is calling us toward a divine movement of love in the way we relate with God, ourselves and others. We each have room to grow in our love for God (upward), for ourselves (inward) and for others (outward).
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Thanks for joining us...
We pray that tonight would be encouraging for you. If you're a guest here with us we want to invite you to our 10 Minute Party immediately following service. We'd love to meet you, and we have a free gift just for you. Click the link below to see THE WEEKLY - our digital announcements/info for all things happening in and around Elements, or find everything you need in our app.
http://elem.cc/weeklyLOVE MATTERS MOST to Jesus – he says so. We want to lean into what Jesus said is – THE MOST IMPORTANT THING… all centered upon God’s real love growing within us, into this love movement that’s Upward, Inward and Outward simultaneously.
Love God most, Love ourselves rightly, Love others really well.
Love God most, Love ourselves rightly, Love others really well.
Q) What do you see when you look into a mirror?
series bottom line:
It’s God’s love that empowers us too love!
(to love him back / love ourselves rightly / and love others well)
It’s God’s love that empowers us too love!
(to love him back / love ourselves rightly / and love others well)
Tonight: INWARD love --- learning to love ourselves rightly.
When it comes to finding, discovering our value and worth – within our society, almost always, our culture says: our value derives from
= WHAT WE DO, WHAT WE HAVE OR WHAT WE ACCOMPLISH.
But the Scriptures declare that to LOVE ourselves rightly – that requires embracing our true identity as the Beloved of God. To lean into the words of love God speaks over us and embrace that as our true identity.
According to God: our identity is not based on production, but based on what has been provided! = Jesus – God provided Jesus for us, to show us our value and worth to himself.
When it comes to finding, discovering our value and worth – within our society, almost always, our culture says: our value derives from
= WHAT WE DO, WHAT WE HAVE OR WHAT WE ACCOMPLISH.
But the Scriptures declare that to LOVE ourselves rightly – that requires embracing our true identity as the Beloved of God. To lean into the words of love God speaks over us and embrace that as our true identity.
According to God: our identity is not based on production, but based on what has been provided! = Jesus – God provided Jesus for us, to show us our value and worth to himself.
“As I have loved you” (Jesus’ love went first).
...in these words of reminder, Jesus reflects on both His past loving involvement with his disciples, as well as, His soon approaching demonstration of ultimate love at Calvary.
The Cross - is THE key to knowing our worth and value to God – to embracing a real love for self.
...in these words of reminder, Jesus reflects on both His past loving involvement with his disciples, as well as, His soon approaching demonstration of ultimate love at Calvary.
The Cross - is THE key to knowing our worth and value to God – to embracing a real love for self.
Part of growing as a disciple is becoming certain about who we are – the beloved of God.
-God demonstrated his love for us by sending Jesus to die for us on the cross while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)
-Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39)
-Because of His great love for us, God made us alive with Christ! (Ephesians 2:4-5)
-See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we get to be children of God – and that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)
-God demonstrated his love for us by sending Jesus to die for us on the cross while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)
-Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39)
-Because of His great love for us, God made us alive with Christ! (Ephesians 2:4-5)
-See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we get to be children of God – and that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)
“Spiritual identity means we are not what we do or what people say about us. And we are not what we have. We are the beloved daughters and sons of God.”
-Henri Nouwen
-Henri Nouwen
Embracing our true identity of who God says we are – His beloved - is far from automatic.
See Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:16-19 = part of growing into the fullness of all God has for you – is understanding and living within the love He has for you, so you can love yourself rightly!
See Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:16-19 = part of growing into the fullness of all God has for you – is understanding and living within the love He has for you, so you can love yourself rightly!
We must always be remain open to receiving the startling love of Jesus to refresh us, renew us and lead us into be more and more who he has redeemed us to be!
Your value is NOT based on what you do, how much you have or what others say about you. NOW: your value is based forever, solely and securely on WHO JESUS SAYS YOU ARE – as He declares YOUR WORTH and value to him!
As we anchor ourselves to living as the beloved of God -- we are now freed to love ourselves rightly by living in the: ‘in between’ - the balance between 2 great realities (or callings)
1) “It’s not about you”
2) “you're enlisted into a purpose beyond you”
1) “It’s not about you”
2) “you're enlisted into a purpose beyond you”
It’s not about you.
Jesus great statement early on with his disciples (see Matthew 16) as he begins to take them on his journey to the Cross and their commissioning to then live as his active agents of God’s love in this world. He must redirect them away from what society will always try to get us to buy: the world revolves around you.
Jesus great statement early on with his disciples (see Matthew 16) as he begins to take them on his journey to the Cross and their commissioning to then live as his active agents of God’s love in this world. He must redirect them away from what society will always try to get us to buy: the world revolves around you.
We must deny ourselves. Take up our own cross – lose our lives and in doing so then, we truly will find life and experience life.
Surrender to faith in Jesus over faith in yourself
Surrender to His grace, over your efforts
Submit to living for someone beyond yourself
Submit to following his leadership over your wishes and wants alone.
Surrender to faith in Jesus over faith in yourself
Surrender to His grace, over your efforts
Submit to living for someone beyond yourself
Submit to following his leadership over your wishes and wants alone.
and as we RECEIVE His grace and we take up our cross – we are now enlisted to take up living for a purpose that is BEYOND YOU
Enlisted into a purpose that is beyond you
Enlisted into a purpose that is beyond you
We are saved BY His grace.
We are also saved INTO a greater purpose.
Your Kingdom contribution is about you living to become the full potential of who God has sought you, saved you, forgiven you, rescued you, recreated you and is empowering you to BE.
We are also saved INTO a greater purpose.
Your Kingdom contribution is about you living to become the full potential of who God has sought you, saved you, forgiven you, rescued you, recreated you and is empowering you to BE.
We must see ourselves as the creator sees us – WHO He says I am
Quote:
The only person in the universe whose opinion really counts looks at me and He finds me more valuable than all the jewels in creation.
–Timothy Keller
Quote:
The only person in the universe whose opinion really counts looks at me and He finds me more valuable than all the jewels in creation.
–Timothy Keller
Wear the 'labels' God gives you!
My self-worth & value is anchored in who God says I am, not people.
In Christ, You’re loved.
In Christ, You’re forgiven.
In Christ, You’re holy.
In Christ, You’re a Temple of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ, You’re securely accepted.
In Christ, You’re no longer condemned
In Christ, You’re never alone – He is always with you.
In Christ, You’re a new creation.
In Christ, You’re equipped and gifted.
In Christ, You’re a sent one, commissioned with purpose
In Christ, You have a future, no matter your present struggle
In Christ, You have an everlasting HOPE
In Christ, You have an eternal HOME prepared for you.
In Christ, You’re a child of God.
In Christ, You’re a friend of Jesus forever!
In Christ, You’re loved.
In Christ, You’re forgiven.
In Christ, You’re holy.
In Christ, You’re a Temple of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ, You’re securely accepted.
In Christ, You’re no longer condemned
In Christ, You’re never alone – He is always with you.
In Christ, You’re a new creation.
In Christ, You’re equipped and gifted.
In Christ, You’re a sent one, commissioned with purpose
In Christ, You have a future, no matter your present struggle
In Christ, You have an everlasting HOPE
In Christ, You have an eternal HOME prepared for you.
In Christ, You’re a child of God.
In Christ, You’re a friend of Jesus forever!
NEED PRAYER?
Some of our prayer team and pastors are available following service to pray with you. You can also submit your prayer request via our app. We look forward to partnering with you in prayer.
Some of our prayer team and pastors are available following service to pray with you. You can also submit your prayer request via our app. We look forward to partnering with you in prayer.
Thanks for partnering with us...
Every gift you give enables us to move the mission of Elements and the Hope and Light of Jesus forward in our city and beyond. Thank you for financially & faithfully partnering with us! You can give here, online or easily within our free app on your phone or tablet.
http://elem.cc/giveIF YOU'RE NEW:
We throw a 10-minute party immediately following the service in the back corner of the room If you're new, we'd love to meet you and welcome you! We'd love to also invite you back with us next Sunday at 5pm.
We throw a 10-minute party immediately following the service in the back corner of the room If you're new, we'd love to meet you and welcome you! We'd love to also invite you back with us next Sunday at 5pm.