Sacred Worth

[00:00:00] Foreign. [00:00:06] Hey, everybody. Pastor Chuck Allen here with another weekday podcast. And today I want us to talk about sacred worth. [00:00:13] Matter of fact, I want to talk about sparrow theology and sacred worth, straight out of the gospel writer Matthew, chapter 10. [00:00:22] You know, if you're going to talk about boldness, which we are talking about this week, we have to talk about worth. Because you're never, ever going to speak boldly about Jesus if you don't know how deeply he cares for you. Because fear will shrink our voice. But belovedness, belonging, it enlarges it. In Matthew, chapter 10, Jesus is sending out his 12 apostles, and he's super honest with them. He tells them, this is going to be hard, boys. [00:00:52] There's going to be opposition, there's going to be rejection, there's going to be persecution. Then he says this. Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body. They cannot touch your soul. That's a staggering sentence when you think about it. But he doesn't stop there. He grounds that command in a picture we can hold in our hands. I just love this. [00:01:15] So in Matthew 10, beginning in verse 29, the Bible says, what is the price of two sparrows? One copper coin. [00:01:24] But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Heavenly Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid. You are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. [00:01:41] Jesus, friend, is connecting boldness to belonging. Courage grows in the soil of being seen and loved. [00:01:50] Your fear says, what will they think of me if I talk about Jesus? [00:01:55] And your Father says, I know every hair on your head. I know every sparrow. I know you. And I listen to this, y'. All. I value you. [00:02:06] Your fear says, boy, if this conversation goes badly, I'm going to be rejected. [00:02:11] But your Heavenly Father says, you might be misunderstood, but you're never going to be unseen. [00:02:18] So as you step into your sphere of influence, your office, your workshop, your classroom, your HOA meeting, whatever it is, remember, Jesus sent his disciples into a world that would not always receive them. And he said, don't be afraid. [00:02:37] Not because the world is safe, but because their souls are secure. [00:02:41] Not because everyone would applaud them, but because the Father would never abandon them. [00:02:46] Let's make this really tangible. [00:02:49] Before you walk into that next meeting or conversation where you sense you might need to speak up about your faith, place your hand over your heart and quietly say, I. [00:03:01] I am more valuable to God than a flock of sparrows. [00:03:07] Not like a pep talk, but as a confession of reality. [00:03:12] Let the truth settle your nervous system. Let it recalibrate your worth from that place of being deeply known and treasured. You can speak with a gentle boldness, not trying to prove yourself, not trying to win an argument, not trying to build a platform. [00:03:29] Just a beloved son or daughter talking about the one who loves them. [00:03:34] That kind of boldness, that's beautiful, y'. All. And your world, it really needs to hear it. [00:03:41] So today, step out in that boldness. Step in with the realization that Jesus has a home for you. He. [00:03:49] He loves you, adores you. He holds you, he strengthens you. [00:03:54] And you belong to Him. [00:03:56] And he's going to give you everything you need. God bless you, friend. Thanks so much for listening in on today's weekday podcast.