Value People
Matthew 5:13-16 MSG
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that
brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will
people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the
garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out
the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going
public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you
don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on
a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others,
you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
First Key to Becoming Salt and Light:
• VALUE PEOPLE
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to
the interests of the others.
Matthew 7:12 MSG
“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you
want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up
God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
What it Looks Like to Value People:
- You demonstrate value by TAKING TIME WITH PEOPLE.
Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJ
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming
the time, because the days are evil.
Luke 19:1-10 MSG
Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his
name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately
to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and
couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a
sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. When Jesus got to
the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to
be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly
believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone
who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he
have getting cozy with this crook?” Zacchaeus just stood there, a little
stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income
to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.”
Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son
of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”
John 4:7-9 MSG
A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me
a drink of water?” (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for
lunch.) The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew,
are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days
wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)
John 4:27 MSG
Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn’t believe
he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all
thinking, but their faces showed it.
• THE VALUE OF ONE - You demonstrate value by LISTENING TO SOMEONE.
James 1:19 NLT
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to
listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. - You value people by ADDING VALUE TO THEM.
VISION STATEMENT (1990):
“Bridging the gap of the cross cultural generation of Atlanta with the
message of love and acceptance through Jesus Christ. Helping each person
discover their value and potential in God, and equipping them to make a
significant impact in their world.”
Four Basic Needs of Humanity:
- ACCEPTANCE: knowing you are loved and needed
- IDENTITY: knowing you are significant and special
- PURPOSE: knowing you have a reason for living
- SECURITY: knowing you are protected and provided for