Job 40:3
Recognizing our insignificance and limitations, we must accept Jesus Christ's redemption to escape the bankruptcy of self-righteousness.
Chuck Smith explores the theme of worth in his sermon 'What Are You Worth?' by emphasizing the vastness of God compared to human insignificance, as illustrated in Job's experience. He highlights that despite our attempts to elevate our self-worth through pride or material possessions, we ultimately face situations that reveal our limitations and smallness. Smith poses the critical question of what a man can give in exchange for his soul, underscoring that true redemption cannot be achieved through human efforts but only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He concludes with the profound truth of God's love, which offers redemption to those who accept it, contrasting it with the dire consequences of rejection.
Text
"WHAT ARE YOU WORTH?"
I. BEHOLD l AM OF SMALL ACCOUNT.
A. God has challenged Job with the vastness of the universe in
which He dwells.
1. Can Job run the universe?
2. Who then is Job to contend with God?
B. Becoming conscious of God we are becoming aware of self.
1. Some people have a rather high self esteem.
a. They go around in their pride and arrogance
crushing others.
b. They seem to have control of every situation.
c. God allows them to get in a situation over
which they have no control.
1. Their riches have bought them
everything but now their child is
dying.
2. Their yacht has struck a reef in a
storm.
3. In the overwhelming situations we
realize facing death or vastness of
nature how small we are.
a. It seems in the cultures where
they live closer to nature less
esteem placed on life.
b. "Behold, I am of small
account."
II. WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL? (Matt. 16:26.
A. Christ spoke of God's esteem of a life.
1. We look at some sin ravaged life and declare worthless
bum.
2. "What shall it profit a man if he gain the..."
3. Life is more valuable than all the inanimate objects
in the world.
B. If a man loses his soul how can he buy it back?
1. What can you give in exchange?
2. How can man redeem himself?
C. We see people attempting to redeem themselves.
1. Some by good works.
2. Some by becoming religious.
3. Some by promises.
D. Man really has nothing to exchange for his soul "Behold I am
of small account" bankrupt.
Ill. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON . . . IN
EXCHANGE (John 3:16.
A. Isa. 53:6 "All we like sheep..."
B. II Cor. 5:21 "For He hath made Him to be sin.."
C. Jesus Christ became what we are, that we might become what He
is
D. Facing facts:
1. Outside of Jesus Christ your soul is lost.
a. Because of sin.
2. You are in no position to redeem it.
a. "Behold I am of small account."
3. God's love so great for you He sent His Son to redeem
you.
4. You can accept His redemption or reject it.
5. If you accept it you then belong to Him for He bought
you.
6. If you reject Him you belong to Satan the chief of the
rebels against God.
Sermon Outline
- Behold, I am of small account points: - God's vastness and Job's insignificance - Becoming conscious of God and self
- What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? points: - Christ's esteem of a life - The value of a soul - Man's inability to redeem himself - The bankruptcy of self-righteousness
- For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son points: - Isaiah 53:6 - 2 Corinthians 5:21 - Jesus Christ's substitutionary death - The fact of redemption and the choice to accept it
Key Quotes
“WHAT ARE YOU WORTH?” — Chuck Smith
“Behold, I am of small account.” — Chuck Smith
“For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize your own insignificance and limitations in comparison to God's vastness and power.
- Acknowledge that you are bankrupt and unable to redeem yourself through self-righteousness or good works.
- Accept Jesus Christ's redemption and surrender to His lordship to escape the consequences of rejecting Him.