Significance - The Story of the Goldfish Plant

Theme: Our significance is rooted in how God sees us.
Text: Luke 10:20, Isaiah 43:1, Matthew 18:20, Luke 7:41-47

Here’s a thought: We need to grow in our understanding of how God sees us.

I have a goldfish plant that brings me joy. I decided I would keep this plant whether or not it blossomed. It started to blossom just a few days ago. 

Fifteen years ago today, I arrived in Zambia, where I lived and served on the mission field. I read a book about returning home and how to adjust. Living and working with a sense of significance can be a challenge. 

Luke 10:20 - Jesus sends out the 72 and teaches them to rejoice that people’s names are written in heaven. 

The Lord has reminded me that He loves me and sees me as significant wherever I live and whatever I do. 

What can rock our sense of significance? Change in a job or relationship, being hurt by people, going through a dry spell or not seeing our dreams and desires manifested and fulfilled. 

Times of questions and doubts can arise. The enemy can use these, but they do not threaten the Lord. 

We need to refocus at these times. 

I love my goldfish plant, which helps you see its value. 

Our significance is rooted in how God sees us. 

Isaiah 43:1 - I created you, and you are mine. 

We are loved, and this is the bedrock of our significance. 

We need to sift through the lies and get to the truth of how God sees us. 

How do we see others? 

We need to see others selflessly, consistently and persistently. 

Jesus looked at the people and had compassion for them. 

We need to look at others through the lens of forgiveness. 

Matthew 18:20 - forgiving others 70 X 7 times. 

Luke 7:41-47 - he who has been forgiven much loves much. 

I read “Can You Hear Me?” by Brad Jerzak years ago. 

When we know we are loved, valued and significant, we do what we are designed to do with joy. 

We don’t want to be unnatural, but we want to be natural. 

Our world measures value by what we do. 

We can rest in how God sees us, then do what is natural for us to do. 

We don’t work to perform for the Lord but to do what He has designed us to do. 

John 15:5 - I am the vine, and you are the branches. 

We need to stay connected to the Lord to bear fruit. 

Scripture Notes:

Luke 10:17-20 

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 

18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; 

nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” 

• 1. How God sees us 

• Our Significance is rooted in how God sees us. 

• He is God, our creator because we are his we have value, meaning and purpose - we are beloved 

Is. 43:1 

But now, this is what the Lord says— 

he who created you, Jacob, 

he who formed you, Israel: 

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; 

I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

I will love you no matter what 

• We need to grow in our understanding of how God sees us. o is a lifelong journey 

  • The facts of the case don't change so our understanding must. 

  • How God sees us must inform how we see ourselves 

• How he wants us to see people 

• unmet expectations 

• Selflessly 

• Continuously 

• Persistently 

• How many times in scripture it says - Jesus looked at the people and was filled with compassion

  • Matthew 18:22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

  • great chapter on how to treat people 

Luke 7:41, 47 

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, c and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 

• This relates back to how God sees us, our response to him and others 

  • Bearing fruit 

  • If this was an allegory what is God saying 

  • John 15 

  • Planting seeds - in us 

  • In others 

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” 

5:15 John  NASB1995

• Recognize this is what we were created to do 

• The unnatural thing would be to not bear fruit 

• But we need to abide in him