Joel Osteen - Knowing You Are Loved

About this sermon

Stop striving to prove your worth. Discover the life-changing truth that God loves you right now, just as you are. Are you living with an I think He loves me mindset based on your daily performance? In this powerful message, Joel Osteen shares how to shift into an unshakeable I know I am loved confidence. Through the biblical stories of the Disciple John and Zacchaeus, Joel reveals that God, Jesus, and Lakewood Church want you to know His love is a permanent gift, not something earned. Watch at 07:15 to discover how John saw himself, and jump to 17:24 to see why Jesus chose Zacchaeus out of the crowd. "Real love is not about your performance—what you do or don't do—it is about what God has already done." If you are struggling with guilt, addiction, or the feeling that your past mistakes have disqualified you from divine favor, this message brings immediate relief. Whether you are battling a bad temper or trying to break bad habits, you do not have to clean yourself up before approaching God. Learn how to stop feeling like God is mad at you and receive the peace that comes from being His favorite child. Q: How do I stop feeling like God is mad at me for my past mistakes? A: You must realize God's love is unconditional and permanent. He does not base His affection on your performance, and nothing you do can separate you from His heart. Q: What is the difference between conditional human love and God's unconditional love? A: Human love often requires you to perform correctly and treat others right. God's love is a free gift that remains constant even when you get off course or fail. Q: What does it mean to be the disciple whom Jesus loved in the Bible? A: It reflects John's deep confidence in God's affection rather than his own performance, serving as an example for how every believer should view their identity in Christ. Q: Does God love me even if I struggle with addiction or a bad temper? A: Yes, your struggles and shortcomings do not cancel God's love. He sees you as His child, calls you forgiven, and gives you the strength to overcome every issue. Q: Do I need to clean up my life before God will accept me? A: No, Jesus meets you exactly where you are, just like Zacchaeus. Acceptance comes first, giving you the power and grace to change your behavior from the inside out. 1. Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing can ever separate you from God's permanent love. 2. John 13:23 - Identify yourself as the one Jesus loves with complete confidence. 3. Luke 19:5 - God chooses and accepts you before you fix your mistakes. 4. 1 John 4:10 - Real love is God loving us and giving His Son 00:00 Why performance-based thinking creates pressure and insecurity 02:26 How to shift from an I think to an I know mindset 04:15 Why nothing you do can separate you from God's affection 07:15 What the Disciple John teaches us about spiritual confidence 09:35 How to pray with bold assurance using Mary and Martha's secret 12:00 How approaching God like a loving Father transforms your confidence 14:31 Why you can boldly live knowing you are God's favorite child 17:24 How Jesus saw Zacchaeus and why He accepts you right now 22:09 How receiving unconditional love breaks the cycle of guilt and shame 24:56 Why God's face is always turned toward you in every struggle If you are in need of prayer today, our ministry team would love to stand in faith with you. Reach out to us here: https://joelosteen.com/prayer Subscribe to receive weekly messages of hope, encouragement, and inspiration from Joel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxWyn4rfcI2H9APhfUIB1Q?sub_confirmation=1 Follow #JoelOsteen on social X: https://twitter.com/joelosteen Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelosteen Facebook: https://facebook.com/joelosteen TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joelosteen Thank you for your generosity! To give, visit https://joelosteen.com/give #JoelOsteen #UnconditionalLove #GodsFavor #FaithAndHope #LakewoodChurch

Topics

• Love & Compassion