The Problem with Self-Esteem (Everything Isn’t Fine 2 - Pastor Bill)

The Problem with Self-Esteem (Everything Isn’t Fine 2 - Pastor Bill)

Author: 922 Ministries February 2, 2026 Duration: 24:51

Are you struggling with where to find your value? In this installment of the "Everything Isn't Fine" series, we dive into the topic of self-worth and why relying on your feelings can be a deceiving guide. Since the late 19th century, "self-esteem" has been framed as a mathematical ratio of successes divided by expectations; however, this creates a fragile sense of worth that collapses when we fail to meet subjective standards.
In this sermon, "Infinite Worth: Finding Value Beyond Our Feelings," you will discover:
• The Struggle is Real: Pastor Bill shares honestly about his own battles with self-worth as a pastor and a parent, reminding us that these mental health challenges affect everyone, including those in leadership.
• The Failure of Feelings: We explore the cultural shift that has placed feelings, rather than God, as the determiner of human value—and why that shift leads to bitterness and isolation when life hits us hard.
• The Bad News of Romans 3: By nature and because of sin, we have "turned away" and become worthless, much like the ashes found in a common fire pit.
• The Good News of Infinite Value: Apart from our performance or the law, Christ has declared those who believe to be of infinite worth, justified and redeemed by His grace.
• A "Son of God in Waiting": Through a powerful object lesson, we learn that while we may eventually return to dust and ashes, those who trust in Jesus carry the promises of God and the hope of a glorified body.
It is time to swap out the devil's lies and negative self-talk for the promises of God that are proven by the empty tomb. Whether you feel like a "zero" today or are riding the high of a recent success, your true value is found in the fact that you were worth the very blood of Christ.
Watch to find out how to lift your head high and remember that in Christ, everything will be fine


Each week, the communities of St. Peter Lutheran and The CORE in Appleton, Wisconsin, gather to explore faith, life, and scripture. This audio feed brings those weekly sermons directly to you, offering a consistent source of reflection and teaching grounded in Lutheran Christian tradition. You'll hear messages that connect ancient biblical wisdom to the realities of modern living, tackling topics from everyday relationships and personal struggles to the broader call to community and service. The voices from 922 Ministries-The CORE & St. Peter Lutheran aim to provide more than just information; they seek to foster a deeper understanding and a practical, resilient faith. Whether you're a long-time member, a spiritual seeker, or someone simply curious about a thoughtful perspective on Christianity, this podcast serves as an accessible way to engage with these teachings on your own schedule. It’s like having a regular, grounded conversation about what it means to live with purpose and hope, drawn directly from the heart of a Wisconsin ministry. Tune in for a straightforward, substantive addition to your weekly routine.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

922 Ministries - The CORE & St. Peter Lutheran
Podcast Episodes
Practice Gratitude (Ultimate Gratitude List 1 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:14
Gratitude lists are everywhere — but does yours actually work? Research says daily gratitude can boost happiness, improve sleep, and decrease depression. Oprah tried it for a decade. Scientists have studied it. And yet m…
Chosen. Welcomed. Sealed. (Ultimate Gratitude List 1 - Pastor Jared) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:40
Most of us measure our relationship with God by how hard we grip faith. Whether we're doing enough. Whether we've cleaned up enough.But that's not Christianity.Dig into one of the most misunderstood — and most comforting…
Don't Overcomplicate It (Adulting with Jesus 3 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:45
Steve Jobs promised the iPhone would change everything. He was right — including the way we think about dating, marriage, and having kids. But some things haven't changed.In week 3 of Adulting with Jesus, Pastor Mike exp…
The Hard Launch (Adulting with Jesus 3 - Pastor Steve) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:08
Noah and Zoe have been "just talking" for a while. They like the connection — but they're not ready for the commitment. And honestly? A lot of us approach marriage and family the same way.In week 3 of Adulting with Jesus…
Friends and Your Forever  (Adulting with Jesus 2 - Pastor Timothy) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:43
Do you have a 2am friend? You know the one — the person whose name you'd dial at 2 in the morning when you're stranded on the side of the road, and you already know they'll show up. If you can't think of a name, this mes…
Friends Shape Your Future (Adulting with Jesus 2 - Pastor Bill) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:25
We've never been more connected — and yet loneliness is at an all-time high. What's going on? And what does it have to do with growing up in your faith?In week two of Adulting with Jesus week 2, we dig into one of the mo…
Owned or Borrowed? (Adulting with Jesus 1 - Pastor Jared) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:41
Adulting is hard. Higher pressure, a more public stage, a brain that's still developing, and a gap between your income and the life you thought you'd be living by now. In week 1 of Adulting with Jesus, Pastor walks throu…
Owning Your Faith  (Adulting with Jesus 1 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:03
Imagine waking up your first Sunday at college, two hours from home, and realizing that for the first time in your life the choice to come to church is entirely your own. Welcome to adulting.In Week 1 of Adulting with Je…
But What About… Part 2 (God.LGBTQ.You. 5 - Pastor Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:30
How should followers of Jesus think — and live — when it comes to LGBTQ questions? In this final message of our five-week series, Pastor Mike opens the Bible to walk through five of the most common questions people are s…
Christ Redeems what you Regret (Bad Parents 5 - Pastor Steve) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:43
Some Christians have dramatic conversion stories. Others can only shrug and say, "I don't know — I guess I was just raised that way." Is the second kind of story really less of a miracle?In this message from our "Bad Par…