Awakening to Our True Identity in Christ
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of spiritual identity and how it can be threatened by the shadow of shame and the lies of the enemy. We began with a story of mistaken identity, illustrating how unsettling it can be to lose one's identity, whether through theft or through believing false accusations. This led us to consider the spiritual identity theft that occurs when we lose sight of who we are in Christ. We are in the fourth part of a series based on the book "Finding Your Way Back Home," focusing on the awakening to love, which is crucial for understanding our true identity.
We revisited the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, where the son, despite returning home, struggled with shame and a mistaken identity. The father's response was to shower him with love and gifts—a robe, a ring, and sandals—each symbolizing rest, security, and acceptance. These gifts remind us of our true identity as beloved children of God. The robe signifies rest and belonging, the ring represents authority and security, and the sandals symbolize acceptance and family.
We discussed how shame can act like a shadow, following us and whispering lies about our worthiness. However, embracing our new identity in Christ allows us to live in the proof of the Father's love, casting off the shadow of shame. We are reminded that our worth is not based on our actions but on God's love for us, as demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice.
The message concluded with an invitation to join the celebration of our new identity in Christ, emphasizing the importance of baptism as a public declaration of this transformation. We are encouraged to pray for an awakening to the awareness of being unconditionally loved by God, pushing back against the lies of the world and the enemy.
Key Takeaways:
1. Embrace Your New Identity: Every day, we must embrace our new identity in Christ, rejecting the lies that tell us we are unworthy. The prodigal son's story reminds us that despite our past, we are welcomed home by a loving Father who sees us as His beloved children. [07:35]
2. Defeat the Shadow of Shame: Shame can act like a shadow, following us and whispering lies about our worth. By living in the proof of the Father's love, we can cast off this shadow and embrace our true identity as loved and forgiven children of God. [12:52]
3. Live in the Proof of the Father's Love: The gifts of the robe, ring, and sandals in the prodigal son's story symbolize rest, security, and acceptance. These gifts remind us of our true identity and the Father's desire for us to feel at home in His love. [14:17]
4. Understand Your Worth in Christ: Our worth is not based on our actions but on God's love for us. Jesus' sacrifice makes us worthy, and we are called to live in this reality, pushing back against the lies that say we are not loved or accepted. [23:35]
5. Join the Celebration of New Identity: Baptism is a public declaration of our new identity in Christ. It symbolizes our death to the old self and resurrection to a new life. We are invited to join the celebration of being part of God's family, fully embracing our identity as His children. [29:08]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:26] - Identity Theft Story
- [02:46] - Spiritual Identity Theft
- [04:02] - Awakening to Longing and Regret
- [05:05] - Awakening to Love
- [06:02] - The Prodigal Son's Journey
- [07:35] - Embracing New Identity
- [09:07] - The Shadow of Shame
- [10:04] - Otis and the Shadow
- [12:52] - Lies of Shame
- [14:17] - Living in the Father's Love
- [16:04] - The Symbolism of the Robe
- [18:33] - The Ring of Authority
- [20:39] - Sandals of Acceptance
- [22:32] - Our True Identity in Christ
- [29:08] - Joining the Celebration
- [31:32] - Prayer for Awakening
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 15:11-24
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Romans 8:1
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the prodigal son, what actions did the father take to welcome his son back home? How do these actions symbolize the father's love and acceptance? [06:43]
2. What are the three gifts the father gives to the son upon his return, and what does each gift represent in terms of identity and belonging? [14:17]
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of "spiritual identity theft," and what are some ways it can occur in a believer's life? [07:35]
4. According to the sermon, what role does shame play in affecting our spiritual identity, and how can it be overcome? [12:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the father's response to the prodigal son challenge common perceptions of worthiness and forgiveness in today's society? [09:07]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can "live in the proof of the Father's love"? How does this relate to the gifts given to the prodigal son? [14:17]
3. The sermon mentions the importance of embracing our new identity in Christ. What are some practical steps believers can take to embrace this identity daily? [07:35]
4. How does the concept of baptism as a public declaration of new identity relate to the themes of acceptance and belonging discussed in the sermon? [29:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How can the story of the prodigal son help you reframe your understanding of worthiness? [09:07]
2. Identify a "shadow of shame" that might be following you. What steps can you take this week to confront and overcome this shadow with the truth of your identity in Christ? [12:52]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living in the proof of the Father's love. What is one tangible way you can remind yourself of God's love and acceptance each day? [14:17]
4. Consider the role of baptism in your spiritual journey. If you have been baptized, how did it impact your understanding of your identity in Christ? If not, what questions or hesitations do you have about taking this step? [29:08]
5. How can you actively participate in the "celebration of new identity" within your church community? What role can you play in welcoming others into this celebration? [29:46]
6. The sermon encourages believers to pray for an awakening to God's unconditional love. What specific prayer or practice can you incorporate into your daily routine to cultivate this awareness? [31:32]
7. Reflect on the gifts of the robe, ring, and sandals. Which of these symbols resonates most with your current spiritual journey, and why? How can you embrace this aspect of your identity more fully? [14:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Divine Identity
In the journey of faith, understanding one's spiritual identity is crucial. The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 serves as a powerful reminder of how easily we can lose sight of who we are in Christ. Despite his past mistakes, the son is welcomed back by a loving father who sees him as his beloved child. This narrative illustrates the importance of embracing our new identity in Christ, rejecting the lies that tell us we are unworthy. Every day, we are invited to live in the truth of being God's beloved children, fully accepted and cherished. [07:35]
Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."
Reflection: Think of a lie you have believed about your worth. How can you replace it with the truth of your identity in Christ today?
Day 2: Overcoming the Shadow of Shame
Shame can be a persistent shadow, whispering lies about our worth and identity. It often follows us, attempting to define us by our past mistakes. However, the love of the Father, as demonstrated in the story of the prodigal son, offers a way to defeat this shadow. By living in the proof of the Father's love, we can cast off the lies of shame and embrace our true identity as loved and forgiven children of God. This transformation requires a daily commitment to reject shame and accept the truth of God's unconditional love. [12:52]
Isaiah 54:4 (ESV): "Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more."
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where shame has held you back. How can you invite God's love into that area to begin healing today?
Day 3: Resting in the Father's Love
The gifts given to the prodigal son—robe, ring, and sandals—are rich in symbolism, representing rest, security, and acceptance. These gifts remind us of our true identity and the Father's desire for us to feel at home in His love. Living in the proof of the Father's love means recognizing these gifts in our own lives and allowing them to transform how we see ourselves. It is an invitation to rest in the assurance of God's love, knowing that we are secure and accepted as His children. [14:17]
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Reflection: What is one way you can rest in the assurance of God's love today, allowing it to transform your view of yourself?
Day 4: Understanding Your Worth in Christ
Our worth is not determined by our actions or achievements but by God's love for us. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of this love, making us worthy in the eyes of God. This truth calls us to live in the reality of being loved and accepted, pushing back against the lies that say we are not enough. Understanding our worth in Christ is a daily journey of embracing His love and allowing it to shape our identity and actions. [23:35]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt unworthy. How can you remind yourself of your worth in Christ in similar situations moving forward?
Day 5: Celebrating New Life in Christ
Baptism is a powerful symbol of our new identity in Christ, representing our death to the old self and resurrection to a new life. It is a public declaration of our transformation and an invitation to join the celebration of being part of God's family. Embracing our identity as His children means fully participating in this celebration, living out the reality of being loved and accepted by God. This new life in Christ is a journey of continual growth and transformation, marked by the joy of being part of His family. [29:08]
Colossians 2:12 (ESV): "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Reflection: If you have been baptized, reflect on the significance of that moment. If not, consider what it would mean for you to publicly declare your new identity in Christ.
Quotes
1) "What about those times when we lose our identity because we believe the false accusations that our enemy, the devil, Satan, throws at us? See, that's what we're thinking about today, as we are in part four of a five-week sermon series. It's based upon this book, Finding Your Way Back Home. And it's all about these five spiritual awakenings that we all need to help us find our way back to God. Whether we're finding our way back to Him for the very first time, or we're finding our way back to God another time. We need these five spiritual awakenings to help us keep finding our way back to God so that we can continue to grow in our relationship with God." [02:46] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "The awakening to help is when we decide that we're going to return home. When we decide that what we're doing is not working. And so we decide to return home. We return home to God. We return home to God. We return home to God where we belong. The awakening to help is when we admit that we can't do it on our own and that we need the help that only Jesus can provide. And sometimes when we have come home, we can forget who we really are. We can sometimes struggle to regain or to live in our true identity. And that's why it is so important. It's so important for us to continue to experience awakening number four, which is the awakening to love." [04:02] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "How do we avoid spiritual identity theft through this awakening to love? Well, the first thing you have to do is, you have to embrace your new identity. That's what we all have to do. Every single day, we have to embrace our new identity and who God says that we are. If you look again in Luke 15, and we're focusing on just a few verses here today. Verse 21, Jesus says, The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. Now, my guess is that most of us, if not all of us, can relate to those words. Because at some point in your life, you probably have felt like you were not worthy. Not worthy to be loved. Not worthy to be forgiven. Not worthy to be used by God. Not worthy to receive the gift or the blessing. We know what it's like not to feel worthy." [07:35] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "And so the way that we defeat this shadow of shame that sometimes follows us, that keeps us around and whispers or shouts in our ears is not only by embracing our new identity, but it's also in choosing to live in the proof of the Father's love. Friends, we have to choose to live in the proof of the Father's love. Luke chapter 15, verse number 22. Jesus says, But the Father said to his servants, Quick, bring the best robe and put it on him. Quick, bring the best robe and put it on him. Bring a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. While the son is feeling the weight of shame, the father is giving directions to his servants. Bring a robe, bring a ring, and bring some sandals." [14:17] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "And so these three gifts, they communicated to him the truth. The truth about what his true identity really is. Maybe like me, you've had times when you've struggled with this. Maybe at times you've carried the weight of regrets. Maybe at times you have felt like you were not worthy of God's love or worthy of his grace and mercy or worthy of his forgiveness. And look, I get it. think most of us do. Because on our own, we're not worthy. I mean, let's be clear about that. On our own, we're not worthy. But the awakening to love allows you to understand that Jesus makes us worthy. He makes us worthy. His sacrifice upon an old rugged cross makes us worthy. And the awakening to love allows us then to cast off the shadow of shame and regret and to come to live in the reality that we are living in. We're loved. That God loves you deeply, just as you are." [22:32] (78 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "There's no doubt we know we live in a world where people are searching for identity. And there are lots and lots of people that now, now identify in lots of different ways. But the only identity that means anything at all, really, when it comes down to it, is that you are a loved, dearly loved child of God. That is what makes you valuable. That is what makes you worthy. That God loved you so much that he would send his son Jesus to die on a cross so that you could be forgiven of your sins. And throughout the New Testament, we're given reminders. We're given reminders of our identity that God gives to us when we come home, when we return to God, when we allow Jesus Christ to be the Lord and the Savior and the leader and the forgiver of our lives." [24:39] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Friends, we need to understand, that our feelings cannot always be trusted. And sometimes our feelings are unreliable. But I'll tell you what is not unreliable. It's the word of God. The word of God, the truth of God, it never lies. It is totally reliable. And so that means that we must constantly be pushing back on anything that goes against the truth of God's word. We must be pushing back on whatever lies the devil tries to convince us of. We must push back on anything that says, you're not loved, you're not accepted, that you can't be forgiven. Because friends, you have a father in heaven who loves you as you are, and not as you should be." [27:24] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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