Becoming Who We Are in Christ

Summary

Tonight, we gathered to reflect on the heart of the New Covenant: it’s not about what we do, but about who we are becoming in Christ. Our culture and even our church traditions often focus on doing—on works, on accomplishments, on meeting requirements. But the New Testament calls us to a deeper reality: to be in Christ, to let our identity be shaped by our relationship with Him, not by our performance. When we focus on being—on abiding in Christ—everything else flows from that place. Our actions, our obedience, our fruitfulness, all come as a result of who we are in Him.

We looked at the story of the prodigal son, who lost his harvest but regained his relationship. This reminds us that relationship with God is more valuable than any harvest or accomplishment. In Christ, we have an inheritance, not because of what we do, but because of who we are and whose we are. The law had 613 requirements, impossible for anyone to keep perfectly, but Jesus fulfilled the law for us. Now, when the Father looks at us, He sees us in Christ—clothed in His righteousness, not our own shortcomings.

We also explored what it means to be chosen. Many are called, but few are chosen, because few are willing to endure the furnace of affliction and be emptied so that God can fill them. True fullness comes only after true emptiness. God sometimes allows us to lose everything so that we can receive everything from Him. This is the journey from calling to being chosen—being tried, tested, and coming out with a praise still on our lips.

God has crowned us with glory and honor, giving us the right to govern in our domain. The enemy’s strategy is always to make us question our identity—“If you are the son of God…”—but when we know who we are, we can stand in authority, pray with power, and face any giant. Like the story of the balking horse, we must remember our strength and not shrink back when things get heavy. Our strength is not just for the easy times, but for the hard ground, the red clay, the moments of resistance.

Finally, we considered what it means to be meek—not weak, but possessing controlled strength. God wants us to mature so that we can handle the authority and blessing He gives us, remaining humble even as we walk in power. Our boundaries, like the banks of a river, keep our strength focused and effective. When we remember who we are and whose we are, we can face every challenge, hit our target, and walk in the fullness of our calling.

Key Takeaways

- Being Over Doing: The essence of the New Covenant is not in our works, but in our identity in Christ. When we focus on being—abiding in Him—our actions and obedience flow naturally from that relationship. Our worth and inheritance are rooted in who we are, not in what we accomplish. [01:05]

- Relationship Above Harvest: The story of the prodigal son teaches that relationship with the Father is more valuable than any harvest or success. While we may lose opportunities or blessings through our choices, the restoration of relationship is always available and is the true treasure of the Christian life. [02:47]

- Tested and Chosen: Many are called, but few are chosen because few are willing to endure the refining process. God allows seasons of emptiness and testing so that He can fill us with true fullness. Those who persevere through trials become “TNT Christians”—tried and tested, able to carry the weight of God’s presence and purpose. [09:55]

- Authority Flows from Identity: God has given us authority to govern in our domain, not because of our achievements, but because of our identity in Christ. The enemy’s main tactic is to make us question who we are, but when we stand firm in our identity, we can exercise spiritual authority and overcome every obstacle. [15:00]

- Controlled Strength and Humility: True meekness is not weakness, but controlled strength—being strong yet remaining humble. God wants us to mature so we can handle His blessings and authority without losing our humility. Like David facing Goliath, when we know who we are, we can run toward our giants and overcome them, using our strength within the boundaries God has set. [27:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:05] - Being vs. Doing: The Heart of the New Covenant
[02:47] - The Prodigal Son: Relationship Over Harvest
[03:50] - Becoming a New Creation in Christ
[05:06] - The Law Fulfilled in Christ
[06:09] - Our Righteousness in Him
[07:31] - Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen
[08:43] - The River of God’s Presence
[09:55] - Tried and Tested: TNT Christians
[12:02] - Emptiness Before Fullness
[12:53] - Crowned with Glory and Honor
[13:53] - Authority and Dominion on Earth
[15:00] - The Enemy Attacks Identity
[16:10] - Revelation and the True Church
[17:52] - The Balking Horse: Remembering Your Strength
[20:24] - Consistency in Identity
[23:19] - Strength in Hard Times
[24:45] - Meekness: Controlled Strength
[27:54] - Maturity, Humility, and Inheriting the Earth
[29:01] - Handling Authority and Blessing
[31:31] - Boundaries and Hitting Your Target
[34:28] - Knowing Your Domain
[36:43] - Giants Are for Your Elevation
[38:21] - Prayer and Closing

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Being Over Doing—Living Out Our Identity in Christ”

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### Bible Reading

- 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

- Matthew 22:14
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

- Psalm 8:5-6
“You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what happens to someone who is “in Christ”?
2. In the story of the prodigal son, what did the son lose and what did he regain? ([02:47])
3. What does Psalm 8 say about the authority and honor God gives to people? ([12:53])
4. What does Jesus mean when He says, “Many are called, but few are chosen” in Matthew 22:14? ([07:31])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “It’s not about what you’ve done, but who you’ve become.” Why is our identity in Christ more important than our actions? ([01:05])
2. Why do you think the relationship with the Father is described as more valuable than any “harvest” or accomplishment? ([02:47])
3. The pastor mentioned that God sometimes allows us to lose everything so we can receive everything from Him. What does this mean about the way God works in our lives? ([12:02])
4. How does knowing our identity in Christ help us stand against the enemy’s attacks and exercise spiritual authority? ([15:00])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to focus on “being” in Christ rather than just “doing” for Christ. In what areas of your life do you find yourself more focused on performance than on relationship? What would it look like to shift your focus? ([01:05])
2. Have you ever experienced a time when you lost something important (a “harvest”) but found a deeper relationship with God as a result? How did that change you? ([02:47])
3. The pastor talked about being “tried and tested” Christians—TNT Christians. Can you share a season when you felt tested? How did you respond, and what did you learn about God and yourself? ([09:55])
4. The enemy tries to make us question our identity (“If you are the son of God…”). What are some lies or doubts you’ve faced about your identity in Christ? How can you remind yourself of the truth? ([15:00])
5. The story of the balking horse was used to illustrate forgetting our strength when things get hard. Are there situations right now where you feel like “balking” or giving up? What would it look like to remember your strength in Christ in those moments? ([19:30])
6. The sermon defined meekness as “controlled strength.” Where in your life do you need to practice controlled strength and humility? Is there a specific relationship or situation where this is especially challenging? ([27:54])
7. God has given each of us a “domain” or area of influence. Where has God placed you right now, and how can you walk in authority and purpose in that place this week? ([34:28])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you remember who you are and whose you are, to walk in your true identity, and to live out of relationship with Him rather than striving for approval through your actions.

Devotional

Day 1: Our Identity in Christ: Being Over Doing
In Christ, it is not about what you do, but about who you are becoming. The New Covenant calls us to focus on our relationship with Jesus, not just our actions or achievements. When you rest in your identity as a child of God, you receive your inheritance not by works, but by being in Christ. Let your presence in Him shape your life, knowing that your value is found in who you are, not in what you accomplish. [01:05]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you striving to “do” for God instead of simply “being” with Him? How can you intentionally rest in your identity as His beloved child today?

Day 2: Tried and Tested: The Path from Calling to Chosen
Many are called, but few are chosen because not everyone is willing to endure the refining process God uses to prepare us for greater things. The trials and afflictions you face are not meant to destroy you, but to shape you into someone who can carry the fullness of God’s presence. True fullness comes after true emptiness, and God sometimes allows shaking so that you can be filled with more of Him. If you persevere through the furnace of affliction, you will come out as a “TNT Christian”—tried, tested, and ready for God’s purpose. [09:55]

Isaiah 48:10 (ESV)
"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction."

Reflection: Think of a recent trial or hardship—how might God be using it to refine you and prepare you for something greater? What is one way you can respond with faith instead of discouragement today?

Day 3: Authority and Dominion: Remembering Who You Are
God has crowned you with glory and honor, giving you the right to govern and have dominion in your domain. The enemy’s strategy is to make you question your identity, but when you know who you are in Christ, you can walk in authority and overcome any obstacle. Your ability to rule and impact your world is rooted in your being, not just your doing. Stand firm in your God-given identity, and remember that you are empowered to pray, to speak, and to act with the authority of Christ. [15:00]

Psalm 8:5-6 (ESV)
"Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet."

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to reclaim your God-given authority? What is one step you can take today to walk confidently in who God says you are?

Day 4: Controlled Strength: The Power of Meekness
True meekness is not weakness, but controlled strength—having power and authority, yet remaining humble and submitted to God. The blessing and inheritance promised to the meek are for those who can handle strength without losing humility. God wants you to rise to the place He has called you, but also to steward that position with a heart that remembers it is all because of Him. Can you be strong and still be humble, using your strength for God’s purposes and not your own? [26:12]

Matthew 5:5 (ESV)
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Reflection: When you experience success or influence, how do you keep your heart humble before God? What is one practical way you can demonstrate controlled strength in your relationships or responsibilities today?

Day 5: Boundaries and Breakthrough: Hitting Your Target
Just as a river’s power is found within its boundaries, your spiritual strength is maximized when you stay within the boundaries God has set for your life. Remembering who you are and whose you are enables you to face giants and challenges with confidence, knowing that every obstacle is an opportunity for God to elevate you. Don’t curse the hard situations; instead, see them as moments to exercise your authority and grow in maturity. When you control the power God has given you, you will hit your target and fulfill your purpose. [34:28]

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Reflection: What “giant” or challenge are you facing right now that feels overwhelming? How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for God to show His strength through you?

Quotes

If the enemy can get you to forget who you are, which is being and get you to focus on doing, then you'll never do anything because you'll forget who you are. That's why when the devil brought Jesus out to the wilderness, first thing he'd come up to, he says, if you are the son of God. Anybody says, if you are, see, that's what he does to us. Get us to question who we are. Because if he can get us to question who we are, then he can get us to second guess whether or not we can do anything or not. But when I know who I am, when I know who I'm being, then there's no devil in hell that can stop me. [00:15:00] (49 seconds) Edit Clip

And as long as I am in Jesus, I have met all the requirements. He came down to raise me up. He became who I am to make me who he is. Amen. He became who I am. As he is, so are we here on earth. [00:07:18] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

God will get you to the point where you will lose everything just so you can receive everything. [00:12:07]

True emptiness only can take true fullness. You can't receive true fullness without having true emptiness. Sometimes God will empty you so that he can fill you. [00:11:23]

But Jesus, he didn't abolish the law. He fulfilled the law. So if I'm telling you that we are in Christ, that means that we are in him and everything that Jesus has done, he's now done for us. And so when the Father looks at us, he don't look at us as being the unrighteous people that we are. He looks at us, and if we are in Christ, he don't see me in my shortcoming. He sees me in Christ, and he sees that Christ has fulfilled everything. [00:06:12] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

If everything that God has done here is about us being and we are in Christ, then God wants us to understand that we have authority right here on this earth. Amen. God, this earth is our domain. And we have it, not because of what we do, but we have it because of who we are. And not just who we are, but whose we are. [00:14:34] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

In Christ, it's not about doing, doing, doing, that's works, but in Christ, it's about be, be, be. We all worry about do, do, do, just worry about be, be, be, who we're being, because that's relationship. Relationship is above law. [00:01:38] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

So everything we do, we do because we do it out of love. We do it out of respect. We do it because that's, Jesus said, if you love me, keep my commandments. So we don't do something to prove that we love him. We do it out of the love for him. And that's how we walk in that relationship. [00:04:52] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

And then whenever God wants to do something for me, and remember, there's conditions for every promise, I meet the conditions, not through what I've done or who I am, but through what Christ has done and who he is. Don't ever forget who you are. Don't ever forget where you are. You're in Christ. You're in Christ. So this is very important. [00:06:56] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

But it says, but if you are in Christ, you are a new creation. You are a new creature. All things have passed away. Behold, all things become new. Old things are passed away because all things have become new. How? If we...become in Christ. Those who are in Christ. So that's very important. You cannot become a new creation in Christ until you come in Christ. [00:03:42]