Discovering Identity and Purpose Through Scripture
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound journey of discovering one's identity and purpose through the lens of Scripture. In a world where many are grappling with questions of identity, it's crucial to return to the foundational truths found in the Bible. The Bible is not just a collection of mythical stories; it is the living Word of God that reveals who He is and, consequently, who we are. Our generation, characterized by curiosity and a desire to challenge the status quo, must recognize that some truths are immutable, such as the existence of God and the authority of Scripture.
We delved into the importance of humility in accepting God's identity and purpose for us. Jeremiah 1:5 serves as a powerful reminder that God knew us before we were formed in the womb, setting us apart for a specific purpose. This truth underscores the idea that our lives are not random but are part of a divine plan. Meditating on Scripture allows us to internalize these truths and understand how they apply to our lives.
Furthermore, we discussed the impact of worldly influences, such as music and media, on our spiritual journey. By coming into agreement with messages that contradict God's Word, we inadvertently allow negative influences to take root in our lives. It's essential to be mindful of what we consume and surround ourselves with, as these can either hinder or support our pursuit of God's purpose.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of starting each day with God. By prioritizing prayer and Scripture over distractions like social media, we establish God as the foundation of our lives. This daily practice helps us align with His will and walk in our purpose with clarity and conviction. The starting point is God, and the question remains: Are we willing to submit and be obedient to His call?
Key Takeaways:
1. Return to the Bible for Identity and Purpose: In a world filled with skepticism, the Bible remains the ultimate source of truth about who God is and who we are. Embracing this truth requires humility and a willingness to accept God's identity and purpose for us. [07:23]
2. God's Plan for You: Jeremiah 1:5 reveals that God knew us before we were born and set us apart for a specific purpose. This understanding should inspire us to seek our unique calling and live intentionally for His kingdom. [13:43]
3. Guard Your Heart and Mind: The media and music we consume can significantly impact our spiritual journey. By aligning ourselves with messages that contradict God's Word, we open the door to negative influences. It's crucial to be discerning and choose what supports our walk with God. [24:15]
4. Start Your Day with God: Prioritizing prayer and Scripture over distractions like social media sets the tone for a day aligned with God's will. This practice helps us walk in our purpose with clarity and conviction. [24:15]
5. Submit to God's Call: The starting point of our journey is God. We must be willing to submit and be obedient to His call, recognizing that He has created us for something amazing. This requires a conscious decision to align our lives with His purpose. [24:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Discovering Identity Through Scripture
- [02:15] - The Challenge of Biblical Illiteracy
- [04:00] - Immutable Truths of God and Scripture
- [06:00] - Humility in Accepting God's Identity
- [07:23] - Jeremiah 1:5 and God's Purpose for Us
- [09:45] - Meditating on Scripture
- [11:30] - Impact of Worldly Influences
- [13:43] - Agreement with Negative Messages
- [16:00] - The Role of Music and Media
- [18:30] - Starting Your Day with God
- [21:00] - The Importance of Prayer
- [24:15] - Submitting to God's Call
- [26:00] - Aligning with God's Purpose
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 1:5
Observation Questions:
1. According to Jeremiah 1:5, what does God say about our identity and purpose before we are even born?
2. How does the sermon describe the role of humility in accepting God's identity and purpose for us? [07:23]
3. What are some of the worldly influences mentioned in the sermon that can impact our spiritual journey? [13:43]
4. What daily practice does the sermon suggest to help align our lives with God's will? [24:15]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding that God knew us before we were born influence our perception of identity and purpose? [07:23]
2. In what ways does humility play a role in accepting the truths found in Scripture about who we are?
3. How might the media and music we consume affect our spiritual journey and alignment with God's purpose? [13:43]
4. What are the potential benefits of starting each day with prayer and Scripture, as suggested in the sermon? [24:15]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of your identity and purpose. How does Jeremiah 1:5 challenge or affirm your beliefs?
2. What steps can you take to cultivate humility in accepting God's identity and purpose for your life? [07:23]
3. Identify one worldly influence in your life that may be hindering your spiritual journey. What practical steps can you take to minimize its impact? [13:43]
4. How can you prioritize starting your day with God over distractions like social media? What changes can you make to your morning routine? [24:15]
5. Consider the messages you consume through media and music. How can you ensure they align with God's Word and support your spiritual growth? [13:43]
6. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to submit to God's call? What can you do to become more obedient to His purpose for you? [24:15]
7. Think about a time when you felt disconnected from your purpose. How can returning to Scripture help you realign with God's plan for your life?
Devotional
Day 1: Rediscovering Identity Through Scripture
In a world filled with skepticism and confusion about identity, it is essential to return to the Bible as the ultimate source of truth about who God is and who we are. The Bible is not merely a collection of stories but the living Word of God that reveals His nature and our purpose. Embracing this truth requires humility and a willingness to accept God's identity and purpose for us. By meditating on Scripture, we can internalize these truths and understand how they apply to our lives. This journey of rediscovery is not just about knowledge but about transformation and aligning our lives with God's divine plan. [07:23]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to prioritize reading and meditating on Scripture to better understand your identity in Christ?
Day 2: Embracing God's Unique Plan for You
Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us that God knew us before we were born and set us apart for a specific purpose. This understanding should inspire us to seek our unique calling and live intentionally for His kingdom. Our lives are not random; they are part of a divine plan crafted by God. Recognizing this truth encourages us to live with purpose and intentionality, seeking to fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives. By aligning ourselves with His plan, we can experience the fullness of life that He intends for us. [13:43]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith and embrace His purpose for you?
Day 3: Guarding Your Heart and Mind
The media and music we consume can significantly impact our spiritual journey. By aligning ourselves with messages that contradict God's Word, we open the door to negative influences. It's crucial to be discerning and choose what supports our walk with God. This means being mindful of what we allow into our hearts and minds, as these influences can either hinder or support our pursuit of God's purpose. By guarding our hearts and minds, we can remain focused on God's truth and live in a way that honors Him. [24:15]
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific change you can make in your media consumption to better align with God's truth and support your spiritual growth?
Day 4: Starting Your Day with God
Prioritizing prayer and Scripture over distractions like social media sets the tone for a day aligned with God's will. This practice helps us walk in our purpose with clarity and conviction. By starting each day with God, we establish Him as the foundation of our lives, allowing His presence to guide us throughout the day. This daily practice is not just about routine but about cultivating a relationship with God and seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives. [24:15]
"But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you." (Psalm 88:13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you restructure your morning routine to prioritize time with God and set a positive tone for the rest of your day?
Day 5: Submitting to God's Call
The starting point of our journey is God. We must be willing to submit and be obedient to His call, recognizing that He has created us for something amazing. This requires a conscious decision to align our lives with His purpose and to trust in His plan for us. By submitting to God's call, we open ourselves to the incredible things He has in store for us and allow His will to be done in our lives. This journey of submission is not always easy, but it is essential for experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us. [24:15]
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's call? What steps can you take today to submit to His will and trust in His plan?
Quotes
"Yes. 100%, man. And speaking of book, the only way that I believe that you can truly come to a place where you start to discover your identity for yourself apart from somebody who might be teaching you or instructing you is you got to go back to the book. You've got to get back to the Bible. The fundamentals. The fundamentals. But you talked about this in the first part of the series where you said that a lot of this generation is biblically illiterate." [00:02:38]
"You know, why would you listen to a bunch of mythical stories? I'm sure you've heard that a lot, too. And, you know, I think that in itself, in of itself, is kind of interesting because I think that's the root problem with why so many of us are struggling to find our purpose and identity because we won't even take, we won't even humble ourselves. And I use that gracefully. We won't even humble ourselves enough to accept the identity of who God says he is about himself." [00:03:33]
"But if you truly want to start to know truth. Yeah. If you truly want to establish a baseline. Yeah. You have to get beyond your own skepticism. You have to get beyond your own pride. Yes. And you have to get beyond. Yes. You have to get beyond what you think is socially acceptable and just accept the fact that if I want to know about my purpose, I first have to discover God. And the only way I can discover God is by reading about who he says he is." [00:04:46]
"If this were brainwashing, why do they work so hard to take it away? Why do they work so hard to try and discount the Bible? Why do they work so hard at keeping it out of society? If it truly were brainwashing you because I'm evil, could it be that the people that are the same people that are pushing God out and are trying to push the Bible away are the ones that are actually brainwashing you and keeping you from the actual truth of who you are and who you're supposed to be?" [00:07:16]
"So check this out. This is Jeremiah. He was a famous prophet in the Old Testament times. What you need to know though, is that God spoke directly to him and he was young. He was very, very young when God told him this message. So it says, the Lord gave me this message. I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." [00:08:29]
"How does this apply to you? This means that before you were conceived in your mother's womb, God had already created a plan. He had already given you a purpose. He had already given you assignment. He had already designated you to be alive right here, right now, right now in the existence of this timeline of eternity to actually fulfill a purpose and an assignment to make this world a better place for his kingdom." [00:10:09]
"there's a practicality of blocking out the noise, blocking out and getting rid of the worldly influences. For example, music. So I'm going to go back to just my high school years. I was a big fan of secular hip hop, man. I'm not going to name artists because I don't want people going out here and listening to these artists, but let's just say, you know, the nineties, two thousands, uh, rap artists, dude." [00:13:43]
"We got to talk about words. We got so many ideas for podcast episodes, but words, man, words just don't go away. So when you are hearing these explicit lyrics, when you're hearing these things about what people are doing, how they're treating other women or whatever in these songs, did you know that when you listen to this stuff and you don't actually counter it, you're coming into agreement? And what that does is anything that is contrary to what God says is considered a curse." [00:14:41]
"And so what happens then is it's not God bringing this evil on you. It's your actions coming into agreement with what is evil that allows these things to breed confusion, depression, suicidal thoughts, habitual sin, addictive behaviors that now starts to pop up in your life. And you start to wonder, why do I keep having these sick images rolling in my head? Why do I keep having these weird thoughts? Why am I so angry? Well, like Pastor Matt said, what are you listening to? What are you looking at? And also, who are you surrounding yourself with?" [00:16:18]
"Most of us, we look at our phone, we scroll social media, we check our email. What if, what if we challenged ourselves that rather than using our phone as an alarm, we actually got an alarm clock. Yep. I'm talking about that thing from the early 2000s. Plug that thing in. Once you hit the alarm clock, rather than the, rather than your phone be the first thing you grab, your Bible is the first thing you grab and then you get on your knees." [00:23:31]
"And Lord, I want this day to be a day full of, uh, of joy. I want this day to be a day full of accomplishment. But most importantly, I want this day to be a day that I dedicate to you. And I'm asking you to lead me, order my steps so that I can accomplish things for your kingdom. Super simple, super simple prayer. And then you can be on your way. But what you're doing is you're establishing God as a priority in your life to where then if you do this consistently each and every day, then you will begin to walk in a greater understanding of your purpose and your call." [00:24:46]
"Are you willing to submit? And are you willing to be obedient to what you already know deep down inside you? Because let's be real. After you get done partying or wherever you've been, you get home at night by yourself, and you're up alone. That's the real you. Those thoughts that are pouring through, why am I doing this? I wish I was more of this. I should be doing this more. Right. That's just the starting point. It's not to condemn you. It's the Holy Spirit trying to get ahold of you saying, hey, I created you for something amazing." [00:26:57]
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