Discovering True Identity Through Community and Service
Summary
In this new series titled "Who Am I?", we explore the profound impact our actions and words have on others and the importance of self-examination in discovering our true identity. The series emphasizes that everything we do, whether seen or unseen, good or bad, will eventually be brought to light. This understanding should motivate us to do as much good as possible. In a world filled with division and uncertainty, God calls us to be agents of love, peace, and unity. The journey of self-discovery begins within, by examining our own hearts and motives, rather than blaming external circumstances or others.
We often define ourselves by our history, gender, or ethnicity, but true identity is found in community and service. Just as each member of a relay team has a unique role, we discover our purpose by contributing our talents to a greater cause. The temptation to withdraw from the chaos of life is strong, but isolation hinders our ability to find purpose. Instead, we are called to engage with the community, where our talents can be used for a godly purpose.
Peter's teachings remind us that the church is not a physical building but a spiritual body made up of living stones, each with a unique purpose. We are a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. This involves giving up personal desires for a greater spiritual purpose. As we rid ourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, we grow in our salvation and become the new creatures God intended us to be.
Ultimately, building our lives on the living stone, Jesus Christ, ensures that we will never be put to shame. By embracing our role as a royal priesthood and offering spiritual sacrifices, we align ourselves with God's purpose and find true peace and stability. This journey of self-discovery leads us to a deeper understanding of who we are in the body of Christ and how we can serve in the ecclesia.
Key Takeaways:
1. Impact of Actions and Words: Our actions and words have a profound impact on others, whether we realize it or not. Everything we do, good or bad, will eventually be brought to light, motivating us to strive for goodness and holiness in all we do. [00:00]
2. Unity and Love in a Divided World: In a world filled with division and uncertainty, God calls us to be agents of love, peace, and unity. Our journey of self-discovery begins within, by examining our own hearts and motives, rather than blaming external circumstances or others. [07:23]
3. Purpose in Community: True identity and purpose are found in community and service. Just as each member of a relay team has a unique role, we discover our purpose by contributing our talents to a greater cause, rather than isolating ourselves. [11:56]
4. Spiritual Sacrifices: As a holy priesthood, we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices, giving up personal desires for a greater spiritual purpose. This involves ridding ourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander to grow in our salvation. [19:40]
5. Building on the Living Stone: Building our lives on the living stone, Jesus Christ, ensures that we will never be put to shame. By embracing our role as a royal priesthood and offering spiritual sacrifices, we align ourselves with God's purpose and find true peace and stability. [27:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to "Who Am I?" Series
- [02:15] - Impact of Actions and Words
- [04:00] - Division and Uncertainty in the World
- [05:45] - God's Call for Unity and Love
- [07:23] - Self-Examination and Identity
- [09:10] - Discovering Purpose in Community
- [11:56] - The Temptation of Isolation
- [13:30] - Peter's Teachings on the Church
- [15:45] - Living Stones and Spiritual Body
- [17:03] - Holy Priesthood and Spiritual Sacrifices
- [19:40] - Ridding Ourselves of Negative Traits
- [21:30] - Spiritual Growth and Salvation
- [23:48] - The Danger of Slander
- [27:01] - Building on the Living Stone
- [28:30] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Who Am I?"
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10 (NIV)
> "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ... But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be a "living stone" according to 1 Peter 2:4-5? How does this metaphor relate to the concept of the church as a spiritual body? [17:03]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the importance of community in discovering our purpose. How does the relay race analogy illustrate this point? [11:56]
3. What are some of the negative traits mentioned in the sermon that we are encouraged to rid ourselves of to grow in our salvation? [19:40]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of a "holy priesthood" and what are the spiritual sacrifices we are called to offer? [19:40]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being a "royal priesthood" challenge traditional views of identity and purpose within the church? [19:40]
2. The sermon emphasizes the impact of our actions and words. How might this understanding influence the way we interact with others in our daily lives? [07:23]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that self-examination is crucial for personal growth and understanding one's identity in Christ? [07:23]
4. How does the idea of building our lives on the "living stone" of Jesus Christ provide stability and peace amidst life's chaos? [27:01]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where your words or actions had an unintended impact on someone. How can you be more mindful of your influence in the future? [07:23]
2. The sermon calls us to be agents of love, peace, and unity. Identify a specific relationship or situation in your life where you can actively promote these values. [07:23]
3. Consider your unique talents and how they can be used to serve your community. What is one practical step you can take this week to contribute to a greater cause? [11:56]
4. The sermon discusses the temptation to isolate oneself from chaos. How can you balance personal reflection with active community engagement? [11:56]
5. Identify one negative trait (malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, or slander) that you struggle with. What is a specific action you can take to overcome it? [19:40]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of offering spiritual sacrifices into your daily routine? What might you need to give up to align more closely with God's purpose? [19:40]
7. Reflect on the foundation of your life. How can you ensure that you are building on the "living stone" of Jesus Christ, and what changes might be necessary to strengthen this foundation? [27:01]
Devotional
Day 1: The Weight of Our Words and Actions
Our actions and words have a profound impact on others, whether we realize it or not. Everything we do, good or bad, will eventually be brought to light, motivating us to strive for goodness and holiness in all we do. In a world where our interactions can often seem fleeting or inconsequential, it's crucial to remember that every word spoken and every action taken leaves a mark. This understanding should inspire us to be intentional in our daily lives, seeking to uplift and encourage those around us. By doing so, we not only reflect the love of God but also contribute to a more compassionate and understanding community. [00:00]
"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words may have impacted someone negatively. How can you seek reconciliation or offer encouragement to that person today?
Day 2: Agents of Unity in a Divided World
In a world filled with division and uncertainty, God calls us to be agents of love, peace, and unity. Our journey of self-discovery begins within, by examining our own hearts and motives, rather than blaming external circumstances or others. This inward reflection allows us to identify areas where we may be contributing to division and equips us to become peacemakers. By fostering unity and love, we can bridge gaps and build stronger, more harmonious communities that reflect God's kingdom on earth. [07:23]
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:19, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a situation in your life where you can actively promote peace and unity. What steps can you take today to be a peacemaker in that context?
Day 3: Discovering Purpose Through Community
True identity and purpose are found in community and service. Just as each member of a relay team has a unique role, we discover our purpose by contributing our talents to a greater cause, rather than isolating ourselves. Engaging with others allows us to see the bigger picture and understand how our unique gifts can serve a higher purpose. By participating in community life, we not only find fulfillment but also help others to do the same, creating a cycle of support and growth. [11:56]
"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a talent or skill you have that could benefit your community. How can you begin to use this gift in service to others this week?
Day 4: Offering Spiritual Sacrifices
As a holy priesthood, we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices, giving up personal desires for a greater spiritual purpose. This involves ridding ourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander to grow in our salvation. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and become more like the people He created us to be. This transformation not only benefits our spiritual growth but also positively impacts those around us, as we become living examples of God's love and grace. [19:40]
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a personal desire or habit that may be hindering your spiritual growth. What steps can you take to surrender this to God and pursue a greater spiritual purpose?
Day 5: Building on the Living Stone
Building our lives on the living stone, Jesus Christ, ensures that we will never be put to shame. By embracing our role as a royal priesthood and offering spiritual sacrifices, we align ourselves with God's purpose and find true peace and stability. This foundation provides us with the strength and resilience needed to navigate life's challenges, knowing that our identity and worth are secure in Christ. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we become more effective in serving others and fulfilling our God-given purpose. [27:01]
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel unstable or uncertain. How can you begin to build a stronger foundation on Jesus, the living stone, in that area today?
Quotes
"all right so we're in a new series a new sermon series entitled who am i who am i and it's funny you know you never know how your actions or words impact other people i preached this series decades ago actually and uh so i was trying to find one of my friends and i put his name in the internet and he came up and there he was preaching and he's preaching a sermon he's at" [00:02:49] (37 seconds)
"But none of that is of God. God doesn't call us to be divided. He doesn't cause us to look at each other with a jaundiced eye. He doesn't cause us to want to hate one another. He wants, he causes us to, he wants us to be people of love, people who live in peace, people who have harmony in their lives." [00:05:27] (31 seconds)
"And people will have all kinds of reasons why, you know, we don't have the peace or what needs to be done to have that peace. And you'll have, you know, one person with an agenda here and another person with an agenda there. But I think that it's more internal than external." [00:06:04] (22 seconds)
"And so when I'm talking about who am I, it's about knowing yourself. It's about examining yourself. To thine own self be true. Putting aside blame. Putting aside shame. Putting aside controversies. And going to God and who you are." [00:06:39] (30 seconds)
"You know, we all have talents, but we can find our purpose and our value within a community where we can serve, where we can put those talents into use. It helps us to discover who we are when we discover our value through the capacity by which we can make a contribution to a purpose and a community and a body greater than ourselves." [00:08:33] (37 seconds)
"And he says here in verse four, as you come to him, the living stone, rejected by humans, but chosen by God and precious to him, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." [00:16:08] (34 seconds)
"And then he calls all of the chosen, all of the living stones, each with their pre -positioned purpose and location in the spiritual body. A holy priesthood." [00:17:12] (23 seconds)
"Because when we discover our purpose, when we live in our calling, when we fulfill the reason for our choosing, that is where we find our inner stability, that is where we find our peace, and that is where we find our true divine purpose that transcends any chaos around us." [00:19:11] (28 seconds)
"Because when we're talking about a sacrifice, what are you talking about? You're talking about giving up something that you might consider pleasurable for yourself. Something desirable, something you want but you're giving it up because there's something greater that you have a hunger or thirst for, a sacrifice, right?" [00:20:11] (29 seconds)
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