Embracing Freedom and New Identity in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Abide in Christ to Bear Fruit

True fruitfulness in life comes from abiding in Jesus, not from striving or doing things in our own strength. When we remain connected to Him, His life and love flow through us, transforming us and enabling us to love others as He has loved us. This abiding is not about religious performance or earning God’s favor, but about receiving His love and letting it shape our identity and actions. As we stay close to Jesus, we discover that our purpose is not just in what we do, but in who we are as beloved children, created to reveal God’s heart to the world. [01:32:12]

John 15:5, 9-12 (ESV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing… As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Reflection: In what practical way can you intentionally abide in Jesus today—whether through prayer, worship, or simply inviting Him into your daily routine—so that His love and life can flow through you to others?

Day 2: God’s Power Is Not Limited by Our Circumstances

No matter what challenges or needs you face, God’s power is never restrained by your limitations. He is mighty, His understanding is infinite, and He is able to provide, heal, and restore beyond what you can imagine. When you encounter situations that seem impossible—whether financial, relational, or physical—remember that God sees things differently than we do. He invites you to trust Him, to declare His greatness, and to rely on His strength rather than your own. [01:19:41]

Psalm 147:5 (ESV)
“Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been focusing on your own lack or limitations? How can you shift your perspective today to trust in God’s unlimited power and provision?

Day 3: God’s Love and Grace Restore What Is Lost

Where there has been loss, brokenness, or things that feel dead in your life, God’s love and grace are able to restore and redeem. Even when situations seem hopeless or when you feel weighed down by grief or disappointment, God is able to bring life to dry bones and restore destinies. His grace is so powerful that it can heal what seems unhealable and bring back what was thought to be gone forever. Trust that God’s heart is for restoration, and invite Him to move in the places of your life that need His resurrection power. [19:04]

Ezekiel 37:4-6 (ESV)
“Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’”

Reflection: Where do you sense loss or deadness in your life or family? Ask God to breathe His life and restoration into that area, and listen for what He might want to say or do.

Day 4: Letting Go of Old Grave Clothes

Even after God brings new life, we can sometimes remain bound by old patterns, hurts, or identities that no longer belong to us. Just as Lazarus was called out of the tomb but still needed the grave clothes removed, God invites you to step out of what is holding you back from fully living in your new identity. This may mean asking for prayer, seeking support, or simply choosing to let go of what no longer defines you. It’s a season to be bold, to step forward, and to allow God’s freedom to release you into the fullness of life He has for you. [52:48]

John 11:43-44 (ESV)
“When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’”

Reflection: Is there an old habit, hurt, or label that you sense is still clinging to you from a past season? What step can you take today to let God remove those grave clothes and walk in freedom?

Day 5: God’s Provision Is Both for Today and Tomorrow

God’s heart is to provide not only for your immediate needs but also to give you seed for the future. He multiplies resources, time, and health so that you can be a blessing to others and invest in what is coming. Instead of living with a scarcity mindset or worrying about how things will work out, God invites you to trust Him as your source. He knows what you need, has already prepared for it, and wants you to experience His abundance so you can sow into the next season with confidence and generosity. [01:28:19]

2 Corinthians 9:10 (ESV)
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”

Reflection: How can you trust God with both your daily needs and your future? Is there a way you can be generous or invest in someone else today, believing that God will continue to provide and multiply what you have?

Sermon Summary

Tonight is an invitation to step into the freedom and presence of God, to let go of formality and simply encounter Him as He moves among us. There is a call to remember the power and promise of Pentecost—not as a distant event, but as a living reality that continues to shape and empower us today. The Holy Spirit, poured out in that upper room, is still at work, bringing life, restoration, and hope to every dry and broken place. God’s promises are as true now as they were then, and He has made provision for every need, every season, and every challenge we face.

We are reminded that God’s love is not something we earn or strive for; it is the foundation from which all true fruitfulness flows. Our calling is not about what we do, but about who we are in Him—unique expressions of His heart, crafted to reveal His love to the world. The journey is not about managing sin or striving for perfection, but about abiding in Christ, letting His love transform us from the inside out. When we live from love, rather than towards it, we discover the freedom and joy that comes from knowing we are already accepted, already cherished, already made whole by His grace.

There is a prophetic sense that this is a season for grave clothes to come off—for every remnant of death, loss, or old identity to be stripped away. God is calling us to step out of the tomb, to receive healing, restoration, and new life. He is not limited by our resources, our failures, or our circumstances. What seems impossible to us is the very place where His power begins. We are invited to trust Him for provision, to believe that He can multiply what we have, and to partner with Him in seeing His kingdom come in our lives and communities.

Ultimately, the invitation is to abide—to remain in His love, to listen for His voice, and to let His life flow through us. As we practice hearing from God and speaking His heart to one another, we participate in the purest form of ministry: releasing His love, encouragement, and truth. This is how we become a people marked by His presence, a light in the darkness, and a testimony to the world of the God who still brings dead things to life.

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Key Takeaways

1. God’s Provision Is Prepared in Advance Before any of our days came to pass, God made provision for everything we would need in this season. He is not surprised by our challenges or lack; His power is not restrained by our circumstances. What seems insurmountable to us is already accounted for in His infinite wisdom and love. Trusting in His provision means letting go of self-reliance and embracing the reality that He is always enough. [19:04]
2. Freedom Flows from Abiding, Not Striving True fruitfulness and transformation come not from striving to be better or do more, but from abiding in Christ’s love. When we live from the reality that we are already loved and accepted, our actions become an overflow of His life within us. The pressure to perform or earn God’s favor is replaced by the joy of simply being His beloved. This is the foundation for lasting change and genuine impact. [100:57]
3. Letting Go of Grave Clothes: Embracing New Identity Many of us carry remnants of past seasons—old wounds, shame, or labels that no longer define us. Like Lazarus, we may be alive but still bound by grave clothes. God is calling us to step out boldly, to receive prayer, and to let go of what hinders us so we can fully embrace our new identity in Christ. This is a season for freedom, healing, and stepping into the fullness of life He offers. [52:48]
4. God’s Power Is Not Limited by Our Weakness or Mistakes There is a persistent lie that God’s provision and goodness are dependent on our performance or ability to “get it right.” Scripture reveals the opposite: His power is made perfect in our weakness, and His grace is scandalously generous. Even when we feel unworthy or inadequate, God delights to show Himself strong on our behalf, turning impossibilities into testimonies of His faithfulness. [82:09]
5. Hearing God’s Heart for Others Is Transformative Practicing listening to God and speaking His love over others is more powerful than any amount of religious discipline. When we ask God how He sees those around us and share what we sense, we participate in the ministry of encouragement and prophecy that builds up the body. This relational connection with God and each other is the purest expression of abiding in His love and is essential for personal and communal transformation. [106:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:04] - God’s Provision for Every Season
[49:39] - Breaking Off Grave Clothes
[52:48] - Stepping Out of Old Identity
[61:56] - Thanksgiving and Partnership with God
[63:59] - Community Connection and Announcements
[69:15] - Upcoming Summer Events
[69:53] - Conference Details and Streaming
[71:45] - Hosting and Participation Opportunities
[73:55] - Family and Missions Updates
[75:23] - Reflections on God’s Sovereignty
[77:01] - God’s Purposes in Hardness of Heart
[78:33] - Facing Lack and God’s Perspective
[79:41] - The Possibility of God
[80:52] - Responding in Worship and Trust
[82:09] - Breaking the Lie of Performance
[84:45] - God’s Provision and Kingdom Resources
[86:01] - Miraculous Provision: Loaves and Fishes
[87:27] - Multiplying Resources in the Kingdom
[88:19] - Declaration of God’s Power
[90:10] - Corporate Declaration and Prayer
[92:12] - Abiding in Love and Bearing Fruit
[93:40] - Living from Love, Not for Love
[94:45] - Created for God’s Expression
[96:45] - Encountering God’s Love Personally
[98:04] - Letting God Love You
[99:03] - God’s Love Transforms
[100:57] - Living from Acceptance
[101:43] - Legacy and Living Jesus
[102:39] - Jesus at the Center
[103:48] - The Call to Abide
[104:45] - Practicing Hearing God’s Voice
[106:32] - Speaking God’s Heart to One Another
[113:58] - The Power of Relational Ministry
[116:37] - Encountering Jesus in Scripture
[117:29] - Group Reflection and Closing
[121:30] - Final Thanks and Dismissal
[128:02] - End

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 15:1-17 — (“I am the vine, you are the branches…”)

Ezekiel 37:1-14 — (The Valley of Dry Bones – God brings dead things to life)

Luke 24:49 & Acts 2:1-4 — (Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit and the outpouring at Pentecost)

Observation Questions

In John 15:1-17, what does Jesus say is the key to bearing fruit in our lives?
According to Ezekiel 37:1-14, what does God do with the dry bones, and what does this show about His power?
In Acts 2:1-4, what happened when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples? How did it change them?
The sermon described “grave clothes” as things that keep us tied to old seasons or identities. What example from the Bible did the speaker use to illustrate this? [52:48]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to “abide” in Christ, and how is this different from striving to be good or do more? (John 15:4-5)
The sermon said God’s provision is prepared in advance for every season. How does this challenge the way we usually think about our needs and resources? [19:04]
Why do you think Jesus told the people to take off Lazarus’ grave clothes after he was raised from the dead? What does this say about our new identity in Christ? [52:48]
The speaker said, “God’s power is not limited by our weakness or mistakes.” How does this truth affect the way we approach God when we feel unworthy or have failed? [01:22:09]

Application Questions

The sermon invited us to step into God’s presence without formality or striving. What is one way you can make space in your week to simply be with God, not trying to “do” for Him, but just to receive His love? [01:38:04]
Are there any “grave clothes” in your life—old wounds, shame, or labels—that you sense God is asking you to let go of? What would it look like to take a step out of the tomb and into new life? [52:48]
When you face a challenge or lack, do you tend to rely on your own strength or trust God’s provision? Share a recent situation and how you responded. How could you respond differently next time? [19:04]
The sermon talked about living from love, not for love. In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to earn God’s approval or acceptance? How can you remind yourself that you are already loved and accepted? [01:40:57]
Practicing hearing God’s heart for others was described as “the purest form of ministry.” This week, will you ask God how He sees someone in your life and share an encouraging word with them? What might hold you back from doing this? [01:46:32]
The speaker said, “What seems impossible to us is the very place where His power begins.” Is there an area in your life or family that feels impossible right now? How can the group pray with you for God’s breakthrough? [01:19:41]
The sermon called this a season for “grave clothes to come off.” What practical step can you take this week to embrace your new identity in Christ and leave behind what no longer defines you? [52:48]

Sermon Clips

I speak to what is dead within this valley, within these communities and I say come back to life. I speak to the dry bones that are gone and far, the promises that have fallen, the things that were the supposed to be that are now dead and decaying and I command that they come back in Jesus name. We speak life from heaven. We speak life. [00:34:00] (22 seconds)

We're not going to play church. We're not going to play house. We're not going to do the things that seem good. The worldly saints, Lord, we want to see your power. We want to see lives transformed. We want to get the same results that Jesus got. We want to see what He... To be on display in the streets. To be in front of all people. That they would know there is a God who loves them. That they would know there is a home in the future. [00:52:09] (29 seconds)

If you're feeling like there's death or something that's been hanging around, if you feel like, you know, God's pulled you through a season, that there's just something that's weighing you around... When Lazarus came out, he was still bound from head to foot in the grave clothes. And Jesus said, even though he went restored, he went brought back to life. The first command is, get him out of that. Get him out of those clothes. That's not who he is anymore. [00:52:43] (40 seconds)

Do you know that God doesn't actually see that the same way? For him, all things are possible, right? So when we're talking something that we would say is easy or is hard, this is where we get into Jesus and Nicodemus. When they're talking, Nicodemus is going, I'm supposed to call back in my mother's womb and do what? He's like, This doesn't work. Humanly, this is impossible. And Jesus very famously says, What is impossible with man, is possible with God. [01:19:35] (39 seconds)

We have to respond by going to Him. We have to respond by declaring who God is. We have to respond by saying, God, this, you are the great God, who will do these great and amazing things, because you are my refuge. It doesn't matter what you're facing, whether it's a bad diagnosis, it's a lack in some way. God says, No, I've got you. But we have to come to a place where His power is what we're relying on, not our power. [01:21:02] (31 seconds)

A lot of us think, God will only do something if you start it. I have to do it right. I have to make the right decision. I have to pray the right thing for God to answer. Or, I made this mess. God's not going to fix it. Anybody have that theology? That Him and His provision, His goodness, His taking care of things only comes if you get it right. [01:21:33] (46 seconds)

What changed the things that I was fighting against every single day was learning how much he loved me. While love is a choice in that we have to choose love, you loving other people is not a choice. It has to flow from your choice to Jesus. It has to flow from you understanding that he loves you and he's fighting for you and that he has good things inside of you. [01:40:06] (30 seconds)

``But if we live towards love I've got to get it right rather than living from love his work on the cross makes me right. They're going to try and earn it day after day moment by moment and God's saying and I love what Leif says you already have an A plus on the test because you get Jesus great. He took the test for you. He took the profit for you. He took the payment for you. [01:40:57] (36 seconds)

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