Embracing Identity and Authority in Community
Summary
In times of isolation, it's easy to lose sight of who we truly are. It's like being trapped in quicksand, struggling to find solid ground. But when someone speaks a word from the Lord, it can break through the fog and bring clarity. Often, we find ourselves in situations where we can't discern if the challenges we face are from God, ourselves, or an attack from the enemy. It's crucial to recognize that sometimes these struggles are assignments against us, not just personal failings. When we understand this, we can shift our perspective and find strength in knowing that we are not alone in our battles.
The enemy is crafty, often using our own authority against us. We must be aware of the power of our words and the authority we carry. Our words can either bring life or death, and we must choose to align with the truth of God. The enemy's lies can create strongholds in our minds, but God is in the business of breaking these down and restoring us to our true identity. We are called to remember who we are in Christ, stepping into our authority and out of dysfunction.
This is a new era, a time of radical change where God is removing the temporary patches we've relied on and restoring us to His original design. We must let go of the lies we've believed about ourselves and embrace the truth of who God says we are. It's time to stand in the sovereignty of God, recognizing that we are made in His image and have the authority of heaven backing us.
In community, we find strength and truth. We need friends who will speak truth into our lives, even when it's uncomfortable. These are the people who will remind us of our identity and help us stand firm in our calling. As we step into this new era, we must break free from the chains of the past and embrace the freedom and authority that God has given us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Isolation and Identity: In isolation, we can lose sight of our true identity. It's essential to recognize when struggles are not just personal failings but assignments against us. By understanding this, we can shift our perspective and find strength in knowing we are not alone. [04:38]
2. Authority and Words: Our words carry authority and can bring life or death. The enemy often uses our own authority against us, so we must align our words with God's truth. Recognizing the power of our words helps us break free from the enemy's lies. [11:00]
3. Breaking Strongholds: God is in the business of breaking down strongholds and restoring us to our true identity. We must let go of the lies we've believed and embrace the truth of who God says we are. This is a time of radical change and restoration. [13:56]
4. Community and Truth: In community, we find strength and truth. We need friends who will speak truth into our lives, reminding us of our identity and helping us stand firm in our calling. These relationships are vital for our spiritual growth. [31:53]
5. Stepping into Authority: This is a new era where God is removing temporary patches and restoring us to His original design. We must stand in the sovereignty of God, recognizing our authority and embracing the freedom He has given us. [15:16]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [04:38] - The Struggle of Isolation
- [05:27] - Recognizing Assignments
- [06:04] - Finding Clarity in the Storm
- [09:54] - The Power of a Friend's Words
- [11:00] - Authority and the Power of Words
- [12:14] - Breaking Down Strongholds
- [13:56] - Embracing God's Truth
- [15:16] - Stepping into a New Era
- [30:16] - Remembering Who You Are
- [31:53] - The Importance of Community
- [33:11] - Lessons from The Lion King
- [34:44] - Standing in Sovereignty
- [41:49] - Walking in Authority
- [43:17] - Prophetic Word for the Now
- [48:46] - Prayer for Open Hearts
- [52:49] - Blessing and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 12:20 - "He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, until he brings justice to victory."
2. Numbers 6:24-26 - "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
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Observation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the feeling of isolation and its impact on our identity? ([04:38])
2. What role do words play in either building up or tearing down according to the sermon? ([11:00])
3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of strongholds and their impact on our lives? ([13:56])
4. What is the significance of community in helping us remember our identity, as discussed in the sermon? ([31:53])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that struggles can be assignments against us rather than personal failings? How does this perspective change our approach to challenges? ([05:27])
2. How does the sermon explain the enemy's use of our authority against us, and what can we do to align our words with God's truth? ([11:00])
3. What does the sermon mean by "stepping into a new era" and how does this relate to God's original design for us? ([15:16])
4. How does the sermon use the story of "The Lion King" to illustrate the importance of remembering who we are? ([33:11])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt isolated. How did it affect your sense of identity, and what steps can you take to reconnect with who you are in Christ? ([04:38])
2. Consider the words you use daily. Are there areas where you need to be more intentional about speaking life and truth? How can you make this change? ([11:00])
3. Identify a stronghold in your life that you believe God wants to break. What steps can you take to embrace the truth of who God says you are? ([13:56])
4. Think about your community. Who are the friends that speak truth into your life, and how can you cultivate these relationships further? ([31:53])
5. What temporary patches have you relied on that God might be asking you to let go of? How can you embrace His original design for you? ([15:16])
6. Reflect on the concept of standing in God's sovereignty. How can you practice this in your daily life, especially during challenging times? ([41:49])
7. How can you be a source of truth and encouragement to others in your community, helping them remember their identity in Christ? ([36:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Rediscovering Identity in Isolation
In times of isolation, it is easy to lose sight of our true identity. We may feel like we are trapped in quicksand, struggling to find solid ground. However, it is crucial to recognize that the challenges we face are not always personal failings but can be assignments against us. By understanding this, we can shift our perspective and find strength in knowing we are not alone. God provides clarity and guidance, helping us to see beyond the fog of confusion and reminding us of who we truly are. [04:38]
Isaiah 43:1-2 (ESV): "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.'"
Reflection: In what ways have you felt isolated recently, and how can you invite God to remind you of your true identity during these times?
Day 2: The Power of Words and Authority
Our words carry significant authority and can bring life or death. The enemy often uses our own authority against us, so it is vital to align our words with God's truth. Recognizing the power of our words helps us break free from the enemy's lies and strongholds. By speaking life and truth, we can step into the authority God has given us and overcome the challenges we face. [11:00]
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Reflection: Reflect on the words you have spoken recently. Are there any words you need to retract or replace with truth and life today?
Day 3: Breaking Down Strongholds
God is in the business of breaking down strongholds and restoring us to our true identity. We must let go of the lies we have believed about ourselves and embrace the truth of who God says we are. This is a time of radical change and restoration, where God is removing the temporary patches we have relied on and restoring us to His original design. Embracing God's truth allows us to step into a new era of freedom and authority. [13:56]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: What lies or strongholds have you believed about yourself? How can you replace them with the truth of who God says you are today?
Day 4: Strength in Community
In community, we find strength and truth. We need friends who will speak truth into our lives, reminding us of our identity and helping us stand firm in our calling. These relationships are vital for our spiritual growth and help us break free from the chains of the past. As we step into this new era, we must embrace the freedom and authority that God has given us, supported by a community that encourages and uplifts us. [31:53]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who in your community speaks truth into your life? How can you strengthen these relationships to support your spiritual growth?
Day 5: Embracing Divine Authority
This is a new era where God is removing temporary patches and restoring us to His original design. We must stand in the sovereignty of God, recognizing our authority and embracing the freedom He has given us. By stepping into our God-given authority, we can overcome the challenges we face and live out our true calling. It is time to let go of the past and embrace the new era of divine authority and freedom. [15:16]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What temporary patches have you relied on in the past? How can you embrace the authority and freedom God has given you today?
Quotes
1) "In isolation, you will forget who you are. It's like walking through quicksand. Like, you're just trying to go. And you're like, come on. I know it's going to let up. Right? I know it's... I'm sorry. I'm not very loud. I know it's going to let up. But there's something about it, though. When someone speaks to you, it comes straight from the Lord. It like busts something open. It isn't just the words they say. It's what happens when they say it." [04:38] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "You have the authority to produce life or to produce death. And sometimes the enemy is just, he's, we always like to say he's stupid and I don't think he is. I actually think he's very crafty. He's very manipulative and he knows exactly how to get you to use your authority the way he wants you to. I don't think Eve was stupid. I don't think like in this movie, the gentleman who's like his, his, the king's ear started out like in this obvious state because no one would listen to that insanity, right? Like there's always a little bit of truth that comes in." [11:00] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "I think the Lord is revealing and healing and restoring areas of dysfunction within ourselves. And within his body and within the world. I know there's times for me where I have like, had words come to reveal truth, but I absolutely could not let them in because I was like that, you may speak that, but you and I both know it's not right. There, we all have our own struggles, right? We all have our own struggles. I have a, I have like a long history of childhood, like where I just didn't feel like education. Was ever anything I would fit into. I don't think I fit into the system well." [12:14] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "I think we all become fine with things to come to congruence with something that we can't change. Right? And the Lord starts speaking different things at different times. And I have literally screamed at him. You can stop now because you and I both know that that is not the truth. And I am telling the Lord it's not the truth. And I think he appreciates us being real. And it's like, I'm sorry, it's not the truth because I know the truth. It doesn't matter what you say. I'm not gonna step into whatever this weird little world you've built here, Lord, and just pretend like I don't know the truth about me." [13:21] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "I love the story of Heidi Baker, who was just completely dyslexic. And she had no, her school grades were a nightmare. The woman has multiple doctorates now and has actually built colleges. I mean, the Lord had her go back to school. He just healed her in so many different ways. But I think the enemy does things that would keep us down and quiet our voice. And it's an assignment sometimes from the beginning. So our lens gets shrouded and we can't see anything else. But I think he's. He's all about healing that right now. And I think there's something in the atmosphere that is radical about change right now." [14:36] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "You're stepping out of dysfunction. You're stepping out of the places of survival where there was lack or where there was trauma or where life has left its scars and has left us without our proper function of his design for us. I believe he's removing the temporary patches that we put in place where you go, I'm OK with that. I'm OK with this piece of me. I don't need to be this or that or the other. And he's like, but what if that's not who you are? What if that's not what I need you to be? I want to restore you to the glory, right?" [15:16] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Remember who you are. Remember who you are. And like in isolation, you will forget who you are. You will forget who you are. And when we don't know who we are, we won't behave like we should. We won't walk out who we actually are, like who he's made us to be. Uh, once we hit that piece where we feel, uh, abandoned, rejection, self-pity, hope deferred, um, despair, we go, nobody needs this around them. And it, I'm going to do you all. Right. Cause it's all about you anyway. Right. Yeah. I can be really, I it's, it's the ultimate of selfishness." [30:16] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Peacekeeping and peacemaking are two different things. So peacemakers come in and help and rescue, but they don't rescue for the sake of keeping the peace. They rescue because it's like, Hey, I'm here for you. Pull you up. We've got stuff to do. I mean, I think I've shared before that sharing with my friends. I mean, there was one day the Lord just said, stop here next to your friends and just ask them how they're doing. Hey, does anybody feel like they want to hide? Yes. Does anybody feel like they just feel a little hopeless? Yes. Do you just want to go away and grab a cup of coffee and a blanket and not come out from underneath it? Yes." [31:53] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "You were born for greatness. You have the authority of heaven. You are made in the image of your father. You stand amongst the Trinity and of heaven and in the sovereignty of the Lord. This is who you are. you find yourself in that quelled little quiet place where you just think I'm done, make it felt too much. I'm, I'm done. Matthew 12, 20, he will not brush aside. The bruised and the broken. That is our way out. We ask the Lord for truth and we apply it again and again and again. And if I can't hear him, I go truth, please. I could use some truth, truth, whoever you are, my people that I know I can be ugly and snot with and wear my PJs and don't require me to perform." [34:44] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "The Lord is bringing supernatural provision. He is breaking off lack. He is breaking off regrets. He's breaking off. If only I hadn't, if only I had, he's canceling debts, he's breaking off delay and we are stepping into the finished work of Christ declare, it is a time of Jubilee. He is exposing the plans of the enemy and he is allowing you to see how you were made to walk. This is more than a new season. This is an era. Don't resist and stop striving. He's bringing into his house of wine, which is a banqueting chamber, a place of joy, a place of hope, reviving, refreshing under his banner of love, the tribe of love, abiding and resting." [43:17] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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