Embracing New Life: Identity and Empowerment in Christ

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth of being made alive in Christ, as highlighted in Colossians 3. This transformative journey invites us to live beyond the constraints of our past, embracing the new life that Jesus' resurrection offers. We began by acknowledging the original design of humanity, created in God's image and declared "very good." Despite the fall, God's plan for redemption was set in motion long before, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This act of love and sacrifice not only addresses our sins but also restores us to our original glory, inviting us back to the garden of intimate relationship with God.

We delved into the reality that while we may struggle with sin and the remnants of our old selves, the cross and resurrection redefine our identity. We are no longer bound by who we used to be; instead, we are empowered to live as sons and daughters of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by divine wisdom. This wisdom helps us navigate life with hope, setting boundaries and making decisions that honor our true identity in Christ.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of relationships in this journey. Whether in marriage, family, or work, these relationships serve as mirrors, reflecting both our strengths and areas needing growth. God uses these interactions to refine us, challenging us to live out the resurrection life in every context. We are called to ascribe worth to others, recognizing them as fellow children of God, and to engage in tough conversations with grace and truth.

Ultimately, the message is one of hope and empowerment. We are invited to embrace God's vision for our lives, trusting that He will fill the spaces we surrender with His presence and purpose. As we walk this path, we are reminded that we are made for more, called to live in the fullness of Christ's resurrection power.

Key Takeaways:

1. Original Design and Redemption: We were created in God's image, declared "very good," and despite the fall, God's plan for redemption through Jesus was always in place. This plan restores us to our original glory, inviting us back to a life of intimate relationship with God. [41:24]

2. Identity in Christ: The cross and resurrection redefine our identity, freeing us from the past and empowering us to live as God's children. We are no longer bound by who we used to be but are called to embrace our new life in Christ. [47:46]

3. Wisdom and Decision-Making: God's wisdom guides us in making decisions that honor our true identity. This wisdom helps us set boundaries and navigate life with hope, ensuring we don't return to old patterns but live in the freedom Christ offers. [50:10]

4. Relationships as Mirrors: Our relationships serve as mirrors, reflecting both our strengths and areas needing growth. God uses these interactions to refine us, challenging us to live out the resurrection life in every context, ascribing worth to others. [01:00:36]

5. Vision and Empowerment: We are invited to embrace God's vision for our lives, trusting that He will fill the spaces we surrender with His presence and purpose. This journey is one of hope and empowerment, as we are made for more and called to live in the fullness of Christ's resurrection power. [01:09:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:15] - Announcements and Retreats
- [36:15] - Prayer and Introduction
- [38:01] - Made Alive in Christ
- [41:24] - Original Design and Redemption
- [42:23] - The Cross and the Fall
- [43:59] - Resurrection and New Life
- [46:03] - Identity and Struggles
- [47:46] - Living Beyond the Past
- [48:42] - Wisdom and Decision-Making
- [50:10] - Embracing God's Vision
- [51:42] - Colossians 3: Resurrection Life
- [53:35] - Relationships and Reflections
- [57:54] - Empowerment and Exchange
- [01:09:48] - Vision and Context in Relationships
- [01:15:30] - Benediction and Closing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Colossians 3:1-4
- Genesis 1:26-31
- Romans 8:11

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Colossians 3, what does it mean to be "made alive in Christ"? How does this redefine our identity? [51:42]

2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that our original design was "very good." How does this concept relate to the fall and redemption through Christ? [41:24]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of relationships in reflecting our strengths and areas needing growth? [01:00:36]

4. What is the significance of the resurrection in defining our new life, as discussed in the sermon? [43:59]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the idea of being "made alive in Christ" challenge the way we view our past mistakes and identity? [47:46]

2. The sermon suggests that God's wisdom helps us set boundaries and make decisions. How might this wisdom manifest in daily life? [50:10]

3. In what ways do relationships serve as mirrors, and how can they help us grow in our faith journey? [01:00:36]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of embracing God's vision for our lives. How can this vision influence our daily actions and decisions? [01:09:48]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a past mistake that you often let define you. How can you embrace your new identity in Christ and move beyond it? [47:46]

2. Identify a decision you need to make this week. How can you seek God's wisdom to guide you in making a choice that honors your true identity? [50:10]

3. Think of a relationship in your life that challenges you. How can you approach this relationship as a mirror to reflect on your own growth areas? [01:00:36]

4. What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to embrace His vision more fully? How can you take a step towards that vision this week? [01:09:48]

5. Consider a situation where you struggle with setting boundaries. How can you apply the wisdom discussed in the sermon to establish healthier boundaries? [50:10]

6. How can you ascribe worth to someone in your life this week, recognizing them as a fellow child of God? [01:00:36]

7. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit. How can you cultivate that empowerment in your current circumstances? [43:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Restored to Original Glory
In the beginning, humanity was created in the image of God and declared "very good." Despite the fall, God's plan for redemption was always in place, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This divine plan restores us to our original glory, inviting us back to a life of intimate relationship with God. Through Jesus, we are not only forgiven but also invited to walk in the fullness of our original design, reflecting God's image in our daily lives. This restoration is a profound truth that calls us to live beyond the constraints of our past, embracing the new life that Jesus' resurrection offers. [41:24]

"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 way you can reflect God's image in your daily interactions today, acknowledging the restoration of your original glory through Christ?


Day 2: Embracing a New Identity
The cross and resurrection of Jesus redefine our identity, freeing us from the past and empowering us to live as God's children. We are no longer bound by who we used to be; instead, we are called to embrace our new life in Christ. This transformation invites us to live as sons and daughters of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by divine wisdom. As we navigate life, we are encouraged to set boundaries and make decisions that honor our true identity in Christ, ensuring we don't return to old patterns but live in the freedom He offers. [47:46]

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

Reflection: What is one old pattern or habit you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Christ today?


Day 3: Guided by Divine Wisdom
God's wisdom is a guiding light in our lives, helping us make decisions that honor our true identity. This wisdom empowers us to set boundaries and navigate life with hope, ensuring we live in the freedom Christ offers. As we seek divine guidance, we are reminded that God's wisdom is available to us through the Holy Spirit, who leads us in truth and righteousness. By embracing this wisdom, we can make choices that align with God's vision for our lives, living out the resurrection life with purpose and clarity. [50:10]

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to seek God's wisdom today, and how can you actively listen for His guidance?


Day 4: Relationships as Reflections
Our relationships serve as mirrors, reflecting both our strengths and areas needing growth. God uses these interactions to refine us, challenging us to live out the resurrection life in every context. Whether in marriage, family, or work, we are called to ascribe worth to others, recognizing them as fellow children of God. Engaging in tough conversations with grace and truth is part of this journey, as we learn to love and serve others in the way Christ loves us. Through these relationships, we are continually shaped and molded into the image of Christ. [01:00:36]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs growth. How can you approach this relationship with grace and truth today?


Day 5: Living in the Fullness of Christ's Power
We are invited to embrace God's vision for our lives, trusting that He will fill the spaces we surrender with His presence and purpose. This journey is one of hope and empowerment, as we are made for more and called to live in the fullness of Christ's resurrection power. As we walk this path, we are reminded that we are not alone; God's presence is with us, guiding and empowering us to live out His vision. By surrendering our lives to Him, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love and grace, living each day with purpose and joy. [01:09:48]

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life you need to surrender to God today, trusting Him to fill it with His presence and purpose?

Quotes


Because there is a story, and his story, right, is our story, and we've been invited into it. And that story is not just a story of my failings, my sin struggles, the wounds that I've had, my brokenness. It is, but it's more. Remember how Bill Vanderbush said to us, you know, we tend to sometimes struggle with thinking that Satan is God's evil, equal opposite. It's not true. It's not true. [00:39:31]

And so God is thinking and looking down because the rescuer was going to be coming. Now, we tend to sometimes see this as speaking only to this, right? Okay, hold on, hold on. we're going to get a little radical. Someone told me I was radical this week. Yeah, right, totally rad. Yeah. Anyway, because what the rescuer did fully consumes the reality of the fall. [00:41:57]

Not just the things that we do that are sinful, not just the lies that we believe, not just the wounds that have happened in our life. Not just the agreements we make with wrong things, but it consumes that. It speaks to the actual, not just the behavior, it speaks to the brokenness of the human spirit that came through the fall. It consumes that. Are you ready for this? [00:42:31]

And he deals with that, and then leads us, you know, to God. Just like, you know, all of these other things we have to deal with, and Jesus, who is our God, draws us, rises from the dead, says that our life is actually defined in the resurrection of who he is. That's Colossians 3. Gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, and then calls us into a life where we get to actually have an encounter with his vision, his vision for how we live. [00:44:37]

one thing I want to say because you know the lies the enemy is just a really good liar if he could be really good at one thing and get an a plus it would be in being a deceiver okay and so even when we talk about the good news the enemy still if he can't get you to not believe he's going to get you to doubt parts of this and I have run into this so many times when we talk about the vision God has for how humanity could live we start to feel ashamed that well I still have I still struggle with some things I'm not fully living this out shame on me shame on me shame on me oh I still struggle with believing in that I'm failing at living the vision right the enemy is just even so good at that so as we go through things today as we remember [00:45:09]

And so where Colossians is taking us, Christ's resurrection is your resurrection too. You know what that means? The defaults that I have struggled with and I bring that baggage into my relationships. Oh my goodness. Ask Kevin. And I pray for him all the time, you guys. And I know some of you have a special prayer list, praying for Kevin as he deals with this. That's a lovely situation. [00:52:48]

That is why we are to yearn for all that is above for that's where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority. Yes. Feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities and not with the distractions of the natural realm. Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life. What? [00:53:13]

The cross says it is finished. And I'm going to agree with that. Oh, it's going to be hard sometimes, but I'm going to agree that there's stuff it's finished. The resurrection now says there's more, right? And I can have that in my life. I'm empowered to exchange and upgrade with God. You know, when God asks us to let stuff go, it's not to leave that place empty, right? [00:57:50]

And sometimes we need to have the faith, the hope, the trust. That that's what's going to happen as we walk through it, right? Okay. And we're going to have a heart ruled by peace. We're talking about wholeness, health, harmony. What? Harmony? Hmm. That's not just a me word. That's a we word. Do you want to say it again? Woo. Man, that is good news, right? Okay. [00:58:13]

Well, Colossians lists these types of relationships and they're a gift from God. They're a gift from God. And we don't need it to just be about marriage. The church has had it. It's a gift from God. It's a gift from God. It's a gift from God. Kind of this golden calf view of marriage. Oh, is that too much to say? Like that's the highest point of living highest point of relationship, right? No, no. [01:00:00]

And so when we are even in our situations of conflict, we have our children who struggle and we have to let them be adults, right? But we still, how do I engage with this? And I want to God, I want God to have your vision for this. So I'm going to set this conflict. This is what I wanted my kids to be like, but I'm going to set this into, God, what is your vision for me as a mother, for them as children? [01:03:47]

You know, like grabbing onto God's vision. Do we ever ask him? What that is. But then also what is his context? So the why, the meaning, the relevance, the definition around this. And when we actually know where we are and aren't confused about where we're going and what God's actual definition that he wants to add to this moment, we can just have so much peace. Like I'm going to do what God is telling me to do. [01:04:22]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?