Embracing Our Divine Identity in Christ
Summary
In our ongoing series, "Who Am I?", we explore the profound question of identity beyond material possessions, family, or occupation. God has given us a new definition of who we are, and embracing this divine identity is the pathway to becoming our best selves. We find our roles within the church community, the ecclesia, where our spiritual and natural gifts come together to create a framework for growth. As we enter the season of Lent, a time of reflection and purification, we are reminded that each of us has unique ways to grow spiritually, whether through fasting, prayer, or other personal commitments.
Reflecting on my own journey, I shared how fasting led me to my calling in ministry. It was a step of faith, moving forward without knowing all the details, but trusting that God would bring everything together. This is the essence of faith—moving without necessarily knowing how it will work out, but believing that God will make it work. As children of God, we may not see our full potential now, but we have a divine blueprint within us that will manifest as we mature spiritually.
The scripture from 1 John 3:2-3 reminds us that we are children of God, and though it may not yet appear what we shall be, we have the hope that when He appears, we shall be like Him. This hope purifies us and propels us forward in our spiritual journey. Just as in sports, where hope can drive a team to perform beyond expectations, our hope in God motivates us to grow in righteousness and reflect His character.
We must be vigilant in our spiritual walk, recognizing that God's seed within us leads to continual sanctification. If we are truly His children, our lives will reflect His righteousness. This means examining our actions and attitudes, ensuring that God's spiritual DNA is deeply rooted in us. As we grow in His likeness, we are equipped to serve and bless others, embodying Christian character and love.
Key Takeaways:
1. Embracing our God-given identity is essential for becoming our best selves. Our roles within the church community help us grow spiritually, as we use our gifts in service to others. This divine identity transcends material definitions and leads us to a deeper understanding of who we are in Christ. [04:31]
2. Faith involves moving forward without knowing all the details, trusting that God will bring everything together. This journey requires stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing uncertainty, knowing that God is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us. [06:55]
3. As children of God, we have a divine blueprint within us that will manifest as we mature spiritually. Though we may not see it now, God has planted a seed in us that will grow and reflect His image as we reach different stages of our spiritual journey. [15:11]
4. Our hope in God purifies us and propels us forward in our spiritual journey. This hope is not passive but active, motivating us to grow in righteousness and reflect God's character in our daily lives. [19:25]
5. God's seed within us leads to continual sanctification, transforming our actions and attitudes. As we grow in His likeness, we are equipped to serve and bless others, embodying Christian character and love. This transformation is evidence of God's work in us. [19:25]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Series Introduction: Who Am I?
[04:31] - Embracing Our God-Given Identity
[06:55] - The Journey of Faith
[09:00] - Personal Testimony: Fasting and Calling
[11:30] - The Divine Blueprint Within Us
[13:45] - Hope and Spiritual Growth
[15:11] - Continual Sanctification
[17:00] - Reflecting God's Character
[19:25] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 John 3:2-3
Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 John 3:2-3, what is the hope that believers have, and how does it relate to their identity as children of God?
2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal testimony about fasting and receiving a calling. What role did faith play in this experience? [06:55]
3. How does the pastor describe the process of spiritual growth and sanctification in the life of a believer? [15:11]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to have a "divine blueprint" within us, as mentioned in the sermon, and how does this concept relate to our spiritual maturity? [11:30]
2. How does the hope mentioned in 1 John 3:2-3 purify believers, and what practical implications does this have for their daily lives?
3. The sermon discusses the idea of moving forward in faith without knowing all the details. How can this principle be applied to the challenges faced by believers today? [06:55]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there areas where you need to step out in faith, even if you don't have all the details? How can you take a step forward this week? [06:55]
2. During this season of Lent, what specific practice or commitment can you make to grow spiritually, such as fasting, prayer, or reducing distractions? [04:31]
3. Consider the "divine blueprint" within you. What aspects of God's character do you feel are being developed in your life right now, and how can you nurture this growth? [11:30]
4. How does your role within the church community help you embrace your God-given identity? Are there new ways you can use your gifts to serve others? [04:31]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of hope in our spiritual journey. How can you cultivate a hopeful mindset that motivates you to grow in righteousness and reflect God's character? [19:25]
6. Think about a time when you felt uncertain about the future. How did your faith help you navigate that period, and what lessons can you apply to your current situation? [06:55]
7. In what ways can you ensure that God's spiritual DNA is deeply rooted in you, transforming your actions and attitudes to reflect His righteousness? [15:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Identity
Embracing our God-given identity is essential for becoming our best selves. Our roles within the church community help us grow spiritually, as we use our gifts in service to others. This divine identity transcends material definitions and leads us to a deeper understanding of who we are in Christ. As we engage with our community, we find that our spiritual and natural gifts come together to create a framework for growth. This identity is not static but dynamic, evolving as we mature in our faith and understanding of God's purpose for us. [04:31]
"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: How can you actively use your unique gifts to serve your church community this week, and what steps will you take to embrace your God-given identity more fully?
Day 2: The Journey of Faith
Faith involves moving forward without knowing all the details, trusting that God will bring everything together. This journey requires stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing uncertainty, knowing that God is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us. As we take steps of faith, we learn to rely on God's promises and His ability to guide us through the unknown. This process of trusting and moving forward, even when the path is unclear, strengthens our relationship with God and deepens our faith. [06:55]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel uncertain. What is one step of faith you can take today to trust God more in that area?
Day 3: The Divine Blueprint Within Us
As children of God, we have a divine blueprint within us that will manifest as we mature spiritually. Though we may not see it now, God has planted a seed in us that will grow and reflect His image as we reach different stages of our spiritual journey. This divine blueprint is a promise of our potential in Christ, guiding us toward becoming more like Him. As we nurture this seed through spiritual disciplines and community engagement, we begin to see glimpses of the person God is shaping us to be. [15:11]
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual discipline can you commit to this week to nurture the divine blueprint within you, and how will you hold yourself accountable to this commitment?
Day 4: Hope and Spiritual Growth
Our hope in God purifies us and propels us forward in our spiritual journey. This hope is not passive but active, motivating us to grow in righteousness and reflect God's character in our daily lives. Just as hope can drive a team to perform beyond expectations, our hope in God inspires us to pursue holiness and live out our faith with integrity. This hope is rooted in the assurance of God's promises and His transformative work in our lives. [19:25]
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively cultivate hope in your life this week, and how can this hope influence your interactions with others?
Day 5: Continual Sanctification
God's seed within us leads to continual sanctification, transforming our actions and attitudes. As we grow in His likeness, we are equipped to serve and bless others, embodying Christian character and love. This transformation is evidence of God's work in us, as we become more aligned with His will and purpose. Our lives begin to reflect His righteousness, and we find ourselves more capable of extending grace and love to those around us. [19:25]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where your actions did not align with God's character. How can you seek God's guidance to transform this area of your life and better reflect His love and righteousness?
Quotes
"And I used the illustration of me not being the most talented guy on the relay but I did have a role and we all had a role and when we tied all those roles together everyone benefited and it's the same way in the church that there are gifts we all have spiritual and natural gifts and when we use them together in the context of Christian community it creates a framework within for us to grow within and become our very best selves." [00:02:03] (35 seconds)
"Miracles happen when you choose to step out of your comfort zone into what God has called you to do. You can be going through your life. And it seems like you're just getting up, going to work, coming home, going through a routine, going to bed, getting up and wondering, like, what happened in the last eight years? Or every day can be a step up." [00:05:36] (30 seconds)
"You know, when we are going through our Christian journey, there will be uncertainty. We don't know what tomorrow brings or next month brings, but sometimes we have to move forward without knowing everything because that's what faith is. Faith is moving without necessarily knowing how it's going to work, but if you exercise that faith, that's when everything comes together to make it work." [00:07:26] (29 seconds)
"If the defense stops them and there's two minutes on the clock all of a sudden the team starts doing things they've never done the whole game you know all of a sudden they start completing passes and all of a sudden they start going for it and why because there's an opportunity we now have a chance we have hope and my beloved I maintain that it's the same way in our Christian walk." [00:14:30] (27 seconds)
"God is righteous and if you're children of God you will be righteous and he says and don't be deceived the devil has been sinning from the beginning and if you're continuing to sin then you are the child of the devil that's pretty harsh words but it's true what he's saying is this he says continuing to sin and he says that when the seed of God is in us it doesn't mean that you won't ever sin." [00:15:11] (44 seconds)
"God's work in us continues to purify us. And when God's seed is in us and we have hope, not only in God's capacity to complete whatever he started, but also to know that if God is in you, then that's enough for him to bring you where he wants you to be. Then you just can't keep on doing certain things." [00:16:20] (29 seconds)
"When his spiritual DNA is in us, it works all the time because he who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. So my beloved, who are you? Are you a child of God? Are you his offspring? Are you his offspring? You going to see him like he is because he's made you like him?" [00:17:40] (40 seconds)
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