Embracing Our Identity as Children of God
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of identity and the contrast between living with an orphan spirit and embracing the identity of a child of God. The speaker begins by assuring listeners that God is proud of them for who they are, not for what they have done. They are reminded that Jesus died for them because they couldn't save themselves, and they are encouraged to define themselves by their highest potential as God sees them. The story of the prodigal son is used to illustrate God's compassion and eagerness to embrace those who return to Him, emphasizing that believers are not slaves to fear but are called to come home to the Father.
The speaker discusses the role of Satan as the accuser, using rejection to attack individuals, but contrasts this with God's affirmation of His children. A personal story about the speaker's son facing a bully at school is shared to illustrate the importance of knowing one's worth and being loved by parents, despite accusations. The sermon challenges the audience's perception of God, suggesting that many may be living with an orphan spirit, feeling abandoned and believing the devil's lies.
The speaker reflects on Moses' story, chosen by God not for his eloquence but because he belonged to God. Moses' insecurities and doubts are identified as the orphan spirit, which is characterized by the fear of failure. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeing God as a loving and intimate father, rather than a distant and judgmental figure, and how this perception affects our self-image.
The speaker also addresses the fear of rejection and its impact on relationships, sharing personal experiences of growing up poor and feeling like an orphan. The story of Moses is revisited, highlighting his struggle with identity and the orphan spirit that drove him away from his true purpose. The sermon encourages listeners to recognize and overcome the voice of the orphan in their own lives.
The difference between having an orphan spirit and the spirit of a son or daughter is discussed, with the latter leading to self-awareness and the ability to seek forgiveness. The speaker shares a personal example of apologizing to their son for speaking from an orphan spirit and expresses gratitude for their pastor, who serves as a spiritual father.
The sermon concludes by inviting those who have not yet placed their faith in Jesus to do so, as God desires to forgive, redeem, and make them sons and daughters. The speaker also invites the congregation to participate in the church's year-end offering, either by starting to tithe or giving a sacrificial gift above and beyond the tithe.
Key Takeaways:
- God's pride in individuals stems from their inherent value as His creation, not from their deeds. This perspective is crucial for overcoming feelings of shame and guilt, allowing for a breakthrough in one's spiritual journey. It is an invitation to see oneself through the lens of God's forgiveness and potential.
- The Holy Spirit plays a transformative role in believers' lives, prompting them to return to their heavenly Father and reminding them of their worth and divine purpose. This divine intervention is a testament to God's personal and compassionate nature, which seeks to restore and embrace those who have strayed.
- The concept of the orphan spirit, characterized by fear of failure and insecurity, is a significant barrier to fulfilling one's destiny. Overcoming this spirit involves embracing one's identity as a child of God, which is not based on performance but on divine selection and grace.
- The story of Moses serves as a powerful example of how an orphan spirit can distort one's self-perception and hinder the response to God's call. God's reassurance to Moses highlights His loving nature and the promise of His presence, which is essential for overcoming doubt and insecurity.
- The sermon emphasizes the importance of self-awareness from the perspective of a son or daughter of God. This awareness allows individuals to recognize the subtle sounds of the orphan spirit and to reject self-consciousness in favor of a secure identity in their heavenly Father's view.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:14-17: "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
2. Revelation 12:10: "For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down."
3. Exodus 3:9-12: "And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' And God said, 'I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 8:14-17 say about our identity as children of God?
2. According to Revelation 12:10, what is the role of Satan in the lives of believers?
3. In Exodus 3:9-12, how does Moses initially respond to God's call, and what is God's reassurance to him? ([15:55])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being adopted as children of God in Romans 8:14-17 contrast with living with an orphan spirit? ([28:50])
2. What does the story of Moses in Exodus 3:9-12 reveal about the impact of the orphan spirit on one's self-perception and response to God's call? ([15:55])
3. How does the accuser's role in Revelation 12:10 affect believers' sense of worth and identity, and how does God's affirmation counteract this? ([09:15])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were living with an orphan spirit. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? ([06:18])
2. In what ways can you remind yourself of your identity as a child of God when you face accusations or feelings of unworthiness? ([09:15])
3. How can you cultivate a perception of God as a loving and intimate Father rather than a distant and judgmental figure? ([21:04])
4. Think about a situation where you felt rejected or abandoned. How can you apply the message of God's compassion and eagerness to embrace you in that context? ([35:48])
5. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with the fear of failure. How can embracing your identity as a child of God help you overcome this fear? ([27:44])
6. How can you practice self-awareness from the perspective of a son or daughter of God, rather than self-consciousness driven by an orphan spirit? ([20:24])
7. What steps can you take to reject the voice of the orphan spirit and embrace the Holy Spirit's affirmation of your worth and divine purpose? ([28:50])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Worth
God sees inherent value in His creation, independent of deeds or accomplishments. This understanding liberates from shame and guilt, opening the path to spiritual breakthrough and a deeper sense of divine purpose. [07:40]
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."
Reflection: How does knowing that God delights in you, regardless of your actions, change the way you view yourself and your mistakes?
Day 2: Returning to the Father's Embrace
The Holy Spirit guides believers back to their heavenly Father, affirming their worth and divine purpose. This divine embrace is a testament to God's personal and compassionate nature, which seeks to restore and uplift the lost. [07:40]
Psalm 68:5-6a - "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..."
Reflection: Can you identify a time when you felt the Holy Spirit drawing you back to God? How did that experience impact your understanding of your identity in Him?
Day 3: Overcoming the Orphan Spirit
The orphan spirit, marked by fear and insecurity, hinders one's destiny. Recognizing oneself as a child of God, chosen by grace, is key to overcoming this spirit and stepping into one's true purpose. [07:40]
Romans 8:15 - "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with feelings of inadequacy or fear of failure, and how can you remind yourself of your identity as God's child in those moments?
Day 4: The Assurance of Divine Selection
God's reassurance to Moses in his insecurities demonstrates His loving nature and the promise of His presence. This assurance is essential for overcoming doubt and embracing God's call on our lives. [07:40]
Exodus 4:11-12 - "The Lord said to him, 'Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'"
Reflection: How does the story of Moses and his encounter with God challenge your own insecurities, and what steps can you take to trust in God's guidance more fully?
Day 5: Recognizing the Voice of Sonship
Awareness as a son or daughter of God enables individuals to discern the orphan spirit's whispers and to embrace a secure identity in their heavenly Father's view. This awareness fosters forgiveness and self-acceptance. [07:40]
Galatians 4:6-7 - "Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you might have reacted out of an orphan spirit. How can you approach similar situations in the future with the assurance of your sonship or daughtership in God?
Quotes
"The father always validates the relationship. I need you to understand that. But when you're an orphan, you feel abandoned, there's an absence of that voice." [11:22] (Download)
"We are so familiar with living in the accusation it becomes our identity. I wonder how many orphans are in this house and the devil has been speaking lies and you are just giving agreement to it." [12:31] (Download)
"The deepest fear is not that my dad didn't love me; the deepest fear is I wasn't worth loving. And when that orphan spirit drowns you into the ground and beats you up, it makes you feel like you're not enough." [25:52] (Download)
"We have a God who looks at you and says, 'That's my son, that's my daughter, shut your pie hole, accuser.' Relentlessly attacking your character, and he's got good evidence to win a case in court sometimes, but that does not matter because when you are the Lord's son or daughter, no one can take you from his hand." [09:47] (Download)
"The way God picks is not what you and I use... I picked you because I'm Sovereign and you're mine. If I were looking for eloquence, I would have passed by you long ago." [27:09] (Download)
"The spirit you receive does not make you a slave so that you live in fear again... that's the orphan spirit, that's the old spirit, that's the one that died but keeps popping his head back up. That's how you were, but this is not who you have to be." [28:50] (Download)
"The spirit of a son or a daughter makes you self-aware, guiding you to recognize your missteps and seek forgiveness, rather than drowning you in self-condemnation." [21:36] (Download)
"He's proud of you not what you did, he's proud of who you are. That's the God that we serve." [46:39] (Download)
"God sees you according to your Highest Potential and he loves you and brought this opportunity for you to be forgiven." [47:12] (Download)
"You did not come to church; you're coming home to the Father. You are created in the image of God, there's an indelible mark that's been left on you, and though you were in a pig pen, there's something that says I'm created for more than this." [35:14] (Download)
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