Embracing Our Identity as Children of God

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Identity Beyond Performance

Understanding our identity in Christ fundamentally shifts our approach to life. When we recognize ourselves as children of God, we move away from striving to please others through our actions and instead rest in a secure, loved position. This identity is not something we earn; it is a gift bestowed through Christ's sacrifice, inviting us into a transformative journey. This transformation allows us to live authentically, not bound by the need to perform but free to express our true selves in Christ. [39:06]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15)

Reflection: How does embracing your identity as God's child change your daily interactions and self-perception?

Day 2: True Leadership is Character-Driven

Growing up in a culture that emphasizes visible success can distort our understanding of Christian leadership. True leadership in the faith is not about fulfilling a checklist of religious activities or achieving status; it's rooted in character and service. This perspective challenges us to evaluate our motivations and the foundation of our leadership. Are we seeking to serve or to be seen? This shift in understanding invites a deeper, more genuine approach to leadership and service. [09:33]

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

Reflection: In what ways might you be pursuing visible markers of success over genuine character development in your leadership roles?

Day 3: The Growth Found in Hiddenness

Periods of hiddenness, where our contributions and growth are not visible to others, can be profound times of personal and spiritual development. These seasons teach us humility and reliance on God, away from the applause and approval of the crowd. Embracing these times can prepare us for future tasks that God has in store, much like a seed growing unseen in the earth before it sprouts. [24:29]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

Reflection: What might be the hidden areas in your life where God is calling you to grow and learn, even if no one else sees?

Day 4: Resisting Cultural Pressures in Identity Formation

Our modern culture's obsession with immediacy and visible achievement can distort our sense of self and success. As followers of Christ, we are called to resist conforming to these pressures, finding our value and success in our relationship with God and His calling on our lives. This requires a conscious effort to align our desires and actions with God's purposes, rather than the fleeting standards of the world. [15:10]

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15)

Reflection: How can you actively resist the pressure to conform to cultural standards of success and instead pursue what God values?

Day 5: Delighting in God Beyond Our Desires

Truly delighting in the Lord means seeking Him for who He is, not for what He can provide. This relationship transforms our desires, aligning them with God's will and leading to genuine fulfillment and joy. As we deepen our relationship with God, we find that our truest desires are met not through striving but through a natural overflow of our connection with Him. [26:06]

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

Reflection: What are some ways you can deepen your delight in the Lord, looking beyond your immediate desires to what He desires for you?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I began by reflecting on the profound impact of understanding our identity in Christ, emphasizing that it's not about what we do but who we are because of Jesus' sacrifice. This theme of identity and transformation through Christ was a thread throughout the discussion.

I shared a personal story from my youth, highlighting a pivotal moment at a summer camp in seventh grade when I felt called to ministry. This early experience was shaped by a culture that equated Christian leadership with superficial achievements and external behaviors, such as waking up early, drinking black coffee, and being visibly active in church roles. However, these actions, while seemingly good, were not rooted in a true understanding of being a son of God but rather in performing to meet perceived expectations.

As I matured, I encountered a significant challenge that shifted my perspective dramatically. During a family cruise, I prayed earnestly for a deeper relationship with God, regardless of the cost. This prayer led to a profound spiritual experience where I audibly heard God's command to "stay down," which I interpreted as an invitation to step away from public ministry and enter a period of hiddenness and personal growth. This phase included various humble jobs and a break from social media, which taught me valuable lessons about God's fatherhood and the importance of character over external achievements.

Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the dangers of the modern culture's obsession with immediacy and visible success, illustrated by the pressures of social media and the constant comparison it fosters. This culture often distorts our understanding of success and can lead us to value the wrong things, such as fame and recognition, over a genuine relationship with God.

I also discussed the biblical narrative of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, which took much longer than necessary because they had to unlearn their slave mentality and align their identity with God's vision for them. This story paralleled the personal journeys we undergo, highlighting the importance of patience, trust, and submission to God's timing and design.

The sermon concluded with a call to embrace our identity as children of God, not just servants or tools for specific tasks. This identity allows us to live in freedom and joy, continually renewing our minds to align with Christ's image, which brings true life and fulfillment.

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Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Romans 12:2, what are believers instructed to do instead of conforming to the world?
In Psalm 37:4, what is the promise given to those who delight in the Lord?
How does Jesus describe the relationship between Him and His followers in John 15:15?
What personal story did the pastor share about his early call to ministry and how did it shape his understanding of Christian leadership? [09:00]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to be "transformed by the renewal of your mind" as mentioned in Romans 12:2? How does this transformation impact a believer's life?
How can delighting in the Lord change the desires of our hearts according to Psalm 37:4? What does this look like in practical terms? [26:06]
In John 15:15, Jesus makes a distinction between servants and friends. What implications does this have for our identity in Christ and our relationship with Him?
The pastor mentioned a period of hiddenness and personal growth. How can such seasons be valuable for spiritual development? [24:29]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you are conforming to the world rather than being transformed by the renewal of your mind? What steps can you take to align more closely with God's will? [39:06]
Think about a time when you felt pressured by cultural norms or social media to achieve visible success. How did this affect your relationship with God and your sense of identity? What changes can you make to resist these pressures? [15:10]
The pastor shared about his prayer for a deeper relationship with God, which led to a significant spiritual experience. Have you ever prayed for a deeper relationship with God? What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith journey? [20:14]
Consider the concept of delighting in the Lord. What are some practical ways you can delight in God daily? How might this shift your desires and priorities? [26:06]
The pastor emphasized the importance of understanding our identity as children of God rather than just servants. How does this understanding change the way you live and serve in your daily life? [24:59]
Reflect on a season of hiddenness or inactivity in your life. How did God use that time to develop your character and deepen your relationship with Him? How can you embrace such seasons in the future? [24:29]
The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land took longer because they had to unlearn their slave mentality. Are there mindsets or habits you need to unlearn to fully embrace your identity in Christ? What steps can you take to start this process? [34:07]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "It's this reality that everything we look at, everything we see is here now. And we compare ourselves to these famous people that are probably very insecure, very sad, photoshopped. Unreal, unrealistic versions of what we're actually supposed to be. That's all we see. So that's what we chase." [17:22]( | | )

2. "I think the thing is just keep going. That's it. Rosie's not going to change her identity when she's in seventh grade from being your daughter. Right? But she's going to keep going and keep growing. That's all we got to do." [41:08]( | | )

3. "You ever seen a Chinese finger trap? You stick your fingers in, you try to pull, then you're stuck. But if you push your fingers together, surrender to the trap, if you will. The more you pull, the more you're trapped, the more you give up, the more you're free. Does that make sense?" [43:51]( | | )

4. "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. For the longest time, I thought that meant I had to do all the right things. But then I realized, delighting in God means caring about the things He cares about, which naturally aligns your desires with His." [26:06]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "I prayed a cute little prayer that I didn't realize was going to transform the next forever of my life. I said, 'God, I want more of you at whatever the cost.' I really wanted more of God at whatever the cost. I didn't know what that meant, though." [19:36]( | | )

2. "I was on a journey with hiddenness with the Lord, working humble jobs, learning valuable lessons about God's fatherhood and the importance of character over external achievements. This period taught me that God is developing our character and preparing us for future tasks." [23:58]( | | )

3. "The Lord had to help me relearn my identity because I was walking as a son, but more as a servant. Life just became beautiful when I truly understood God loves me for me. God doesn't love me for what I can do. I'm not just a tool in the tool shop." [24:59]( | | )

4. "In your presence is the fullness of joy. Our identity is now in God because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. You can't do enough to get into the kingdom. You can't do enough to be a child of God. That's already been a gift given to you." [39:06](Download raw clip | | )

5. "It took the Israelites 40 years to reach the Promised Land because they had to unlearn their slave mentality and align their identity with God's vision for them. This story parallels our personal journeys, emphasizing the importance of patience, trust, and submission to God's timing." [35:06](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

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What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?