Embracing Our Identity as Children of God
Summary
### Summary
At Sparta Church, we are committed to becoming extraordinary followers of Jesus. Today, we celebrated the dedication of little Ezariah Maselli, acknowledging that this act is more about the parents' commitment to raise their child in the ways of the Lord than about securing the child's salvation. We prayed for Ezariah, asking God to guide and protect him, and to give his parents the wisdom and strength they need.
We then transitioned to discussing the faithfulness of God and how He continues to move mountains in our lives. This led us into our study of Romans 8:14-17, where we explored what it means to live victoriously in the gospel. We focused on four key applications from the text: living in the security of our identity in Christ, drawing near to God with confidence, resting in the promise of our identity, and participating in the inheritance of our identity.
We emphasized that as children of God, we are adopted into His family, which brings with it profound privileges and responsibilities. We are called to live without fear, knowing that our identity is secure in Christ. We can approach God as our loving Father, confident in His care and provision. The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit, affirming our identity as God's children. Finally, we are heirs with Christ, called to participate in His sufferings and glory.
We concluded with a call to return to God if we have strayed, and to embrace our identity as His children. We prayed for those who have yet to trust in Jesus, inviting them to surrender their lives to Him and become part of God's family.
### Key Takeaways
1. Live in the Security of Your Identity: As children of God, we are called to live in the security of our identity in Christ. This means recognizing that we are no longer slaves to fear but are adopted into God's family. Our identity is hidden with Christ in God, providing us with a sense of safety and belonging that the world cannot offer. [37:48]
2. Draw Near with Confidence: We have the privilege of approaching God as our Father, calling Him "Abba," which signifies an intimate, personal relationship. This relationship allows us to draw near to God with confidence, knowing that He cares for us deeply and desires to provide for us. This intimate connection is a unique privilege of being part of God's family. [42:28]
3. Rest in the Promise of Your Identity: The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. This assurance is not based on feelings but on the evidence of the Spirit's work in our lives. As we see the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—manifest in our lives, we can rest in the promise of our identity in Christ. [49:53]
4. Participate in the Inheritance of Your Identity: As heirs with Christ, we are called to participate in His sufferings and glory. This means living out our faith daily, even in the face of persecution or misunderstanding. Our identity as children of God empowers us to endure hardships with the hope of the eternal inheritance that awaits us. [50:44]
5. Return to God if You Have Strayed: If you have wandered away from God, now is the time to return. God is always ready to welcome you back into His family. Embrace your identity as His child and recommit to living according to His word. God's love and forgiveness are always available to those who seek Him. [57:46]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[19:44] - Dedication of Ezariah Maselli
[21:20] - Prayer for Ezariah
[30:01] - God's Faithfulness and Moving Mountains
[31:28] - Living Victoriously in the Gospel
[32:16] - Introduction to Romans 8:14-17
[33:39] - The Family of God
[35:02] - Faith and Adoption into God's Family
[36:13] - Live in the Security of Your Identity
[42:28] - Draw Near with Confidence
[48:37] - Rest in the Promise of Your Identity
[50:44] - Participate in the Inheritance of Your Identity
[57:46] - Return to God if You Have Strayed
[01:08:12] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 8:14-17 (NIV): "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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 8:14-17 say about our identity as children of God?
2. How does the Spirit testify with our spirit according to Romans 8:16?
3. What are the implications of being heirs with Christ as mentioned in Romans 8:17?
4. In the sermon, what was the significance of the dedication of little Ezariah Maselli? ([19:44])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to live in the security of our identity in Christ as described in Romans 8:14-15? How does this contrast with living in fear? ([36:13])
2. How does the concept of calling God "Abba, Father" change our understanding of our relationship with Him? ([42:28])
3. What evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives can give us assurance of our identity in Christ? ([49:53])
4. How should we understand and respond to the idea of participating in Christ's sufferings and glory as heirs with Him? ([50:44])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you struggle to live in the security of your identity in Christ? How can you remind yourself of this truth daily? ([37:48])
2. How can you cultivate a more intimate relationship with God, approaching Him as "Abba, Father"? What practical steps can you take to deepen this relationship? ([42:28])
3. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you see growing in your life. How can you nurture this further? ([49:53])
4. Think of a recent hardship or challenge you faced. How can viewing this experience as part of participating in Christ's sufferings and glory change your perspective? ([50:44])
5. If you have strayed from God, what steps can you take to return to Him and embrace your identity as His child? How can the group support you in this journey? ([57:46])
6. How can you support and pray for parents in your community who are raising their children in the ways of the Lord, similar to the dedication of Ezariah Maselli? ([19:44])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt God's provision and care in your life. How can this memory strengthen your confidence in approaching Him as your loving Father? ([42:28])
Devotional
Day 1: Secure in Christ's Identity
As children of God, we are called to live in the security of our identity in Christ. This means recognizing that we are no longer slaves to fear but are adopted into God's family. Our identity is hidden with Christ in God, providing us with a sense of safety and belonging that the world cannot offer. This security is not based on our circumstances or feelings but on the unchanging truth of God's Word. When we understand and embrace this identity, we can live with confidence and peace, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued by our Heavenly Father. [37:48]
Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to feel secure? How can you remind yourself today that your true identity is hidden with Christ in God?
Day 2: Approach God with Confidence
We have the privilege of approaching God as our Father, calling Him "Abba," which signifies an intimate, personal relationship. This relationship allows us to draw near to God with confidence, knowing that He cares for us deeply and desires to provide for us. This intimate connection is a unique privilege of being part of God's family. When we approach God with this confidence, we can bring our needs, fears, and desires to Him, trusting that He hears us and will respond according to His perfect will. [42:28]
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: What is one specific need or concern you have today? Take a moment to approach God with confidence and present it to Him, trusting in His care and provision.
Day 3: Rest in the Spirit's Assurance
The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. This assurance is not based on feelings but on the evidence of the Spirit's work in our lives. As we see the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—manifest in our lives, we can rest in the promise of our identity in Christ. This rest is a deep, abiding peace that comes from knowing we belong to God and are secure in His love. [49:53]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Reflect on the fruits of the Spirit in your life. Which fruit do you see most evident, and which one do you need to ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate more in you?
Day 4: Embrace Your Inheritance
As heirs with Christ, we are called to participate in His sufferings and glory. This means living out our faith daily, even in the face of persecution or misunderstanding. Our identity as children of God empowers us to endure hardships with the hope of the eternal inheritance that awaits us. This inheritance is not just a future promise but a present reality that shapes how we live and respond to challenges. Embracing this inheritance involves a willingness to share in Christ's sufferings, knowing that it leads to sharing in His glory. [50:44]
1 Peter 4:13 (ESV): "But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."
Reflection: How can you embrace your identity as an heir with Christ today, especially in the face of a current challenge or hardship? What practical steps can you take to live out this inheritance?
Day 5: Return to God
If you have wandered away from God, now is the time to return. God is always ready to welcome you back into His family. Embrace your identity as His child and recommit to living according to His word. God's love and forgiveness are always available to those who seek Him. No matter how far you have strayed, His arms are open wide, ready to receive you with grace and mercy. Returning to God involves repentance, a turning away from sin, and a renewed commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly. [57:46]
Joel 2:13 (ESV): "And rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have strayed from God? Take time today to confess it to Him and ask for His forgiveness, committing to return to Him with your whole heart.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I believe the Lord's still in the business of moving mountains. Do you? It's amazing. Why are we amazed? But we're amazed, right, of God's faithfulness. And you think of these children this past week, again, who surrendered their life to Christ. I was talking to Erwin this week and talking about a couple of conversations he's been having with some of the children, your counselors. You've been talking with the children about the gospel as well. And these children contemplating, asking the questions. They're thinking, they're using their noggin. The spirit of God is, is opening the doors of their heart." [30:01] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We're here this morning because we want to talk about what it means to live victoriously in the gospel. What it means to live victoriously in the gospel. What it means to not live in despair, to not live in defeat, but to live in the hope that the Lord is fashioning, shaping, molding you and fulfilling his purpose and plan in your life for his glory, for his glory." [31:02] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Isn't it great we get to study God's word for a few minutes? Isn't this precious? Like it just never gets old. I hope it doesn't get old for you. Let's just say, Lord, what do you have for me in your word today, right? This is about family, by the way. It's about what it means to belong to the most precious family on the earth. You're never an only child in the family of God." [33:00] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So to become a part of the family of God begins with faith, right? Faith to embrace and to acknowledge that I'm a sinner separated from God because of my sin, but because of the work of Christ on my behalf, he became my substitute to appease the wrath of the Father, so that I could be forgiven because the punishment that I deserve fell on him on the cross. And so now by faith and surrendering of my life to Jesus Christ, right? I have been set free and born and adopted into the family of God, the family of God." [35:02] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Aren't you glad that when you, crash into the proverbial foam poles of life, that you don't have to fear that your Abba Father's gonna reject you? He may discipline you. He loves you. But you, you can draw near in confidence that he hears you. And he invites us to call upon him. I see that in verse 15 clearly." [47:54] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Live in the security of your identity. What does that mean? For if you are led by the Spirit of God, and we talked about that, these then are sons of God or daughters of God. It's talking about children of God. You haven't received, the spirit of slavery leading to fear again. No, fear has been removed. The weight has been removed. You bear the name of God. You're a son of God. You have been rescued, right, from your sin and from this sinful world and been bought into, redeemed into the family of God." [36:13] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Rest in the promise of your identity. Because it's the Spirit of the living God. You see the Trinity in the text, isn't it? The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in this text is beautiful. But you can rest in the promise of the identity of God because the Spirit of God testifies with your spirit. Why? Because you've been clothed in Christ as a follower of Jesus." [48:37] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Participate in the inheritance of your identity. That we, as we follow Christ daily, we participate in the name of the Lord. We are the family of God. I found a report, a recent report from NPR News. It talked about a Mr. J. Speets of America, recently discovered that he was royalty. Imagine that. He took a DNA test and the result popped up as him being of royal descent." [50:44] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So because of the, the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris, the Christian world is upside down of the drag queen display. I don't know if any of you saw the drag queen display of the depiction of the last supper, the Lord's last supper, which seems to be some sort of mockery of the Lord and of the Christian faith. So there are people all around the globe, even those in France who are apologizing for that display, right? And now we could respond in a few ways as the family of God, we could get really angry and hateful and resentful." [54:20] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you think about the significance of being adopted into the family of God, you think about the reality of where we've been, the scars we've bore, the places we've been to, the things we've said. And yet, God, in his love and his patience and his mercy, when he could look at the rest of the world whom he loves, and he looks at you, and through the blood of Christ, he says, you are my child. You are the one that I have chosen." [40:58] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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