Embracing Our Identity as Children of God
Summary
This morning, we gathered to explore the profound truth of our identity as children of God, as revealed in 1 John 3. This identity, rooted in the lavish love of God, transcends all other definitions and provides a solid foundation for our lives. In a world where identity is often confused and defined by external factors like social status, race, or achievements, we are reminded that our true identity is found in being called children of God. This identity is unchanging and offers us a sense of worth, purpose, and belonging that is secure and eternal.
John emphasizes that our identity as God's children is not just a title but a transformative reality that shapes how we live. It frees us from the need to prove ourselves to the world and allows us to live from a place of grace, security, and joy. However, this identity is constantly challenged by sin and the devil, who seek to lead us astray. John reassures us that while sin is a reality, it does not define us. As believers, we are saints who sometimes sin, but our identity remains secure in Christ's victory over sin and the devil.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of living out our identity through love in action. Our purpose as children of God is to demonstrate the self-sacrificing love we have received from God to others. This love is not just in words but in tangible actions that reflect the heart of God. We are called to rise up against the plans of evil and bring radical love and justice to the world, continuing the work of our Father.
In conclusion, we are encouraged to embrace our identity as children of God, live into its purpose, and stand firm against the challenges that come our way. By doing so, we create a beautiful Christian community that reflects the love and grace of God to the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Our identity as children of God is rooted in the lavish love of God, providing a secure foundation that transcends all other definitions. This identity frees us from the need to prove ourselves and allows us to live from a place of grace and joy. [49:23]
- Sin and the devil constantly challenge our identity, but as believers, we are assured that our identity remains secure in Christ's victory. We are saints who sometimes sin, but our identity is not defined by our failures. [51:37]
- Living out our identity involves demonstrating God's love through tangible actions. Our purpose is to love others with the self-sacrificing love we have received, bringing radical love and justice to the world. [53:26]
- The challenges to our identity require us to be intentional in remembering who we are. We must stand firm in our identity, claiming Jesus' victory over sin and the devil, and not let sin define us. [55:23]
- A true Christian community is marked by genuine love and acceptance, reflecting the love of Christ. Our identity as children of God creates an atmosphere of care, dignity, and respect, contrasting with the world's standards. [58:18]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Announcements
[02:45] - Prayer for Offering
[04:15] - Introduction to 1 John 3
[06:00] - Our True Identity
[10:20] - The Challenge of Sin
[15:00] - Living Out Our Identity
[20:30] - The Importance of Christian Community
[25:00] - Purpose of Our Identity
[30:00] - Assurance and Confidence in Christ
[35:00] - Invitation to Respond
[40:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 John 3:1-6
- Galatians 3:26
- Genesis 4:6-7
---
Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 John 3:1, what is the significance of being called "children of God"? How does this identity differ from other worldly identities? [49:23]
2. In the sermon, how does John describe the challenges to our identity as children of God? What are the two main sources of these challenges? [51:37]
3. What does the sermon say about the role of love in living out our identity as children of God? How is this love supposed to be demonstrated? [53:26]
4. How does the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 relate to the sermon’s message about identity and sin? [55:23]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for our identity to be "rooted in the lavish love of God"? How does this foundation impact our daily lives and decisions? [49:23]
2. How can believers reconcile the reality of sin in their lives with their identity as saints? What does the sermon suggest about handling sin without letting it define us? [51:37]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a true Christian community should reflect the love and grace of God? How does this community differ from worldly communities? [58:18]
4. How does the sermon interpret the purpose of our identity as children of God in terms of love and justice? What practical steps are suggested for living out this purpose? [53:26]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of your identity. How does knowing you are a child of God change the way you view yourself and your worth? [49:23]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel challenged by sin. How can you apply the sermon’s message to stand firm in your identity and claim Jesus' victory over sin? [51:37]
3. Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to demonstrate God’s love through action. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future? [53:26]
4. Consider the community you are part of. How can you contribute to making it a place that reflects genuine love and acceptance, as described in the sermon? [58:18]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of remembering our identity daily. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of your identity as a child of God each day? [49:23]
6. How can you actively participate in bringing radical love and justice to your community, as encouraged in the sermon? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [53:26]
7. Reflect on the story of Pastor Gennady shared in the sermon. How does his example inspire you to live out your identity with purpose and love? What is one way you can emulate this in your own life? [55:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Identity Rooted in Divine Love
Our identity as children of God is deeply rooted in the lavish love of God, providing a secure foundation that transcends all other definitions. This identity frees us from the need to prove ourselves and allows us to live from a place of grace and joy. In a world where identity is often confused and defined by external factors like social status, race, or achievements, we are reminded that our true identity is found in being called children of God. This identity is unchanging and offers us a sense of worth, purpose, and belonging that is secure and eternal. [49:23]
1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
Reflection: Consider the ways you have been defining yourself by external factors. How can you begin to embrace your identity as a child of God more fully today?
Day 2: Victory Over Sin and the Devil
Sin and the devil constantly challenge our identity, but as believers, we are assured that our identity remains secure in Christ's victory. We are saints who sometimes sin, but our identity is not defined by our failures. John reassures us that while sin is a reality, it does not define us. As believers, we are saints who sometimes sin, but our identity remains secure in Christ's victory over sin and the devil. This assurance allows us to live with confidence, knowing that our identity is not based on our performance but on Christ's finished work. [51:37]
1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Identify a specific sin or struggle that has been challenging your identity. How can you claim Christ's victory over it today?
Day 3: Love in Action
Living out our identity involves demonstrating God's love through tangible actions. Our purpose is to love others with the self-sacrificing love we have received, bringing radical love and justice to the world. This love is not just in words but in tangible actions that reflect the heart of God. We are called to rise up against the plans of evil and bring radical love and justice to the world, continuing the work of our Father. [53:26]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Think of one practical way you can demonstrate God's love to someone in your life today. What action can you take to reflect His heart?
Day 4: Standing Firm in Our Identity
The challenges to our identity require us to be intentional in remembering who we are. We must stand firm in our identity, claiming Jesus' victory over sin and the devil, and not let sin define us. By doing so, we create a beautiful Christian community that reflects the love and grace of God to the world. This intentionality helps us to live with purpose and confidence, knowing that our identity is secure in Christ. [55:23]
Ephesians 6:11 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."
Reflection: What is one way you can remind yourself of your identity in Christ daily? How can this practice help you stand firm against challenges?
Day 5: Building a True Christian Community
A true Christian community is marked by genuine love and acceptance, reflecting the love of Christ. Our identity as children of God creates an atmosphere of care, dignity, and respect, contrasting with the world's standards. By embracing our identity and living into its purpose, we create a community that reflects the love and grace of God to the world. This community becomes a beacon of hope and love, drawing others to the transformative power of God's love. [58:18]
Colossians 3:14 (ESV): "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: How can you contribute to building a community that reflects God's love and grace? What specific role can you play in fostering genuine love and acceptance?
Quotes
John begins by reminding the new Christian believers of their true identity, a new identity that trumps all the other definitions of who they are. This is an identity solely based on the lavish love of God, an identity that will never change and will be as solid as a rock in their lives and our lives when every other definition doesn't deliver. [00:33:07]
When we accept the lavish love of God shown to us most clearly to Jesus taking sin, our sin, the sin of the whole world to death on the cross, we each receive our new and true identity and become children of God. God the Father adopts us into his family, and we gain a whole new worldwide family of brothers and sisters in Christ. [00:40:47]
Our true identity stops us proving ourselves and our worth to the world. It stops us thinking too much or too little of ourselves and gives us a wonderful freedom of self-forgetfulness, as one writer Tim Keller puts it, and it directs our hearts and minds towards the peace and power that Jesus living in us brings. [00:44:57]
John does make it clear that the challenge to our identity comes from sin and the devil, who will make it his job to try and steal our identity or at least send us into an identity crisis. But John is speaking to two different audiences here. Firstly, he's addressing true believers, those who have repented and received the gift of salvation. [00:47:52]
John was under no illusion that sin wasn't still a problem, as Esther walked through with us last week from chapter two. But he was desperate to communicate that the believers should stand on Jesus' victory over sin and be assured of their identity as children of God. He says Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil and sin's power. [00:50:52]
The writer Tim Keller talks about how the apostle Paul dealt with his sin in his life. He says this: he, Paul, knows about his sins, does not connect them to himself and his identity. His sins and his identity are not connected. He refuses to play that game, the game that the devil wants us to play. [00:54:40]
When we deal healthily with the challenge of sin and the devil's threat to our identities, a beautiful Christian community is what results. The impact of true Christian brothers and sisters is unlike anything else. A community like I think we have here. Filled with people who know they are loved and have their identity firmly in God. [00:59:25]
Our purpose as children of God is to demonstrate true love in action. The purpose of our identity is to love others with the overflow of the self-sacrificing love we've received from God. True identity leads to true love in action. Words are so important, but they need to match up to our actions. [01:01:59]
The world is crying out for good people, the children of God, to rise up to the call for daily sacrificial love and live into Christ's victory over the devil. The purpose of being children of God is so that we can carry on our Father's good work of bringing radical love and justice to our whole world. [01:05:27]
John finishes this part of his letter with beautiful assurance and confidence and the confidence that we have in Jesus and in our identity as children of God. He says this, to believe in his personally named son Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other in line with the original command. [01:09:21]
He wants us to fully grasp with astonishment and joy our true identity as children of the almighty God. He wants us to steer clear of the challenges to our identity and put sin and the devil in their place. His power destroyed by Christ's victory. And he wants us to live into the purpose of our identity, our holy purpose. [01:12:35]
He says, live deeply and surely without fear in the Father's love, in the confidence and fullness of life in Christ by his spirit. We know who we are. Let's live into our identity. I'm going to invite Richard and the band to come up this morning. And our response song this morning is probably no surprise. [01:15:13]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?