Embracing Our Identity as God's Children

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, the True Temple and Son of God

Jesus is revealed as the true temple, the very dwelling place of God, surpassing any physical structure or ritual. He embodies the fullness of God’s presence, making the old temple obsolete and offering direct access to God through Himself. As Emmanuel, “God with us,” He fulfills the deepest longing for God to dwell among His people, and through His sacrifice, believers are granted the privilege of His indwelling presence. [01:12:51]

Matthew 17:24-27 (KJV)
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Reflection: In what ways do you look for God’s presence in places or rituals, rather than recognizing that Jesus Himself is the true meeting place with God? How can you intentionally draw near to Him today?

Day 2: Our Identity as God’s Adopted Children

Believers are not only forgiven but are adopted into God’s family, sharing in the rights and privileges of Jesus’ sonship. This new identity as children of God supersedes all other identities—career, gender, relationships, or struggles—and is the foundation for Christian living. Embracing this truth brings assurance, belonging, and a calling to encourage others in the same family of faith. [01:20:06]

Galatians 4:4-5 (KJV)
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have let another identity overshadow your identity as a child of God? How can you remind yourself and others of your true identity this week?

Day 3: The Church as God’s Dwelling Place

The gathered church is more than a meeting; it is the living temple where God’s Spirit dwells collectively among His people. Each believer is a part of this spiritual house, and together, the church displays Christ to the world, offering encouragement, accountability, and a visible expression of God’s love and presence. [01:26:09]

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV)
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Reflection: How can you intentionally build up and encourage someone in your church family this week, knowing that together you are God’s temple?

Day 4: Sacrificing Rights for the Sake of the Gospel

Jesus, though exempt, chose to pay the temple tax to avoid being a stumbling block, teaching that the mission of God and the salvation of others are more important than personal rights. True meekness is seen when believers willingly lay down their rights for the sake of the gospel, prioritizing God’s glory and the spiritual good of others above their own preferences or freedoms. [01:30:04]

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Reflection: Is there a personal right or preference you need to lay down today so that someone else might see Jesus more clearly through you?

Day 5: Trusting Jesus to Provide for Every Need

God’s provision is both miraculous and personal, often meeting needs in unexpected ways and through ordinary means. Just as Jesus provided the coin in the fish’s mouth for Peter, He promises to supply all that is needed for those who trust and obey Him, whether it be resources, strength, or support, so that His mission can go forward. [01:33:56]

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one specific need or worry you are carrying today? Will you trust Jesus to provide for it, and how can you step forward in faith as you wait for His provision?

Sermon Summary

In Matthew 17:24-27, a story unfolds that is both unique and deeply revealing about the nature of Jesus and our identity in Him. When confronted with the question of whether He would pay the temple tax, Jesus uses the moment to teach profound truths about His divine sonship and the privileges extended to those who belong to Him. The temple tax, rooted in Old Testament law, was meant for the upkeep of God’s house, yet Jesus, as the true Son of God and the very embodiment of God’s presence, was under no obligation to pay it. He is greater than the temple itself, for He is the fulfillment of all that the temple represented: God dwelling with His people.

Yet, in humility and for the sake of not causing unnecessary offense, Jesus chooses to pay the tax—not just for Himself, but for Peter as well. This act is not merely about compliance; it is a demonstration of Jesus’ willingness to lay aside His rights for the sake of others and the mission of God. In doing so, He includes Peter in His exemption, signifying that those who are in Christ share in His privileges as children of God. Our primary identity is not found in our roles, careers, or even our struggles, but in being adopted sons and daughters of the King.

This passage also highlights the miraculous provision of God. Jesus instructs Peter to find the tax money in the mouth of a fish—a reminder that God’s resources are limitless and that He provides for His people in ways that defy human expectation. The story is a call to trust in God’s provision, to embrace our identity as His children, and to prioritize the mission of the gospel above personal rights or preferences.

As the church, we are collectively the temple of God, the place where His Spirit dwells. Our unity and love for one another are meant to make the presence of God visible to a watching world. The invitation is clear: to know Jesus as the true temple, to rest in our identity as God’s children, to trust His provision, and to lay down our rights for the sake of His mission.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Is the True Temple and Fulfillment of God’s Presence Jesus is not just a supporter of the temple; He is the very presence of God among us, making the physical temple obsolete. In Him, God’s desire to dwell with His people is fully realized, and through His sacrifice, we have direct access to God. This truth calls us to worship Him as the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity, surpassing any ritual or structure. [70:58]
2. Our Identity as God’s Children Supersedes All Other Labels The world and our own hearts often try to define us by our roles, achievements, or failures, but in Christ, our truest identity is as beloved children of God. This adoption into God’s family is not earned but received by faith, and it grants us privileges, security, and a new way of seeing ourselves and others. Embracing this identity transforms how we live and relate to the world. [78:50]
3. The Church Is the Visible Dwelling Place of God on Earth As individual believers and as a gathered community, we are the temple of God, called to display His presence through our unity and love. The church is not just a collection of individuals but the body of Christ, through which the world can see Jesus. This reality should shape our priorities, our relationships, and our sense of responsibility to one another and to the mission of God. [86:09]
4. Laying Down Our Rights for the Sake of the Gospel Jesus, though exempt, chose to pay the temple tax to avoid being a stumbling block to others. In the same way, we are called to prioritize the mission of the gospel above our personal rights or preferences. True meekness is seen when we willingly set aside what we are entitled to, so that nothing hinders others from seeing Christ in us or hearing the good news. [90:04]
5. God’s Provision Is Miraculous and Timely for His Mission The story of the coin in the fish’s mouth is a vivid reminder that God provides for every need related to His calling and mission. His provision may come in unexpected ways, but it is always sufficient and timely. Trusting in God’s provision frees us from anxiety and empowers us to step out in faith, knowing that He is able to supply all that is needed for His purposes. [93:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[46:49] - Introduction and Scripture Reading
[47:27] - The Uniqueness of Matthew 17:24-27
[48:07] - God’s Forethought and Provision
[49:18] - The Church as the Visible Presence of God
[50:34] - Not a Sermon About Taxes
[52:28] - Jesus’ Exalted Identity
[53:45] - The Transfiguration and Divine Sonship
[55:08] - Responding to Jesus’ Claims
[57:02] - Faith, Mercy, and Trusting God
[59:27] - The Background of the Temple Tax
[63:11] - Sons and Strangers: The Analogy Explained
[66:52] - Jesus as the True Temple
[76:05] - Our Shared Identity in Christ
[84:09] - The Church as God’s Temple
[88:48] - Jesus Identifies, Sacrifices, and Provides
[92:01] - Laying Down Rights for the Mission
[93:22] - God’s Miraculous Provision
[96:42] - Invitation to Know Christ and Embrace Identity

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 17:24-27 (ESV) — 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?”
25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”
26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.
27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Observation Questions

Who approached Peter about the temple tax, and what was their question? (Matthew 17:24)
How did Jesus use the analogy of kings and their children to explain His position regarding the temple tax? (Matthew 17:25-26)
What specific instructions did Jesus give Peter to provide for the tax, and what was unique about this provision? (Matthew 17:27)
According to the sermon, what does Jesus’ willingness to pay the tax—even though He was exempt—demonstrate about His character? [[01:29:24]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus say that “the sons are free” in the context of the temple tax, and what does this reveal about His identity and the identity of those who belong to Him? [[01:06:12]]
The sermon says Jesus is the “true temple” and the fulfillment of God’s presence. What does it mean for Jesus to be greater than the physical temple, and how does this change how we approach God? [[01:10:58]]
The story includes a miraculous provision (the coin in the fish’s mouth). What does this teach about God’s ability and willingness to provide for His people, especially when they are following His mission? [[01:33:22]]
Jesus chose to pay the tax “lest we should offend them.” What does this teach about the balance between exercising our rights and laying them down for the sake of others and the gospel? [[01:30:04]]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that our primary identity is as children of God, not our job, gender, or even our struggles. What is one area of your life where you are tempted to find your identity outside of Christ? How can you remind yourself this week that you are first and foremost God’s child? [[01:18:01]]
Jesus laid aside His rights to avoid being a stumbling block to others. Is there a “right” or preference you are holding onto that might be getting in the way of someone seeing Jesus in you? What would it look like to lay that down for the sake of the gospel? [[01:30:04]]
The story of the coin in the fish’s mouth shows God’s creative provision. Can you recall a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way? How did that impact your trust in Him? [[01:33:22]]
The sermon said the church is the visible dwelling place of God on earth. In what ways can our small group or church better display God’s presence through unity and love? Is there a specific step you can take this week to build up someone in the group? [[01:24:09]]
Jesus included Peter in His exemption, signifying that those in Christ share in His privileges. How does knowing you are included in God’s family affect the way you relate to other believers? Is there someone you need to encourage with this truth? [[01:18:50]]
The pastor mentioned that sometimes we need a reminder from others about our identity in Christ. Who in your life could use that reminder right now, and how can you encourage them this week? [[01:28:11]]
The sermon challenged us to trust God’s provision and step out in faith for His mission. Is there an area where you feel God is calling you to trust Him more? What is one practical step you can take this week to act on that trust? [[01:35:19]]

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Chatbot

1. How does Jesus demonstrate his divine identity?

2. What is the significance of believers' true spiritual identity?

3. How does trusting God influence practical Christian living?