Embracing Our Identity as God's Creative Image Bearers
Summary
In today's gathering, we've delved into the profound truth that we are created in the likeness and image of an incredibly creative God. We are not merely flesh and blood; we are spirit, soul, and body, intricately woven together by divine design. As spirit-led individuals, we have the privilege of leaning into God's presence, not dictated by the whims of our physical or emotional states, but led by the truth of who we are in Christ.
We've been reminded that our worship and thanks are directed to God, whose steadfast love and faithfulness are unmatched. His name and word are exalted above all, and it is in this assurance that we find our identity and purpose. We've declared that God's mercies are new every morning, and in His presence, we find the encouragement and affirmation of our true selves.
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and as such, we are not bound by our sinful nature. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us, empowering us to overcome sin and live as children of God. This is the good news that reshapes our cravings and longings, aligning them with a hunger and thirst for righteousness.
We've explored the cultural challenges we face, particularly the pervasive moral relativism that denies absolute truth. Yet, as a city on a hill, we are called to shine brightly, radiating the life, love, hope, and truth of Jesus Christ. Our light is not to be hidden but to illuminate the path for others, guiding them towards the God-flavors and God-colors of this world.
We've been called to thrive as Jesus' church, to actively contribute to the kingdom of God, and to embody the salt and light we are meant to be. Our physical bodies, as part of Christ, are not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord. We've been challenged to uphold a biblical sexual ethic that honors God and reflects His design for intimacy and covenant.
As we approach the Lenten season, we are encouraged to embrace the spiritual discipline of fasting. Fasting is not merely abstaining from food but a surrender of our bodies to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It disciplines our flesh, amplifies our prayers, and stands in solidarity with those who are poor. It is a practice that aligns our physical bodies with our spiritual identity, setting us apart for God's special work.
Key Takeaways:
- We are triune beings, created in the image of a triune God, and our identity is rooted in our spirit, which is made alive in Christ. Our physical and emotional states do not define us; rather, our standing as children of God shapes our approach to life and worship. [04:40]
- Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we have been given the power to overcome sin through the Spirit that dwells within us. This truth liberates us from the bondage of sin and empowers us to live in the fullness of our identity in Christ. [51:18]
- As followers of Jesus, we are called to be distinct in a world of moral relativism. Our lives are to be a testament to the transforming power of the gospel, shining as a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, reflecting the holiness and purity of God in all aspects of our lives. [40:20]
- Fasting is a spiritual discipline that brings our physical bodies into submission to our spiritual reality. It is a practice that denies the flesh to awaken the spirit, amplifying our prayers, and aligning us with the suffering and authority of Christ. [01:24:48]
- Our theology of the body is integral to our witness as Christians. We are called to honor God with our bodies, rejecting the cultural narrative of moral relativism, and embracing the sacredness of our physical selves as part of our holistic worship to God. [01:30:33]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 138:1-2 - "I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word."
2. Matthew 5:13-16 - "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 138, what are the reasons given for giving thanks to God? ([05:01])
2. In Matthew 5:13-16, what metaphors does Jesus use to describe the role of His followers in the world? ([40:20])
3. What does 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 say about the nature of our bodies and their relationship to God? ([46:27])
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of moral relativism on our culture and the church? ([56:03])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit change the way we view our physical and spiritual lives? ([46:27])
2. What does it mean to be "salt" and "light" in the context of today's cultural challenges, as described in the sermon? ([40:20])
3. How can the practice of fasting help align our physical bodies with our spiritual identity, according to the sermon? ([01:24:48])
4. What are the implications of living in a culture of moral relativism for Christians who are called to uphold a biblical sexual ethic? ([56:03])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the idea that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. How does this perspective influence your daily choices and actions? ([46:27])
2. Jesus calls us to be "salt" and "light" in the world. What are some practical ways you can shine your light in your community this week? ([40:20])
3. The sermon encourages fasting as a spiritual discipline. Have you ever practiced fasting? If not, what might be a first step for you to incorporate this discipline into your life? ([01:24:48])
4. In what ways can you actively resist the influence of moral relativism in your personal life and uphold biblical truths? ([56:03])
5. The sermon discusses the importance of a biblical sexual ethic. How can you support and encourage others in your community to live out this ethic? ([01:10:01])
6. How can you cultivate a deeper hunger and thirst for righteousness in your life, as mentioned in Matthew 5:6? ([48:03])
7. Think about a specific area in your life where you struggle with aligning your physical desires with your spiritual identity. What steps can you take this week to bring that area under the Lordship of Jesus Christ? ([01:24:48])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Triune Identity
In the image of a triune God, we are fashioned with a spirit that is enlivened through Christ. This core aspect of our being surpasses the transient states of our physical and emotional experiences. As children of God, this spiritual identity is the foundation upon which we build our lives and express our worship. It is a profound truth that our essence is not confined to the material world but is deeply rooted in the spiritual realm, where we find our true purpose and calling. This understanding invites us to live beyond the limitations of our flesh and to engage with the world from a place of divine assurance and spiritual vitality. [04:40]
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5 ESV)
Reflection: How does recognizing your identity as a spirit being, created in God's image, change the way you approach your daily interactions and decisions?
Day 2: The Liberating Power Within Us
Our bodies are sacred, serving as temples for the Holy Spirit, and within us resides the power to transcend sin. This indwelling Spirit is the same force that resurrected Jesus, offering us the strength to live as true children of God. This liberation from sin's grasp allows us to embrace the fullness of our identity in Christ, freeing us to pursue a life marked by divine purpose and righteousness. As we acknowledge this transformative power, we are called to walk in the Spirit, allowing our actions and thoughts to be guided by the holiness that resides within us. [51:18]
"But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." (Romans 8:9 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully yield to the Holy Spirit's power in your life to overcome personal struggles with sin?
Day 3: Radiating the Gospel in Relativism
As moral relativism pervades our culture, denying the existence of absolute truth, we are called to stand firm in our faith, exemplifying the transformative power of the gospel. Our lives are to be beacons of hope and truth, reflecting the purity and holiness of God. As a city on a hill cannot be hidden, so should our lives shine brightly, offering guidance and inspiration to those around us. This calling challenges us to live out our convictions with integrity, demonstrating the reality of God's kingdom in every aspect of our existence. [40:20]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14 ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can actively demonstrate the truth and love of Jesus in your community, especially in areas where moral relativism is prevalent?
Day 4: Fasting as Spiritual Alignment
Fasting is more than abstaining from food; it is a spiritual discipline that aligns our physical bodies with our spiritual identity. Through fasting, we surrender our bodily desires to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, disciplining our flesh to amplify our spirit. This practice not only intensifies our prayers but also connects us with the suffering of Christ and those in need. Fasting sets us apart for God's special purposes, allowing us to focus on His will and to be attuned to His voice. [01:24:48]
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18 ESV)
Reflection: How might you incorporate fasting into your spiritual routine to deepen your relationship with God and to become more sensitive to His leading?
Day 5: Honoring God with Our Bodies
Our theology of the body is a critical aspect of our Christian witness. We are called to honor God with our physical selves, rejecting the cultural narrative of moral relativism and embracing the sacredness of our bodies. This commitment to purity and holiness is an act of worship, acknowledging our bodies as integral parts of our spiritual service to God. As we uphold a biblical sexual ethic, we reflect God's design for intimacy and covenant, setting an example for the world to see the beauty of God's intentions for our physical existence. [01:30:33]
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you honor God with your body, and how can you resist the cultural pressures that challenge biblical standards of purity?
Quotes
- "You are a spirit that has a body and a soul. But you are a spirit first. And so you get to actually lean into the presence of God from home or in this room today from a posture of what it means to be a spirit-led person." [04:40](Download | Download)
- "Our theology of our physical bodies has to involve this concept of laying down my body on the altar before God as something holy and acceptable. And that is my spiritual worship." [59:23](Download | Download)
- "In a culture of moral relativism, we shine as a city on a hill, a city of holiness. And I'm going to be reading out of 1 Corinthians 6, verses 12 through 20 in a few minutes." [40:20](Download | Download)
- "The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you." [51:18](Download | Download)
- "You were originally created and hardwired to crave and long for, to hunger and thirst after righteousness. And because of Jesus, you've been given a new nature. His Spirit lives in you." [53:22](Download | Download)
- "In a culture of moral relativism, we shine as a city on a hill, a city of holiness, through the practice of fasting. This is who we are, family." [01:30:33](Download | Download)
- "Our physical bodies ever increasingly become in the place where Jesus is king. Where Jesus rules, where he reigns, where he's close, where there's unspeakable joy." [01:27:21](Download | Download)
- "To fast is to set apart my flesh as solely His. So I want to give you three reasons to fast. Number one, to starve your flesh and feed your spirit." [01:24:48](Download | Download)
- "You are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you." [50:15](Download | Download)
- "Our physical bodies are not meant for pornea, for sexual immorality. They're just not. It's not God's created best for us." [01:12:11](Download | Download)
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