Embracing Our Identity as God's Masterpiece
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth of our identity in Christ, focusing on the theme "His Masterpiece." We began by reflecting on the voices that influence us, from Satan's deceit to our own self-critical thoughts. These voices often tell us we're not good enough, but God's Word paints a different picture. We are reminded that we are reconciled to God through Christ, made holy and blameless in His sight. This is not based on our feelings, which can often mislead us, but on the truth of the Gospel.
We delved into Colossians 1:21-23, which reassures us of our reconciliation and holiness in Christ. Despite our past mistakes and the accusations we face, God's Word declares us free from blemish. This truth challenges us to lay aside our feelings and embrace the reality of our identity in Christ. We also examined Colossians 2:9-15, which speaks of the fullness we have in Christ and the forgiveness of all our sins. This passage highlights the triumph of the cross, where Jesus publicly overcame sin and reconciled us to God.
Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and God's special possession. This identity calls us to declare His praises and live in the light of His truth. It's a reminder that our worth is not based on our actions but on God's declaration over us. Ephesians 2:1-10 reinforces this by describing us as God's handiwork, created for good works prepared in advance. We are His masterpiece, transformed by His grace for a purpose.
Throughout this journey, we acknowledged the challenges of letting go of old coping mechanisms and embracing our new identity. It's a process that can be painful but is necessary for our growth. We concluded with a call to align our self-talk with God's truth, recognizing that we are His special possession. This truth empowers us to live out our purpose and declare His praises.
Key Takeaways:
- Our identity in Christ is not determined by our feelings or past mistakes but by the truth of the Gospel. We are reconciled, holy, and blameless in God's sight, free from accusations. This truth challenges us to live by faith, not by feelings. [05:57]
- The triumph of the cross is a public declaration of our forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus overcame sin and disarmed the powers that accuse us. This victory is a reminder of our worth and the power of God's love. [08:47]
- We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and God's special possession. This identity calls us to declare His praises and live in the light of His truth. Our worth is based on God's declaration, not our actions. [10:50]
- As God's handiwork, we are created for good works prepared in advance. Our transformation is intentional and purposeful, reflecting God's grace and love. Embracing this identity empowers us to live out our purpose. [12:47]
- Aligning our self-talk with God's truth is essential for spiritual growth. We must reject the lies that we are not good enough and embrace our identity as God's special possession. This truth empowers us to live in freedom and purpose. [31:50]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - Introduction and Vision Statement
[01:25] - The Monk's Story
[02:41] - Series Recap: Voices
[04:17] - His Masterpiece: Introduction
[05:57] - Reconciliation in Christ
[07:13] - Fullness and Forgiveness
[08:47] - Triumph of the Cross
[10:50] - Chosen People, Royal Priesthood
[12:47] - God's Handiwork and Purpose
[13:57] - Baptism and Transformation
[28:35] - Testimonies of Faith
[30:28] - Rededication and Baptism
[31:50] - Aligning Self-Talk with God's Truth
[32:36] - Closing and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "His Masterpiece"
Bible Reading:
- Colossians 1:21-23
- Colossians 2:9-15
- 1 Peter 2:9
- Ephesians 2:1-10
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Colossians 1:21-23, what transformation occurs in our relationship with God through Christ? How does this passage describe our new identity? [05:57]
2. In Colossians 2:9-15, what does it mean that Jesus made a "public spectacle" of overcoming sin? How is this significant for our understanding of forgiveness? [08:47]
3. 1 Peter 2:9 describes believers as a "chosen people" and "God's special possession." What responsibilities accompany this identity according to the passage? [10:50]
4. Ephesians 2:1-10 speaks of being "God's handiwork." What does this passage say about the purpose for which we were created? [12:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being reconciled and made holy in God's sight challenge common feelings of unworthiness among believers? [05:57]
2. What does the triumph of the cross, as described in Colossians 2:9-15, reveal about the nature of spiritual victory and its impact on our identity? [08:47]
3. In what ways does 1 Peter 2:9 call believers to live differently in light of their identity as a "royal priesthood"? How might this look in everyday life? [10:50]
4. Ephesians 2:1-10 emphasizes that we are created for good works. How does understanding ourselves as God's masterpiece influence our approach to these works? [12:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or not good enough. How can the truth of being reconciled and blameless in Christ change your perspective in similar situations? [05:57]
2. The sermon mentioned the importance of aligning our self-talk with God's truth. What are some specific lies you need to reject, and how can you replace them with God's declarations about you? [31:50]
3. Consider the idea of being a "chosen people" and "God's special possession." How can you actively declare His praises in your daily life, especially in challenging circumstances? [10:50]
4. The sermon highlighted the process of letting go of old coping mechanisms. What is one coping mechanism you rely on that you feel God is calling you to release? How can you begin this process? [10:50]
5. Ephesians 2:10 speaks of being created for good works. Identify one specific good work you feel called to pursue this week. How can you prepare yourself to fulfill this purpose? [12:47]
6. How can the understanding of Jesus' public triumph over sin empower you to face accusations or feelings of guilt in your life? [08:47]
7. The sermon emphasized the intentional and purposeful nature of our transformation. What steps can you take to embrace this transformation more fully in your spiritual journey? [12:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Identity Rooted in Truth
Our identity in Christ is not determined by our feelings or past mistakes but by the truth of the Gospel. We are reconciled, holy, and blameless in God's sight, free from accusations. This truth challenges us to live by faith, not by feelings. The voices that often tell us we're not good enough are silenced by the Word of God, which declares us reconciled through Christ. This reconciliation is not based on our emotions, which can be misleading, but on the unchanging truth of the Gospel. Embracing this truth requires us to lay aside our feelings and accept the reality of our identity in Christ. [05:57]
Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."
Reflection: What negative self-talk do you need to replace with the truth of your identity in Christ today? How can you remind yourself of this truth throughout your day?
Day 2: Victory Through the Cross
The triumph of the cross is a public declaration of our forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus overcame sin and disarmed the powers that accuse us. This victory is a reminder of our worth and the power of God's love. The cross stands as a testament to the victory over sin and the reconciliation it brings. Jesus' sacrifice disarmed the powers that accuse us, offering us forgiveness and a new identity. This victory is not just a historical event but a present reality that affirms our worth and the depth of God's love for us. [08:47]
Colossians 2:14-15 (ESV): "By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."
Reflection: How does the victory of the cross change the way you view your past mistakes? What steps can you take to live in the freedom that this victory provides?
Day 3: Chosen and Called
We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and God's special possession. This identity calls us to declare His praises and live in the light of His truth. Our worth is based on God's declaration, not our actions. Being chosen by God means we are set apart for a purpose. As a royal priesthood, we are called to declare His praises and live according to His truth. This identity is not earned by our actions but is a gift from God, affirming our worth and calling us to live in the light of His truth. [10:50]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: In what ways can you declare God's praises in your daily life? How does knowing you are chosen by God influence your actions and decisions?
Day 4: Purposeful Creation
As God's handiwork, we are created for good works prepared in advance. Our transformation is intentional and purposeful, reflecting God's grace and love. Embracing this identity empowers us to live out our purpose. We are not random creations but intentional masterpieces crafted by God for a purpose. Our lives are meant to reflect His grace and love through the good works He has prepared for us. Embracing this identity means recognizing the intentionality behind our transformation and living out the purpose God has set before us. [12:47]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What specific good works do you feel God has prepared for you? How can you actively pursue these works in your daily life?
Day 5: Aligning with God's Truth
Aligning our self-talk with God's truth is essential for spiritual growth. We must reject the lies that we are not good enough and embrace our identity as God's special possession. This truth empowers us to live in freedom and purpose. Our self-talk can often be filled with lies and negativity, but aligning it with God's truth is crucial for spiritual growth. By rejecting the falsehoods that diminish our worth, we can embrace our identity as God's special possession. This alignment empowers us to live with freedom and purpose, fully embracing who God has called us to be. [31:50]
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV): "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: What lies have you been believing about yourself that need to be replaced with God's truth? How can you practice taking your thoughts captive and aligning them with His Word?
Quotes
But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you wholly in his sight without blemish and free from accusations. If you continue in your faith established and firm and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel, this is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven of which I, Paul, have become a servant. [00:05:26]
So just that one scripture right there says we're reconciled, that we're wholly in his sight, that we were without blemish, that we are without blemish. If you go by your feelings, this can't be true, can it? So we have to live by the gospel. Lay those feelings aside and go with what God's word says. [00:05:57]
He says so many great things about us that are counter to what we tell ourselves about just no good, sin too much. How could God use someone like me? I've had all those questions myself. I've asked myself that and whether it's the enemy or me accusing me, he said he's an accuser of the brethren. [00:06:18]
In Christ, all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form. And in Christ, you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him, you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self, ruled by flesh, was put off when you were circumcised by Christ. [00:07:13]
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all. All our sins. Forgave us all our sins. Did you hear that? Forgave us all our sins. Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness. Another word for that is reconciled. He reconciled us. Canceled the debt. He canceled our sin debt. [00:07:59]
He made a public spectacle of overcoming our sins of reconciling us think about that for a minute he's like I did it I'm doing it he made a public spectacle out of it that's how much it means to him wow, wow, wow it's pretty amazing, huh? again, if you go with your feelings does it feel like Jesus made a public spectacle of delivering you from your sin? [00:08:55]
You are a chosen people a royal priesthood a holy nation God's special possession that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light it's a great place to reiterate don't go to church go with your feelings go with the word of God go with what he says but you are a chosen people a royal priesthood a holy nation God's special possession that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness. [00:09:22]
Some of the coping skills that we've developed our entire lifetime are tough to let go of because those are the things that we've developed to help us get through trying times, difficult situations. For some, it's alcohol. For others, it's denial. I mean, there's a lot lot of things that we turn to to try to find peace or comfort aren't there when we need to turn to the one that calls us chosen people royal priesthood holy nation god's special possession. [00:11:06]
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air. The spirit who's now at work. And those who are disobedient. Boy, you sure see it around the world, can't you? Those that are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts like the rest. We were by nature deserving of wrath. [00:12:59]
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy. Made us alive with Christ. Even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved. And God. us up with christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in christ jesus in order that in the coming age he might show the incomparable riches of his grace expressed in his kindness to us in christ jesus. [00:13:44]
For as by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves it's a gift of god not by works so that no one can boast for we are god's handiwork created in christ jesus to do good works which god prepared in advance for us to do the new living translation verse 10 says this for we are god's masterpiece he has created us anew in christ jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago again he has a purpose he has a purpose for saving us he has a purpose for transforming us it's intentional and sometimes it hurts. [00:14:29]
Have you been talking bad to yourself? Have you been saying you're no good? Have you been saying you're trash or you've messed up too many times? I want to invite you now to take that to the Lord and ask him to change your attitude towards you to his attitude towards you. You're a royal priesthood, a holy nation. We are his special possession. And it's almost hard to fathom, isn't it? We are his special possession. [00:32:24]
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