Embracing Our Identity: Belonging, Authority, and Security in Christ
Mar 23, 2025
Devotional
Sermon Summary
Bible Study Guide
Sermon Clips
"And so right away, we see that Paul is talking about belonging. And he addresses a couple of significant things that take place in belonging with Christ and why belonging to Christ is so important. The first is found in that first verse, really the opening line, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. There is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus." [00:06:23] (26 seconds)
"Meaning that there was a condemnation, there was a punishment that we deserved that we were headed right towards. So, but Paul addresses here, when you belong to Jesus, that condemnation is removed. And that's good news. That is good news today. So the first thing is there's no condemnation. And the next thing that Paul is addressing is that there's not just forgiveness, but that there is freedom in belonging." [00:07:43] (27 seconds)
"And so my question to you today is that we dive in to Romans 8. Who are you letting author your life? Who are you going to let author your life? I think in verse 5, Paul gives us this clear example that there are two pulling forces that are trying to author your life. It says this, that those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things." [00:11:08] (29 seconds)
"And so this idea of domination and control is not that you're a puppet or that you're a robot, but that there is a willing submission that takes place. And this word submission, it often has a negative connotation. It means to come under the mission of. That's what submission means. And so there's two things Paul is saying you can submit to. You can submit to your flesh, or you can submit to your Spirit." [00:12:23] (26 seconds)
"And as I read this story, and as I read this verse, and I understand that we're talking about authority here, I want to let you know that your posture of submission determines your authority. That it's not about your accomplishments. It's not about your achievements. It's actually through submission that you receive authority in your life. And so you get the choice. Am I going to be dominated by my flesh or controlled by the Spirit?" [00:12:51] (25 seconds)
"Verse 6 says, so letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death, but letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Two very different outcomes based on who you submit your mindset to. Two very different things in life that you'll experience based on who you submit to. Through the submission of the Spirit, you have authority over your mind." [00:14:48] (28 seconds)
"And because the authority that the Spirit gives you over your mind, you now have authority over your actions. In verse 12, Paul says this, therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. And so because your mind is submitted and that you now have authority over it, you now have this authority over the obligations and the urges of your sinful nature." [00:15:16] (29 seconds)
"And so if you're here and you're wrestling with this idea of security in your life right now, you're wrestling with, God, where are you? I don't feel you. It doesn't seem like you're there. It doesn't seem like you're holding me like you used to. One of the blessings of belonging to Jesus is security, and security isn't found in the comfort of your circumstance. It's found in knowing that even in the corkscrews of life, God is in control." [00:22:52] (27 seconds)
"Romans chapter 8, verse 28 says this, and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes, whose purpose for them, for him. And so there's this moment where I'm wrestling with the security of God and I read this verse and I read it at first glance, but God, this isn't good. And I went and I read it again." [00:21:42] (25 seconds)
"And you go through this adoption process, and you recognize that when you get adopted, your name changes. And when Paul is talking about adoption here in Roman culture, when you got adopted, you were instantly just as worthy as somebody who was born into the family. And there's this idea that you are now an heir to Christ. That's what this Romans continues to say, that you are now heirs to Christ. That you are children of God." [00:28:36] (31 seconds)
"And this price of adoption was paid for you on the cross, and there's nothing you can do to achieve it, but you can receive it. And so, in just a moment, our campus pastors at all of our campuses are going to give you an opportunity, if that's you, to say yes to the adoption process and to belong to Jesus. But maybe you're here, and you recognize that you've been adopted. You do belong." [00:30:05] (30 seconds)
"God, I pray for every person here, Lord, every person here in my voice right now who is in this place where they feel like they simply don't belong, like there's nothing they can do. God, I pray that you would remind them that the price has already been paid, and there's nothing we can do to achieve your adoption, but God, you're calling us to receive it, and you are choosing them today." [00:32:13] (25 seconds)
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"Meaning that there was a condemnation, there was a punishment that we deserved that we were headed right towards. So, but Paul addresses here, when you belong to Jesus, that condemnation is removed. And that's good news. That is good news today. So the first thing is there's no condemnation. And the next thing that Paul is addressing is that there's not just forgiveness, but that there is freedom in belonging." [00:07:43] (27 seconds)
"And so my question to you today is that we dive in to Romans 8. Who are you letting author your life? Who are you going to let author your life? I think in verse 5, Paul gives us this clear example that there are two pulling forces that are trying to author your life. It says this, that those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things." [00:11:08] (29 seconds)
"And so this idea of domination and control is not that you're a puppet or that you're a robot, but that there is a willing submission that takes place. And this word submission, it often has a negative connotation. It means to come under the mission of. That's what submission means. And so there's two things Paul is saying you can submit to. You can submit to your flesh, or you can submit to your Spirit." [00:12:23] (26 seconds)
"And as I read this story, and as I read this verse, and I understand that we're talking about authority here, I want to let you know that your posture of submission determines your authority. That it's not about your accomplishments. It's not about your achievements. It's actually through submission that you receive authority in your life. And so you get the choice. Am I going to be dominated by my flesh or controlled by the Spirit?" [00:12:51] (25 seconds)
"Verse 6 says, so letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death, but letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Two very different outcomes based on who you submit your mindset to. Two very different things in life that you'll experience based on who you submit to. Through the submission of the Spirit, you have authority over your mind." [00:14:48] (28 seconds)
"And because the authority that the Spirit gives you over your mind, you now have authority over your actions. In verse 12, Paul says this, therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. And so because your mind is submitted and that you now have authority over it, you now have this authority over the obligations and the urges of your sinful nature." [00:15:16] (29 seconds)
"And so if you're here and you're wrestling with this idea of security in your life right now, you're wrestling with, God, where are you? I don't feel you. It doesn't seem like you're there. It doesn't seem like you're holding me like you used to. One of the blessings of belonging to Jesus is security, and security isn't found in the comfort of your circumstance. It's found in knowing that even in the corkscrews of life, God is in control." [00:22:52] (27 seconds)
"Romans chapter 8, verse 28 says this, and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes, whose purpose for them, for him. And so there's this moment where I'm wrestling with the security of God and I read this verse and I read it at first glance, but God, this isn't good. And I went and I read it again." [00:21:42] (25 seconds)
"And you go through this adoption process, and you recognize that when you get adopted, your name changes. And when Paul is talking about adoption here in Roman culture, when you got adopted, you were instantly just as worthy as somebody who was born into the family. And there's this idea that you are now an heir to Christ. That's what this Romans continues to say, that you are now heirs to Christ. That you are children of God." [00:28:36] (31 seconds)
"And this price of adoption was paid for you on the cross, and there's nothing you can do to achieve it, but you can receive it. And so, in just a moment, our campus pastors at all of our campuses are going to give you an opportunity, if that's you, to say yes to the adoption process and to belong to Jesus. But maybe you're here, and you recognize that you've been adopted. You do belong." [00:30:05] (30 seconds)
"God, I pray for every person here, Lord, every person here in my voice right now who is in this place where they feel like they simply don't belong, like there's nothing they can do. God, I pray that you would remind them that the price has already been paid, and there's nothing we can do to achieve your adoption, but God, you're calling us to receive it, and you are choosing them today." [00:32:13] (25 seconds)
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