Embracing Our Identity in Christ: Sinners, Saints, Servants
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound identity we hold as believers in Christ. We began by acknowledging our inherent nature as sinners, a truth that Scripture emphasizes to help us understand our need for a Savior. The Apostle Paul, in his writings, often reminds us of our sinful state, not to condemn us, but to point us towards the grace and mercy available through Jesus Christ. This understanding is crucial because it shifts our focus from self-reliance to reliance on Christ, who is our righteousness and propitiation.
We delved into the dual identity we possess as both sinners and saints. While we are indeed sinners, we are also called saints, a term that signifies being set apart and made holy through Christ's work. This holiness is not of our own doing but is a result of being regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Our baptism serves as a visible reminder of this new identity, marking us as God's people, set apart from the world.
Furthermore, we are called to live as servants, or more accurately, as slaves of Christ. This servitude is not burdensome but a joyful response to the grace we have received. It involves meditating on God's Law and living in a way that reflects our new life in Christ. As we grow in sanctification, our lives should increasingly reflect the light of Christ to the world.
Finally, we embraced the incredible truth that we are sons and daughters of God, co-heirs with Christ. This identity as children of God is a profound privilege, granting us a place in the royal family of heaven. It is a reminder of the eternal hope and joy that await us as we live in the fullness of our identity in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Recognizing our sinful nature is essential for understanding our need for a Savior. This acknowledgment shifts our focus from self-reliance to reliance on Christ, who alone can save us from our sins. [06:03]
- As believers, we are both sinners and saints. Our sainthood is not based on our actions but on Christ's work, which sets us apart and makes us holy. This dual identity challenges us to live differently from the world. [25:01]
- Our identity as servants of Christ calls us to study and meditate on God's Word, allowing it to transform our lives. This servitude is a joyful response to the grace we have received, leading us to live in a way that reflects our new life in Christ. [44:38]
- Being sons and daughters of God is a profound privilege, granting us a place in the royal family of heaven. This identity reminds us of the eternal hope and joy that await us as we live in the fullness of our identity in Christ. [45:39]
- Embracing our identity in Christ involves balancing the reality of being sinners, saints, servants, and sons. This balance helps us live with humility, gratitude, and joy, knowing that our identity is rooted in Christ's work. [49:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:04] - Introduction and Fellowship
[00:10] - The Upright and Dr. Thomas
[00:52] - Imagining Dr. Thomas's Return
[02:03] - Holy, Righteous, and Blameless
[03:46] - Paul's Self-Description
[04:43] - Psalm 11 and Self-Understanding
[06:03] - Our Identity as Sinners
[09:26] - The Greatest Human Problem
[11:16] - God's Wrath and Our Need
[13:46] - Continual Need for Forgiveness
[15:49] - Paul's Dual Identity
[18:16] - Overcoming Ignorance and Unbelief
[21:15] - The Necessity of a Savior
[23:00] - Justification by Faith Alone
[25:01] - Our Identity as Saints
[28:18] - Set Apart and Renewed
[31:26] - Assurance and New Life
[34:46] - Walking in Newness of Life
[38:42] - Embracing Our Holy Identity
[42:13] - Covenant Language and Self-Evaluation
[45:39] - Sons and Daughters of God
[49:31] - Balancing Our Identity in Christ
[50:12] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 - "You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed."
2. Romans 3:23-25 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith."
3. Psalm 11:7 - "For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face."
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Thessalonians 2:10, how does Paul describe his conduct among the believers? What does this reveal about his understanding of his identity in Christ? [03:46]
2. According to Romans 3:23-25, what is the condition of all humanity, and how does God provide a solution? How does this passage emphasize the need for a Savior? [13:11]
3. Psalm 11:7 mentions that the upright will see God's face. How does this verse relate to the concept of being set apart as saints? [05:25]
4. In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the dual identity of believers as both sinners and saints? What is the significance of this dual identity? [25:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's self-description as "holy, righteous, and blameless" in 1 Thessalonians 2:10 challenge common perceptions of humility and self-awareness among believers? [03:46]
2. Romans 3:23-25 speaks of justification by grace through faith. How does this understanding of grace impact a believer's view of their own righteousness and reliance on Christ? [23:36]
3. The sermon discusses the concept of being "servants" or "slaves" of Christ. How does this servitude differ from worldly views of servitude, and what does it mean for a believer's daily life? [44:38]
4. The pastor mentions the privilege of being sons and daughters of God. How does this identity as children of God influence a believer's sense of belonging and purpose? [45:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength rather than on Christ. How can recognizing your sinful nature help shift your focus to reliance on Christ? [06:03]
2. In what ways can you embrace your identity as both a sinner and a saint in your daily life? How does this dual identity challenge you to live differently from the world? [25:01]
3. How can you cultivate a joyful response to God's grace by serving others? Identify one specific way you can serve someone in your community this week. [44:38]
4. Consider the privilege of being a child of God. How does this identity shape your interactions with others and your approach to challenges? [45:39]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of meditating on God's Word. What specific steps can you take to incorporate regular Bible study into your routine? [44:38]
6. How can you balance the reality of being a sinner, saint, servant, and child of God in your life? What practical steps can you take to live with humility, gratitude, and joy? [49:31]
7. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to see yourself as set apart for God. What changes can you make to align more closely with your identity as a saint? [28:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Our Need for a Savior
Understanding our sinful nature is crucial for recognizing our need for a Savior. The Apostle Paul frequently highlights our inherent sinfulness, not to condemn us, but to direct us towards the grace and mercy available through Jesus Christ. This acknowledgment shifts our focus from self-reliance to reliance on Christ, who alone can save us from our sins. By recognizing our sinful state, we open ourselves to the transformative power of Christ's righteousness and propitiation. This realization is the first step in embracing our identity in Christ and living a life that reflects His grace. [06:03]
Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV): "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you rely on your own strength rather than Christ's. How can you begin to shift that reliance to Him today?
Day 2: Embracing Our Dual Identity as Sinners and Saints
As believers, we hold a dual identity as both sinners and saints. While we are indeed sinners, we are also called saints, a term that signifies being set apart and made holy through Christ's work. This sainthood is not based on our actions but on Christ's work, which sets us apart and makes us holy. Our baptism serves as a visible reminder of this new identity, marking us as God's people, set apart from the world. This dual identity challenges us to live differently from the world, reflecting the holiness and renewal we have received through the Holy Spirit. [25:01]
1 Peter 2:9-10 (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. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Reflection: In what ways can you live out your identity as a saint today, setting yourself apart from worldly influences?
Day 3: Joyful Servitude in Christ
Our identity as servants of Christ calls us to study and meditate on God's Word, allowing it to transform our lives. This servitude is not burdensome but a joyful response to the grace we have received. As we grow in sanctification, our lives should increasingly reflect the light of Christ to the world. By embracing our role as servants, we commit to living in a way that reflects our new life in Christ, continually seeking to align our actions with His teachings. This joyful servitude is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. [44:38]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: How can you incorporate joyful servitude into your daily routine, serving Christ in all that you do?
Day 4: The Privilege of Being God's Children
Being sons and daughters of God is a profound privilege, granting us a place in the royal family of heaven. This identity as children of God is a reminder of the eternal hope and joy that await us as we live in the fullness of our identity in Christ. As co-heirs with Christ, we are called to embrace this privilege and live in a way that reflects our heavenly inheritance. This understanding encourages us to live with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing that we are part of God's royal family and have a future secured in Him. [45:39]
Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV): "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."
Reflection: How does knowing you are a child of God influence your perspective on life's challenges and opportunities?
Day 5: Balancing Our Identity in Christ
Embracing our identity in Christ involves balancing the reality of being sinners, saints, servants, and sons. This balance helps us live with humility, gratitude, and joy, knowing that our identity is rooted in Christ's work. By understanding and embracing each aspect of our identity, we can live a life that reflects the fullness of Christ's transformative power. This balance is essential for living a life that honors God and serves as a testament to His grace and mercy. [49:31]
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reflection: What steps can you take to better balance the different aspects of your identity in Christ, allowing each to shape your daily life?
Quotes
The first point with which we identify ourselves is as sinners, isn't it? And of course, the Scripture takes some time and effort to make that point that we are sinners. Dr. Thomas was talking about the opening of Romans and, in a real sense, the first section of Romans is Paul is making the point that all human beings are sinners and that sin is a big problem. [00:06:21]
Paul would have said, "I'm not surprised that you like yourself so well, but the shocking news is God is not so happy." The wrath of God has to be revealed for us to understand our situation. We could say, this is a paraphrase perhaps of Luther, we could say, "Before God becomes the solution, God must be the problem." [00:08:09]
Despite the fact that apparently Congress has spent no time trying to solve the sin problem, it remains true that sin is the greatest human problem. We are now in a world of competing voices shouting about what's the greatest problem. Is the oppression of women the greatest problem? Is the oppression of various racial minorities the greatest problem? [00:09:00]
And the Scripture teaches that, that we remain sinners. David expressed that so powerfully in Psalm 143 verse 2, "Enter not into judgment with Your servant, Lord, for no one living is righteous before You." Here's David, the man after God's own heart. Here's David, the sweet singer of Israel. [00:14:29]
Paul says, "I have written these things about sin to you," he writes this in Romans 3 verses 19 and 20, "so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight since through the Law comes the knowledge of sin." [00:12:48]
And knowing ourselves to be sinners is crucial for knowing the salvation that Jesus provides. Knowing that we remain sinners is crucial to really understanding the salvation that Jesus provides. And Dr. Thomas spoke so eloquently about that. As sinners, we cannot save ourselves, and therefore, knowing ourselves to be sinners convinces us we have to look to another for salvation. [00:21:15]
And that is why Luther in the Reformation came to recognize the importance of saying, "We are saved by faith alone." Because what faith alone does is to look away from ourselves to another, to trust another. It's not faith as my action that is saving; it's faith as it looks away from all my doing to Christ that is saving. [00:23:11]
And the other meaning, of course, is that we are renewed as a people. We are made new as a people. We are regenerated. We have a new life planted in us by God. And what a wonderful work that is of God the Holy Spirit to come to hearts and to minds and to lives that are dead, that are rebellious, that don't know anything about the really crucial issues of life. [00:31:26]
And because we are set apart, and because we are regenerated, and because we are being sanctified, it is possible for the Bible to call us holy, and righteous, and blameless, perfect in the sense of, now focused in a different direction of living, living for God and not for ourselves. [00:34:46]
We are servants who want to study His Word so that we can serve Him and honor Him. How wonderful Psalm 1 is when it talks about delighting in the Law of the Lord. "And in that Law, he meditates day and night." The one who is the sinner learns His sin from the Law. The one who is a saint learns grace and mercy from the Law. [00:44:38]
And if we are sinners and saints and servants, then our joy is to know that we are sons of God. What an amazing thing! What an amazing thing Jesus has done for us. He's not only paid for our sin, He's not only declared us holy, He's not only called us into the privilege of being His servants, but He has said we are His sons. [00:45:39]
And how hard it is to contemplate that the saving work of Christ is to make us part of His own family; to be counted brothers and sisters with Him. Oh Lord, fill us with the joy that should be ours in believing, and help us always to balance as we think of ourselves in Christ, the reality that we are sinners and saints and servants and sons, and we praise You for it. [00:49:31]
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