Embracing Our Identity in Christ Through Baptism

As the leaves turn and we enter a new season, we are reminded that God is always doing something new in us. Today, we celebrated not only baptisms but also the culmination of our journey through the series “The Truth.” In a world where culture constantly tries to define us—telling us we are perfect as we are, that we belong to no one, and that our beliefs should be kept private—we are called to a different reality. Our true identity is not found in our achievements, the opinions of others, or the shifting sands of culture. Instead, our identity is rooted in Christ, the One who created us, redeemed us, and calls us His own.

Scripture makes it clear: before Christ, we were “children of wrath,” dead in our sins, but God, rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ. Baptism is a powerful symbol of this transformation. As we are lowered into the water, we put to death our old way of life—all the sin, shame, and brokenness that once defined us. As we rise from the water, we are raised to new life, a life rooted in Jesus, no longer slaves to sin but alive to God. This is not just a ritual; it is a declaration that we belong to Christ, that our identity is received from Him, not created by ourselves.

Culture may insist that faith is a private matter, but Jesus commands us to go and make disciples, to share our stories, and to live out our faith publicly. Our testimonies are unique and powerful, and they are meant to be shared so that others might come to know the hope we have found. Whether you were baptized today or decades ago, the call remains: live each day as someone who has been given new life. Reaffirm your identity in Christ, surrender anything that does not align with your baptismal identity, and let your life be a visible witness to the world.

The enemy will try to distract, divide, and discourage, but the truth is that Jesus has already won. You are precious, created in the image of God, and called to live as His child. As we recite the Apostles Creed and witness baptisms, we are united with believers across time and space, affirming that our faith and identity are anchored in Christ alone. Let us celebrate, recommit, and go forth to share the joy and truth of being His.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Identity Is Received, Not Achieved True identity is not something we manufacture through our accomplishments, status, or the approval of others. It is a gift we receive from Christ, who defines us as beloved, redeemed, and new creations. When we try to build our identity on anything else, we end up restless and insecure, but in Christ, we find a secure and unchanging foundation. [21:58]
• 2. Baptism Is a Declaration of Death and New Life Baptism is not just a symbolic act; it is a public declaration that our old self has been crucified with Christ and that we now walk in newness of life. This means leaving behind the patterns, habits, and labels of our past and embracing the freedom and purpose found in Jesus. Each day, we are called to live out this new identity, remembering that we are no longer defined by sin or shame. [19:35]
• 3. Faith Was Never Meant to Be Hidden The world may pressure us to keep our beliefs private, but Jesus commands us to go and make disciples, sharing the good news openly. Our testimonies—no matter how ordinary or extraordinary—are powerful tools that God uses to draw others to Himself. Living out our faith publicly is not about perfection, but about authenticity and obedience to Christ’s call. [24:06]
• 4. The Enemy’s Strategy Is Distraction and Division The devil works not just through obvious evil, but through subtle distractions, busyness, and division within the church. He wants us to doubt God’s word, forget our identity, and isolate ourselves from community. Recognizing these tactics helps us to stay vigilant, rooted in truth, and united as the body of Christ, refusing to let lies or shame define us. [33:59]
• 5. Every Day Is an Opportunity to Live Out Your Baptismal Identity Whether your baptism was recent or long ago, each day is a fresh invitation to live as someone who is “His.” This means surrendering habits, relationships, or attitudes that don’t reflect your new life, and intentionally reminding yourself of your true identity. Simple practices—like writing “I am His” on your mirror—can help anchor you in truth and empower you to share your story with others.
  
  ** [29:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [13:29] - Series Recap: Challenging Culture’s Lies
• [14:03] - Where Do You Find Your Identity?
• [14:56] - Silencing Culture: What God Says About You
• [15:24] - Ephesians: From Death to Life
• [17:20] - You Belong to Jesus, Not Yourself
• [17:53] - Romans: Baptism and Newness of Life
• [19:35] - The Meaning of Baptism
• [20:42] - Identity: Not Self-Defined, But Received
• [22:25] - The Lie of Private Faith
• [23:25] - The Great Commission: Go and Tell
• [24:56] - The Power of Testimony
• [26:23] - Applying Baptism to Daily Life
• [29:10] - Practical Reminders: “I Am His”
• [31:12] - Discipleship: Walking With Others
• [32:23] - If I Were the Devil: Exposing the Enemy’s Tactics
• [37:17] - Jesus Has Already Won
• [38:02] - Our Identity in Christ
• [39:50] - Affirming Faith: The Apostles Creed
• [41:41] - Baptism: Proclaiming New Life
• [42:10] - Recommitting to Live as His
• [43:02] - Prayer for the Newly Baptized
• [44:47] - Baptism Celebration
• [59:09] - Baptism: Anita
• [1:11:06] - Baptism: Faith
• [1:14:27] - Baptism: Zach
• [1:16:35] - Baptism: Maggie
• [1:21:22] - Final Blessing and Sending

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “I Am His”

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Bible Reading

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.

Romans 6:3-6 (ESV)
> Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
> And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 2:1-5, what was our spiritual condition before Christ, and what did God do for us?
2. In Romans 6:3-6, what does Paul say happens to our “old self” in baptism?
3. What command does Jesus give his followers in Matthew 28:18-20, and what is the promise he attaches to it?
4. In the sermon, what are some of the lies that culture tells us about our identity? ([14:56])

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul use such strong language (“dead in your offenses and sins,” “children of wrath”) to describe our life before Christ? What effect might this have on how we view salvation? ([15:24])
2. How does understanding baptism as both a “death” and a “new life” change the way someone might view their daily walk with Jesus? ([19:35])
3. The sermon says, “Identity is not something you create. Identity is something that you receive in Christ.” What are some practical implications of this truth for how Christians see themselves? ([21:58])
4. Why do you think Jesus commands us to make our faith public, rather than keeping it private? What might be lost if we keep our faith hidden? ([24:06])

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Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to ask, “Am I still defining myself by my past, by my performance, or by the world’s labels?” Take a moment to reflect: Is there an area of your life where you are letting something other than Jesus define you? What would it look like to surrender that to Christ this week? ([26:23])
2. Baptism is described as a declaration that our old self is dead and we now walk in newness of life. Is there a habit, relationship, or attitude in your life that doesn’t match your baptismal identity? What is one step you can take to surrender it? ([28:02])
3. The pastor suggested writing “I am His” on your mirror as a daily reminder. What is a practical way you can remind yourself of your identity in Christ each day? Would you be willing to try this or something similar? ([29:55])
4. Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples.” Who is one person in your life you could share your story with this week? What is one sentence you could use to share how Jesus has changed you? ([30:45])
5. The sermon warned that the enemy tries to distract, divide, and discourage us. What is one distraction or source of discouragement in your life right now? How can you bring this to God and ask for his help to stay focused on your identity in Christ? ([33:59])
6. Whether you were baptized recently or years ago, how can you “recommit” to living as someone who is His? Is there a specific prayer, action, or conversation you want to have this week to reaffirm your faith? ([42:10])
7. The sermon emphasized the power of testimony. Have you ever shared your faith story with someone? If not, what holds you back? If yes, what was the result? How can your story encourage someone else? ([24:56])

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person live out their true identity in Christ and to boldly share the hope they have found in Him.