Embracing Our Identity: Walking in Divine Authority
Summary
Understanding our identity in Christ is crucial for walking in divine authority and experiencing victory in our lives. When we truly grasp who we are in Christ, we can move from a place of spiritual famine to one of abundance, where God's power flows through us. This series explores the connection between identity and authority, emphasizing that our identity in Christ determines our authority. By knowing who we are in Him, we can walk in supernatural favor and operate in God's power with boldness, just as the early church did.
The early church, as seen in the book of Acts, walked in tremendous power because they identified with the resurrected Jesus. Their authority was evident, and it was recognized that they had been with Jesus. Today, there is a famine of authority in the church, but there is an overflow of authority available in Jesus. We must shift from being beggars to believers, from begging God to believing God. This shift happens when we identify our identity in Christ and then identify with it, allowing it to flow out in our lives.
Our identity is not something we create; it is given to us in Christ. We are united with Him, and this union brings about a new creation. We are no longer independent but joined to Him, and this identity is foundational to walking in authority. As believers, we are heirs of God, sharing in the inheritance and blessings that Christ has received. This understanding transforms how we see ourselves and how we live our lives.
To walk in authority, we must abide in Christ. Abiding is both a positional reality and a relational experience. Positionally, we are already in Christ because of His finished work, not our efforts. Relationally, we must intentionally connect with Him, drawing life from the Vine. This balance between positional and relational abiding allows us to live in peace, power, and fruitfulness, carrying God's presence and releasing His authority in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Identity in Christ: Our identity in Christ is foundational to walking in divine authority. When we understand who we are in Him, we can move from spiritual famine to abundance, experiencing God's power and favor in our lives. This identity is not something we create; it is given to us through our union with Christ. [02:37]
- Authority through Identity: The early church walked in tremendous power because they identified with the resurrected Jesus. Today, there is a famine of authority in the church, but there is an overflow of authority available in Jesus. We must shift from being beggars to believers, from begging God to believing God. [03:13]
- Abiding in Christ: Abiding in Christ is both a positional reality and a relational experience. Positionally, we are already in Christ because of His finished work, not our efforts. Relationally, we must intentionally connect with Him, drawing life from the Vine. This balance allows us to live in peace, power, and fruitfulness. [31:18]
- Overcoming Hindrances: Two great hindrances to walking in authority are Satan and ourselves. Jesus has already defeated the devil, but we often play into his hands by not identifying with our identity in Christ. We must evict the old identity and supplant it with the new, renewing our minds with the truth of God's Word. [24:07]
- Living in Victory: When we embrace our identity in Christ, we walk in divine authority, enforcing God's kingdom on earth. We stand against darkness and live in the victory Christ has already won. This authority is not a special gift for a few but the inherited right of every believer because of their association with Jesus. [42:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Series
- [00:28] - Understanding Our Identity in Christ
- [01:02] - Authority and Dominion in Christ
- [01:35] - Connection Between Identity and Authority
- [02:06] - From Begging to Believing
- [02:37] - Walking in Divine Authority
- [03:13] - The Early Church's Power
- [04:20] - Identifying Our Identity
- [05:08] - Union with Christ
- [06:12] - Our Identity in Christ
- [09:24] - Heirs of God
- [11:04] - Spiritual Wisdom and Insight
- [12:08] - The Power of God in Us
- [15:23] - Moving from Observing to Participating
- [19:42] - Identity Determines Destiny
- [24:07] - Overcoming Hindrances
- [31:18] - Abiding in Christ
- [42:09] - Living in Victory
- [48:03] - Walking in Authority
- [54:38] - Identifying with Our Identity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Understanding Our Identity in Christ
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 1:15-23
2. John 15:1-5
3. Romans 8:17
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 1:15-23, what does Paul pray for the believers to receive, and why is it important for understanding our identity in Christ? [11:04]
2. In John 15:1-5, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches. How does this metaphor illustrate our relationship with Christ and our identity in Him?
3. Romans 8:17 speaks about being heirs of God. What does it mean to be a joint heir with Christ, and how does this relate to our identity? [09:24]
4. The sermon mentions a "famine of authority" in the church today. What examples from the early church in Acts demonstrate the authority they walked in? [03:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding our identity in Christ change the way we perceive our authority as believers? Consider the implications of being seated with Christ in heavenly places. [16:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes moving from being "beggars to believers." What does this shift entail, and how does it affect our spiritual life and prayer? [02:06]
3. In what ways does abiding in Christ, both positionally and relationally, empower us to live in peace, power, and fruitfulness? [31:18]
4. The sermon discusses overcoming hindrances to walking in authority, such as Satan and ourselves. How can believers practically evict their old identity and embrace their new identity in Christ? [24:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of your identity in Christ. How does this understanding influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [02:37]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel like a "beggar" rather than a "believer." What steps can you take to shift your mindset and approach in this area? [02:06]
3. Consider the metaphor of the vine and branches from John 15. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are abiding in Christ daily, both positionally and relationally? [31:18]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of renewing our minds with the truth of God's Word. What specific scripture or truth can you meditate on this week to reinforce your identity in Christ? [27:22]
5. Think about a situation where you need to exercise divine authority. How can you prepare yourself spiritually and mentally to walk in that authority with confidence? [42:09]
6. The sermon encourages believers to live in victory and enforce God's kingdom on earth. What is one practical way you can stand against darkness and live out this victory in your community or workplace? [42:09]
7. Reflect on the concept of being a joint heir with Christ. How does this truth impact your view of your spiritual inheritance and the resources available to you as a believer? [09:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our God-Given Identity
Understanding our identity in Christ is foundational to walking in divine authority. This identity is not something we create; it is given to us through our union with Christ. When we truly grasp who we are in Him, we can move from a place of spiritual famine to one of abundance, where God's power and favor flow through us. This transformation allows us to experience victory in our lives, as we are no longer defined by our past or our failures but by our relationship with Jesus. By embracing this identity, we can live confidently, knowing that we are heirs of God and share in the inheritance and blessings that Christ has received. [02:37]
Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV): "Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might."
Reflection: What are some ways you can remind yourself daily of your identity in Christ, especially when faced with challenges or doubts?
Day 2: Authority Rooted in Christ's Resurrection
The early church walked in tremendous power because they identified with the resurrected Jesus. Their authority was evident, and it was recognized that they had been with Jesus. Today, there is a famine of authority in the church, but there is an overflow of authority available in Jesus. We must shift from being beggars to believers, from begging God to believing God. This shift happens when we identify our identity in Christ and then identify with it, allowing it to flow out in our lives. By doing so, we can walk in supernatural favor and operate in God's power with boldness. [03:13]
Acts 4:13 (ESV): "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself begging God rather than believing in His promises? How can you begin to shift your mindset today?
Day 3: The Balance of Abiding in Christ
To walk in authority, we must abide in Christ. Abiding is both a positional reality and a relational experience. Positionally, we are already in Christ because of His finished work, not our efforts. Relationally, we must intentionally connect with Him, drawing life from the Vine. This balance between positional and relational abiding allows us to live in peace, power, and fruitfulness, carrying God's presence and releasing His authority in our lives. By abiding in Christ, we are empowered to live out our identity and walk in the authority He has given us. [31:18]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you intentionally connect with Christ today to draw life from Him and experience His peace and power?
Day 4: Overcoming Hindrances to Authority
Two great hindrances to walking in authority are Satan and ourselves. Jesus has already defeated the devil, but we often play into his hands by not identifying with our identity in Christ. We must evict the old identity and supplant it with the new, renewing our minds with the truth of God's Word. By doing so, we can overcome the lies and deceptions that hold us back and walk in the authority that is rightfully ours as believers. This process requires intentionality and a commitment to living out the truth of who we are in Christ. [24:07]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: What lies or old identities do you need to evict from your mind today? How can you replace them with the truth of God's Word?
Day 5: Living in the Victory of Christ
When we embrace our identity in Christ, we walk in divine authority, enforcing God's kingdom on earth. We stand against darkness and live in the victory Christ has already won. This authority is not a special gift for a few but the inherited right of every believer because of their association with Jesus. By living in this victory, we can confidently face the challenges of life, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Our lives become a testament to the power and presence of God, as we carry His authority into every situation. [42:09]
1 John 5:4-5 (ESV): "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
Reflection: How can you actively enforce God's kingdom in your daily life, standing against darkness and living in the victory Christ has won for you?
Quotes
If we really knew who we were in Christ, if we really knew what has happened to us and what is ours in Christ, and what has really transpired, we would walk in a new level of authority. We would move into new realms of power and Dominion. [00:00:39]
Your ability to walk in Divine Authority is directly connected to your identity and Union with Christ. Your identity determines your Authority. When you understand who you are in Christ, you can walk in close relationship, ship Supernatural favor, and operate in God's power with boldness. [00:02:37]
We are more Beggars than we are believers, and we need to shift in this area. We need to move from begging God to believing God, and when you know your identity in him, you can make that shift. You can start walking into realms of the infusion of the power of God. [00:02:00]
Your identity comes by virtue of your union with Christ as a Believer. Do you realize what has happened? You have been joined to God. Now we often think in terms of a decision we made that we joined ourselves to Jesus. That's not really what's happened. Jesus joined himself to you. [00:05:12]
When you understand your identity in Christ, you'll no longer see yourself as distant but as children of God. It's not something we attain. It's not a status we earn. It's not a position we achieve. It's something granted through identity in Christ. [00:09:24]
As Christians, we are considered heirs of God. That is, he left us an inheritance. We are heirs of God. God is your inheritance, and all that God is—the communicable attributes of God, the bounties of God, the blessings of God—you are an heir of God by virtue of being a joint heir with Jesus. [00:11:04]
If you're going to operate in authority and power, you're going to have to know something of your identity and your identification with Jesus. [00:15:23]
There are two great hindrances between you, your identity, and you're identifying with your identity and the authority that comes from that. Two great hindrances. What are they? They are Satan and yourselves or ourselves. [00:24:07]
Abiding in Christ is first a positional reality. What do I mean by that? You don't abide in Christ because of your doing. You abide in Christ, like I said earlier, because of his doing. He has made you to abide in him. That's a positional reality. [00:31:18]
When you Embrace this identity, your walk in divine Authority, you'll enforce God's kingdom in the earth. You'll stand against darkness and live in the victory Christ has already won. [00:42:09]
The key to Authority is identity and your identification with it. The scriptural word for this is abiding. Abiding in Christ is first a positional reality. [00:31:18]
To fully abide, we must Embrace both of these: rest in our position—we're already in Christ—and pursue deep relationship application. Stay close, draw from him. When we get this balance right, we live in peace, power, and fruitfulness. [00:35:59]
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