Embracing Our True Identity as Children of God
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our fall series called "Ignite," focusing on aligning our lives with God's truth, purposes, promises, and our God-given identity. This alignment ignites the good life, a life filled with peace, courage, and joy, and honors God. Today, we delve into the importance of aligning our lives around our God-given names, particularly the name "Child of God."
In our world, everyone is trying to tell us who we should be, from Disney movies to political campaigns. However, looking inside ourselves or to the world for our identity often leads to confusion and dissatisfaction. The Bible teaches that because God created us and bought us back with His blood, He alone has the authority to name us. When we align with the name God gives us, "Child of God," it sets us free from the lesser names and titles that we often cling to for our sense of worth and identity.
I shared my personal journey of struggling with names like "failure" and "builder," and how these names, while sometimes positive, can become idols when we rely on them for our identity. The good news is that Jesus came to set us free from these lesser names. By embracing our true identity as children of God, we can live a life of abundance and freedom, no longer enslaved to the names and titles that the world or our circumstances impose on us.
We concluded with a prayer exercise to help us surrender our lesser names and receive the name "Child of God." This exercise involves offering our lesser names to God, surrendering them, and then receiving His grace and the name He gives us. This practice can help us realign our lives around our true identity and live out the good life that God has for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Alone Names Us: Because God created us and redeemed us, He alone has the authority to name us. When we align with the name "Child of God," it sets us free from the lesser names and titles that we often cling to for our sense of worth and identity. This alignment is crucial for living a life of peace, courage, and joy. [05:19]
2. The Danger of Lesser Names: While some names and titles we acquire in life are good, they become problematic when we rely on them for our identity. This over-reliance can lead to idolatry, where we seek our value and worth in these names rather than in God. This misalignment results in a life of scarcity and insecurity. [14:38]
3. Jesus Sets Us Free: Jesus came to set us free from the lesser names and titles that enslave us. By embracing our true identity as children of God, we can live a life of abundance and freedom. This freedom allows us to hold other titles loosely and live in alignment with God's purposes for us. [17:45]
4. The Practice of Surrender: A practical way to realign our lives is through a prayer exercise where we offer our lesser names to God, surrender them, and then receive His grace and the name "Child of God." This practice helps us to continually reset our identity and live out the good life that God has for us. [22:34]
5. Purification and Alignment: Once we embrace our identity as children of God, there is an ongoing process of purification. This involves weeding out anything that distracts us from our new identity and aligning our lives with God's truth. This purification is not about earning our place as children of God but living out the reality of who we already are in Christ. [28:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:07] - Introduction to "Ignite" Series
[01:59] - Aligning with God's Truth
[02:45] - The Four Alignments
[03:46] - The World's Influence on Identity
[05:19] - God Alone Names Us
[06:33] - The Truth Sets Us Free
[07:15] - God's Goal for Us
[08:10] - Personal Story of Failure and Redemption
[10:30] - The Danger of Lesser Names
[14:38] - Over-Alignment and Idolatry
[17:45] - Jesus Sets Us Free
[22:34] - The Practice of Surrender
[28:15] - Purification and Alignment
[31:42] - Aligning with the Good News
[33:35] - Final Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 John 3:1-3 (NIV)
> "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 3:1, what has the Father lavished on us, and what are we called as a result?
2. In the sermon, what are some of the "lesser names" that the pastor mentioned he struggled with? ([09:05])
3. What does the pastor say is the result of aligning our lives with the name "Child of God"? ([17:45])
4. What practical exercise did the pastor suggest to help us surrender our lesser names and embrace our identity as children of God? ([22:34])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the pastor emphasize that God alone has the authority to name us? How does this relate to our sense of worth and identity? ([05:19])
2. How can relying on lesser names for our identity lead to idolatry, according to the sermon? ([14:38])
3. What does it mean to purify ourselves as children of God, as mentioned in 1 John 3:3 and the sermon? ([28:15])
4. How does the pastor describe the freedom that comes from embracing our true identity as children of God? ([17:45])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the names and titles you have acquired throughout your life. Which ones have you relied on for your sense of worth and identity? How have they impacted you? ([14:01])
2. The pastor shared his personal struggle with the names "failure" and "builder." Can you identify a time when you clung to a name or title that ultimately let you down? How did it affect your life? ([09:05])
3. The sermon suggests a prayer exercise to surrender our lesser names and receive the name "Child of God." How can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine? ([22:34])
4. What are some practical steps you can take to purify your life and align it with your identity as a child of God? Are there specific distractions or habits you need to address? ([28:15])
5. How can embracing your identity as a child of God change the way you approach your roles and responsibilities, such as being an employee, parent, or friend? ([19:36])
6. The pastor mentioned that every other name we hold has a time stamp on it. How does this perspective help you hold your titles and roles more loosely and focus on your eternal identity? ([20:20])
7. If you have never made the decision to trust in Jesus and embrace your identity as a child of God, what is holding you back? What steps can you take to explore this further? ([21:08])
Devotional
Day 1: God Alone Names Us
When we understand that God alone has the authority to name us, it liberates us from the pressures and expectations of the world. Because God created us and redeemed us, He alone has the right to define our identity. This divine naming is not just a label but a profound truth that shapes our entire being. When we embrace the name "Child of God," we align ourselves with His truth, which brings peace, courage, and joy into our lives. This alignment is crucial for living a life that honors God and reflects His purposes for us. [05:19]
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV): "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'"
Reflection: What are some names or titles you have been clinging to for your sense of worth? How can you begin to let go of these and embrace your true identity as a "Child of God" today?
Day 2: The Danger of Lesser Names
While some names and titles we acquire in life can be positive, they become problematic when we rely on them for our identity. This over-reliance can lead to idolatry, where we seek our value and worth in these names rather than in God. When we allow these lesser names to define us, we live a life of scarcity and insecurity, constantly striving to prove ourselves. Recognizing this danger is the first step towards realigning our identity with God's truth and experiencing the freedom He offers. [14:38]
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
Reflection: Identify a title or role in your life that you have allowed to define you. How has this impacted your sense of worth and security? What steps can you take to shift your reliance from this title to your identity in Christ?
Day 3: Jesus Sets Us Free
Jesus came to set us free from the lesser names and titles that enslave us. By embracing our true identity as children of God, we can live a life of abundance and freedom. This freedom allows us to hold other titles loosely and live in alignment with God's purposes for us. When we understand that our worth is not tied to what we do or achieve but to who we are in Christ, we can experience true liberation and joy. [17:45]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel enslaved by expectations or titles? How can you invite Jesus into these areas to experience His freedom and realign your identity with Him?
Day 4: The Practice of Surrender
A practical way to realign our lives is through a prayer exercise where we offer our lesser names to God, surrender them, and then receive His grace and the name "Child of God." This practice helps us to continually reset our identity and live out the good life that God has for us. By regularly surrendering our lesser names, we can maintain our focus on our true identity and avoid the pitfalls of idolatry and misalignment. [22:34]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: Take a moment to pray and ask God to reveal any lesser names you have been holding onto. How can you surrender these names to Him and embrace your identity as His child today?
Day 5: Purification and Alignment
Once we embrace our identity as children of God, there is an ongoing process of purification. This involves weeding out anything that distracts us from our new identity and aligning our lives with God's truth. This purification is not about earning our place as children of God but living out the reality of who we already are in Christ. By continually aligning ourselves with God's truth, we can live a life that reflects His love and purposes. [28:15]
1 John 3:2-3 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."
Reflection: What distractions or habits are hindering you from fully embracing your identity as a child of God? How can you begin the process of purification to align more closely with God's truth and purposes for your life?
Quotes
1. "When we align ourselves with who God is and what God's up to, it releases in us this confidence, this peace, the ability to make crazy, courageous decisions, like to not make a lot of money that you could have made, because God's doing something different. And because it's back-to-school season, we've been putting this in algebra form, that when we are aligned, with God's A, B, C, and D. When we're lining up with these four things that are true about God, true about the world, whatever, this ignites the good life." [01:07] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Everyone is trying to tell you who you should be. Everyone in the world is trying to tell you or sell you who you are or who you should be. Everyone. Like, every Disney movie for the last 50 years has told you to find your true self, just look deep inside your heart, right? Just look deep inside your heart. The answers are inside you all along. That's where you're going to find who you really are, what your true name is, and what it means." [03:46] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Because God created you, he's the only one that gets to name you. Because God created you. Actually, you are yours. You are God's two times over. Whether you know God or not. Whether you like God or not. Whether you're a Christian or not. It doesn't matter. You are God's two times over. He created you and then he bought you back with his blood on the cross. All of us are God's two times over. And he's the one that gets to tell us who we are." [05:19] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you take a good thing and attempt to make it an ultimate thing, it results in disastrous things. When you take a good thing, even good things, like a good title, a good name, something you worked really hard for, and try to make it an ultimate thing. Here's a thing that defines me. It almost always results in disastrous things. That's what the scriptures call idolatry." [14:38] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God has come to set you free from some of the names and titles you love the most, but he's also come to set you free from some of the names and the titles that you've picked up that have been running on loop over and over and over again in some of your heads for decades. Good news. Jesus has come to set you free. He's come to set you free from all the lesser names that you might be who he declares and sings out for you to be." [17:04] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You don't have to earn this. In fact, you can't earn this name. It's not about how good you are. Not about how many little ladies you walk across the street. Not about how much you pray or show up at church or how much money you give. You cannot earn this name. It is Jesus's alone. He is the one child of God who has come to gift everyone the opportunity to come and be a child of God by faith, through grace. Not by earning. Not by working super hard. All you can do is say yes to Jesus's offer to forgive you your sins." [18:20] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When you're not living from scarcity, you're not looking to those names to prop you up. You're a child of God. You don't have to cling on to anything else because you already have the lavish love of the Father poured into your heart as a child of God. You are free to hold every other title loosely and open-handedly before God because you're a child of God. He has come to set you free." [21:08] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus says, you are a child of God, now go live like it. Not work hard so you can become a child of God. Become a child of God first. Know God's great love for you. Know God's great acceptance over you. God sings over you. You're a child of God. You're a child of God. You're a child of God. Don't go live like you live in a scarcity mentality. Don't go live like you gotta figure out value and worth and significance from how much money you have in the bank account." [29:36] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Start with aligning around the good news that you are a child of God. That's what ignites the good life. That's so core that essentially if you started here, you could kind of work your way backwards and forwards throughout the equation. This is so critical to who we are because everyone around you is trying to sell you or tell you who you are. Everyone around you is trying to sell you and tell you who you are. Let the God who created you and who bought you back with his blood sing out over you. This is who you really are." [31:42] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "When we align our lives around the good news that we are children of God, that releases all kinds of power that ignites the good life. Let's pray. Lord Jesus, we want to say thank you for this great gift that you've offered to each one of us. Lord, I pray for my friends, all of us coming in with different name tags and different things that we're carrying into today. Lord Jesus, we want to continually surrender those up to you and continually receive the good news that we're children of God." [33:35] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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