Embracing Our True Identity in God's Love

Summary

When we allow ourselves to listen to the wrong voices—those that speak against God’s purpose for us—we risk being talked out of our true mission and identity. Instead, we are called to deepen our relationship with God, which empowers us to love others more authentically. Human relationships can be challenging, but these very challenges are opportunities to lean into God, to seek His guidance, and to grow in grace. When we take our struggles to God rather than to the “serpent,” He orders our steps and leads us into righteousness, which is right relationship with God, our neighbors, and ourselves.

God created us not only for relationship but also to see and be seen. In the beginning, Adam and Eve felt fully seen and provided for by God and by each other. After the fall, shame led them to hide, and ever since, we too have struggled with hiding—behind masks, titles, and facades. Yet, authentic community requires that we show up without pretense or judgment, allowing ourselves to be truly known. Only when we remove our masks can we experience the deep connection for which we were made.

To see someone authentically is to recognize their God-given value, not just their outward appearance or past mistakes. God models this perfectly: He sees us in our brokenness and beauty, our pain and our praise, and loves us unconditionally. Stories like Hagar and the woman at the well remind us that God’s gaze is never condemning but always redemptive. Where we are—our current “location” in life—does not define who we are. Our identity is rooted in God’s purpose and love, not in our circumstances, failures, or the labels others place on us.

God calls us out of hiding, out of the trees, and into fruitfulness. Even when we have lost our way, God’s invitation is to step into our true identity as His beloved children. Jesus, who took our place on the tree, offers us a new identity and a new destiny. No matter our past or present struggles, God is able to turn things around, to heal relationships, and to lead us into the fullness of life He has prepared for us.

Key Takeaways

- Listening to the Wrong Voices Leads Us Away from Purpose
When we engage with voices that contradict God’s truth—whether internal doubts or external influences—we risk being led away from our God-given mission. The “serpent” always seeks to sow confusion and division, but God calls us to bring our concerns to Him, where we find clarity and direction. Faithfulness in human relationships often drives us deeper into dependence on God, who alone can order our steps rightly. [23:10]

- Authentic Relationship Requires Vulnerability, Not Hiding
We were created to see and be seen, yet shame and fear often cause us to hide behind masks—roles, achievements, or even religious fronts. True community is only possible when we risk being known without pretense or judgment. Only by removing our masks can we experience the healing and connection God intends for us. [28:17]

- God Sees Us Fully and Loves Us Unconditionally
God’s gaze is not distant or condemning; He knows every detail of our lives—our thoughts, struggles, and joys—and still loves us without condition. Biblical examples like Hagar and the Samaritan woman show that God’s knowledge of us leads not to rejection but to acceptance and transformation. Our worth is rooted in being seen and loved by God, not in our performance or reputation. [33:00]

- Our Location Is Not Our Identity
Where we are in life—whether a place of brokenness, stagnation, or struggle—is not who we are. Our identity is anchored in God’s promises and purpose, not in our circumstances or the labels others assign to us. God continually calls us to align our self-understanding with His truth, reminding us that every location is temporary, but our identity in Him is eternal. [35:19]

- Jesus Calls Us Out of Hiding and Into Fruitfulness
God’s call is always to come out of hiding and step into the purpose for which we were created. Jesus took our place on the tree, bearing our shame and offering us new life. Because of His sacrifice, we are invited to live openly, fruitfully, and confidently as children of God, knowing that our past does not determine our future. [42:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:10] - The Danger of Listening to the Wrong Voices
[23:54] - Human Relationships Drive Us to God
[25:04] - Living Out Righteousness Daily
[26:13] - Created to See and Be Seen
[27:25] - The Problem of Hiding
[28:17] - Taking Off the Mask
[30:20] - The Desire to Be Known
[31:27] - God Sees and Loves Us Fully
[32:16] - Hagar and the God Who Sees
[33:15] - The Woman at the Well: Seen and Loved
[35:19] - Where I Am Is Not Who I Am
[37:16] - Identity Beyond Circumstance
[39:33] - God Changes Our Address
[42:39] - Called Out of Hiding, Called to Fruitfulness
[43:49] - Jesus Gives Us a New Identity
[45:42] - Trusting God to Heal Relationships

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Out of Hiding, Into Fruitfulness”

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### Bible Reading

1. Genesis 3:6-13
(The story of Adam and Eve listening to the serpent, hiding from God, and God calling out, “Where are you?”)

2. Psalm 139:1-4
(“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar…”)

3. Genesis 16:13
(Hagar says, “You are the God who sees me.”)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 3, what did Adam and Eve do after they listened to the serpent? What was their first reaction when they realized they had sinned? [26:46]

2. According to Psalm 139, what does God know about us? How does the psalmist describe God’s knowledge of our lives? [31:27]

3. When Hagar was in despair, what did she call God, and why? [32:16]

4. In the sermon, what are some of the “masks” people wear to hide from others and from God? [29:37]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Adam and Eve chose to hide from God after they sinned, instead of coming to Him? What does this say about our own tendency to hide when we feel shame or guilt? [26:46]

2. The sermon says, “Where I am is not who I am.” What does it mean for our “location” (our current situation or struggle) to be different from our true identity? [35:19]

3. How does knowing that God sees us fully—our pain, our mistakes, and our beauty—change the way we relate to Him and to others? [31:27]

4. The sermon mentions that Jesus “calls us out of hiding and into fruitfulness.” What does it look like to step out of hiding and live fruitfully as a child of God? [42:39]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon warns about “listening to the wrong voices”—whether that’s our own doubts, other people, or even the enemy. What are some specific voices or messages in your life right now that might be pulling you away from God’s purpose? How can you bring those concerns to God instead? [23:10]

2. Think about a “mask” you tend to wear—maybe it’s a role, a title, or just pretending everything is okay. What would it look like for you to take off that mask in a safe relationship or community? Is there someone you trust enough to be real with? [28:17]

3. The sermon says, “God sees you and still loves and accepts you.” Is there an area of your life where you struggle to believe this? How might believing God’s unconditional love change the way you see yourself or others? [31:27]

4. “Where I am is not who I am.” Is there a situation in your life right now that feels like it’s defining you? How can you remind yourself that your identity is rooted in God’s promises, not your circumstances? [35:19]

5. Jesus took our place on the tree so we could step into a new identity. What is one practical step you can take this week to live more openly and fruitfully as a child of God? [42:39]

6. The sermon talks about authentic community requiring vulnerability. What is one way you can help create a space where others feel safe to be seen and known—without pretense or judgment? [28:17]

7. Are there any relationships in your life that feel broken or strained? What would it look like to trust God to “turn it around” and bring healing, as the sermon describes? [45:42]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to step out of hiding, to trust God’s love, and to experience authentic community and fruitfulness.

Devotional

Day 1: God Sees and Knows You Completely
God’s gaze upon us is never distant or distracted; He knows every detail of our lives—our thoughts, our actions, our struggles, and our joys. Even when we feel unseen or misunderstood by others, God searches us and knows us intimately, loving us without condition. In every moment, whether we are at our best or our lowest, He is familiar with all our ways and remains steadfast in His love. You are never hidden from God, and His acceptance is not based on your performance but on His unchanging character. [31:43]

Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV)
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel unseen or misunderstood, and how can you invite God to meet you there with His loving gaze today?


Day 2: God Is the One Who Sees the Outcast
When we feel rejected, abandoned, or at the end of ourselves, God meets us in our pain and calls us by name. Just as Hagar, cast aside and alone, encountered the all-knowing, all-loving God and declared, “You are the God who sees me,” we too can trust that God sees us in our moments of despair. He does not turn away from our brokenness but draws near, offering hope, dignity, and a future beyond what others have spoken over us. [32:16]

Genesis 16:13 (ESV)
So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”

Reflection: When have you felt overlooked or cast aside, and how might you open your heart to the God who sees and cares for you right now?


Day 3: Authentic Relationships Require Us to Be Seen Without Masks
We all long to be seen and known for who we truly are, not just for the roles we play or the masks we wear. True community is built when we can take off our masks—our titles, our fronts, our defenses—and allow ourselves to be seen without pretense or judgment. This vulnerability is risky, but it is the only way to experience the deep connection and acceptance God intends for us, mirroring the way He sees us in our entirety. [28:17]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Reflection: What “mask” are you tempted to wear in your relationships, and what would it look like to let someone see the real you today?


Day 4: Your Location Is Not Your Identity
Where you are right now—your circumstances, your struggles, your setbacks—does not define who you are. Your identity is rooted in who God says you are: beloved, chosen, and created in His image. No matter if you are in a season of lack, loneliness, or brokenness, your true identity is secure in Christ, and your current location is only temporary. God is always at work, moving you toward the fullness of His purpose for your life. [35:19]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what area of your life have you confused your current situation with your true identity, and how can you begin to see yourself as God sees you?


Day 5: God Calls Us Out of Hiding Into Fruitful Purpose
God did not create us to hide in shame or fear, but to step into the light of His calling and bear fruit that lasts. Even when we have listened to the wrong voices or retreated into hiding, God calls us by name, inviting us out of the trees and into relationship with Him and others. Jesus took our place on the tree so we could live in freedom, purpose, and community, producing fruit that reflects His love and grace to the world. [41:53]

John 15:5 (ESV)
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: Where are you tempted to hide—whether in shame, fear, or isolation—and how is God inviting you to step out and bear fruit in your relationships today?

Quotes