Embracing True Identity and Freedom in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to honor and encounter the presence of God, emphasizing that our church is not just a place for routine worship but a space for genuine connection with the Holy Spirit. We began by reflecting on our vision for the next 20 years, focusing on knowing Jesus more deeply, reaching thousands far from Him, and developing leaders for the next generation. This vision is rooted in our commitment to love Jesus more each day and to extend that love to others.
We then transitioned into our new series, the Freedom Series, with a key text from Luke 4, where Jesus declares His mission to bring freedom to the oppressed. This series aims to help us understand and live from our true identity as children of God, free from the burdens of our past and the anxieties of our future. We explored the concept of four "chairs" representing different aspects of our lives: who God made us to be, what has happened to us, the meanings we've made from those experiences, and how we show up today.
The first chair represents our true identity as sons and daughters of God, called to glorify Him. The second chair symbolizes the events and traumas we've experienced. The third chair is about the meanings we've attached to those events, often leading to negative self-perceptions. The fourth chair is how we present ourselves today, often influenced more by chairs two and three than by our true identity in chair one.
Spiritual maturity involves moving back to chair one, living from our identity as God's beloved children. Jesus modeled this by taking His pain to the Father and to trusted friends, showing us the importance of community and vulnerability. As we embark on this Freedom Series, we are called to let go of the weights we've been carrying and to live in the freedom that Christ offers.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Freedom in Christ: True freedom is found not in what we do or how others see us, but in discovering who God says we are. We are sons and daughters of God, called to glorify Him. This identity should shape our lives more than our past experiences or the meanings we've attached to them. [48:50]
2. Impact of Past Experiences: Our past experiences and the meanings we've made from them often shape how we show up today. Recognizing this helps us understand why we might struggle with trust, self-worth, or fear. Spiritual maturity involves acknowledging these influences and seeking God's truth about our identity. [57:31]
3. Community and Vulnerability: Jesus showed us the importance of expressing our struggles to both God and trusted friends. Not everyone needs to know our burdens, but someone should. This vulnerability is crucial for healing and growth, as it allows others to support and pray for us. [01:12:09]
4. Living from Our True Identity: Spiritual maturity is about living from our true identity as God's children, rather than from the pain and meanings of our past. This involves daily surrender to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and thoughts, moving us away from fear and towards faith. [01:03:01]
5. Commitment to Growth: Our journey towards freedom requires a commitment to community and personal growth. Joining small groups and being open about our struggles can help us live more fully from our true identity, experiencing the joy and freedom that God intends for us. [01:13:45]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[41:07] - Encountering God's Presence
[42:31] - Worship and Praise
[43:10] - Introduction and Vision Recap
[43:59] - Spiritual Backpack Series
[44:41] - Vision for the Next 20 Years
[45:39] - Reaching Thousands Far from Jesus
[46:25] - Developing Next Generation Leaders
[47:15] - Move of God in Youth Ministry
[47:48] - Introduction to the Freedom Series
[48:22] - Key Text: Luke 4
[48:50] - Jesus' Mission of Freedom
[50:07] - Four Chairs Illustration
[57:31] - Impact of Past Experiences
[01:03:01] - Spiritual Maturity and True Identity
[01:12:09] - Importance of Community and Vulnerability
[01:13:45] - Commitment to Growth and Small Groups
[01:14:23] - Time of Prayer and Reflection
[01:22:07] - Invitation to Surrender to Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 4:18-19 (NIV): "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
#### Observation Questions
1. What mission does Jesus declare in Luke 4:18-19? How does this mission relate to the concept of freedom? [48:22]
2. In the sermon, four "chairs" were used to illustrate different aspects of our lives. What does each chair represent? [50:07]
3. How did Jesus model taking His pain to the Father and to trusted friends? Provide specific examples from the sermon. [01:10:34]
4. What are the key takeaways from the sermon about living from our true identity as God's children? [01:03:01]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding our true identity as sons and daughters of God change the way we live our daily lives? [50:59]
2. Why is it important to recognize the impact of past experiences and the meanings we've attached to them? How can this awareness lead to spiritual maturity? [57:31]
3. What role does community and vulnerability play in our spiritual growth, according to the sermon? How did Jesus exemplify this? [01:12:09]
4. How can we practically move from living in chairs two and three to living in chair one, as described in the sermon? [01:01:53]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Which chair do you find yourself living from most often: chair one (true identity), chair two (past experiences), chair three (meanings attached), or chair four (how you present yourself today)? What steps can you take to move towards living from chair one? [50:07]
2. Think about a past experience that has significantly shaped how you see yourself today. What meaning have you attached to that experience, and how can you seek God's truth to redefine it? [57:31]
3. Jesus took His pain to the Father and to trusted friends. Who are the trusted friends in your life that you can be vulnerable with? How can you start sharing your struggles with them? [01:10:34]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of community. Are you currently part of a small group or community where you can share your burdens and support others? If not, what steps can you take to join one? [01:13:45]
5. Identify one area of your life where you are not living from your true identity as God's beloved child. What specific action can you take this week to surrender that area to God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you? [01:03:01]
6. How can you commit to personal growth and community involvement to experience the freedom that Christ offers? What practical steps will you take to make this commitment a reality? [01:13:45]
7. Reflect on the vision for the next 20 years shared in the sermon. How can you contribute to knowing Jesus more deeply, reaching those far from Him, and developing leaders for the next generation? [44:41]
Devotional
Day 1: True Freedom in Christ
True freedom is found not in what we do or how others see us, but in discovering who God says we are. We are sons and daughters of God, called to glorify Him. This identity should shape our lives more than our past experiences or the meanings we've attached to them. True freedom is about living from this identity, not from the pain or labels of our past. When we understand and embrace our identity in Christ, we can live in the freedom He offers, free from the burdens and anxieties that often weigh us down. [48:50]
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: What past experiences or labels are you allowing to define you today? How can you begin to embrace your true identity as a child of God?
Day 2: Impact of Past Experiences
Our past experiences and the meanings we've made from them often shape how we show up today. Recognizing this helps us understand why we might struggle with trust, self-worth, or fear. Spiritual maturity involves acknowledging these influences and seeking God's truth about our identity. By understanding the impact of our past, we can begin to heal and move forward, living from the truth of who God says we are rather than the lies we've believed. This process requires honesty with ourselves and a willingness to let God transform our hearts and minds. [57:31]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What past experiences are still influencing your present behavior and thoughts? How can you invite God into those areas for healing and transformation?
Day 3: Community and Vulnerability
Jesus showed us the importance of expressing our struggles to both God and trusted friends. Not everyone needs to know our burdens, but someone should. This vulnerability is crucial for healing and growth, as it allows others to support and pray for us. Being part of a community where we can be open and honest about our struggles helps us to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. It also reminds us that we are not alone in our journey and that we have a support system to lean on. [01:12:09]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who in your life can you trust with your struggles? How can you take a step towards vulnerability and community this week?
Day 4: Living from Our True Identity
Spiritual maturity is about living from our true identity as God's children, rather than from the pain and meanings of our past. This involves daily surrender to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and thoughts, moving us away from fear and towards faith. When we live from our true identity, we can experience the peace and joy that comes from knowing we are loved and accepted by God. This requires a conscious effort to reject the lies of the enemy and to embrace the truth of who we are in Christ. [01:03:01]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What lies about your identity have you been believing? How can you replace those lies with the truth of who God says you are?
Day 5: Commitment to Growth
Our journey towards freedom requires a commitment to community and personal growth. Joining small groups and being open about our struggles can help us live more fully from our true identity, experiencing the joy and freedom that God intends for us. Growth is a continuous process that involves learning, unlearning, and relearning. It requires us to be intentional about our spiritual practices and to seek out opportunities for growth within our community. By committing to this journey, we can experience the fullness of life that God has for us. [01:13:45]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: What steps can you take to commit to your spiritual growth and community involvement? How can you be more intentional about your journey towards freedom?
Quotes
1. "You are genuinely just one moment of surrender away from the power of God, filling every place and every space that you make available to him today. We are not a church that comes just to have church. We are a church that comes to meet with God." [41:07] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Our genuine heart and passion for you is that you would grow closer to Jesus today. You know, God's got more for you than you can see, ask, or even imagine. And so as we go to God's word today, let's go with expectation." [43:10] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Over the next 20 years, we're going to know Jesus better. As we already just said, it's all, it's the start and end of who we are as a church. And we will not, the only way we can be a success 20 years from now is if you love Jesus more then than you do right now." [44:41] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Thousands of people far from God are going to come to know Jesus in the next 20 years. And you are a part of that whether you see it or not. And we're here to mine the gold inside of you because there's something inside of you for somebody else. What you've been through is not in vain." [46:25] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "True freedom is found in not seeing yourself in terms of what you do. Or in how somebody else sees you. Or even, this one goes beyond... Actually, this one is tough to believe. But actually beyond what you even believe about yourself. True freedom is not even found in what you believe to be true about yourself." [53:26] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Spiritual maturity is not you knowing more. I'm thankful that you're going to get to know God's word. I'm hungry and fired up about it. I was messaging all of our pastors this week as we're reading through the Bible together. I'm like, we just made it more than halfway through the Bible in our one-year Bible reading plan." [01:01:01] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The mature children of God, spiritual mature people are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. And what Paul says, what Paul is saying is that as you grow spiritually mature, you're moved less and less by your impulses, chairs two and three, and more and more by the impulses of the Holy Spirit." [01:02:26] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus took his pain to the father and to others. Jesus expressed what he was going through to the father and to others. Let's start with him expressing it to the father. Luke chapter 22. This is right the night before the cross. Jesus has just been betrayed and he knows the cross is coming." [01:10:34] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You can be saved by Jesus, but still living from chairs two and three. You can be forgiven of your past, but still walking around filled with anxiety, depression, addiction, fear, people pleasing. Oh, he's forgiven you of your sins and you got a home in heaven, but you're still living from chairs two and three." [01:15:35] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Imagine what it would look like to live from chair number one. How would you show up different tomorrow if you stopped living from chairs two and three? How would you get back to, I am a son, I am a daughter of God, and I live to glorify God?" [01:14:23] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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