Finding Identity: Created, Fallen, Redeemed, Transformed, Eternal
Summary
In today's world, the question "Who am I?" is more pressing than ever, as we navigate through a time of chaos and confusion regarding personal identity. To find clarity, we must turn to Scripture, which provides a firm foundation for understanding who we are. This understanding is not only crucial for our own lives but also equips us to help others answer this fundamental question.
Firstly, we are created in the image of God, which bestows upon us inherent dignity and value. This creation implies accountability to God, as highlighted in Psalms 8 and 139. Secondly, we are fallen, inheriting sin from Adam, which means we are born into sinfulness. This duality of dignity and depravity requires us to view ourselves and others through a theological lens, recognizing the image of God in every person.
For those in Christ, we are redeemed. Our identity is found in our union with Christ, a concept beautifully captured in Dietrich Bonhoeffer's poem, "Who am I?" Despite the struggles and questions of identity, the ultimate answer is found in belonging to God. Colossians 2:9-10 emphasizes our completeness in Christ, who embodies the fullness of deity. This union with Christ means that if we possess Him, we possess all we will ever need.
Furthermore, we are being transformed. Our journey in Christ involves ongoing renewal through the Spirit and the community of believers. The ordinary means of grace—preaching, the Lord's Supper, and fellowship—facilitate this transformation. Lastly, we are eternal beings, destined for either eternal union with God or separation from Him. C.S. Lewis reminds us of the weight of glory, urging us to treat others with the awareness of their eternal significance.
Key Takeaways:
- Created in God's Image: Our identity begins with the understanding that we are created in the image of God, which grants us inherent dignity and value. This creation also implies accountability to God, as He intimately knows every detail of our lives. [02:20]
- The Reality of the Fall: We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are inherently sinful, born into a fallen state. This understanding of our depravity alongside our dignity calls us to view ourselves and others through a theological lens, recognizing the image of God in every person. [04:12]
- Redemption in Christ: Our true identity is found in our union with Christ. Despite the struggles and questions of identity, the ultimate answer is found in belonging to God. In Christ, we possess all we will ever need, as He embodies the fullness of deity. [11:57]
- Ongoing Transformation: Being in Christ means we are continually being transformed and renewed through the Spirit and the community of believers. The ordinary means of grace—preaching, the Lord's Supper, and fellowship—facilitate this transformation. [18:11]
- Eternal Perspective: We are eternal beings, destined for either eternal union with God or separation from Him. This eternal perspective should influence how we treat others, recognizing their eternal significance and the weight of glory they carry. [19:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:46] - The Question of Identity
- [01:35] - Five Points of Identity
- [02:20] - Created in God's Image
- [03:11] - Accountability to God
- [04:12] - The Fall and Our Sinful Nature
- [04:59] - Dignity and Depravity
- [06:28] - Redemption in Christ
- [07:07] - Bonhoeffer's Poem
- [09:58] - Belonging to God
- [11:07] - Union with Christ
- [11:57] - Fullness of Deity in Christ
- [14:23] - Christ's Work on the Cross
- [15:24] - Completeness in Christ
- [17:13] - Transformation and Renewal
- [18:11] - Eternal Perspective
- [20:51] - Helping Others Find Their Identity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 8
2. Psalm 139
3. Colossians 2:9-10
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are the two Psalms that help us understand what it means to be created in the image of God? [02:20]
2. How does the sermon describe the dual nature of human identity in terms of dignity and depravity? [04:59]
3. What does the sermon say about our identity in Christ and how it relates to the concept of redemption? [11:07]
4. What role does the community of believers play in our ongoing transformation, according to the sermon? [18:11]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding that we are created in the image of God influence our view of personal identity and accountability to God? [03:11]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that recognizing our fallen nature impacts our interactions with others? [06:28]
3. What does the sermon imply about the significance of being "complete in Christ" and how does this affect our sense of identity? [15:24]
4. How does the eternal perspective presented in the sermon challenge the way we treat others and view their significance? [19:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of being created in the image of God. How does this shape your self-worth and the way you view others? [02:20]
2. Consider a time when you struggled with the concept of dignity and depravity in yourself or others. How can you apply a theological lens to these situations moving forward? [04:59]
3. The sermon emphasizes our identity in Christ. How can you remind yourself daily of your completeness in Him, especially during times of doubt or struggle? [15:24]
4. Think about the role of community in your spiritual journey. What steps can you take to engage more deeply with your church community to facilitate your transformation? [18:11]
5. How does the eternal perspective shared in the sermon influence your priorities and relationships? What changes might you need to make to align with this perspective? [19:56]
6. Identify one person in your life who may be struggling with their identity. How can you support them in understanding their identity in Christ this week? [20:51]
7. Reflect on the poem by Dietrich Bonhoeffer mentioned in the sermon. How does the line "Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am Thine" resonate with your personal journey of faith? [09:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Created in God's Image: Our Foundation of Dignity
We are created in the image of God, which grants us inherent dignity and value. This foundational truth means that every person is known and valued by God, as He intimately knows every detail of our lives. This understanding calls us to live with a sense of accountability to God, recognizing that our lives are not our own but are meant to reflect His glory. By acknowledging our creation in God's image, we can begin to see ourselves and others through a lens of dignity and worth, which is crucial in a world that often devalues human life. [02:20]
Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"
Reflection: How does knowing you are created in God's image change the way you view yourself and others today? Can you identify one way to honor this truth in your interactions with others?
Day 2: The Reality of the Fall: Understanding Our Sinful Nature
We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are inherently sinful, born into a fallen state. This understanding of our depravity alongside our dignity calls us to view ourselves and others through a theological lens, recognizing the image of God in every person. The fall has marred our nature, but it has not erased the image of God within us. By acknowledging both our dignity and our depravity, we can approach life with humility and grace, understanding that we are all in need of redemption. [04:12]
Romans 5:12 (ESV): "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned."
Reflection: In what ways do you see the effects of the fall in your own life? How can you extend grace to yourself and others, knowing we all share this fallen nature?
Day 3: Redemption in Christ: Our True Identity
Our true identity is found in our union with Christ. Despite the struggles and questions of identity, the ultimate answer is found in belonging to God. In Christ, we possess all we will ever need, as He embodies the fullness of deity. This union with Christ means that our identity is secure and complete, freeing us from the need to seek validation elsewhere. By embracing our identity in Christ, we can live with confidence and purpose, knowing that we are fully known and loved by God. [11:57]
Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection: How does your union with Christ shape your understanding of who you are? What is one area of your life where you need to embrace your identity in Christ more fully?
Day 4: Ongoing Transformation: The Journey of Renewal
Being in Christ means we are continually being transformed and renewed through the Spirit and the community of believers. The ordinary means of grace—preaching, the Lord's Supper, and fellowship—facilitate this transformation. This ongoing renewal is a journey that requires our participation and openness to the work of the Spirit. By engaging in these means of grace, we can experience growth and transformation, becoming more like Christ in our thoughts, actions, and character. [18:11]
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 is one practical step you can take this week to engage more deeply in the means of grace? How can you invite the Spirit to work in your life for transformation?
Day 5: Eternal Perspective: Living with Eternal Significance
We are eternal beings, destined for either eternal union with God or separation from Him. This eternal perspective should influence how we treat others, recognizing their eternal significance and the weight of glory they carry. By living with an awareness of eternity, we can prioritize what truly matters and invest in relationships and actions that have lasting impact. This perspective challenges us to live with purpose and intentionality, knowing that our lives have eternal significance. [19:56]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How does an eternal perspective change the way you approach your daily life? What is one way you can invest in something of eternal significance today?
Quotes
The very first thing that we learn about who we are is that we are created. Right from the very beginning, we learn that we are in the image of God. We are created. Now, if you just stop right there, there are a boatload of implications from that. And there are two texts, we are not going to read this morning, but I want you to put down, jot down, and you return to them later. One is Psalm 8 and the other is Psalm 139. [00:02:00]
If you want to know what it means that you are created, read these two Psalms, read that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made," that a master weaver knit you together, that God as your Creator intimately knows every detail of your life more than you do. And ultimately, to say that we are created means we are accountable to God. [00:02:40]
We are not sinners because we sin. We are actually sinners long before we sin. We are born sinful, and sinners sin, but we are not sinners because we sin. Being in Adam means that we are fallen. So, we are created and we are fallen. This is true of every human being that is on the face of this earth, and what this means is that we as people have two very interesting things, sort of two poles that are part of our identity. [00:03:49]
We owe every single human being we meet. We owe them dignity, not because of anything they have accomplished, not because they have amassed wealth or they're, am I getting this right, their TikTok account has a lot of followers. Did I get that right? We don't owe them dignity because of any of those things. We owe them dignity because they are created in the image of God. [00:05:07]
Dignity and depravity. It is hard sometimes to ferret out, you know, how that works, dignity and depravity, but it causes us to be wise. It causes us to be thoughtful, and it causes us to remember these fundamental theological truths about every person we meet. We tend to categorize people by the social strata or we tend to categorize people for what they can do for us, and we need to stop thinking like that. [00:05:55]
So, every human being is created, every human being is fallen, and then those who are in Christ are redeemed. So, to be redeemed is to be in Christ. That is your identity. [00:06:38]
What it means to be redeemed? It means that Jesus is a friend for sinners, and He is mine. [00:10:25]
Who is this Jesus that we are in? Well, "in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily." Paul tends to give theology in paragraphs, and sometimes they are hard to follow. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is when Peter says that there is hard stuff to understand in Paul." And I'm like, "Thank you. Yes, I had that same feeling." [00:12:23]
Jesus is the final destination of the journey. Try this destination, you try this destination; none of them satisfy or fulfill. Jesus is the final destination. Jesus is all you will ever meet. Let me put it this way: If you are possessed by Christ, you possess all you will ever need. If you don't remember anything I said, just remember that sentence. [00:15:32]
But not only are we redeemed, I told you there would be five points, not only are we redeemed, we are being transformed. When we are united to Christ, we now are in the Spirit and we are in community, the body of Christ. We don't go it alone, but we have the Spirit and we have the church, and God has given to the church what we call the "ordinary means of grace," the preaching of the Word, the Lord's Supper, fellowship of the saints; and all of that means we are to be being transformed, be being renewed. [00:17:25]
Remember, the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as now if you meet at all, you meet in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. [00:19:09]
It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mortal being. [00:19:43]
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