Finding Our True Identity and Hope in Christ
Summary
Today, I shared a message centered on the profound importance of our identity in Christ, contrasting it with the shaky foundations the world offers. We began by exploring the unsettling experience of the disciples on Good Friday, reflecting on their despair and confusion when Jesus died, not knowing He would rise again. This set the stage for understanding the depth of hopelessness without Christ and the solid hope His resurrection provides.
I introduced the service with a warm welcome, expressing excitement about the beautiful day and the vibrant community gathered. I highlighted the importance of fellowship and connection within our church family, emphasizing the activities and programs available, including our robust childcare and new visitor engagement through Connect cards.
The sermon delved into the scriptural teachings from 1 John, focusing on the identity of being God's children. This passage from 1 John 3:1-10 underscores the stark contrast between those who live in God's light and those who follow the paths of sin, influenced by the devil. It was a call to recognize our identity as children of God, which is not just a title but a reality that shapes our existence and our actions.
I discussed the dual nature of identity in the world—how easily we can be swayed to find our identity in transient things like careers, social status, or even our struggles and failures. These are shaky foundations, as illustrated through the metaphor of building a house on sand versus building on the solid rock, which is Jesus Christ.
The sermon was interspersed with practical examples and personal anecdotes, including a humorous yet poignant story about a night of spiritual warfare, which vividly illustrated the despair of feeling distant from God's presence. This personal story tied back to the central theme of the sermon: the critical nature of having a firm foundation in Christ.
We concluded with a call to action, urging everyone to reflect on their own foundations and to commit or recommit their lives to Jesus Christ, emphasizing the transformative power of living with Christ as our cornerstone.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Despair and Hope in Christ: Reflecting on the disciples' despair during Good Friday helps us appreciate the profound joy and hope of Easter. It's crucial to remember that without Christ, there is a void of despair that cannot be filled by any worldly means. This understanding deepens our appreciation for His sacrifice and victory over death. [01:11:52]
2. The Identity of Being God's Children: 1 John 3:1-10 not only calls us God's children but also challenges us to live in purity and righteousness, reflecting His nature. This identity is not about entitlement but entails a daily commitment to living out the virtues that align with God's character. [55:40]
3. The Perils of a Shaky Foundation: Just as a house built on sand is vulnerable, an identity built on anything but Christ is prone to collapse. Whether it's career, status, or personal achievements, these can all falter. Only by grounding our identity in Jesus can we withstand the vicissitudes of life. [01:05:49]
4. The Dangers of a Double Life: The story of Mata Hari serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of living a double life. In our spiritual walk, authenticity and integrity are non-negotiable. Living a double life can lead to spiritual downfall, just as it did for Mata Hari in a literal sense. [53:45]
5. Building on the True Foundation: The analogy of building a house in Waterton, with its challenges and restrictions, parallels our spiritual lives. We must build our lives on the foundation already laid by Christ, which is unshakeable and eternal. This foundation provides security and stability, no matter the external pressures or changes. [01:08:30]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 John 3:1-10 (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. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
#### Observation Questions
1. What emotions did the disciples experience on Good Friday, and how did these emotions change after Jesus' resurrection? [01:11:52]
2. According to 1 John 3:1-10, what are the characteristics of being a child of God?
3. What metaphor did the pastor use to describe the difference between building on a shaky foundation and a solid foundation? [01:05:49]
4. How did the story of Mata Hari illustrate the dangers of living a double life? [53:45]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the despair of the disciples on Good Friday help deepen our appreciation for the hope we have in Christ? [01:11:52]
2. What does it mean to live in purity and righteousness as children of God, according to 1 John 3:1-10?
3. Why is it dangerous to build our identity on transient things like careers, social status, or personal achievements? [01:05:49]
4. How can the story of Mata Hari serve as a warning for us in our spiritual walk? [53:45]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hopeless. How did you find hope in Christ during that period? [01:11:52]
2. In what ways can you actively live out your identity as a child of God in your daily life? [55:40]
3. Identify one area of your life where you might be building on a shaky foundation. What steps can you take to rebuild on the solid rock of Jesus Christ? [01:05:49]
4. Have you ever felt tempted to live a double life, either spiritually or in another aspect of your life? How can you strive for authenticity and integrity? [53:45]
5. How can you remind yourself daily of your true identity in Christ, especially when the world tries to define you by other standards? [57:14]
6. Think of a specific situation where you relied on your own strength rather than on your identity in Christ. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future? [01:02:31]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure that your foundation in Christ remains strong and unshakeable? [01:08:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Hope Through Christ's Resurrection
Understanding the despair of the disciples on Good Friday juxtaposed with the joy of Easter illuminates the transformative power of Christ's resurrection. This reflection helps believers grasp the depth of despair that can exist without Christ and the profound hope His victory over death brings. The resurrection is not just a historical event but a cornerstone of Christian faith that offers a continuous source of renewal and hope in the face of life's challenges. This hope is essential, as it anchors our faith and provides a steadfast assurance that transcends the transient promises of the world. [01:11:52]
Lamentations 3:21-24: "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'"
Reflection: How can the reality of Christ's resurrection influence your approach to current challenges in your life?
Day 2: Living as True Children of God
The identity of being God's children, as highlighted in 1 John 3:1-10, calls for a life marked by purity and righteousness. This identity is not merely a title but a call to embody the virtues of God's character daily. It challenges believers to reflect on how their actions and decisions align with this divine filiation. Embracing this identity means rejecting the paths of sin and striving for a life that mirrors the love and holiness of God. This commitment is a dynamic journey of growth and transformation, deeply rooted in the grace that God provides. [55:40]
1 Peter 1:14-16: "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embody your identity as a child of God in your daily interactions?
Day 3: The Danger of Unstable Foundations
Building one's identity on anything other than Christ is likened to constructing a house on sand. Careers, social status, and personal achievements, though significant, can falter. The sermon challenges believers to examine the foundations of their identity and to reorient their lives around Christ, the solid rock. This foundation is not susceptible to the shifting sands of societal changes or personal failures but offers a stable and enduring anchor for our lives. [01:05:49]
Matthew 7:24-27: "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."
Reflection: What aspects of your life are currently built on 'sandy' foundations, and how can you begin to shift them onto the 'rock' of Christ?
Day 4: Avoiding the Perils of a Double Life
The story of Mata Hari illustrates the dangers of living a double life, which can lead to spiritual downfall. Authenticity and integrity are crucial in the Christian walk. This calls for a sincere reflection on whether one's public persona matches their private life. Living authentically means aligning one's actions, thoughts, and words with the values and teachings of Christ, thereby avoiding the discrepancies that can erode spiritual integrity. [53:45]
James 1:22-25: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you live a 'double life,' and what steps can you take to foster greater authenticity in your faith?
Day 5: Building on Christ, Our True Foundation
The analogy of building a house in Waterton, with its inherent challenges and restrictions, parallels the Christian life that must be built on the foundation laid by Christ. This foundation is unshakeable and eternal, offering security and stability regardless of external pressures or changes. Believers are encouraged to continually assess and strengthen their spiritual foundations, ensuring that their lives are anchored firmly in Christ's teachings and love. [01:08:30]
1 Corinthians 3:10-11: "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively reinforce your spiritual foundation in Christ in your everyday actions and decisions?
Quotes
"When our identity is self-made, it is susceptible to falling apart. We're not perfect builders. We're not capable of making an identity for ourselves that will be sustainable." [01:02:31]
"Look at how crazy it is. If we don't put our identity into the world, if we don't put our identity in Christ, that's how we're going to end up. We're going to end up all over the place." [01:04:06]
"Our identity is a child of God. Because that's where my foundation is. It totally is. This is what 1 Corinthians 3.11 says. For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ." [01:05:15]
"See our heavenly identity is already laid down by Jesus. We don't have to do it. The world tries to build its own identity to failure. But Jesus Christ has already done the work." [01:05:49]
"If anyone knows what building a house in Waterton is like, it's like a no go. It's like the out of province inspection for building a house. It's absolutely terrible. You don't want to do it." [01:07:00]
"They weren't able to tear the house down? No. We can't tear the house down. If we do it's illegal. That part of the house is like 85 years old. And like, so what's happening here, is that, not just where the foundation was shot, they had to repair it as best as they could." [01:07:23]
"Imagine that. And also, he wasn't able to only provide a half project. It felt, and the amount of headaches, and permits, and waiting, that is a Waterton house, is absolutely crazy. But, here's the thing. Is that our foundation is very not like a Waterton home. It's not built on something that was." [01:08:30]
"Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother or sister. See John directs us to a really interesting point here. And that point is there is a choice. Of where we place our identity." [56:38]
"Look at how disorderly the world is. If we put our identity into the world, there will be disorder." [01:03:41]
"This is what James 3.14-16 says. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic." [01:03:10]
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