Finding True Identity and Authority in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus is the Great "I Am"—Our Source of Identity and Authority

Knowing Jesus as the eternal "I Am" is foundational to understanding our true identity and the authority we have as believers. When Jesus declared, "Before Abraham was, I am," He was not only claiming divinity but also inviting us to root our sense of self in Him, not in the confusion or shifting standards of the world. Just as many people are unaware of the real identity they already possess, Christians often forget or never realize the authority and purpose that comes from being in Christ. When we look to Jesus as our source, we discover who we truly are and can walk in the confidence and order God intends for us. [04:34]

John 8:58 (NKJV)
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to look to the world or others for your sense of identity, and how can you intentionally root your identity in Jesus as the "I Am" today?

Day 2: God’s Name "I Am"—The Authority Behind Our Calling

God revealed Himself to Moses as "I Am Who I Am," establishing His eternal, unchanging nature and the authority with which He sends His people. Just as Moses needed to know who was sending him to face Pharaoh, we too must understand that our authority and confidence come from the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The God who sent Moses is the same God who empowers us, and His name is a memorial to all generations. When we grasp that Jesus, the "I Am," lives in us, we can walk boldly in our calling, knowing we are backed by divine authority. [08:30]

Exodus 3:14-15 (NKJV)
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’”

Reflection: Where do you feel inadequate or fearful about what God is calling you to do, and how does knowing you are sent by the "I Am" change your perspective?

Day 3: Jesus, the Bread of Life—Our Daily Spiritual Provision

Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life," revealing Himself as the true sustenance for our souls, far surpassing any physical provision. Just as God provided manna daily for the Israelites in the wilderness, Jesus offers Himself as our daily spiritual nourishment, meeting our deepest needs and sustaining us through every season. He is not just a provider of material things but the very source of life, hope, and strength. When we come to Him, we find satisfaction that the world cannot offer, and we are invited to rely on Him every day for all that we need. [16:51]

John 6:32-35 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been seeking fulfillment apart from Jesus, and how can you turn to Him as your daily bread today?

Day 4: Jesus, the Light of the World—Exposing and Healing, Not Condemning

Jesus’ declaration, "I am the light of the world," means that His presence exposes darkness, not to condemn, but to bring repentance and restoration. When the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him, His light revealed the truth without shaming or affirming sin, but instead offered a path to transformation. The light of Christ exposes what is hidden, not to destroy, but to heal and invite us into a new way of living. As followers of Jesus, we are called to walk in His light, allowing it to reveal areas needing change and to extend that same grace and truth to others. [25:55]

John 8:12 (NKJV)
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Reflection: Is there a hidden area in your life that needs to be brought into the light of Jesus for healing and change, and what step can you take today to invite His light in?

Day 5: True Gospel—Repentance and Restoration, Not Condemnation or License

The real Gospel of Jesus is not about relentless condemnation nor about unchecked grace that ignores sin; it is about repentance that leads to restoration with the Father. Jesus modeled a balance—He did not condemn the woman caught in sin, nor did He affirm her sin, but called her to a new life. As believers, we are called to reflect this truth: to lovingly expose sin, offer the hope of change, and point people to the way Jesus made for us to be restored. This is the message that brings true freedom and transformation, distinguishing the real Gospel from false ones that either shame or enable. [28:16]

Romans 2:4 (NKJV)
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience both the truth and grace of Jesus through you, and how can you offer both loving challenge and hope for restoration today?

Sermon Summary

Identity is a powerful thing. In a world full of confusion, it’s easy to forget who we truly are and where our authority comes from. Just as many people waited in long lines for a “real ID” at the DMV, not realizing they already had one, many believers live unaware of the true identity they possess in Christ. Authority and confidence flow from knowing who we are, and that identity is rooted in Christ alone—not in the shifting standards of culture or the world around us.

The story of the eagle raised among chickens illustrates this well: the eagle never soared because it didn’t know it was meant to fly. In the same way, Christians often live beneath their calling, looking to the world for validation instead of to Christ. Our identity must be anchored in Him, and to know who we are, we must first know who He is.

Jesus made a bold declaration in John 8: “Before Abraham was, I am.” This wasn’t just a statement about His existence; it was a claim to divinity, echoing God’s self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3: “I am who I am.” Jesus is the eternal “I am”—the God who transcends time, the One with all authority, the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When Jesus spoke “I am,” even His enemies fell back at the sheer authority of His words.

This “I am” is not just a title; it’s a promise. Whatever we need—provision, healing, peace—He is. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as the provider, the healer, the one who sees us. Jesus fulfills all these roles and more. He is the bread of life, our daily manna, the one who sustains us spiritually just as God provided for Israel in the wilderness. Our spiritual hunger can only be satisfied in Him.

But Jesus is also the light of the world. His light doesn’t come to condemn, but to expose and heal. True light reveals both our need for repentance and the way to restoration. The real gospel is not one of condemnation or empty affirmation, but one that calls us to repentance and offers us new life in Christ. As we walk in His light and feed daily on the bread of life, we discover our true identity and authority as children of God.

Key Takeaways

1. True identity and authority come from knowing Christ, not from the world or its standards. Like the eagle among chickens, we often live beneath our calling when we look to others for validation instead of to Jesus, who alone defines who we are. When we know who He is, we discover who we are meant to be. [02:31]
2. Jesus’ declaration, “I am,” is a direct claim to divinity and authority. This statement connects Him to the God of Exodus, the eternal One who transcends time and circumstance. Recognizing Jesus as the “I am” means acknowledging His lordship over every area of our lives, both now and forever. [05:35]
3. The authority of Jesus is not just theoretical; it has real power. When Jesus spoke “I am” at His arrest, even His enemies fell back. In our lives, the authority of Christ means that nothing can stand against Him—every need, every fear, every obstacle must bow to His name. [09:53]
4. Jesus is the bread of life, our daily spiritual sustenance. Just as God provided manna for Israel in the wilderness, Jesus provides what our souls truly need. Our spiritual hunger and poverty can only be satisfied by coming to Him daily, feeding on His Word, and living in dependence on His provision. [16:51]
5. The light of Christ exposes, heals, and restores. His light does not condemn for the sake of shame, nor does it ignore sin for the sake of comfort. Instead, it reveals our need for repentance and offers the way to restoration, calling us to walk in truth and grace as we reflect His light to the world. [30:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Real ID and Identity Confusion
[00:48] - Authority Comes from Knowing Who You Are
[01:33] - The Eagle Among Chickens: A Parable of Identity
[02:31] - Looking to Christ for Identity
[03:18] - Worldly Identification vs. Christ-Centered Identity
[04:05] - Jesus Declares “I Am” in John 8
[05:00] - The Significance of “I Am” and Jesus’ Deity
[06:13] - Moses and the Burning Bush: God’s Name Revealed
[09:10] - Jesus’ Authority as the “I Am”
[11:01] - God’s Attributes and Provision
[12:35] - The Seven “I Am” Statements of Jesus
[13:06] - The Bread of Life: Jesus’ First “I Am” Statement
[16:51] - Jesus as Our Daily Manna
[17:26] - Communion and Spiritual Provision
[18:44] - True Provision: Beyond Material Needs
[24:34] - Jesus, the Light of the World
[27:12] - The Real Gospel: Repentance and Restoration
[30:18] - Light, Sin, and the Call to Repentance
[32:39] - Walking in the Light Daily
[34:08] - The Importance of Spiritual Nourishment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 8:58 (NKJV) — > Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Exodus 3:14-15 (NKJV) — > And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’”

John 6:32-35 (NKJV) — > Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

Observation Questions

In John 8:58, what does Jesus mean when He says, “Before Abraham was, I AM”? How did the people around Him react to this statement? ([04:34])
According to Exodus 3:14-15, what name does God give to Moses at the burning bush, and why is this significant for the people of Israel? ([07:56])
In John 6:32-35, what is the difference between the manna that Moses gave and the “bread of life” that Jesus offers? ([14:33])
The sermon used the story of the eagle raised among chickens. What was the main point of this story, and how does it relate to Christian identity? ([01:56])

Interpretation Questions

Why did Jesus’ claim of “I AM” in John 8:58 cause such a strong reaction from the religious leaders? What was He really claiming about Himself? ([05:00])
How does understanding that Jesus is the eternal “I AM” affect the way a believer sees their own identity and authority? ([09:10])
The sermon says that many Christians live “like chickens” instead of “soaring like eagles” because they look to the world for validation. What are some ways believers might do this today? ([02:31])
Jesus calls Himself the “bread of life.” What does it mean for us to come to Him daily for spiritual nourishment, and how is this different from just seeking physical or material provision? ([16:51])

Application Questions

The sermon compared waiting in line for a “real ID” at the DMV to Christians not realizing the identity they already have in Christ. Are there areas in your life where you are searching for validation or identity outside of Jesus? What are they, and how can you shift your focus? ([00:48])
The eagle in the story never learned to fly because it listened to the chickens. Who or what are the “chickens” in your life that might be keeping you from living out your true calling in Christ? How can you start listening to Jesus instead? ([02:31])
Jesus’ authority as the “I AM” means that nothing can stand against Him. Is there a fear, need, or obstacle in your life that you need to bring under the authority of Jesus this week? What would it look like to do that? ([09:53])
Jesus is the bread of life, our daily spiritual food. What practical steps can you take to “feed” on Jesus and His Word each day? Is there a specific time or habit you want to start or strengthen? ([16:51])
The light of Christ exposes, heals, and restores. Is there an area in your life where you need to let Jesus’ light shine in—maybe something hidden or a place where you need healing or repentance? What’s one step you can take to invite His light in? ([30:18])
The sermon talked about the real gospel being one of both repentance and restoration—not just condemnation or empty affirmation. How can you reflect this balance in your relationships with others, especially when you see someone struggling with sin? ([28:24])
When you think about your identity, do you find yourself more influenced by the world’s standards or by who Jesus says you are? What is one truth from this week’s message that you want to hold onto and remind yourself of daily? ([03:18])

Sermon Clips

And in the same way, there are many Christians who are eagles living among chickens. And like chickens, not knowing that they were created to soar and fly. And part of the issue of that eaglet was that who it was looking to wasn't an eagle. And part of the issue in Christians is that they're not looking to Christ as their source of identity are Christians who are still looking to the world as its source of identity, comparing itself to the world. [00:02:31] (39 seconds) #EaglesNotChickens

By Jesus declaring I am, he was establishing that he was God. He was establishing his deity. He was establishing his power, his position, his authority. And so the Jews, they were looking at it and saying, he is a blasphemer. He is taking God's name and he is taking it for himself. And Jesus was, because he is. And he knew that he is the I am. [00:05:06] (37 seconds) #IAmAuthority

At the authority of Jesus saying, I am, everything falls. It's why. Philippians 2:10. What? The song that we were worshiping to a little while ago is based on where it says, every knee will bow to the name of Jesus. We've got to understand, nothing can topple him over. He is the I am. [00:10:17] (33 seconds) #UnshakableIAm

What is it that you need? You need provision. You need healing. You need peace. Every one of God's attributes and his. I am your vindicator. I am your source. I am your provision. I am, I am. [00:10:51] (29 seconds) #IAmYourProvision

Jesus says my Father gave them in that old covenant, the manna from heaven in the wilderness. He's giving you me the bread of. Jesus, whom had said man shall not live by bread alone, because Scripture says it right, when he's being tempted, when the devil's trying to get him to question his authority to to question who he is in Christ. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. [00:16:03] (28 seconds) #BreadOfLifeDaily

Jesus is our daily manna. Jesus is our provision in the wilderness. A million Israelites in a desert and God the I am provided manna daily Jesus says, I am the bread of life. [00:16:40] (22 seconds) #ProvisionBeyondWealth

It's not just that Jesus is our provision in the sense of finances and. Lot of preachers talking about Jehovah, Jireh, the provider, him being our provider. Claim it want this and the prosperity. And God does not want us to live in poverty and he doesn't want us to be rich to boast about it to everybody else. But he is our provider to financially, yes, but he's our provider in our. He is our provision. And he is the answer. He is our provision. He is our provision. [00:18:13] (41 seconds) #LightExposesTruth

It's not that I bring the light to condemn you, and I don't shine the light to glorify your sin either. The light is to expose it. Bright lights in your house? You couldn't see before. When you turn on that new bulb, you see something. It was nice and dim, and now it's bright. Go back to the dim bulb or remove the cobweb. But the next line is key. [00:28:35] (67 seconds) #BalancedTruthInGrace

We have so much confusion that has ushered its way into today's Christianity. We have people that solely preach satisfaction. Sin, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin. You're going to hell. You're condemned. You're condemned. Beat you down, beat you down, beat you down, beat you down with no light of there needs to be change and Jesus made a way. But we also have the ones that is grace, grace, grace, grace, grace, grace, grace, grace, grace. Do whatever you want and then come stand at the altar and keep preaching. They are both wrong. [00:29:47] (45 seconds) #DailyBreadPreventsSin

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