Finding True Identity as Children of God
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound question of identity, a question that has puzzled humanity for centuries. We began with the story of Immanuel Kant, a philosopher who pondered the question, "Who am I?" This question is not just a philosophical inquiry but a deeply personal one that affects people of all ages, from adolescents to adults. We often seek to define ourselves through roles and relationships, such as being a parent, a friend, or a professional. However, these identities can be fragile and temporary, leading to crises when they change or disappear.
The narrative of Michael Jordan, who struggled with his identity after retiring from basketball, illustrates the emptiness that can accompany a life defined by external achievements. Similarly, the stories of celebrities like Sophie Turner and Emma Thompson highlight the universal struggle to find a true sense of self beyond societal labels and expectations.
The core of our discussion centered on the biblical perspective of identity as presented in John 1:12-13. Here, we find that our true identity is not in what we do or the roles we play, but in whose we are. As children of God, our identity is rooted in our relationship with Him. This identity is not earned through our efforts but is a gift received through belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ.
Being a child of God comes with profound implications. It means experiencing unconditional love, guidance, peace, and security from our Heavenly Father. It also means being part of a larger family, the community of believers, where we find support and belonging. Our identity as God's children gives us a new name and a new purpose, transcending the temporary identities the world offers.
As we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember that our identity is ultimately determined by our relationship with God. This truth should shape how we live, influencing our actions and decisions. We are called to honor our Heavenly Father, allowing His love and guidance to transform us into His likeness.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Fragility of Earthly Identities: Our roles and achievements, while significant, are temporary and can lead to identity crises when they change. True identity is found not in what we do but in whose we are, as children of God. [05:10]
2. Identity in Christ: John 1:12-13 teaches that our identity is rooted in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This identity is a gift, not earned by works, but received through belief and acceptance. [11:50]
3. Unconditional Love and Guidance: As children of God, we experience His unconditional love and guidance. Our Heavenly Father desires the best for us, guiding us to live the life He created us for. [19:44]
4. Peace and Security: Being a child of God brings peace and security, knowing that our eternity is secure in Him. This peace surpasses all understanding and is a hallmark of our identity in Christ. [21:20]
5. Community and Inheritance: As part of God's family, we belong to a community of believers and share in the inheritance of His kingdom. Our identity as God's children gives us a new name and purpose. [25:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:04] - The Question of Identity
- [05:10] - Fragility of Earthly Identities
- [07:31] - Michael Jordan's Identity Crisis
- [11:50] - Identity in Christ
- [13:55] - Belief and Acceptance
- [15:15] - Rebirth and New Life
- [17:29] - Unconditional Love
- [19:44] - Guidance from the Father
- [21:20] - Peace and Security
- [23:33] - Community and Family
- [25:47] - The Namesake and Inheritance
- [27:03] - Choosing Your Identity
- [27:58] - Honoring the Father
- [30:37] - Embracing Your Identity in Christ
- [32:38] - The Story of Ben Hooper
- [35:31] - Invitation to Accept Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Understanding Our True Identity
Bible Reading:
- John 1:12-13
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Observation Questions:
1. What does John 1:12-13 say about how we become children of God?
2. How does the sermon illustrate the fragility of earthly identities through the story of Michael Jordan? [07:31]
3. What examples from the sermon highlight the struggle of finding identity beyond societal labels? [02:04]
4. According to the sermon, what are some roles or achievements people often use to define their identity? [05:10]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being a "child of God" redefine our understanding of identity compared to societal roles? [11:50]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our identity in Christ provides peace and security? [21:20]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of belief and acceptance in becoming a child of God? [13:55]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of community in shaping our identity as children of God? [23:33]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when a change in your role or achievement led to an identity crisis. How might understanding your identity in Christ have changed your perspective? [05:10]
2. The sermon mentions the unconditional love of a heavenly Father. How can you experience and share this love in your daily interactions? [19:44]
3. Consider the peace and security that comes from being a child of God. What steps can you take to embrace this peace in areas of your life where you feel anxious or insecure? [21:20]
4. How can you actively participate in the community of believers to strengthen your identity as a child of God? [23:33]
5. The sermon discusses honoring our Heavenly Father. What is one specific area in your life where you feel called to honor God more fully? [27:58]
6. Think about the societal labels that have influenced your identity. How can you shift your focus to your identity in Christ this week?
7. Identify a person in your life who might be struggling with their identity. How can you support them in discovering their identity as a child of God? [34:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Fragility of Earthly Identities
Our earthly identities, often defined by roles and achievements, are inherently fragile and temporary. These identities can lead to crises when they change or disappear, as they are not the true essence of who we are. The story of Michael Jordan, who faced an identity crisis after retiring from basketball, exemplifies the emptiness that can accompany a life defined by external accomplishments. Similarly, celebrities like Sophie Turner and Emma Thompson have publicly shared their struggles to find a true sense of self beyond societal labels and expectations. True identity is not found in what we do but in whose we are, as children of God. This understanding invites us to seek a deeper, more enduring identity rooted in our relationship with God. [05:10]
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: Consider a role or achievement that you have relied on for your identity. How might you begin to shift your focus from this temporary identity to your eternal identity as a child of God?
Day 2: Identity in Christ
John 1:12-13 teaches that our true identity is rooted in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This identity is not something we earn through our efforts or achievements but is a gift received through belief and acceptance. As children of God, we are given a new name and a new purpose, transcending the temporary identities the world offers. This identity in Christ provides a foundation that is unshakeable, offering us a sense of belonging and purpose that is not dependent on external circumstances. Embracing this identity allows us to live with confidence and assurance, knowing that we are loved and valued by our Creator. [11:50]
Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: Reflect on how you can more fully embrace your identity in Christ today. What steps can you take to live out this identity in your daily interactions and decisions?
Day 3: Unconditional Love and Guidance
As children of God, we experience His unconditional love and guidance. Our Heavenly Father desires the best for us, guiding us to live the life He created us for. This love is not based on our performance or achievements but is a constant and unwavering presence in our lives. God's guidance provides us with direction and purpose, helping us navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and discernment. By trusting in His love and guidance, we can find peace and assurance, knowing that we are never alone on our journey. [19:44]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: Think of a decision or situation where you need God's guidance. How can you actively seek His direction and trust in His unconditional love today?
Day 4: Peace and Security
Being a child of God brings peace and security, knowing that our eternity is secure in Him. This peace surpasses all understanding and is a hallmark of our identity in Christ. It is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of God's presence and promises. In a world filled with uncertainty and change, this peace provides a stable foundation, allowing us to face challenges with confidence and hope. By resting in God's peace, we can experience a sense of calm and assurance that transcends the temporary struggles of life. [21:20]
Philippians 4:7 (ESV): "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you lack peace. How can you invite God's peace to guard your heart and mind in this situation today?
Day 5: Community and Inheritance
As part of God's family, we belong to a community of believers and share in the inheritance of His kingdom. Our identity as God's children gives us a new name and purpose, connecting us to a larger family where we find support and belonging. This community provides a space for growth, encouragement, and accountability, helping us to live out our faith in meaningful ways. By embracing our identity as part of God's family, we can experience the joy and fulfillment of being connected to others who share our faith and values. [25:47]
1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Reflection: Reflect on how you can actively engage with your community of believers. What steps can you take to strengthen your connections and contribute to the life of your spiritual family?
Quotes
"But he had been there for quite a while. There was a police officer that had walked by just doing rounds and saw Kant sitting at the bench and came back sometime later. He was still sitting there, came back sometime later. He's been there for a while. And so the police officer approached him because he began to kind of look suspicious of what's this guy doing here. And so he approached Kant and he said, excuse me, like, what are you doing? And Kant said, I'm thinking. And that sounded kind of strange to the officer. And he said, well, who are you? And Kant said, that's exactly what I'm thinking about. Who am I? Like, that's a foundational question that all of us wrestle with. Now, here's the truth of it. It is one of the most powerful questions we'll ever answer if we can. But oftentimes we don't really think about it. We don't sit on a park bench contemplating, who really am I?" [00:00:35] (54 seconds)
"Now, the problem with that is those kids leave, right? Does that mean you're not going to be a mom? No, you will be a mom. You'll be a dad forever, but it'll be vastly different, right? If you've done the empty nesting years, you know this. Vastly different. And if your identity is, I am a mom, I am a dad, I am the provider, I am there for my kids, and all of a sudden they're 20 -something years old and they don't need you anymore, all of a sudden your identity is in the middle of a crisis. Or, or maybe it's not even their adults. Maybe it's their teen years and you've raised them to either walk with Jesus or maybe, maybe even just, maybe you're not a believer, but you've raised them to be moral or whatever. And in their teen years, because they're autonomous thinkers and autonomous doers, they walk a path that you don't want them to walk. And you've tried to bring them back to the path that you'd like to bring them to, and they've chosen not to. And your identity is in this child, and this child is now doing the wrong things. Now you have an identity crisis, right? Because I'm not just a dad. And I won't always be a dad, at least in the way that it is, that I live it out now." [00:03:58] (72 seconds)
"he's restless he feels this competitive kick competitiveness kick in almost a chemical thing and he starts working out and he wonders could he play at 50 what would he do against lebron what if it's consumed me so much he says i'm my own worst enemy i drove myself so much that i'm still living with some of those drives i'm living with that i don't know how to get rid of it i don't know if i if i don't know if i could and here i am still connected to the game he knows he won't ever play pro basketball again he knows he's got to quiet these drives to enjoy a way to live the life he worked so hard to create to be still how can i enjoy this is a quote how can i enjoy the next 20 years without so much of this consuming me how can i find peace away from the game of basketball by finding your identity in something else his identity is a basketball player and now that the greatest is no longer a basketball player he has an identity crisis here's what you're going to see in john chapter one who i am is determined by whose i am let me say that again who i am my identity is ultimately determined by whose i am so we're going to read john chapter one john who wrote this this book is one of jesus's not just one of jesus's disciples there were there were a lot of disciples jesus had then he had the 12 that that we hear a lot about that walked with him and did a lot of ministry with him the majority of it but then there were three inside the 12 uh peter uh james and john were three of the inner circle john's one of those john's got an eyewitness view of jesus that no one else has now he's writing in the new testament the old testament the first part of your bible is in front of it we're going to see how the old testament plays into this passage in the scripture in a moment but the old testament was it's the first" [00:07:54] (118 seconds)
"They are reborn, not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. There's a stick there for a minute. In verse 12, he says, to all those who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. Now, John was a Jew. Now he's met Jesus, and he's, he believes now and understands that Jesus is the promised Messiah that the Jews have been waiting for. So now he's a follower of Jesus. He still has Jewish roots, Jewish culture. A lot of his friends and a lot of people who are reading this are Jewish people, and we just read over this idea about being children of God, but this is somewhat offensive to the original reader. When he says, hey, you have the, you're given the right to be children of God, the people that are reading that go, wait a second, what are you talking about?" [00:10:50] (47 seconds)
"Nothing you can do to do it. He says it. He says in verse 13, not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or a plan, but a birth that comes from God. God is the one who, when you and I broke the relationship with Him, because we sinned, because we sinned, because we sinned, because we sinned, because we sinned, because we sinned, we messed up, and we broke that relationship with Him. Because we were trying to find our own identity, and we tried king, and we tried boss, and we tried all of these things, and broke the relationship, and we couldn't fix it. We couldn't build the bridge back to God. It was God who said, I love you. I want you to be my child, and I'll build the bridge back, and I'll fix it, because I'm pursuing you, and I love you, and I love you so much, I want you to be mine. I want you to be my child. So I want to take a few minutes and just think through like what that means." [00:16:49] (50 seconds)
"Like if you're a parent, you come along and you speak into your kid's life. You're trying to coach them up. You're trying to guide them. And what are you trying to guide them to? The best possible life they can have, right? Like my kids will tell you, like when they ride with me, I'm forever trying to... be a good guy. I'm trying to help them learn some of the greats in country music. Like, you know, I've got to counteract all that pop stuff they hear in their mom's car. And I'm like, this is George Strait. This is the king. Here's Hank Williams Jr. And so they roll their eyes and like, you know, trying to guide them to this will make your life better. All right. As a parent, that's what you want to guide them. I say that tongue in cheek, but you get it, right? You're trying to guide your kids to the right thing. So again, if that's what an earthly father does, the heavenly father, his spirit, his very spirit, the Holy Spirit comes and lives inside of you to guide you. And where is he guiding you? To the best life." [00:19:59] (57 seconds)
"Try to create a life that's peaceful for them, right? So imagine what a heavenly father, scripture talks all about the peace of God. The peace of God that passes all understanding is yours. That that's a part of being a heavenly, a child to the heavenly father. This week we, or I guess it's been more than a week now, we've been having like issues with our washing machine. It broke. And so it broke. We called out the repair person. So you're kind of like, how many, it's like, they're going to come out in like two days. Like, okay, like, okay, we can, we can, we can live, you know, without clothes getting washed. I can make it two days. They come and fix it. We're like, okay, put a set of things, laundry in, and then two or three in, it breaks again. So we call them again and they're like, we'll come back out. They come back out. We've got to order a part. So now, now I'm like, I haven't had a washing machine, like I've had it for one day, like in the course of the week. Now I'm to the point, I'm like, if you turn your underwear inside out, does it count? Like, what do we do? Because we had to go to the laundromat." [00:21:04] (55 seconds)
"You're born into an earthly family. Mom, dad, brothers, sisters, maybe, grandparents, aunts, uncles, most of us. Same thing. In the family of God, you have each other. That's why when people say, you know what? My relationship with God is just between me and them, me and God. Well, that may be true, but that's broken. It's not the way it's supposed to work. That'd be like me going, yeah, you know, I'm not going to go to church. I'm going to go to church. I'm going to go to I'm alive and stuff. And I, you know, I really just do my thing. I don't, I don't, I don't really have parents or brothers or. sisters or grandparents or aunts or uncles. It's just me and the world. Just me and myself. That's not the plan. Some of you, that may have been your story. That's not what it's supposed to be. It's supposed to have a family. And part of being a child of God is being in the family of God and having others. Which also means that just like you've got a crazy uncle at Christmas, you might have a crazy uncle sitting next to you today. But that's part of the family, right? We have and we do life together. Here's the last thing. There's all kinds of other things. I'm just hitting some." [00:23:33] (54 seconds)
"Just feel for a moment what it means to be a child of God. The last thing I want to point to you is the identity. Because that's what we're talking about. The namesake. As a child of God, you have the right to that. You are the heavenly father's son or daughter. And what that means is you have his name. That means wherever you go, sometimes for better, sometimes in a lost and broken world for worse. We're gonna actually do a series on that coming up here in the spring. But you have the name of the king. You carry his last name. That's another story of one of my kids. My oldest, she does PALS at school. Peer Assisted Leadership, I think is what it is. And basically what she does is she gets to go for a class period over to elementary schools and do mentoring for a class period. So she's in PALS and she's over at an elementary school. And she's walking in elementary school. There's a church, another church in town. They're doing like a baked potato bar for teachers there. So she walks in and there's other people in PALS. They like carpool together. They walk in and they're one of the ladies that's from this church that's got baked potatoes, sees my daughter and she says, hey, come over and get a baked potato. She didn't really like baked potatoes, but she went over and got one like, you know, to be kind, stuff like that. But here's what didn't happen." [00:24:27] (76 seconds)
"salvation, a relationship with God is free, but out of that comes action. There's a story of a guy, he was telling about the day he got a brother, and he didn't realize because he was a, this guy was a young kid, his parents were looking to adopt, and he was too young to really be in the conversation. He just remembers one day his dad brought home a 12 -year -old brother, and he's like, in the family now, and so, you know, so this is a marker for a kid, because I remember it, and he said, and I knew my new 12 -year -old brother, his parents, both his mom and dad had OD'd on drugs. He had no parents, he was an orphan, and now he was in our family. Well, it was, it was not an easy shift into the family, right? It was rocky, and the son says, man, I remember over and over and over again how many times I heard my mom or my dad say, we don't behave like that in this family. We don't say those words in this family. You don't have to fight and scream for things that you want or need in this family. We were, we show respect in this family. He said, over, over time, his name was Robert, the young man. Robert began to adjust." [00:27:48] (65 seconds)
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