Finding True Identity in Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound question of identity, asking ourselves, "Who are you?" This question, though seemingly simple, is deeply complex and often challenging to answer. We began by reflecting on a scene from "Alice in Wonderland," where Alice struggles to articulate her identity, much like many of us do in our daily lives. Our roles and responsibilities change throughout the day, from being a spouse, a parent, a friend, to a professional, and so on. Yet, the most significant identity we hold is that of being a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ.

We delved into the biblical perspective of identity, emphasizing that as Christians, we are born again, redeemed, and alive in Christ. This spiritual rebirth signifies a new beginning, a fresh start where we are no longer defined by our past mistakes or struggles but by the grace and redemption offered through Jesus. We are reminded that we are victors, not losers, in the eyes of God. Through Christ, we have victory over sin and death, and we are called to live as champions, more than conquerors.

The devil often tries to make us question our identity, as he did with Jesus in the desert. However, it is crucial to remember that our identity is firmly rooted in Christ. We are children of the Most High God, forgiven, and set free. This understanding should transform our perspective, allowing us to embrace our true selves as God sees us.

I challenged everyone to reflect deeply on their identity and to seek a closer relationship with Christ, as knowing Him is the key to understanding who we truly are. For those who have not yet made the decision to follow Christ, I encouraged them to take that step today, as true identity and purpose are found in Him.

Key Takeaways:

- Identity in Christ: Our identity is not just a name or a role; it is deeply rooted in being a follower of Jesus. As Christians, we are born again, redeemed, and alive in Christ, which gives us a new perspective on who we are. [39:09]

- Victory Over Sin: Through Jesus, we have victory over sin and death. We are not defined by our past mistakes or struggles but by the grace and redemption offered through Christ. This victory makes us champions in life. [46:56]

- The Devil's Deception: The devil often tries to make us question our identity, as he did with Jesus. However, our identity is secure in Christ, and we must remind ourselves of who we are in Him. [51:19]

- Living as Conquerors: We are more than conquerors through Christ. This means embracing our true identity as victors and living with the confidence that comes from being a child of God. [53:52]

- Seeking a Deeper Relationship: To truly understand our identity, we must seek a closer relationship with Christ. Knowing Him is the key to understanding who we are and living out our purpose. [55:34]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:25] - Introduction to Identity
[36:41] - Prayer and Reflection
[38:22] - Exploring Roles and Identity
[39:09] - Identity in Christ
[40:04] - Knowing Jesus
[41:00] - Jesus' Self-Revelation
[42:14] - Born Again and Redeemed
[43:23] - The Redemption Story
[46:56] - Victory in Christ
[48:19] - Guaranteed Victory
[49:24] - The Devil's Challenge
[50:23] - Jesus' Temptation
[51:19] - Affirming Our Identity
[53:52] - Living as Conquerors
[55:34] - Invitation to Follow Christ
[57:14] - Worship and Closing Remarks
[01:02:35] - Announcements and Farewell

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 3:3 - "Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'"
2. Colossians 1:14 - "In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
3. Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the complexity of answering the question "Who are you?" in our daily lives? [38:22]

2. What roles and responsibilities are mentioned in the sermon that people might identify with throughout their day? [38:22]

3. According to the sermon, what is the most significant identity we hold as Christians? [39:09]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of being "born again" using the story of Nicodemus? [42:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be "born again" according to the sermon, and how does this concept relate to our identity in Christ? [42:14]

2. How does the sermon explain the idea of redemption, and what biblical story is used to illustrate this concept? [43:23]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the devil tries to make us question our identity, and how should we respond? [51:19]

4. How does the sermon describe the victory we have in Christ, and what implications does this have for our daily lives? [46:56]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily roles and responsibilities. How do they influence your understanding of who you are? Are there any roles that you feel define you more than others? [38:22]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of our identity in Christ. How can you remind yourself daily of your identity as a follower of Jesus? What practical steps can you take to reinforce this identity? [39:09]

3. Consider the concept of being "born again." How has your life changed since you became a Christian? If you haven't made that decision yet, what might be holding you back? [42:14]

4. The sermon mentions that we are redeemed and forgiven. How does this understanding affect the way you view your past mistakes and struggles? [43:23]

5. The devil often tries to make us question our identity. What are some ways you can combat these doubts and affirm your identity in Christ? [51:19]

6. The sermon challenges us to live as victors and conquerors. What is one area of your life where you need to embrace this mindset? How can you start doing that this week? [46:56]

7. The sermon encourages seeking a deeper relationship with Christ. What specific actions can you take to grow closer to Him and better understand your true identity? [55:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Identity Rooted in Christ
Our identity is not merely a collection of roles or titles we hold in life; it is fundamentally rooted in being a follower of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we experience a spiritual rebirth that signifies a new beginning, where we are no longer defined by our past mistakes or struggles. Instead, we are defined by the grace and redemption offered through Jesus. This new identity in Christ provides us with a fresh perspective on who we are, reminding us that we are victors, not losers, in the eyes of God. Embracing this identity allows us to live with the confidence and assurance that we are children of the Most High God, forgiven and set free. [39:09]

"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." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you struggle to see yourself as God sees you? How can you begin to embrace your identity in Christ more fully today?


Day 2: Victory Over Sin
Through Jesus, we have victory over sin and death. This victory is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms how we live our lives. We are not defined by our past mistakes or struggles but by the grace and redemption offered through Christ. This victory empowers us to live as champions, more than conquerors, in our daily lives. It is a call to rise above the challenges and temptations we face, knowing that we have been given the strength and authority to overcome them through Christ. [46:56]

"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel defeated by sin? How can you rely on Christ's victory to overcome it today?


Day 3: The Devil's Deception
The devil often tries to make us question our identity, just as he did with Jesus in the desert. He seeks to sow doubt and confusion, leading us to forget who we are in Christ. However, it is crucial to remember that our identity is secure in Christ, and we must continually remind ourselves of this truth. By affirming our identity in Christ, we can resist the devil's lies and stand firm in the truth of who we are as children of God. This understanding transforms our perspective and empowers us to live confidently in our true identity. [51:19]

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ when faced with doubt or temptation? What practical steps can you take to resist the devil's deception?


Day 4: Living as Conquerors
We are more than conquerors through Christ, which means embracing our true identity as victors and living with the confidence that comes from being a child of God. This identity calls us to live boldly and courageously, knowing that we have been given the power to overcome any obstacle or challenge we face. By living as conquerors, we can impact the world around us, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in all that we do. This is not just a call to personal victory but to be a beacon of hope and strength to others. [53:52]

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37, ESV)

Reflection: What does living as a conqueror in Christ look like in your daily life? How can you demonstrate this identity to those around you?


Day 5: Seeking a Deeper Relationship
To truly understand our identity, we must seek a closer relationship with Christ. Knowing Him is the key to understanding who we are and living out our purpose. This relationship is not static but dynamic, requiring intentional effort and commitment to grow deeper in our understanding and love for Christ. As we draw closer to Him, we gain clarity and insight into our true identity and purpose, allowing us to live more fully and authentically as His followers. [55:34]

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with Christ? How might this impact your understanding of your identity and purpose?

Quotes

"Jesus has told us that I am the door. Nobody can come into the sheep pen unless they come through me. Jesus has told us that I'm the good shepherd. And the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. And so Jesus has told us so far up to this point who he is." [00:40:54] (18 seconds)


"The first thing is Jesus says that when we are become Christians and we start our lives over, we are going to be actually born again. You are born again. Does that mean there was actually this Pharisee that was confused with this question because Jesus says you must be born again to inherit the kingdom of God." [00:41:50] (18 seconds)


"so you get to tell yourself if you're a christian that you are redeemed you the the next thing that you are you are alive in christ the bible says that you are tell yourself that you are alive in christ ephesians 2 4 and 5 says but god being rich in mercy because of his great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses made us alive together with christ by grace you have been saved" [00:44:48] (34 seconds)


"when we don't have jesus we don't know who we are and we'll go looking everywhere to find out who we are when we don't have jesus in the second part of the verse though says that but the free gift of god is eternal life in christ jesus our lord which we're no longer slaves to sin but we're free christ has set us free galatians 5 1 says for freedom christ has set us free stand firm therefore and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery" [00:46:12] (34 seconds)


"nobody likes to lose there's not one person in here that likes to lose even a little kid don't like to lose even a little toddler that's playing a game of go fish doesn't like to lose you know why is because we're not wired to be losers we're wired to be winners now what happens though in life is we start to to feel like we're losing so much we get adapted to it and we just think that we're losers because we're losing all of the time but god never created us to be a loser god created us to be winners" [00:46:56] (34 seconds)


"Well, God has given us the guarantee winner of life. And His name is Jesus Christ. We have victory when we have Jesus. We have victory over death. We have victory over those bad days. We have victories over those struggles. We have victories over all of the bad things that happen when we have Jesus, because Jesus becomes a victor. our champion." [00:49:11] (30 seconds)


"And when we have Christ and we are born again and we are winners, it makes the devil unhappy with us. The devil hates winners. The devil hates Jesus because Jesus is already won. And the devil wants to make you a loser. He wants to question to who are you." [00:49:41] (29 seconds)


"Because I hear a lot of people all the time saying, I don't know who I am. I don't know what God wants me to do. I don't know. I feel like God wants me to do this. But I don't know who I am. It's written, guys. It is written who you are. The Bible is so full of who you are. I couldn't possibly, I could preach all the way until midnight tonight telling all of the promises of who you are in the Bible. I just gave you guys a glimpse of a small piece of what the Bible says of who you are." [00:54:42] (28 seconds)


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Transcript
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