From Creation to Child: Embracing Our Identity in Christ

Summary

In the heart of every believer lies a profound truth: in Christ Jesus, we are not merely creations of God, but His beloved children through faith. This identity is not earned by our works or heritage, but is a gift received by trusting in Jesus. Just as Paul wrote to the Galatians, a church experiencing a rare and powerful movement of God, we too are called to recognize the unique responsibility that comes with such a blessing. When God does something uncommon among His people, it is not for our comfort or pride, but so that we might steward it well for the sake of others and for the glory of Christ.

To be a child of God is to be fully immersed in Christ—baptized and clothed with Him. This is not a partial or casual relationship; it is a total transformation. Our old life is gone, and a new life has come. The Spirit of God marks us, changes us from the inside out, and calls us to move beyond shallow, cultural Christianity into a deep, authentic following of Jesus. The world is watching for people whose lives have been radically changed by Christ, who are not just consumers or distant cousins in the faith, but true brothers and sisters living together in unity.

This unity is a miracle unique to the local church. In Christ, all the usual divisions—race, status, gender, background—are dissolved. We are one family, united not by our similarities, but by our shared need for grace and our common Savior. The church is called to actively resist the natural divisions of our culture and flesh, and instead, to live as a true spiritual family, passing down a legacy of faith that stretches back to Abraham and forward to generations yet unborn.

Our inheritance is not just material, but spiritual. We are heirs of a promise that began long before us, and we are called to invest our lives, resources, and time into building a legacy of faith that will touch eternity. The gospel is the power of God for salvation, and the local church is where it takes root and spreads. Our greatest calling is to pour ourselves into this work, so that more people might move from being creations of God to children of God through faith in Jesus.

Key Takeaways

- From Creation to Child: The Transforming Power of Faith
Every person is created by God, but not all are His children. The transition from creation to child happens through faith in Christ, not by birthright or good deeds. This adoption is a profound act of grace, inviting us into a new identity and relationship with God that changes everything about how we live and love. [14:43]

- Immersed and Clothed: The Call to Total Surrender
To be baptized and clothed with Christ is to be fully immersed in Him—no part of our life left untouched. This is not a half-hearted commitment, but a surrender that allows the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. The world is longing to see Christians whose lives are unmistakably marked by Jesus, not by cultural Christianity. [17:30]

- Unity in Diversity: The Miracle of the Local Church
The church is a place where all the world’s usual divisions are overcome in Christ. Here, people of every background, status, and story are united as one family, not by their similarities, but by their shared need for grace and their common Savior. This unity is both a gift and a responsibility, requiring us to actively resist division and to live as true brothers and sisters. [21:39]

- Inheritance of Faith: Building a Legacy that Touches Eternity
Our spiritual inheritance is not just what we receive, but what we pass on. We are part of a long line of faith stretching back to Abraham, and our calling is to invest our lives in passing down this legacy to others. The greatest use of our resources is not merely for our own families, but for building up the body of Christ and touching eternity with our faith. [30:22]

- The Gospel: God Came to Us When We Couldn’t Reach Him
The heart of the gospel is that we could not climb our way to God, so He came to us in Jesus. He lived, suffered, died, and rose again so that by faith, we might become children of God and receive His Spirit. This good news is the power that changes lives, and our greatest privilege is to share it and see others move from creation to child through faith. [39:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Reflections on Alachua and the Responsibility of the Rare
[05:30] - Gifts in the Church and Honoring Leadership
[08:45] - The Galatian Church: A Movement of the Gospel
[10:58] - Children of God Through Faith
[14:43] - From Creation to Child: Adoption by Faith
[17:30] - Baptized and Clothed with Christ
[21:39] - Unity in Christ: Breaking Down Divisions
[24:19] - Radical Welcome: No Outsiders in the Family
[25:26] - Living as Brothers and Sisters, Not Consumers
[28:00] - Heirs of the Promise: Our Spiritual Inheritance
[30:22] - Building a Legacy of Faith
[34:35] - Paul’s Love for the Local Church
[37:20] - The Gospel in Icons: God’s Story for the World
[39:14] - The Heart of the Gospel: God Came to Us
[40:33] - Responding to the Gospel: Next Steps
[42:50] - Closing Prayer and Celebration

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

- Galatians 3:26-29
"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

- Romans 8:15
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"

- 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

---

### Observation Questions

1. According to Galatians 3:26-29, what changes about a person’s identity when they are “in Christ”?
(see [10:58])

2. What two images does Paul use to describe our relationship with Jesus in Galatians 3:27?
(see [14:43])

3. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is unique about the unity found in the local church?
(see [21:39])

4. What does Paul mean when he says we are “heirs according to the promise” in Galatians 3:29?
(see [30:22])

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that moving from being a creation of God to a child of God happens “through faith.” Why is this distinction important, and how does it challenge common assumptions about who is a child of God?
(see [14:43])

2. What does it look like in real life to be “baptized into Christ” and “clothed with Christ”? How is this different from just being a casual or cultural Christian?
(see [17:30])

3. The pastor describes the church as a place where all the world’s usual divisions are overcome. Why do you think Paul emphasizes unity in Christ over differences like race, status, or gender?
(see [21:39])

4. The sermon talks about our spiritual inheritance and legacy. How does being an “heir” of God’s promise affect the way we view our resources, time, and relationships?
(see [30:22])

---

### Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “God decided you, he designed you, and he deeply desires you.” How does believing this truth affect the way you see yourself and others? Is there someone in your life you need to see differently because of this?
(see [14:43])

2. Are there areas of your life where you feel only “partly in” with Jesus—where you haven’t fully surrendered or allowed Him to transform you? What would it look like to be “fully immersed” and “clothed with Christ” in those areas?
(see [17:30])

3. The sermon challenges us to move beyond “shallow, cultural Christianity.” What are some signs that someone is living a shallow faith? What is one step you could take this week to go deeper in following Jesus?
(see [17:30])

4. The pastor described the church as a family where all are welcome, regardless of background, status, or politics. Are there people or groups you find it hard to see as “brothers and sisters” in Christ? How can you actively resist division and pursue unity?
(see [24:19])

5. Think about your own legacy. Are you more focused on passing down material things or a legacy of faith? What is one practical way you can invest in someone else’s faith journey this month—whether in your family, church, or community?
(see [30:22])

6. The heart of the gospel is that God came to us when we couldn’t reach Him. Who in your life needs to hear this good news? What is one way you can share your story or the gospel with them this week?
(see [39:14])

7. The pastor said, “Our greatest calling is to pour ourselves into this work, so that more people might move from being creations of God to children of God through faith in Jesus.” What is one way you can pour yourself into the life of the local church or the mission of the gospel this season?
(see [34:35])

---

End with prayer, asking God to help you live as His child, fully immersed in Christ, united with His people, and investing in a legacy of faith.

Devotional

Day 1: Moving from Creation to Child of God Through Faith
God created each of us with intention and deep desire, but it is through faith in Christ Jesus that we become true children of God, adopted into His family and given a new identity. This transformation is not achieved by our own works or goodness, but by trusting in what Jesus has done for us. When you place your faith in Christ, you cross the line from being merely a creation of God to being His beloved child, fully embraced, protected, and provided for by your heavenly Father. Consider today whether you have made this step of faith, and remember that God’s desire is for you to know Him as your Father, not just your Creator. [14:43]

Galatians 3:26-27 (ESV)
"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Reflection: Is there a moment in your life when you moved from simply knowing about God to truly trusting Him as your Father? If not, what is holding you back from taking that step of faith today?


Day 2: Immersed and Clothed with Christ
To be baptized into Christ is to be fully immersed in Him, not just partially involved or casually connected. When you are clothed with Christ, your entire life is covered and transformed—your thoughts, desires, and actions begin to reflect Jesus. This is not a shallow or surface-level change, but a deep, inside-out transformation by the Holy Spirit. As you consider your walk with Jesus, ask yourself if you are living fully immersed in Him, or if there are areas of your life that remain untouched by His presence. [17:30]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you have not yet surrendered fully to Jesus? What would it look like to let Him immerse and clothe you in that area today?


Day 3: United as One Family in Christ
The church is a unique community where all divisions—race, status, gender, background—are set aside, and everyone is united as one in Christ Jesus. This unity is not natural to our culture or our flesh, but it is a supernatural work of God that requires us to actively resist division and embrace one another as true brothers and sisters. In the body of Christ, we are called to move beyond being mere consumers or distant relatives and to live together as family, sharing life and faith in deep, meaningful ways. [25:26]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Who in your church family do you need to reach out to or get to know better, so that you can live more fully as brothers and sisters in Christ?


Day 4: Passing Down a Legacy of Faith
As heirs of God’s promise, we are part of a long line of faith that began long before us and will continue after us. Our responsibility is not just to receive this inheritance, but to contribute to it and pass it on—touching eternity by investing our time, resources, and lives into the faith of others, especially the next generation. This legacy is far more significant than any material inheritance, as it shapes lives for eternity and builds up the body of Christ for generations to come. [30:22]

Galatians 3:29 (ESV)
"And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise."

Reflection: What is one intentional step you can take this week to invest in the faith of someone younger or newer in the faith, passing on the legacy you have received?


Day 5: The Gospel—God’s Power for Salvation
The heart of our calling is the gospel: the good news that God created a beautiful world, that sin broke it, but Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again to restore us. We could not reach God on our own, so He came to us, offering salvation to all who believe. This gospel is the power of God for salvation, and it is through the local church that this message takes root and spreads. Our greatest purpose is to pour our lives into the gospel and the community of faith, so that more people move from creation to child of God and the hope of Christ reaches every corner of our world. [34:35]

Romans 1:16 (ESV)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel? How can you share the hope of Jesus with them this week, trusting in the power of God to save?

Quotes

We are here to move away from shallow pseudo Christianity that is so pervasive in our culture and press into fully following Jesus together. That's what we're here to do. [00:20:25] (00:00:15 seconds) Edit Clip

There are people who are like, hey, I like your Jesus, but I'm not so sure about your Christianity, but I'm like, that doesn't make really any sense to me unless the Christianity doesn't reflect Jesus...what they're looking for, they're looking for some people who are like, my life has been completely changed by Jesus. I've been clothed with Christ. I've been immersed in Christ. Everything about my life now has been changed by Jesus. [00:20:41] (00:00:34 seconds) Edit Clip

Part of our responsibility as parents is to pass down a legacy of faith to our kids and maybe even finances to our kids if God allows us. But that's not our only responsibility when it comes to inheritance. Like our other part of responsibility of inheritance is right here in the body of believers. Like that's what Paul is saying here. [00:32:46] (00:00:20 seconds) Edit Clip

We try to fix it, right? We can keep those icons up, please. Like, we climb the ladder to try to get to God. We're trying to work our way to God. We're trying to get our way back to God. How do we do that? Well, we can't. We couldn't get to God. So what did God do? He came to us. He left heaven, and he came here. That's the crib. Like, that's the incarnation. That's Christmas. God became a man, right? We couldn't get to God, so he came to us. [00:38:49] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

He suffered because we suffer and he died because we die. But what we cannot do, we can all suffer and we can all die, but we can't raise back to life by our own power. So that's the resurrection. That's what Jesus did for you. And what do you do about it? How do you get it? How do you move from creation of God to child of God? It's through faith. The Bible says that you, you believe and he will give his spirit and put it in your spirit and it starts to change your life. [00:39:28] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip