Identity before Activity

A teaching centered on Galatians 2:20 calls believers to an identity shift: Christ living in the believer replaces the old self, and true consecration flows from that inward reality rather than outward activity. The text is read as an irreversible death to the former self — not a negotiation over time slots or religious duties — and the consequence is that every plan, ambition, and habit must be measured by whether it issues from Christ within. Legalism and performance are exposed as false measures of holiness; doing more for God is not the same as being shaped by God. Instead of treating Jesus as a life coach who blesses personal agendas, the teaching urges surrender so Christ’s mission becomes the engine of daily decisions.

Practical application is emphasized: time is a currency to be surrendered, not merely scheduled. Consecration grows in ordinary pressure — morning traffic, overflowing inboxes, carline moments — where small, faithful micro-decisions demonstrate who is truly ruling a life. Examples span career choices, social media priorities, neighborly compassion, and student choices in the lunchroom: when Christ’s desires reshape these decisions, consecration is visible. Habits matter; repeated practices form permanent character. The Sabbath is named as a spiritual discipline that signals trust in God’s governance, and the congregation is invited to cultivate tiny, repeatable routines that anchor holiness.

A practical “identity before activity” self-check is offered to help assess habits, surrender areas, and one small habit to start. The appeal is not to dramatic experiences but to steady, Spirit-led routines that make obedience and availability the norm. The teaching concludes with a call to be the church beyond the building, led and bound by the Spirit rather than driven by performance, and closes in prayer asking God to help each person choose Christ’s life over self-directed striving.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Identity before activity, not tasks True consecration begins with who a person is in Christ, not merely with what that person does for God. When identity is surrendered, actions flow from Christ’s life rather than from self-effort; tasks then become expressions of union, not proofs of worth. This reframes spiritual labor from performance to participation in Christ’s work. [24:47]
• 2. Consecration is inward surrender Consecration is a definitive death of the old self and the inauguration of Christ’s life within; it is not negotiable or fragmentary. That inward surrender makes availability and sensitivity to the Spirit the primary markers of holiness, not the number of religious activities completed. The heart’s throne must be yielded so Christ can genuinely live through a person. [31:34]
• 3. Micro decisions form holy habits Holiness is forged in ordinary moments: how one reacts in traffic, in the carline, at a distracted email, or with a curt word. These small choices, repeated, create lasting character and spiritual availability, demonstrating whether Christ or self governs daily life. Intentional micro-decisions are the soil in which consecration grows. [46:43]
• 4. Sabbath and small faithful routines The Sabbath and modest spiritual disciplines are not mere rest or ritual but declarations of trust in God’s rule; they reorient a life toward dependence rather than self-management. Regular, tiny practices — prayer on waking, tech-free family time, simple acts of mercy — anchor identity in Christ and make spiritual transformation durable. Begin with one faithful habit and let it reshape the week. [49:26]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [19:38] - Praise and Testimony
• [20:29] - Weekend Review and Guests
• [22:05] - Winter Storm Plans and Care
• [23:19] - Opening Question: Who Am I?
• [24:31] - Reading Galatians 2:20 (Identity)
• [26:07] - Historical Context: Galatia and Legalism
• [31:12] - Total Surrender Explained
• [34:58] - Time, Plans, and Availability
• [39:30] - Practical Examples of Consecration
• [46:43] - Micro-Decisions and the Crucible
• [49:26] - Sabbath and Faithful Routines
• [55:04] - Identity-before-Activity Self-Check
• [59:27] - Prayer and Benediction

1. The sermon emphasizes that true consecration flows from an inward reality rather than outward activity. What does the phrase "I am crucified with Christ" from Galatians 2:20 suggest about this inward reality? [31:12]
2. The teaching highlights that "doing more for God is not the same as being shaped by God." How does the sermon contrast "performance identity" with living from "identity in Christ"? [34:12]
3. The sermon mentions that consecration grows in "ordinary pressure" like morning traffic or overflowing inboxes. What are some specific examples given of "micro-decisions" that demonstrate who is ruling a life? [46:43]
4. The Sabbath is described as a spiritual discipline that signals trust in God’s governance. What does the sermon suggest a Sabbath practice communicates to God? [50:17]

1. The sermon states, "Paul doesn't start with what he does for Christ... He starts with who he is in Christ." [25:06] How does this shift in focus from "doing" to "being" challenge common approaches to spiritual growth?
2. The teaching explains that "I no longer live" implies "a total irreversible death to the old self." [31:12] What might it look like for a believer to truly embrace this "irreversible death" in their daily life, rather than negotiating with God over time slots?
3. The sermon suggests that we often treat Jesus like a "life coach" rather than the one who "wants to call the shots from the inside out." [38:12] How does this distinction between a life coach and Christ as the director of our lives change our understanding of surrender?
4. The sermon posits that "What you practice regularly, you become permanently." [51:32] How does this principle explain why consistent, small habits are more impactful for spiritual transformation than sporadic, grand gestures?

1. The sermon calls for an "identity shift" where "Christ living in the believer replaces the old self." [24:31] When you consider your own life, what aspects of your "old self" might still be trying to drive the bus, and how can you intentionally invite Christ to take the wheel in those areas this week?
2. The teaching emphasizes that "consecration is inward surrender," not just completing religious activities. [31:34] Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are they primarily driven by a desire to *do* more for God, or by a deeper surrender to *who* Christ is in you? How can you shift the focus this week?
3. The sermon highlights that "micro-decisions form holy habits" in the "crucible" of everyday life. [46:43] Think about a recent moment of pressure or frustration (e.g., traffic, a difficult conversation, an unexpected demand). What "micro-decision" could you have made, or can you choose to make in similar situations going forward, that reflects Christ living through you?
4. The sermon encourages us to ask, "Is my calendar coming from a surrendered life or a striving one?" [34:58] Take a moment to look at your upcoming week. Where do you see areas of "striving" rather than "surrender"? What is one small adjustment you can make to align your schedule more with Christ's desires?
5. The teaching suggests that instead of treating Jesus as a "life coach who blesses personal agendas," we are urged to "surrender so Christ’s mission becomes the engine of daily decisions." [37:23] What is one personal ambition or plan you have for the near future? How can you intentionally seek to align that plan with Christ's mission for you, rather than simply asking Him to bless your existing agenda?
6. The sermon offers a practical "identity before activity" self-check, inviting us to identify one small habit to start. [55:04] What is one small, repeatable routine you can commit to practicing this week that will help anchor your identity in Christ and make obedience and availability the norm?