Living in Christ: Embracing Our Identity and Growth
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the incredible work of our missionaries, Juan and Celestine Aguilar, in Guatemala, and the Lucachus in Romania. These partnerships exemplify our commitment to helping every person experience real life in Christ, regardless of where they are in the world. Our support, both financial and prayerful, is a tangible expression of love and partnership in their mission fields. As we pray for them, we are reminded of the privilege we have to be part of God's work globally.
Turning to the Word, we explored 1 John 2:1-6, focusing on the theme "He is, We are." John, much like a storyteller who repeats key points for emphasis, reminds us of the foundational truths of our faith. He addresses common fears and questions about sin and salvation, reassuring us that Jesus is our advocate and propitiation. This means that Jesus not only defends us but has also satisfied God's wrath on our behalf. Our identity in Christ is secure, and our sins do not change who He is or His love for us.
John's message is clear: while we are called to live without sin, we have an advocate in Jesus when we do fall short. This assurance should not lead us to complacency but to a deeper commitment to live out our new identity in Christ. We are called to grow, to walk as Jesus walked, and to live in the freedom He has purchased for us. This growth is a journey, a process of becoming who we already are in Christ.
As we reflect on these truths, we are encouraged to step into the life God has for us, to overcome persistent sins, and to live in community and service. Whether through joining Celebrate Recovery, engaging in community, or using our gifts, we are invited to grow and bear fruit for God's kingdom. Our identity is secure in Christ, and we are called to live in response to His love and grace.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus as Our Advocate: Jesus is our perfect advocate, defending us before God. His role as our parakletos assures us that we are not alone in our struggles with sin. He intercedes for us, and His righteousness covers us, providing a foundation of security and hope. [37:02]
2. The Propitiation for Our Sins: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of propitiation, satisfying God's wrath once and for all. This means that our sins are fully paid for, and we are no longer under condemnation. This truth should lead us to gratitude and a desire to live in the freedom He provides. [46:15]
3. Our Identity in Christ: Our identity as children of God is secure, regardless of our struggles with sin. We are new creations in Christ, and our past does not define us. This identity calls us to live in the light and to grow in our relationship with God. [48:53]
4. The Call to Growth: While our salvation is secure, we are called to grow and walk as Jesus did. This involves stepping into the life God has for us, overcoming sin, and living in community. Our growth is a response to the work Jesus has already done in us. [51:25]
5. Freedom from Sin: In Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin. We have the choice to live in the freedom He has purchased for us. This freedom empowers us to overcome sin and to live out our new identity, bearing fruit for God's kingdom. [56:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Missionary Highlight: Juan and Celestine Aguilar
- [03:30] - Prayer for Missionaries
- [05:00] - Introduction to 1 John 2
- [08:15] - Storytelling and Repetition
- [12:00] - Addressing Common Questions About Sin
- [15:30] - He is, We are: Understanding Our Identity
- [20:00] - Jesus as Our Advocate
- [25:00] - The Propitiation for Our Sins
- [30:00] - Our Identity in Christ
- [35:00] - The Call to Growth
- [40:00] - Freedom from Sin
- [45:00] - Invitation to Celebrate Recovery
- [50:00] - Prayer and Invitation to Respond
- [55:00] - Closing and Missionary Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 John 2:1-6
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Observation Questions:
1. What does John mean when he refers to Jesus as our "advocate" in 1 John 2:1? How does this role provide comfort to believers? [37:02]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the term "propitiation" in relation to Jesus' sacrifice. What does this term mean, and how does it relate to our understanding of sin and forgiveness? [46:15]
3. How does John describe the relationship between knowing Jesus and keeping His commandments in 1 John 2:3-4? What does this imply about the nature of true faith? [48:53]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "He is, We are" in understanding our identity in Christ? [51:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus as our advocate challenge or reinforce your understanding of God's justice and mercy? [37:02]
2. The sermon discusses the idea that Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate act of propitiation. How does this understanding affect the way believers view their own sin and God's forgiveness? [46:15]
3. In what ways does the assurance of our identity in Christ, as discussed in the sermon, impact a believer's daily life and spiritual growth? [48:53]
4. The pastor mentioned that our growth in Christ is a journey. How does this perspective influence the way believers approach their spiritual struggles and victories? [51:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need for an advocate in your life. How does knowing Jesus is your advocate change the way you handle feelings of guilt or shame? [37:02]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of living in the freedom Jesus provides. What is one persistent sin or struggle you feel called to overcome, and what steps can you take this week to address it? [56:54]
3. How can you actively remind yourself of your secure identity in Christ, especially during moments of doubt or failure? Consider practical ways to reinforce this truth in your daily routine. [48:53]
4. The pastor encouraged stepping into community and using our gifts. Identify one way you can engage more deeply with your church community or serve others using your unique talents. [59:10]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of growth and walking as Jesus did. What is one specific area of your life where you feel God is calling you to grow, and how can you take a tangible step towards that growth this week? [51:25]
6. Consider the role of prayer in supporting missionaries like Juan and Celestine Aguilar. How can you incorporate regular prayer for missionaries into your spiritual practice? [01:01:39]
7. Reflect on the idea of being a new creation in Christ. How does this truth challenge you to live differently, and what is one change you can make to align more closely with your new identity? [48:53]
Devotional
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Quotes
"We've been able to be partners with them in ministry for a long time, years and years, and getting to see God working through them there in Guatemala. You know, when we tell you that we want to help every person experience real life in Christ, we mean every person. Not just in Western Loudoun and not just with missionaries in Asia or Africa, but in Guatemala and everywhere in between that God leads us to partner and make a difference. And Juan and Celestine are a great example of a couple that we get to partner with. And you are so faithful in giving here. And if you don't know this, if you do, a reminder, you know, when you give, 10 % of everything you give goes to support world missions. Another 10 % goes to local missions, but 10 % goes to support on a monthly basis missionaries like Juan and Celestine in Guatemala and others all around the world." [00:24:57] (57 seconds)
"And when you hear that word, you might think of somebody who lobbies on your behalf, somebody who goes out of their way to try to get something for you. They're your advocate. And that wouldn't be untrue. But it's a little bit more detailed or specific than that. The original Greek word behind advocate is the word parakletos. And yes, it is fun to say. You should say it with me. You want a parakletos. Ready? One, two, three. You go home and just drop this in a conversation and you just sound smarter. Okay? Parakletos is the word word. therefore advocate that it's saying Jesus is before the Father for us." [00:38:10] (40 seconds)
"And in all of those phone calls and all of those conversations, I've never had a parent disown their child who is in jail for, you know, being clearly, you know, in a lot of cases guilty, right? It's as if there is nothing they could do or even do to them that would end that relationship. And even if you do feel like you have been disowned, consider how profound it is when this truth comes to Jesus, that just because we are broken, just because what we have done may be a direct offense to him, which by the way, didn't surprise him and doesn't surprise him. When Jesus went to the cross, he knew fully what you were, what you would do, and what you would forever do. He knew all of your brokenness and all of your sin. He isn't shocked tomorrow by what you do. He wasn't shocked when you did what you did this week. He isn't shocked by any of it. He still went to the cross full well knowing who we were. While we were still sinners, he died on the cross for us. He doesn't change because of what you do. He is still him." [00:44:26] (68 seconds)
"That's what propitiation is, is that Jesus satisfied God's wrath. So what does that mean? It means that Jesus isn't there just constantly fighting off the wrath of God every time we sin, going, oh, I need to pay some more. I need to shed some more blood. I need to do more. I need to do more to, okay, more of God's grace. He's already paid that price, was the propitiation for our sins, and stands in the gap as our advocate forevermore. When he said it, it was finished. It is finished." [00:46:06] (38 seconds)
"John is saying, if you're asking this question, you're in the right place where you realize, yeah, there are parts of you that are still, you know, growing and broken, but you're wanting to keep his commands. That's a sign of a believer with the Holy Spirit living inside of them. See, the person that is the one we should worry about the most is the one that's not asking that question. The one who doesn't care about keeping God's commands. The one who is so far removed from that that there's not even a consideration. See, the Holy Spirit lives inside of every person who's truly confessed Jesus as Lord. And if you feel some conviction, it is ironically a sign that he is in you and you are in him." [00:47:48] (41 seconds)
"Although this is true that we are still in him, that we have an identity that we didn't earn, but we were given and that he is doing the work to grow. All of us is, all of this is true, but we ought to walk in the same way he walked. God has a plan and a desire to use us and grow us that we can be more fruitful for him. And Paul addresses this very same issue of this topic that some people figured that they had made it. They got their get out of hell free card. They don't need to do anything else. They ought to just sit there. Here's what he says in Romans 6." [00:54:53] (34 seconds)
"We have been set free from sin, and though we may still struggle with our new identity in Jesus, we have a choice. We are not slaves anymore. You don't have to be identified by the worst thing you've ever done. You don't have to be dominated by that thing that seems to dominate you. If you have confessed Jesus as Lord and you are a child of God, that does not have to be your main identity anymore. If you have been set free, you have been set free indeed by Jesus Christ. We have a choice. Praise God, and he wants us to grow. We are supposed to grow." [00:56:14] (41 seconds)
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