Living Out Our Identity in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Identity in Christ

Theme: Our true identity shapes our actions and decisions.

Description: Understanding our identity in Christ is foundational to living a life that honors God. When we recognize that we are men and women of God, it transforms how we see ourselves and how we interact with the world. This identity is not just about what we do but who we are at our core. It influences our choices, our behavior, and our relationships. Knowing who we are in Christ gives us the strength and clarity to make decisions that align with God's will, even when those decisions are difficult or countercultural.

Our identity in Christ is a constant reminder that we are loved, valued, and called to a higher purpose. This understanding helps us to live with integrity and purpose, reflecting God's love and truth in all that we do. It is especially important for those who are first-generation Christians, as they are building a new legacy of faith. By embracing our identity in Christ, we can speak life and encouragement into ourselves and others, reminding each other of our true worth and calling. [01:08:28]

Bible Passage: "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: Think of a recent decision you made. How did your understanding of your identity in Christ influence that decision? If it didn't, how might it have changed your choice?

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Day 2: Eternal Perspective

Theme: Focus on eternity, not the temporary.

Description: Everything in this world is temporary, including our problems and possessions. This truth should shift our focus from the fleeting to the eternal. When we live with an eternal perspective, we prioritize what truly matters—our relationship with God and how we live out our faith. This perspective helps us to see beyond our current circumstances and to make decisions that honor God and reflect His eternal kingdom.

Living with an eternal perspective means that we are not swayed by the temporary pleasures or pressures of this world. Instead, we are grounded in the hope and promise of eternity with God. This mindset influences our daily interactions, our goals, and our values. It helps us to live with purpose and intentionality, knowing that our ultimate reward is not in this world but in the life to come. [48:22]

Bible Passage: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are overly focused on the temporary? How can you shift your perspective to focus on the eternal today?

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Day 3: Pursuing Godliness

Theme: Run towards God, not just away from sin.

Description: Paul urges Timothy to flee from worldly pursuits and instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. This call is not just about avoiding sin but actively running towards God and His righteousness. Pursuing godliness means making a conscious effort to align our lives with God's will and character. It involves daily choices to seek God's presence, to grow in our faith, and to cultivate virtues that reflect His nature.

This pursuit requires intentionality and perseverance. It is a lifelong journey of growing closer to God and becoming more like Christ. By focusing on what we are running towards, rather than just what we are running from, we can live lives that are truly transformed by God's grace and power. This pursuit of godliness is a testament to our faith and a witness to the world of the transformative power of God's love. [01:04:07]

Bible Passage: "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness." (1 Timothy 6:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can pursue godliness today? Consider a practical step you can take to grow in righteousness, faith, or love.

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Day 4: Impact of Words

Theme: Speak life and encouragement into yourself and others.

Description: The words spoken to us, especially early in life, have a significant impact on our identity and self-perception. It is crucial to speak life and encouragement into ourselves and others, reminding each other of our true identity in Christ. Words have the power to build up or tear down, to inspire or to discourage. By choosing to speak words of life, we can help others to see their worth and potential in Christ.

This practice of speaking life is not just about positive thinking but about aligning our words with God's truth. It involves affirming the promises of God and the identity He has given us. By doing so, we can counteract the negative messages and lies that the world often tells us. Speaking life is a powerful way to encourage and uplift others, helping them to grow in their faith and to live out their God-given purpose. [01:12:04]

Bible Passage: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs encouragement. How can you speak life into them today? What specific words of affirmation and truth can you share with them?

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Day 5: Living Differently

Theme: Make choices that align with God's wisdom.

Description: As followers of Christ, we are called to live differently from the world. This means making choices that align with God's wisdom, even when they seem counterintuitive or when the world calls them foolish. Our lives should be a testament to our faith, reflecting God's love, truth, and righteousness in all that we do. Living differently requires courage and conviction, as it often means going against the grain and standing firm in our beliefs.

This call to live differently is not about being perfect but about being faithful. It involves daily decisions to follow God's ways, to seek His guidance, and to trust in His wisdom. By living in a way that honors God, we can be a light in a world that desperately needs to see the hope and truth of Christ. Our actions and choices can serve as a powerful witness to others, pointing them to the transformative power of God's love. [01:05:20]

Bible Passage: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel pressure to conform to the world? How can you make a choice today that aligns with God's wisdom instead?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we faced a minor inconvenience with our chillers, but I believe God has something special planned for us. Despite the heat, we have the opportunity to worship and hear God's word. I want to encourage you to prepare your hearts and minds, letting the Spirit reign within us. We have some exciting events coming up, like Sisterhood Sunday and our backpack drive, so please participate and support these causes.

Our focus today is on living a life that reflects our identity in Christ. We often get caught up in the temporary things of this world, but we need to remember that everything here is fleeting. Our true focus should be on eternity and living a life that honors God. We are called to be different, to shine brightly in a world that often seems dark. This means making choices that align with God's wisdom, even when they seem counterintuitive or when the world calls them foolish.

Paul's letter to Timothy serves as a powerful reminder of this. He urges Timothy to flee from worldly pursuits and instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. This is not just about running away from sin but running towards God. Our identity in Christ should shape our behavior and decisions. We are men and women of God, and our lives should reflect that.

It's crucial to remember that our behavior flows from our identity. When we know who we are in Christ, it becomes easier to make decisions that honor Him. This identity is not just about what we do but who we are. We need to speak life into ourselves and others, reminding each other of our true identity in Christ. This is especially important for those who are first-generation Christians, as they are building a new legacy of faith.

In conclusion, let's focus on pursuing God and His righteousness. Let's not just run from sin but run towards His presence. Our lives should be a testament to our faith, shining brightly in a world that desperately needs to see the light of Christ. Amen.

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Key Takeaways

1. Identity in Christ: Our behavior flows from our identity. When we know who we are in Christ, it shapes our decisions and actions. This identity is not just about what we do but who we are. We are men and women of God, and our lives should reflect that. [68:28]
2. Eternal Perspective: Everything in this world is temporary, including our problems and possessions. Our focus should be on eternity and living a life that honors God. This perspective should influence our daily decisions and interactions. [48:22]
3. Pursuing Godliness: Paul urges Timothy to flee from worldly pursuits and instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. This is not just about running away from sin but running towards God. [64:07]
4. Impact of Words: The words spoken to us, especially early in life, have a significant impact on our identity. It's crucial to speak life and encouragement into ourselves and others, reminding each other of our true identity in Christ. [72:04]
5. Living Differently: As followers of Christ, we are called to live differently from the world. This means making choices that align with God's wisdom, even when they seem counterintuitive or when the world calls them foolish. Our lives should be a testament to our faith. [01:05:20]
### [65:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:49] - Preparing Our Hearts
[19:40] - Upcoming Events
[20:10] - Prayer and Worship
[21:01] - Invitation to God's Will
[21:45] - God's Hands in Our Lives
[41:28] - Declaring God's Holiness
[42:54] - Praise and Offering
[43:31] - Sisterhood Sunday Reminder
[44:20] - Living Set Apart
[45:26] - Series Introduction: Getting Over Yourself
[46:05] - The Struggle with Pride
[47:03] - The Temporary vs. The Eternal
[48:22] - Jesus' Return and Our Readiness
[49:03] - Belief Impacting Behavior
[50:26] - Choosing Eternity Over Temporary
[51:19] - The Wise and Foolish Builders
[52:29] - Making Choices in Life
[53:10] - Would You Rather Game
[56:02] - Daily Decisions and Choices
[57:16] - The Narrow and Wide Paths
[58:49] - Building on a Solid Foundation
[60:05] - Application of God's Word
[61:17] - Paul's Letter to Timothy
[63:34] - Key Transition Verse
[64:07] - Fleeing and Pursuing
[65:20] - Living Differently
[68:28] - Identity in Christ
[72:04] - Impact of Words
[78:32] - Running Towards God
[87:21] - Denying Ourselves and Following Christ
[92:12] - Prayer and Reflection
[94:04] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul urge Timothy to pursue in 1 Timothy 6:11? How does this contrast with what he is to flee from? [01:04:07]
According to Matthew 7:13-14, what are the characteristics of the paths that lead to life and destruction? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about living differently? [57:16]
In James 2:19, what is the significance of even the demons believing in one God? How does this challenge our understanding of faith and action? [49:45]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize the importance of fleeing from worldly pursuits and instead pursuing godliness and other virtues? How does this shape our understanding of Christian identity? [01:04:07]
How does the concept of the narrow and wide paths in Matthew 7:13-14 apply to the choices we make in our daily lives? What does it mean to choose the narrow path? [57:16]
James 2:19 suggests that mere belief is not enough. How should this influence the way we live out our faith? What actions should accompany our belief? [49:45]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current pursuits. Are there any worldly pursuits you need to flee from to better pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness? What steps can you take this week to make this shift? [01:04:07]
The sermon emphasized the importance of living with an eternal perspective. How can you remind yourself daily to focus on eternity rather than temporary problems and possessions? [48:22]
Think about a time when you made a choice that aligned with God's wisdom, even though it seemed counterintuitive or foolish to the world. How did that decision impact your faith and life? [01:05:20]
The words spoken to us, especially early in life, have a significant impact on our identity. How can you speak life and encouragement into someone else’s life this week? [01:12:04]
As a follower of Christ, you are called to live differently from the world. Identify one specific area in your life where you can make a choice that aligns with God's wisdom, even if it seems counterintuitive. What will you do differently? [01:05:20]
The sermon mentioned the importance of running towards God, not just away from sin. What are some practical ways you can actively pursue God's presence in your daily life? [01:22:50]
For those who are first-generation Christians, building a new legacy of faith can be challenging. How can you support and encourage someone who is new to the faith in your community? [01:16:28]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "He's the King of Kings. He's the Lord of Lords. He's not a God who is distant. He's a God who is close. He's a God who is touchable. And He's a God who is for you. And so let's receive that today." [20:32] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If we really believe this, it should affect the way that we live. Right? Come on, can we have church today? If I really believe that, it should affect the way that I live." [49:03] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When I stand on the word, I will stand strong. Doesn't matter what the, what the culture says. Doesn't matter what the culture does. I'm telling you this will stand and that will fall every single time." [01:00:38] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Choosing a path of wisdom isn't just running away from something, but running towards something. And the word pursue in verse 11 has in it the feeling that something is at stake. Like there's a prize to be won." [01:26:26] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Then He said to them all, Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Me. It's less what I'm running from. It's more about what I'm running to. Let's go after Jesus. Amen." [01:27:21] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "If people can't see any differences in your life and in your decisions and how you handle what God has given you and how you handle the relationships that you have, if people can't see the differences in Timothy's life and then if they can't see the differences in our life, something's... wrong." [01:04:39] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Behavior flows from identity. When I remember who I am, it's going to help me live out what I'm called to live. I don't wake up in the morning and not know who I am and what I'm called to. I know it." [01:08:28] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So much of this is rooted in our identity. We are unsure and they seem confident about it and their words really took root in us. You can probably sit here this morning and think back of times that someone shared something to you, be it encouraging and building, that you look back and go, I really, something clicked in me that day." [01:12:32] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And so in order to understand why you do what you do, you've got to understand how you see yourself. Identity is a powerful thing and you may need to embrace it. This morning when there have been people that spoke life to you and you just, I don't know, embrace that." [01:13:33] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And I think that we miss this sometimes, that we aren't called just to flee, but we're called to pursue. All right. A lot of us grew up in faith. And I can tell you, I felt like a lot of my faith as a younger man was it was all about what you run from." [01:22:08] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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