Living Out Our Identity in Christ's Glory

Devotional

Day 1: You Are Washed, Sanctified, and Justified in Christ

Through faith in Jesus, believers are washed clean, set apart for a holy purpose, and declared righteous—not because of their own works, but by the redemptive work of Christ. No matter your past, you are called holy and pure, and God desires to use you as a vessel for His glory, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to live out your new identity. [07:28]

1 Corinthians 6:11 (NKJV):
"And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you still feel defined by your past? How can you intentionally embrace your new identity in Christ today and act from that place of being washed, sanctified, and justified?

Day 2: Glorify God in Your Body—You Are Not Your Own

Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, bought with the precious blood of Jesus, and meant to glorify God in every action and decision. This means resisting the pull of self-gratification and instead yielding your desires, habits, and even your physical actions to the Lord, recognizing that your life is not your own but belongs to your King. [32:00]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV):
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Reflection: In what practical way can you honor God with your body today—whether in your choices, your words, or your relationships?

Day 3: Settle Disputes Within the Body of Christ

As followers of Jesus, you are called to handle conflicts and disagreements within the church family, not by the world’s standards but by the wisdom and love of Christ, so that your life tells a redemptive story to the world. When you surrender your authority or identity to worldly systems, you diminish your witness; instead, seek reconciliation and unity, remembering that you are destined to judge the world and even angels. [20:16]

1 Corinthians 6:1-7 (NKJV):
"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers. Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?"

Reflection: Is there a conflict or disagreement with a fellow believer that you need to address directly and graciously? What step can you take today to seek reconciliation and unity within the body of Christ?

Day 4: Witness Instead of Winning—Let Your Life Tell Christ’s Story

The true aim of your life is not to be right or to win arguments, but to bear witness to the redemptive story of Jesus through your actions, words, and relationships. When you choose to lay down your rights, forgive, and serve others—even at personal cost—you display the image of your King and invite others to see His glory in you. [39:10]

Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV):
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Where are you tempted to “win” at the expense of your witness? How can you choose to put Christ’s story and love on display in a specific situation today?

Day 5: Live Empowered by the Spirit—Turn the World Right Side Up

The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, empowering you to live counter-culturally and to turn the world right side up for your King. You are called to rise in your holy calling, to live an unleavened life, and to let the Spirit’s power enable you to display Christ’s glory in every circumstance, no matter how ordinary or difficult. [47:15]

Romans 8:11 (ESV):
"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rely more fully on the Holy Spirit’s power today? How can you invite Him to help you live boldly for Christ in that area?

Sermon Summary

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6 call us to remember who we are and whose we are. Our identity is not just as individuals saved from wrath, but as people set apart—washed, sanctified, and justified for a holy purpose. We are not merely recipients of grace, but stewards of God’s glory, called to reflect the image of King Jesus in every aspect of our lives. The Corinthians, much like many believers today, had lost sight of this. They were living as if salvation was the end goal, rather than the beginning of a life that bears witness to Christ’s redemptive power.

The Bema seat in Corinth, where disputes were judged publicly, serves as a vivid reminder: our lives are on display, and the way we handle conflict, especially among believers, tells a story to the world. When we take our disputes before the world, or when we let self-preservation and pride rule our actions, we surrender our spiritual authority and obscure the image of Christ. Paul’s challenge is clear: settle matters within the body, not to hide our flaws, but to display the reconciling power of the gospel. Our unity and humility are meant to point to a greater reality—that we are destined to judge the world and even angels, and so we must live up to that calling now.

Our bodies, too, are not our own. They are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price. The call is not to escapism or self-indulgence, but to live as those already resurrected, already liberated, already belonging to Christ. Every choice—how we handle money, relationships, sexuality, and conflict—either tells the story of our King or distorts it. The enemy’s strategy is to get us to forget our identity, to hand over our “hat” of spiritual authority, and to live as if we are still under his dominion. But Christ’s redemptive work is enough. We are called to witness, not just to win; to display Christ’s glory, not our own.

Guardrails and convictions are not burdens, but gifts that keep us on the path of displaying Christ’s glory. Our lives are not about being perfect, but about being yielded—willing to let the Spirit turn our lives right side up for our King. The world needs to see not our self-righteousness, but the redemptive story of Jesus lived out in real time. Let us rise in our holy calling, live out our identity, and let every part of our lives witness to the One who bought us with His blood.

Key Takeaways

1. Identity Rooted in Christ, Not in Self Our identity is not defined by our past, our failures, or even our successes, but by the fact that we have been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ. This means we are set apart for a holy purpose, and our lives are meant to reflect the image of our King. When we forget this, we risk building with “wood, hay, and stubble” instead of with things of eternal value. [02:08]
2. Spiritual Authority and Responsibility God has given each of us spiritual authority—our “hat”—to steward our lives, families, and relationships for His glory. When we abdicate this responsibility, whether by letting others handle our conflicts or by seeking validation from the world, we surrender the authority Christ has given us. True spiritual leadership is not about dominance, but about humble submission to Christ and sacrificial service to others. [18:55]
3. Conflict Resolution as a Witness The way we handle disputes, especially within the body of Christ, is a powerful witness to the world. Choosing to forgive, to accept wrong, or to settle matters privately is not weakness, but strength rooted in our confidence in God’s provision and justice. Our willingness to prioritize unity and the redemptive story over personal vindication displays the reality of the gospel. [20:16]
4. The Body as a Temple—Holiness in Practice Our physical bodies are not our own; they are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price. This truth calls us to honor God not just in spirit, but in every aspect of our physical lives—how we use our bodies, how we relate to others, and how we resist the pull of self-indulgence. Holiness is not about withdrawal from the world, but about living empowered by the Spirit in the midst of it. [27:36]
5. Guardrails, Conviction, and the Power of Redemption Deep convictions and spiritual guardrails are not meant to restrict us, but to keep us aligned with our calling to display Christ’s glory. The enemy seeks to blur our redemptive story, but Christ’s work is sufficient to redeem even the most broken past. Our lives are not about being perfect, but about being yielded and willing to let the Spirit turn us right side up for our King.

** [39:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Standing at the Bema Seat: Paul’s Context
[02:08] - Building with Eternal Materials
[04:30] - Living as Temples of the Holy Spirit
[07:28] - The Resurrection and Our Bodies
[11:55] - The Boat Dispute: Identity and Authority
[16:25] - Handling Conflict Within the Church
[18:55] - Abdicating Spiritual Responsibility
[20:16] - The Story Our Lives Tell
[21:42] - Washed, Sanctified, Justified
[22:47] - Dominion Lost and Regained
[27:36] - The Body for the Lord, Not for Immorality
[32:00] - Application: Guardrails and Conviction
[33:52] - Desmond Doss: Conviction in Action
[39:10] - The Power of Redemption Over Our Past
[47:15] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 6:1-20 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole chapter together, but especially focus on verses 9-20.)

Observation Questions

According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 6, what are some of the specific issues the Corinthian church was struggling with?
What does Paul say about the identity of believers in verses 9-11? What three things does he say have happened to them?
How does Paul describe the body of a believer in verses 19-20?
In the sermon, what was the significance of the Bema seat in Corinth, and how did it relate to the way Christians handle conflict? [[02:08]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul make such a strong point about believers settling disputes among themselves rather than going to secular courts? What does this say about the church’s witness to the world? [[11:55]]
The sermon talks about “taking off your hat” or giving up your spiritual authority. What does it mean to “take off your hat” in the context of your family, church, or personal life? [[18:55]]
Paul says, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” How should this truth affect the way Christians view their bodies and their daily choices? [[27:36]]
The pastor shared a story about being tempted to judge someone based on their past. How does remembering our own redemption help us respond to others with grace? [[39:10]]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that our identity is rooted in Christ, not in our past or our achievements. Is there an area of your life where you are still letting your past define you? What would it look like to live out of your new identity this week? [[02:08]]
Think about a recent conflict or disagreement you’ve had (in your family, at work, or in church). Did you handle it in a way that reflected Christ’s reconciling power? If not, what could you do differently next time? [[20:16]]
The pastor talked about “guardrails” and deep convictions as gifts, not burdens. What is one guardrail or conviction you have (or need to have) that helps you stay on the path of displaying Christ’s glory? [[39:10]]
Are there ways you have “taken off your hat” and given up your spiritual authority or responsibility—maybe by letting someone else handle something God has called you to do? What is one step you can take to reclaim that responsibility this week? [[18:55]]
Paul says our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Is there a specific area (like how you use your time, your words, your habits, or your relationships) where you need to honor God more fully? What is one practical change you can make? [[27:36]]
The sermon challenged us to “witness, not just win.” Is there a situation where you have been more focused on being right than on showing Christ? How can you shift your focus to being a witness this week? [[20:16]]
The enemy wants us to forget our identity and live as if we are still under his dominion. What is one lie or temptation you need to reject this week in order to live as someone who is already liberated and belongs to Christ? [[22:47]]

Sermon Clips

Carnal Christians are those who are still wrestling with the fleshly desires. The spirit that's within us and not yielding that spirit over to the spirit of grace. And we all struggle with that at times, don't we? It's all a constant struggle. But it should not be the driving force of our life. [00:01:25] (18 seconds) #StruggleBeyondFlesh

We live our lives as though he died yesterday, he rose today, and he's coming back tomorrow. These Corinthians had a mindset that they had entered into a special place, this royal relationship. And they had, they had. Again, but they were building a life that was full of wood, hay, and stubble. Meaning the day and the hour when King Jesus splits those eastern skies, they were self -preserving, self -edifying, self -glorifying. All these things were prominent in their life, and Paul is trying to let them know right where they're at. Stop it, guys. What you're building is not eternal. [00:03:33] (37 seconds) #BuildForEternity

When you get saved, when you give your life to Christ, and your heart beats for the first time to see and be in the presence of your King, in that sweeping moment, the Spirit of God comes and then dwells within. You don't get a portion of the Spirit, you get the person of the Holy Spirit. And we have everything that we need to yield our spiritual lives over to the Spirit of God that's in our life and redirect our lives for His glory. [00:05:28] (29 seconds) #SpiritFilledLife

You were washed in the blood of the Lamb, and now you're sanctified. I mean, God took you out of that old miry clay mindset that you lived in, and he's cleansed you, and now he has purpose for you. He has set you aside for a holy purpose.And I don't care what you have done in the past. Christ's redemptive work in your life delivers you from that. [00:07:08] (27 seconds) #RedeemedForPurpose

When Christ purchased you, he purchased your spirit, your soul, and your body, what Scripture talks about. And in the day of the resurrection, those loved ones that we had who went home to be with the Lord before the return of Christ, it says the dead in Christ shall rise. Their souls and spirits are with the presence of their King right now. But their souls and spirit will be reunited.to their body. It will be a resurrected body. [00:09:03] (32 seconds) #ResurrectionHope

Now the body's not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord. The body's not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord. And the Lord for the... All right. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his... All right.so he's not discarding that one day my body which now is a temple of god because of what took place on my living room floor in 1999 whenever your salvation moment was you are no longer under the dominion of that that the prince of this earth you've been freed the wrath of god has been lifted from you death does not have a sting on you you are a new person in christ you're an eternal being that has an eternal hope in king jesus amen. [00:28:28] (43 seconds) #TempleOfTheLord

Guys, we ought to have some deep, deep convictions. There ought to be guardrails in our life that are not a hindrance to our life, but they're keeping to our life. That God has placed there to keep us on the straight and narrow. To keep us where our lives are displaying our Lord's glory. [00:35:08] (16 seconds) #GuardrailsOfGrace

We have one story to tell shut your mouth close up your ear to the world don't give up your hat and rise in who you are in christ jesus you are redeemed through the power and the unction of god's spirit the same spirit that rose jesus from the grave raised him from the grave will raise you up can i get an amen. [00:42:27] (28 seconds) #OneRedeemedStory

Witness instead of winning y 'all with me pajo said you know what robbie i don't need that hundred dollars because i serve a god who owns a cattle of a thousand hills everything i need he has everything i got is his you know what if you i'm good it was his anyway it wasn't mine my wife's not my own it's been bought with a price and then i sit there with the conviction of god's spirit all over me and said you know what pacho i'm gonna take the hundred that you won't take and i'm gonna give it to somebody who desperately needs it i'm gonna bring it into the fellowship i'm gonna sow the seed and i don't want anything but between us and i don't want our our savior's image more now church y 'all with me these are very fundamental things that i think have gotten lost along the way they've gotten lost along the way because we're so sanctified we're so heavenly minded that we're no earthly good anymore it's all about me it's all about me it's all about me but there's coming a time where the only thing it's going to be it's all about jesus it's all about jesus and we need to live as though we are there today amen so live out your identity witness over winning and empowered by the spirit y 'all with me our indwelling spirit enables us to counter -culturally turn the world right side up for our king. [00:43:43] (88 seconds) #WitnessOverWinning

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean to build with gold and silver?

How are bodies considered temples of the Holy Spirit?

Why should Christians settle disputes within the church?