Living with Hope: Our Identity in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Worthiness in Uncertainty

In the midst of life's uncertainties, Jesus remains worthy of our trust and obedience. This truth calls us to live by faith, even when the path is unclear. Our circumstances do not determine His worthiness; rather, His eternal nature and perfect plan do. As we navigate the complexities of life, we are invited to anchor our trust in Jesus, knowing that He is sovereign and His purposes are good. This perspective shifts our focus from our immediate challenges to the broader narrative of God's redemptive work in our lives. [25:46]

Psalm 62:5-8 (ESV): "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God's plan? How can you actively choose to trust Him today, even when the path is unclear?

Day 2: Living in Hope of Christ's Return

The promise of Christ's return is a profound source of hope that empowers us to live confidently and without shame. This anticipation should not lead to complacency but rather to a life of active faith and purity. As we await His coming, we are challenged to evaluate our lives and ensure that we are living in a way that reflects our faith and readiness. This involves a conscious effort to align our actions with our beliefs, living each day with the awareness that Christ could return at any moment. [30:26]

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (ESV): "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness."

Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return influence your daily decisions and actions? What changes can you make to live more intentionally in light of this hope?

Day 3: Embracing Our Identity as God's Children

Our identity as children of God transcends all other labels and affiliations. It is not based on who we know, what we do, or where we live, but solely on our relationship with Jesus. As children of God, we are called to reflect His character and purposes in the world, living distinctively from the world around us. This identity shapes our values, priorities, and interactions, calling us to a life marked by purity and holiness. [45:50]

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "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. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Reflection: In what ways do you struggle with your identity in Christ? How can you embrace and live out your true identity as a child of God today?

Day 4: The Call to Purity

Living a pure life is about prioritizing what truly matters and aligning our lives with God's will. It is not about living a joyless life but about ensuring that our lives are ready for Christ's return, reflecting His holiness. This involves a deep commitment to living out our faith in every aspect of our lives, from our homes to our workplaces, and in our interactions with others. Purity is a reflection of our devotion to God and our desire to honor Him in all we do. [54:56]

James 1:27 (ESV): "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you need to pursue greater purity? How can you take practical steps to align your life more closely with God's will?

Day 5: Reflecting Jesus to the World

As followers of Christ, we are called to shine His light in a dark world. This involves living out our faith in every aspect of our lives, being a testament to His love and truth. Our actions, words, and attitudes should reflect the character of Jesus, drawing others to Him. This is not just a call to personal holiness but also to mission, as we seek to be His ambassadors in a world in desperate need of His love and truth. [57:40]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: How can you be a light in your community this week? What specific actions can you take to reflect Jesus' love and truth to those around you?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of 1 John, we delved into the profound truth that Jesus Christ is worthy, regardless of our life's circumstances. This truth calls us to live a life that reflects our faith in Him, even when the path is unclear. John, the beloved disciple, writes to remind us of the hope we have in Christ's return and the identity we possess as children of God. These truths are not just theological concepts but are meant to transform how we live daily.

John's letter emphasizes the importance of remaining in Christ, especially as we anticipate His second coming. This anticipation should not lead us to complacency but rather to a life of active faith and purity. The promise of Christ's return is a source of hope that empowers us to live confidently and without shame. It challenges us to evaluate our lives and ensure that we are not caught off guard, much like a child sneaking Oreos when they think no one is watching. We are called to be ready, living in a way that reflects our identity in Christ.

Our identity as children of God is central to how we live. This identity transcends all other labels and affiliations we might hold. It is not based on who we know, what we do, or where we live, but solely on our relationship with Jesus. As children of God, we are called to reflect His character and purposes in the world. This means living a life that is distinct from the world, marked by purity and holiness.

The call to purity is not about living a joyless life but about prioritizing what truly matters. It is about ensuring that our lives are aligned with God's will and that we are ready for Christ's return. This readiness involves a deep commitment to living out our faith in every aspect of our lives, from our homes to our workplaces, and in our interactions with others.

In conclusion, the message of 1 John is a call to live with hope, rooted in the promise of Christ's return and our identity as God's children. It challenges us to live pure and holy lives, reflecting the light of Jesus to a world in desperate need of His love and truth.

Key Takeaways

1. The Worthiness of Jesus: Regardless of life's circumstances, Jesus is worthy of our trust and obedience. This truth calls us to live by faith, even when the path is unclear, trusting in His perfect plan. [25:46]
2. Hope in Christ's Return: The promise of Christ's return is a source of hope that empowers us to live confidently and without shame. It challenges us to be ready, living in a way that reflects our faith and anticipation of His coming. [30:26]
3. Identity as Children of God: Our identity in Christ transcends all other labels. As children of God, we are called to reflect His character and purposes, living distinctively from the world around us. [45:50]
4. Call to Purity: Living a pure life is about prioritizing what truly matters and aligning our lives with God's will. It is a call to be ready for Christ's return, ensuring that our lives reflect His holiness. [54:56]
5. Reflecting Jesus to the World: As followers of Christ, we are called to shine His light in a dark world. This involves living out our faith in every aspect of our lives, being a testament to His love and truth. [57:40]
** [57:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:44] - Understanding the Flow of 1 John
[25:46] - Walking by Faith
[26:48] - Confidence in Christ's Return
[28:31] - The Hope of Purity
[29:26] - Living with Hope and Identity
[30:26] - The Promise of Christ's Return
[32:24] - Being Ready for His Coming
[33:29] - The Timing of Christ's Return
[35:19] - Living on Mission
[37:05] - The Call to Action
[38:22] - Children of Light
[39:38] - Last-Minute Packing
[42:13] - Evaluating Life's Focus
[43:41] - Our Identity in Christ
[45:50] - The Struggle with Identity
[47:00] - False Identities
[49:02] - Embracing True Identity
[50:30] - Reflecting Jesus
[52:30] - Living as God's Children
[54:56] - The Call to Purity
[57:40] - Shining as Lights
[58:39] - Looking Like the Savior
[60:28] - Living for Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does 1 John 2:28-3:3 say about our identity as children of God and how it should influence our lives? [26:48]
How does John describe the confidence we can have at Christ's return, and what does it mean to remain in Him? [30:26]
In John 14:1-3, what promise does Jesus give about His return, and how does this relate to the hope mentioned in 1 John? [33:29]
According to Philippians 2:12-16, how are believers encouraged to live in a world that is described as "crooked and twisted"? [55:59]

Interpretation Questions

How does the promise of Christ's return provide hope and motivation for believers to live confidently and without shame? [30:26]
What does it mean to have an identity that transcends all other labels, and how does this affect our daily interactions and decisions? [43:41]
How does the call to purity in 1 John relate to the idea of living a life that reflects Jesus to the world? [54:56]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that our identity as children of God should influence our priorities and actions? [45:50]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain about the future. How did your faith in Jesus help you navigate that situation? How can you apply this experience to current uncertainties? [25:46]
Consider your daily life. Are there areas where you feel you might be "caught off guard" if Christ were to return today? What changes can you make to live more intentionally for Him? [32:24]
How do you currently define your identity? Are there aspects of your identity that you need to realign with your identity as a child of God? [47:00]
Think about your interactions with others. How can you better reflect the character and love of Jesus in your relationships at home, work, or school? [50:30]
What practical steps can you take to prioritize purity and holiness in your life, ensuring that your actions align with God's will? [54:56]
Identify one area in your life where you can shine the light of Jesus more brightly. What specific actions will you take this week to be a testament to His love and truth? [57:40]
How can you encourage others in your community to embrace their identity as children of God and live with the hope of Christ's return? [43:41]

Sermon Clips

1. "I love the message that is in that video that how we live is a reflection of who we follow. And when we dug into 1 John last week, we talked about the worthiness of Jesus, regardless of the circumstances of our lives. We talked about the worthiness of Jesus to do what he says to do, to say what he says to speak, to go where he calls us to go, regardless of the circumstances of our lives. Regardless of the circumstances of our lives, Jesus Christ is worthy. Amen." [00:22:02] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So referencing what is above. So now, even in the midst of circumstances, even in the midst of the pressures that are coming upon you, even in the midst of persecution, even in the midst of those who might want to lead you astray, even in the midst of all of these things. So now I want you. I want you to be reminded of these truths that you might walk by faith, even in this moment that you're in. And so I think that is really important for us as the body of Christ, isn't it?" [00:25:12] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Sometimes his will is not going to be clear. And am I, as a follower of Jesus, willing to trust him in those moments? Can we just be honest with ourselves? That is so, so, so much easier said than done. It's easy to tell people, you know. You know, you got to trust Jesus even in this moment. But it's a whole lot harder when people are looking at you saying, you got to trust Jesus even in this moment. But what has John laid out for us? Jesus is worthy." [00:26:05] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And dear friends, that's that word, that phrasing, that love that John is pouring out to the people, the church that he is writing to across all of Asia. He says, dear friends, and we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. I get that you don't see what is next, but you know the one who has what is next. It's not yet revealed. But we know that when he appears, we will be like him. Because. Because we will see him as he is, and everyone who has this hope, this hope, in him will purify himself because Jesus is pure." [00:28:37] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We have a significant hope because of the promise that Christ is going to return and the promise of Christ's return helps us to be people who live with hope. This is what it says in verse 28. So now little children remain in him. He said, keep living by faith, keep clinging to Jesus so that when he appears, we may have confidence. We might not be people who are like, I wasn't living for you. You kind of caught me red-handed." [00:31:04] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Stop wondering when Jesus is going to come back and get to work doing what Jesus has called you to do. See, Jesus understands. His disciples would naturally wonder when he was going to return. He doesn't want them wondering that. He wants them to be thinking about, is that Jesus is going to return? And therefore, because he is going to return, we can live in hope, we can live in certainty, and we can live on mission for him." [00:37:48] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "So the early church, in the midst of difficult times, it would have been very easy to shrink back, to half-heartedly hide, hoping that at just the last minute that they could pack up and be ready for Jesus. And John reminds them they can't do it and John reminds us we can't do that either. Christ is coming back and last-minute packing is not an option." [00:41:24] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "So John reminds the early church of their hope in Christ's return, but he also reminds them of that identity that the Bible teaches that if we are in Christ, we are children of God. We become children of God when we place our faith. In Jesus, John, the apostle writing in the gospel in John chapter 1 verses 9 through 13 writes this, the true light which gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own and his own people didn't receive him." [00:44:02] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Being children of God, our lives then ought to conform to his image, his character, his purposes, his will. And the question is, if we have received such a great salvation, is our lives going to be the same? Is our lives going to be the same? Is our lives going to be the same? Is our lives continuing to look more like Jesus? Or are we continuing to look like someone else? Something else?" [00:54:36] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Because we have hope in Christ's return. Because your identity is in Jesus Christ as a son, a child of God. You are called to live. a pure life. Listen to how this part closes in verse 3. And everyone who has this hope that Jesus is coming back and their identity is in Christ, they're a child of God, everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure." [00:54:53] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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