Rediscovering Our Identity: Union with Christ

Today’s focus is on rediscovering the often-overlooked doctrine of “union with Christ,” which stands at the very heart of what it means to be a disciple. From the very beginning, God’s desire was for intimate communion with humanity, a relationship shattered by sin but relentlessly pursued and restored through Christ. The story of redemption is, at its core, the story of two representative figures: Adam, whose disobedience brought death and alienation, and Jesus, the “second Adam,” whose obedience and sacrifice offer us a new identity and restored relationship with God.

Modern culture tells us to look inward or outward to find our identity—through achievements, relationships, or self-expression. Yet, Scripture reveals that our truest identity is not something we achieve or discover on our own, but something we receive by grace. The New Testament rarely uses the word “Christian” and, after Acts, never again uses “disciple” as a label. Instead, Paul and the other writers overwhelmingly describe believers as those who are “in Christ.” This phrase, used over 220 times, is not just a metaphor but a profound spiritual reality: our old self, “in Adam,” has been crucified with Christ, and we now live by faith as those united to Him.

Union with Christ is a mystery—something we can understand but never fully grasp. It requires imagination to appreciate that Christ is not only the object of our faith but is actually present within us, and we in Him. This union is not a partial or temporary arrangement; it is total, unchangeable, and the source of all spiritual blessings. Our new identity is not earned but received, and it is the foundation from which we live, serve, and grow.

This new identity secures us in the ultimate safe place—hidden with Christ in God. No worldly achievement, failure, or shifting cultural narrative can alter this reality. The journey of discipleship, then, is not about striving to become someone else, but about learning to live out who we already are in Christ. We are justified, sanctified, adopted, loved, empowered, and glorified—not by our own merit, but because we are united to Jesus. As we abide in this truth, our communion with Christ deepens, and we are equipped to live out His mission in the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Union with Christ is the central reality of salvation, not merely a theological concept but the very foundation of Christian identity. It is not just that we have a relationship with Jesus, but that we are actually “in Christ” and He is in us—a truth that transforms how we see ourselves and how we live. This union is the lens through which all of Scripture and discipleship should be understood. [14:48]
• 2. The story of redemption is the story of two humanities: in Adam and in Christ. Everyone is born into Adam, inheriting sin and death, but through faith, we are transferred into Christ, sharing in His life, death, and resurrection. Our destiny is determined not by our achievements or failures, but by which “head” we are united to. [25:34]
• 3. Modern identity formation—rooted in self-expression, achievement, or social markers—ultimately leads to instability and crisis. In contrast, the identity given in Christ is received, not achieved, and is unshakeable. Discipleship is the ongoing process of learning to live out this new, secure identity, resisting the pull of old patterns and cultural narratives. [29:24]
• 4. The mystery of union with Christ means that what happened to Jesus—His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—has, in a real sense, happened to us. Our old self has been crucified, and our new life is now hidden with Christ in God. This is not just a future hope but a present reality, empowering us to live with new motivation, direction, and purpose. [37:10]
• 5. Our union with Christ secures us in the most protected place imaginable—hidden in God Himself. This security provides us with unimaginable spiritual benefits: justification, sanctification, adoption, victory, and more. While our feelings of closeness to God may fluctuate, our union with Christ is unchangeable, and it is from this place of security that we are called to live, serve, and grow. [41:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:31] - Dismissal and Greeting
• [02:17] - Singing: “He Who Began a Good Work”
• [03:03] - Prayers for the Church and Community
• [04:20] - Staying Connected and Introduction to Series
• [05:00] - Rediscovering Discipleship: Why Union with Christ?
• [07:01] - The Neglect of Union with Christ in Modern Teaching
• [08:19] - The Old Testament Roots of Union
• [10:50] - Relationship vs. Union: A Deeper Reality
• [12:04] - New Testament Language: “In Christ”
• [14:09] - Paul’s Vision of Christian Identity
• [16:09] - The Mystery and Imagination of Union
• [18:05] - The New Me: Identity in Christ
• [19:26] - Romans 5: In Adam or In Christ
• [24:53] - 1 Corinthians 15: The Two Humanities
• [29:24] - Galatians 2: Crucified and Alive in Christ
• [37:10] - Colossians 3: Raised and Hidden with Christ
• [41:36] - The Security and Benefits of Union
• [44:57] - Union vs. Communion: Living Out Our Identity
• [46:18] - Personal Response and Prayer
• [48:06] - Worship: “Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me”
• [53:48] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Romans 5:12, 18-19 (ESV) — > 12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
> 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
> 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) — > I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) — > 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
> 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
> 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
> 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Observation Questions

1. In Romans 5, what are the two “representative figures” Paul uses to explain our spiritual identity? What does each one bring to humanity? ([20:46])
2. According to Galatians 2:20, what does Paul say has happened to his “old self”? What is now true about his life? ([30:41])
3. In Colossians 3:1-4, what does Paul say about where our life is now “hidden”? What does this mean for our security? ([39:07])
4. The sermon mentioned that the New Testament rarely uses the word “Christian” and stops using “disciple” after Acts. What phrase does Paul use instead to describe believers? ([14:48])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that union with Christ is not just a metaphor, but a “profound spiritual reality.” What does it mean that what happened to Jesus (his death, resurrection, ascension) has, in a real sense, happened to us? How does this change the way we see ourselves? ([37:10])
2. The pastor described modern identity as something we try to “achieve” or “discover” on our own, but our identity in Christ is “received.” Why is this distinction important for how we live as disciples? ([36:34])
3. The sermon calls union with Christ a “mystery” that requires imagination to appreciate. Why do you think it’s hard for us to grasp or remember this truth in daily life? ([16:09])
4. Colossians 3 says our life is “hidden with Christ in God.” What does it mean to be “hidden” in this way, and how might this affect our sense of security or worth? ([39:07])

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “The journey of discipleship…is not about striving to become someone else, but about learning to live out who we already are in Christ.” What is one area of your life where you still feel pressure to “achieve” your identity instead of receiving it? How can you remind yourself of your true identity this week? ([44:16])
2. Modern culture tells us to look inward or outward for our identity—through achievements, relationships, or self-expression. Where do you most often look for your sense of worth or identity outside of Christ? What would it look like to shift that focus? ([26:51])
3. The pastor said, “Our union with Christ secures us in the most protected place imaginable—hidden in God Himself.” When you feel insecure, anxious, or like a failure, how can you practically remember and rest in this security? ([41:36])
4. The sermon listed spiritual benefits of union with Christ: justified, sanctified, adopted, loved, empowered, glorified, etc. Which of these is hardest for you to believe is true about you? Why? ([43:32])
5. The pastor mentioned that our “communion” with Christ (our sense of closeness) can fluctuate, but our “union” with Christ never changes. How do you usually respond when you feel distant from God? How could remembering your unchangeable union help you in those times? ([44:57])
6. The sermon challenged us to “learn to live into your new identity, who you are in Christ.” What is one specific step you can take this week to live out your identity “in Christ” at home, work, or with friends? ([44:16])
7. The pastor said, “Union with Christ is the lens through which all of Scripture and discipleship should be understood.” How might this change the way you read the Bible or approach spiritual growth? ([14:48])