Rising Above Mediocrity: Embracing Identity in Christ

 

Summary

In the early days of 2024, a message was shared with the congregation of Living Faith Bible Church, focusing on the theme of rising above mediocrity in the Christian life. The message drew from the New Testament book of First Corinthians, written by the Apostle Paul, which addresses the challenges faced by the early Christians in Corinth. The city of Corinth was a hub of commerce, multiculturalism, and notorious for its sexual immorality and idol worship. It was a place where Christians struggled to live out their faith amidst a society that did not share their values.

The message began by defining mediocrity as being of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance. It was emphasized that no one aspires to be called mediocre, especially not in their professional or personal lives, and certainly not in their spiritual lives. Yet, there is a recognition that at times, individuals may find themselves settling for mediocrity in their walk with Christ.

The book of First Corinthians serves as a guide for overcoming mediocrity by understanding one's identity in Christ. The message is not about striving harder in one's own strength but about being who one has been called to be in Christ. The Apostle Paul opens his letter by reminding the Corinthians of their calling and identity in Christ, which should influence their past, present, and future.

The past is addressed with the understanding that one's identity in Christ decisively deals with past sins and shortcomings. The present is enriched by the grace given in Jesus Christ, which bestows a treasury of spiritual resources, including spiritual gifts. The future is shaped by the faithfulness of God, who calls individuals into fellowship with His Son and promises to keep them firm to the end.

The message also included a cautionary tale from Charles Swindoll about a spider and a fly, illustrating the dangers of following the crowd into a mess. This story served as a metaphor for the Christian life, warning against the temptation to conform to the mediocrity that may be prevalent in society.

As the message concluded, the congregation was invited to participate in communion, a meal of remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. This act of worship served as a reminder of the grace and salvation found in Jesus Christ alone and was an opportunity for the church family to start the new year with a renewed focus on their faith.

The message called for a reflection on one's identity in Christ and an encouragement to rise above mediocrity by drawing upon the grace and spiritual gifts provided by God. It was a call to trust in God's faithfulness for the future and to live out the richness of one's identity in Christ in the new year.

Key Takeaways:

- Identity in Christ is foundational for overcoming mediocrity. Recognizing oneself as sanctified and holy in Christ provides the basis for rising above past failures and living a life that reflects one's true calling. This understanding is crucial for personal growth and spiritual maturity. [49:21]

- Grace is not only a gift for the past but an enrichment for the present. Believers are endowed with spiritual gifts and resources that exceed their needs, equipping them to serve and grow in their faith. Acknowledging and utilizing these gifts is essential for transcending mediocrity in one's spiritual journey. [52:12]

- The future is secured by the faithfulness of God. Trusting in God's promise to keep believers firm to the end allows them to face uncertainties with confidence. This assurance should motivate individuals to pursue excellence in their faith, knowing that God's faithfulness undergirds their efforts. [56:22]

- The dangers of conformity are real and can lead to spiritual complacency. The story of the spider and the fly serves as a poignant reminder that following the crowd without discernment can result in spiritual downfall. Christians are called to be discerning and to resist the pull of societal norms that conflict with their faith. [01:00:40]

- Communion is a powerful act of remembrance and proclamation of faith. By participating in this sacred meal, believers affirm their trust in Christ's sacrifice for their salvation. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and commitment to living out the implications of the gospel in everyday life. [01:07:47]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (NIV)
> Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul emphasize about the identity of the Corinthians in the opening verses of 1 Corinthians? ([47:10])
2. How does Paul describe the grace given to the Corinthians in their present lives? ([51:26])
3. What assurance does Paul give about the future of the believers in Corinth? ([55:36])
4. What metaphorical story did the pastor use to illustrate the dangers of following the crowd? ([59:10])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul start his letter by reminding the Corinthians of their sanctification and calling in Christ? How does this set the tone for addressing their issues? ([47:10])
2. How does the grace given to the Corinthians enrich their present lives, and what implications does this have for overcoming mediocrity? ([51:26])
3. In what ways does the faithfulness of God provide a foundation for the Corinthians to rise above mediocrity in their future? ([55:36])
4. How does the story of the spider and the fly serve as a cautionary tale for Christians today? What are the modern-day equivalents of "fly paper" that believers should avoid? ([59:10])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel you have settled for mediocrity in your Christian walk? What steps can you take to rise above this? ([30:19])
2. How can you better recognize and utilize the spiritual gifts and resources that God has enriched you with? Identify one specific gift and plan how you will use it this week. ([52:12])
3. Think about a past failure or sin that you feel still holds you back. How can you embrace your identity in Christ to decisively deal with this past and move forward? ([49:21])
4. In what ways can you trust in God's faithfulness to help you face uncertainties in your future? Share a specific area of your life where you need to rely more on God's promises. ([56:22])
5. The story of the spider and the fly warns against following the crowd into a mess. Are there societal norms or peer pressures that you need to resist to stay true to your faith? How will you do this? ([59:10])
6. Communion is a powerful act of remembrance and proclamation of faith. How can you make this practice more meaningful in your life, and how does it help you reflect on your identity in Christ? ([01:07:47])
7. Identify one habit or behavior that you feel is contributing to mediocrity in your spiritual life. What practical steps can you take this week to address and overcome it? ([57:42])

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Your Identity in Christ
Our identity in Christ is the cornerstone of our faith, setting us apart from past failures and empowering us to live a life that reflects our divine calling. Recognizing oneself as sanctified and holy in Christ is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that influences every aspect of our lives. It is this identity that provides the strength to rise above mediocrity and pursue a life of spiritual excellence. [49:21]

1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How does understanding your identity in Christ change the way you view yourself and your daily actions?

Day 2: Utilize Grace as a Present Resource
Grace is not a one-time gift but an ongoing source of enrichment for our lives. As believers, we are endowed with spiritual gifts and resources that equip us to serve and grow in our faith. It is essential to acknowledge and utilize these gifts to avoid settling for a mediocre spiritual journey and instead strive for growth and service in the kingdom of God. [52:12]

Romans 12:6-8 - "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
Reflection: What spiritual gifts have you been given, and how are you currently using them to serve others and glorify God?

Day 3: Trust in God's Faithfulness for the Future
The future can be uncertain, but the faithfulness of God is a sure foundation upon which we can build our lives. Trusting in God's promise to keep us firm to the end allows us to face the future with confidence and motivates us to pursue excellence in our faith, knowing that our efforts are supported by God's unchanging faithfulness. [56:22]

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively trust in God's faithfulness as you make plans and set goals for the future?

Day 4: Resist the Pull of Societal Norms
The temptation to conform to societal norms can lead to spiritual complacency. As Christians, we are called to be discerning and to resist the pull of mediocrity that society often promotes. This requires a conscious effort to live out our faith authentically and courageously, even when it goes against the grain of popular culture. [01:00:40]

James 4:4 - "You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."
Reflection: Can you identify any societal norms that conflict with your faith, and how can you actively resist conforming to them?

Day 5: Communion as a Commitment to Live Out the Gospel
Participating in communion is a profound act of remembrance and proclamation of our faith in Christ's sacrifice. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to living out the implications of the gospel in our everyday lives. This sacred meal is an opportunity to affirm our trust in Jesus and to draw strength from the grace He provides. [01:07:47]

1 Corinthians 11:26 - "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
Reflection: How does participating in communion inspire you to live out the gospel more fully in your daily life?

Quotes

1) "Rising above mediocrity is the theme of First Corinthians that we'll be spending some time in the New Year wrestling with." [58:27] (Download)

2) "The message is about be who you have been called to be in Christ know what your identity is." [58:27] (Download)

3) "The past is addressed with the understanding that one's identity in Christ decisively deals with past sins and shortcomings." [58:27] (Download)

4) "The present is enriched by the grace given in Jesus Christ, which bestows a treasury of spiritual resources, including spiritual gifts." [58:27] (Download)

5) "The future is shaped by the faithfulness of God, who calls individuals into fellowship with His Son and promises to keep them firm to the end." [58:27] (Download)

6) "Our identity in Christ can shape our past; it's the foundation for Rising above mediocrity." [47:51] (Download)

7) "God's calling to us is not to be mediocre Christians... He's given me Grace more grace than I deserve; he's enriched me with the treasury of Heaven." [53:35] (Download)

8) "God is faithful who has called you into fellowship with his son Jesus Christ Our Lord." [56:22] (Download)

9) "The main message of the book of First Corinthians is our identity in Christ affecting our past, our present, and our future should compel us to be rising above mediocrity." [45:56] (Download)

10) "The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians... his message is not just try harder but be who you are in Christ and be that in the New Year." [45:14] (Download)

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Transcript
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