Transformative Identity and Community in Christ

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound significance of our identity in Christ and the transformative power of community. We began by addressing a previous statement about Jesus' appearance, emphasizing the importance of understanding Jesus as a historical figure who transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries. This understanding leads us to appreciate the diversity within the body of Christ and the unity we find in Him.

We delved into the reasons for gathering as a church, highlighting that our gatherings are not just social events but opportunities for life to impact life. As believers, we are called to live out our new identity in Christ, which involves putting on virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, and love. These virtues are not just ideals but are essential for fostering a community that reflects the love and grace of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul's teachings in Colossians 3:12-17 remind us that our identity as God's chosen people calls us to a higher standard of living. We are to put off the old self, characterized by anger, malice, and slander, and put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of our Creator. This transformation is not merely a personal journey but a communal one, where we influence and are influenced by others in our faith community.

We acknowledged the reality of conflict and hurt within communities, recognizing that these challenges are opportunities for growth and maturity in Christ. The process of forgiving and being forgiven, loving and being loved, shapes us into the likeness of Christ. It is through these experiences that we demonstrate the reality of God's love to the world.

Finally, we were encouraged to embrace the fullness and abundance of life in Christ, which is only possible when we are willing to be transformed and to engage deeply with our community. By doing so, we not only experience personal growth but also become a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Jesus' Historical Context: Recognizing Jesus as a historical figure who transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries helps us appreciate the diversity within the body of Christ and fosters unity among believers. This understanding challenges us to see beyond cultural stereotypes and embrace the richness of our shared faith. [30:32]

2. The Purpose of Gathering: Our gatherings as a church are not just social events but opportunities for life to impact life. By coming together, we influence and are influenced by one another, living out our new identity in Christ and fostering a community that reflects His love and grace. [36:19]

3. Living Out Our New Identity: As God's chosen people, we are called to put on virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, and love. These virtues are essential for building a community that mirrors the character of Christ and demonstrates His transformative power to the world. [43:28]

4. Embracing Conflict and Growth: Conflict and hurt within communities are inevitable, but they are also opportunities for growth and maturity in Christ. Through the process of forgiving and being forgiven, we are shaped into the likeness of Christ, demonstrating the reality of God's love. [49:22]

5. Experiencing the Fullness of Christ: Embracing the fullness and abundance of life in Christ requires a willingness to be transformed and to engage deeply with our community. By doing so, we not only experience personal growth but also become a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. [55:18]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [30:32] - Correcting Misunderstandings
- [34:27] - Jesus as a Historical Figure
- [36:19] - The Purpose of Church Gatherings
- [43:28] - Living Out Our New Identity
- [46:38] - Putting Off the Old Self
- [49:22] - Embracing Conflict and Growth
- [49:58] - The Reality of Sin and Transformation
- [51:27] - The Role of Community in Growth
- [55:18] - Experiencing the Fullness of Christ
- [01:09:44] - Offering and Announcements
- [01:12:30] - Benediction and Closing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 3:12-17

#### Observation Questions
1. What virtues does Paul encourage believers to "put on" as God's chosen people in Colossians 3:12-17?
2. According to the sermon, why is it important to recognize Jesus as a historical figure who transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries? [34:27]
3. How does the sermon describe the purpose of church gatherings beyond being social events? [36:19]
4. What are some of the old behaviors and attitudes that Paul instructs believers to "put off" in Colossians 3:5-10, as mentioned in the sermon? [46:38]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus' historical context help believers appreciate the diversity within the body of Christ? [34:27]
2. In what ways can the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-17 foster a community that reflects the love and grace of Jesus?
3. How does the sermon suggest that conflict and hurt within communities can be opportunities for growth and maturity in Christ? [49:58]
4. What does it mean to experience the fullness and abundance of life in Christ, according to the sermon? [55:18]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any old behaviors or attitudes you need to "put off" to live out your new identity in Christ? How can you start this process this week? [46:38]
2. Think about your interactions within your faith community. How can you actively "put on" virtues like compassion, kindness, and humility in your daily interactions? [43:28]
3. Have you ever experienced conflict within a community? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply those lessons to future conflicts? [49:58]
4. Consider the diversity within your church community. How can you contribute to fostering unity and appreciation for this diversity? [34:27]
5. What steps can you take to engage more deeply with your community and embrace the transformative power of the Gospel in your life? [55:18]
6. Identify a specific way you can demonstrate the reality of God's love to someone outside your faith community this week. What action will you take?
7. Reflect on a time when you felt the fullness of life in Christ. What circumstances led to that experience, and how can you seek to recreate those conditions in your current life? [55:18]

Devotional

Understood. I will now create the 5-day devotional based on the instructions provided.

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Day 1: Embracing Jesus' Universal Identity
Understanding Jesus as a historical figure who transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries is crucial for appreciating the diversity within the body of Christ. This perspective challenges believers to look beyond cultural stereotypes and embrace the richness of shared faith. By recognizing Jesus' universal identity, Christians can foster unity among themselves, celebrating the diversity that exists within the global church. This understanding encourages believers to see each other as part of a larger, diverse family united in Christ. [30:32]

"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively celebrate and embrace the diversity within your own faith community today?


Day 2: The Transformative Purpose of Church Gatherings
Church gatherings are not merely social events but are opportunities for life to impact life. When believers come together, they influence and are influenced by one another, living out their new identity in Christ. These gatherings are essential for fostering a community that reflects Jesus' love and grace. By participating in church gatherings, believers can experience spiritual growth and contribute to the spiritual growth of others, creating a community that mirrors the character of Christ. [36:19]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What specific action can you take this week to encourage someone in your church community?


Day 3: Living Out Our New Identity in Christ
As God's chosen people, believers are called to put on virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, and love. These virtues are not just ideals but are essential for building a community that mirrors the character of Christ. By embodying these virtues, Christians demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel to the world. Living out this new identity involves a conscious effort to reflect Christ's love and grace in everyday interactions, both within and outside the church community. [43:28]

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: Which virtue do you find most challenging to embody, and how can you begin to cultivate it in your daily life?


Day 4: Growth Through Conflict and Forgiveness
Conflict and hurt within communities are inevitable, but they are also opportunities for growth and maturity in Christ. Through the process of forgiving and being forgiven, believers are shaped into the likeness of Christ, demonstrating the reality of God's love. Embracing conflict as a chance for growth allows Christians to mature in their faith and relationships, ultimately reflecting Christ's love more fully to the world. [49:22]

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent conflict you experienced. How can you approach it as an opportunity for growth and forgiveness today?


Day 5: Experiencing the Fullness of Life in Christ
Embracing the fullness and abundance of life in Christ requires a willingness to be transformed and to engage deeply with the community. By doing so, believers not only experience personal growth but also become a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. Engaging with the community allows Christians to experience the richness of life in Christ, as they support and are supported by others in their spiritual journey. [55:18]

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10b, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can engage more deeply with your faith community to experience the fullness of life in Christ?

Quotes

"Because he's actually a person, a real person, a historical person. 歷史上出現過的一個人來的, 不是一個神話故事, 不是孫悟空那樣, 是不是? 孫悟空就是我們描寫出來的 一個由石頭爆出來的 馬騮, 但是變成神又吃了七個肚又不死, 七次不死的情況。 那些是很神化的, He's not a myth, he's not a fairy tale, he's a historical person. 在我們現在這個歷史裡面, 在我們這個時間的軌道裡面, 在我們所處的這個空間裡面, 曾經出現過的一個人。 And he changed the course of history, 改變了人類歷史的軌跡。 But I think it's good to recap that, and I think why we have church, because he, Jesus appeared, not this guy, 不是這個, Jesus appeared, and he changed our story." [00:35:05]

"我們 上 次 說 我們 有 五 個 D NA 我們 有 五 個 D NA 關 於 我們的 教 堂 第三 個 D NA 或 是 其 中 一個 叫 做 生 命 影 響 生 命 我們 生 命 影 響 生 命 其 中 我們 一個 教 會 基 督 的 D NA 我們 說 生 命 會 影 響 生 命 所以 我們 會 有 聚 會 因為 我們 在 一起 才 會 影 響 大家 如果 我們 在 自己 的 家 裡 在 自己 的 角 落 我們 不會 影 響 到 大家 我們 會 在 自己 的 安全 空 間 但 只有 當 我們 聚 會 時 我們 會 開始 影 響 到 對 方 影 響 到 對 方 因為 我們 在 耶 穌 的 生 命 中 有 新 的 生 命 我們 開始 跟 這個 新 的 生 命 模 式 一起 生活 跟 這個 世界 是 不同 的 我們 新 生 命 的 一 開始 之後 我們 就 一起 去 生活 一起 去 活 出 這種 生 命 我們 走 在 一起 的時候 我們 會 有 這種 的 能 力 或者 有一 種 生 命 力 去 做 到 我 為什麼 這樣 說 我們 看看 聖 經 今天 是 怎麼 說 的 今天 跟大家 看 的 聖 經 是 《 哥 羅 西 書 》 三 章 的 十 二 三 章 的 十 二 到 十 七 節 我們 今天 看 的是" [00:36:49]

"这个 身 份 这个 ident ity 是 会 把 我们 从 其 他 人 的 世界 和 因为 这个 身 份 我们 在 一个 特 别 的 群 体 是 一 种 特 别 的 群 体 特 别 的 存 在 和 其 他 人 是 不 一 样 的 这个 在 保 罗 第三 章 第三 章 的 一 节 第二 节 那 里 他 说 这个 身 份 的 前 提 这个 身 份 的 前 提 是 在 基 督 的 救 生 基 督 被 带 下 来 No, sorry We have been put to death and been raised with Christ 我们 的 ident ity 我们 的 身 份 是 跟 基 督 一 同 复 活 的 这个 前 提 也 都 在 第三 章 第一 节 那 里 其实 保 罗 说 你们 已经 跟 基 督 一 同 复 活 了 是不是 真的 已经 复 活 呢 这个 是 不是 met aphor ical sense more in a spiritual sense 是 一个 属 灵 的 层 面 这个 属 灵 的 层 面 来 说 我们 跟 基 督 复 活 为什么 因为 我们 如果 在 罗 马 书 里 面 说 我们 受 浸 的时候 就 跟 他 一 同 的 死 一 同 的 复 活 这个 是 受 浸 的 那个 意 义 受 浸 的 那个 意思 我们 在 信 而 受 洗 信 耶 稣 之 后 接 受 洗 礼 的时候 我们 象 征 着 我们 跟 基 督 一 同 的 死 也 都 一 同 复 活 了 这个 身 份 已经 既 定 的 不会 改 变 的 在 这个 前 提 之 后 在 这个 前 提 之 下 三 章 第二 节 他 就 说 你要 想 上面 的 事 The premise is that we have been raised Now think about the things that are above Th ink about the things that is not of this world but of God of God 's kingdom of God 's heaven 什么 意思 呢 What does that mean 什么 叫 想 上面 的 事 我 举 一个 例 子 一个 ill ust ration 就 好像 我们 大家都 知道 运 动 和 早 睡 的 重要 性 We all know the importance of sleep and exercise 刚 刚 没 做 几 天 我 去了 看 check up 医 生 就 问 Did you exercise two times a week at least two times a week Yes 然后 他 就 问 Did you exercise more than 30 minutes a week I was like Yes But I was hurt I 'm hurting So I can 't do it You can walk 医 生 说 You can still walk 我们 知道 But we don 't do it That 's the problem 很多 时候 知道 不 做 就 等 于 和 不知道 一 样 When you know something But you don 't do it It 's like you It 's as if you don 't Never heard of it As if you never know it Right Because your action hasn 't changed Your life hasn 't changed 你的 生 命 没有 改 变 你的 健 康 没有 改 变 因为 你的 行 动 没有 改 变 但是 如果 我们 听 了 要 继 续 做 的话 我们 的 身 体 会 改 变 If I listen to the doctor and go exercise seven days a week My body will start to change I will start losing weight and be healthier" [00:40:06]

"所以 保 罗 就 说 你们 已经 知道 你有 一个 身 份 是 这样 的 了 But then act upon it See how set your mind to the things above You see how 天 上面 的 事 所以 在 三 章 今天 我们 读 的 经 文 里 面 他 就 说 保 罗 就 说 既 然 你是 神 的 选 民 你就 要 穿 上 这 些 东 西 Put on If you If you are, since we are God's chosen people. Now then, put on these things. Put on what? Put on compassionate hearts, humility, kindness, patience. Put on love." [00:43:28]

"你已經 這個 ,如果你是這樣的話, 我們已經是這樣的話 ,就要 穿上這些東西 ,穿上這些東西。 跟住他就講話 ,你要 給次饒恕啦 ,we have to forgiving each other, admonishing each other, teaching each other, and do all things for God. And 做了這些的東西, then we can live out the abundance of Christ. 在我們的小組 ,在我們的群體裡面, 那我們就可以活出基督的 風聲 ,用生命 ,影響生命, 大家positively去成長。 那那麼, 如果大家都是這樣, 以愛相待 ,將心比心的話, it's going to be a beautiful picture if we do this, right? It's a good thing, and we often think this way. And it's true. 這個上帝給我們, 在聖經裡面給我們看到, 基督徒的群體可以成為 一個怎樣的群體。 This is the vision that God gave us, about what the Christian community can become. 所以我也鼓勵大家 參加一個小組, 參加一個群體。 Get into it, and be impacted by others, be influenced by others, be encouraged, be loved by others. 所以如果你們想知道的, 問Anjali, Ken ,問我 ,問其他長老, 問Raymond ,問施生," [00:44:06]

" 可能有意無意地傷害到對方。 這些都是我們教會小組裡面, 會經常經常出現的一些東西。 It happens, conflict is bound to happen, hurts, you're bound to feel it, you're bound to be in conflict with one another, and that's common, it's there. We can't keep applying binary to it. So he said, before this segment that we read, before verse 12 to 17, in verses 5 to 10, Paul also said that, Paul also said that, put, put to death, therefore, the earthly you, what's earthly in you. He said that sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness, which is idolatry." [00:46:38] (46 seconds)



"unbelieving people who don't practice love who don't practice goodness kindness you were living with them but now you must put away take off the anger the wrath the malice the slander obscene talk from your mouth do not lie to one another seeing that you have put off the old self with its practice and have put on the new self which is being renewed in the knowledge after the image of its creator he said you have to put away you have to put away the old anger and malice the slander the slander and the slander of the mouth do not give such words you have to put off the old clothes put on the new clothes just like the analogy we just had we said I don't go to exercise I don't eat healthy and don't exercise and I don't sleep early yeah try to do those things it's going to be hard if we don't get rid of the old habits. 如果我們不改我們舊的習慣的話, 要有新的習慣是不行的。 我不能夠早睡, 因為我要看手機。 那你不改你晚一睡覺之前 看手機這個習慣, 是不可能早睡的嘛。 是不是? 你不去改你晚一吃宵夜這個習慣, 你是不會減肥的嘛。 是不是?" [00:47:41]

"We are still being transformed, we are still working progress, still being transformed, being transformed, being worked on, being shaped by the hand of God. So, in the whole world, we're bound to experience that hurt. We're bound to experience frictions. We are bound to experience a lot of unhappy things. In a podcast, there's a doctor named Wang Junyu in a podcast called No More Discipleship. He said this." [00:49:58] (33 seconds)



"也 跟 我们 一 样 在 学 习 因为 外 在 环 境 外 面 的人 影 响 我们 令 我们 有 伤 害 低 潮 或者 是 挫 败 感 的时候 但 这 些 人 外 面 的人 也 在 学 习 跟 我们 一 样 一直 去 学 习 当 中 所以 本 来 我们 在 教 会 当 中 一定 是 彼 此 伤 害 但是 在 有 基 督 的 爱 里 我们 也 彼 此 相 爱 我们 就是 在 不 停 的 彼 此 伤 害 和 彼 此 相 爱 当 中 渐 渐 成 为 一个 成 熟 的 基 督 徒 在 教 会 里 面 我们 会 彼 此 的 伤 害 也 彼 此 的 伤 害 而 在 这个 循 环 当 中 慢慢 成 为 一个 成 熟 的 基 督 徒 他 说 然后 我们 去 去 外 面 的时候 给 一 班 不 认 识 上 帝 的人 来 伤 害 我的 时候 然后 我 仍 然 可以 爱 他 的话 当 我 面 对 伤 害 我们 的人 我们 仍 然 爱 他的 时候 我就 在 他 面 前 活 出 那个 基 督 徒 美 好的 样 貌 上 帝 美 好的 良 善 也 使 人 看到 我的 这个 良 善 和 爱 的时候 就 会 看 见 这个 上 帝 是 真 实 的 而 福 音 的 果 效 就 会 自 然 而 然 地 出 现在 你 和 我的 生 命 当 中" [00:51:30]

"受 到 伤 害 在 群 体 里 面 会 出 现 摩 擦 出 现 冲 突 是 一个 现 实 来 的 but do you want to be changed do you want to be transformed into the liken ess of Christ into the image of the son of God 我们 说 我不 懂 的 我不 想 改 变 我是 这样 的 我不 想 变 的 I don 't want to change I just this way I am you do you and I do I I do me that 's what it is 那么 是 的 n ob ody can change you n ob ody can force you to change 我们 会 改 变 不到 你 but I think you 're missing out you 're missing out 改 变 的 终 极 it 's not because we want you to be a good person no 我 不是 想 你 成 为 一个 好 人 不是 成 为 一个 morally upright person not a righteous person no I think you 're missing out being in the abundance of Christ if you go back to read Col oss ians and look at the word abundance in Chinese or rich ly fullness these kind of words in English you 'll find Paul is repeating again and again and again he 's highlighting the fullness the abundance in Christ that you can experience you 're missing out 不 可以 被 改 变 的时候 你是 错 过 了 很多 好的 事 不是 说 要 你 做 一个 好 人 做 一个 做 一个 厉 害 的人 而 是 你 错 过 了 基 督 的 丰 盛 错 过 了 见 证 上 帝 在 你 生 命 里 面 能 够 做 的 那 种 丰 盛 但 我们 会 在 我们 仍 然 在 我们 旧 的 习 惯 和 品 性 里 面 的时候 我们 是 体 会 不到 基 督 的 在 基 督 里 面 的 自由 when you 're in your old self you cannot feel you cannot live the freedom in Christ you cannot you cannot you will never 就 像 我 以前 的 我 I was hating I was an angry person because I was not forgiving my family members my uncles my aun ts my mom and dad 我不 原 谅 他 的时候 我 一直 活 在 自己 的 my st ery 里 面 活 在 自己 的 痛 苦 当 中 但 奇 妙 的是 我 愿 意 心 里 面 去 原 谅 他 的时候 我 上 帝 释 放 我的 时候 我 经 历 的 那 种 平 靡 那 种 平 安 的 喜 乐 it 's worth it it might be hard in the beginning to be mold to be shattered but it 's worth it 之 后 的 改 变 是 值 得 的 圆 圆 圈 圈 值 得 的 甚 至 我们 不是 说 我 去 原 谅 人 这么 好 这么 说 这么 厉 害 there are a lot of moments 我 都是 上 帝 让 我 看到 我 自己 错 的时候 我 会 跟 别 人 说 我 需要 去 跟 别 人 道 歉 寻 求 原 谅 我 跟我 两 个 弟 弟 道 歉 因为 我 伤 害 了 他们 我 和 我 曾 经 的 一个 弟 兄 因为 有 点 误 会 而 有 点 分 歧 and then I reach out and say I 'm sorry I think I misunderstood you and I 'm sorry Could you please forgive me 也 都是 我在 神 学 院 的时候 上 帝 也 给 另外 一 样 东 西 我 看到 就是 Oh, I 've hurt someone when I was in my weakest time when I was burning out I hurt my brothers and sisters and I need to ask them for forgiveness and to apologize" [00:55:18]

"直 到 我们 有一 天 成 为 一个 完全 有 了 基 督 的 新 量 完全 有 了 基 督 的 样 式 We are just in the cycle of forgiving and being forgiven to love and being loved U nt il we become fully conform ed to the image of Christ U nt il we truly show the statue of Christ in our life 问题 在 你们 愿 不 愿 意 我们 愿 不 愿 意 去 穿 上 这个 基 督 的 新 量 愿 不 愿 意 去 承 认 我们 不行 我们 需要 上 帝 帮 我们 愿 不 愿 意 去 互 相 的 饶 恕 互 相 的 容 忍 愿 不 愿 意 被 上 帝 的 风 声 充 满 在 我们 的 生 命 充 满 在 我们 的 群 体 当 中 Let 's pray How many Father we thank you That in Christ we saw the abundance The possibility of being free in you We thank you For you have given us a taste A fore t aste of heaven That is being forgiven by your son By you That we experience the clear conscience Free from guilt Free from sin But at the same time Lord we struggle Because we are still a sinner in progress A sanct ified sinner in progress To become the son and daughter of you So help us Lord Help us God Help us God To take off all the mal ice The hatred s, the anger And put on the kindness, the love The forgiveness, the compassion of Christ To one day we grow To fit that garments that you have put on us U nt il one day we fit into the shoes that you prepared for us to walk in U nt il that day when we become like your sons and daughters That whom you have called Wh om you have chosen Wh ose hol ies Who are beloved Father God we thank you In Jesus name we pray A men" [00:59:53]

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