Transformed by Christ: Embracing Our New Identity

Today, we explored what it means to be “formed by Jesus” as a faith community. God’s welcome is wide—people from all backgrounds are invited into this journey, whether you’re a skeptic, a survivor, a sinner, or a saint. But this welcome is not an end in itself; it’s an invitation to transformation. Jesus doesn’t just save us and leave us as we are—he continually shapes us, forming us into his likeness. This process of formation is not about adopting a new set of religious rules or simply rebranding ourselves. Instead, it’s about receiving a new identity, a renewed mind, and a resilient faith.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians reminds us that our new life in Christ is both the starting point and the goal. We are no longer defined by our old identities or the labels that once divided us. In Christ, those labels may describe us, but they no longer define us. Our unity is found in Christ being all and in all, which radically changes how we see ourselves and others.

Formation by Jesus is like putting off old clothes and putting on new ones. It’s a daily practice of surrender—letting go of old habits, desires, and ways of thinking, and embracing compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and love. This isn’t always natural or easy, which is why we need to practice it, and why we need each other on this journey.

Renewal of the mind is not just about gaining new information or self-improvement. It’s about having our entire story reframed by the reality of God’s kingdom breaking into our lives. Like a plot twist in a movie, Jesus reveals a new storyline that changes how we interpret everything—our worth, our purpose, our relationships, and our hope.

This transformation is not something we achieve by our own effort. It is God’s work in us, and our role is to place ourselves in environments—like community—where we can pay attention to what God is doing. Our effort is to practice, to notice, to surrender, and to receive. The Spirit of God brings conviction, leads us to repentance, and invites us into a better way of living—a way of joy, peace, and resilience, even in the midst of life’s storms.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Formation by Jesus means receiving a new identity that transcends our old labels and divisions. In Christ, our backgrounds and differences no longer define us; instead, we are united by his presence in us. This unity is not about erasing our uniqueness, but about finding our deepest identity in Christ, which changes how we relate to ourselves and to others. [39:39]
• 2. The process of being formed by Jesus is a daily practice of putting off the old self and putting on the new. This involves intentional habits—letting go of destructive patterns and embracing Christlike virtues such as compassion, humility, and love. True transformation is not a one-time event but a continual surrender to God’s shaping work in our lives. [41:39]
• 3. Renewal of the mind is more than acquiring new knowledge or self-improvement; it is about having our entire life story reframed by the reality of God’s kingdom. Jesus invites us to see the world, ourselves, and others through the lens of his mercy and redemption, challenging the old narratives that once defined us. This new perspective enables us to discern God’s will and live in alignment with his purposes. [50:25]
• 4. Spiritual formation is not achieved by our own strength or moral effort, but by God’s grace and activity in us. Our role is to place ourselves in positions—through community, spiritual practices, and openness—where we can notice and receive God’s transforming work. The Spirit of God convicts, leads, and empowers us to live out this new life, making Christlikeness possible as a gift rather than an achievement. [52:15]
• 5. A life formed by Jesus is resilient, able to withstand the storms of life because it is built on the rock of his teaching and presence. Practicing Jesus’ words—rather than merely hearing them—shapes us into people who can endure hardship with hope and peace. This resilience is not just for our own sake, but so that we can be a community formed together for the sake of others. [56:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [33:32] - Introduction: Formed by Jesus
• [37:08] - Not Just New Rules: True Formation
• [39:39] - New Identity in Christ
• [41:39] - Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New
• [43:01] - Renewing the Mind: Beyond Information
• [49:08] - Reframing Our Storylines
• [50:25] - The Plot Twist: Jesus Changes Everything
• [51:19] - Daily Surrender and Practicing Jesus’ Words
• [52:15] - God’s Activity vs. Our Effort
• [54:04] - The Role of Spiritual Practices
• [55:28] - Resilience in the Storms of Life
• [56:07] - Building on the Rock
• [57:05] - From Information to Formation
• [57:57] - Formed Together for Others
• [58:58] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:1-17 (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.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
13 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.
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV) — 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Observation Questions

1. In Colossians 3, what are some of the “old self” behaviors Paul tells us to put off, and what are the “new self” virtues he tells us to put on?
2. According to Romans 12:2, what is the result of being “transformed by the renewal of your mind”?
3. In the sermon, what does the phrase “Christ is all, and in all” mean for how we see ourselves and others? [[39:39]]
4. What does Jesus say is the difference between the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that in Christ, our old labels may describe us but no longer define us. What does it look like for someone’s identity to be shaped more by Christ than by their background or past? [[39:39]]
2. The process of “putting off the old self and putting on the new” is described as a daily practice. Why might this be difficult, and what does it require from us? [[41:39]]
3. The sermon compares the renewal of the mind to a plot twist that reframes our whole story. How does seeing life through the lens of God’s kingdom change the way we interpret our worth, purpose, or relationships? [[50:25]]
4. The pastor says that spiritual formation is not something we achieve by our own effort, but by God’s grace. What is our role in this process, and what is God’s role? [[52:15]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s welcome is wide, but it’s an invitation to transformation, not just acceptance. Are there areas in your life where you have settled for being “welcomed” but have resisted being “formed”? What would it look like to take a next step toward transformation? [[33:32]]
2. Paul says to “put off” things like anger, greed, and lies, and to “put on” compassion, kindness, and love. Choose one “old self” habit and one “new self” virtue. What is one practical way you could practice putting off the old and putting on the new this week? [[41:39]]
3. The sermon talks about how our old labels (like political, cultural, or personal identities) may describe us but should not define us. Is there a label or identity you tend to cling to? How might Jesus be inviting you to find your deepest identity in him instead? [[39:39]]
4. The renewal of the mind is described as more than just learning new information—it’s about having your whole story reframed by God’s kingdom. Can you think of a time when following Jesus changed the way you saw a situation, a person, or yourself? What happened? [[50:25]]
5. The pastor said that formation is not just about trying harder, but about placing ourselves in environments where God can work—like community, spiritual practices, and openness. What is one environment or practice you could lean into more intentionally this month? [[52:15]]
6. Jesus says that those who practice his words are like people who build their house on the rock. What is one teaching of Jesus you want to put into practice more consistently? What would it look like to build your life on that “rock” in a specific area? [[56:07]]
7. The sermon ends by saying that a life formed by Jesus is resilient and able to withstand storms. Is there a current “storm” in your life? How might practicing Jesus’ words and relying on his presence help you face it with hope and peace? [[56:07]]