Transformed by Grace: Our Identity in Christ
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the transformative power of God's love and grace. I was reminded that in Jesus, we are cleansed, made holy, and made right with God. This is not something we can achieve on our own, but it is a gift from God, a result of calling on the name of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. The implications of this are clear: God is still in the business of transforming broken lives, doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. I was also reminded that at Hope, we are not good people telling bad people to be good. Instead, we are a group of people who have been saved by the only good person who ever lived, Jesus, and we invite everyone to experience the same redemption and restoration.
The sermon also emphasized that our identity is not defined by our past mistakes or struggles, but by Jesus. We are not our affair, our divorce, our victimization, or our addiction. Our orientation does not define us. Instead, Jesus defines who we are. He went to the cross so that we could be cleansed, holy, and right with God. He calls us redeemed, forgiven, His sons and daughters. This new identity in Jesus is something we are invited to step into, leaving behind the labels and definitions the world may have placed on us.
Key Takeaways:
- God's love and grace have the power to transform broken lives, doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves ([49:33]).
- Our identity is not defined by our past mistakes or struggles, but by Jesus. He calls us redeemed, forgiven, His sons and daughters ([49:58]).
- We are invited to step into our new identity in Jesus, leaving behind the labels and definitions the world may have placed on us ([50:42]).
- The church should not use guilt, fear, or shame to enforce a list of rules, but should instead strive to win hearts with the love, kindness, and grace of Jesus ([22:14]).
- We cannot live a life of holiness on our own, but must depend on the Holy Spirit ([22:14]).
Study Guide
Bible Passages:
1. Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
2. Genesis 2:24 - "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."
3. Hebrews 13:4 - "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."
4. 1 Corinthians 6:18 - "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body."
5. Matthew 15:8 - "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
Key Points:
1. God's divine design for sexuality is within the context of marriage.
2. Sin distorts God's good gifts, including sexuality.
3. The church should approach the topic of sexuality with truth, love, and grace.
Observation Questions:
1. What does Genesis 1:1 tell us about God's role in creation?
2. How does Genesis 2:24 describe the union of marriage?
3. What does Hebrews 13:4 say about the sanctity of marriage and sexual immorality?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of divine design apply to sexuality according to Genesis 2:24?
2. What does 1 Corinthians 6:18 teach us about the consequences of sexual immorality?
3. How does Matthew 15:8 challenge the notion of external holiness?
Application Questions:
1. How can we honor God's divine design for sexuality in our own lives?
2. In what ways can we approach discussions about sexuality with truth, love, and grace?
3. How can we cultivate a heart that is close to God, as opposed to merely honoring Him with our lips?
Devotional
Day 1: The Bible as the Foundation of Truth
The Bible is not just a book, but a living, breathing testament of God's love for us. It is the foundation of truth, a guide for our lives, and a source of wisdom and understanding. It is through the Bible that we learn about God's character, His promises, and His plan for our lives.
Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you consult God's word in making that decision? If not, how might you incorporate the Bible into your decision-making process moving forward?
Day 2: Speaking the Truth in Love
As followers of Christ, we are called to speak the truth in love. This means sharing God's truth with others in a way that is kind, compassionate, and respectful. It's not always easy, but it's what we're called to do.
Ephesians 4:15 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: Can you recall a recent conversation where you had the opportunity to share God's truth? Did you communicate it in a loving and gracious manner? If not, how could you improve your approach next time?
Day 3: Divine Design of Marriage
Marriage is a divine institution, designed by God to reflect His love for us. It's a covenant relationship that requires love, respect, and commitment. It's not always easy, but with God at the center, it can be a beautiful reflection of His love.
Ephesians 5:25 - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
Reflection: How do you honor your marriage or the concept of marriage in your daily life? Are there areas where you could better align with God's divine design for marriage?
Day 4: Transformation through Jesus
Jesus came to bring transformation. He came to bring life, and life to the full. He came to set us free from sin and death, and to give us a new life in Him. This transformation is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey of becoming more like Him.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Reflection: Reflect on a part of your life that you feel needs transformation. How can you invite Jesus into this area to bring about change?
Day 5: New Identity in Jesus
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are given a new identity. We are no longer defined by our past mistakes, our failures, or our sins. Instead, we are defined by who we are in Christ - loved, forgiven, and redeemed.
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: Do you find yourself identifying more with your past mistakes or your new identity in Jesus? How can you remind yourself daily of who you are in Christ?
Quotes
1. "If you don't believe the first verse in the Bible that in the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth then you will come to very different conclusions about sexuality because God is not even in the equation for you." - 16:58
2. "What God designs, Satan seeks to destroy. When sin enters the world, all of these good gifts from God are distorted by sin." - 18:17
3. "As followers of Jesus, we don't conform God's teaching to our lifestyles, we conform our lifestyles to the teaching of God's word." - 38:30
4. "God, I thank you for loving us even though you knew that we would sin against you. Even though you knew that we would hurt you, you loved us anyways and you died for us." - 12:24
5. "Just As You Are, you matter to God. There's a blood-stained cross in history where God's only son died to pay for your sins and you don't need to get your act together before you come to God, you come to him Just As You Are." - 34:29
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