Transformed Identity: Living Boldly in Christ

Summary

In today's message, we explored the transformative power of Jesus and the profound identity we hold as believers. We began by reflecting on the story of Rob and Sarah, whose lives have been radically changed by Christ. Their transformation is akin to the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who emerged from the fiery furnace without even the smell of smoke. This illustrates how Jesus makes us new creations, erasing the remnants of our past lives. Regardless of our backgrounds, we all need a Savior, and through Him, we are made righteous and free from shame.

We delved into 1 Corinthians 3, where Paul admonishes the church for divisions and human-like behavior. As followers of Christ, we are called to be different, to be holy, and to act as temples of the Holy Spirit. This means not conforming to the world's ways of division and strife but instead pursuing unity and peace. The church should be a beacon of light, demonstrating a different way of living that reflects God's holiness.

We also discussed the importance of worship and the need to focus on God rather than our preferences. Worship is not about us; it's about glorifying God. We should join the heavenly chorus, declaring His holiness and majesty. This mindset shifts our focus from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, aligning our lives with His purposes.

Furthermore, we examined Romans 14 and 15, emphasizing the need to welcome those weak in faith and to avoid quarreling over opinions. We are called to pursue peace and mutual upbuilding, living in harmony with one another. This is a time for the church to stand out by embodying Christ's love and humility, not seeking to please ourselves but to build others up.

Finally, we were challenged to live boldly for the Gospel, to deny ourselves, and to embrace the adventure God has for us. Like the animals in "Madagascar," we are not meant to live in the confines of a zoo but to thrive in the wild, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are called to take risks, to be the light in the world, and to live out our faith courageously.

Key Takeaways:

1. Transformation in Christ: Just as Rob and Sarah's lives were transformed, Jesus makes us new creations, erasing the remnants of our past. This transformation is profound and complete, making us righteous and free from shame. We are called to live in this new identity, reflecting Christ's work in us. [00:44]

2. Unity and Holiness: In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul calls us to rise above human divisions and to live as temples of the Holy Spirit. We are to be holy, set apart, and united, demonstrating a different way of living that reflects God's holiness. This unity is crucial in a world filled with strife. [04:03]

3. God-Centered Worship: Worship is about glorifying God, not satisfying our preferences. We are invited to join the heavenly chorus, declaring His holiness and majesty. This shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness aligns our lives with His purposes and brings true fulfillment. [10:14]

4. Pursuing Peace and Building Up: Romans 14 and 15 remind us to welcome those weak in faith and to avoid quarreling over opinions. We are called to pursue peace and mutual upbuilding, living in harmony with one another. This is a time for the church to stand out by embodying Christ's love and humility. [14:56]

5. Living Boldly for the Gospel: We are challenged to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and embrace the adventure God has for us. Like the animals in "Madagascar," we are not meant to live in the confines of a zoo but to thrive in the wild, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are called to take risks and be the light in the world. [22:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Transformation Stories
- [02:24] - Celebrating Jesus' Work
- [02:56] - Theme from 1 Corinthians
- [04:03] - Unity and Holiness
- [06:24] - Being Different from the World
- [08:03] - Worship and God's Glory
- [11:10] - Joining the Heavenly Chorus
- [12:14] - Avoiding Quarrels
- [14:56] - Pursuing Peace and Unity
- [17:20] - Building Each Other Up
- [19:50] - Denying Self and Following Christ
- [22:44] - Living Boldly for the Gospel
- [23:43] - Breaking Out of the Zoo
- [27:55] - Empowered for More

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
2. Romans 14:1, 19
3. Romans 15:1-7

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Observation Questions:

1. What transformation did Rob and Sarah experience, and how is it similar to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? [00:12]

2. According to 1 Corinthians 3, what behaviors does Paul criticize in the church, and why are they problematic? [03:16]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of worship in shifting our focus from self-centeredness to God-centeredness? [10:14]

4. What does Romans 14:1 say about welcoming those who are weak in faith, and how should this influence our interactions within the church? [12:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the transformation of Rob and Sarah illustrate the concept of becoming a new creation in Christ? What does this mean for believers today? [00:44]

2. In what ways does Paul’s call for unity and holiness in 1 Corinthians 3 challenge the current state of the church? How can this be applied to modern church communities? [04:03]

3. What does it mean to join the heavenly chorus in worship, and how can this perspective change our approach to worship services? [11:24]

4. How does Romans 15:1-7 encourage believers to prioritize the needs of others over their own preferences? What practical steps can be taken to live this out? [17:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you still feel the "smell of smoke" from your past? How can you embrace the new identity in Christ more fully? [00:44]

2. How can you contribute to unity and holiness in your church community, especially in areas where there might be division or strife? [04:03]

3. Think about your worship habits. Are there ways you can shift your focus from personal preferences to glorifying God more fully? [10:14]

4. How can you welcome and support those who are weak in faith in your community, avoiding quarrels over opinions? What specific actions can you take this week? [12:14]

5. Consider the call to live boldly for the Gospel. What is one risk you can take this week to step out of your comfort zone and share your faith? [22:44]

6. In what ways can you deny yourself and take up your cross in your daily life? Identify one area where you can practice self-denial for the sake of the Gospel. [20:37]

7. How can you break out of the "zoo" mentality and embrace the adventure God has for you? What steps can you take to live more courageously in your faith? [23:57]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation in Christ: A New Identity
In Christ, believers experience a profound transformation that goes beyond mere external changes. This transformation is akin to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who emerged from the fiery furnace unscathed, symbolizing how Jesus erases the remnants of our past lives. Regardless of our backgrounds, we all need a Savior, and through Him, we are made righteous and free from shame. This new identity calls us to live as new creations, reflecting Christ's work in us and embracing the freedom and righteousness He provides. [00:44]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: What past shame or guilt do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Christ today?

Day 2: Unity and Holiness: Living as God's Temple
Believers are called to rise above human divisions and live as temples of the Holy Spirit, as Paul admonishes in 1 Corinthians 3. This means not conforming to the world's ways of division and strife but instead pursuing unity and peace. The church should be a beacon of light, demonstrating a different way of living that reflects God's holiness. In a world filled with strife, this unity is crucial, and believers are to be holy, set apart, and united in their purpose. [04:03]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to unity and peace within your church community this week?

Day 3: God-Centered Worship: Aligning with His Purposes
Worship is about glorifying God, not satisfying personal preferences. Believers are invited to join the heavenly chorus, declaring His holiness and majesty. This shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness aligns lives with His purposes and brings true fulfillment. Worship should be a reflection of God's glory, not a platform for personal desires. By focusing on God, believers find true purpose and fulfillment in their worship. [10:14]

Psalm 29:1-2 (ESV): "Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from personal preferences to glorifying God in your worship practices?

Day 4: Pursuing Peace and Building Up: Embracing Harmony
Romans 14 and 15 emphasize the need to welcome those weak in faith and avoid quarreling over opinions. Believers are called to pursue peace and mutual upbuilding, living in harmony with one another. This is a time for the church to stand out by embodying Christ's love and humility, not seeking to please themselves but to build others up. By embracing harmony, believers reflect Christ's love and create a community that uplifts and supports one another. [14:56]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally build up and encourage today, and how will you do it?

Day 5: Living Boldly for the Gospel: Embracing the Adventure
Believers are challenged to deny themselves, take up their cross, and embrace the adventure God has for them. Like the animals in "Madagascar," they are not meant to live in the confines of a zoo but to thrive in the wild, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This means taking risks, being the light in the world, and living out their faith courageously. By embracing this adventure, believers fulfill their calling to be bold witnesses for the Gospel. [22:44]

Acts 4:29-31 (ESV): "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."

Reflection: What is one bold step you can take today to live out your faith more courageously?

Quotes

"That's what Jesus does it's like there there's no way how' you I know you now like like I don't see any of the you know it's kind of like when shad and meach and abedo were thrown in that fire you know and then they come out you know and and the King's like no way you you don't even smell like smoke they say and that's what I feel about Robin Sarah you can't even smell the old Aroma you know you you don't even it's like I don't even smell the smoke I don't even see the the the the leftovers from that lifestyle like you really are a new creation like the Bible say it's it's like I I can't even believe." [00:19:41]

"While there is jealousy and strife among you are you not of the Flesh and behaving only in a human way for when one says I follow Paul and another I follow Apollos are you not being merely human that's such a great phrase he goes what are you doing you guys are acting like humans this is what humans do that's not what we do okay they go oh I love this guy Paul I love this guy apoll I like them more I like he goes That's human talk he goes when you start doing that and compare this speaker to that speaker this band to that band you know and and there's these divisions among you you're acting like the rest of the world you're acting like me humans and God says that's not what we do you understand as a church he says I want you to be holy because you're not just humans." [00:03:10]

"God wants is my church is different they won't divide they're not going to divide they're not going to act like humans no not here not here and there were some verses that we read this week in if you're doing the readings which I hope you are um because that's what sets us apart we don't wake up and just think about ourselves we wake up and recognize I actually woke up that means someone's giving me another day of life man in in fact uh this I'm all over the place today God taught me so much and uh but last last weekend I was in Brazil any Brazilians here no oh you got one oato uh but I'm I'm in Brazil at a chasia amen and uh they come around with all the meat and everything but I I was speaking at this conference too um but uh which is the main reason I went and uh but I just felt led by the Lord like because they gave me this topic on one of my talks on uh making sure God gets all the glory and we just started uh just felt like God wanted me to read uh Revelation 4 describing that scene in heaven and then those angels that day and night never cease to say holy holy holy is a Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come and I really believe that God didn't want me to preach anymore uh that he just wanted us to spend the next half of my talk the next 25 minutes saying holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come in Portuguese and I said does that disappoint you that I fly all the way from America and what we're going to do for the next 25 minutes is we're just going to join that chorus of the angels and just say holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come and so you had thousands of people in Portuguese Santo Santo Santo too you know just I'm saying it wrong but you know just it's getting louder we're screaming we're jumping up and down we're running all over the place just screaming those words you know because I'm saying these angels man they were made for that that's what God made them God wanted them to do that day and night you know like he he made them and and and some of us hear that what day and night so they're doing it right now and they're doing it last night when I went to bed honestly some of us hear that and we go gosh that seems a little monotonous that seems boring I don't know if I could do that you know because we don't even like to sing the same worship songs two weeks in a row right and and some well I didn't really like all the songs to I like two of the songs and this this this and man and you hear phrases like I didn't really like worship today and it hit me that is one of the stupidest sentences you could ever say I I didn't really like the worship think about that did it ever occur to you that we weren't worshiping you like did it ever occur to you that we don't really care did in your own mind did you think man what is worship and the God isn't he the one we're trying to please and I was telling you know in conferences we we need this band and then this band we got have about four or five different bands why because of you not because of him he made these angels to say this over and over and over and he likes it we know he likes it so I said let's do it and it the place we were just going nuts I mean we went beyond our time we just didn't even want to stop and I just encouraged them I said hey what if we roll out of bed every morning and join them what if those are the first words out of our lips you know it's just to wake up and go oh yeah it's not about me let me join in that chorus and stare at that throne and just say holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come because that's what I use my lips for is to lift up his name and not my own and and so it's just been cool getting these emails from people in Brazil just saying yeah I do that every morning now you know we get together and that's just what we say um it's just so cool but I was um in our reading this week I mean all that didn't mean to bring up but Romans 14 uh verse one he says as for the one who is weak in faith welcome him but not to quarrel over opinions he says not to quarrel over opinions in fact the the verse I really Romans 12:16 never be wise in your own sight never be wise in your own sight isn't that a great verse never be wise in your own sight that's why he says okay that's that's what the world does everyone's tweeting their thoughts because they're so wise everyone blogs because they're so wise it's like here let me State my opinion after every news article on the internet someone they everyone types in their wisdom here's what I think here's what I think here's what I think in in the church it's got to be different we go look my thoughts are not his thoughts as high as the heavens are above the Earth that's how high his thoughts are how much higher his thoughts are than my thoughts so so I'm not up here to give you opinion as as as a church we tremble at the word of God F in Isaiah 66:2 this is the one to whom I look he is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word this is how we can be different people as people are out there expressing their opinions and fighting and quarreling over a opinions here's what I think is most important here's what I think is what he says Hey as a church you don't do that because you're not wise in your own eyes we don't act like mere humans and we don't lift our thoughts up real high we tell people I actually don't think that anything real profound has come out of this mind but what I do believe his thoughts are so much higher than his man that's that's great that's your opinion I've got my opinions but honestly I don't value your opinion that much I don't value my opinion that much but I tremble at his words I tremble at his words man we just want to be different from the world where we don't think of ourselves as brilliant in verse 19 of of Romans 14 so then let us pursue what makes for peace and for Mutual upbuilding so then let us pursue what makes for peace and for Mutual upbuilding okay everyone else can fight everyone can fight for who's right who's wrong but in the church we're different okay we don't quarrel over opinions we don't value our own opinions we don't think we're that wise in our own eyes we tremble at his word and when we get together we pursue what makes for peace and mutual upb building I mean this this is the time the church has got to be so different what if people that are just on the edge and dealing with other people that're on the edge and having to you don't don't you feel like you're just having to walk on eggshells with every word you say cuz it's like oh gosh um that white I mean Caucasian I mean Swedish what do I call you you know like I I want to I I did I say the wrong thing like the world like you better just get every word just right otherwise you're going to have a fight there's going to be an explosion there's going to be an all out War but what if we were different it's like where we don't get offended you know it's just like yeah you said Oriental but I'm really Asian like that I don't care you know what if we were different you know and and yesterday we were with this kid who spoke Korean and my wife looks at him and says kichwa like I'm sorry for her you know it's okay it's okay she was kidding that was cute um what if what if we just did things that were just I that's wasn't really up building sorry sorry honey um but it was funny um let me just stick to scripture Romans 15 let let me read Romans 15 he he continues in the next chapter verse one we who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up for Christ did not please himself but as it is written the reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me for whatever was written in the former days was written for our instruction that through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope May the god of endurance and encouragement Grant you to live in such such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus that together you may with one voice glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you for the glory of God that great so that's what we do when we get together okay we're not looking to please ourselves okay this is not about this consumer driven type of gathering where it's like well I come for me he goes no no no that's not what we do that's what humans do that's not what Christ did he was 100% human but he's also 100% God and in the same way I'm 100% human but I'm also 100% the righteousness of God and I'm a temple of the Holy Spirit I'm not just a human being okay and so what I do is I act like Christ Christ did not please himself he sought to build us up when you came today was that your mindset or did you come here like a human being or did you go you know what I'm going to come here like Christ who cares what I like I'm not here to please myself I'm here to build others up I have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak not to please myself let each of us pleas please his neighbor for his good to build him up man I just want that he says we have the mind of Christ that's who we are this is another like just one last thought I want to share today and then I'm done and it has nothing to do with the other thoughts I just didn't know how to blend it um but I wanted to say it because it was something God has shown me lately um when we read the book of Mark there was a passage that jumped out at me that that you're probably familiar with Mark chapter 8 it says calling the crowd to him with his disciples he said to them if anyone would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me for whoever would save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels will save it for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul so he he he he just says hey if anyone wants to follow me Jesus says if any wants to follow me he's going to have to deny himself okay it can't be about you you got to deny yourself you're not here to please yourself anymore if you're going to follow me he you're going to have to pick up your cross and follow me that means die to yourself then he makes a promise he goes if anyone tries to save his life I promise you you'll lose it that's a promise okay let let's admit it most of us want to save our lives to some degree right I kind of like this I kind of like this I kind of like this I don't want to lose this I don't want to lose this let's just be honest there's nothing wrong with that but he says but if you do try to save all these things I promise you you'll lose it but if you let it go you lose it for my sake and for the gospel sake you'll find it it's it's like if if someone handed me like a hot slice of pizza right now the smart thing to do would be to eat it the dumb thing is like I want to try to save this as long as I can let me zip lock it let me me freeze it let me uh that shrink wrap thing that um you know let me uh let me just see I want to see how long I can save this pizza it's like well that's dumb it's going to go bad it's meant to be eaten and that's what he's saying here he goes your life is meant to be spent okay for the gospel we're going to die okay that like what are you going to just try to live as as long as you can is it going to try to preserve your body make it look like you're still 30 you know like what are you going to do let's just let's just see how long we can preserve ourselves oh that's fun he says no you do that he goes you're going to lose your life but he says you know I'm asking you to let go of your life Just Lose It just spend it and you'll find it he goes that's a promise lose it for the sake of the Gospel I don't know what God's called you to there may some of you that God's calling you to some awesome amazing terrifying Adventure that's kind of what our church is about it's like I want all of you to be able to go anywhere on the earth and you'll be fine like because you know how to study the word for yourself you read it every morning you know how to make disciples you know how to baptize you know how to be the church you don't need a building you don't need an offering you you just gather with other belever like we it it it's about just releasing you to do something amazing rather than protecting and saving so last week when I was in Brazil last story this pastor I'm having lunch with him and I'm telling him man your church is really cool cuz they were doing some really unique things he goes yeah it is but he goes I see what you guys are doing I want to do that he and he said this he goes my my church still feels like a zoo and I go what do you mean by that and he goes you ever see the movie Madagascar have you guys seen Madagascar great movie if you haven't seen it rent it tonight I mean it's or buy it or it's probably on netfli I mean Madagascar it's just it's it'll it'll change your life um it's about these zoo animals okay these zoo animals and uh and the opening scene is the zebra and he's on a treadmill in the zoo and he staring at a painting of like a jungle and he's just like dreaming like he's in the wild right and it's his 10th birthday and you know so then the the the giraffe and the hippo and the lion all come into his cage you know at night you know when people can't see in the New York Zoo they you know they all come in and have a birthday party for him and he's just like man my life's half over and all I've done is I've been in the zoo my whole life I want to I want to experience the Wild and the Lion's like why man here they bring you meet a meet every day I know when it's going to come you know every day everyone comes to the zoo and I Roar and they cheer for me you know why would I leave the giraffe's like yeah you know they they're just all kind of going down why would you want to go in the wild but it's just something inside of him and uh you you know and so when that Pastor said he goes what we've done in the church is we've created these cages it's like a zoo where with the only way we know how to exist is if I show up to a building and I put my kids in this cage and my youth in this cage and then I stand in this cage and someone feeds me and I kind of like it let's just do it over and over and over and over again but meanwhile I think there's something inside of us that's like man I want to get out I want to get out in the world there's more than this man I know by the power of the holy spirit it's in my DNA that I can do something so powerful and then everyone starts talking oh no no no but why why why it's so nice in here it's so you know good in here and and just every week they bring us meat and and it's like I don't even know if I could teach my own kids I don't even know if I could walk with my kids I don't know if I could counsel other people I don't know if I could help I don't know if I could lead someone else to Jesus I don't know if I could be in a place and actually read the Bible for myself let me just go back to this cage and as he was talking I was like man and there's a part of me you know as a pastor for years where I go gosh I trained people to live in the zoo I domesticated them to where they didn't know how to live as you can't you can't go to the San Francisco Zoo right now and just throw all those animals back in the jungle they'll all die because they haven't been raised to live in the wild and so in the the movie Madagascar you know they finally they break out the Penguins help them and you know and they they end up on the island in this wild and the the Lion's still you know doing his goofy two-footed thing and and the zebra's just like running alongside I'm like no you're a li who's the lion who's the line you know and they're just running and suddenly all these feelings start coming back and then you know he has this desire to even eat his buddy you know the the zebra because it's like wow all the animal Instinct and he just starts roaring and it's just like all this power like cuz he was back in the environment he was created to be in and I just thought man it was just such a clear picture of me last week I'm the zebra that's my job is to tell you man you can survive out there it's what you were made for you've got so much power you're not just a human being don't act like just a human being don't act like a zoo animal God Made You for more and I think you know that and I'm excited to release that's what we're all about is releasing people back into the world go back to your world your work place change everyone in there you go out there you be the light you act different you be the impact that's what he made us for don't try to save your life you'll lose it it go out there take some risks do some crazy things I understand the jungle is more dangerous than the zoo but it's what we were made for it's what we're created for and if you try to keep yourself safe you're going to lose your life um man I hope there's just story after story that will talk about in eternity you know because we all go our separate ways start different churches and different places and go on all sorts of Adventures and then come back at the feet of God lay our crowns down thank him for this amazing life thank him for his word that we trembled at we live in crazy times but I'm not really worried about it you know I think the world's going to get crazier but that's what we were made for is to stand up in that so don't be afraid let's stick together let's build each other up let's send each other out let's look out for one another but at the end of the day we know who lives in us we're not just human beings we're temples of the Holy Spirit." [00:06:36]

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