True Belonging: The Essence of Christian Identity

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound distinction between being a true member of the Christian faith and merely appearing to be one. This distinction is crucial, as it defines our spiritual identity and our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, uses the terms "strangers" and "foreigners" to describe those who are not truly part of the Christian community. These terms highlight the difference between those who are merely present in the church and those who genuinely belong to it.

The essence of being a Christian is not about external appearances or superficial conduct. It's about an internal transformation that is clear and definite. This transformation is akin to moving from one state of being to another, from being a stranger to becoming a citizen of God's kingdom. This change is not just about having one's name on a church roll but about experiencing a new principle of life that is spiritual and profound.

The challenge for many, especially those in Christian countries or those raised in Christian environments, is to discern whether they are truly part of the faith or merely associated with it. This discernment is vital because, in times of testing and trials, the true nature of our faith is revealed. It's during these moments that we discover whether we are living on a spiritual "passport" or if we have a "birth certificate" that confirms our citizenship in God's kingdom.

To truly belong, one must feel at home among God's people, understand and delight in the language and teachings of the faith, and have a genuine interest in the spiritual matters that concern the Christian community. Ultimately, the assurance of our faith comes from the Holy Spirit, who bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Key Takeaways:

- The distinction between a Christian and a non-Christian is clear and definite. It's not about external appearances but an internal transformation that marks a true believer. This transformation is akin to moving from being a stranger to becoming a citizen of God's kingdom. [20:04]

- It's vital to know whether we are truly Christians or merely associated with the faith. This knowledge becomes crucial during times of testing and trials, revealing the true nature of our faith. [29:08]

- A true Christian feels at home among God's people, understands and delights in the language and teachings of the faith, and has a genuine interest in spiritual matters. This sense of belonging is a key indicator of one's spiritual identity. [33:33]

- The assurance of our faith comes from the Holy Spirit, who bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. This assurance is like a spiritual birth certificate, confirming our citizenship in God's kingdom. [43:23]

- We must not be content with superficial signs of faith but seek the deep assurance that comes from the Holy Spirit. This assurance is vital for our spiritual confidence and identity. [44:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [09:05] - Applicability of Faith
- [10:21] - First Generation Christians
- [11:43] - Christian Assumptions
- [12:28] - Principle of Life
- [13:15] - Strangers and Foreigners
- [15:59] - Citizenship and Family
- [18:29] - Israel of the Spirit
- [20:04] - Christian Distinction
- [25:47] - Importance of Knowing
- [31:12] - Tests of Belonging
- [35:13] - Understanding and Language
- [39:08] - Secrets of the Faith
- [41:07] - Conforming to Laws
- [43:23] - Assurance of the Spirit

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2:19 - "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household."
2. Romans 8:16 - "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."
3. 1 John 3:14 - "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death."

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Observation Questions:

1. What terms does Paul use in Ephesians 2:19 to describe the transformation of believers' status in God's kingdom? How do these terms contrast with "strangers" and "foreigners"? [13:15]

2. According to Romans 8:16, what role does the Holy Spirit play in affirming our identity as children of God? How is this assurance described in the sermon? [43:23]

3. In 1 John 3:14, what is the evidence given that we have passed from death to life? How does this relate to the sense of belonging discussed in the sermon? [34:20]

4. How does the sermon describe the difference between living on a "passport" versus having a "birth certificate" in terms of spiritual identity? [15:30]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of being a "stranger" or "foreigner" spiritually manifest in one's life, according to the sermon? What might be some signs that someone is living as a spiritual foreigner? [13:15]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing whether we are truly Christians or merely associated with the faith. How does this knowledge become crucial during times of testing and trials? [29:08]

3. What does it mean to feel "at home" among God's people, as described in the sermon? How does this sense of belonging serve as an indicator of one's spiritual identity? [33:33]

4. How does the assurance from the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Romans 8:16, function as a "spiritual birth certificate"? Why is this assurance vital for our spiritual confidence and identity? [43:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Do you feel more like a "stranger" or a "citizen" in God's kingdom? What steps can you take to deepen your sense of belonging? [13:15]

2. During times of personal trials or testing, how have you experienced the assurance of your faith? What practices can you implement to strengthen your faith during such times? [29:08]

3. Consider your interactions with fellow believers. Do you feel at home among them, or do you sometimes feel like an outsider? How can you cultivate a deeper connection with your spiritual community? [33:33]

4. The sermon discusses the importance of understanding and delighting in the language and teachings of the faith. What specific areas of Christian teaching do you find challenging, and how can you seek greater understanding? [35:13]

5. How can you actively seek the assurance of the Holy Spirit in your life? What role does prayer and scripture play in this pursuit? [43:23]

6. Think about a time when you felt like you were living on a "spiritual passport." What changes did you make, or can you make, to move towards having a "birth certificate" in God's kingdom? [15:30]

7. Identify one area in your life where you can demonstrate your citizenship in God's kingdom more clearly. What practical steps can you take this week to live out your faith more authentically? [24:36]

Devotional

Day 1: True Transformation Over Superficial Appearance
The essence of being a Christian is not about external appearances or superficial conduct. It's about an internal transformation that is clear and definite. This transformation is akin to moving from one state of being to another, from being a stranger to becoming a citizen of God's kingdom. This change is not just about having one's name on a church roll but about experiencing a new principle of life that is spiritual and profound. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, uses the terms "strangers" and "foreigners" to describe those who are not truly part of the Christian community. These terms highlight the difference between those who are merely present in the church and those who genuinely belong to it. [20:04]

Ephesians 2:19-20 (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."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on external appearances rather than seeking true internal transformation? How can you invite God to begin this transformation today?


Day 2: The Crucial Knowledge of True Faith
It's vital to know whether we are truly Christians or merely associated with the faith. This knowledge becomes crucial during times of testing and trials, revealing the true nature of our faith. The challenge for many, especially those in Christian countries or those raised in Christian environments, is to discern whether they are truly part of the faith or merely associated with it. This discernment is vital because, in times of testing and trials, the true nature of our faith is revealed. It's during these moments that we discover whether we are living on a spiritual "passport" or if we have a "birth certificate" that confirms our citizenship in God's kingdom. [29:08]

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial or test in your life. What did it reveal about the nature of your faith, and how can you use this insight to deepen your relationship with God?


Day 3: Feeling at Home in God's Kingdom
A true Christian feels at home among God's people, understands and delights in the language and teachings of the faith, and has a genuine interest in spiritual matters. This sense of belonging is a key indicator of one's spiritual identity. To truly belong, one must feel at home among God's people, understand and delight in the language and teachings of the faith, and have a genuine interest in the spiritual matters that concern the Christian community. [33:33]

Philippians 3:20 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Do you feel at home among God's people and in His teachings? If not, what steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of belonging in your spiritual community?


Day 4: Assurance from the Holy Spirit
The assurance of our faith comes from the Holy Spirit, who bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. This assurance is like a spiritual birth certificate, confirming our citizenship in God's kingdom. We must not be content with superficial signs of faith but seek the deep assurance that comes from the Holy Spirit. This assurance is vital for our spiritual confidence and identity. [43:23]

Romans 8:16 (ESV): "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

Reflection: How do you experience the assurance of the Holy Spirit in your life? What practices can you incorporate to be more attuned to the Spirit's witness in your daily walk with God?


Day 5: Seeking Deep Assurance
We must not be content with superficial signs of faith but seek the deep assurance that comes from the Holy Spirit. This assurance is vital for our spiritual confidence and identity. The assurance of our faith comes from the Holy Spirit, who bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. This assurance is like a spiritual birth certificate, confirming our citizenship in God's kingdom. [44:03]

1 John 3:24 (ESV): "Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us."

Reflection: What are some superficial signs of faith you might be relying on? How can you seek a deeper assurance from the Holy Spirit in your spiritual journey today?

Quotes

"Therefore it's essential that we should make absolutely plain and clear to ourselves and to one another that all this rarely does apply to us before I begin to look at my citizenship or my membership of that family or myself as a stone in that building that Temple well am I there is is this all applicable to me well now I feel that in the negative the Apostle is Raising that whole question now he puts it like this in the case of these Ephesians there was no doubt at all there was no question whatsoever the Apostle says now therefore you are no more that but you are this it was clear it was obvious patent to everybody because these people having been pagans had lived a certain type of Life." [00:08:52]

"Now the two words that are used by the Apostle will help us to face this all important subject the first word he uses you notice is the word stranger now therefore ye Are No More Strangers what's a stranger well strangers are those who find themselves among a people not their own when you're a stranger you're amongst people who are not your own people they all belong to one another but you are a stranger you don't belong to them they're not your people stranger then the second word is the word translated here in this authorized version foreigners sometimes you will find it translated sers and the two terms are very good." [00:13:06]

"Now these are the two words that the Apostle uses strangers and foreigners serers people living there for a while it may be a long time but still they are always serers they're still foreigners the other plac is their home they're living here on the passport and they have to renew it and so on now that's the picture that the Apostle puts to our minds and you notice that when when he comes to his positive he just reverses these he starts with the citizenship and then goes on to the family relationship but we are still concerned this morning primarily with the negative and you notice what a subtle matter this is." [00:15:36]

"The difference between the Christian and the non-Christian is clear and definite in spite of all I've been saying the principle remains that there is a clear distinction between a Christian and a non-Christian Paul puts it like this you are no more there's a change change over obvious there I say externally but he isn't concerned about the external he's concerned about the internal and therefore there is no hesitation at all in asserting this morning that every one of us in this building at this moment is either a Christian or else not a Christian we are either in Christ or else we are outside Christ." [00:20:01]

"Now obviously if we're not agreed about that there's no point in proceeding the Christian position is not a vague one it's not indefinite it's not uncertain of course if you think of it ter mainly in terms of superficial conduct and behavior well then you it may very well be vague because I can easily draw a picture for you and show you two men there is a man who's highly moral never does anybody any home at all his word is his bond he is honest and just and upright a thoroughly good men in every sense of the word there's another men you can't say looking at them generally that this second man is as good as the first man he does things that he shouldn't do at times he's not such a lovable character perhaps and yet it may well be the case that the second man is a Christian and the first men not." [00:23:00]

"To be on the doorstep isn't being inside and it doesn't help you to be on the doorstep when the vital question is are you inside or not oh how often is this depicted in the scriptures our Lord draws his picture of people coming hammering at the door and saying open unto us but the reply comes from the inside no you're outside you don't belong we are either Christian or we are not Christian so the second point I would make my second principle would be this to stress the vital importance of knowing which we are now here again I say Paul's illustration helps us once more how does it become clear and obvious whether we are strangers and pilgrims or strangers and foreigners or serers or whether we rarely belong." [00:25:00]

"Why is it important I say to know whether you're a Christian or not oh well I'll tell you it's at the time of testing this thing Becomes of vital importance and of value to you and it is in the tests and the trials of life that this thing comes out you can go on for years while you're well and hail and Hearty you're in the church you seem to be of the church there's your interest and so on you're with the company suddenly you take kn and you find yourself for months on a sick bed you won't be long before you know whether you're a Christian or not it makes a vital difference then or when there's an illness in a member of the family when there's a bement or a death some terrible heart rening sorrow Oh it's then it becomes all important if you're simply living on the passport it doesn't seem to help you but if you really belong it makes all the difference in the world." [00:29:06]

"Are you a stranger and a foreigner or are you not well answer this question do you feel really at ease in the church you quite at ease in the amongst Christian people do you feel quite at ter or have you got an uncomfortable feeling that you're someh an outsider that's what happens when you go and stay with a family isn't it well they're very nice and so on but you you just feel that you don't belong you're not quite at ease have to watch yourself and your behavior and so on you can't relax you're a stranger after all though it's all very kind and affable and friendly are you at home are you at home in God's house are you at home amongst God's people are you at ease or do you feel in spite of everything that you're just a bit of a an odd man out and a bit of an outsider that you don't rarely fit in." [00:31:53]

"Do you uh understand the language the family has its own language people say I can't stand this talk about justification sanctifica all these terms do you feel like that God forbid that you should they're precious terms to the children of God they are not impatient with them it's like a little child listening to grown-ups it's it brings out a big word it doesn't understand it well what's the child doing well it's trying to prove it's a member of the family it's using a word that the father used and the children of God are like that they may not know what justification and sanctification mean but because they're children they want to and they begin to read and study and they ask questions but if you're impatient with it all you're just proclaiming you're an outsider you don't understand the language is the language of Zion sweet to you." [00:35:13]

"Are the questions and the subjects and the problems of the Christian Life known to you are you interested them or when you sit and listen to people talking to them do you be or perhaps as you listen to to a man like myself trying to preach you say to yourself well what is all this about I I don't understand it now if he were talking to me about the visit of the Russian leaders are talking to me about this new measure introduced by the chancellor well then of course I'd understand gambling ah well now this is my theme I'll have a discussion with you about gambling but these other things what's it all about what is it it's so boring that's the s not a way in which you discover whether you're of the family or not." [00:38:48]

"Are you in on the secrets there are family secrets there are National secrets are you in on the secrets what I mean is this you see it is possible for a man to be interested in religion it's possible for a man to be interested in theology it's possible for a man to be interested in philosophy and as long as we're dealing with abstract theoretical questions he's all in and he appears to be one of the family but suddenly you begin to talk spiritually I mean by that you begin to talk experimentally you begin to talk about your own soul and your own experience and suddenly the man who's been so interested theoretically feels he outside do you know anything about that." [00:39:08]

"What's the Christian's birth certificate you say I'll tell you it's over and above everything I've been saying the spirit himself beareth witness with my spirit that I am a child of God it's the sealing of the spirit it's the assurance that can only be given by the Holy Spirit himself who ha sealed us and who is the earnest of our inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased possession don't misunderstand me you may be a Christian though you do not know the sealing of the spirit definitely if you've passed my other tests I would assure you that you're a Christian but I do exalt you and urge you don't be content with that insist upon having your certificate go to suet house until you find it let nothing stop you seek it of the Lord apply to him I use Thomas Goodwin St again sue him for it until you've got it and then you'll know and you'll be able to say I am no more a stranger or a foreigner I am a fellow citizen with the Saints I am of the household of God I am a stone in the temple which God himself inhabits." [00:43:23]

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Transcript
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