Unashamed: Embracing Our Identity and Bold Faith

 

Summary

In our current sermon series, "I Am Not Ashamed," we are exploring the boldness of biblical figures who proclaimed their faith with unyielding conviction. As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the power of personal testimony and the importance of standing firm in our faith, even in the face of a culture increasingly resistant to the gospel. We are called to be unashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

The story of David and Goliath is not just a Sunday school classic; it is a profound lesson in faith and identity. David, a young shepherd boy, was secretly anointed as the future king of Israel. When he heard Goliath defying the armies of the Living God, he was not terrified but offended. David's response was not motivated by the rewards King Saul offered but by a righteous indignation that someone would dare to defy God.

David's confidence was rooted in his identity as God's anointed and in his past experiences of God's deliverance. He had fought lions and bears to protect his sheep, and he believed that the same God who delivered him then would deliver him from Goliath. David's armor was not the physical armor offered by Saul, which he refused because it was untested and not his own. Instead, David's armor was his faith in God's faithfulness and his testimony of God's previous deliverances.

As we consider our own lives, we must ask ourselves how we view our identity. Are we seeing ourselves as mere Earthlings, or are we embracing our identity as children of God, anointed and empowered for His purpose? We must also examine whether sin and ungodliness truly offend us, for if they do not, we will lack the conviction to lead others to Christ. Our deliverance stories, the victories God has given us, are the armor that emboldens us to stand against the giants we face today.

Key Takeaways:

- Embrace your new identity in Christ. You are not defined by your earthly occupation or past; you are a child of God, anointed and empowered for His purpose. This realization will give you the confidence to stand for your faith and fulfill the Great Commission. [40:03]

- Be deeply offended by sin and ungodliness. If sin does not bother you, you will not be motivated to lead others to Christ. Sin is an affront to God's glory and should stir a righteous anger within us, compelling us to action. [34:31]

- Your testimony of deliverance is your armor. The stories of how God has delivered you in the past are the foundation of your faith and the source of your courage to face current challenges. Share these stories to inspire faith in others and to remind yourself of God's faithfulness. [36:54]

- Stand in your own armor. Do not try to wear someone else's armor; stand in the unique testimony and gifts God has given you. Your personal experiences with God are the most powerful tools you have in witnessing to others. [35:13]

- The urgency of the Great Commission. We are commanded by Christ to share the gospel. This is not optional but a direct command from our Savior. Our willingness to share our faith reflects our allegiance to Him and our understanding of the eternal stakes at hand. [02:31]

In conclusion, let us be unashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation. Let us stand firm in our faith, embrace our God-given identity, and boldly proclaim the truth of Christ to a world in desperate need of His saving grace. Amen.

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 17:1-50 - The story of David and Goliath.
2. Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission.
3. Romans 1:16-18 - Unashamed of the Gospel and the wrath of God against ungodliness.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was David's initial reaction when he heard Goliath's taunts, and how did it differ from the reaction of Saul and the Israelite army? ([17:33])
2. What reasons did David give Saul to convince him that he could defeat Goliath? ([20:51])
3. How did David's past experiences as a shepherd prepare him for his encounter with Goliath? ([21:26])
4. What was the significance of David choosing to use his own armor instead of Saul's? ([22:30])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for Christians to embrace their new identity in Christ, as David embraced his anointing as the future king? ([26:55])
2. How does being deeply offended by sin and ungodliness motivate believers to take action, according to the sermon? ([32:33])
3. In what ways can personal testimonies of God's deliverance serve as "armor" for believers facing current challenges? ([36:54])
4. How does the Great Commission relate to the urgency of sharing one's faith, as emphasized in the sermon? ([02:31])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How do you view your identity? Do you see yourself as a child of God, anointed and empowered for His purpose, or are you still defining yourself by your earthly occupation or past? ([28:06])
2. Think about the last time you encountered sin or ungodliness. Did it stir a righteous anger within you? How can you cultivate a deeper sensitivity to sin and a stronger motivation to lead others to Christ? ([32:33])
3. Identify a personal testimony of God's deliverance in your life. How can you use this story to inspire faith in others and remind yourself of God's faithfulness? ([36:54])
4. Are there areas in your life where you are trying to "wear someone else's armor"? How can you stand in the unique testimony and gifts God has given you? ([35:13])
5. The Great Commission is a direct command from Jesus. How can you make sharing the gospel a more integral part of your daily life? What specific steps can you take this week to share your faith with someone? ([02:31])
6. Reflect on a time when you were afraid to share your faith. What were the reasons for your fear, and how can you overcome these fears in the future? ([01:29])
7. How can you actively participate in the "month of Hope" initiative mentioned in the sermon? What practical steps can you take to invite someone to church or share your testimony with them? ([43:32])

Devotional

Day 1: Identity in Christ Transforms Lives
When one embraces their identity in Christ, it is not merely a change of label but a profound transformation that affects every aspect of life. This new identity redefines who a person is, shifting the focus from earthly occupations and past failures to a divinely appointed purpose. As a child of God, anointed and empowered, there is a newfound confidence that enables individuals to stand for their faith and actively participate in the Great Commission. This realization is not just for personal edification but also serves as a beacon of hope and guidance for others who are seeking their own identity in Christ. It is a call to live out a faith that is visible, vibrant, and vital to the world around us. [40:03]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15)

Reflection: How does understanding your identity in Christ change the way you approach your daily interactions and decisions?

Day 2: Righteous Indignation Fuels Gospel Passion
Being deeply offended by sin and ungodliness is not about being judgmental; it's about recognizing the affront these things pose to God's holiness and glory. When sin ceases to bother a believer, it indicates a heart that has grown complacent or indifferent to the things that grieve the heart of God. This lack of conviction can hinder one's motivation to lead others to Christ. A righteous anger, on the other hand, compels action and ignites a passion for sharing the transformative power of the gospel. It is this passion that drives believers to speak out against injustice, to offer the hope of redemption, and to live lives that reflect the purity and love of Christ. [34:31]

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Reflection: What sin or ungodliness in the world today stirs a righteous anger in you, and how can you channel that emotion into constructive action for the kingdom?

Day 3: Testimonies of Deliverance Strengthen Faith
Personal testimonies of deliverance are not just stories to be shared; they are the armor that protects and empowers believers in their spiritual battles. These narratives of past victories serve as reminders of God's faithfulness and as evidence of His power at work in the lives of His people. When faced with challenges, recalling these testimonies can embolden believers to stand firm, knowing that the same God who delivered them before is with them still. Sharing these stories with others not only inspires faith but also weaves a tapestry of God's continuous work throughout humanity, encouraging and strengthening the community of believers. [36:54]

"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11)

Reflection: What is one personal story of deliverance you can share with someone this week to encourage their faith?

Day 4: Embrace Your Unique Armor in Christ
Each believer is equipped with a unique set of gifts, experiences, and testimonies that form their spiritual armor. Trying to wear someone else's armor can lead to discomfort and ineffectiveness. Instead, standing in one's own armor, crafted by God's design, allows for authenticity and power in witnessing to others. Personal experiences with God are the most compelling tools in sharing the gospel because they cannot be refuted or denied. They are the tangible proof of a living faith and a living God. [35:13]

"But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load." (Galatians 6:4-5)

Reflection: What unique aspect of your spiritual armor can you use today to witness to someone about the love and power of God?

Day 5: The Urgency of the Great Commission
The Great Commission is not a passive suggestion; it is a command from Christ that carries an urgency reflective of the eternal stakes at hand. Believers are called to share the gospel with a sense of immediacy, recognizing that the opportunity to bring someone to salvation is both a privilege and a responsibility. This command is a direct reflection of one's allegiance to Christ and an understanding of the transformative power of the gospel. The willingness to share one's faith is a measure of one's grasp of the gravity and the joy of the message they carry. [02:31]

"And he said to them, 'As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15)

Reflection: What specific action can you take today to obey Christ's command to share the gospel with someone who has not yet heard it?

Quotes

- "If God delivered me from that, he will deliver me from this. These are the stories of your life that build faith, the faithfulness of God built on the faithfulness of God that brings you to the present giant." [43:03] (Download | )

- "You need to know what your personal deliverance stories are so that when the opportunity comes to share your faith with confidence and boldness, you can stand and say, let me tell you about a God that saved me." [44:08] (Download | )

- "God's looking for Rudies. He's looking for the people that others least expect. That's who he's looking for." [44:49] (Download | )

- "Stop seeing yourself as an Earthling because you're a child of God now. This isn't your home; you're passing through. We're on our way to eternity, and our job is to take as many people as we can with us." [40:42] (Download | )

- "Sin ought to bother us enough to do something about it, to want to step up and say that's enough, no more. Sin is a smack in the face of God; it ought to bother us to action." [34:31] (Download | )

- "If you're going to stand for Jesus, you have to stand in your own armor, not someone else's. Your testimony of previous deliverance is what gives you the courage to stand." [36:54] (Download | )

- "Your armor is your testimony of deliverance that now gives you the courage to stand as we face the current giant that stands in front of you." [38:44] (Download | )

- "Do you see yourself the way that God sees you? As one of His children, one of His sons, one of His daughters, empowered by His Spirit?" [39:25] (Download | )

- "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the Living God? In this moment, David is not terrified by Goliath; he's offended." [18:15] (Download | )

- "You are not a teacher, a stocker, a sandwich artist, or a sales representative. You are a child of God, a son, a daughter of the king, anointed and commissioned to accomplish His purpose." [28:06] (Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?