Understanding Our Identity and Purpose in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Servants of God—Identity Before Activity

Being a servant of God is not about what you do, but about who you are at your core. In a world that measures worth by productivity and accomplishment, God calls His people to root their identity in humble service to Him, not in a checklist of tasks. True servanthood begins with a heart posture of humility, loving God and others, and letting that love naturally overflow into acts of service. Whether you are a student, a parent, a professional, or retired, your value in God’s eyes is not determined by your efficiency or achievements, but by your willingness to be shaped by Him and to serve from a place of love. [44:30]

Titus 1:1 (ESV)
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been measuring your worth by what you do rather than who you are in Christ? How can you intentionally shift your focus today to serving God from a place of humility and love rather than striving for accomplishment?

Day 2: Living Sent—Everyday Mission

To live “sent” means to approach every part of your life with gospel intention, recognizing that wherever you go—work, school, neighborhood, or even across the world—you are sent by Jesus to make His name known. This is not reserved for a select few, but is the calling of every follower of Christ. Whether you’re a nurse, a student, or a neighbor, you are on a mission field, and your daily routines become opportunities to share the hope and love of Jesus. Living sent is about your motive before your movement, letting the reality of being sent by God shape your purpose and actions each day. [52:19]

John 20:21 (ESV)
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Reflection: Where will you go today—physically or virtually—where you can intentionally bring the presence and hope of Jesus? What is one practical way you can approach your daily routine with gospel purpose?

Day 3: For the Sake of God’s Salvation

Followers of Jesus exist for the sake of God’s salvation, called to participate in the beautiful mystery of faith and God’s sovereign work. Salvation is not something we are born into or can earn by our own efforts; it is a gift that comes through faith and the power of God alone. This truth humbles us, reminding us that we do not hold the cards to our own salvation, and it compels us to share the good news with others so that they too may experience the saving grace of Jesus. [54:32]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the story of how God’s grace has saved you? How can you share your testimony or the gospel with them this week, trusting God to do the saving work?

Day 4: Sanctified by the Gospel—Becoming More Like Jesus

Sanctification is the ongoing process by which God purifies and transforms His people to look more like Jesus. It is not about achieving perfection, but about daily becoming more full of God—letting His presence fill every part of your life. This process involves both repentance (turning from what separates you from God) and obedience (starting what God is calling you to do). As you ask God to reveal what needs to change, He is faithful to forgive, empower, and lead you into greater godliness, shaping you into the image of Christ. [01:03:41]

1 John 1:9 (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Reflection: Is there something in your life you need to stop or start doing in order to grow in godliness? What step of repentance or obedience is God prompting you to take today?

Day 5: God Is a Promise Maker and Promise Keeper

God never lies—He is the ultimate promise maker and promise keeper, and every promise He has made is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In a world full of uncertainty and broken promises, you can anchor your hope in the unchanging truth of God’s Word. No matter what you have lost or what you face, your hope is secure because God’s promises are sure, and eternal life is yours in Christ. Remembering who God is gives you confidence and peace, knowing that He will never let you down and that your future is held in His faithful hands. [01:10:00]

Titus 1:2 (ESV)
In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to cling to today? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness when doubts or fears arise?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to seek the Lord together, laying down our burdens and joys before Him, trusting that He alone can meet the deepest needs of our hearts. We began a journey through the book of Titus, a letter written to a young church learning what it means to be the people of God. The focus was not on the building or the programs, but on the identity and purpose of those who follow Jesus. We are reminded that church is not a spectator event, but a community of people called to participate in the life and mission of Christ.

As we explored the opening verses of Titus, we discovered that our purpose is not as complicated as we often make it. The world tells us to define ourselves by what we do, but God calls us to first know who we are. Our identity as servants of God is not about a list of tasks, but about a heart posture of humility and love. Serving flows naturally from abiding in Christ, and it is rooted in who we are, not just what we accomplish.

We also learned that, while we may not be apostles in the biblical sense, we are all called to live “sent” lives—carrying the gospel with us wherever we go, whether that’s to our workplaces, campuses, neighborhoods, or even the nations. Our jobs, studies, and daily routines become mission fields when we live with gospel intention.

The passage also led us into the mystery and beauty of salvation. We are saved by faith, through the sovereign work of God, and this is not something we can earn or inherit by birth or good works. Instead, it is a gift that calls us to both humility and gratitude. Our story is not just about being saved, but about being sanctified—continually transformed by the gospel to look more like Jesus. This process of sanctification involves both repentance (turning from what separates us from God) and obedience (stepping into what He calls us to do).

Finally, we are anchored in the unchanging character of God. He is a promise maker and a promise keeper. In a world full of uncertainty and broken promises, God never lies. Every promise He has made is fulfilled in Christ, and this gives us a living hope—even in the face of loss, disappointment, or death. Our hope is not in our circumstances, but in the God who has secured eternal life for us.

Key Takeaways

1. Identity Before Activity: Our culture often defines us by what we do, but God defines us by who we are in Christ. Being a servant of God is not about a checklist of accomplishments, but about a heart posture of humility and love. True service flows from knowing and abiding in Jesus, not from striving to prove our worth. [44:30]
2. Living Sent: While we may not be apostles in the original sense, every follower of Jesus is called to live a life that is “sent.” This means carrying gospel intentions into every sphere of life—work, school, neighborhood, and beyond. Our daily routines become opportunities for mission when we see ourselves as ambassadors of Christ wherever we go. [52:19]
3. The Harmony of Faith and God’s Sovereignty: The tension between our faith and God’s sovereign choice is not meant to divide us, but to display the beauty of salvation. We are responsible to believe, yet it is God’s power that saves. Rather than trying to reconcile these truths, we are invited to marvel at the mystery and rest in the assurance that salvation is God’s work from start to finish. [57:26]
4. Sanctification as a Process: Sanctification is not about instant perfection, but about a lifelong process of being made more like Jesus. This involves both repentance—turning from what separates us from God—and obedience—stepping into what He calls us to do. The fullness of God’s presence in our lives grows as we continually surrender and respond to His leading. [66:03]
5. God Never Lies—Hope Anchored in His Promises: In a world of shifting truths and broken promises, God stands alone as the one who never lies. Every promise He has made is fulfilled in Christ, giving us a hope that cannot be shaken by loss, failure, or even death. Our identity and future are secure because God is both a promise maker and a promise keeper. [70:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Opening Prayer and Seeking God
[05:30] - Church Is Not a Building
[08:45] - Housekeeping and Participation
[13:00] - Kids Ministry and Family Life
[15:30] - Introduction to Titus
[20:00] - Why Study Titus?
[24:36] - What Is a Church? Global Perspective
[32:00] - Paul’s Story and Authorship
[41:19] - Purpose: Who You Are vs. What You Do
[44:30] - Servant Identity and Heart Posture
[49:02] - Living Sent: Apostolic Life
[52:19] - Gospel Intentions in Everyday Life
[54:32] - For the Sake of God’s Salvation
[57:26] - Faith, Election, and the Beauty of Salvation
[61:49] - Sanctified by the Gospel
[68:51] - God: Promise Maker and Promise Keeper
[73:51] - Remembering Identity and Next Steps
[78:57] - Communion and Response Time
[79:59] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Titus 1:1-4 (ESV) — Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

John 20:21 (ESV) — Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) — For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Observation Questions

According to Titus 1:1, how does Paul describe himself, and what does this reveal about his identity and purpose?
What does Paul say about God’s character in Titus 1:2, and why is this important for the hope he describes?
In John 20:21, what does Jesus say about being “sent,” and how does this connect to Paul’s description of his own calling?
The sermon emphasized that “being a servant of God starts with a heart posture, not a task list.” What examples did the pastor give to illustrate this difference? [[44:30]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said, “Our culture often defines us by what we do, but God defines us by who we are in Christ.” Why is it so easy to confuse our identity with our activity? How does this affect the way we serve God and others? [[42:47]]
The pastor explained that while we are not apostles in the biblical sense, every Christian is called to “live sent.” What does it mean to live with “gospel intentions” in everyday life? [[52:19]]
The message talked about the “harmony of faith and God’s sovereignty” in salvation. How does understanding both our responsibility to believe and God’s power to save shape our view of salvation? [[57:26]]
The sermon described sanctification as a process, not instant perfection. What are some practical ways the process of sanctification shows up in a believer’s life? [[01:01:49]]

Application Questions

The pastor said, “Being a servant of God always starts with a heart posture, not a task list.” Think about your current approach to serving—do you focus more on what you do or on your heart’s attitude? What would it look like to serve from a place of humility and love this week? [[44:30]]
“Living sent” means carrying gospel intentions into every sphere of life. Identify one place you regularly go (work, school, neighborhood, etc.). What is one specific way you could be more intentional about representing Jesus there this week? [[52:19]]
The sermon challenged us to see our daily routines as mission fields. What is one routine or habit in your week that you could approach differently if you saw it as an opportunity for God’s mission? [[53:34]]
The pastor described sanctification as involving both repentance (turning from what separates us from God) and obedience (stepping into what He calls us to do). Is there something in your life you sense God is asking you to stop or start? What step could you take this week to respond? [[01:06:03]]
The message reminded us that “God never lies—He is a promise maker and a promise keeper.” Is there a promise of God you struggle to believe right now? How can you anchor your hope in God’s unchanging character, even when circumstances are uncertain? [[01:10:00]]
The pastor said, “You may have lost your job, but you have not lost your identity… You are not hopeless. The grave is empty. Eternal life is yours. God is not a liar. He is truth.” How does remembering your secure identity in Christ help you face disappointment or loss? [[01:12:43]]
The sermon ended by asking, “When it comes to my identity and my purpose, what is the next step God is calling me to?” Take a moment to reflect—what is one next step you sense God is inviting you to take in your walk with Him? [[01:13:51]]

Sermon Clips

The number one quality in a servant of God is humility, not efficiency. The number one heart posture behind someone who serves is humility, not efficiency. [00:45:35] (16 seconds) #HumilityOverEfficiency

You are not born a Christian. In fact, Jesus said, ye must be born again. Because the first birth doesn't cut it, because you're born into sin, and sin is your number one problem. [00:59:00] (16 seconds) #BornAgainNewLife

God is a promise maker and God is a promise keeper. Is there anything more comforting you could have found in God's word today than this statement? God never lies. [01:09:31] (20 seconds) #GodKeepsPromises

I am a servant of God sent by Jesus Christ for the sake of God's salvation of the world, who is being sanctified by the gospel. See, church, these words identify who we are. And listen, you don't get to pick one. They're all yours. [01:15:06] (28 seconds) #ServantSentSanctified

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