Identity In Christ Series

Thinking, Acting, Being like Jesus

Identity in Christ

Introduction-

We continue our series Thinking, Acting, Being like Jesus.

This morning we will be looking at Who we are in Christ Jesus, and what we ought to be doing as children of God.

Last week, we looked at God’s Word.

The 3rd truth we looked at was that “we believe that the Word of God is the inspired word of God that guides us in our lives and our actions.”

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

In studying God’s Word, by sermons, Bible Studies, individual Bible study, we find there the identity we have in Christ.

We discover, and that is a good way to put it because we seek and we discover who we are when we become children of God and learn who we were before we came to Christ.

Text is John 1:12

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”

As I have said before, not all will be going to heaven, not all have a relationship with the Lord. God desire’s that to happen, but because of choice, it will not happen.

“Lord is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Desiring that all should come to repentance and into the knowledge of the truth of God.

“Those that believe, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Universalist believe;

That eventually everyone will be saved by the atonement of Jesus Christ.

They believe that Hell is not a real place that God would send anyone.

It sounds good, but that is not the truth.

Those that want to do their own thing

Those that just want to let the chips fall as they may and plead ignorance, they like that but that is not what God’s Word says.

The Bible tells us that there will be a day of judgment and that we are saved only by faith in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us on the cross.

We have to be in an active relationship with Jesus Christ and be following Him as Lord.

The question is “Who am I”?

We answer by saying that we are the son or daughter of so and so. That is true in the flesh, that is who physically produced a baby.

Spiritually we are either in Christ or we are unbelievers.

Spiritually if you like what I just said, you probably have a good foundation that is built around Christ and what He has done for you.

If you don’t like what was said, you are putting your faith in something that cannot save you spiritually.

Doctors tell us that to have a healthy self-esteem you need the following;

To feel loved

To have purpose

To feel secure

To feel significant

To belong

The Lord knew these things long before doctors. He understands those things that we need and provides them in our relationship with the Lord and the church family.

We are significant to God and He desires to have us with a well rounded relationship with Him and with the children of God. (Other believers)

Are you going to grab unto the truth that you are significant to God and that He desires to have a relationship with you?

That what Jesus has done on the cross is enough?

Do you have identity in Christ? Or are you going to listen to another voice that hinders that relationship.

Those other voices

Bitter ex-spouses

A bully

Gossip that has gotten out of control

A rejection letter or a rejection by a person.

A mean boss with an attitude.

A parent who never gives you a break.

God wants us to know who we are! (In ourselves and in Him.)

The moment we profess faith in Christ, God wants us to know we are.

We are children of God, and we have a new identity.

As we draw close to Him, He quiets the other voices that have lied to us, and draws us closer to Himself.

We must identify, not with the other voices, but with Jesus Christ.

Roman 8:17

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his suffering in order that we may also share in his glory.”

1 Cor. 3:16

“Don’t know that you yourself are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst.”

(in you)

2 Cor. 5:17

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here.”

God sees us differently than we were. We are now identified in Him and His Spirit dwells inside of us to help us and guide us in our lives and one day the Bible tells us He will create a new heaven and a new earth, but until then, He desires to help us right now with our walk with God.