Our identity is not based on our achievements or mistakes, but on God's design and purpose for us, and we should strive to understand and live out this identity in Christ.
Good morning, church family! Today we will be focusing on one of my favorite verses in the Bible, Ephesians 2:10. This verse says, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Isn't that awesome? It reminds us that we are not random, not insignificant, and definitely not a mistake. We are designed by God Himself, with a specific purpose in mind.
Our identity in Christ is not just about who we are, but also about what we can do because of Him. As Tim Keller, a respected Christian pastor and author, once said, "The Bible says that our real problem is that every one of us is building our identity on something besides Jesus." Isn't it comforting to know that our identity rests not on our mistakes or our achievements, but on God's work in us?
Our identity is not something we create for ourselves, but rather, it is divinely designed by God. This is a profound truth that we often overlook. We are not the result of random events or chance, but we are the intentional creation of a loving God. The Bible tells us in Psalm 139:14 that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." This means that God didn't just create us, He crafted us. Like a skilled artist, He took time to intricately design every part of us, both physically and spiritually.
A. God's design for our identity is rooted in His own image. Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." This means that we are not only created by God, but we are also created to be like Him. We are designed to reflect His character, His love, His wisdom, and His power. This is a high calling and a great honor. It means that our identity is not based on what the world says about us, but on what God says about us.
B. Furthermore, God's design for our identity is not static, but dynamic. It is not something that is fixed at the moment of our creation, but something that continues to unfold and develop throughout our lives. Philippians 1:6 says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." This means that God is continually at work in us, shaping and molding us into the people He wants us to be. Our identity is not a finished product, but a work in progress.
C. God's design for our identity also includes a specific purpose. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This means that we are not just created for existence, but for significance. We are designed to make a difference in the world, to contribute to God's kingdom in unique and meaningful ways. Our identity is not just about who we are, but also about what we are called to do.
D. Moreover, God's design for our identity is rooted in His love. 1 John 3:1 says, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" This means that our identity is not based on our performance or our worthiness, but on God's unconditional love for us. We are not loved because we are valuable; we are valuable because we are loved.
The power of our identity in Christ is a profound and transformative concept ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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