Identity - Who I Am In Christ

What is identity? Webster’s says: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual – the source of who we are.

Identity is a major part of our society. We strive for it, but we really don’t have a clue of what it is or where to find it.

What worldly things do we look for identity in?

What we wear - What we drive – Who we associate with –Where we live. How successful our business is –

Our kids are giving up their purity on a daily basis, getting high, and breaking the law all for identity and acceptance.

What the mirror says- (MY STRUGGLE)

Even as Christians, our identity has become about

WHERE WE GO TO CHURCH, or

WHAT DENOMINATION WE ARE

WHAT POLITICAL PARTY WE BELONG TO.

WE ARE IDENTIFIED AS RELIGIOUS PEOPLE INSTEAD OF BEING OF CHRIST

I. WHO THE WORLD THINKS WE ARE

TV evangelists – fanatics – closed minded – un accepting

We are supposed to talk about how we hate the sin, but even more importantly, we are supposed to be talking about how we love the person.

II. WHO WE BELIEVE WE ARE

Many people have been led into believing that once you are saved, that’s it…!

Once you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior, there’s nothing left to do but just sit back and wait for Jesus to return.

When troubles come OUCH

We think we are right and everyone else should be like us.

CHURCH EXAMPLE – NO WONDER

“all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away (Isa 64:6)…”

The reason we cannot find our identity on this earth is because we are not of this world.

1 Peter 2:11

Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here. So I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls

We are not to find our identity in this world. Our true identity comes from the one who created us.

Bill Warren says: Finding the purpose in an Invention

You cant know why an invention exists without asking the one who created it...

For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels--everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.

Colossians 1:16

What comes with being identified with Christ? Let’s go to His word…

Point -YOU ARE LOVED – The reason for all things He does

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 32:10 (Wont let you down)

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (Always)

Give thanks to GOD he is good and his love never quits.

Matt 10:21-22 (Rich young ruler – even when He knows you’ll walk) 21Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22At this, the man’s face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions.

Q) How have you been loving?

Point - YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED

Job 26:2 (we are weak and defenseless, but He had saved us)

"How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved a person who has no strength!

Mark 16:16 (Its for everyone to choose)

Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.

Have you ever watched the news and seen someone who has been saved from a fire or an accident? How do they act?

They are extremely grateful!

You have been saved for eternity.

Whether you feel it or not, you have been saved! ACT LIKE IT!

Psalm 107:2 (Act like your saved)

Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies.

You should be thanking God everyday for loving you and saving you! (SONG)

Point: You are apart of the body. YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Romans 12:5

so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.

WE NEED EACHOTHER! Alone we are left to the wolves spiritually. WE need each other

For:

Accountability

Encouragement

Reaching out – NO MORE SLEEPING LIMB SYNDROME!

• I am a member of Christ’s body.