Opener:
Good Morning Church! We are thrilled that you are here joining us this morning. This morning we are concluding our week of prayer and fasting and it has been a tremendous week of refreshment.
This morning we are talking about our identity in Christ. If there is one area that I feel like many Christians struggle in, it is knowing who they are in Christ. This is really a critical area of our lives. If we do not know who we are in Christ, we can be easily swayed one way or the other.
Our personal identity is really based on how we see ourselves. How we see ourselves is really shaped and formed through our childhood years and the experiences that we have in life. For some, they had a great childhood and as a result, have a healthy self image. For others, they had parents or other influential people in their lives that did and said things for you to doubt your worth or value.
While we are all working and learning our identity in the Lord, it is imperative that through this process that we maintain a teachable spirit. To have a teachable spirit is that you are willing to change your views and practices. To admit when you are wrong, and work to be and do better. In others words, always maintaining a humble heart.
This morning we are talking about how our identity is found in Christ, that we are a chosen people and that our future is secure in Christ.
I. Our identity in Christ
A. As many as received Him
a. Our first point here this morning, is that we need to find our identity in Christ. The first step to finding our identity in Christ is to become born again. This is when you receive Christ as your personal Saviour.
b. The bible says in John 1:12 (NKJV) 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
c. While salvation takes place in an instant, we are then called on a journey to pursue the Lord the remainder of our lifetime.
d. In order to have a saving faith we must continue walking with the Lord.
B. New creations in Christ
a. Once we have become born again, we are a new creation. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
b. We are a new creation in Christ. Our past mistakes, our past sins, they are forgiven and our slate has been wiped totally clean.
c. All things are new, God is opening up a whole new world. In this world, God is in control and we begin to live our lives for Him, a life that is pleasing to Him.
d. While giving up past hang ups and habits may be difficult, with the Lord’s help these things can be overcome in your life.
C. Love God, love others, love yourself
a. In this new life, we were given some instruction on how to live. We do not have to guess, we do not have to come up with our own standard of living. The bible is God’s instruction manual to the believer.
b. Contained within this instruction manual are the two greatest commandments that we are to follow which are found in Matthew 22:37-40(NKJV) 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
c. Sound simple, right ?, Love God, Love People. It is that simply, now walking it out will take everything ounce of effort that you have.
d. Speaking of loving God, and loving people. I would add that we also need to love ourselves as well. That is why having a healthy identity in Christ is so important.
D. We are his workmanship
a. Once we have found our identity with Christ, we are called to go into the harvest field and work for Him.
b. The bible says in Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
c. We are not saved so we can just sit around and do nothing. We are not saved just to be a seat warmer, we are saved so we can then go out and do the work of the Lord.
d. While we recognize, good works don’t save us, but when we are saved we will do good works.
II. We are a chosen people
A. God has chosen us.
a. Our second point this morning is that we are a chosen people by God. In fact, God choose us before the foundation of the world. Think about that, before you were ever born, God chose you.
b. The bible says in Ephesians 1:4-5(NKJV)4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
c. Just as God chose Israel out of all the nations in the world, so now God has chosen those who believe in Jesus. Truly, we are His prized possession.
d. He has taken a special interest in you and me and He is careful to protect us and to provide for us. Let us never forget that. We are part of God’s chosen people.
B. Called to be saints
a. Knowing God has chosen us is beautiful thing and it does not stop there, we understand that God has called us to be saints.
b. We are significant in God’s eyes because we are saints. The word Saint is a biblical term. As defined, a saint is one who has been consecrated to God, one that is holy.
c. In context, the word saint is shared all throughout the bible.
d. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:2 (NKJV) 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
e. Let me say, I believe that according to the bible, that all believers are saints. Saints are not limited to those that one particular denomination has voted on to be considered a saint. That is not the way that the bible describes a saint.
C. Called to minister to others.
a. Not only are we called to be saints, we have been chosen to be priests unto the Lord.
b. In the old testament, there was a group of people that were called into the Lords service and these were the Levites. They were called to serve in the temple of the Lord.
c. In the new testament, the new covenant, all those that are saints are called to serve. The bible tells us in 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
d. Believers are set apart for God’s work. We are called to proclaim the gospel, called to bring salvation to the places that we go, called to serve in the body of Christ.
e. Called to minister to the Lord, by praising and worshipping Him.
III. Our future is secure
A. Citizens in heaven
a. Our third and final point here this morning, as believers, our future is secure.
b. We have a lot to look forward to, that is a life in heaven. The bible says in Ephesians 2:4-7 (NKJV) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
c. We have been saved by grace, we have been called to identify with Christ, our reward for receiving this free gift is a heavenly home. It is to sit with Christ in heavenly place for the span of eternity.
B. Heaven is a real place
a. Heaven is a real place! Just as the place that we are in right now. It is a place that is filled with God’s saints.
b. In fact, the bible tells us in John 14:2(NKJV) 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
c. The Lord is preparing a place for us.
d. So when we arrive on the other shores. We will not have to worry if we have a place to stay. We will!
e. Once we enter through the gates of Heaven. Every burden, every care of this world will just disappear. It is a place of peace and rest. It is a perfect place, a place that troubles cannot come. It will be our home.
C. Heaven is beautiful
a. Heaven is a place that holds great beauty. There has never been a city that can be described like heaven.
b. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9(NKJV) 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
c. Truly, there is no way to adequately describe heaven in all its glory. It is such a beautiful place
i. Testimony of Charity’s mom
D. Here are some qualities of heaven
a. There are really some stunning qualities of heaven. Here are some of those qualities:
i. There are no more seas
ii. No more sadness
iii. No more death
iv. No suffering
v. Only peace
b. Is this a place you want to go? Yes, Yes, and Yes
E. Visions of a better tomorrow
a. There is a poem by one of my favorite poets. Here name is M.S. Lowndes. The poem is entitled “Sojourners”
i. The end is drawing near, When we will meet our Lord, And enter our eternal rest, From life’s many stressful chores, I’m mindful more than ever, To be focused on things above, Not on things that will pass away, Untouched by God’s precious love, For they are eternal and material, The fleeting desires of the flesh, For all of this will soon be gone, And is only second best, For we are only passing through, Sojourners through this life, We know this world is not our home, But it’s waiting above with Christ, For what we have, we’ve been given, Our possessions are only on loan, For we can’t take it when we die, When we stand before God’s throne, We have but only a small glimpse, Of what heaven would be like, To be wrapped in God’s loving arms, And walk in His glorious light, And it’s there, with God, in heaven above, Our treasures should be stored, For one day we will leave this world, To be at home with our Lord.
Closing:
As we wrap up our time here together this morning, Let me encourage you to look forward to what God has in store for you. I know that there is a lot going one in our world today, I get that, but we have a hope and a future in Christ. Our future is secured in Him. We call all look forward to the day that we will spend eternity with our Savior. What a glorious day that it will be! Until that day takes place, we need to be about our heavenly Fathers business. We need to be focused on what God has called us to do in our lives. When we do this, our lives will then be enriched with God’s Presence. If you have received Jesus, as your Lord and Saviour, please know that you have that assurance that you are a child of God! You are a Saint! He called you out of darkness and brought you into His light for a reason!
