REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE
Begin by asking the kids to tell you the story of the movie "Lion King." Have fun with it. Get them to tell you as many things as they can remember. Then get them to talk about the part where Rafiki goes to see Simba and Simba has the vision of his father. (Remind them that this is a movie about talking animals; don’t expect things to be like in real life!) Ask them to tell you what message Simba’s father had for him.
The message was "Remember who you are." And that’s my message for you today. Remember who you are.
Simba was born to be king of the animals. However, he was living life as a bug eater, singing "Hakuna Matata"--no worries. Was that what he was born to be? No. But he had forgotten who he was.
Satan doesn’t want you to remember who you are. But I’m here to remind you. (It was a big monkey that brought that message to Simba... what does that say about me?!)
Galatians 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
I. We are sons of God.
Not slaves. Not bug eaters. Sons!
1John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
How did we become sons of God?
John 1:12 -- all who receive Jesus
Galatians 3:26-27 -- all who are baptized in to Christ
Remember who you are: you are children of God!
II. We are not just children... we are heirs!
Rom. 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Ex. -- Son of owner of company is treated differently than other employees. He may begin work as vice president, even without experience.
Ex. — Argentine president’s son was killed while flying a helicopter. A tragedy... but why was he even flying that helicopter? It was only because he was the president’s son.
Remember who you are: you are heirs of God!
III. As heirs, we have an obligation
There are certain things that you do just because you are members of a family.
Ex. — Breakfast at home. We always ate at 7 a.m. A friend asked if my mother wouldn’t let me eat if I got up later. I had never thought about it! That was just what we did because we were part of the family.
Rom. 8:12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
We are to live lives led by the Spirit. Prayer-filled lives. Lives that seek God’s will. We seek Him through His word and through prayer. We look to do what He wants, not what we desire. That’s who we are.
1Pet. 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
A. We are to be holy
Set apart. Pure. We are different. We recognize those that dare to be different, not those that conform. Famous athletes, famous singers, etc. aren’t famous for being just like everybody else.
B. We are to live our lives as strangers in this world.
We aren’t bug-eaters singing “Hakuna Matata.” We aren’t actually from here. When I lived in Argentina, almost every day somebody asked me where I was from. Why? Because I spoke with an accent. We need to live our lives as Christians in such a way that people here our "accent."
At school you pledge allegiance to the flag. I hope that when you do so, you realize that it is with an asterisk. We pledge allegiance… to the Lamb! Our first loyalty is to the Kingdom of heaven.
C. We are to live our lives in the fear of God
Fear can be healthy.
Ex. — electricity. I’m not afraid to be around electric things, but I don’t stick a fork in the socket! I dare to approach God because of Jesus Christ, yet I also know the consequences of disobedience. I fear God.
IV. One day, the sons of God will be revealed. We will be like Jesus. We will reign with Him.
Remember who you are. Some of you are going through life singing "Hakuna Matata" and eating bugs. It’s time to claim your place as a child of the King.
