John Lloyd - Identity in Christ: Who am I?
/Strengthen Your Core Series
Identity in Christ: Who am I?
October 20, 2019
Pastor John Lloyd
Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Today, we will consider the core belief of what happens to our identity when we put our trust in Christ. This new identity changes us from the inside out.
Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Memory Verse: John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Key Question: Who am I?
Key Idea: I believe I am significant because of my position as a child of God.
I. Sift through the _______________ you are listening to for your identity.
Key Questions: Who am I? Where does my significance come from?
Major factors to answer these questions• to feel loved • to have a sense of purpose • to feel secure • to feel significant • to have a sense of belonging.
Think, Act, Be Like Jesus by Randy Frazee
Where do I stand with the Ultimate Somebody?
Whose voice am I listening to?
I John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Ask God to show you the loudest voice and where you are finding your significance.
II. God is able to give a new ___________ to anyone who trusts Him for it.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
I John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
(Ephesians 2:17-18)
God’s greatest gift to us is our new identity in Christ.
III. Drive down on what it really means to be God’s _____________.
Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a child of God and heir to his kingdom.
“Remember who you are. Don’t compromise for anyone for any reason. You are a child of the Almighty God. Live that truth.” Lysa Terkeurst
I Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a temple of God’s dwelling.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
As a believer in Christ, you are a new creation.
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a citizen in of heaven.
Significance comes from being God’s child.
IV. Let your identity in Christ impact your ________________.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. This frees us from falling back into old patterns of fear.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. This frees us from condemnation.
“When people say, “I know God forgives me, but I can’t forgive myself,” they mean that they have failed an idol, whose approval is more important than God’s.” Timothy Keller Counterfeit Gods
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Our worth comes from our position not our performance.
I Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
As a believer, our desire is to build people rather than tear them down.
“There is no one who is insignificant in the purpose of God.” Allistair Begg
I Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
As a believer, your motivation is to serve/give and not get/receive.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
As a believer, we live to express who we are in Christ not to prove who we are.
I John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how strongly you believe the statements below (1 = not belief at all, 6 = complete confidence).
_____ I believe God loves me; therefore my life has value.
_____ I believe I exist to know, love and serve God.
_____ I believe God loves me, even when I do not obey Him.
_____ I believe I am forgiven and accepted by God.
Spiritual Growth Questions for October 20, 2019
(Take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)
Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how strongly you believe the statements below
(1 = not belief at all, 6 = complete confidence).
_____ I believe God loves me; therefore my life has value.
_____ I believe I exist to know, love and serve God.
_____ I believe God loves me, even when I do not obey Him.
_____ I believe I am forgiven and accepted by God.
1. Unfortunately, most people find their identity and value in things that do not last (i.e., wealth, power, beauty, influence). Why is it so tempting to find our worth in these fading attributes?
2. Read Ephesians 2. What verses speak to you about our incredible new heritage made possible by God’s great love? List the different ways our identity is described in this chapter.
3. Read Luke 19:1-9. In what ways did Zacchaeus’ conduct change when Jesus restored his identity? If you could start over with a new identity as Zacchaeus did, what would you leave in your past?
4. Read Romans 8:14-17. Discuss ways that our new identity in Christ frees us to live without being controlled by anxiety and fear.
5. Read I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, I Corinthians 12:12-14. How does our new identity call us to live differently? Be specific.
6. Read I Peter 2:4-10. Highlight all the phrases that speak to our new identity in Christ. Share which one stood out to you.
7. How does understanding our identity in Christ change the way we interact with people in our lives?
8. What practical steps could people take to adjust their identity-finding process if it is unhealthy or misguided?
Memory Verse: John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
I John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.