Sermon Notes
When we discuss identity, we often times think about the things we can immediately see (our job, our appearance, even our race). But from the natural perspective, identity relates to everything that is temporal or dies. From the Christian perspective, identity relates to everything that lives forever. The Bible does not reference identity. It relates to the unique immortal part of man that makes the body move. It refers to the soul of a person.
Genesis 2:7 – Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
When the Bible speaks to identity, it relates to the breath or soul of a person. What we see and how we behave is only a reflection of our identity (soul).
“If he can get our inner than the outer is no problem.” – Minister Tina Taylor
The world has many “identities”. Yet, in Christendom, there are only two: Children of the flesh or Children of God. Children of the flesh are without Christ, whereas the Children of God are transformed
1 Peter 1:3 – Praise God who through Christ Jesus has given us new birth.
1 Peter 2:10 – Once you were not a people, now you are God’s people. Once you had no mercy, now you have mercy.
How Does The New Me Look?
John 1:1-5 (NIV) – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
“If Christ is the Word, God, light and life, and I am in Him and He is in me, then I must look like Him.” – Minister Tina Taylor
The Parent-Child Relationship
John 1:12-13 (NIV) – Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Just as the natural parent-child relationship exists, so does the spiritual parent-child relationship. Parents do three main things for us: They are present with us, Instruct us, and provide for us. God does the same.
1) Present with God
Personal devotion time is how we are present with God. In this time, we gain the heart and mind of God, and are fully persuaded in what He says about us. When we neglect it, we become distracted. There are three elements of devotion:
- Word
- Worship
- Prayer
2) Instructed by God
Part of the responsibility of the parent is to teach. The responsibility of the child is to be a disciple and follow.
Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
John 16:3 when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
3) Provided for by God
God equips us, by the power of His Holy Spirit, to live in this identity: A Saved Soul. He brings forth the identity. He is the stitch that forms the garment.
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
The Main Idea
When we focus on our inner man, all of the identity questions are answered. Our identity in Christ is that we are children of God. He has saved our souls and longs to be PRESENT with his Children. He will INSTRUCT his children and he will PROVIDE for his children.
