Identity in Christ | Mistaken Identity | Week Four
Identity Theft–Lots of people, including believers are losing grip on who they are in Christ. The thing about identity theft is that you don’t know it’s happening until someone has successfully taken what’s valuable. In this series we want to anchor who we are in Christ!
At times, it’s easy to misplace our Identity in Christ
No one said on their deathbed, “I wish I had worked just a little bit more.” John Bevere “Good or God”
What Sons/Daughters Recognize
18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)
1. Sonship – Fear/Doubt/Lack/Rejection - Romans 8:14-15, 17, Judges 6-8
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." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 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.
Romans 8:15-17 (NIV)
2. Confidence – Proverbs 3:1-12
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Proverbs 3:1-12 (NIV)
3. Strength – John 15:1-5
1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:1-5 (NIV)
New Start - Romans 10:9-10
New Name - Revelstion 2:17
New Nature - 2 Corinthians 5:17