Who ARE You?

What is your identity? Have people write down 3 words that they would use to describe themselves and have the church guess them in a game of church Guess Who?

A lot of folks would answer this questions with characteristics about their physical appearance (tall), interests (photography), or relationships (Josh’s dad). Most today would place their identity in their job or possessions, but these are not the characteristics that really matter.

Now what if I asked you to provide words that you would use in a game of Guess Who with God? Would that change your answer?

Identity is important throughout the bible as Jesus asks about identity multiple time. In Matthew, Jesus asks the disciples what Jesus’s identity is, and wanted specific answers about who THEY thought He was.

Matthew 16:13–17 CSB

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.

Notice that Jesus differentiated His worldly identity and His identity among His disciples.

Tonight, I want to look at your sense of identity, and were you place it.

First, true or false: Our identity evolves? How or why?

Evolution of Identity

Pre-Christ

Ephesians 2:1-3

Ephesians 2:1–3 CSB

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.

What does this say about how we were identified by God before we know Christ? How can you relate to this?

DEAD - We feel a lack of anything. We are breathing, but do not feel alive. Similar to how prisoners describe their existence.

Post Christ:

Ephesians 2:4-10

Ephesians 2:4–10 CSB

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

What does this say about how we are after we know Jesus? How can you relate to this?

We are alive! We are open to feelings and experiences that we have not known before. Apathy and grey is replaced by feeling and light because we are reborn!

Pastor used this scripture a couple of weeks ago, but this passage contains many of my favorite words and ideas in the entire bible.

But God!

Saved by Grace!

Verse 10 - How does God describe us and His purpose for us?

This was a major talking point during VBS. We are made ON PURPOSE, FOR A PURPOSE, BECAUSE GOD LOVES US! It was the main idea that we tried to engrain in the minds of the kids, but is important for all ages.

So What Changes When We Come To Know God?

Ezekiel 36:25-27

Ezekiel 36:25–27 CSB

25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances.

God enters our hearts! We are changed from an earthly being to a heavenly one.

2 Corinthians 5:21

2 Corinthians 5:21 CSB

21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

He replaced our sin with His son’s holiness.

So Knowing That, What Words Would You Use To Identify Yourself?

Let’s look at how Paul identified himself. (WE’LL DO THIS RAPID FIRE IN THE INTEREST OF TIME) Now remember, of all people that could use his profession, credentials, or relationship it would be Paul. But he doesn’t do that.

1 Corinthians 1:1 CSB

1 Paul, called as an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Sosthenes our brother:

2 Corinthians 1:1

2 Corinthians 1:1 CSB

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother: To the church of God at Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia.

Galatians 1:1

Galatians 1:1 CSB

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead—

Ephesians 1:1

Ephesians 1:1 CSB

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.

Philippians 1:1 CSB

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.

Colossians 1:1 CSB

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother:

1 Timothy 1:1 CSB

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope:

2 Timothy 1:1 CSB

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the sake of the promise of life in Christ Jesus:

Titus 1:1–2 CSB

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

Philemon 1 CSB

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To Philemon our dear friend and coworker,

Paul provides an illustration of how we should identify ourselves. We are followers of Christ and the children of God, not by our doing but by the will of God. Even his relationship or association with Jesus he credits not to himself, but to God.

Paul’s description of his identity shows that the real question is not “Who Are You” but “Whose Are You”

We can also use our positions and relationships to identify ourselves, but they must be in the right context:

I am God’s child: John 1:12

John 1:12 CSB

12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,

I am a friend of Jesus Christ: John 15:15

John 15:15 CSB

15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.

I am justified by God: Romans 5:1

Romans 5:1 CSB

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am one with God in the Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6:17

1 Corinthians 6:17 CSB

17 But anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

I am the property of God: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 CSB

19 Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.

I am a member of Christ’s body: 1 Corinthians 12:27

1 Corinthians 12:27 CSB

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.

I am God’s adopted child, whom He chose (I like this because it shows that God wants us as an adopted parent) Ephesians 1:3-8

Ephesians 1:3–8 CSB

3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.

I am redeemed through Jesus: Colossians 1:13-14

Colossians 1:13–14 CSB

13 He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. 14 In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

I am supported by God: Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

I am established, anointed, and sealed by God: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 CSB

21 Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. 22 He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

I am a branch of Jesus: John 15:5

John 15:5 CSB

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.

I am a citizen of heaven: Philippians 1:6

Philippians 1:6 CSB

6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

How would placing your identity in God affect how you interact with the world?

Notice that all of these references are from the New Testament. How does that affect how we (can) identify ourselves?