An Identity That Sets Us Free

Introduction:

· What changes when you become a Christian?

LET’S FIRST LOOK AT HOW THE WORLD DEFINES US – AND WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT, AND THEN HOW DOES JESUS GIVE US AN IDENTITY THAT LIBERATES US.

I) Performance, Ethnicity, and the Collars we Wear

A. Does our Ethnic Identity Define us?

i. A Review: The Corinthian Totem Pole

1. The fractured Corinthian Church: Religious, socio-economic, racial…

2. EXAMPLE: Have you ever been a part of a group like this?

ii. Circumcision was a mark of ethnic identity (vs. 18-29)

1. Circumcision was a public marker of ethnic/cultural identity

2. Could/should you shed your cultural identity now that you are a Christian?

iii. Race in America: Where does OUR Ethnicity Fit with Faith?

1. Some Elevate Race: It is central to your identity (but this leads to division)

2. EXAMPLE: J. Haidt à Diversity training actually creates more division

3. Others ignore cultural identity: Assimilation into USA

B. The Major Point: Does religious Performance Define us?

i. Performance-based religion says “we are what we do!”

1. Judaizers: circumcision à greater standing (and sought to impose it)

2. The idol of busyness: The busier we are, the more valued (The Atlantic)

3. EXAMPLE: Church work, moral performance; others, secular doing

ii. Performance-based religion crushes us

1. You will always compare yourself to others, crushing them

2. You will always feel you’re never doing enough, trying hard enough

C. The Collars that we wear: Defined by Socio-Economic Status (vv. 20-22)

i. Does our worth stem from our social standing?

1. A brief word about slaves: Slaves = Bondservants

2. In Corinth, the slaves were viewed as inferior – even in the church

ii. Problem One: We define ourselves by the “collars” that we wear:

1. Whether we are working-class, professional, blue-collar, clergy…

2. Do we define ourselves by the world’s standards?

iii. Problem Two: Do we need to be “in ministry” to be effective?

1. Are Christian “professionals” more valuable to God?

2. EXAMPLE: Kjellman and others

THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM: DO WE USE WORLDLY CRITERIA TO DEFINE OURSELVES – CULTURAL, SOCIO-ECONOMIC, OR PERFORMANCE? THE GOSPEL HAS A BETTER WAY.

II) An Identity Rooted in Grace

A. Our Cultural Identity is Rooted in Christ

i. Our Calling is the HEART of our identity! (vv. 18-20, Acts 16)

1. Rather than toss circumcision, Paul is indifferent (and condones?)

2. Why? We have a new “CALLING!” in Christ (vv.18, 20, 24)

ii. We can affirm our culture without elevating it

1. Don’t hide your cultural identity because it doesn’t define you

2. The antidote to racial tension = commonality àThe gospel!

iii. We are freed from performance-based religion (vv. 19)

1. The obedience God desires is possible through a changed heart

2. Obedience is a means to enjoy God, please him, delight in him (NOT to earn his love, favor, & acceptance)

B. Jesus says that we are freed slaves

i. God places People in all areas of ministry (vv. 17, 20, 24)

1. The assumption is that God is sovereign over where he places us

2. Therefore, live out where you have been called: Banks, hospitals; classrooms

ii. We are all free in Christ (vs. 22a)

1. True freedom is found in our relationship with Christ

2. EXAMPLE: Some of usa re “enslaved” to others’ opinions – but we need not be because are who Jesus says we are

iii. We are all slaves to Christ (vs. 22b)

Conclusion: