Starting Over with Identity

“If you don’t know who you are, then you don’t know what to do… Who you are determines what you do. Not what the whole world thinks: what you do determines who you are... the whole self-help movement is this: do these things to change yourself. Lie.” - Mark Driscoll

What are we hearing people say about identity?

Misconceptions about identity:

My identity is primarily determined by others.

Parents

Friends

Social status

Culture

My identity is primarily given based on what I do or have.

I’m a musician because I play music.

I’m an athlete because I play sports.

I’m the class clown because I am funny.

I’m the nerd because I like studying.

I am a great student. I am a bad student.

I’m a great parent. I’m a poor parent.

I’m middle class.

I drive a tesla. I drive a 1994 Geo metro.

I primarily decide my identity.

“I have no identity other than what I determine and manifest.”

You decide what you want your identity to be.

If I decide to be ________, then I am?

My identity is primarily based on my desires.

Sexual preferences

I primarily discover my identity by looking within myself.

Who does God think you are?

God created you in his image.

Genesis 1:27 ESV

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Author illustration:

In any story, who writes the story?

In our world, who writes the story?

In our lives, who writes the story?

When it comes to our life, and our identity, we often get this mixed up.

The primary factor in your identity is who God says you are.

What is your new identity when you come to faith in Jesus?

You are chosen by God. (Eph. 1:4)

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

You are a Child of God. (Eph. 1:5)

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

God’s children live different from the rest of the world.

You are redeemed. (Eph. 1:7)

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

How to become a Child of God

Ephesians 1:13 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Hear the gospel

Believe in him

Then you will receive the Holy Spirit