Identity Crisis

Introduction:

Where is your identification? What defines you?

If you ask people today about their identity, many will respond with how they identify.

The real question, though, is not how do you identify, but what identifies you.

Body:

There are many factors in life that influence and shape us (family, friends, work, etc.), but where does your identity ultimately come from?

The answer is simple, it is God who reveals to us who we are.

First and foremost, until we see ourselves as God sees us, we will never see the need to trust Jesus as our savior.

Secondly, just as Jesus gave Peter his identity, and He will do the same for you.

You are not who men say that you are, and you may not be who you want to be or who you think you are.

You are; however, who Christ reveals that you are. Your true identity is found in Him.

Understand that he knows best, and He has a wonderful plan and a wonderful name for you.

You simply need to come to terms with who God has declared you to be, sometimes that means setting aside your own ambitions.

Unfortunately, we live in a very confused world.

Many people don’t know who they are, so they decide who they are, based on nothing more than their vain imaginations.

When this happens, they create an identity for themselves that is far different than who God created them to be. Romans chapter 1 has a lot to say about this.

The Bible has a lot to say about people who try to change their nature.

Romans 1:25-28

Romans 1:25–28 NKJV

who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

Homosexuality is clearly a sin, just as much today as it was back then.

The fact that they burned in their lust, illustrates the intensity of the desire.

This is what sin does.

As you feed it, the desires intensify.

You want more and more, yet you are never satisfied.

There is no satisfaction and no peace in a sinful lifestyle.

Such a lifestyle only invites judgment (which is a common theme in the Scriptures condemning homosexuality).

It always leads down a path of ruin, and eventually people will receive the penalty of their error.

Often, the penalty spreads to affect others, as well.

Such is always the case of sin and its consequences - remember Adam?

Aids is one frightening example.

A horrible disease which began among the homosexual community, now affects a broad spectrum of people.

In fact, its amazing (and frightening) to think about how many diseases are linked to sexual immorality.

Do you think God is trying to tell us something?

The thing to remember is this: God created you as He meant you to be.

When you try to change your nature, you are going against God’s will.

God created you, and has known you since you were in the womb.

Psalm 139:13

Psalm 139:13 NKJV

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:16

Psalm 139:16 NKJV

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

He created you with a plan, a purpose and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

He created and designed everything about you for a reason.

We are made in the image of God and God has a special purpose for each person who is born.

God formed us as He wants us to be, and we must accept His will no matter how we feel about our genetic structure, our looks, or our abilities.

But the Lord did more than design and form our bodies; He also planned and determined our days.

This certainly includes our length of life and the works He wants us to perform.

Your lifespan and works were ordained by God before you were born.

Job 14:5

Job 14:5 NKJV

Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass.

Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God’s plans for us come from His loving heart, and are the very best He has for us.

Psalm 33:11

Psalm 33:11 NKJV

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The good news is, that no one is beyond redemption. Jesus died for the homosexual, just like He died for any other sinner.

No one is beyond God’s saving grace.

Deuteronomy 10:17

Deuteronomy 10:17 NKJV

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.

Acts 10:34

Acts 10:34 NKJV

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

Romans 2:11

Romans 2:11 NKJV

For there is no partiality with God.

Salvation is the same for all, and everyone has that opportunity.

Romans 10:13

Romans 10:13 NKJV

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

The problem we have in our society, is that we've gone to great lengths to eliminate any guilt or sense of wrongdoing from the homosexual.

They've been taught that its natural, and they can'

t help themselves. Therefore, they don’t believe they are doing anything wrong.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is more powerful than the sin.

His Word can pierce the heart of even the most wicked. (sharper then 2 edged sword)

Jesus has done all the work, He makes it easy for us.

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

But beware, God will not leave you in your sinful state, He will change you!

God will change those who come to Him.

Isaiah 1:16

Isaiah 1:16 NKJV

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,

John 8:11

John 8:11 NKJV

She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

1 John 1:9

1 John 1:9 NKJV

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This is good news, because it means that people can finally be freed from the stranglehold of sin.

What may have seemed like an impossible situation is made possible through Jesus Christ.

Transformation is only possible through Jesus Christ.

Luke 18:27

Luke 18:27 NKJV

But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”