"To Be or Not To Be?"

June 23, 2024

FBC Baxley

am service

**Pray for Michael Spell’s family….Ann passed….203 High Bluff Rd.

-Doug Doyle

-Connie Edmund

Welcome radio and online guests…

*It’s ok if you’re broken, unfaithful, lost, we are too and we are here seeking God’s will and way and plan.

We are all prodigals here…

Some rescued….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: “To Be or Not To Be”

** Share why this….thoughts…. We live in a church culture that has drifted so far, it’s hard to get a glimpse of who/what Jesus expects a christian to be….

Our church culture stays offended.....you know what? To be offended might be right where God wants you...

Until we get self out of the way, we will stay offended!!

He will offend us until we surrender!

Scripture Passage: Philippians 1:21-26

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.

23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

PRAY

Three Points:

The Conflict of Identity (Gal. 2:11-14)

The Clarity of Identity (Gal. 2:15-16)

The Consistency of Identity (Gal. 2:20)

Introduction:

To be, or not to be: that is the question:

Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

And by opposing end them?—To die,—to sleep,—

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to,—’tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wish’d. To die,—to sleep;—

___________________________________________________

—---This soliloquy, probably the most famous speech in the English language, is spoken by Hamlet in Act III.(Shakespeare) His most logical and powerful examination of the theme of the moral legitimacy of suicide in an unbearably painful world, it touches on several of the other important themes of the play. Hamlet poses the problem of whether to commit suicide as a logical question: “To be, or not to be,” that is, to live or not to live. He then weighs the moral ramifications of living and dying.

**So for us this morning the big question is….Will we live for Christ or will we live for self??

I. The Conflict of Identity

Galatians 2:11-14

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.

13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Here in Galatians 2:11-14: Paul confronts Peter for withdrawing from Gentile believers due to fear of criticism from Jewish believers.

Big Ideas:

Peter's Hypocrisy: Peter’s behavior reflected an identity crisis, showing inconsistency between his beliefs and actions.

Why do you say identity crisis….??

**when the norm in church is to not share your faith in your lifetime…

-when in business meetings we here..”My,Mine, I, I, I want, I think, I like…

-when the priorities of the church are identical to the priorities of this world, (finances, relationships, drugs/alcohol, etc.)

-”Rich young ruler...”

Fear of Man: Peter's fear of others' opinions led him to compromise his identity in Christ.

Application: Address how we might face similar conflicts, leading to actions that challenge our faith.

Illustration:

Share a relatable story about struggling with peer pressure and compromising beliefs.

II. The Clarity of Identity

Galatians 2:15-16: “We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners;

16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

Big Ideas:

Justification by Faith: Our identity as Christians is rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ, not in adhering to the law or cultural norms.

Romans 5:1: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Freedom from the Law: Emphasize the freedom that comes from knowing our worth and acceptance are based on Christ’s sacrifice.

Verse 16…”yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

Application: Encourage the congregation to find clarity in their identity by focusing on their faith in Christ rather than external validations. (work, school, friendships, etc.)

Illustration:

Use an analogy, such as a passport or citizenship, explain how our identity in Christ is what defines us and grants us true freedom.

Paul emphasizes that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law.

III. The Consistency of Identity

Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Big Ideas:

Crucified with Christ: Our old self, with its fears and inconsistencies, is crucified with Christ. (nailed, dead, gone…)

We can no longer say … “I, Me, My, Mine!!!”

We say things like: I would have done it this way…, or I think we should…, or I would like...

Instead of, through prayer God wants______!!!

Living by Faith: Our new identity is characterized by living through faith in Jesus, allowing His life to manifest in ours.

Application: Challenge the congregation to live consistently with their identity in Christ, embracing the transformative power of His presence within them.

How: Romans 12:1-2

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Illustration:

Born in 354 AD in Thagaste, Augustine was a brilliant scholar but lived a life marked by moral and spiritual restlessness.

Despite his mother's fervent prayers, he pursued pleasure and success through relationships, philosophical teachings, and hedonistic pursuits.

In Milan, Augustine encountered the eloquent preaching of Bishop Ambrose. Intrigued, he began attending his sermons, and his skepticism towards Christianity began to wane. One day, while in a garden, Augustine heard a child’s voice chanting, "Take up and read." He opened a Bible and read Romans 13:13-14, which urged him to abandon his life of indulgence and embrace Christ.

This moment transformed Augustine. He renounced his former ways and was baptized by Ambrose in 387 AD. Returning to Africa, he sold his possessions, founded a monastic community, and dedicated himself to prayer, study, and writing. Augustine became a priest and later the Bishop of Hippo.

His writings, including "Confessions" and "The City of God," became foundational to Christian theology. Augustine's life, once restless and unfulfilled, found peace and purpose in Christ, demonstrating the transformative power of faith.

PRAY

Invitation

** Nasa…Janitor

“Called to Ministry??”

“Are you born again?”

Is your name written in the Lambs Book of Life?

“Have you surrendered/repented to Jesus?