Who am I - What is your identity - NCA
Notes
Transcript
Opening Illustration:
Who do you think I am, my identity is in this outfit is someone that I am pretending to be.
People say I look like him
Even when I do not have this one people will say
IF you put on a hat you will look like him
Especially from the side - Truck picture
Candy Man
Here at NCA - Even the HS school students remember
Last week I was there and they saw me and said Candyman
But what is my real identity???
Hold up a mirror and ask: “When you look in the mirror, who do you see?
Is it just your face, hair, and clothes
Or is there more to who you are?”
Many people try to find their identity in:
How you look
Your relationships - Did you see who George and Dylan are hanging out with?
Being the best sports players - Samantha is the best ball player on the team
Getting the best grades - Johnny is an A+ student
Many people look outside themselves for identity because it can be easier to adopt
This is what drives the reason for:
Acceptance
Recognition
Respect from others
All these things can and will change
Appearance - I definitely changed in looks
Grades do not matter to me
I am a legend in my own mind
Sports – enjoy watching baseball in person but do not play it anymore
Social media – it does not matter to me how many likes I get
So how do people know you?
2 Corinthians 5:17 — “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Your Identity Is Not in What You Do
The world says: “You are what you achieve.”
But achievements, popularity, and status can fade.
Trophies fade, get discarded
The feelings get hurt when you are not the main player
God doesn’t define you by your talents, looks, or social standing. - He sees the heart
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
The bag of Airheads illustration
Scriptural Descriptions of How God Defines Us
Scriptural Descriptions of How God Defines Us
Chosen and treasured 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
Accepted and empowered for purpose Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Example:
A sports star can get injured
A good student can have a bad test day
But that doesn’t change how God sees them.
Your Identity Is Found in Who God Says You Are
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
When you believe in Jesus, trust Jesus, surrender to Jesus your identity changes forever.
The Bible says:
You are a child of God John 1:12
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”
You are forgiven 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Bad Days: When you mess up, remind yourself—"This mistake doesn’t change who I am. I am still God’s child.”
Who you walk with Psalm 1:1
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”
Friend Pressure: Remember you don’t need to fit in with everyone; you already belong to Jesus.
Walking with Jesus: Galatians 5:16 “
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
These verses illustrate that to walk with God is to live in His presence, follow His commands, and maintain a relationship built on faith and obedience.
Knowing Who You Are Changes How You Live
If you know you’re loved and accepted by God, you don’t have to chase approval from others.
Your identity in Christ gives you confidence to live differently
Show kindness,
be honest,
stand firm in your faith.
Key Takeaways:
Having a relationship in Christ
We are all sinners - Romans 3:10 “as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;” ,Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
The wages of sin Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Confession Romans 10:9–10 “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
Call Romans 10:13 “for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.””
Be in God’s word! A Psalm a day
"I am not defined by my mistakes, successes, or what others think of me. I am defined by who God says I am—His child, loved, forgiven, and made new in Christ
