A New Year in Christ: Embrace Your Identity
Notes
Transcript
A New Year in Christ: Embrace Your Identity
A New Year in Christ: Embrace Your Identity
Bible Passage: Colossians 1:13–18
Bible Passage: Colossians 1:13–18
As so many of you know, comedy is one of my favorite things in the world. Laughing brings me joy and it lifts my spirit. This time of the year is one of the most comical times of year for me. Why you might ask? Because of the resolutions that people make. I read some of the resolutions and I sit back and laugh at the mindset and words in many of them. I cannot tell you this without sharing a couple of them.
1. Exercise…my right to eat more chocolate!
2. I will finally learn to cook something other than reservations.
3. Committing to a daily workout routine: laughing at my jokes.
4. Embrace my inner couch potato, guilt-free.
5. I will try to remember where I left my keys at least once a week.
6. I vow to keep my plants alive for more than a month.
7. Perfect the art of pretending to listen during Zoom meetings.
8. I will attempt to fold fitted sheets without eventually balling them up and throwing them in a box.
9. Master the art of parallel parking (or continue to avoid it).
10. I will limit my screen time to only 8 hours per day.
11. Become a morning person… starting at noon.
12. I promise to use the gym membership I’ve been paying for all year.
13. I will try not to judge my cat for sleeping 18 hours a day.
14. Develop the ability to remember names, even if it’s just mine.
15. I will strive to say ‘no’ more often… unless it involves dessert.
Here is the thing about resolutions. Resolutions depend on what you see as your identity. Now all the resolutions above are funny little things, the things coming up next are not so funny but in view of believers, are sad.
Focus on me, don’t let others have more of me than I give to myself.
Invest in my appearance because outward beauty is vitally important.
Reduce stress by cutting those who drain me out of my life.
There are many many more. Why are these problems? They are a problem because they go against the Identity we hold in Christ. So I want to help us this morning. First I want to say that resolutions are not my favorite things, they often give us an easy out on commitments. They also go against what Jesus told us to do.
37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
If you are going to hold yourself accountable and be resolute in your commitments this year then I want to help set a foundation for those commitments. This morning we will be in Colossians 1:13-18 and in this Scripture we will see three aspects of our Identity. First, we are Transformed by Transfer. Second, Christ’s Supremacy shapes our Identity. Third, We are Unified in Christ. The desire this morning is that in view of our Identity in Christ, we will make commitments for the New Year that align with who we are as believers and not make commitments counteractive to our faith.
Let’s read our scripture and we will get started.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
1. Transformed by Transfer
1. Transformed by Transfer
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
We begin by understanding how our new identity is rooted in being rescued from darkness and brought into the kingdom of Christ. This transfer not only implies a change in citizenship but also a significant shift in allegiance and purpose. Have you ever done something so long that you did not know how to not do that one thing? As we approach the new year, I believe that there are Christians who make these resolutions or commitments that are selfish not because they are intentionally going against the heart of Christ but because they have done it so long that it is a difficult habit to get out of and if no one ever points it out, how should they even know to stop it? Many believers, even some here this morning are making commitments based on the flesh because they have never learned how to stop living by the flesh. They are still selfish because there has been no real application of living selflessly. As we see in the Scripture this morning we are no longer in the domain of darkness but have been transferred to the kingdom of Christ with redemption and forgiveness. This means that we are no longer slaves to our sin.
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin.
We are no longer bound to the flesh, we are free in Christ to live selflessly.
It reminds me of the dog who was chained up in his yard his entire life. The owner did not care much for the dog, it was his daughters dog and when she moved out she left the dog. The man left the dog chained to the big oak tree and while he would feed and water the dog, there was no interaction or love for the dog at all. One day the man died and when the social workers came to the house they saw the dog chained to the tree and realized that the man lived alone. They were determined to help the dog find a new home. The first thing they did was to release the dog from the chain. As they walked away they anticipated that the dog would follow, but he did not. He stayed behind and would not leave the circle that he had created around the tree. The boundary of his life had been set. He learned early on to try and pull against the chain was painful and no matter how hard he tired the chain was stronger than his ability or will to be free. When he was finally set free, he did not understand his freedom because he had lived in chains so long.
As I see believers setting their new year resolutions or commitments and they set things that are so opposite of their faith. I sometimes find myself asking how could someone do that? Then I remember this dog and how he did not understand his freedom. Many Christians are not living in the identity of Christ and His ability to break their chains. They live as though they are still in the chains because they have tried for years to break them. Can I tell you when Jesus breaks a chain it is gone, no more. That old circle of dirt you walked in, it is just a reminder of the power of Christ to open your world up wide. Jesus brought us out of darkness into the light and set us free.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
As believers we are called to reflect on the nature of our 'forgiveness of sins' as foundational to our standing. As we embrace the New Year, this identity offers a fresh perspective on challenges and goals, motivating us to live as citizens of God's kingdom. We are not only free, our Identity is shaped by the Supremacy of Christ.
2. Christ’s Supremacy Shapes Identity
2. Christ’s Supremacy Shapes Identity
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Christ is both the image of the invisible God and the agent of creation. Understanding this helps frame our identity. If Christ, who created all things, is for us, our identity is secure.
Think about famous celebrities who change their names—Stefani Germanotta becomes Lady Gaga, Reginald Dwight becomes Elton John. Why? Because their old name doesn’t fit their new identity or calling. When God gives us a new name, it’s not for branding—it’s for belonging. We’re no longer defined by sin or shame; we’re called “child of God”
Isaiah 62:2 “2 The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.”
Revelation 2:17 “17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’”
So stop answering to your old name!
Our Identity is in Christ. Not only are we free, we carry a royal name! Could you imagine what it would look like if prince William lived like a commoner? What would it be like if King Charles was begging for money on the front lawn of Westminster Abbey? It would be appalling? Why? Because they would not be living up to their name and position? Can you imagine how it looks to God when we who share His name walk around as slaves to our sin? As selfish, uneducated, and unlawful beings? As we make our commitments this year, they should represent our identity in Christ. Are you living as though you carry a royal name? Do your commitments reflect this name? What are your choices reflecting? Do our choices as a church reflect this direction and position in Christ? We are called to carry the royal name and to find our identity in the supremacy of Christ.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
These are the things that Scripture says about Jesus and the Father. It says far more but we have to get out of here at some point today. So if it says that about Jesus and the Father what does it say about us?
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
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.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Can you see the power in this? We are not just walking around with our same old names and identities as before. No we are made new in Christ, adopted into the family of God. Some of us walk around acting like God’s adoption is worse than the way we adopt.
Could you imagine if a family adopted a child and they told that child, you do not get to take our name. You do not get to move into our home. You cannot take part in family gatherings. No one would do that!
If we would not do it then why do we believe that God would? What does scripture tell us?
11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
This tells us the character of God. If we think we do a good job with adoption, God does so much better. We are not simply free, we are adopted to take on His name and His power, and His Kingdom. Stop living in the old life of poverty and shame when you have been adopted, princes and princesses.
Reflecting on Christ's preeminence reshapes our understanding of what it means to live purposefully within the new creation. This year, allow His supremacy to direct your steps, shape your ambitions, and inform your actions all to His glory.
3. Unity under His Headship
3. Unity under His Headship
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Christ holds all things together. We do not need to try and control everything in our lives, we simply live to honor Him and He will work things out in our lives.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
We are called to be unified in Christ. As we are making individual commitments this year, I want to challenge our church to make a corporate commitment. We need to make a commitment to be unified in the focus of honoring God. For some this is going to mean humbling themselves. For others this is going to mean being more resolute in your faith. For some this will mean giving to those in need. For some this will be getting more involved in ministries that allow us to serve one another. I cannot tell you the specific areas that God is going to call you to serve. What I can tell you is that 2026 will be the year that we take our church from the getting by, to the thriving in the kingdom. 2026 will be the year that we commit to unity and to serving one another to be an example of the love of God to our members, to our community, and to the world. With this we can expect challenges and struggles. We can expect internal battles and power struggles. What we can also expect is that if we will honor God in all decisions He will keep with His word and will work all things out for the good. I am ready to see God move us beyond the getting by stage and moving us to the thriving stage. I want to be clear. This does not mean that we become a mega church, this does not mean that we are overachieving our budget by 400%. This does not mean that we have the most flashy services. While we are not opposed to God doing what He wants in those areas, we want for just what I said. We want what God wants. We want to honor Him. We want to meet the standard of scripture and to be united in Christ.
21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Think of a church potluck where everyone brings the same dish—50 trays of macaroni and cheese! It’s funny, but it’s not healthy. A good potluck has variety—salads, meats, desserts—but all for one purpose: feeding the family.
Point: Unity in Christ is like that. We bring different gifts, personalities, and callings, but all for one purpose: glorifying God and building His kingdom
As you approach your commitments for 2026 may they keep these points in mind.
You are no longer a slave to sin and selfishness. Your commitments should reflect the freedom and selflessness we are called to in Christ.
You are adopted into the family of God- You carry the name of God. His name is your name, you represent God and the Kingdom. Your commitments should reflect this identity in Christ and the dignity of the name of Christ.
We are called to be unified in the name of Christ- Our goals and commitments should build a stronger and more reliable church.
It is my prayer that you are encouraged and emboldened this morning. I pray that our yes will be yes and our no will be no and that we will make commitments to grow closer to Christ and grow closer as a church family in 2026.
