Identification

Introduction

-copy/paste intro from Wade’s sermon on Identification.

I. (v. 1-4)

-We take value and significance from jobs, family, accomplishments, hobbies, possessions, and more. But we groan because jobs come to an end, the dollar never stretches as far as it could, family moves on and changes, hobbies change, and our bodies begin to break down.

As the years go by we become all the more aware of our vulnerability and our bodies’ pending decline and death. We feel like there’s something more, we crave to be made whole. We want everything to be fixed and made better. That’s not going to happen in this life. The desire is there but the reality is that our greatest desires and solutions come to fruition when we enter eternity. (v. 1-4)

-God has given us something to hold onto until we reach the fulfillment of God’s promise of being made whole. Our identity has changed (v. 5-10).

Our purpose is bound up in eternity (*v. 5: pledge means down payment or first payment. The Spirit is a guarantee that eternity in heaven is ours). Until then, we prepare our hearts and minds by living like we are already living in heaven here on earth (v. 6-10).

Our goal is to be pleasing to Christ in every way, knowing we will one day stand before Him and crave the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Therefore, we walk by faith (for we have not experienced the full reality of heaven, it has not been seen yet). Everything we say and do in our lives is sourced from our faith: that changes the things we say to match the glory of Christ, our actions adapt to that of Christlike love and generosity, our perspective improves to being Godly in all things.

I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a tall order. We will stand out like a sore thumb in the workplace and in our neighborhoods. As people, we crave being accepted and being well liked. Being like Christ sets us apart. Not to mention, it’s hard to live like Jesus. Ensuring every part of us lines up with our faith and live like heaven bound people is impossibly hard. Our actions are going to be on display at the Day of Judgment and that’s a big responsibility. Anybody else feel like they’ll never measure up?

That’s why Paul tells us to have courage multiple times (v. 6, 8). We walk by faith not perfection. Every action will be revealed and on display for all to see, whether good or bad. But Christ paid for the bad. Our righteousness is lived out by faith in the power and work of Christ. It’s not about us, it’s about pleasing Him. Don’t worry about perfection, worry about consistency. Continue to pick yourself up by faith in Christ. Seek to be pleasing to Christ in all ways, never give up.

-v. 11-: