Christian Identity
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Before I get into the heart of our scripture lesson from 2 Timothy, I wanted to pose the question, Where do you work? Or maybe a better way to say this, what is your occupation in life past or present. Now, while this may seem strange take a couple seconds to think about your profession in how,
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* What are the expectations for your work?
* What are the expectations for your work?
* What are the expectations for your work?
* What are the expectations for your work?
* What are the expectations or responsibilities for your work?
* What responsibilities do you have?
* What responsibilities do you have?
* What responsibilities do you have?
* What responsibilities do you have?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
(Pause)
(Pause)
(Pause)
(Pause)
(Pause)
Alright now hold onto those answers because those answers help define who you are. As a collective, not just those here but all of humanity loves categorizing everything that we can name and also associate some group of traits to the category. This could be anything from personality types, cars, food, or profession. If I was to start talking about a pediatric doctor, your mind would imagine a doctor who specializes in the care of children and to a certain extent, you may even presume what type of person they are because of their profession. In the case of the pediatric doctor, that it would be a person with a particular strong carrying nature toward children. The same would apply if I started talking about a police officer, or teacher, or utility worker, and so on. As a student-athlete, at first, I did not believe that I had any job while I was in middle school or high school. Unlike some of my friends, I did not work at a fast food place or any other restaurant, nor did I ever work at a retail store. The closest I came to a real job was doing maintenance work on an aquarium for a church member one summer with my dad. Despite thinking that I did not have a job, my parents drilled into my head that I did, in fact, have a job, and it was towards my education and my athletics.
Alright now hold onto those answers because those answers help define who you are. As a collective, not just those here but all of humanity loves categorizing everything that we can name and also associate some group of traits to the category. This could be anything from personality types, cars, food, or profession. If I was to start talking about a pediatric doctor, your mind would imagine a doctor who specializes in the care of children and to a certain extent, you may even presume what type of person they are because of their profession. In the case of the pediatric doctor, that it would be a person with a particular strong carrying nature toward children. The same would apply if I started talking about a police officer, or teacher, or utility worker, and so on. As a student-athlete, at first, I did not believe that I had any job while I was in middle school or high school, unlike some of my friends I did not work at a fast food place. The closest I came to a real job was doing maintenance work on an aquarium one summer with my dad. Dispute thinking that I did not have a job, my parents drilled into my head that I did, in fact, have a job, and it was towards my education and my athletics.
Alright now hold onto those answers because those answers help define who you are. As a collective, not just those here but all of humanity loves categorizing everything that we can name and also associate some group of traits to the category. This could be anything from personality types, cars, food, or profession. If I was to start talking about a pediatric doctor, your mind would imagine a doctor who specializes in the care of children and to a certain extent, you may even presume what type of person they are because of their profession. In the case of the pediatric doctor, that it would be a person with a particular strong carrying nature toward children. The same would apply if I started talking about a police officer, or teacher, or utility worker, and so on. As a student-athlete, at first, I did not believe that I had any job while I was in middle school or high school, unlike some of my friends I did not work at a fast food place. The closest I came to a real job was doing maintenance work on an aquarium one summer with my dad. Dispute thinking that I did not have a job, my parents drilled into my head that I did, in fact, have a job, and it was towards my education and my athletics.
Alright now hold onto those answers because those answers help define who you are. As a collective, not just those here but all of humanity loves categorizing everything that we can name and also associate some group of traits to the category. This could be anything from personality types, cars, food, or profession. If I was to start talking about a pediatric doctor, your mind would imagine a doctor who specializes in the care of children and to a certain extent, you may even presume what type of person they are because of their profession. In the case of the pediatric doctor, that it would be a person with a particular strong carrying nature toward children. The same would apply if I started talking about a police officer, or teacher, or utility worker, and so on. As a student-athlete, at first, I did not believe that I had any job while I was in middle school or high school, unlike some of my friends I did not work at a fast food place. The closest I came to a real job was doing maintenance work on an aquarium one summer with my dad. Dispute thinking that I did not have a job, my parents drilled into my head that I did, in fact, have a job, and it was towards my education and my athletics.
Alright now hold onto those answers because those answers help define who you are. As a collective, not just those here but all of humanity loves categorizing everything that we can name and also associate some group of traits to the category. This could be anything from personality types, cars, food, or profession. If I was to start talking about a pediatric doctor, your mind would imagine a doctor who specializes in the care of children and to a certain extent, you may even presume what type of person they are because of their profession. In the case of the pediatric doctor, that it would be a person with a particular strong carrying nature toward children. The same would apply if I started talking about a police officer, or teacher, or utility worker, and so on. As a student-athlete, at first, I did not believe that I had any job while I was in middle school or high school, unlike some of my friends I did not work at a fast food place. The closest I came to a real job was doing maintenance work on an aquarium one summer with my dad. Dispute thinking that I did not have a job, my parents drilled into my head that I did, in fact, have a job, and it was towards my education and my athletics.
As a student, I was expected to maintain good academic standings and turn in work that was of good quality. I was personally responsible for keeping track of assignments, when they are due and letting my parents know if I needed aid, and in talking with my teachers if I encountered difficulties instead of waiting for my parents to say something. While it was okay if I did not like or enjoy my classes day to day, I was still supposed to put my best foot forward.
As a student, I was expected to maintain good academic standings and turn in work that was of good quality. I was personally responsible for keeping track of assignments, when they are due and letting my parents know if I need aid, and in talking with my teachers if I encountered difficulties instead of waiting for my parents to say something. While it was okay if I did not like or enjoy my classes day to day, I was still supposed to put my best foot forward.
As a student, I was expected to maintain good academic standings and turn in work that was of good quality. I was personally responsible for keeping track of assignments, when they are due and letting my parents know if I need aid, and in talking with my teachers if I encountered difficulties instead of waiting for my parents to say something. While it was okay if I did not like or enjoy my classes day to day, I was still supposed to put my best foot forward.
As a student, I was expected to maintain good academic standings and turn in work that was of good quality. I was personally responsible for keeping track of assignments, when they are due and letting my parents know if I need aid, and in talking with my teachers if I encountered difficulties instead of waiting for my parents to say something. While it was okay if I did not like or enjoy my classes day to day, I was still supposed to put my best foot forward.
As a student, I was expected to maintain good academic standings and turn in work that was of good quality. I was personally responsible for keeping track of assignments, when they are due and letting my parents know if I need aid, and in talking with my teachers if I encountered difficulties instead of waiting for my parents to say something. While it was okay if I did not like or enjoy my classes day to day, I was still supposed to put my best foot forward.
We have all heard this line about, "putting our best foot forward," whether it was something one of you may have said to your child, or maybe heard from your parents. When it came to my athletics, my responsibilities to my track and field team helped me to realize that I actually did have a job. On my team, I was more than just another runner or thrower, but I was the team's chaplain and relay captain for the guys. On that team, I was responsible for both the well being of my fellow runners but also in assisting with training of the next generation of relay runners. Compared to my education, while the responsibilities were equally present and necessary I felt a greater pull to my position on the track and field team. When people asked to learn more about who I am, one of the first things out of my mouth was "I am the chaplain for my track and field team and the relay captain for the guys." This simple statement became part of my identity as a person.
We have all heard this line and drive before, whether it was something one of y'all said to your child, or maybe heard from your parents. But when it came to my athletics, my responsibilities to my track and field team did I realize that I actually did have a job. On my team, I was more than just another runner or thrower, but I was the team's chaplain and relay captain for the guys. On that team, I was responsible for both the well being of my fellow runners but also in assisting with training of the next generation of relay runners. Compared to my educations, while the responsibilities were equally present and necessary I felt a greater pull to my office on the track and field team. When people asked about who I am, one of the first things out of my mouth was "I am the chaplain for my track and field team and the relay captain for the guys." This simple statement became part of my identity as a person.
We have all heard this line and drive before, whether it was something one of y'all said to your child, or maybe heard from your parents. But when it came to my athletics, my responsibilities to my track and field team did I realize that I actually did have a job. On my team, I was more than just another runner or thrower, but I was the team's chaplain and relay captain for the guys. On that team, I was responsible for both the well being of my fellow runners but also in assisting with training of the next generation of relay runners. Compared to my educations, while the responsibilities were equally present and necessary I felt a greater pull to my office on the track and field team. When people asked about who I am, one of the first things out of my mouth was "I am the chaplain for my track and field team and the relay captain for the guys." This simple statement became part of my identity as a person.
We have all heard this line and drive before, whether it was something one of y'all said to your child, or maybe heard from your parents. But when it came to my athletics, my responsibilities to my track and field team did I realize that I actually did have a job. On my team, I was more than just another runner or thrower, but I was the team's chaplain and relay captain for the guys. On that team, I was responsible for both the well being of my fellow runners but also in assisting with training of the next generation of relay runners. Compared to my educations, while the responsibilities were equally present and necessary I felt a greater pull to my office on the track and field team. When people asked about who I am, one of the first things out of my mouth was "I am the chaplain for my track and field team and the relay captain for the guys." This simple statement became part of my identity as a person.
We have all heard this line and drive before, whether it was something one of y'all said to your child, or maybe heard from your parents. But when it came to my athletics, my responsibilities to my track and field team did I realize that I actually did have a job. On my team, I was more than just another runner or thrower, but I was the team's chaplain and relay captain for the guys. On that team, I was responsible for both the well being of my fellow runners but also in assisting with training of the next generation of relay runners. Compared to my educations, while the responsibilities were equally present and necessary I felt a greater pull to my office on the track and field team. When people asked about who I am, one of the first things out of my mouth was "I am the chaplain for my track and field team and the relay captain for the guys." This simple statement became part of my identity as a person.
Church, whether you realize this or not, in the world, our identity is defined by our position, our job, the role we fill, or any titles that we hold. Whereas for individuals like Pastor Ben, it is rather clear that he is a Christian and the values that come with that. But as for our utility worker, teacher, and police officer where they stand is less certain a fact that I realized on my college campus. You would think that with the word Baptist in their name, that the student population would be predominantly Christian. That was not the case; even though I had not asked specifically whether or not the friends in my group are Christian, I just assumed they were. While many are Christain there was also a good group of them that were not. Most placed themselves somewhere in the agnostic category but there were two or three atheist and one that was into New Age Spirituality. Before asking my group of friends what they believe, I assumed they were in some way Christian but mostly I attributed who they are to the academic school which they belonged to and their major. To me, what they dedicated their time to and talked about was their personal identity whether that was English, Business Management, Accounting, Law, Nursing, Education, Psychology, or International Business.
Church, whether you realize this or not, in the world, our identity is defined by our position, our job, or any titles that we hold on to. Whereas for individuals that are ordained elders like Pastor Ben, it is rather clear that he is a Christian and the values that come with that. But as for our utility worker, teacher, and police officer where they stand is less certain a fact that I realized on my college campus. You would think that with the word Baptist in their name, that the student population would be predominantly Christian. That was not the case; even though I had not asked specifically whether or not the friends in my group are Christian, I just assumed they were. While a fair few are Christain there was also a good group of them that were not. Most placed themselves somewhere in the agnostic category but there were two or three atheist and one that was into New Age Spirituality. Before asking my group of friends what they believe, I assumed they were in some way Christian but mostly I attributed who they are two which academic school they belonged to and their major. To me, what they dedicated their time to and talked about was their personal identity whether that was English, Business Management, Accounting, Law, Nursing, Education, Psychology, or International Business.
Church, whether you realize this or not, in the world, our identity is defined by our position, our job, or any titles that we hold on to. Whereas for individuals that are ordained elders like Pastor Ben, it is rather clear that he is a Christian and the values that come with that. But as for our utility worker, teacher, and police officer where they stand is less certain a fact that I realized on my college campus. You would think that with the word Baptist in their name, that the student population would be predominantly Christian. That was not the case; even though I had not asked specifically whether or not the friends in my group are Christian, I just assumed they were. While a fair few are Christain there was also a good group of them that were not. Most placed themselves somewhere in the agnostic category but there were two or three atheist and one that was into New Age Spirituality. Before asking my group of friends what they believe, I assumed they were in some way Christian but mostly I attributed who they are two which academic school they belonged to and their major. To me, what they dedicated their time to and talked about was their personal identity whether that was English, Business Management, Accounting, Law, Nursing, Education, Psychology, or International Business.
Church, whether you realize this or not, in the world, our identity is defined by our position, our job, or any titles that we hold on to. Whereas for individuals that are ordained elders like Pastor Ben, it is rather clear that he is a Christian and the values that come with that. But as for our utility worker, teacher, and police officer where they stand is less certain a fact that I realized on my college campus. You would think that with the word Baptist in their name, that the student population would be predominantly Christian. That was not the case; even though I had not asked specifically whether or not the friends in my group are Christian, I just assumed they were. While a fair few are Christain there was also a good group of them that were not. Most placed themselves somewhere in the agnostic category but there were two or three atheist and one that was into New Age Spirituality. Before asking my group of friends what they believe, I assumed they were in some way Christian but mostly I attributed who they are two which academic school they belonged to and their major. To me, what they dedicated their time to and talked about was their personal identity whether that was English, Business Management, Accounting, Law, Nursing, Education, Psychology, or International Business.
If I was to ask you just off of the majors I named, which one was a Christian or not or even how many in each major there was you could not do it. You just could not. Even face to face there is only a handful in my friend group that I can say you would be able to that you could correctly identify as Christian. As for the rest, unless you took the time to get to know them or just flat out asked, you would never know if they are a Christian or not. Earlier I asked you three question related to your job that I said will help in defining your identity as a person.
If I was to ask you just off of the majors I named, which one was a Christian or not or even how many in each major there was you could not do it. You just could not. Even face to face there is only a handful that I can say with complete certainty that you could correctly identify as Christian. As for the rest, unless you took the time to get to know them or just flat out asked, you would never know if they are a Christian or not. Earlier I asked you four question related to your job that I said will help in defining your identity as a person.
If I was to ask you just off of the majors I named, which one was a Christian or not or even how many in each major there was you could not do it. You just could not. Even face to face there is only a handful that I can say with complete certainty that you could correctly identify as Christian. As for the rest, unless you took the time to get to know them or just flat out asked, you would never know if they are a Christian or not. Earlier I asked you four question related to your job that I said will help in defining your identity as a person.
If I was to ask you just off of the majors I named, which one was a Christian or not or even how many in each major there was you could not do it. You just could not. Even face to face there is only a handful that I can say with complete certainty that you could correctly identify as Christian. As for the rest, unless you took the time to get to know them or just flat out asked, you would never know if they are a Christian or not. Earlier I asked you four question related to your job that I said will help in defining your identity as a person.
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* What are the expectations or responsibilities for your work?
* What are the expectations for your work?
* What are the expectations for your work?
* What are the expectations for your work?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
* What responsibilities do you have?
* What responsibilities do you have?
* What responsibilities do you have?
Now take those three questions and apply them to your Christian walk. How do people perceive your faith? What is the expectation of being a Christian and what are your responsibilities as a Christian? What kind of attitude do you have about your faith day in and day out?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
(Pause)
Now take those four questions and apply them to your Christian walk. How do people perceive your faith? What is the expectation of being a Christian and what are your responsibilities as a Christian? What kind of attitude do you have about your faith day in and day out?
Now take those four questions and apply them to your Christian walk. How do people perceive your faith? What is the expectation of being a Christian and what are your responsibilities as a Christian? What kind of attitude do you have about your faith day in and day out?
Now take those four questions and apply them to your Christian walk. How do people perceive your faith? What is the expectation of being a Christian and what are your responsibilities as a Christian? What kind of attitude do you have about your faith day in and day out?
When you compare your answers, do you find that your identity is in your job or your faith? Are people more likely to say that is Dave the Christian or Dave the Accountant? We live in a day and age where it is easier to simply go by how the world would identify us as, as an accountant rather than as a Christian. It is easier to take our identity in the world and live as it says we should live. However, that is not our purpose, for our identity should not be rooted in the world but in Christ Jesus. While I may be a Business Managment Major that is not my identity, I am first and foremost a Christian and then _______.
(Pause)
(Pause)
(Pause)
As Paul said in
When you compare your answers, do you find that your identity is in your job or your faith? Are people more likely to say that is Dave the Christian or Dave the Accountant? Church, we live in a day and age where it is easier to simply go by how the world would identify us as, as an accountant rather than as a Christian. It is easier to take our identity in the world but that is not our purpose, for our identity is not in the world but in Christ Jesus. While I may be a Business Managment Major that is not my identity I am first and foremost a Christian and then _______.
When you compare your answers, do you find that your identity is in your job or your faith? Are people more likely to say that is Dave the Christian or Dave the Accountant? We live in a day and age where it is easier to simply go by how the world would identify us as, as an accountant rather than as a Christian. It is easier to take our identity in the world and live as it says we should live. However, that is not our purpose, for our identity should not be rooted in the world but in Christ Jesus. While I may be a Business Managment Major that is not my identity, I am first and foremost a Christian and then _______.
When you compare your answers, do you find that your identity is in your job or your faith? Are people more likely to say that is Dave the Christian or Dave the Accountant? We live in a day and age where it is easier to simply go by how the world would identify us as, as an accountant rather than as a Christian. It is easier to take our identity in the world and live as it says we should live. However, that is not our purpose, for our identity should not be rooted in the world but in Christ Jesus. While I may be a Business Managment Major that is not my identity, I am first and foremost a Christian and then _______.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure:
As Paul said in
As Paul said in
As Paul said in
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
As Paul said in :
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure:
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure:
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure:
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
for he cannot deny himself.
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
for he cannot deny himself.
for he cannot deny himself.
Despite being imprisoned for his faith, despite being ridiculed by those around him, Paul still clung to the gospel and held his identity in Jesus Christ rather than in anything else. Holding your identity in Christ, and saying that your identity is in Christ are two fundamentally different viewpoints in that one only requires that you speak about who you are, and the other requires substance behind the reason. That has to be more there than just the phrase 'I am a Christian.' There has to be some level of action or drive desiring to become closer to God that, in turn, acts like a city on a hill, lets all people know where we place our trust and our identity in. Church, we are God chosen workers in His vineyard tasked with the expansion and cultivation of His mighty works, not to sit around watching the days pass on by leaving it to ruin without a second thought. There is more to life than holding onto the identity that we have in the world. Do not be ashamed of the identity that you have in Jesus Christ but rather live your life in such a way that it is unquestionable as to where you stand.
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
Before I get into the heart of our scripture lesson from 2 Timothy, I wanted to pose the question, Where do you work? Or maybe a better way to say this, what is your occupation in life past or present. Now, while this may seem strange take a couple seconds to think about your profession in how,
for he cannot deny himself.
for he cannot deny himself.
Church, we are God chosen workers in His vineyard tasked with the expansion and cultivation of His mighty works, not to sit around watching the days pass on by leaving it to ruin without a second thought. There is more to life than holding onto the identity that we have in the world. Do not be ashamed of the identity that you have in Jesus Christ but rather live your life in such a way that it is unquestionable as to where you stand.
Despite being imprisoned for his faith, despite being ridiculed by those around him, Paul still clung to the gospel and held his identity in Jesus Christ rather than in anything else. Holding your identity in Christ, and saying that your identity is in Christ are two fundamentally different viewpoints in that one only requires that you speak about who you are, and the other requires substance behind the reason. That has to be more there than just the phrase 'I am a Christian.' There has to be some level of action or drive desiring to become closer to God that, in turn, acts like a city on a hill, lets all people know where we place our trust and our identity in. Church, we are God chosen workers in His vineyard tasked with the expansion and cultivation of His mighty works, not to sit around watching the days pass on by leaving it to ruin without a second thought. There is more to life than holding onto the identity that we have in the world. Do not be ashamed of the identity that you have in Jesus Christ but rather live your life in such a way that it is unquestionable as to where you stand.
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
Before I get into the heart of our scripture lesson from 2 Timothy, I wanted to pose the question, Where do you work? Or maybe a better way to say this, what is your occupation in life past or present. Now, while this may seem strange take a couple seconds to think about your profession in how,
* How do you think others perceive your job?
Church, we are God chosen workers in the vineyard that is His creation, tasked with the expansion and cultivation of His mighty works, not to sit around watching the days pass on by without a second thought. There is more to life than holding onto the identity that we have in the world.
* What are the expectations or responsibilities for your work?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
(Pause)
Alright now hold onto those answers because those answers help define who you are. As a collective, not just those here but all of humanity loves categorizing everything that we can name and also associate some group of traits to the category. This could be anything from personality types, cars, food, or profession. If I was to start talking about a pediatric doctor, your mind would imagine a doctor who specializes in the care of children and to a certain extent, you may even presume what type of person they are because of their profession. In the case of the pediatric doctor, that it would be a person with a particular strong carrying nature toward children. The same would apply if I started talking about a police officer, or teacher, or utility worker, and so on. As a student-athlete, at first, I did not believe that I had any job while I was in middle school or high school. Unlike some of my friends, I did not work at a fast food place or any other restaurant, nor did I ever work at a retail store. The closest I came to a real job was doing maintenance work on an aquarium for a church member one summer with my dad. Despite thinking that I did not have a job, my parents drilled into my head that I did, in fact, have a job, and it was towards my education and my athletics.
As a student, I was expected to maintain good academic standings and turn in work that was of good quality. I was personally responsible for keeping track of assignments, when they are due and letting my parents know if I needed aid, and in talking with my teachers if I encountered difficulties instead of waiting for my parents to say something. While it was okay if I did not like or enjoy my classes day to day, I was still supposed to put my best foot forward.
We have all heard this line about, "putting our best foot forward," whether it was something one of you may have said to your child, or maybe heard from your parents. When it came to my athletics, my responsibilities to my track and field team helped me to realize that I actually did have a job. On my team, I was more than just another runner or thrower, but I was the team's chaplain and relay captain for the guys. On that team, I was responsible for both the well being of my fellow runners but also in assisting with training of the next generation of relay runners. Compared to my education, while the responsibilities were equally present and necessary I felt a greater pull to my position on the track and field team. When people asked to learn more about who I am, one of the first things out of my mouth was "I am the chaplain for my track and field team and the relay captain for the guys." This simple statement became part of my identity as a person.
Church, whether you realize this or not, in the world, our identity is defined by our position, our job, the role we fill, or any titles that we hold. Whereas for individuals like Pastor Ben, it is rather clear that he is a Christian and the values that come with that. But as for our utility worker, teacher, and police officer where they stand is less certain a fact that I realized on my college campus. You would think that with the word Baptist in their name, that the student population would be predominantly Christian. That was not the case; even though I had not asked specifically whether or not the friends in my group are Christian, I just assumed they were. While many are Christian there was also a good group of them that were not. Most placed themselves somewhere in the agnostic category but there were two or three atheist and one that was into New Age Spirituality. Before asking my group of friends what they believe, I assumed they were in some way Christian but mostly I attributed who they are to the academic school which they belonged to and their major. To me, what they dedicated their time to and talked about was their personal identity whether that was English, Business Management, Accounting, Law, Nursing, Education, Psychology, or International Business.
If I was to ask you just off of the majors I named, which one was a Christian or not or even how many in each major there was you could not do it. You just could not. Even face to face there is only a handful in my friend group that I can say you would be able to that you could correctly identify as Christian. As for the rest, unless you took the time to get to know them or just flat out asked, you would never know if they are a Christian or not. Earlier I asked you three question related to your job that I said will help in defining your identity as a person.
* How do you think others perceive your job?
* What are the expectations or responsibilities for your work?
* And also what was the attitude you had in your day to day routine?
Now take those three questions and apply them to your Christian walk. How do people perceive your faith? What is the expectation of being a Christian and what are your responsibilities as a Christian? What kind of attitude do you have about your faith day in and day out?
(Pause)
When you compare your answers, do you find that your identity is in your job or your faith? Are people more likely to say that is Dave the Christian or Dave the Accountant? We live in a day and age where it is easier to simply go by how the world would identify us as, as an accountant rather than as a Christian. It is easier to take our identity in the world and live as it says we should live. However, that is not our purpose, for our identity should not be rooted in the world but in Christ Jesus. While I may be a Business Management Major that is not my identity, I am first and foremost a Christian and then _______.
As Paul said in
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
Despite being imprisoned for his faith, despite being ridiculed by those around him, Paul still clung to the gospel and held his identity in Jesus Christ rather than in anything else. Holding your identity in Christ, and saying that your identity is in Christ are two fundamentally different viewpoints in that one only requires that you speak about who you are, and the other requires substance behind the reason. That has to be more there than just the phrase 'I am a Christian.' There has to be some level of action or drive desiring to become closer to God that, in turn, acts like a city on a hill, lets all people know where we place our trust and our identity in. Church, we are God chosen workers in His vineyard tasked with the expansion and cultivation of His mighty works, not to sit around watching the days pass on by leaving it to ruin without a second thought. There is more to life than holding onto the identity that we have in the world. Do not be ashamed of the identity that you have in Jesus Christ but rather live your life in such a way that it is unquestionable as to where you stand.
But what does it mean be unashamed of the gospel and live your life in such a way that your identity as a child of God is unmistakable? Taking on your full identity in Jesus Christ does not begin with any outward action but it begins in the heart. Contrary to everything that the world tells you, that your identity is placed on you externally from what you buy or how you act, the outward signs that we see in one another as brothers and sisters in Christ begins with the warming of our hearts as we trust that the Lord is faithful in all that he does and that we can have the assurance of our salvation in Him who has saved us. From this might work that God has done for every human being, do we begin the process of taking on our identity as Christian. The work that began in Jesus Christ's ministry did not end on the cross but continued on through the stirring in our hearts to point where we no longer seek the esteem and praise of other people but direct every action that we do to eventually line up with the will of God. Towards this endeavor, we have the most perfect example to follow in Jesus Christ.
Let us now go to Him in prayer.