A Real Identity

How do we talk to God? (through prayer) How does God talk to us? (through his word)

Daniel 1:1–7 KJV 1900

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

Introduction:

Identity! how would you identify yourself? in today’s confused world there are a lot of people who say “well, I identify as this or that.” against what God really made them. 

Who we identify with is so very very important! 

There is a story of a group of Christian young people at a college in China. one day a group of soldiers came to the college and shut off every exit but one. The soldiers then laid a cross down in the doorway and said, “anyone who spits on the cross and tramples it underfoot will be free to leave, anyone who does not will be shoot.” the first 10 scared students quickly spit on the cross denouncing Jesus Christ as Savior and ran over the cross and as quickly as they could ran away. the next young lady very calmly walked over to the cross bent down kissed the cross and walked out around the cross to meet the firing squad. this one act of identifying herself with Christ gave the other 90+ students the courage they needed to follow in her footsteps!

not being ashamed who you identify with can be a very powerful tool! Let’s look at some things about our identity as Christians this evening!

1. Citizens Of Another World

Explanation:

Citizens of another world? What does this even mean? 

Well If you are a born again believer. That means if you have accepted Christ as your Savior and he lives in your heart then your citizenship belongs in Heaven! 

How many of you are proud to be an American? We live in the greatest country in the World! we have so many things, can do so many things, and can have anything we want if we are willing to work hard enough for it! You truly are blessed to be a citizen of such an amazing country!!

However, you know what’s even better than having your citizenship here in American? It’s having your citizenship in Heaven! While being an American is wonderful and there are very very few things in this world I’d trade that for being a citizen of the eternal kingdom of Heaven is so much better! 

Why? well, we don’t have to worry about having an imperfect human leader for starters! and we have access to the power of the creator with just the whisper of a prayer!

Illustration:

My daughter was born in Mexico and no matter how difficult this is to grasp she was Mexican before she was American.  But because of the nationality of her parents (me and my wife), she obtained citizenship here in America and now has dual citizenship. That means she is a Mexican citizen as well as an American citizen. She is a Mexican citizen because she was born in Mexico. However, her American citizenship was given to her through another person.

Application:

Young people let me explain. When we are born we have citizenship from this world and it is evidenced by this fleshly body we carry every day! This is a citizenship we were born into.

BUT, when you received Christ as your Savior you were given another citizenship the citizenship of Heaven! This is not a citizenship you had to earn or pay for if is a gift from God! Just like my daughter did have to work for her citizenship in America neither do you have to work for your citizenship in Heaven! 

Transition:

But what does having a citizenship in Heaven mean? It means we are…

2. Called To Be Separate From This World

Explanation:

You see now that we are citizens of another nation we are to be separate from this world! That means not participating in this worlds wicked activities. We are called to be different and set apart!

2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV 1900

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Illustration:

Have you ever heard someone say something like this “I need to discover myself” or “You need to find out who you really are.” The world tells us to find our identity in so many different places, people, and things but as Christians the answer is simple we know exactly where our identity lies and it is in Christ! 

The Entity of our Identity should solely be Heavenly!

Application:

Just like Daniel and his friends were transplanted from their nation into a foreign one with different beliefs, people who are born again find themselves belonging to another kingdom—a heavenly country.

Ephesians 2:19 KJV 1900

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Transition:

We are Citizens of another world, called to be separate from this world, but we are also…

3. Commanded To Live Among This World

Mark 16:15 KJV 1900

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Explination:

Explination:

We are commanded to be a light and live in this world. However, living as a born-again believer in the midst of a pagan society can be a challenge. Sometimes we might feel like we are interacting with people from an entirely different planet.

We must intentionally remind ourselves that this is not our final destination and that we are supposed to be set apart because we really are citizens of heaven. We are to be in the world, but not of it. Our eternal identity, who we are in Christ and in the sight of God, is the most important aspect of who we are.

Illustation:

As you know I live in Mexico. I am not Mexican like my daughter so I have to have a passport. (Hold up passport). This passport is so very important to me! why? Because it identifies with what country my citizenship belongs, America!

Application:

Young Men, When you are walking among the world, not participating in the wicked things of the world, and they see you they should see your heavenly passport, your identity, your heavenly citizenship by the way you act, what you say, and how you carry yourself. 

God has given each one of us a job to do and that job is to be a light for the Heavenly kingdom!

Conclusion:

Even though Daniel was held captive in a foreign, pagan land, he was able to stay committed to God’s purpose for his life because he knew who he really was.

I honestly believe God has something special planned for each one of you young men here. If you have never received Christ as your Savior than this is what his plan is for you right this moment! to become a Christian and a child of God.

You young men who know Christ as your Savior, I would encourage you to stay faithful to God. I’ve seen so many young men turn away from God and ruin their lives but I know if you will walk with him, even in the wicked sinful world, He will guide you and take care of you and use you in a way you never thought he would!!

If you would have asked me when I was your age if I would be pastoring a church In Mexico while at the same time literally influencing people around the world to pursue Christ and the Ministry I would have said you’re crazy. However, God had different plans and now through the power of the Holy Spirit, I am able to impact the world for Christ.

We live in a wicked sin-filled world but my question for you is; “Are you living in the world, but not of the world, and connecting to the lost for the sake of the gospel without compromising your faith?”

Invitation:

I want every head bowed and every eye closed for just a moment.

Let me ask you something “Did God speak to you through this message and the story of Daniel?” Let me ask you another question “Are you 100% sure if you died right now you would go to heaven and your citizenship is in Heaven?”

This is what I would like each one of you to do use your chair there as an alter and take just a few moments and talk with God. Tell him you want to be bold like Daniel and show the world your identity is heavenly! go ahead and take just a few moments and if you don’t know if you are saved and want to know for sure heaven will be your home I want you to go talk to one of the adults right now. Don’t let another moment pass by without knowing Christ as your Savior.