Identity

Introduction

People’s search for who they are. 23 & Me. Ancestry.com. TV Shows - Who Do You Think You Are?

For various reasons, identity or health or just curiosity, has made genealogy the 2nd biggest hobby in the US.

Our genetic identity influences not just skin tone or eye color, but our worldview.

I think a lot of people are seeking to answer the question, “Who am I?”

A Change of Loyalty

vv. 17-20

Paul’s change in attitude towards Christians. From attacking them to being one of them!

This led to him not really having anyone that he was close to. Isolation.

Who will accept me? Where do I belong?

And God was calling him to leave what he was familiar with.

This was an abrupt change for Paul. A dramatic shift.

Leaving his culture, family, cities behind to go out on a new adventure.

When we follow Christ fully, it requires a change of loyalty and identity. Lifestyle.

Hard, but powerful as your friends and family see the way your life is prioritized around Jesus.

A Change of Mission

v. 21

Paul’s past was centered around his life as a Pharisee. Strict interpretation of the Torah.

And then persecution towards those who would have thought differently.

For Paul to now show concern for Gentiles was a dramatic change in his mission.

An unexpected change externally and internally!

God changes our priorities!

Before Jesus, our mission of Pleasure or Power or Possessions.

Paul set aside everything that was in his past, all the things he had previously valued.

From a mission of destruction to a mission of healing.

What a better way to live!

This calling for us as a church, for us as Christians.

Considering how to love those around us. Supporting our neighbors:

Chalking sidewalks and drive-ways; sweet notes; phone calls; just smiling and waving!

A Change from the Culture

vv. 22-23

The inclusion of the Gentiles angered the people!

Racism was entrenched in their culture. Part of their worldview.

This did not excuse it, and Paul could no longer tolerate this sinful attitude.

Paul had to be willing to be the sole voice for what was right.

Unpopular (look at their response!) is an understatement.

Because Paul thought people of another race should be saved, they thought he should die.

“For he should not be allowed to live.”

Paul, because of his change of identity, could look at his culture and identify things that needed to change.

And he was willing to do what he could do change it.

There is so much negativity and division in our culture. Are you willing to be the voice of love?

There are so many struggling? Are you willing to be the source of help?

There are so many depressed? Are you willing to be the source of hope?

God has consistently used His people to change the world, culture by culture.

Medical care, education, an end to slavery, women’s rights.

Even our own tribe of Southern Baptist: Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon. The WMU.

We are in a tradition of elevating people in the Kingdom of God in spite of incorrect attitudes in the culture.

Be a voice for sanctification.

A Continuation from God

vv. 24-29

Some things from our past, God wants us to completely get rid of. Sinful attitudes and actions.

Somethings God will use to grow you and glorify Jesus.

God used something from Paul’s past: to protect and to propel (to Rome).

The fact that you could not torture a Roman citizen as a means of interrogation.

And this allowed Paul’s appeal to Caesar to take his case to Rome.

God can use how He wired your personality, interests, talents.

God can use blessings in your life - resources or family.

God can also use difficulties you’ve endured - to walk with others and support them.

God can use your past to show how your new life in Christ is incredibly different and better.

Our aim is to be conformed to the Jesus.

Conclusion

Citizenship has its benefits. Flying back into the US through Dulles - border control.

I got flagged. Standing in a line with a lot of people whose passports looked drastically different than mine.

As I got up and showed them my slip of paper with an “X” over my picture, she looked at me and the outside of my passport and asked, “What are you doing in this line?” I shrugged my shoulders and she told me to get out of there!

Sometimes, citizenship, our identity, has benefits.

Being a follower of Christ changes our identity, our citizenship.

We remember that our highest citizenship, our priority, is our heavenly citizenship.

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

We might ask a similar question that the tribune had as he expressed that he had to pay a lot of money to buy his (v. 28).

Paul responds that he had his from birth, because of his dad’s citizenship.

We realize that our heavenly citizenship isn’t by birth, but by death.

Jesus died so that we could attain a heavenly citizenship.

One with greater benefits than what we could experience with any other citizenship.

Benefits that we cannot attain by any other means. Only by Jesus.

If you want to be a force of good, a force of change, and experience fulfillment yourself, it comes to Jesus.

Accept Him. Know Him. Follow Him.