Untitled Sermon

Introduction

Identification

The way a person identifies themselves is a big deal. People used to define themselves with the jobs. This is the reason why the last name smith became so prevalent. Smith would be professionals at metals or such as iron, silver, or gold. If you need something built or fixed you would take it to the smith. People took pride in their work and family business and desired to be known for what they could do.

Some jobs held a higher prestige that others and so what you did would also place you in society’s ranks.

Identity has changed over the years. when you meet people today, what they do for a living it not the first question you ask. What they do doesn’t define who they are. Your identity is an expression of how you want the world to see you and interact with you.

I was listening to a podcast this week with Tim Keller, a prominent pastor and author in New York, and he was describing our identity fascination right now. People today want the freedom to identify however they want. And we desire justice for all people no matter how they identify.

There are all kinds of ways that people identify themselves and they are coming up with new ways all the time.

So, How do you identify yourself today?

How are you wanting people to see and understand you as you interact with your surroundings?

With every identity there will be some acceptance and some rejection. The desire of community is that none be marginalized and there be justice for everyone.

Ecclesiastes 5:8–9 ESV

8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.

Keller went on to say that the thing you must be careful of as you identify is you become a slave to that identity.

Here is what I have noticed. Identities can be very unforgiving.

If you identify as Christian and then change to something else Christianity is not very forgiving.

If you identify as LGBTQ and then change to something else the LGBTQ community is not very forgiving.

If you identify as a model and put on a few pounds that camera in not very forgiving.

If you identify as person of wealth and lose all your money the world is not very forgiving.

Ecclesiastes 5 and 6 deal a lot with identification with wealth.

Money doesn’t Produce Joy

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Ecclesiastes 5:10–12 ESV

10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

Money Never Satisfies

Money is relative. The more you have the more you need.

Forming your Identity around money will enslave you.

Ecclesiastes 5:13–16 ESV

13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?

Contentment produces Joy

The most forgiving identity you could ever have is an identity in Christ. Christ is a loving forgiving God that doesn’t demand perfection and can work through your mistakes.