Our Identity in Christ

Sermon Notes February 17, 2019 – Our Identity in Christ (John 17:11-19) “Replace the lies of the world about our identity with the truth of Scripture.” Sermon Summary Transcript from Preacher: How we view ourselves has massive implications for our lives. The world tries to shape how we view ourselves in a way that distorts how God sees us. We need to test and filter the messages of the world so it doesn’t harm our soul the way polluted water can harm our bodies. We can know who we are in Christ because God has revealed to us certain truths through his word. J\If you want to know who you are and who you were created to be—specifically your identity in Christ—you have to know God’s Word. Drawing out the Sermon >>The speaker identified worldly influences peddling false identities, like advertisers telling us we are inadequate unless we buy their product to an education system that confuses children at an early age on issues of gender identity. Q: What are some prevalent lies or distortions that The World tells us about our identity as humans? Q: …About our identity as Christians? >> The speaker said that the way we view our identity in Christ impacts all of life (worship, work, relationships, etc…) Q: What are specific ways The World’s lies about who you are have affected these areas of your life? Q: Why is it (or is it) so important that we know who we are in Christ? Q: Are struggles with our identity primarily a problem for the teen/college age that Haupt works with, or is this something that people struggle with in all stages of life? In what ways? >> The speaker gave us a vivid picture of Flint residents drinking dirty water and compared to the World’s lies. He says, “Nobody would drink the water if they knew what was in it. Nor should we buy into the harmful lies of the world if we know what they are. The world pollutes and poisons truth, and we must test and filter it before we drink it.” Q: Read John 17:16-17 and Romans 12:2. What is the remedy that God left for his people to “test and filter” the lies of the World? Q: How can we separate ourselves from the lies of the World without separating ourselves from the people we are called to witness to? Q: How can we confront the lies of the World (and the people telling them) in a way that shows them Christ’s love? >> The speaker said it’s hard to lean on the Bible as a source of truth if you doubt it, and left us with three applications: (1) Learn to trust God’s Word, (2) Prioritize being in it, and (3) Internalize and battle for its truths. TRUST IT Q: What are some ways that the World has cast doubt on the reliability of God’s Word? Q: What gives you confidence that the Bible is trustworthy and true? PRIORITIZE READING IT Q: What ways have you found helpful to learn and remember the important truths in God’s Word? INTERNALIZE AND FIGHT FOR IT Q: What does it mean to “Fight for the truths in the Bible about our identity”?