SUNDAY INDOOR LECTURES 10TH Jan, 2021
TOPIC: MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST
TEXT: Jer. 1:5; Mark 3:31-35; Rom 8:16-17
Songs: “I am a friend of Christ, He calls me friend”; “He’s got the whole world in His hand”
Preamble
Identity is basically who you are, the way you think about yourself, the way you are viewed by the world and the characteristics that defines your personality.
A name, tradition, dressing, culture, race, ethnicity, fame, language etc can make one or group of persons to be easily identified. E.g the moment you hear a name with prefix or surfix as Obong or Abasi, you can quickly say such a one is from either cross river or akwa ibom states. Likewise, if you hear a person speak Igbo/Yoruba/Hausa language, your first perception of such a one is that he/she is from the South-eastern/south-western/northern part of Nigeria respectively.
So, in a nutshell, Christians have these identifiers spiritually and this lesson is to help us see the need to live out our true Identity.
Aim of Lesson:
Whilst the church is dwelling on the theme Christian and power, a sound identification of who we are will surely make up walk heads up high in power, knowing fully well that we have a powerful God in us, by us and with us always and so what can he not do for us? Or what can mere mortals do to us? Consider how proud you will be if you had a very powerful man in the society as a father or relative as realize that we should be even more proud and confident knowing God is our father and Christ our brother. Heb 13:6
Discussion
Personal identity is one of the most important things to understand about ourselves. Knowing who we are, what makes us tick, what makes us laugh, what gets on our nerves, what brings us true joy—those are essential things to name because that understanding affects everything else. Personal identity affects how we look at life, how we deal with conflicts, and even who we choose as friends.
If I were to ask you, “Who are you?” Would you respond with your name, age, grade, your style or hobbies, or maybe your ethnic group? All these external things may be a part of you, but they aren’t permanent. They may be facts about who you are today, but ten years from now, many of your responses would probably be different. For instance if in 10yrs time you relocate to America and given citizenship, you might
Your identity in Christ
Our God himself revealed His identity to Moses by Himself, Exodus 3:13-14 “I AM WHO I AM”. Jesus also affirmed that identification in John 8:57-58. Little wonder people in the whole world introduces themselves as “I am this…” “I am that..” because truly we are all small gods made in his Image and likeness Psm 82:6 and made manifest thru Christ Jesus John 10:34. With such identity, Christ promised that we believers will even do more works as he did while on earth John 14:12 and this simply means walking in power and taking control of situations without fear.
Do you know how special you are in God’s eyes? If you don’t, that’s why you’re still trying to fit in with the world. Here’s what the Bible says about a YOU once you have a new identity in Christ:
You are His own special possession, a Royal. (1 Peter 2:9, Deuteronomy 14:2)
You are chosen, handpicked by the God who created the universe. (1 Peter 2:9, Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 1:3-4)
You are treasured. (Deuteronomy 7:6 14:2, 26:18)
You are the apple of His eye Psm 17:8
You are irreplaceable. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
You are loved beyond compare. (1 John 4:19, 4:10, 3:16, Romans 5:8, 8:35-39)
You are worth dying for. (1 John 3:16, Romans 5:7-9)
You are forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 1:9, Romans 8:1, 33-39)
You are His child. (1 John 3:1, Galatians 3:26)
You are secured for all eternity. (2 Corinthians 1:22, John 10:28-29)
You are set free. (Romans 6:18, Galatians 5:1)
You are precious to Him. (Isaiah 43:4)
You are set apart. (John 15:16, 19, I Peter 2:9)
You are more than conquerors Rom 8:37
You are Victorious Deut 20:4
You are an overcomer 1Jhn 5:4-5
You are protected Heb 13:6; col 3:3
Just think about that for a minute. Don’t skim over it. Don’t read them like they’re the same words you heard in Sunday school. Read over that list and take it in. This is YOU. If you’re in Christ, this is who YOU are. This is your permanent identity. It can never be removed, messed up, forsaken, taken away, or changed no matter the changes in your physical Identity.
This your identity in Christ. Irrespective of your status, struggles, joy, pains, name it..
Do you believe in your identity in Christ?
On good days, it might be easy to agree, but when the bottom comes out under you, do you still believe it? Embrace it? Or do doubts arise?
No matter how you feel today, or who you used to be, or what you’re going through, your identity in your loving Father is who you are for all eternity. Because Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness of your sins, when you received His sacrifice as gift to you, you instantly became His. This is who you are.
Living with Your Identity in Christ
Not only is it important to understand your identity, but it’s important to actually live life like you know who you are. When’s the last time you’ve looked at yourself like you’re God’s special, chosen child? When’s the last time you have made a decision with the confidence that you’ve been set free in His love and grace?
How often do we see ourselves as stupid or ugly or too scared? This isn’t who we are, friends. You were made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). God isn’t ugly or stupid, and He doesn’t make ugly or stupid. He makes masterpieces (Ephesians 2:10). YOU are a masterpiece of God—chosen and made by His hands. Hear the Lord singing over you, rejoicing in your new identity in Christ, embracing that you are His child, and expressing how He loves you more than you can imagine (Zephaniah 3:17).
But receiving these truths requires humility. We can bring our honors, ribbons, and achievements before God, thinking that’s what makes us special or desirable, but they are ghosts in comparison to our identity in Christ. Yes, our accomplishments can be great, but they don’t qualify us for God’s love. They don’t add any value on our behalf in God’s eyes. His love for us is truly unconditional, for once we have our identity in Christ, we become who we really are: Children of God.
Conclusion
Most Christians are yet to manifest their powers and purposes because they have failed to properly identify themselves hence living below per. Most live in fear of the unknown and so scared to live their lives faithfully. Some wallop in the devils trap of perpetual sins so their life purposes can be cut short.
Take some time to reflect on these truths of who you are and receive them in humility. Read that list regularly (and the Bible references) to remind yourself of your true identity. It’s only through Jesus that we are these things. We didn’t earn it, so we can’t brag about it or take advantage of it. But we can claim it and hold our heads up high, put our shoulders back, because, in the end, we will stand victorious in Christ.
When you see yourself as Christ sees you, others may begin to see you that way too. If you are steady and secure in your identity in Him, your actions, speech, and life will express God’s love. You may find more opportunities to share the gospel, and Christ will be all the more glorified.
Remember who your Father says you are, because it’s in Him where your true identity can be found. You’re a child of the One True God. That’s worth celebrating. You’re worth celebrating. And you possess the powers to do greater works in Christ. Phil 4:13
May God cause us to awaken fully in this year 2021, to live and function properly and powerfully in our true identity as children of the most High God so we can truly live our purposes out in Jesus mighty name, Amen
BRO UFONABASI JACK.
