Identity

“Let's be sure that we who claim to be Christians reflect the identity that is consistent with the nature of who we are in Christ. I don't have this on the screen for you, but I want you to write it down. I want you to go back and look at it.”

“As we progress in our walk with him, we are required to define our identity in Christ. Identity is a major topic right now. Um, in our culture and so many people have been so confused and deceived regarding this topic. Amen. The Colossians were also being deceived about their identity in Christ.”

“And it comes from us actually being in his presence. We begin to get a new identity. He transforms us. Which leads to our last point from the text is that Jesus came to give sinners a new identity. Jesus came to give sinners a new identity. Jesus changed Matthew's identity. Again, no longer was he a tax collector. That's what he used to do. That's who he used to be.”

“My love is just because he's a part of a family. So it doesn't matter if he threw food at the table or disobeyed his mom or punched his brother in the head. I'm rocking him. And that all happens in the Newman house, right? Pray for us, please. But I'm rocking him and I'm speaking that over him because I want him to know his identity isn't about what he did or didn't do. It's about who he is. That's the same thing that your father does for you. Your identity is not based on what you have or haven't done.”

“And yet, over and over again, we are chasing things. We have ambition for things that bring us outside of God's will and way all because we're searching and seeking for this identity. And so that's why, that's why Satan comes at his identity because his identity is the center of his ambition. And he says, if you are the son of God, prove it. He takes him to the top of the temple. Think about the temple. was a significant place. It was symbolic for Jesus's whole identity and mission.”

“But your identity is in Christ because you're fearfully and wonderfully made. So I want you to close your eyes. And I don't want this to be kind of weird, but I just want you to do this so you'll listen intently to this last little poem by a guy named Paul Tripp. It says this, I've searched for identity in my successes, but my failures get in the way. I've looked for identity in my possessions, but they age, break, and malfunction. I've sought identity in people, but everyone is flawed somehow.”

“That's not who you are anymore. I'm going to change your identity entirely. So what winds up happening is like all of these identities, all these identities get completely redefined whenever God comes into the picture, right? As soon as like God is in the picture, all of these identities, they fit within him and anything that doesn't fit, it disappears. So when you look at the foreigner, the foreigner doesn't exist.”

“So just be aware, these people are out there, but what I found in that moment is that identity, identity is a powerful thing.”