Remember Who You Are
Part 1 of “Start with Identity: Rooted in Christ”
Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3 So we too, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. – Galatians 4:1-7 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
The core of our identity is that we are a child of the one true God. On a personal level, who is God to you? If you are a follower of Jesus, do you remember who you are?
“I don’t know who I am, or what I am, or where I’m headed.” – Nicole Kidman, actress
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” – Jim Carrey, comedic actor
Identity – “The distinguishing character trait of an individual.” (Webster’s Dictionary)
Our true identity begins with the plan of God.
God loves us like God’s own child and will do anything it takes to make us God’s child through Jesus.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. – John 3:16-17 (NASB)
When we are “born again,” God the Father gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Identity theft is a real-life problem.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. – John 10:10 (NASB)
Satan even went after the identity of Jesus. (See Matthew 3:16-4:7.)
The world seeks to warp our sense of identity.
“You are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are.” - Norman Vincent Peale
How do we discover who we really are and solve the identity crisis?
I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:14 (NASB)
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 (NASB)
“The greatest single cause of a poor self-image is the absence of unconditional love.” – Zig Ziglar
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)
Jesus wanted to make sure His followers knew Who He is.
13 Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 16:13-17 (NASB)
When we discover who Jesus is, then we begin to discover who we are.
26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. – Galatians 3:26-27 (NASB)
Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1 (NASB)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – II Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” – Galatians 2:20-21 (NASB)
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:16-21 (NASB)
18 But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. 19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but has been yes in Him. 20 For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. – II Corinthians 1:18-22 (NASB)
57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. – I Corinthians 15:57-58 (NASB)
ILLUSTRATION: The Lion King where Mufasa reminds Simba of who he is.
Questions for Reflection
What is identity and why does it matter?
What does it mean for you to be a “Child of God?”
How does God relate to us through Jesus Christ?
What are some ways you may sense Satan or the modern culture seeking to steal your identity?
Where do you find your identity?
Do you remember who you are daily?
How do you remind yourself of your identity on a regular basis?
The BIG Idea:
The core of our identity is that we are a child of the one true God. On a personal level, who is God to you? If you are a follower of Jesus, do you remember who you are?
“I don’t know who I am, or what I am, or where I’m headed.” – Nicole Kidman, actress
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” – Jim Carrey, comedic actor
Identity – “The distinguishing character trait of an individual.” (Webster’s Dictionary)
Our true identity begins with the plan of God.
God loves us like God’s own child and will do anything it takes to make us God’s child through Jesus.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. – John 3:16-17 (NASB)
When we are “born again,” God the Father gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Identity theft is a real-life problem.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. – John 10:10 (NASB)
Satan even went after the identity of Jesus. (See Matthew 3:16-4:7.)
The world seeks to warp our sense of identity.
“You are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are.” - Norman Vincent Peale
How do we discover who we really are and solve the identity crisis?
I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:14 (NASB)
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 (NASB)
“The greatest single cause of a poor self-image is the absence of unconditional love.” – Zig Ziglar
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)
Jesus wanted to make sure His followers knew Who He is.
13 Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 16:13-17 (NASB)
When we discover who Jesus is, then we begin to discover who we are.
- Followers of Jesus are children of God.
26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. – Galatians 3:26-27 (NASB)
- Through Christ we “lose” our old identity and gain a new one.
- Followers of Jesus are “IN CHRIST.”
Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1 (NASB)
- Followers of Jesus are new creations.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – II Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” – Galatians 2:20-21 (NASB)
- Followers of Jesus live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:16-21 (NASB)
- Followers of Jesus claim the promises of God.
18 But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. 19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but has been yes in Him. 20 For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. – II Corinthians 1:18-22 (NASB)
- Followers of Jesus claim the victory.
57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. – I Corinthians 15:57-58 (NASB)
ILLUSTRATION: The Lion King where Mufasa reminds Simba of who he is.
Questions for Reflection
What is identity and why does it matter?
What does it mean for you to be a “Child of God?”
How does God relate to us through Jesus Christ?
What are some ways you may sense Satan or the modern culture seeking to steal your identity?
Where do you find your identity?
Do you remember who you are daily?
How do you remind yourself of your identity on a regular basis?