Embracing our Identity in Christ
Homework: Label Exercise: (Opening Discussion- Teresa to lead)
Instruction: Open the can and talk about the contents. What did you do with it?
THE QUESTION: Who has the right(authority) to label you?
Definition: Authority as characterized in the New Testament and expressed in the ministries of Jesus and His disciples is, the ability, right, or power to do something. This ability or power is derived from another person or source and is given to someone for a particular purpose.
noun
1.the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
"He had absolute authority over his subordinates “
THE ANSWER
v God reserves this right alone. He has the right because what he states/declares we become. He has the power to calls things that be not as though they are Romans 4:17 NIV
v God cannot lie. He speaks only truth. Titus 1:2 NKJV
v Truth (His Word(s)) trumps all…even Facts)!
Lesson Objective: To shift from labels to identity.
Key Text: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21 NKJV
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [d]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Paradigm Shift from labels to Identity
Side-by-side comparison
Identity characteristics | Label characteristics |
Identity is a state of being | Labels are descriptive |
Identity if fixed, permanent | Labels are transient |
Identity empowers (ability) | Labels are powerless (no ability) |
Identity is unique | Labels are general, by def, not unique |
Identity is absolute | Labels are relative |
Identity requires intimacy | Labels are casual, careless |
Identity defines a who | Labels often describe the do |
Identity liberates | Labels often confine, restrict |
Exercise: How are believers identified (named) in the bible?
Ambassadors__________________________________________
Ministers of reconciliation________________________________
Servants_______________________________________________
Temples of the Holy Spirit_________________________________
Redeemed______________________________________________
Righteous______________________________________________
Bond Slaves____________________________________________
Disciples_______________________________________________
Christians______________________________________________
3 Components of the Believers’ Identity:
I. Righteous
II. Reborn
III. Redeemed
I. RIGHTEOUS – Right standing with God.
SCRIPTURES: 2 Corinthian 5:21 NKJV; Romans 3:21 – 26NKJV
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [f]and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21 – 26 NKJV
Fill in the Blank: OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NO LONGER DEFINED BY THE LAW BUT THROUGH GRACE BY FAITH IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST!
II. REBORN – Born again of His Spirit.
SCRIPTURES: John 3:3-7 NKJV; 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV; 1 Corinthians 12:21-27 NIV; Romans 9:16-21NIV
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:3-7 NKJV
Key Points
v Born of water and the Spirit
v New creation in Christ
v Made for God purpose.
v God’s sovereign choice
III. REDEEMED – Exchanged our life for His life; exchanged our death for His death.
Definition: redeem
REDEE'M, v.t. L. redimo; red, re, and emo, to obtain or purchase.
1. To purchase back; to ransom; to liberate or rescue from captivity or bondage, or from any obligation or liability to suffer or to be forfeited, by paying an equivalent; as, to redeem prisoners or captured goods; to redeem a pledge.
2. To repurchase what has been sold; to regain possession of a thing alienated, by repaying the value of it to the possessor.
SCRIPTURES Psalm 103:1-5 NIV; Ephesians 5:15–17 KJV; Isaiah 61:3 NKJV
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 NIV
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15 -17 KJV
Key Points
v Redeemed our lives
v Redeems our experiences.
v Redeems time.
Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer!
A kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who has the responsibility to help a relative in need or danger12. The term comes from the Hebrew word Goel, which means to redeem, receive or buy back2. The Law of Moses provided a way for the kinsman-redeemer to buy back the property or the freedom of a poor relative who had to sell them (Leviticus 25:48f)2. A biblical example of a kinsman-redeemer is Boaz, who married Ruth and redeemed her land (Ruth 4)1
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