Sunday 03:06:11

Who are you as a Christian? Who are you in Christ? The world (and we, sometimes) limit who we are to how we behave. But who we are in Christ is so much more than what we do. Who we are in Christ is our identity, our direction, and our destiny. 1 Peter 2:4-12 – In Christ, Christians are: A Royal Priesthood – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6. You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Now it is true of Christians. • Reflect the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:15) • Offer spiritual sacrifices o Sacrifices of our bodies (living in holiness) (Romans 12:1) o Sacrifices of money or material goods (Philippians 4:18) o Sacrifices of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15) o Sacrifices of doing good (Hebrews 13:16) • Intercede for people before God (James 5:16) • Represent God before people (2 Corinthians 5:20) A chosen people – This was said of the Israelites throughout the OT. Deut 10:15 15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Now it is true of Christians. Ephesians 1:4-5 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will A holy nation – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6 (above) Romans 9:25-26 25 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” Paul quoting Hosea – in the original context these passages refer to the spiritual restoration of Israel. But Paul applies this to Gentile believers, that God is a saving, forgiving, restoring God who delights to take those who are “not my people” and make them “my people.” A people belonging to God – we were not the people of God. That title belonged to the Israelites. But now we are the recipients of God’s mercy. The phrase is literally we are God’s “possession.” The word refers to something owned, especially something that has been purchased by the owner. 1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies Now declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Because who we are in Christ is so much more than we can even grasp. SO MUCH MORE Who we are in Christ is our identity, our direction, and our destiny. 1 Peter 2:4-12 – In Christ, Christians are: A Royal Priesthood – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6. You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Now it is true of Christians. • Reflect the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:15) • Offer spiritual sacrifices o Sacrifices of our bodies (living in holiness) (Romans 12:1) o Sacrifices of money or material goods (Philippians 4:18) o Sacrifices of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15) o Sacrifices of doing good (Hebrews 13:16) • Intercede for people before God (James 5:16) • Represent God before people (2 Corinthians 5:20) A chosen people – This was said of the Israelites throughout the OT. Deut 10:15 15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Now it is true of Christians. Ephesians 1:4-5 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will A holy nation – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6 (above) Romans 9:25-26 25 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” A people belonging to God – we were not the people of God. That title belonged to the Israelites. But now we are the recipients of God’s mercy. 1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies SO MUCH MORE Who we are in Christ is our ________, our _________, and our __________. 1 Peter 2:4-12 – In Christ, Christians are: ____________________ – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6. You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Now it is true of Christians. • Reflect the _________________ (1 Peter 1:15) • Offer ________________ o Sacrifices of our _________ (living in holiness) (Romans 12:1) o Sacrifices of _______ or _______________ (Philippians 4:18) o Sacrifices of ______________ (Hebrews 13:15) o Sacrifices of ______________ (Hebrews 13:16) • ________________ for people before God (James 5:16) • _________________ before people (2 Corinthians 5:20) _______________ – This was said of the Israelites throughout the OT. Deut 10:15 15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Now it is true of Christians. Ephesians 1:4-5 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will __________________ – This was said of the Israelites in Exodus 19:6 (above) Romans 9:25-26 25 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” ______________________ – we were not the people of God. That title belonged to the Israelites. But now we are the recipients of God’s mercy. 1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies SO MUCH MORE Who I Am In Christ I AM GOD’S… • possession 1Cor 6:20 • child John 1:12 • workmanship Ephesians 2:10 • friend James 2:23 • temple 1 Cor 3:16/ 6:16 • vessel 2 Timothy 2:2 • co-laborer 1 Timothy 5:18 • witness Acts 1:8 • soldier 2 Timothy 2:3 • ambassador 2 Cor 5:20 • minister/instrument Acts 26:16 / 1 Tim 4:6 • chosen Ephesians 1:4 • beloved Romans 1:7/ 2 Thess 2:13 • heritage 1 Peter 5:3 I HAVE BEEN… • redeemed by the blood Rev 5:9 • set free from sin /condemnation Rom 8:1-2 • set free from Satan’s control Col 1:13 • set free from Satan’s kingdom Eph 2 • chosen before foundation of world Eph 1:4 • predestined to be like Jesus Ephesians 1:11 • forgiven of all my trespasses Col 2:13 • washed in the blood of the Lamb Rev 1:5 • given a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7 • given the Holy Spirit 2 Cor 1:22 • adopted into God’s family Romans 8:15 • justified freely by his grace Romans 3:24 • given all things pertaining to life 2 Pet 1:3 • given great and precious promises 2 Pet 1:4 • given ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 1:22 • given access to God Ephesians 3:12 • given wisdom Ephesians 1:8 I AM… • complete in him Colossians 2:10 • free forever from sin’s power Romans 6:14 • sanctified 1 Cor 6:11 • useful for the Master’s use 2 Timothy 2:21 • loved eternally 1 Peter 1:5 • eternally kept in the palm of his hand Jn 10:29 • kept from falling Jude 1:24 • kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5 • not condemned Romans 8:1-2 • one with the Lord 1 Cor 6:17 • on my way to heaven John 14:6 • quickened by his mighty power Eph 2:1 • seated in heavenly places Eph 1:3 • light in the darkness Matthew 5:14 • candle in a dark place Matthew 5:15 • city set on a hill Matthew 5:14 • salt of the earth Matthew 5:13 • his sheep John 10:14 • a citizen of heaven 1 Peter 2:11 • protected from the evil one 1 John 5:18 • kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5 • secure in Christ Jn 10:28-29 • more-than-a-conqueror Romans 8:37 • born again 1 Peter 1:23 • a victor 1 John 5:4 • covered by blood of Jesus Rev 12:11, 1 Pet 1:19 I HAVE… • access to the Father Romans 5:2 • a home in heaven waiting for me Jn 14:1-2 • all things in Christ 2 Cor 5:17 • a living hope 1 Peter 1:3 • an anchor to my soul Hebrews 6:19 • power to witness Acts 1:8 • the mind of Christ 1 Cor 2:16 • boldness and access Hebrews 10:19 • peace with God Romans 5:1 I CAN… • do all things through Christ Phil 4:13 • find mercy and grace to help Heb 4:16 • come boldly to the throne of grace Heb 4:16 • quench all the fiery darts Eph 6:16 • pray always and everywhere Luke 21:36 • defeat (overcome) the enemy Rev 12:11 I CANNOT… • be separated from God’s love Rom 8:35-39 • perish or be lost John 10:28, John 3:16 • be taken out of my Father’s hand John 10:29 • be charged or accused Romans 8:33 • be condemned 1 Cor 11:32