John Lloyd - Our Identity in Christ Part 5

Our Identity in Christ Part 5

Our Identity in Christ Part Five
September 3, 2017
Pastor John Lloyd

A new identity in Christ creates liberation in our soul.
A new identity in Christ brings cleansing & holiness to our soul.
A new identity in Christ changes our loyalty and allegiances.
A new identity means God can bring metamorphosis.
A new identity brings us into a new relationship with God.
A new identity means our lives can be redeemed.
A new identity means we can have peace/rest in this world and the next.
A new identity means Jesus has exchanged our sin for his righteousness
Big Idea: The same Jesus who makes us right with God, heals our
broken souls. Help me to abide in Christ’s identity and abound in
His work.

I. A new identity in Christ means we are rightly related to God.
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested
apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to
it— 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who
believe. For there is no distinction.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24
and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to
be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in
his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26I t was to show
his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the
justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

a. While guilty, we are declared righteous.

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still
sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified
by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of
God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

b. Jesus exchanged our sin for his righteousness.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus.  2For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ
Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3For God has done what the law,
weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Consider the legal image of being declared righteous by the God who
made the universe.

c. We have been legally redeemed by God.

Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness
and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are
zealous for good works. ( I Peter 1:18-19)
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Jesus redeemed us to be His workers.
II. A new identity in Christ brings healing to my life.
Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick
he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name
the Gentiles will hope.”
 

a. Jesus heals our broken hearts.

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed
me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed;   to proclaim the
acceptable year of the Lord. (NKJV)
b. We were blind but not we see.

John 9:25b “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the
crushed in spirit. (Psalm 147:3)
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and
contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 56:8)
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death
shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain
anymore, for the former things have passed away.” John 14:27, 16:33
John 19:30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is
finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
I John 1:9 I f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (See question 4)

Jesus paid it all! Jesus offers a new identity
to anyone who humbly comes to Him!

III. Live in your identity in Christ.
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a
manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all
humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Colossians 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk
in him, (Matthew 5:16, John 9:25)
Our world desperately needs to see us walking in our identity in
Christ. Every person needs to find their identity in Christ and not
the things of this world.
I Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast,
immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in
the Lord your labor is not in vain.

May we keep abiding in our identity in Christ
and abounding in His work this fall.

Spiritual Growth Questions

1. How is it going with your reading plan? Sun. 2 Corinthians 9 Mon.
2 Corinthians 10 Tues. 2 Cor.11, Wed. 2 Cor. 12 Thurs. 2 Cor. 13
Fri. & Sat. reflection. Pick out one verse that has ministered to you.
Share a truth you’ve been learning with a friend.
2. As you think of the tremendous floods in Texas, what
encouragement would you share with someone who has lost their
possessions and home?
3. Read Romans 5:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:21. What does it mean to
be declared righteous? How does this truth connect with our
identity? Why is this image so important to our identity in Christ?
4. Read I John 3:20, 1:7-9, Ps. 139:23-24, 19:14. What should we
do when our feelings and thoughts are the exact opposite of our
identity in Christ? What do these verses teach us to do? Who is
responsible to do it? Read 2 Corinthians 10:5-6
5. Read 2 Chronicles 7:14, Proverbs 4:22, 12:18, 13:17, Acts
10:22. Read each verse and write down who or what brought
healing? Describe a time when you were healed?
6. Read Psalm 34:18, 51:17, 56:8. 147:3. Write down what God
promises to the brokenhearted? How does this help you face your
challenges this week?
7. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Make time to share the comfort of God
with someone this week. Spend some time praying for this person
and others who need God’s healing touch.
8. Ask God to give you ways to abound in the fruits of your identity
this fall. Ask Him to breath new vision into each of us.
John 9:25b “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

Next week: We will begin a new series called Authentic Christianity:
practical wisdom from the book of James.