Who are We in Christ?

Who are We in Christ?

Good Morning Friends,

Maybe John the Baptist got it right and then Paul in his letter to the Corinthians. Still we need to ask ourselves what identity we are going to choose. Who are We in Christ?

Scripture: To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NRSV)

So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NRSV)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NRSV)

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us

Romans 8:37 (NRSV)

(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ‘) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord” ‘, as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

John 1:15-34 (NRSV)

Message: There is a lot of discussion in our day of self-concept or self-identity. So how do we view ourselves as Christians? It is an important question. And what I hope you hear this morning is that the specifically biblical angle on this question is that Christian selfhood is not defined in terms of who we are in and of ourselves. It is defined in terms of what God does to us and the relationship he creates with us and the destiny he appoints for us. In other words as a Christian you cannot talk about your identity without talking about the action of God on you, the relationship of God with you, and the purpose of God for you. Too few have a God-Centered and coherent identity formed in and through Christ. Too few have an identity which transcends the world and helps maintain a pure vision of the Christian life. Too few are willing to take the identity the distance. Reading the Bible will help reveal to you who God made you to be… Who you really are…your true identity. But do you know who you really are? Do you want to take that to the goal? Friends, this is about the life of God in the soul of you and me. God made us who we are to show the world who He is. We get our identity and purpose from God. Only here do we produce fruit. Friends, the promise is that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. Are you ready to share your God-Sanctified reality with others? It is not an end in itself but for a greater purpose… God’s purpose.

Pray it is not I who live but Christ in me. Pray we do not have the spirit of fear but of power and love. Pray we have a sound mind. Pray we press on to the goal to which Christ is calling us. Pray we submit to God even as the devil flees from us. Pray we are strengthened with the might of God’s glorious power. Pray we know we are loved by God. Pray we are raised up and healed. Pray we are rooted in a faith that overflows with gratitude. Pray we are called to be a voice of God’s praise. Pray we are redeemed and translated into God’s Kingdom. Pray we are forgiven of our sins. Pray we are chosen full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering. Pray we experience the light of the world. Pray we become the temple of the Holy Spirit…a gift to God for worship. Pray we partake of God’s divine nature and righteousness as we become a royal priesthood and holy nation chosen and purchased by God. Pray we become joint-heirs with Christ and Ambassadors for His Holy purpose…conquers and doers of the word… believers alive as new creations. Pray we become as children with the peace and mind of Christ. Pray we become complete, free and blameless and alive in the Spirit with the eyes of understanding who God made us to be.

Blessings,

John Lawson