“Identity” nugs from Grace sermon

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to share on a topic that I am most passionate about…Living in our true, God-given identities.  Below are the key Bible passages used, as well as some of the main points and quotes

Main Bible passages:

2Cor. 5:14-15

John 15: 15-16

Phillipians 2:5-7

Key Points:

-it seems like for some of us, its hard to live from the inside out, because we’re dealing with an inside drought

-that there are a lot of other things, besides for the love of God, that can motivate a Christian to attend church, to tithe, to volunteer, to read the Bible, to pray for others

-How many of you right now would say, like Paul here, that you are compelled to live for the Kingdom of God by a deep sense of God’s outrageous love for you?

–In the Kingdom of God, its not just about how much we give, how much time we serve, or  how hard we strive against sin…but to what degree we are compelled and motivated by God’s love for us

ROLLER COASTER-to live from these false identities is to live on a roller coaster of highs and lows

-and the highs when we feel good and valuable are really because of our pride – feeling that we have more, and thus are more valuable than those who surround us

-and the lows are because of insecurity b/c we feel like we have less to offer and thus we are less valuable than those around us

-“In a world that constantly compares people, ranking them as more or less intelligent, more or less attractive, more or less successful, it is not easy to really believe in a love that does not do the same.  When I hear someone praised, it is hard not to think of myself as less praiseworthy; when I read about the goodness and kindness of other people, it is hard not to wonder whether I myself am as good and kind as they; and when I see trophies, rewards, and prizes being handed out to special people, I cannot avoid asking myself why that didn’t happen to me.” – Henri Nouwen “The Return of the Prodigal Son”

-we can stop playing the world’s game, we can get off the roller coaster of pride and insecurity, and we can empty ourselves…just as Christ did

-In the letting go, in the surrender of our own striving, in relinquishing control we are freed  to live out our true identities as God’s beloved children

-a bondservant was one who had been given their freedom…but b/c they loved their master, they personally chose to continue to serve