"Identity": Christ or Crisis

I'm fascinated and sometimes saddened by the lack of identity Christians suffer.  The world tells us our identity is defined by what we do, how much we have, what status we've achieved.  Yet, the problem with accepting that approach is that, usually, there is someone who can do "it" better, someone who has more, and another in a higher place.

God gives us an eternal identity that no one can change or deny.  I hope this message will give you a sense of who you really are in God's eyes...and that He touches your heart with an eternal sense of your true worth.

God bless, Kirk McCormick

Your Truest and Eternal Identity

1. Our identity is in Jesus.

** Because of Jesus all of our failures AND successes are moot…

** Our identity is not in what we bring to this Table… or in what we have done for God…

…our Identity is rooted in what God has done for us.

** Paul reminds us of what God has done for us…

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Point: Who are you?  What is your identity?  In Jesus, you are a newborn blessing to the Father.

2.  Only God can revoke that identity.

** Because we cannot EARN our identity…it’s a gift from God…

…neither can we UNEARN our identity…it’s up to God.

Romans 11:29 – “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”

i.e.:  Just because we under-perform, God does not revoke our place in his family.

Point: Who are you?  What is your identity?  In Jesus, you are a child whom God loves and will never be rejected.

3. God still loves us when we deny him.

** Remember…In the end of the Gospel of John…

…Jesus appears to the disciples…pulls Peter aside and asks, “Do you LOVE me?”

John 21:15 – “Yes, Lord…you know that I love you.” 

** 3 TIMES (same as denial) Jesus asks Peter, “DO you Love me?” – and each time Peter says, “Lord, you know I love you.”

 Point: Jesus knows if/when we truly love him even though we may deny him.

…and yet…it’s as if Jesus accepts our love…does not rub our noses into our failure…and says, “Well then…let’s move forward.”

Point: Who are you?  What is your identity?  In Jesus, you are forgiven...redeemed...restored.