Sermon:
Identity
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by Chris Cumming
I found a poem the other day. The title is, “Who Am I.” I want to read a bit of
it for you.
My first answer would probably be my name.
But, my name does not describe who I am on the inside.
I could then give the title of my profession.
But that is what I do.
I could then tell you I am a wife, a sister, and a daughter.
But those are my relationships.
I ask again, who am I?
I could describe myself as an extrovert and outgoing.
That is my personality.
I am organized in planning events.
But that is a gift God has given me.
I could describe my appearance, but that is not who I am either.
So many times I have believed what others say I am.
If I receive affirmation, then I feel worthwhile.
However, when I receive criticism, then I feel like a failure.
I have chosen to ride the roller coaster of emotions,
Instead of believing the truth of what God says about me.
[part
of the poem
“Who
Am I?”
by Shelley Hitz]
So just what does God say about
you? Who are you? What is the answer to our question, “Who am I?”
My purpose today will be to see exactly who God says you are. First let us list
a few elements you are not.
Who you are is not:
-- your work, job, or career.
-- your family, marriage or children.
-- your education, intelligence or IQ.
-- your financial status, income, stewardship or bank account.
-- your health, diet or exercise.
-- your piety, Bible study, work in the church or tithing.
-- your personality, honesty or giving nature.
-- your hobbies or pastimes.
Whoever you are is merely reflected through these things. Let us now go to the
throne of God to find out just who you are.
Are you fearfully and wonderfully made?
Psalm 139:13-16
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are
thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously
wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my
members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was
none of them.
Are you holders of the Holy Spirit?
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of
God is holy, which temple ye are.
Are you not a friend of Jesus?
John 15:15
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord
doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my
Father I have made known unto you.
Does God think about you?
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of
peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Are you a child of God?
John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
Are you a new creature in Christ?
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new.
Note: a new creature is one who manifests the characteristics of the new
creation.
Notice the commentary for the last phrase of the verse:
Behold, all things are become new - That is, all things in view of the
mind. The purposes of life, the feelings of the heart, the principles of action,
all become new. The understanding is consecrated to new objects, the body is
employed in new service, the heart forms new attachments. Nothing can be more
strikingly. descriptive of the facts in conversion than this; nothing more
entirely accords with the feelings of the newborn soul. All is new. There are
new views of God, and of Jesus Christ; new views of this world and of the world
to come; new views of truth and of duty; and everything is seen in a new aspect
and with new feelings. ~Barnes Notes
Do you look for Christ?
Philippians 3:20
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the
Lord Jesus Christ:
Are you free from the law of sin and death?
Romans 8:1-2
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the
law of sin and death.
Are you an heir of God?
Galatians 4:7
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of
God through Christ.
Are you a joint-heir with Christ?
Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be
that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Are you sealed with the Holy Spirit?
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Are you part of a chosen race and a royal priesthood?
1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which
had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Are you a branch of the true vine?
John 15:1-5
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch
that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except
it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Are you justified and redeemed?
Romans 3:23-24
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God;
Have you been accepted by Christ to the glory of God?
Romans 15:7
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of
God.
Do you have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption?
1 Corinthians 1:30
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Are you joined to Christ as one spirit?
1 Corinthians 6:17
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
Are you one who experiences triumph?
2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh
manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Are you a living sacrifice?
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service.
Now go back to 2 Corinthians 2:14.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh
manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Notice the commentary on the latter part of this verse:
Maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge - The figure is that of a sacrifice.
A sweet-smelling savor was diffused by the offerings. So, through them
everywhere, the knowledge of God was made known, and was grateful to the saved.
~People’s New Testament
So you are not only a living sacrifice but through your being a light and
invoking of the Holy Spirit, like the sacrifice on the altar in the Temple, you
are giving off a sweet-smelling savor.
Are you one with all the other firstfruits?
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Are you free and distant from yokes of bondage?
Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be
not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Watch now as we march through Ephesians to find out who we are?
Have you been blessed with every spiritual blessing?
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with
all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Are you chosen, holy, and blameless before God?
Ephesians 1:4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Are you redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ?
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
Have you been predestined by God to obtain an inheritance?
Ephesians 1:9-11
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good
pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in
one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even
in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according
to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Have you been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise?
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that
holy Spirit of promise,
Have you been made alive with Christ?
Ephesians 2:4-5
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved;)
Notice the commentary:
Hath quickened us together with Christ - As he quickened Christ and raised him,
so when we were dead in sins he gave us spiritual life by the gospel and lifted
us to a new life. "We were planted in the likeness of his death and
resurrection" (Romans 6:5 – “For if we have been planted together in the
likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”)
Are you seated in the heavenly places with Christ?
Ephesians 2:6
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in
Christ Jesus:
The People’s New Testament says in explanation “In our present state, to have
our minds above.” and then references Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection
on things above, not on things on the earth.” This is the same concept as
having the 10,000-year perspective.
Were you created to produce good works?
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Are you close to God? If so, why?
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood
of Christ.
Are you a member of Christ's body and a partaker of His promise?
Ephesians 3:6
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of
his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Are you a member of Christ’s body, flesh and bones?
Ephesians 5:30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Notice the commentary:
We are members of his body - We are all members of Christ's body, the church.
But the church is his Bride. Hence the language of Genesis 2:23, where
Adam declares that his wife "is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh,"
applies to our relation to Christ. ~People’s New Testament
Are you bold and do you have confident access to God?
Ephesians 3:12
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Is your new self righteous and holy?
Ephesians 4:22-24
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is
corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness
and true holiness.
Are you a light?
Ephesians 5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as
children of light:
Does the peace of God guard your heart and mind?
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
| Note: Part 1 of the audio ends here. |
Does God supply all your needs?
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.
Have you been made complete in Christ?
Colossians 2:9-10
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Have you been raised up with Christ?
[…going along with Ephesians 2:4-5 above]
Colossians 3:1
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God.
Is you spiritual life safe and hidden with Christ in God?
Colossians 3:3
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
If your spiritual life is currently hidden, when will it be revealed?
Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him
in glory.
Are you chosen and beloved by God?
Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.
Have you been called to be a saint?
1 Corinthians 1:2
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in
Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Do you know your election of God?
1 Thessalonians 1:4
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Have your sins been cancelled out?
Colossians 1:14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Do you love the brethren?
Colossians 1:4
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to
all the saints,
Are you cleansed from all unrighteousness?
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Are your sins forgiven for Jesus’ name sake?
1 John 2:12
I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his
name's sake.
Are you headed for victory?
Revelation 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall
be my son.
Has Jesus set you free?
John 8:31-33
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my
word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any
man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Are you strong?
Ephesians 6:20
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I
ought to speak.
Are you dead to sin?
Romans 6:2, 11
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto
God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Are you more than a conqueror?
Romans 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Are you accepted in Jesus Christ?
Ephesians 1:6
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the
beloved.
Are you crucified with Christ?
Colossians 2:20
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as
though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Are you qualified to share in His inheritance?
Colossians 1:12
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the
inheritance of the saints in light:
Are you born of God and is it a fact that the evil one does not touch you?
1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of
God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Are you a faithful follower of God?
Revelation 17:14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is
Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and
chosen, and faithful.
Are you the light of the world?
Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Are you the righteousness of God?
2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made
the righteousness of God in him.
Are you healed by the stripes of Jesus?
1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead
to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Are you being changed into His likeness?
2 Corinthians 3:18 [see
sermon on this verse]
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the
Lord.
Are you a work of God that WILL be finished?
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Are you receiving grace and peace from both God and Christ?
Romans 1:7
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and
peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Are you firmly rooted, established in my faith, and overflowing with
gratefulness/thankfulness?
Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Are you a fellow citizen with the saints and the household of God?
Ephesians 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with
the saints, and of the household of God;
Are you a member of Christ’s body?
1 Corinthians 12:27
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Are you a firstfruit who died with Christ?
Romans 6:1-6
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ
was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should
walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be
also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Have you overcome the world?
1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, even our faith.
Can you do all things through Christ?
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Do you have the power or ability to know spiritual things of God?
1 Corinthians 2:12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of
God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Is Christ living inside of you?
Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in
me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of
God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Are you a person with enough boldness to go into the Throne Room of God?
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
Have you been given a spirit of power, love and self-discipline?
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of
a sound mind.
Remember that poem excerpt I read to you at the beginning of this sermon?
The last part read:
So many times I have believed what others say I am.
If I receive affirmation, then I feel worthwhile.
However, when I receive criticism, then I feel like a failure.
I have chosen to ride the roller coaster of emotions,
Instead of believing the truth of what God says about me.
The poem goes on for a bit:
One day, God gently said to me,
"Stop trying so hard to prove yourself to others.
Get your worth from me. I've already given it to you.
[part
of the poem
“Who
Am I?”
by Shelley Hitz]
Who am I? …a quick
reference list from the sermon
1] I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Psalm 139:13-16
2] I am a holder of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
3] I am a friend of Jesus. John 15:15
4] I am someone God thinks about. Jeremiah 29:11
5] I am a child of God. John 1:12
6] I am a new creature in which all things are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
7] I am a person looking for Christ. Philippians 3:20
8] I am free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
9] I am an heir of God. Galatians 4:7
10] I am joint heir with Christ. Romans 8:17
11] I am sealed with the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
12] I am part of a chosen race and a royal priesthood. 1 Peter 2:9-10
13] I am a branch of the true vine. John 15:1-5
14] I am justified and redeemed. Romans 3:23-24
15] I am accepted by Christ to the glory of God. Romans 15:7
16] I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. 1 Corinthians
1:30
17] I am joined to Christ as one spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17
18] I am one who experiences triumph. 2 Corinthians 2:14
19] I am a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1
20] I am one manifesting the savour of his knowledge 2 Corinthians 2:14
21] I am in unity with other firstfruits. Galatians 3:28
22] I am free and distant from yokes of bondage. Galatians 5:1
23] I am a receiver of many spiritual blessings. Ephesians 1:3
24] I am chosen, holy and blameless before God. Ephesians 1:4
25] I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ. Ephesians 1:7
26] I am predestined by God to obtain an inheritance. Ephesians 1:9-11
27] I am sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise? Ephesians 1:13
28] I have been a partaker of His death and resurrection—made alive. Ephesians
2:4-5 and see Romans 6:5.
29] I am seated with Christ in heaven. Ephesians 2:6; and see Colossians 3:2
30] I am created to produce good works. Ephesians 2:10
31] I am close to God by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
32] I am a member of Christ’s body. Ephesians 3:6
33] I am a member of His body, flesh and bones. Ephesians 5:30, and see Genesis
2:23
34] I am bold and have confident access to God
35] I am righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24
36] I am a light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8
37] I am one whose heart and mind is guarded by God. Philippians 4:7
| Note: Part 1 of the audio ends here. |
38] I am one who is supplied by God. Philippians 4:19
39] I am complete Colossians 2:9-10
40] I am raised up with Christ. Colossians 3:1
41] I am a person whose spiritual life is hidden with Christ in God? Colossians
3:3
42] I am a person who will be revealed in glory at the return of Christ.
Colossians 3:4
43] I am chosen and beloved by God. Colossians 3:12
44] I am called to be a saint. 1 Corinthians 1:2
45] I know my election to God. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
46] I am a person whose sins are cancelled out. Colossians 1:14
47] I love the brethren. Colossians 1:4
48] I am cleansed from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
49] I am a person whose sins are forgiven for the sake of the name of Jesus. 1
John 2:12
50] I am headed for victory. Revelation 21:7
51] I am set free by Christ. John 8:31-33
52] I am strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:20
53] I am dead to sin. Romans 6:2, 11
54] I am more than a conqueror. Romans 8:37
55] I am accepted in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:6
56] I am crucified with Christ. Colossians 2:20
57] I am born of God and the evil one does not touch me. 1 John 5:18
58] I am the light of the world. Matthew 5:14
59] I am the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
60] I am healed by the stripes of Jesus. 1 Peter 2:24
61] I am being changed into the likeness of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18
62] I am a work of God that WILL be finished. Philippians 1:6
63] I am receiving both grace and peace from God and Christ. Romans 1:7
64] I am firmly rooted in the faith and full of gratefulness and thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7
65] I am a citizen of the Church of God and a fellow citizen with all
firstfruits. Ephesians 2:19
66] I am a member of Christ’s body? 1 Corinthians 12:27
67] I am a firstfruit who died with Christ. Romans 6:1-6
68] I have overcome the world. 1 John 5:4
69] I am a person who can do all things through Christ. Philippians 4:13
70] I have the ability and power to know spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 2:12
71] I am a person who has Christ living in and through me. Galatians 2:20
72] I am bold and have access any time to the Throne Room of God. Hebrews 4:16
73] I am a person who has a spirit of power, love and self-discipline [sound
mind]. 2 Timothy 1:7