11.01.2020 | THREE OF LIFE
THREE OF LIFE’S ULTIMATE QUESTIONS
1. Who am I?
2. Why am I here?
3. Where do I belong?
WHO AM I?
Matthew 3:16 – When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove alighting upon Him.
Matthew 3:17 – And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Luke 12:15 – One’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses.
Our true identity flows out of our new birth through faith in Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Matthew 10:39 – He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
Matthew 3:17 – This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Who am I? I am a son or daughter of the Most High God: accepted in Christ, forgiven in Christ, chosen and adopted in Christ.
In Christ, We are Sons and Daughters of the Most High God
John 1:12 – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.
I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE MOST HIGH GOD THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
I AM A SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
2. In Christ, We are Beloved Sons and Daughters of the Most High God
Matthew 3:17 – This is My Beloved Son
Beloved – Especially loved, very dear
1 John 3:1(NIV) – See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.
I HAVE A HEAVENLY FATHER WHO LOVES ME!
I AM DEEPLY LOVED BY MY HEAVENLY FATHER!
3. In Christ, We are Accepted by Our Heavenly Father
Ephesians 1:6 – He made us accepted in the Beloved
Neil Anderson – We don’t serve God to gain His acceptance. We are accepted so we serve God. We don’t follow Him in order to be loved; we are loved so we follow Him.
I AM ACCEPTED IN JESUS CHIRST THE BELOVED!
4. In Christ, We are the Father’s Delight
Matthew 3:17 – This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Well Pleased – Take delight, be favorable
Father God delights in us as His sons and daughters in Christ.
Psalm 18:19 – He delivered me because He delighted in me.
MY HEAVENLY FATHER DELIGHTS IN ME BECAUSE OF WHO I AM IN CHRIST
5. In Christ, We are Forgiven and Redeemed
Ephesians 1:7 – In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
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.
I AM FORGIVEN AND REDEEMED THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!
6. In Christ, We are More than Conquerors
John 16:33 – In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Romans 8:37 – Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!
Discussion Questions
1. Where do people in the world look for their identity?
Where did you look for identity before you came to Christ?
Are there times that you forget who you really are? What are some of the reasons this happens?
Do you sometimes find yourself trying to work hard for the Lord to earn His favor or delight? Why do we do that?
Which of the six faith declarations most speaks to you in your faith walk right now? Why?