INTRODUCTION - Where do we find our identity? How do we answer the question, ‘who am I?’
A. I am what I do.
B. I am my failures and sins.
C. Achievement.
D. Feelings.
E. Personal testimony.
I. OUR IDENTITY is not rooted in what we do, but in who we belong to.
A. Formed exactly how God wants us to be.
1. “I have called you by name, you are mine.”
2. Identity in Christ - Eph 2:10
3. Sin has entered in - 2 Cor 12:7-10
4. Isaiah 43:1 - Brought back from slavery to sin. We don’t have to do what we used to do.
B. “Fear not, for I redeemed you.”
II. LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES won’t overwhelm us.
A. “When you pass through the waters”
1. vs 2 - It’s a promise to pass through the waters.
B. “They will not overwhelm you.”
1. Why? “I am the Holy One. Of Israel your Savior.”
CONCLUSION
Our identity is not in what we do, but in who we belong to. When God is sorting us out He is looking for God in us, the core of our identity. He is reminding us He made us exactly how He wants us to be, and that we don’t have to do what we used to. We can overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even when we face difficult and seemingly overwhelmingly difficult times, God promised that these trials won’t overwhelm us, because Christ is our Deliverer, our Savior. God in the midst of our trials is looking for Christ in us.
Our Identity in Trials
Isaiah 43:1-3
September 15, 2019 • Pastor Ben King
The Simplicity of the Christian Life
December 29, 2019 • Pastor Ben King
I. The root of legalism is maturing ourselves by our own efforts. II. The root of our lives as Christians is not rules and standards, but Christ in us. III. Three Types of Christians A. Christians Living for Self B. Christians Living for Christ 1. The desire is often right, but the method is often off. C. Christians Letting Christ Live Through Them 1. How do we let Christ live through us? 2. Abide: Rest in Christ - John 15:4-5 3. Through the Spirit, by Faith, in Love IV. The core of the Christian life is not living by rules and standards, it is allowing Christ to live through us. By learning to abide in Christ, live by the Spirit and in faith as we love God and those around us.
Entrusted With the Gospel
February 10, 2019 • Pastor Ben King
I. SHARE WITH CONFIDENCE AND CLARITY: 1 Thess 2:2 A. This confidence and clarity comes from God B. This boldness comes from God C. Boldness: fearless, confidence. and clarity II. SHARE OUR LIVES: 1 Thess 2:8 A. It involves a deep, affectionate love for other Christians B. It involves life on life C. Who is God placing on your heart to invest into? III. SHARE WITH A FULL SCHEDULE: 1 Thess 2:9 A. We can have a full schedule and minister effectively for Christ! CONCLUSION: Since God has entrusted us with the Gospel, we have been given the responsibility to share it. We are to share it with confidence and clarity, to share our lives with others, and to share even though we have a full schedule.
The Necessity of Meeting Together
March 17, 2019 • Pastor Ben King
1. BELIEVERS ARE OUR JOY AND REWARD - 1 Thess 2:19-20 a. Persist in meeting with others. b. It will have eternal results! 2. WE NEED ENCOURAGEMENT FROM BELIEVERS IN AFFLICTION - 1 Thess 3:1-3 a. Affliction tends to move us. b. We need the encouragement of other believers in affliction. 3. WE NEED NEED OTHERS BELIEVERS IN ORDER TO PERSEVERE IN OUR FAITH - 1 Thess 3:8, Heb 3:12-14 a. Our goal is to persevere in our faith. b. Are you persevering in your faith? CONCLUSION We are to desire and make diligent effort to meet with other Christians. Why? Because believers are our joy and reward. We need encouragement from other believers in our afflictions and we need other believers In order to persevere In our faith.