This powerful message takes us on a journey of discovering who we truly are in Christ, using the compelling story of Zacchaeus as our starting point. When Jesus called this wealthy tax collector down from the sycamore tree, He wasn't just inviting Himself to dinner—He was restoring a lost identity. Zacchaeus wasn't physically lost in Jericho; he was lost in who he had become, trapped in a false identity of hustling and climbing. The beauty of this encounter is that Jesus establishes identity before giving instructions. He calls Zacchaeus by name and identifies him as a son of Abraham before any behavior change happens. This reveals a profound truth: God doesn't start with behavior management; He starts with belonging. We explore how knowing we are chosen, adopted, and forgiven changes everything. Like the Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace who refused to bow because they knew whose they were, we discover that courage follows when identity is restored. The message challenges us to examine what we're building our identity on—are we like Cecil, so confused we've forgotten our own name? Or are we standing firm like Maximus, declaring who we truly are despite what circumstances have tried to make us? When we understand that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus, we stop working for identity and start working from it. This isn't about performance or fear of divine punishment; it's about being inspired by gratitude to live out who we already are in Him.

In what ways have you allowed others to label you or define your identity, and how does knowing you are 'chosen' and 'adopted' by God challenge those labels?

Pastor Roy mentioned that God establishes our identity before giving us instructions. How might your spiritual life change if you focused more on who you are in Christ rather than what you should be doing?

The story of Zacchaeus shows Jesus initiating relationship and calling him by name. When have you experienced God pursuing you personally, and how did that encounter affect your sense of belonging?

How does understanding that you are 'forgiven' rather than 'managed' by God change the way you approach Him with your struggles and failures?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego maintained their identity even when threatened with death. What pressures or 'fires' in your life tempt you to compromise your identity in Christ?

Pastor Roy shared that when identity is lost, we often experience fear, shame, or confusion. Which of these struggles most resonates with you, and how might reclaiming your true identity address it?