ROOTED IN GOD GIVEN IDENTITY

PLANTED IN PERSPECTIVE

…his delight is in the law of the Lord. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Ps 1:3)

1. The image of a tree illustrates the ideal life of someone who is deeply rooted in their faith.

2. The "shoot" represents the outer life, the observable aspects of our existence—the things we do and say, and how we present ourselves to the world. This is the part of our lives that people can readily see and judge.

3. The "root" symbolizes the inner life, the unseen depths of our being—our beliefs, values, and private thoughts. It's what we do and say in secret. This inner life nourishes and sustains our outer actions.

4. Just as a tree cannot bear fruit without both a healthy shoot and strong roots, you cannot fulfill your purpose without cultivating your entire being. Neglecting either aspect affects your ability to fulfill your purpose.

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2. Changing our lives can be one of the most difficult challenges we face. When it comes to our faith it seems easy to continue to do what is wrong and hard to start doing what is right. The apostle Paul under the unction of the Holy Spirit wrote that He delighted in God’s law, but still struggled with this challenge (Rom 7:22)

I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. (Rom 7:18-19)

1. Often when people pursue changing a fruit or outcome from something undesirable to something desirable, from wrong to right, the focus is on changing the wrong thing.

2. Changing your outcomes: This focus is on changing the fruit or results. most of the change we pursue is at this level. You want to be physically healthy, have better relationships, have stronger faith…etc

3. Changing your lifestyle: This focus is on changing your habits. You cook more at home, text friends and family when you think of them, get up early so you have time to read your bible and pray…etc.

4. Changing your identity: This focus is on changing your beliefs: your worldview, self-image, and your judgments about yourself and others. I am the type of person who prioritises health, family, God…etc

5. Outcomes are about what you get, Lifestyle is about what you do. Identity is about what you believe. There is a set of beliefs that shape our lifestyle, an identity behind the habits. True behaviour change is identity change. 

6. Addressing your beliefs about yourself is the most powerful way to transform your life. This type of change works for individuals, families, and organisations like our church. 

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2. When we accepted God's invitation and believed in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, a profound change occurred within us. It was not a mere adjustment or improvement; it was a miraculous transformation. We transitioned from a state of spiritual death to life, from darkness to light, and from being enemies of God to becoming His beloved children.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (Jn 1:12)

1. Through faith in Jesus, we were granted the incredible privilege of becoming children of God. This identity is not something we earned or achieved on our own; it was given to us by God's grace.

2. The change we long for, the victory over sin and its consequences, cannot be attained through our own efforts. It is only through Jesus and the empowering work of His Spirit that we can break free from sin's compulsion and escape its punishment.

3. True transformation occurs as we shift our focus from merely resisting sin to actively following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. By aligning our thoughts and actions with His leadership, we walk in the freedom and power that Christ has secured for us.

4. As children of God, we are no longer enslaved to fear or condemned by our past mistakes. Instead, we are embraced by the love and acceptance of our Heavenly Father, who delights in calling us His own.

 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Ro 8:14-15)

1. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in affirming our identity as children of God. He bears witness with our spirits, assuring us of our status as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Through His presence and power, we are empowered to live out our identity and experience the fullness of our inheritance in Christ.

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Ro 8:16-17)

1. Our identity as children of God comes with the remarkable privilege of sharing in Christ's glory. However, this privilege also entails a willingness to share in His suffering. As we embrace the challenges and trials that come our way, we are reminded of our union with Christ and the glorious destiny that awaits us.

2. No longer responsible for old debts (debt of sin paid by eternal punishment)

3. No longer inherit from your natural father (sin nature)

4. Have the inheritance of your new Father (holiness and eternal life)

5. Old relationships cut off (Transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light)

6. New privileges and responsibilities 

7. This often starts with small things that reinforce our identity. What evidence do we have that we are the type of people that we claim to be. Our habitual works encourage faith that we are the

8. The bottom line is we need to focus on living in our God-given identity to change our lifestyle and ultimately our outcomes. 

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2. The transformation of our identity and life begins as a spiritual reality. It's not merely a change in behavior or appearance; it's a profound shift at the core of our being experienced through faith.This transformation is initiated by the work of the Holy Spirit within us, but it requires our ongoing cooperation as we follow His leadership.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 Jn 3:1-3)

1. As we pursue this transformation, we must actively engage in renewing our minds and disciplining our bodies. Our thought patterns and perceptions of the world must be brought into alignment with the truth of God's Word. This process involves intentional effort and may take time. Each time we choose to act according to our God-given identity we cast a vote of confidence in our new identity in Christ.

2. Despite our spiritual transformation, our bodies may still crave acceptance, love, and comfort from worldly sources. We must discipline ourselves to find our ultimate comfort and pleasure in our relationship with God and our fellow believers. This requires a conscious choice to resist the allure of worldly comforts and to seek fulfillment in God alone.

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (1 Jn 3:8-10)

1. We may sometimes struggle with feelings of inadequacy or doubt, especially when faced with familiar temptations or thought patterns. This can lead to imposter syndrome, where we question whether we have truly been transformed. However, each time we choose to follow the conviction of the Spirit and walk in His grace, we affirm our identity as children of God.

2. Walking in the Spirit is essential for us to live out our identity as sons and daughters of God. Galatians 5:16 urges us to walk by the Spirit, for it is only through His power that we can overcome the desires of the flesh and live lives worthy of our calling.

3. Furthermore, in 1 John 3:1, we are reminded of the lavish love bestowed upon us by our heavenly Father, who calls us His children. This divine love not only declares our identity but also empowers us to live as sons and daughters of God. 

4. As a child of God, I am liberated from the grip of fear. No longer bound by the dread of punishment, I find solace in the knowledge that God's correction stems from love, not from a desire to destroy. His grace empowers me to walk confidently, knowing that His discipline guides rather than condemns.

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. (Prov 19:18)