Topic: Identity in Christ- Heirs of God
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17
As we continue in our discovery series on our identity in Christ. We see from the life of Moses that the world we keep asking question about our identity and as believers our actions and lifestyle should always draw reference from who we are in Christ, we cannot fake or imitate the new birth, – Born again, it must be an authentic encounter with Jesus where the old habits and life passion have passed
away (dead in our life and we have become new creature (a New Man), living for Jesus completely and authentically.
The story of the sons of Sceva strikes a chord where a group of Men having seen authentic Christianity assumed that they could fake it or be part of the growing new phenomenon without true authentic experience and relationship with Jesus
and their identity was also questioned.
13 Then some of the travelling Jewish exorcists also attempted to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I implore you and solemnly command you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches!”
14 Seven sons of one [named] Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
15 But the evil spirit retorted, “I know and recognise and acknowledge Jesus, and I know about Paul, but as for you, who are you?”
16 Then the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued [a] all of them and overpowered them, so that they ran out of that house [in terror, stripped] naked and wounded. Acts 19:13-19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
We see through the scriptures even the evil Spirit could decipher that they had no standing with Christ, it is therefore important as believers because we are engaged in two worlds the Spiritual and physical that we understand our Identity in Christ is of Spiritual essence. A discovery of your identity creates a battle within between who you were and who you are. It’s a battle of your perception and God’s perception of you
Two Crucial Elements:
1. Knowing who you are
2. Being who you are
Discovering your Identity: We discover our identity through the following:
1. The Source- God Exodus 3, Col 3:3,Acts 17:28
2. Through the Word of God- Hebrew 10:7
Knowing Who we are now in Christ We are:
• Wonderfully made- Psalms 139:14
• Loved of God – Galatians 2:20
• born of the Spirit- John3:6
• Sons of God- Acts 4:11
• Ambassadors of Christ- 2 Corinthians 5:20
• Heirs of God- Romans 8:17 Hebrew 1:14, Hebrew 6:17, Acts 4:11
• We are Abraham’s Seed- Galatians 3:39
• Light- Mathew 5:14
• Salt –Matthew 5:13
A Heir is a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that
person's death. He inherits and continues the work of a predecessor.
And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and
fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if
indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory
Roman 8:17(AMP)
This brings us access into inheritance with Christ. We become part of the family
of God
Being who we are in Christ
• Confirm and re-establish your relation with Jesus
• We must activate this promises – John 1:12
• Affirm these declarations over your life
• Lead your life with the understanding of your identity in Christ-
• Avoid doubts- Exodus 4:14