Identity Crisis: A Sermon for the Graduates (and the rest of us too) | May 7, 2023

Identity Crisis: A Sermon for the Graduates (and the rest of us too) | May 7, 2023
Brian Van Eps | Guest Speaker

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3 (NIV)

Where do you find your identity?

Our God Given Identity: We are Lavishly Loved Children of our Heavenly Father.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

3 Aspects of this Identity:

1. God Knows Us

To be loved but not known is superficial. To be known and not loved is our great fear, but to be known and loved, that transforms you. -Tim Keller

2. The World Doesn’t Know Us

“The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

“Don’t Make it Weird (er than it already is)”

3. We Know God

“But we know that when Christ appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”

“Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.” -J.I. Packer, Knowing God

The Response: Receive Your God Given Identity

Reflection Questions:
1) Where have you found your identity throughout your life?

2) Which of these identities were the most formative?

3) When have you struggled with your identity?

4) What is your reaction to being, “A Lavishly Loved Children of our Heavenly Father”?

5) Who knows you better than anyone else?

6) How does God knowing you impact your life?

7) What is one instance of the world not knowing you in your life?

8) What does it mean for you to “Know God”?

9) What is one tangible way to receive your God given identity this week?

Next Steps:
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Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.05.07.pdf