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Forgiven in Christ
Who are you?
What is your identity, and do you know your identity in Christ?
Jesus changes everything!
Philippians 3:4-9
4 Though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that
comes from God on the basis of faith.
You Are Forgiven
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Questions from Part 1
- It was explained that I John 1:9 is confessing of daily sin. Sin can bring us tremendous pressure/weight/guilt of sin in our lives when we let sin linger and remain present in our life. How does this help you and understand that “in Christ” we are forgiven?
- The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, that all followers of Jesus have died with Christ and no longer live for the world or themselves. At moment of salvation, our lives went from a worldly outlook to a spiritual outlook. Our “death” is our old sin nature which was nailed to the cross with Christ. How does this “new” life change your outlook on life w/ Christ, relationships, work, future, etc.?
Loved in Christ
In Christ, God’s love removes fear.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18
In Christ, God’s love gives us strength against the enemy.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies…O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. Psalm 59:10,17
In Christ, God’s love for us leads to contentment.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I can delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:10
Questions from Part 2
- What are examples today of things that can tempt Christians to think they are no longer loved by Christ? Any circumstances in your life that tempt you to feel this way?
- Identify an area you need to trust in Christ’s sufficiency and love instead of worrying. As an aid to do this paraphrase Romans 8:37 “For in _(name an area of concern) I am an overwhelming conqueror through Christ who loved me.” Pray about this area, communicating your trust in Christ concerning it.
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NLT)
Worthy in Christ
Ephesians 2:4-7
4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7 in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Our Playbook Shows Our Worth
Because we are WORTHY…..Before you were even born God knew you (Jeremiah 1:5)
Because we are WORTHY… You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
Because we are WORTHY…God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)
Because we are WORTHY…God cares about you (1 Peter 5:7)
Because we are WORTHY…God keeps track of all your sorrows, even collecting your tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8)
We Need Reminders
Abraham felt unworthy to speak to God, calling himself dust and ashes – Genesis 18
Moses felt unworthy to be called and to confront the Pharaoh of Egypt on God’s behalf – Exodus 3
King David felt unworthy of God’s blessings – II Samuel 7
John the Baptist felt unworthy to even carry Jesus’ sandals – Matthew 3
The apostle Peter felt unworthy to be in Jesus’ presence because of his sin. – Luke 5
The apostle Paul felt unworthy of his calling – 1 Corinthians 15
Men of Practice feel unworthy…____________
Error #1: We are held back by shame
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Proverbs 28:13-14
Error #2: We have fallen for Satan’s accusations of God
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4
Questions from Part 3
- Romans 5:8 talks about how God demonstrated His love towards us in the midst of our sin. How will you demonstrate your love towards God going forward?
- What does it mean to you that you are worthy and treasured in Christ all the while we still sin and fall short?
Redeemed in Christ
FORGIVENESS – involves asking and giving forgiveness. One person asks for it, and the other chooses whether or not to provide it. Both the asker and the giver must release past hurt or disappointment and be restored to wholeness.
REDEMPTION – involves forgiveness being obtained. Setting someone free and there is a price tag involved, a payment made. Christ’s death on the cross allows us to become united with our Heavenly Father and sin is gone.
Ephesians 1:7-9
7. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8. which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
9. He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us new in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Questions from Part 4
- Think about who you were before Jesus redeemed you. What has Jesus saved you from? Think about who you are now that you’ve been redeemed. How has Jesus restored your status with God?
- In Christ, you are a new man. You are His masterpiece. Watch This Video. How will you change your thinking going forward on who you are in Christ?
- What did you like/learn most on this Identity Series?
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