Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 10, 2021
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Is Secure in Their Identity!
Who am I?
The question has been asked for ages. Philosophers have debated profusely. Individuals have wrestled for years. Personally you may find yourself asking the question.
How do you answer the question, “Who am I?”
“I am a mom.” “I am a dad.” “I am an American.” “I am a Democrat.” “I am a Republican.” “I am a fire-fighter.” “I am a real estate agent.” The list goes on.
We look for identity in what we do. We look for identity in how we interact with others. We look for identity in our belief systems. However, all of these can challenge us because many, if not all of them, can change. When they do we are left asking again, “Who am I?”
Who we are can very much affect what we do. If you identify as mom…you will do mom things. If you identify as a dad…you will do dad things. If you do not identify as a real estate agent, you won’t do real estate agent things.
I’m getting a little philosophical, I know.
However, having a clear answer to this question is crucial to understanding yourself and your life’s purpose and direction. The reality is, if we find our ultimate identity in a person, occupation, or persuasion of this world, it will lead to our identity being shaken. If we find our purpose in what others think of us or think we should do, we will always be lacking.
To solve the identity question, we must go back to the one who made us and really is the one who gives us a glorious and unchanging way to look at and see ourselves.
I invite you to return to your baptism. (If you have not been baptized and this sparks curiosity, please email me at pastor@crossandcrowntx.com and let’s talk!)
In baptism, God put his name on you as you were baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This simple, short activity wasn’t just a “tradition of the church,” this was your spiritual birthday! It has as much if not more significance to your physical birthday! It was not just a “symbolic act” just like your physical birthday isn’t a “symbol” of life – it was the day you were GIVEN life! In the same way, your baptism isn’t a symbol of God putting his name on you and claiming YOU as HIS own, it was the day he DID claim you as his own. Your baptism day wasn’t a day you showed God you were his child, it was the day God showed you, you ARE his child!
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,…
Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
It was the day you were given a new identity: A child of God.
Apply: Do you know your baptism day? Take time to look it up. Put it on your calendar and enjoy celebrating every year another year of being part of God’s family!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me your child through the waters of baptism. Lead me to understand, appreciate and live this new identity every day of my life. AMEN.
Thank you for praying the following with us at Cross & Crown:
Day 2 – Ephesians 6:10-11 “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
Thank you, God, that our strength and power rests in You. We pray for protection for our leadership team, for our church and for our community, and that the enemy’s strategies will not advance. Bring unity, grace, power and renewal to the ministry you have called us to.