All things new – Part 1
Sermon by Greg MacRobbie – Sunday, January 3, 2021
We no longer have to define ourselves by our past, or our passions, or our roles in our world. We are made into new compositions in an instant when we accept Jesus. But our new identity is something we have to grow into.
Media
Sermon Audio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the sermon podcast: Google Podcasts | RSS | More
Service livestream
Life Group content for this week
All things new – Part 1
THIS WEEK’S MAIN IDEA
When we are born again, God brings us to life spiritually, He gives us a new nature and a new identity… we are new creations in Jesus Christ. We no longer have to define ourselves by our past, or our passions, or our roles in our world… the new nature is instant when we accept Jesus, but the new identity is something we have to grow into by training.
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 1:26-27; Ephesians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:15-17; John 1:12; 1 Timothy 4:7-8
CONNECT
Describe something that’s part of your identity – of how you see yourself. How did this become part of your identity? Did it come from yourself, other people, or God?
EXPLORE
-
Who or what has had the strongest impact on your identity – on how you see yourself? How can a false perception of ourselves hold us back or limit our potential? Is there anything that you used to believe was part of your identity but later rejected? How did the change in your perception of yourself change your life?
-
Read Gen 1:26-27. God created us to be like Him and to carry out His will in the world. How does this impact your understanding of your identity?
-
Read Eph 2:1-5, 2 Cor 5:15-17. When we give our lives to Jesus there is an immediate change in our nature, which over time leads to changes in our identity. What changes did you see in yourself immediately after you gave your life to Jesus? What changes happened more slowly, over time?
-
How does having a relationship with God, and becoming more aware of who God is and what he’s done for us change our perception of ourselves, our capabilities, and our purpose? How does that change in our perception of ourselves change the way we live and the choices we make?
-
It can be hard to let go of parts of our identity that we’ve believed for a long time, and that may be continually reinforced by people around us. How can we change our self-perception to align with what God says about us? How can we help each other see ourselves as God sees us, and live accordingly?
STRETCH
What is God saying to you from His Word right now? What are you going to do about it?