DEFINING OUR IDENTITY
Part 1
1. How do we define our identity as God's people - the church?
2. How does the world view us?
These questions we will answer from the scriptures
We are not identified by where we meet
Acts 5:12-13 The church initially met in the open on Solomon's porch.
Notice - These 5,000 were "esteemed highly" by those
outside of the body of Christ.
Acts 5:42 They met in the temple & every house.
Acts 19:5-10 At Ephesus - they first met at the synagogue then in a school
At the time Paul wrote to the church at Corinth from Ephesus: (57AD?)
1 Cor. 16:19 "The churches of Asia greet you. Aquilla and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house."
At the church at Colosse:
Phil. 2 "to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house."
Notice - They met in the house of Apphia (probably the wife) & Archippus who was a minister of the gospel:
Col. 4:17 "And say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.' "
We can become preoccupied with concern about what the world thinks about us
What we need to be concerned about is: What does the world think about Christ.
Mt. 16:13-16 "Who do men say that I am - who do you say that I am?
1 Jn. 3:1 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called Children of God ! Therefore the world does not
know us, because it did not know Him."
If we want the world to know who we are, we need to let the world know who Jesus Christ is.
This should be our emphasis
Num. 14:1-19 When Israel refused to enter Canaan, God was ready to destroy them, but Joshua pleaded on their behalf.
Notice - he was concerned for what Egypt & the people of the land would think about God if He destroyed the Israelites.
We need to be concerned about what the world thinks about Jesus Christ based on our example as His people.
We can bring reproach upon Christ by improper conduct:
Examples: at Corinth:
1 Cor. 5:1-2 The sexual sin that even Gentiles (the world) did not condone
1 Cor. 6:1-8 They went to the worldly courts to hear their own cases which they should have been wise enough to judge.
As His children our conduct is to be "honorableamong the Gentiles" (world)
1 Pet. 2:11-ff Our conduct as individuals is to be honorable & patterned by Christ's example.
As His children - individually - we can bring Christ to open shame.
Heb. 6:4-6 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, (5) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, (6) if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."
INVITATION
Our concern should be that for which Paul prayed on behalf of the church at Colosse:
Col. 1:9-14 "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."
vs. 18 "He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."
DEFINING OUR IDENTITY
Part 2
Past questions we asked:
1. How do we define our identity as God's people - the church?
2. How does the world view us?
Past points we covered:
1. We are not identified by where we meet.
2. We can become preoccupied about what the world thinks about us.
3. What we need to be concerned about is what does the world think about Christ.
4. If we want the world to know who we are, we need to let the world know who Christ is.
5. The world needs to see Christ through our example as His people.
We are God's own special people - a spiritualhouse - a holy priesthood
1 Pet. 2:9-10 A peculiar (kjv) people - intended to offer up spiritual sacrifices
Peculiar - [peripoiesis] "An obtaining, an acquisition, purchased possession."
Acts 20:28 to the Ephesian elders: "Therefore take heed to your selves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to
shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood."
1 Cor. 6:20 "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
God makes a distinction between His own possession & the world
Consider the example of His people (Israelites) in Egypt:
1. God made a distinction between Israel & Egypt in the plague of flies:
Ex. 8:20-23 There were no flies in Goshen - showing who God was with.
2. God made a distinction between Israel & Egypt in the pestilence:
Ex. 9:1-6 None of Israel's livestock died.
3.God made a distinction between Israel & Egypt in the plague of darkness
Ex. 10:21-23 While all Egypt was in darkness, Israel had light in their houses
4. God made a distinction between Israel & Egypt in the plague of death:
Ex. 11:4-7 By this final plague, Pharaoh would know God distinguishes between His people and the people of Egypt.
Because God made this distinction - did this mean Israel was better?
Consider what God warned them before entering Canaan:
Deut. 6:10-7:5 They would be distinct from the nations around them by their submission to God's law which demanded a separation from
the people of the land.
We are to be distinct from the world in action and in purity
Jas. 1:27 "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted
from the world."
We are to be distinct from the world by a different mindset:
Rom. 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which
is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Deut 7:6-11 God had chosen Israel & separated them from the nations because He loved them & keeps His promises.
1Pet. 2:1-10 We have come to Christ as a living stone In this we are distinguished from the world that rejects Him.
How do we define ourselves as God's people - the church?
Ezek. 37:15--ff Ezekiel's vision looked to both fleshly Israel & the church. The world would know that God sanctifies (distinguishes) His people.
Compare this to Jeremiah's prophecy:
Jer. 31:31-34 A new covenant wherein is taught forgiveness of sins.
Tit. 2:11-14 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
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