Our Grace Identity IV – Become What You Already Are  Matthew 16:13-18, 24-26

 

            After the lightning and thunder,

            After the last bell has rung,

            I want to bow down before Jesus

            And hear Him say “well done, my son”

            He is my reason for living,

            He is my King of Kings.

            I long to be in His possession.

            He is my everything.

 

Matthew 16:13-18, 24-26 (NIV)

     When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it…Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.  What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.  I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

 

Matthew 16:24-26 (Msg)

     Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

 

Our identity is our deepest true self

 

1. The Gospel of Grace ultimately confronts us in a deeply personal way about our response to Jesus’ invitation to receive Him as God over all areas of our lives

2. The more we dare to reflect and accept our identity in Christ, the more we build a lifestyle according to that identity 

Luke 3:21-22 (NIV)

     When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
 
3. Rise up to Become What You Already Are In Him

 

Matthew 5:48 (Msg)

     "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

 

Luke 6:35 (Msg)

     "I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

 

1. You have to (law)

2. You ought to (obligation)

3. You want to (grace)

 

John 21:15-17 (NIV)

     When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
      "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
      Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

    Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
      He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
      Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

    The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
      Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

 

Luke 22:61-62 (NIV)

     The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times."  And he went outside and wept bitterly.

 

Luke 21:31-33 (NIV)

     "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

 

In other words, we are already accepted, even at our worst!

 

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

     And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.