Brief Summary
In this sermon, Creflo Dollar discusses the importance of recognizing and living from our true identity in Christ. He emphasizes that as new creations, we must align ourselves with the finished works of Jesus, understanding that our righteousness, redemption, and holiness are already complete. The message encourages believers to actively rehearse and practice this identity daily, resisting the enemy's attempts to distort it with shame, guilt, and condemnation. The sermon also touches on the concept of "redeemed effort," which involves partnering with the Holy Spirit to maintain alignment with our true identity and resting in the victory that Jesus has already secured.
- Recognizing our true identity in Christ is essential for spiritual growth and experiencing the fullness of God's promises.
- We must actively rehearse and practice our true identity daily, resisting the enemy's attempts to distort it.
- "Redeemed effort" involves partnering with the Holy Spirit to maintain alignment with our true identity and resting in the victory that Jesus has already secured.
Introduction: Recognizing Our True Identity
Creflo Dollar introduces the sermon by stating the importance of recognizing and embracing our true identity in Christ, which he refers to as our "Jesus identity." He emphasizes that many believers miss the mark by not fully understanding and aligning with who they truly are in Christ. It's more than just a religious statement or a t-shirt slogan; it requires daily rehearsal and practice. When we display behaviors that contradict our true identity, we must quickly remind ourselves, "That's not me." He aims to expand the congregation's understanding of their identity in Christ, using the Mirror Translation to provide a clearer picture of who they are.
The New Creature in Christ
Dollar references 2 Corinthians 5:17, explaining that being "in Christ" means becoming a new creature. He uses the Mirror Translation to emphasize that believers were co-included in Jesus' death and resurrection. This means that when Jesus died, we died with Him, and when He was resurrected, we were resurrected with Him. As new persons in Christ, our old ways of seeing ourselves and others are over. We should see others with empathy and love, making room for their faults and avoiding judgmental attitudes. It's essential to get acquainted with this new version of ourselves through constant rehearsal and practice.
Engineered by His Design
Referencing Ephesians 2:10, Dollar explains that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. The Mirror Translation describes us as "engineered by His design," molded and manufactured in Christ. We are fully equipped to give attractive evidence of His likeness in everything we do. Just as Jesus said, "If you have seen the Father, you have seen me," we should strive to be illustrations of Christ, fully equipped to demonstrate what God is like.
Reflecting the Image of God
Dollar references 2 Corinthians 3:18, explaining that with open faces, we behold the glory of the Lord and are changed into the same image. The Mirror Translation states that we see ourselves in Him as in a mirror, meaning we should be a reflection of Him. We should not let the world or religion scare us out of holding onto the fact that we are a reflection of Jesus. Just as we see ourselves in a mirror every morning, we should see ourselves in Him every day. It's time to get acquainted with our true identity, the Jesus identity, and recognize our resemblance to Him.
Clothed in the New Man
Dollar references Colossians 3:10, stating that we have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created us. The Mirror Translation says we are clothed in the knowledge of the authentic, brand-new self. Our thoughts are permeated in our co-resurrection and co-enthroned royal life, instead of the old, worn-out garments of pretense. When we put on our true identity, we no longer need to be fake. We continue to mirror the unfading, imperishable pattern of the exact image of our Creator.
Living from Our True Identity
Dollar emphasizes that we should live from our true identity in every aspect of our lives, including our jobs and marriages. We should work as unto the Lord, not to impress others, and deal with our marriages in love and mercy, not pride and ego. When we experience negative emotions or behaviors, we should remind ourselves, "That's not me," and strive to present the best version of ourselves. Everything about our lives as Christians should flow out of this true identity, defeating shame, guilt, and condemnation.
The Attack on Identity
Dollar explains that Satan's first line of attack is on our identity. Just as he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden and later tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he constantly tries to make us doubt who we are in Christ. We must remember that we are the mirror image of Jesus, and this truth scares the devil. When God thinks about us, He thinks about Jesus. We must not allow the enemy to shame us out of our identity or condemn us for our past mistakes.
Laboring to Rest in Our True Identity
Dollar introduces the concept of "laboring to rest" in our true identity. This means that once we have embraced our identity in Christ, we must actively maintain alignment with it. Just as a satellite dish can be knocked out of alignment by a storm, Satan throws storms to try to get us out of alignment with our true identity. We must remember and respond appropriately, recognizing that our Christian life is about alignment. This involves partnering with the Holy Spirit to do what's necessary to stay at rest in the finished works of Jesus.
Redeemed Effort vs. Self Effort
Dollar distinguishes between self-effort and redeemed effort. Self-effort is trying to produce what Jesus has already finished, such as working to be righteous or redeemed. Redeemed effort, on the other hand, is partnering with the Holy Spirit to enhance and stay in alignment with what Jesus has already finished. This involves activities such as prayer, studying the Word, attending church, and giving. Our job is to maintain what Jesus obtained, and this maintaining part is called labor.
Vulnerability and Authenticity
Dollar shares personal experiences of physical attacks and challenges, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. He explains that he learned not to ask God why he was going through something, but rather what God wanted him to get out of it. He also realized that he had been delivered from approval addiction, no longer needing anyone's validation to do what God tells him to do. Vulnerability can be a productive weapon, especially with the younger generation that craves something real.
Conclusion: Deliverance and Boundaries
In conclusion, Dollar states that the greatest deliverance we will ever experience is deliverance from people, which means learning how to draw boundaries. We must teach people that "no" is a complete sentence and that if they don't value our presence, they need to become acquainted with our absence. We must value ourselves the way God values us and build boundaries to protect our time and energy. The sermon ends with a prayer of repentance and a call to receive the finished work of the cross and resurrection, embracing our identity in Christ.
