LIVING in the Light of the Gospel

LIVING in the Light of the Gospel Big Idea If we are going to live for Christ, the Gospel must function as the central core that informs and fuels every area of our lives.

The Centrality of the Gospel

Cultivating a Gospel Identity How do people derive their sense of identity? Often, from the things they own. What about you? I feel better about myself when people I respect see me driving a newer or fancier car. (1 = Yes, very true; 5 = not at all) 1 2 3 4 5 Would you feel embarrassed if they saw you driving an old and rusty car? 1 2 3 4 5

Cultivating a Gospel Identity How do people derive their sense of identity? Often, from the prestige of their job. What about you? If things go well at work, I feel good about myself. 1 2 3 4 5 If things are messed up, I am deeply affected, not only at work but at home. I can't enjoy myself unless I know my work situation is right. 1 2 3 4 5 I am driven to perform at work even at the expense of my family. 1 2 3 4 5

Cultivating a Gospel Identity How do people derive their sense of identity? Often, we derive our identity from what others think of us. What about you? When significant people in my life express disappointment in me, I set about trying to correct their view. 1 2 3 4 5 I regularly wonder what this person or that person thinks of me. 1 2 3 4 5 I regularly feel I am not being appreciated enough. 1 2 3 4 5

Cultivating a Gospel Identity How do people derive their sense of identity? Often, we derive our identity from what others think of us. What about you? Look in the Mirror…what do you see??? • “I am _______________ the ______________________.” • “I am too ____________ and not __________________.” • “I wish I was __________________________________.”

Where do our categories come from?

Cultivating a Gospel Identity 2 Corinthians 10:12  We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

Cultivating a Gospel Identity What thoughts do you think God is thinking about you? What most hinders you from drawing near to God? How do you approach God? • Fearfully – knowing He has the goods on you & is waiting to whack you? • Reluctantly – uncertain who He is, what He is like • Arrogantly – certain of your own supreme goodness • Hyperactively – trying to get His attention

Cultivating a Gospel Identity 1st Big Idea A believer’s identity is in Christ, not in Adam…

What does “in Christ” mean? “Identified with Christ” • As far as God is concerned, what is true of Christ has become true of us • Ephesians 2:4-7  4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

What does “in Christ” mean?

Are you living “in Christ”? • Do you find yourself trying to give God a reason to bless you? Or are you typically responding to the fact that He already has blessed you? • What is going on in your life when you find yourself most drawn to God? Do you draw near when you feel like you are spiritual? What about when you feel like you have the spirituality of a toad? • How quickly do you actively engage with God after you sin? Do you try to “get cleaned up” first? • How does the word “obedience” strike you? • How often do you find your soul flooded with gratitude to God? When it is, how does this impact your actions?

Cultivating a Gospel Identity 2nd Big Idea Our core identity & the apex of Christian experience is our adoption as God’s children.

Cultivating a Gospel Identity “What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father. But cannot this be said of every person, Christian or not? Emphatically, no! . . . The gift of sonship to God becomes ours not through being born, but through being born again . . . It is not a natural but an adoptive sonship, and so the New Testament explicitly pictures it . . . Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption...

Cultivating a Gospel Identity If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God's child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all." -J.I. Packer in Knowing God

Cultivating a Gospel Identity Galatians 3:26–4:726 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise. 1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

Cultivating a Gospel Identity 3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! (Aramaic) Father! (Greek = pater)!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Cultivating a Gospel Identity Embrace the Objective Status of Adoption Experience & Enjoy Our Adoption

Experience & Enjoy Our Adoption • God has promised an experience! • Gal. 4:6  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts • You can be adopted as God’s child and still feel and act like a slave because you don’t know God as Father • Are you still living like a slave? • When you experience your adoption, it brings forth an emotional response. • Gal. 4:6  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Experience & Enjoy Our Adoption • When you experience your adoption, it brings intuitive assurance. • Keller - "You are supposed to have assurance in the Christian life, but you never have control over the amount or the level of assurance, and what Paul talk's about here is a high level of assurance... Abba Father is baby talk. It is a word that expresses confidence. A child doesn't doubt unless you teach it to doubt. It just raises its hands and expects to be taken care of, the child just assumes that he or she is so important that you are going to drop everything to come and take care of them. And this is what the Spirit wants to come and show you about God."

How do we get this? • Embrace the gospel • Throw yourself into meditating upon the work of Christ • Devour the New Testament (start with John)

Cultivating a Gospel Identity Big Idea A believer’s identity is in Christ, not in Adam…and our core identity & the apex of Christian experience is our adoption as God’s children.

LIVING in the Light of the Gospel