"You need to find yourself." Pressing In

In Sunday’s sermon, we looked at four areas where people are tempted to look inward to find their identity. Which one is it for you? We’ve put together some additional resources that we hope will serve you as you repent of where you’re tempted to find your identity. And as you press in, remember the beautiful truth that, in Christ, you have a new identity based on His finished work on the cross.

We are what we do.

Memorize: "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I might gain Christ." –Philippians 3:7-8

Study: Philippians 3 and Romans 4

Listen: “The Good Life: The Trophy Case”

We are what we have.

Memorize: "Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”" –Luke 12:15

Study: Matthew 19:16-30 and Acts 4: 32-37

Listen: “Luke: The Wealth Trap”

We are who we have.

Memorize: "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." –Psalm 118:8

Study: John 1:1-18 and Romans 1:18-25

Listen: “Theology of Sex: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Romance”

We are our desires.

Memorize: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." –Galatians 5:16-17

Study: Mark 4:18-19 and Romans 7:15-25

Listen: “Luke: Jesus Needs a PR Manager”

Sermon Recap | "You need to find yourself."

How do I know who I am? What makes me, me? How do I figure that out? You need to find yourself is modern society’s response to identity: Look inward, and whatever you find there, celebrate it.

When most of us look inward, we end up defining our identity in one of four ways:

1.     I am what I do

2.     I am what I have

3.     I am who I have

4.     I am my desires

When we try to build our identities on what we find inside ourselves, we run into several problems. Our inward search for identity leaves us in a constant state of earning. And based on what we discover, we become trapped in cycles of self-righteousness or despair. None of these are secure.

But the good news of the gospel is that if we are in Christ, we are given a new, unshakable identity. (Colossians 2:1-10)

So how do we build our new identity in Christ? Colossians 3:1-4 tells us:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are of earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you will appear with him in glory.

We will best understand ourselves when we stop looking inward and focus our eyes on God. Our identity is wrapped in His victory, not our own. We are defined by the fact that the God of the universe has adopted us into His family as His children.

It turns out that what we believe about God is the most important thing about us.

This week, set your eyes on Jesus: the founder and the finisher of our faith. Our identity is based on what He thinks of us from day to day and that doesn’t change. In Him, we have an unshakable identity.

Check out yesterday’s sermon here: