While praying one day a woman asked "Who are you God?" He answered. " I am." "But who is , I am?" She asked. He replied , "I am Love. I am Peace. I am Grace. I am Joy. I am strength. I am safety. I am shelter. I am Power. I am the creator. I am the comforter. I am the Beginning and the End. I am the Way, the Truth , and the Life." With tears in her eyes , she looked up to heaven and said. "Now I understand, but who am I ?" God tenderly wiped the tears away from her eyes and whispered. " You are mine."
This little sweet story was the perfect opening to the lesson I was teaching the 8 to 10 children me and my husband ministry to on Sunday nights at church. God had laid it on my heart for several weeks to do a message about "Who We Are In Christ. "
There was about 20 identifications we are in Christ Jesus. Here are a few of them. I will list them in order, than we'll dig into one at a time.
1. I am created in Gods likeness
2. I have been chosen by God
3. I am more than a conqueror
4. I am gifted with spiritual gifts
5. I am adopted as Gods child
1. I am created in Gods likeness: Genensis 1:26-27 " Then God said "Let us make man in our own likeness." He created them as male and female. ( Man out of dust of the earth, woman out of the rib of the man) We see that both man and woman are Gods special creation. We are created in Gods likeness. We can respond to a unique personal relationship with God that reflects Gods love and character. Unlike other living things God created. Like Animals , Plants , Trees. We humans possess a moral likeness to God. With wise minds and loving hearts and the desire to do right. Just like God , we have a spirit, mind, emotions , self awareness , and power of choice.
2. I have been chosen by God: John 15:16 " You did not choose me, instead I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit. It is fruit that last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name." Jesus was saying this to His disciples. In Jesus' day disciples would choose who they wanted to follow ; a particular rabbi or teacher. But Jesus chose His inner core of disciples and for a purpose. To bear fruit. All of Christ followers have that purpose. This fruit bearing refers to working for the spiritural salvation of others who don't yet have a personal relationship with Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 "But chose you to be His people. You are holy priest . A holy nations."
Just as the Israelites were called Gods chosen people in the Old Testiment. All followers of Christ today are considered chosen. All believers are set apart for God and His kingdom purposes. ( Holy: to be set apart for God in a special way)
3. I am more than a conqueror: Romans 8:37 " ..In all these things we are more than conquerers! Through Him who loves us. " This entire pharse is one word in Greek- Hupernikomen.. In this compound word; Huper means "Over , Above" and nikomen means "Victors, Conquerors" Paul is saying that rather being victims of this suffering world, Christians are Over and Above Victors or Super Victors. Rather than barely getting by in life's difficult circumstances. Christ followers are Overwhelming conquerors , because Jesus won the victory for us, through the cross.
( So when you start hearing the little lies the devil tells you and when your going through difficult times ; Remind yourselves, Because Jesus ALREADY won the battle, through Him, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS!!)
4. I am gifted with spiritual gifts: 1 Cor. 12:8 " To some people the Spirit gives the message of wisdom. . To others the same Spirit gives the message of knowledge. To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing. To others He gives the power to do miracles. To others He gives the ability to prophesy. To others He gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others He gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And still to others He gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages. All of the gifts are given by one and the same Spirit. He gives them to each person, just as He decides."
Everyone is given at least one of these gifts of the spirit. Each are different , and each are important in equal value.
5. I am adopted as Gods child: Romans 8:15 " You didn't receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again. Instead you received the Holy Spirit, who makes you Gods child. By the Spirits power we call God "Abba" " Abba means father. The term Abba is Aramaic. It's the word Jesus used when referring to His heavenly Father. (Pater) expresses the depth of intimacy , warmth and confidence by which the Holy Spirit helps us relate to and cry out to God.
Romans 8:17: Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ , if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.
This little sweet story was the perfect opening to the lesson I was teaching the 8 to 10 children me and my husband ministry to on Sunday nights at church. God had laid it on my heart for several weeks to do a message about "Who We Are In Christ. "
There was about 20 identifications we are in Christ Jesus. Here are a few of them. I will list them in order, than we'll dig into one at a time.
1. I am created in Gods likeness
2. I have been chosen by God
3. I am more than a conqueror
4. I am gifted with spiritual gifts
5. I am adopted as Gods child
1. I am created in Gods likeness: Genensis 1:26-27 " Then God said "Let us make man in our own likeness." He created them as male and female. ( Man out of dust of the earth, woman out of the rib of the man) We see that both man and woman are Gods special creation. We are created in Gods likeness. We can respond to a unique personal relationship with God that reflects Gods love and character. Unlike other living things God created. Like Animals , Plants , Trees. We humans possess a moral likeness to God. With wise minds and loving hearts and the desire to do right. Just like God , we have a spirit, mind, emotions , self awareness , and power of choice.
2. I have been chosen by God: John 15:16 " You did not choose me, instead I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit. It is fruit that last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name." Jesus was saying this to His disciples. In Jesus' day disciples would choose who they wanted to follow ; a particular rabbi or teacher. But Jesus chose His inner core of disciples and for a purpose. To bear fruit. All of Christ followers have that purpose. This fruit bearing refers to working for the spiritural salvation of others who don't yet have a personal relationship with Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 "But chose you to be His people. You are holy priest . A holy nations."
Just as the Israelites were called Gods chosen people in the Old Testiment. All followers of Christ today are considered chosen. All believers are set apart for God and His kingdom purposes. ( Holy: to be set apart for God in a special way)
3. I am more than a conqueror: Romans 8:37 " ..In all these things we are more than conquerers! Through Him who loves us. " This entire pharse is one word in Greek- Hupernikomen.. In this compound word; Huper means "Over , Above" and nikomen means "Victors, Conquerors" Paul is saying that rather being victims of this suffering world, Christians are Over and Above Victors or Super Victors. Rather than barely getting by in life's difficult circumstances. Christ followers are Overwhelming conquerors , because Jesus won the victory for us, through the cross.
( So when you start hearing the little lies the devil tells you and when your going through difficult times ; Remind yourselves, Because Jesus ALREADY won the battle, through Him, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS!!)
4. I am gifted with spiritual gifts: 1 Cor. 12:8 " To some people the Spirit gives the message of wisdom. . To others the same Spirit gives the message of knowledge. To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing. To others He gives the power to do miracles. To others He gives the ability to prophesy. To others He gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others He gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And still to others He gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages. All of the gifts are given by one and the same Spirit. He gives them to each person, just as He decides."
Everyone is given at least one of these gifts of the spirit. Each are different , and each are important in equal value.
5. I am adopted as Gods child: Romans 8:15 " You didn't receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again. Instead you received the Holy Spirit, who makes you Gods child. By the Spirits power we call God "Abba" " Abba means father. The term Abba is Aramaic. It's the word Jesus used when referring to His heavenly Father. (Pater) expresses the depth of intimacy , warmth and confidence by which the Holy Spirit helps us relate to and cry out to God.
Romans 8:17: Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ , if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.