God says who you are - not man.

Church Family:  I want to take a moment and remind us who we are in Christ as we have arrived at some difficult passes in Revelation 11.  As a believer, a follower of Christ, a Christian, your identity is defined by God and your relationship to Him.  Who you are is not determined by anyone else.  No one has the power to determine who you are but your loving heavenly Father.  Your parents don’t determine who you are.  Circumstances don’t determine who you are. Your job, salary, education, social media, political party, culture, car, or clothes do not determine who you are.  God does.  God says who you are.  

Do you know who God says you are?  Do you know your identity as a Christian?  Do you know your corporate identity as the people of God, the Church, the Israel of God (Gal. 6:12-16)?
 
As we have been going through the book of Revelation, we are reminded over and over again that this book is written so that believers will be VICTORIOUS in the tribulations present and those that will come.  Jesus has called His church to be more than conquerors through these tribulations.  Church!  For us to be personally and corporately victorious we must more fully realize and enjoy our identity as the redeemed, chosen people of God.  Claim the promises of God in your tribulation and be VICTORIOUS!

Before the world had even been created, He determined to call us to Himself to make us His people.  This is difficult to understand, but it is for our victory in tribulation!  Jesus said in Revelation 3:21, "The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne."

Know your identity in Christ and be victorious.  You are:

Eternally planned by God

• Foreknown: Romans 8:29  
• Elected: 1 Thessalonians 1:4 
• Predestined: Ephesians 1:11 
• Chosen: 1 Peter 2:9 
• Called: Romans 9:11

Brought near to God

• Reconciled by God: 2 Corinthians 5:18 
• Reconciled to God: Romans 5:10 
• Redeemed: Colossians 1:14 
• Brought Near: Ephesians 2:13 
• Given Access: Ephesians 2:18 

Children of God

• Born Again: 1 Peter 1:23
• Children of God: 1 John 3:2 
• New Creations: 2 Corinthians 5:17 
• Adopted: Romans 8:15 
• Heirs: Galatians 4:7  

Totally Acceptable to God Through Jesus Christ

• Justified: Romans 5:1 
• Righteous: Philippians 3:8-9 
• Sanctified: 1 Corinthians 1:30 
• Made Perfect: Hebrews 10:14 
• Accepted: Ephesians 1:5-6 
• Forgiven: Colossians 2:13 
• Complete: Colossians 2:10 

United and Joined with Christ for eternity

• Crucified: Romans 6:6 
• Dead: Romans 6:8 
• Buried: Romans 6:4
• Raised: Colossians 3:1 
• Ascended: Ephesians 2:6

Jesus’ Very Own Possession

• His Gift: John 6:37 
• His Bride: 2 Corinthians 11:2  
• His Inheritance: Ephesians 1:18 
• His Possession: Ephesians 1:14  

Blessed With the Holy Spirit

• Born of the Spirit: John 3:6  
• Baptized: 1 Corinthians 12:13  
• Indwelt: 1 Corinthians 6:19  
• Sealed: Ephesians 1:13-14  

His treasured possessions

• Objects of His Love: Ephesians 2:4  
• Objects of His Grace: Romans 5:2 
• Objects of His Power: Ephesians 1:18-19 
• Objects of His Faithfulness: Hebrews 13:5  
• Objects of His Peace: Philippians 4:9  
• Objects of His Encouragement: 2 Thessalonians 2:16  
• Objects of His Intercession: Hebrews 7:25  

We have a Heavenly Home promised

• Heavenly Citizens: Philippians 3:20  
• Members of God’s Household: Ephesians 2:19  
• Have a Heavenly Inheritance: 1 Peter 1:4-5   

In Christ, we are God’s chosen people.  God will fulfill His promises to His chosen people, His children, His Church, His household, His family.  In Christ, we are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:28-29).  His promises that we experience now are just the beginning.  His promises are the power to sustain us through present tribulations and those tribulations that are to come.  Call on God’s promises to you.  Remember who you are.  You are God’s!  He has determined who you are, His treasured possession.  And you have been promised VICTORY in Christ.

Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
 
This Sunday we will be meeting in person at the church building if you would like to join us in person at 10am.  And for those who will be staying at home, we will  be live-streaming on our Grace Community Church Topsail YouTube Channel. Push the blue link.  We can also be found at https://www.gracetopsail.com/

I look forward to worshipping the Lion and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, with you Sunday. - Steve