Real I.D.

Gods Own Possession

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By Karen Polich

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

God is selective. As followers of Christ, we are God’s own possession. He has set us apart for His purpose and calling.

Three things about being God’s possession:

  1. It is permanent. When we become His possession, it is permanent. Romans 8:25-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God. In life’s challenges, we can at times be overwhelmed, but no matter the circumstances, God’s love remains.
  2. It is a preference. We must make the choice. Jesus didn’t seek twelve men with a certain skill set, He simply said to them, “Follow Me”. They had to choose to stay where they were or change everything for Him.
  3. It is prominent. We have been set apart. Our eternal destiny hangs in the balance here. We have been reconciled because Jesus died on the cross, not because we are “good people”. God put us where we are to be prominent and make a Kingdom difference.

Never think for a minute that our importance is in question. He has called us to be a presence in an evil and dying world. We are not here to sit idly by, but to engage and seize the opportunities God places before us.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

The Real I.D. sermon series  has given us a deeper look at what it means to be Children of God, a royal priesthood and God’s own possession. What would it mean if we decided to live out that path to the fullest? Who might we impact if we are intentional about His call to be set apart? We are chosen and called.

 

A Royal Priesthood

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By Karen Polich

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

We are being built up. Through God’s design, the veil was torn when Jesus was crucified and those who choose to follow Him are a royal priesthood. But you will be called the priest of the Lord; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Isaiah 61:6

God’s design placed Jesus as the chief cornerstone and the foundation which we build on. He has us where we are for His purpose. It is not for us to find our place, but to seek Him and yield in obedience to where He wants us to be.

Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” Matthew 21:42

When we build our lives on His firm foundation, we don’t have to worry about where we fit. God has a specific purpose for each of us. He puts all of the pieces together for His plan. Through His mercy, we have been forgiven and can live in His grace. We must set our eyes on Him and be living examples of what it means to walk with Him.

We are brought together as a family of believers who are called to be doers of the Word.

Our actions identify us as His royal priesthood and shine light into the lives of those around us. We are living stones. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:10

Who we are in Christ is our true identity. We are called to live a life glorifying Him, built up by His hand. Listen to Pastor Kevin Linthicum’s sermon series, Real I.D., and A Royal Priesthood here.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. Ephesians 3:20

What is God building in your life today?

Children of God

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By Karen Polich

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13 NASB

Pastor Kevin Linthicum’s sermon series, Real I.D., continued with what it means to be children of God. Listen to the podcast here. Our true identity comes from Him. He is the reason for our existence.

“We cannot begin the journey until we have accepted and embraced our identity in Christ.” – Kevin Linthicum

God’s promise is fulfilled through Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be children of God? We must receive Him. When the choice is made to receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God.

We can’t move forward until we have received Him. Below are some scripture references that are clear indicators we have received Him.

  • Acts 1:8
  • John 13:34
  • 1 John 3:23
  • 1 John 4:12
  • Mark 4:20
  • Galatians 5:22

“You are who you are because He loves you.” – Kevin Linthicum

We are given the commandment to love one twenty three times in the New Testament. It’s the hallmark of Christ followers so others will know Him. As believers, our job is to love others without regard for anything else. Love others for who they are and who they can be in Christ.

God’s provision is that we become children of God. The miraculous transformation in your life is not because of who we are, but because of who He is. He has given us the ability to choose. We are not of human making, but of God.

When we take people, places, and things out of our identity and have received Him, our lives become clearly defined by Jesus.

“Have you received the Word? Are you good soil?” – Kevin Linthicum

Real I.D.

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By Karen Polich

“God is the only one who can take nothing and make something.” – Kevin Linthicum

Pastor Kevin Linthicum began his new sermon series, Real I.D., Sunday with an overview of what it means to know our true identity. Over the next three weeks, this series will teach us:

We are all children of God. 1 John 3:1

We are a royal priesthood. 1 Peter 2:9

We are God’s own possession. 1 Peter 2:9

While identity is often associated with people, places and things, our true identity comes from one source, God. Jesus was, is and always will be the preeminent child of God. Our difficulties stem from the rejection of God as the ultimate source of everything and the refusal to have a personal relationship with Him. Not everyone will accept being God’s children.

A proud heart can lead to disobedience and corruption. Read the story of King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. In his pride, Uzziah was eventually cut-off from the house of the Lord. He dishonored God and paid the price.

God is the reason we exist.

We are given direct access to Him.

We belong to Him. The thread that unites us is Jesus.

Listen to the podcast here to learn more about this sermon series and how you can better understand what it means to live out your true identity.