Don't be a tool (of Satan). “Being controlled by the world vs being used by God”

Pastor Jason Hight, July 15-16, 2018

Why do I feel so powerless?

I.            Arrogance

a.  The Lie: When you think you more special than you are.

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) - ¹³ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

b.  The Truth: You are unique to an extent, but not special.

II.          Prejudice

a.  The Lie: When you think what makes you different makes you unique.

Romans 12:3 (NIV) - For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

b.  The Truth: You are different to an extent, but not unique.

III.       Narcissism

a.  The Lie: When you become someone you are not so that you will be loved.

Luke 22:57-59 New International Version (NIV)⁵⁷ But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.⁵⁸ A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied.⁵⁹ About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

b.  The Truth: God loves you how he made you.

Genesis 4:7 (MSG)- ^6-7 God spoke to Cain: “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well (and what you were designed to do), won’t you be accepted (loved)? And if

The Power of Becoming Yourself in Christ.

I.            My true self is hidden in Christ.

Matthew 16:24-26 (MSG) - Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

II.          My true self can only exist in Christ.

Acts 17:27b-28a (ESV) – …(God) is actually not far from each one of us, ²⁸ for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’

1 Corinthians 15:22 (ESV) - ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

III.        My purpose in life can never be realized outside of Christ. 

Colossians 1:17-18 (MSG) - ^15-18 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

Conclusion: My identity in Christ is never Static!

        A. It Grows

        B. It Creates

        C. It Collaborates