HERD NIGHT- Heartwork W2 (2024)
Heartwork • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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This week we continue on 30 days of heartwork. We have been reading the daily devotional, practicing empathy challenges and continuing to raise funds for AGAPE food ministries- btw, we are going to serve on April 27
It is so interesting that Disney continues to use a very basic plot to capture out attention. Consistently, they talk about identity and the finding who we are created to be. Think about the plot of the following movies
Graphics (Frozen, Encanto, Moana, Wreck-it Ralph, Zootopia, Aladdin, Pinocchio, Toy Story)
All this movies connect with us because they touch on identity. We have a desire to learn about our identity. The search and the development of your identity is consistently shaped by those around you.
I was reading an article and this quote stood out to me:
“Our self-esteem and identity comes mainly from what outside eyes see in us and what outside voices say about us.”
And I do agree with such statement, because the reality is that many of us have created an identity based on what our parents, friends and people close to us say. This could be bad news or great news… bad news because you are at the mercy of people to shape your identity… or great news.. if you allow God to be the one who shapes your identity.
Which brings me to my main point:
Main Point: God wants to use you for His Kingdom but you must learn who you are in Christ
Main Point: God wants to use you for His Kingdom but you must learn who you are in Christ
God is calling each one of us to find our identity in Christ, so that you can live a fulfilling life. I believe that one of our biggest issues is that we give ourselves too much credit. We always think we are smarter than the people that came before us. One particular issues is related to identity. Where we find our identity determines who we are and what we do.
Identity is a very important issue.
The way that you view yourself is so important to your life and your relationship with God. What comes to mind when you think about yourself? Are those thoughts in accordance with what God says about you? If not, where do those thoughts come from?
You see Simba got the thoughts from Scar. He allowed the voice of the enemy to tell him He was unworthy, a murderer and to run away.
Many of us look for identity horizontally instead of vertical. I want to read Colossians 3:1-4 because I think there are some great principles about our identity in Christ in this passage:
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Principle #1: Identity begins with Christ.
Principle #1: Identity begins with Christ.
If then you have been raised with Christ- Colossians 3:1.
This is a big IF. While you will have an identity with or without Christ, it is only through Christ that you become a child of God.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
This is not an exclusive thing, it’s actually all inclusive. It is however a very specific way.
Principle #2: Identity can be misplaced.
Principle #2: Identity can be misplaced.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2.
Identity is not found in
what you do?
what people say about you?
Your value is not determined because of some quality, talent or personality trait that you have. Your value is determined by your loving God and how he has fearfully and wonderfully made you.
Principle #3: Identity must be protected.
Principle #3: Identity must be protected.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3.
Cups Illustration
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
So many people struggle in life because they feel that they are worthless and are not valuable. This leads to feelings of shame, condemnation, loneliness, hopelessness, unforgiveness and depression. We strive to be noticed and valuable, but often times we are looking for self-worth in all the wrong places.
Your identity is found in what is most important about you.
Main Point: God wants to use you for His Kingdom but you must remember who you are?
Main Point: God wants to use you for His Kingdom but you must remember who you are?
What happens when we know who we are?
1- When we know who we are we become confident and bold. We know what we’re doing here on earth. We know that God desires for us to share his glory and love with the world.
I share this verse before but I think it applies again.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
2- We are more prepared to allow God’s love to flow through us without being contaminated by our own pride or fear.
Would you try this with us? I believe that you will see the value in choosing to live differently for others.
So here is how we will do this in the next 30 days:
Join our daily devotional
Participate in Empathy Challenges
Spend yourself & Give
EMPATHY Challenge!
EMPATHY Challenge!
This week’s empathy challenge is to eat beans and rice. Don’t hate beans or rice?? This one could be pretty easy! But jump in on this as much as you can. Talk to your family and plan for at least one meal, maybe all week! Often the power of this empathy challenge kicks in after about the 6th bowl of beans and rice, when you’re missing the diversity of tastes we enjoy ALL THE TIME, and realize that so many people in our world eat this simple meal just once a day, if they’re lucky. Hunger is intense. It’s not something most of us have to deal with, so as you do some “fasting” this week, remember that feasting is a beautiful thing, but throughout scripture God also calls us to fast, and to remember the hungry. It’s powerful and important for every one of us to learn from.
Give
Give
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you about how to contribute.
This is not about asking your dad or mom for money. Is about what can you do to contribute?
- Can you skip a coffee this week and give that money
- Can you sell some (clothes, games, shoes or misc items) you don’t need to bless others
- Can you mow someone’s lawn and giving that money to the cause. (Kevin Leachman
- Can you be creative in a way to raise money for this? Think outside the box
“How can I participate in your Kingdom, right here, right now as a young person? How can I use my talents, resources or opportunities to bring mercy and justice in the world?”