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  6/18/23

Your True Identity.

Repost Pastor Todd Boxley TJforlife.com

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to “Try Jesus!” If this is your first time joining us, it’s great to have you with us. I would like to thank all the new members for joining “Try Jesus.” Also welcome those in Iowa, Alabama, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, Montana, and Arizona, this week.

Last week’s message was awesome! Many new first-time visitors responded to needing order in their lives. When people and families in hurting communities cry out to God, he shows up in a big way.

Jesus will always be the spiritual antidote this nation needs when looking to get well. Let’s look to the greatest physician on earth. “Heavenly Father, thank you for gathering hearts and minds together once again.

Lord, we come to you with humble hearts. Help us to trust in your word today. Help us to grow in maturity and understand your promises. Lord, help us to commit the time you give us this morning to build a relationship with you.

This morning, we say “yes,” to your will, plan, and purpose for our lives. Let our words today and the meditation of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight Lord, our strength, and our redeemer, in Jesus’ name, amen.” 

Have you ever had to identify or describe something valuable to someone you knew? How about describing something to a total stranger?

When driving down the street, have you ever noticed the details of a notice or picture someone place on a pole of their pet that was lost? Obviously, it can be difficult to read something while driving, unless you’re stopped at a traffic light or stop sigh.

These precious signs of concern and worry are filled with love because they are missing something special that is a part of the family. Those walking usually are able to exam and take in every word on the pole.

Many dogs and cats have been found by beautiful descriptive identification from their owners. Even more heart wrenching is when it becomes a missing child or teenager.

Some of you have experienced this sadness of having to write detailed notes about someone missing in your life. Whether it’s on the poles in your neighborhood or placed on milk cartons, it’s a heavy burden to carry for anyone.

Giving someone a detailed description of something not in your life is easy but difficult when deep love, stress, and uncertainty is in the heart. Emotions run all over the place when identifying something you love, but also lost.

Have you ever heard the words “Elementary, my dear Watson!” Right about now, I would love to hear all of you trying to say that phrase of its language origin (Smile). Keep trying if you’d like, but let’s continue with the message.

I’m sure you’ve already identified the name that goes with that phrase in your mind without searching on Google. But the meaning of identifying someone or something is being who or what a person or thing is.

“Elementary” is used to humorously to say how easy something is to solve. These words are used to denote how someone might easily solve a criminal case. These days identifying things can be challenging because the word “Elementary” has been changed or redefined by “what one wants.”

So, in my mind, 2+2 will always be 4. But in today’s society, 2+2 can be any number or thing you choose for it to be. But in most common sense minds identifying someone is established by their unique characteristics, affiliations, and social roles.

Identity is someone who is the same person over time from the beginning to the end. Even though changes take place through the natural aging process. Many people begin to understand identity as early as age four.

I recognized who and what I was by age 4 or 5. Universally, the characteristics of identity would include race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical attributes, personality, political affiliations, religious beliefs, and  professional identities.

I tossed in the professional identity because growing up, I was identified with sports. If you wanted to find and identify me, you typically would have to find a basketball court anywhere in the city or suburb.

But you noticed, I also placed in there the characteristic of religious beliefs. The reason many identify with religion is because of an inner spiritual nature to know it’s creator.

God has created us in his image. We have a body and a soul from the breath of God. Your body comes from the dust of the earth. God has specifically created us and given us an identity.

26} “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27} So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:26,27 KJV).

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

God has created us distinctly different than other creatures of the earth. God has given us his spiritual DNA.  If you ever saw Jurassic Park, you know that DNA is an important part of any animal’s biological makeup.

It is impossible for you to change your DNA to that of an animal. You may be able to alter the shell (the physical body), but you cannot alter your spirit (soul). Also, animals do not have a spirit.

We can get DNA tests to test for parentage, lineage, and to look back and find our ancestors and where our family lines originated from. DNA is an acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid.

It is created by a variety of building blocks in our biology known as nucleotides. DNA is vitally important as a molecule, for all organisms, not just people and animals. DNA contains the hereditary material from our ancestors, and our genetics, it is what makes us unique from other life on earth.

But only God has created humans in his image. He alone has determined our human identity. There’s that old saying that is still true today, “If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s a duck.”

A human might be able to imitate the sound of a duck, but they cannot become a duck. A woman cannot give birth to a duck. “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. (Job 33:4 KJV).

I’m amazed at how people can claim to have superiority over another race of people, when they themselves did not know what the birth of their nationality would be. We all are one human race. We all come from one life source, blood. (Acts 17:24-26).

The last time I checked, there is no one with purple blood. People should never feel guilty about being of a certain race or skin color. Why? Because it doesn’t define the whole you.

Please do not fall for the lies that individuals tell you that you should feel guilty for being white. Or that you are a victim of white supremacy. These and other words do nothing but divide people and have them turn against one another.

Satan is behind all the division in our nation today. We are all flawed sinful people who need a Savior. Many people want to change words and self-identify as their own “me, myself, and I” definition.

This simply means people today want to be their own god. They are telling God “I don’t care how you made me, you made a mistake.” When Jesus saved me and became Lord of my life, I’ve always wondered how God could create the solar system, the planets, the animals, but make a mistake with us puny humans.

Whenever we remove God from his perfect order of creation, we become deceived and manipulated by Satan. We then, are in danger of hurting ourselves and those who love us.

When Satan (Lucifer) fell from his position of being the greatest Cherub, it was because pride led him to think “I know better than God who created me.” His words become our words when we think we know more than our creator.

12} “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13} For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14} I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15} Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV).

How many times did you see the word “I” in the scriptures? When nations embrace “I” over God, moral decay and degradation start to erode throughout society.

Look at how crime and diluting law and order has devastated many of our beloved cities. People’s lives are often filled with anxiety, worry, and depression because we listen to the lies of the enemy (Satan) instead of God’s truth.

The Bible says “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34 KJVS). A great nation is not defined by wealth, power, or military victories, but by godliness.

When a nation turns away from the “Holiness of God” destruction and devastation can come very quickly. Look at what happened to Venezuela. When cities turn dark with crime, drugs, and ungodliness, the businesses and common sense citizens pack up and move away. I must also confess that God calls some to remain in areas to continue to spread his gospel truth.

Why do you think people who grow up in poverty, crime, drug invested neighborhoods move away after becoming successful in life? Because they realized death was always knocking at their door.

Some experienced how life is so fragile without God being a part of it. God shared some very important words with Joshua about success after he took over the leadership position from Moses.

8} “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

9} Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:8-9 KJV).

Without God, success becomes a mirage and fools gold. Jesus described it this way, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 KJV).

Believe me my friends, your soul is highly more important than the wealth, fame, and success you gather in your lifetime. Is it ok to be successful in life? God has no problems with his children gaining wealth.

However, since your soul never dies, it will live forever in heaven or hell, (you get to choose your final destination) the stuff you accumulate while living becomes less important to you. Since you brought nothing into this world (empty-handed) you cannot carry anything out of it.

7} “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8} And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9} But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Timothy 6:7-10 KJV).

Our children are under assault from Satan and his blind followers. It’s shocking, but not surprising that we place boundaries on children with many rules and regulations.

Most brain physicians will tell you the brain of a child stops developing around age 25. The part of the brain behind the forehead, called the prefrontal cortex, is one of the last parts to mature. This area is responsible for skills like planning, prioritizing, and making good decisions.

So parents should place boundaries on their children because they are trying to protect them from harming themselves and others. We tell a 13-year-old they cannot drive a car because they emotionally and maturity wise are not ready to get behind the wheel of an automobile.

It doesn’t matter if they are “6-foot 5” at an early age. Or whether they have already started to grow a beard. Or God forbid, they happen to mistakenly become a father. The law stipulates you cannot drive until you are 16 years old.

So, why do we think an 8-year-old-child can make the decision to remove his private part from his body because someone told him he should live his own truth? An 8-year-old is not fully capable of understanding what truth is. His mind is still developing in so many ways.

When we begin to play Frankenstein mutilation games with children, we are creating children to endure a lifetime of pain and confusion. When did physicians become God?

Please read aloud so your ears can hear this truth in (Isaiah 45:9-12). Need some more proof of God’s authority over his creation. Please read these powerful words the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet.

1} “The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2} Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

3} Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 4} And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

5} Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 6} O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18:1-6 KJV).

How can we dictate to God how his children should look? How can we change what God has already determined something to be? Just because you remove or add a part to your body doesn’t alter its originality.

God help us. No other species tries to alter its original nature. There are 3 voices in the earth today. God, Satan, and man/woman. God has supreme, unlimited power over all 3. God creates; he preserves; he governs. Which voice are you listening to? If you said, “no one” you are being deceived and Satan already has lied to you.

Today many people arrogantly assume they don’t need God to determine their biological makeup. But our every breath depends on the spirit he has breathed into us (Genesis 2:7; 3:19; Job 33:4; 34:14,15; Daniel 5:23).

Not only do we depend on God for life, but we also thank him for creating us in his way. God is perfect so he doesn’t need to look at us and say, “oops my bad, you should have been something else.

[It is God who created humans in his image, and God has revealed himself to us as a Trinity clearly through the whole of Scripture. From Job 33:4 and Psalm 104:30, we do know that God’s Spirit was present in the Creation. From Colossians 1:16, we know that Christ, God’s Son, was at work in the Creation.]

Again, my beloved friends, you may know someone who is confused about who they are. But God is not confused about how he created all of us. God created human life with his breath (the Holy Spirit). He holds our lives in high esteem.

People today are trying to change an identity that cannot be changed. DNA supports the identity of every person on this earth. Many attack God because they are blinded and believing lies from their enemy, Satan.

Did you know even a hard-core atheist will call out God’s name when his or her life is in pain and jeopardy? They may, at times take the name of Jesus in vain when striking their thumb with a hammer.

Why? Because all humans have a God-centered soul that is as close to God as their next heartbeat. God is revealed in his creation and is close to every one of us. Through his Holy Spirit, he lives within all who believe in Jesus Christ.

God is the Creator, not the creation. This means that God is sovereign and in control, while at the same time he is close and personal. Every human on this earth has been given the choice to receive Jesus as Lord or reject him.

Just as a husband and wife become one in the union of matrimony, each one can still choose to stay or leave the relationship. Remember my friends, we do not shape God to meet our needs; we are still the clay. God has set our identity as he chooses. We serve him as the holy God who loves us.

Jesus loves his creation so much; it grieved his heart to leave us in this fallen condition. He shed his own blood for us so we could be restored to the Father through him (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 5:5-9).

There are only two identities that humans live by on this earth as being God’s children. Here is what we inherited as God’s created children.

Inherited from the seed of Adam:
1) Ruin and destruction. When Adam and Eve sinned in a perfect environment (garden of Eden) their ruin spread to us. We all have the same deadly fingerprints as Adam and Eve (Romans 3:16; 5:9).

2) Sin and transgressions. The Bible tells us all have sinned (Romans 3:10-13; 18, 23). As children of Adam, we are bent towards living the opposite of holiness and righteousness.

3) Death and separation. As children of Adam, we inherited being born alienated from God. We are all appointed to die. (Hebrews 9:27; Romans 5:16,21). Changing your identity won’t change your destination with the dirt outside.

4) Separation from God: When Adam and Eve disobeyed and sinned against God, they broke a living, breathing, up close and personal relationship with God (Romans 5:18; Revelation 20:10-15; 21:8). The only way to restore a spiritual relationship is through Jesus.

5) Disobedience and pride: Adam and Eve were given implicit instructions to stay away from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:17; Job 14:1; Proverbs 22:15). God trains and corrects us to make us better. Parents must discipline their children to help them learn boundaries and how to tell good from bad.

6) Judgement and condemnation: Adam and Eve brought conviction upon themselves and it quickly spread in the family (Genesis 4:5-8; 11-16). No mark or stain of sin can be removed. Only true repentance and the blood of Jesus can remove our sin and condemnation. (Romans 8:1-4; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 John 1:7).

7) Law and order: When Adam and Eve sinned, it opened the door to all lawlessness in the heart of man. Satan hopes to destroy your life by corrupting it inside out (Romans 5:20,21; 1 Corinthians 5:6; 15:33; James 3:6-10).

✝️ But God has not completely abandoned his creation. Because God loves the world (his creation), he sent his only son to save us from spiritual death (John 3:16,17; Revelation 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8).

Again, you can alter and call yourself anything you want but you cannot change the spirit inside you, only God’s Spirit (Holy Spirit) can do that.

Everyone is certainly created by God by nature of birth. But not everyone is a born-again child of God. Being born makes you physically alive and places you in your parents’ family. Being spiritually born of God makes you spiritually alive and puts you in God’s family (John 1:12-14).

↕️ Check out the bottom seven from the top seven above. You get to choose which direction your life is headed. Most people choose life over death.

1) You are now Rescued not ruined. God showed his love towards us by choosing to bring a deliverer through his ruined creation. (Romans 5:8; 8:39; John 3:16; 1 John 4:4-10).

Those who welcome Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God. Through faith in Jesus, this new birth changes us from the inside out.

2) Forgiveness and righteousness: You are now seen as righteous because of what Jesus did for you on the cross (Romans 8:1-4; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 John 1:7).

3) Given eternal life: You are now made brand new (2 Corinthians 5:17-19; Colossians 2:6,7; John 3:3-6; Ephesians 1:13,14;  2:1-3; 8-10). When you surrender your life to Jesus your identity changes.

4) Having a living relationship with God: You no longer have to fear that life of having one foot on a banana peel and the other foot already in the grave. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Because he lives, you will also live in eternity.

5) You have been set free to obedience: When you were a slave to sin, everything the devil held you in was to destroy you. Jesus was obedient to the Father all the way to the cross. The Holy will help you be victorious in all things.

6) Judgement to deliverance: You have been delivered from the penalty of separation from God to the loving embrace of God. Jesus offers this to all who turn to him with sincerity of heart.

7) From law to grace: Just as a jury and judge may have leniency towards a heinous criminal act, we are all guilty before God. But by his amazing grace that covers our sins, we are now declared “NOT GUILTY!” Praise God! His unmerited favor covers us.


🗣📢 Last words: Most people struggle with who they are in Christ. Our identity as humans is to connect with our creator. We all come into this world identified (from the corrupted seed of Adam) with a sinful nature.

God desires that each one of us knows him as a loving Father. You can try to change your appearance, your gender, even your name on your birth certificate, but you can never change or regenerate your soul. God is the life source of your soul.

☆ Just a small recap: Keep his words of love in your heart.

Everyone remembers their ABC’s. Here are some loving words that are centered around “YOU” from A-Z. Embrace them forever. It’s your new identity. You are loved beyond measure.

A) In Jesus, you are identified as being justified (declared righteous).

B) You have no more condemnation.

C) You are set free from the power of sin that leads to death.

D) You are sanctified (made holy) in Jesus Christ.

E) You are pure and holy in Christ.

F) You are made alive at the resurrection.

G) You are a new person.

H) You are made right with God.

I) You are one in Christ with all other believers. Wonderful! Hallelujah!

J) You are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

K) You are holy and without fault.

L) You are adopted as God’s children.

M) Your sins (past, present, and future) are taken away, and are forgiven.

N) You now live under Christ’s authority not the world’s corrupt authority.

O) You now are identified as belonging to God by the presence of the Holy Spirit. You are free from the Devil’s destructive gender assignments.

P) You are now raised up to sit with Christ in the heavenly realms. You know you really are in him.

Q) You are God’s brilliant masterpiece. No more confusing mistakes about who you are. Male/Female. God always does perfect work. He makes no mistakes.

R) You are now closer to God than ever before. He’s preparing you, bringing you into his presence.

S) You get to share in the promise of blessings through Christ. Sadly, unbelievers do not get to share in the good things God promises to those who love him.

T) You can come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. You don’t have to fear a Holy God. Jesus wants you to cast all your cares and concerns on his shoulders. He is the perfect burden reducer.

U) You are now an authentic born-again spiritual believer. You are a member of Christ’s body, the church. You are now bonded together with like minded people.

W) You are now complete in Christ. No more taking away biological parts and giving yourself over to the Frankenstein hands of destruction and evil. You are loved just as you are.

X) You are set free from your sinful, hurtful, destructive, nature. You’re free from the chains and bondage of Satan. You have been given freedom and liberty.

Y) You are soon to have eternal glory in your presence forever. You are going to receive the mansion Jesus prepared for you before you were formed in your mother’s womb.

Z) His love was showered all over you. His thoughts are only precious towards you before the beginning of your existence. You were always carefully and wonderfully made. You will also receive a new name written on your forehead in heaven.

Please, please, read these loving verses everyday about how God feels about you. (Psalm 139:13-18; Jeremiah 1:5-8; Revelation 14:1; 22:1-7, 17-21).

You can deny the truth and believe the lie Satan uses against you, or you can except the truth and believe Jesus came to save you because he loves you. (John 3:16-21).

[The presence of the Holy Spirit is like a down payment, a deposit, a validating signature on God’s contract. The Holy Spirit working in us demonstrates the genuineness of our faith, proves that we are God’s children, and secures eternal life for us.]

 

📕Your identity to live by. Ephesians 2:10; 4:22-24; Jeremiah 1:5; Isaiah 43:1; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 2:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:16-20; 1 John 3:1-3; Philippians 1:20,21).


🛐 Here’s a prayer you can pray for a new I.D. “Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me direct loving truth. I’ve been trying to find out who I am for many years. My life has been on a chameleon ride of altering disappointments.

After hearing and listening to this message, I now want to try having my heart changed. Lord, I pray that you would unlock my heart that I might be fully alive to my true identity in you.

Give me clear revelation to see myself the way you see me. Help me to stand in your truth against all enemy attacks and guard my heart with all vigilance. Help me to identify the lies and reveal to me any places where I am chained to the past in a negative way.

Teach me to hear your voice and not believe the enemy’s destructive lies about who I am. I thank you for my uniqueness and that I am made in your image. I choose to believe the truth about how you see me.

I want to know you on a deeper level, and I don’t want anything to hinder my relationship with you. Lord, forgive me for my sins. Thank you for this new identity I have in you. Help me to live out your purpose and plan for my life, in Jesus’ name, amen.”


❤ “If you would like to know Jesus as your Savior, please read the drop-down page entitled “How to know Jesus.”


💞 A little extra love about you. Please print out this portion and keep it by your side whenever the enemy or someone tries to cancel your new identity.

Instead of all the “I” in (Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV), seal these “I” in your heart. Write your name on the blank line. When you read these scriptures, read your name into each verse.

____________ Is Valuable.

I _________am your child (John 1:12). 
I _________have been justified (Romans 5:1).
I _________am your friend (John 15:15).
I _________belong to you (1 Corinthians 6:20).
I _________am a member of your body. (1 Corinthians 12:27).
I _________have been established, anointed, and sealed by you (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
I _________am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20).
I _________am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).
I _________am chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11).
I _________am holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4).
I _________am forgiven (Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 1:14).
I _________am adopted as your child (Ephesians 1:5).
I _________have purpose (Ephesians 1:9; 3:11).
I _________have hope (Ephesians 1:12).
I _________am included (Ephesians 1:13).
I _________am an overcomer (1 John 4:4).
I _________am protected (John 10:28).
I _________am a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
I _________am qualified to share in your inheritance (Colossians 1:12).
I _________am the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
I _________am safe (1 John 5:18).
I _________am part of your Kingdom (Revelation 1:6).
I _________can understand what your will is (Ephesians 5:17).
I _________have God’s power (Ephesians 6:10).
I _________am victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57).

You are strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. I praise God for you. See you soon in our new home.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

Pastor Todd Boxley

Worship Center Ministry