WEBVTT - Our New Identity As Sons and Daughters of Christ 0:00:00.760 --> 0:00:03.840 This is Bold Steps with Mark Jobe. I'm Wayne Shepherd, 0:00:03.840 --> 0:00:07.080 and today we're celebrating Good Friday with a powerful message 0:00:07.080 --> 0:00:10.440 about identity. And Mark, this is such a significant day 0:00:10.440 --> 0:00:12.840 in the Christian calendar. You're going to be sharing about 0:00:12.840 --> 0:00:14.960 what the cross means for our identity. 0:00:15.000 --> 0:00:19.800 Yeah that's right. This is a huge topic, Wayne. Especially identity, 0:00:19.800 --> 0:00:27.360 because so many people struggle across the board with understanding 0:00:27.360 --> 0:00:31.160 who they are that affects what they do. It affects 0:00:31.160 --> 0:00:34.000 how they relate to people. It affects their calling. Yes. 0:00:34.040 --> 0:00:38.680 And it all changed on Good Friday when Jesus the 0:00:38.680 --> 0:00:44.200 Christ died on that cross and gave us a ability 0:00:44.200 --> 0:00:46.280 to have a new identity in God. 0:00:46.320 --> 0:00:48.640 I'm so excited about this message to come here on 0:00:48.640 --> 0:00:52.080 bold steps today. The life changing truth about the Cross 0:00:52.080 --> 0:01:07.480 on Good Friday. Here on Bold Steps. Once again, welcome 0:01:07.480 --> 0:01:09.920 to this special Good Friday edition of Bold Steps with 0:01:09.920 --> 0:01:12.320 Mark Jobe. Mark is a senior pastor of New Life 0:01:12.319 --> 0:01:16.280 Community Church and president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Mark, 0:01:16.280 --> 0:01:19.640 as we reflect on their crucifixion today, many people understand 0:01:19.640 --> 0:01:22.520 that Jesus died for our sins, but sometimes we miss 0:01:22.520 --> 0:01:25.640 the implications of what that means for our identity. So 0:01:25.640 --> 0:01:27.679 let's elaborate on that transformation. 0:01:27.880 --> 0:01:32.040 Yeah, Wayne. The death of Jesus Christ is not just 0:01:32.040 --> 0:01:38.200 about sin. That's a big component, but it is about 0:01:38.520 --> 0:01:42.840 when our sin is removed, who we become. And the 0:01:42.840 --> 0:01:47.720 power of the cross of Jesus Christ is exemplified. When 0:01:47.720 --> 0:01:52.720 Jesus died and the veil of the temple that separated 0:01:53.200 --> 0:01:56.200 the Holy of Holies from just the regular worshiper was 0:01:56.240 --> 0:01:59.440 torn in two from the top down. 0:01:59.440 --> 0:02:02.290 That's one of my favorite points of what happened that day. 0:02:02.290 --> 0:02:03.210 I love that story. 0:02:03.250 --> 0:02:06.210 Probably people on the outside didn't realize, but God wanted 0:02:06.210 --> 0:02:11.169 to give a physical manifestation of what was happening there. 0:02:11.169 --> 0:02:15.130 He didn't have to tear the the temple veil, but 0:02:15.530 --> 0:02:19.730 for for decades and decades, man had been separated from 0:02:19.730 --> 0:02:23.810 the Holy of Holies. But when Jesus died, he tore it, 0:02:23.850 --> 0:02:27.010 symbolizing that now we have access to the Holy of Holies. 0:02:27.010 --> 0:02:30.450 In other words, our identity has changed because now we 0:02:30.450 --> 0:02:33.290 have been cleansed, and we are sons and daughters of 0:02:33.290 --> 0:02:35.770 the Most High God. And as sons and daughters of 0:02:35.770 --> 0:02:39.170 the Most High God that have been cleansed, washed and redeemed, 0:02:39.169 --> 0:02:42.250 we have access to the very holiest place in the universe. 0:02:42.250 --> 0:02:43.570 And that's the presence of God. 0:02:43.570 --> 0:02:46.210 What a moment, huh? What a moment, I love that. 0:02:46.250 --> 0:02:48.649 Yeah, and you know what I've discovered, Wayne, is that 0:02:48.650 --> 0:02:52.010 a lot of people, well, even though they may know 0:02:52.290 --> 0:02:58.010 the basics of salvation, they really still struggle with identity. 0:02:58.650 --> 0:03:01.690 How does God see them? Him. And even when we 0:03:01.690 --> 0:03:05.050 say God the Father, so many people have had bad 0:03:05.050 --> 0:03:12.410 experiences with their father. Absent fathers, critical, demeaning, abandoned fathers. 0:03:12.570 --> 0:03:15.330 When we say father, it doesn't conjure up this loving 0:03:15.330 --> 0:03:19.810 image of an affirming person in their life. Oftentimes it 0:03:19.850 --> 0:03:21.489 conjures up negative images. 0:03:21.530 --> 0:03:22.169 I know it does. 0:03:22.490 --> 0:03:26.810 I was at a women's retreat speaking about the father 0:03:26.810 --> 0:03:30.130 daughter factor, and I had a young girl come and 0:03:30.130 --> 0:03:32.410 stand in front of a mirror. She was about college 0:03:32.410 --> 0:03:36.130 age and I said, tell me, when you look at 0:03:36.170 --> 0:03:41.010 that mirror, how you see yourself. And she just started 0:03:41.010 --> 0:03:43.410 looking at that mirror. She stared at that mirror and 0:03:43.410 --> 0:03:49.650 started just saying, unworthy, ugly, no purpose, no call. As 0:03:49.650 --> 0:03:52.810 she looked at herself and described herself, she started to weep, 0:03:52.970 --> 0:03:56.970 just weeping. When she was done, I paused and I said, 0:03:57.010 --> 0:03:59.330 and now I want you to look at that mirror, 0:03:59.330 --> 0:04:02.820 and I want you to hear what God says about you. 0:04:03.300 --> 0:04:06.540 Daughter of the Most High God, clean, made in the 0:04:06.540 --> 0:04:10.780 image of God breathed in by His Holy Spirit. A 0:04:10.780 --> 0:04:14.940 woman of destiny, purpose and identity in God. Someone that 0:04:14.940 --> 0:04:18.700 God wants to spend eternity with. And she wept again. 0:04:18.700 --> 0:04:22.380 But this time it was tears of. Yeah, that's how 0:04:22.380 --> 0:04:23.300 the father sees. 0:04:23.300 --> 0:04:24.140 That's so powerful. 0:04:24.180 --> 0:04:27.060 Yeah, it was a really powerful moment. And I believe 0:04:27.060 --> 0:04:31.740 there's a lot of people that struggle with those same issues. Now, 0:04:32.180 --> 0:04:35.500 by the way, I love the story of the angel 0:04:35.500 --> 0:04:39.380 of the Lord, which is God himself appearing to Gideon 0:04:39.380 --> 0:04:43.020 in Judges chapter six, because I think it's such a 0:04:43.020 --> 0:04:47.500 powerful image. He appears to Gideon, and he's ready to 0:04:47.500 --> 0:04:52.140 call Gideon to do something extraordinary. And the Bible says, 0:04:52.140 --> 0:04:54.779 and the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, 0:04:54.779 --> 0:04:58.740 the Lord is with you, mighty warrior. Now Gideon at 0:04:58.740 --> 0:05:05.620 the time was Scared young. Hiding from the Midianites. Defeated. 0:05:05.980 --> 0:05:09.700 And it's just strange that God calls someone a mighty 0:05:09.740 --> 0:05:15.420 warrior who's never, ever fought a battle. And Gideon protests 0:05:15.420 --> 0:05:18.260 and he said, hey, Lord, I don't know if you 0:05:18.300 --> 0:05:22.340 got this right, but I'm of the lowest. I'm small. 0:05:22.380 --> 0:05:26.180 I'm of the smallest tribe. I'm defeated. But I want 0:05:26.180 --> 0:05:29.140 you to know that God saw in Gideon not who 0:05:29.180 --> 0:05:32.500 he was, but who God had called him to be 0:05:32.700 --> 0:05:36.060 and who he was becoming. So, through the cross of 0:05:36.060 --> 0:05:39.980 Jesus Christ, God has called you to be a son 0:05:39.980 --> 0:05:43.460 or daughter of the Most High God. Sin has been defeated. 0:05:43.460 --> 0:05:47.380 The accuser has been brought to his knees. You have 0:05:47.380 --> 0:05:51.220 been given a new identity. You've been sealed with the 0:05:51.220 --> 0:05:54.620 Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. Your name is new. 0:05:54.660 --> 0:05:58.540 Your identity is new. Your purpose is new. And that's 0:05:58.540 --> 0:06:01.510 all through the cross of Jesus Christ. In fact, the 0:06:01.510 --> 0:06:03.870 Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians chapter two, I am 0:06:03.870 --> 0:06:07.110 crucified with Christ. I no longer live. Now I live 0:06:07.150 --> 0:06:09.430 a new person in God. The person I live now 0:06:09.430 --> 0:06:12.150 is a new person. It's a new identity, the new man, 0:06:12.150 --> 0:06:15.830 the new woman. And that's what Good Friday is all about. 0:06:15.830 --> 0:06:17.750 If any man is in Christ, he's a new creature, 0:06:17.750 --> 0:06:19.150 a new creation, huh? 0:06:19.270 --> 0:06:21.510 The old is gone and the new has come. 0:06:21.830 --> 0:06:25.310 Mark, thanks for bringing up Gideon and that story of identity. 0:06:25.310 --> 0:06:27.670 I'm just wondering, in your own life, has this ever 0:06:27.670 --> 0:06:29.469 been an issue for you, perhaps when you were a 0:06:29.470 --> 0:06:30.190 new believer? 0:06:30.710 --> 0:06:34.150 Yeah, absolutely. I think that, you know, I had a 0:06:34.150 --> 0:06:39.029 very strong, affirming father and so and mother that really 0:06:39.029 --> 0:06:42.830 loved the Lord. And so I counted a huge blessing 0:06:42.830 --> 0:06:47.150 that he spoke into my life. But I remember, like 0:06:47.150 --> 0:06:52.869 any teenager, young college student trying to figure out where 0:06:52.870 --> 0:06:54.550 I fit in, who am I. 0:06:54.950 --> 0:06:55.989 As we all do, right? 0:06:56.029 --> 0:06:59.110 Yeah, it's a very there's periods of our life where 0:06:59.110 --> 0:07:04.030 we're establishing our identity. I remember one particular time where 0:07:04.029 --> 0:07:07.750 I had just started pastoring. I was 21 years old. 0:07:08.470 --> 0:07:12.950 I was a little bit frustrated. I was trying to 0:07:13.550 --> 0:07:18.190 step into this role with very little experience. I remember 0:07:18.190 --> 0:07:20.550 sitting down at the table with my father and saying, 0:07:20.550 --> 0:07:23.030 I don't know if I'm cut out to be a pastor, dad. 0:07:23.030 --> 0:07:27.070 I said, I don't know. This is not coming easy, 0:07:27.110 --> 0:07:31.310 natural to me, and maybe I should just hand this 0:07:31.310 --> 0:07:35.110 over to someone else. I think my father sensed at 0:07:35.150 --> 0:07:38.190 that time. He sensed that this was a bit of 0:07:38.190 --> 0:07:40.910 a defining moment I'll never forget. He looked at me 0:07:41.390 --> 0:07:44.430 in my discouragement and he said, you know, Mark, you 0:07:44.430 --> 0:07:47.550 are a man of God. You have a heart for God, 0:07:47.590 --> 0:07:51.310 a sensitivity to the Lord. He said, I would in 0:07:51.310 --> 0:07:55.950 a moment love to place myself under you as my pastor. 0:07:56.150 --> 0:07:59.870 I would trust you to follow God. I would listen 0:07:59.870 --> 0:08:02.360 to your words. I have seen how God has used 0:08:02.360 --> 0:08:05.240 you and spoken through you. You're young, but there's a 0:08:05.240 --> 0:08:06.040 call on your life. 0:08:06.080 --> 0:08:08.400 You talk about affirmation. You're incredible. 0:08:08.720 --> 0:08:11.800 I needed that. That was a moment that I needed 0:08:11.800 --> 0:08:15.480 to know my identity, because there's a lot of self-doubt 0:08:15.480 --> 0:08:18.680 that comes in. And, you know, I want to encourage you, 0:08:18.680 --> 0:08:22.720 if you're a father here listening to me today, never 0:08:22.720 --> 0:08:27.000 underestimate the power of your words to help shape the 0:08:27.000 --> 0:08:31.160 identity of your sons and daughters at crucial times of 0:08:31.160 --> 0:08:33.960 their life, especially when they're young, but not exclusively when 0:08:33.960 --> 0:08:38.040 they're young. Sometimes they enter into parenthood and aren't sure 0:08:38.040 --> 0:08:41.400 they're going to be a good parent, or sometimes they're 0:08:41.640 --> 0:08:44.480 going into marriage and they're not sure they're going to survive. 0:08:44.760 --> 0:08:49.800 And so never underestimate the power of the words of 0:08:49.800 --> 0:08:51.960 a father. And I love, by the way, what the 0:08:51.960 --> 0:08:56.320 father tells us. The apostle tells us, listen. See what 0:08:56.360 --> 0:09:00.600 great love the father has lavished on us that we 0:09:00.600 --> 0:09:05.280 should be called children of God, and that is what 0:09:05.280 --> 0:09:08.640 we are. The love of God has been lavished on 0:09:08.640 --> 0:09:11.559 us so that we are called children of God. He 0:09:11.559 --> 0:09:16.120 just reaffirms it. He says, and that is what we are. 0:09:16.160 --> 0:09:20.120 Not what we're trying to become. But that's who we are. 0:09:20.400 --> 0:09:23.520 Beautiful. Mark, thank you for this teaching, which will continue 0:09:23.520 --> 0:09:26.319 today here on Bold Steps with Mark Jobe. We'll have 0:09:26.320 --> 0:09:28.440 more on this Good Friday about our identity as sons 0:09:28.440 --> 0:09:36.760 and daughters of Christ in a moment. This message continues 0:09:36.760 --> 0:09:39.040 in just a moment. You're listening to Mark Jobe on 0:09:39.040 --> 0:09:41.480 Bold Steps. We hope you'll take some time to check 0:09:41.520 --> 0:09:44.800 out the various resources, even opportunities we have available on 0:09:44.800 --> 0:09:49.520 our website at Bold Steps, including this month's new selection 0:09:49.520 --> 0:09:51.960 of our Bold Step gift. And Mark is going to 0:09:51.960 --> 0:09:53.120 tell us more about it. 0:09:53.120 --> 0:09:55.880 You know, recent studies have shown that nearly half of 0:09:55.880 --> 0:10:00.000 all adults report not having a meaningful conversation in their 0:10:00.090 --> 0:10:04.330 daily lives. Uh, that's pretty startling, I guess. But it's 0:10:04.330 --> 0:10:07.850 one of those things that motivated our guest today to 0:10:07.890 --> 0:10:12.610 write her book, doctor Heather Holloman. In the six conversations, 0:10:13.050 --> 0:10:17.450 you talk about four mindsets that are essential for meaningful conversations. 0:10:17.450 --> 0:10:20.130 Can you walk us through those four mindsets? 0:10:20.370 --> 0:10:22.930 Yes, and thank you for having me on this program. 0:10:22.929 --> 0:10:25.250 In order to have a warm connection with someone, you 0:10:25.250 --> 0:10:30.090 need to be curious, believe the best about them, express concern, 0:10:30.290 --> 0:10:33.130 and share your life. They seem really simple, but most 0:10:33.130 --> 0:10:35.770 people are deficient in one of those categories. 0:10:36.250 --> 0:10:39.530 That is good. Yeah, so this is some of the 0:10:39.530 --> 0:10:44.010 elements needed to have a meaningful conversation, which in your book, 0:10:44.050 --> 0:10:48.410 obviously you talk about how conversation is the bridge way 0:10:48.410 --> 0:10:50.290 to really communicate our faith. 0:10:50.450 --> 0:10:52.850 That's right. And I got really excited about the power 0:10:52.850 --> 0:10:55.530 of having a warm connection. Once you know how to 0:10:55.570 --> 0:10:58.610 deeply connect with someone, evangelism is never going to feel 0:10:58.610 --> 0:11:02.010 like a sales pitch or an awkward pivot in the conversation. 0:11:02.050 --> 0:11:04.050 Good point. So I was really delighted to read the 0:11:04.050 --> 0:11:07.770 social science research, and also how Scripture has always really 0:11:07.770 --> 0:11:11.210 supports all of that. We've learned this is ancient wisdom literature. 0:11:11.490 --> 0:11:14.689 I love it, Heather, because so many people, when they 0:11:14.690 --> 0:11:18.210 think about evangelism, they think of a sales pitch or 0:11:18.250 --> 0:11:21.850 I have to do a mini lecture, and most people 0:11:21.850 --> 0:11:27.170 it intimidates. But to have a healthy conversation that naturally 0:11:27.170 --> 0:11:32.530 goes to those important places of spirituality, I think, lowers 0:11:32.530 --> 0:11:36.569 the barrier of fear and allows us to more naturally engage. 0:11:36.610 --> 0:11:38.970 Thank you, Heather, for writing this book. This, I think, 0:11:38.970 --> 0:11:41.449 is going to be a great resource for people that 0:11:41.450 --> 0:11:45.730 are seeking to bridge the gap of meaningful conversations with 0:11:45.730 --> 0:11:46.650 their loved ones. 0:11:46.770 --> 0:11:47.490 Thank you. 0:11:47.690 --> 0:11:50.050 Well, to give and request your copy of this special 0:11:50.090 --> 0:11:53.809 Bold Step gift, just visit Bold steps.org or give us 0:11:53.809 --> 0:12:00.260 a call at 800 D.L. Moody. That's (800) 356-6639 or give 0:12:00.300 --> 0:12:04.180 online as always at Bold steps.org, and you can also 0:12:04.179 --> 0:12:07.060 request your copy of the six conversations and give your 0:12:07.059 --> 0:12:10.020 gift of any amount by writing to us. Just address 0:12:10.020 --> 0:12:14.460 your envelope to bold steps. 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, 0:12:14.500 --> 0:12:24.220 Illinois 606 ten. This is a special edition of Bold Steps. 0:12:24.220 --> 0:12:26.380 I'm Wayne Shepherd with Mark Jobe. We're talking about the 0:12:26.380 --> 0:12:29.179 Cross of Christ here on Good Friday, and we're talking 0:12:29.179 --> 0:12:31.780 about it in the context of what it teaches us 0:12:31.780 --> 0:12:34.660 about our identity in Christ. And, Mark, I want our 0:12:34.660 --> 0:12:36.380 listeners to hear a clip from a message you gave 0:12:36.380 --> 0:12:39.780 recently on this topic of identity in Christ. Let's listen. 0:12:41.940 --> 0:12:46.380 Who we are and how we see ourselves determines how 0:12:46.380 --> 0:12:51.940 we behave and how we make our decisions. These labels 0:12:51.940 --> 0:12:55.300 are not always visible that we walk around with, but 0:12:55.300 --> 0:13:00.340 they invisibly affect our identity and who we are and 0:13:00.340 --> 0:13:05.500 how we live. If if I'm living with the identity 0:13:05.500 --> 0:13:10.060 of rejection, then when we say hi to someone, we 0:13:10.059 --> 0:13:14.380 immediately start thinking, what do they think about me? Are 0:13:14.380 --> 0:13:18.339 they accepting me? Rejecting me? Do they like me? Do 0:13:18.340 --> 0:13:22.460 they not like me? Immediately I start thinking that way. Why? 0:13:22.500 --> 0:13:27.860 Because I'm living with the identity of rejection. When God 0:13:27.860 --> 0:13:30.420 comes to our life. And this is why it's so important, 0:13:30.420 --> 0:13:34.740 and God starts to speak into our destiny. Peter is saying, 0:13:34.740 --> 0:13:36.819 I want you to know who you are, because until 0:13:36.820 --> 0:13:38.540 you know who you are, you will not know how 0:13:38.540 --> 0:13:44.300 to live. And so instead of rejected, he says, you know, no, 0:13:44.300 --> 0:13:48.579 you're chosen. You are a chosen generation. And he says, 0:13:48.580 --> 0:13:51.540 instead of broken, no, no, no, you are a royal 0:13:51.540 --> 0:13:55.540 priesthood because you belong to me. And you know what? 0:13:56.100 --> 0:14:01.230 Instead of failure, he says, no, you've been set apart 0:14:01.230 --> 0:14:04.630 for God's purposes, and he's got a purpose for you. 0:14:04.630 --> 0:14:08.870 And instead of unwanted, he says, no, you are my possession. 0:14:08.910 --> 0:14:13.550 You belong to me. And God is covering your bad 0:14:13.550 --> 0:14:18.590 identity with clothed with a new identity in Jesus Christ. 0:14:20.230 --> 0:14:22.270 And whatever may have been a part of your past 0:14:22.270 --> 0:14:26.590 is no longer what determines your future. He's given you 0:14:26.590 --> 0:14:29.430 a new identity. Oh, you may not feel like you 0:14:29.430 --> 0:14:33.070 are wanted yet, but as you start washing your mind 0:14:33.110 --> 0:14:35.910 in who God has made you and what he's said 0:14:35.910 --> 0:14:38.270 about you, one day you will wake up and you 0:14:38.270 --> 0:14:42.710 will feel like, hey, I belong to God. God wants me, 0:14:42.710 --> 0:14:45.670 I belong to him, and you start living that way. 0:14:46.870 --> 0:14:49.030 Some of you feel like you're a failure and you 0:14:49.030 --> 0:14:51.830 could never be used of God. But God says no, 0:14:51.870 --> 0:14:55.190 you are a royal priesthood. I've called you. You can 0:14:55.230 --> 0:14:59.720 be used. It takes a while for our new identity. See. 0:15:01.400 --> 0:15:03.800 Mark, let's talk about how we actually live in this 0:15:03.800 --> 0:15:07.160 new identity. What does it mean practically to our daily life? 0:15:07.520 --> 0:15:11.520 You know, identity, it's a little bit elusive, but it's 0:15:11.520 --> 0:15:18.239 so crucial because it really does affect everything about our life. 0:15:18.600 --> 0:15:22.240 I remember preaching, I, I'm not sure if it was 0:15:22.240 --> 0:15:26.120 this message or another one on identity, but I got 0:15:26.120 --> 0:15:32.240 a volunteer from the audience and I started writing labels 0:15:32.840 --> 0:15:40.880 and just pasting labels on the man that was a volunteer. Rejected. Worthless. 0:15:41.200 --> 0:15:46.560 No purpose. Abandon. He stood up there with labels all 0:15:46.560 --> 0:15:51.280 over him. Negative labels. And then I said, but you know, 0:15:51.560 --> 0:15:55.760 God is a a label remover. And as I started 0:15:55.800 --> 0:15:58.960 taking those labels off of him one by one and 0:15:59.000 --> 0:16:02.360 just speaking into his life. He just started to weep. Wow. Uh, 0:16:02.360 --> 0:16:06.640 because we all walk around with labels. Sometimes those labels 0:16:06.640 --> 0:16:09.760 are put on us early on in life. We don't 0:16:09.800 --> 0:16:12.200 choose the labels that are put on. If you're growing 0:16:12.200 --> 0:16:15.520 up in a household that's critical and you've been labeled, 0:16:15.520 --> 0:16:18.280 you're going to be a failure. You're just like your father. 0:16:18.280 --> 0:16:21.880 You're just you start to wear that label. It gets 0:16:21.920 --> 0:16:23.280 stuck into your identity. 0:16:23.320 --> 0:16:25.760 Yeah, I just had a conversation with someone who was 0:16:25.800 --> 0:16:29.040 an illegitimate child. And that's a bad word, isn't it? But, 0:16:29.440 --> 0:16:30.920 you know, and I brought up the fact that we 0:16:30.960 --> 0:16:34.120 are now adopted by God into his family. 0:16:34.120 --> 0:16:37.720 What the gospel does is it starts to strip those 0:16:37.720 --> 0:16:45.400 labels of condemned, unwanted, rejected. And if you start reading scripture, 0:16:45.800 --> 0:16:49.800 you have to renew your mind because our spirit is 0:16:49.800 --> 0:16:54.560 saved immediately, but our mind is renewed gradually. And so 0:16:54.560 --> 0:16:57.480 even though we are a Son of God, it doesn't 0:16:57.480 --> 0:17:00.040 mean we always feel like a Son of God, Even 0:17:00.080 --> 0:17:02.560 though we are forgiven, it doesn't mean that we walk 0:17:02.600 --> 0:17:05.640 like we're forgiven. Even though we are people of destiny. 0:17:05.680 --> 0:17:09.200 It doesn't mean that we fully understand that we're people 0:17:09.200 --> 0:17:12.440 of destiny. And I love what Romans chapter three, verse 0:17:12.440 --> 0:17:16.480 38 and 39 says, I am convinced that neither death 0:17:16.480 --> 0:17:20.280 nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor 0:17:20.280 --> 0:17:25.320 the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, is 0:17:25.320 --> 0:17:28.080 able to separate us from the love of God. 0:17:28.119 --> 0:17:29.679 That's a pretty exhaustive list, isn't it? 0:17:29.720 --> 0:17:31.800 Yeah. I think what what Paul was trying to tell 0:17:31.800 --> 0:17:36.399 them is there is absolutely nothing on heaven and on 0:17:36.400 --> 0:17:41.520 earth or under the earth that can detach you from 0:17:41.520 --> 0:17:45.639 this compelling, powerful love that God has for you. And 0:17:45.640 --> 0:17:50.639 that changes our identity. And when our identity changes, we 0:17:50.640 --> 0:17:53.720 talk different. We behave different. We live different. We see 0:17:53.720 --> 0:17:55.159 the world in a different way. 0:17:55.200 --> 0:17:58.359 Yeah, well, this message goes hand in hand with a 0:17:58.359 --> 0:18:00.690 resource we'd like to put into our listeners hands called 0:18:00.690 --> 0:18:04.250 Discovering Who You Are in Christ. Uh, this is a 0:18:04.250 --> 0:18:07.250 very important resource that you've put together with your own pen, Mark. 0:18:07.290 --> 0:18:11.210 Yeah. Called More Than a Label. Discovering who you are 0:18:11.250 --> 0:18:14.930 in Christ. And these are thoughts from various messages that 0:18:14.930 --> 0:18:19.290 I've taught on in a bit of a devotional fashion 0:18:19.690 --> 0:18:23.690 on different messages that I've given dealing with the topic 0:18:23.690 --> 0:18:28.890 of identity. If you're struggling right now trying to figure out, hey, 0:18:28.930 --> 0:18:31.330 who am I really in God? If you're struggling with 0:18:31.330 --> 0:18:34.570 identity issues, it may take a while for you just 0:18:34.570 --> 0:18:39.649 to saturate your mind in some truth about who you are, 0:18:39.930 --> 0:18:43.209 and this would be a great place to start 15 days. 0:18:43.490 --> 0:18:46.129 Saturate in your mind in who you are in God, 0:18:46.130 --> 0:18:50.010 how God sees you, what your position is in Christ, 0:18:50.050 --> 0:18:54.209 your new labels that God has put on you, sons 0:18:54.210 --> 0:18:56.170 and daughters of the Most High God and taken other 0:18:56.170 --> 0:18:59.370 labels off. This is a resource, I think, that will 0:18:59.460 --> 0:19:01.780 help some of you just get started in the right direction. 0:19:01.780 --> 0:19:02.939 We've never offered this before. 0:19:02.980 --> 0:19:03.700 This is brand. 0:19:03.700 --> 0:19:04.420 New, brand new. 0:19:04.460 --> 0:19:04.740 Brand. 0:19:04.740 --> 0:19:07.260 New. And you're asking us to set aside 15 days. 0:19:07.260 --> 0:19:09.700 That seems that seems doable to me, right? 0:19:09.740 --> 0:19:14.100 Absolutely. And it's well packaged with some questions after each 0:19:14.100 --> 0:19:17.580 devotional thought, asking you some questions so you can think 0:19:17.580 --> 0:19:20.899 through it, pray through it, and just get you in 0:19:20.940 --> 0:19:21.980 the right mindset. 0:19:22.020 --> 0:19:23.820 And after you've been through it, maybe you want to 0:19:23.820 --> 0:19:27.140 lead your family through it or a small group Bible study. 0:19:27.340 --> 0:19:28.859 It can be used in that way as well. 0:19:28.900 --> 0:19:34.380 Absolutely. There's no more important thing for believers than to 0:19:34.420 --> 0:19:39.100 embrace their new identity in Christ, rooted in what Jesus 0:19:39.100 --> 0:19:40.500 Christ has done for us. 0:19:40.540 --> 0:19:44.340 Well, just go to npr.org. Click on the resources tab 0:19:44.340 --> 0:19:47.060 there in the website. And again, the devotional is titled 0:19:47.060 --> 0:19:50.700 More Than a Label Discovering Who You Are in Christ. 0:19:50.700 --> 0:19:53.180 It's a great resource from Bold Steps, and I really 0:19:53.180 --> 0:19:56.020 urge you to get a copy. Go through these 15 0:19:56.020 --> 0:20:00.659 days yourself of devotions and see what God reveals to you. 0:20:01.300 --> 0:20:03.940 I think it might surprise you the things that you'll discover. 0:20:04.020 --> 0:20:09.060 I believe so let God start ripping those labels off 0:20:09.060 --> 0:20:13.260 of your life one at a time, and placing his 0:20:13.260 --> 0:20:16.060 identity on you even today. 0:20:16.500 --> 0:20:18.380 By the way, I want to mention, as we talk 0:20:18.420 --> 0:20:21.060 about our resources here on bold steps, that we couldn't 0:20:21.060 --> 0:20:23.580 do this without our bold partners involvement. Mark, we're so 0:20:23.580 --> 0:20:26.740 grateful for listeners who step up with monthly support for 0:20:26.740 --> 0:20:27.580 this ministry. 0:20:27.619 --> 0:20:32.780 Yes, so, so very grateful for those that have committed 0:20:32.780 --> 0:20:35.580 to monthly giving and those that just give a one 0:20:35.619 --> 0:20:38.660 time gift. As Wayne said, we couldn't do it without them. 0:20:39.140 --> 0:20:42.379 I'm just reading a comment from one of the listeners here. 0:20:42.420 --> 0:20:45.220 Yeah, this came from a podcast listener. Do you want 0:20:45.220 --> 0:20:45.860 to share it with us? 0:20:45.859 --> 0:20:48.620 Yeah. It's encouraging. They said there's never been an episode 0:20:48.619 --> 0:20:52.180 that has not had me completely engaged and motivated. I 0:20:52.180 --> 0:20:55.540 relate to all of them. Every word spoken with conviction 0:20:55.540 --> 0:20:58.860 pours into my heart, faith and soul. A must if 0:20:58.900 --> 0:21:02.500 you simply need a good podcast not only about Christianity 0:21:02.500 --> 0:21:06.700 and the word, but hope restored. Love, fear, doubt, anxiety, 0:21:06.859 --> 0:21:09.660 real day to day struggles. Thank you for being such 0:21:09.700 --> 0:21:12.140 a part of my everyday life and I love that. 0:21:12.180 --> 0:21:12.740 That's wonderful. 0:21:12.740 --> 0:21:16.500 Thank you. Yes. And so thank you for your encouragement. 0:21:16.540 --> 0:21:18.660 We don't have time to tell you all of the 0:21:18.660 --> 0:21:22.540 stories and testimonies that come in, but you are partners 0:21:22.540 --> 0:21:23.619 in making that happen. 0:21:23.660 --> 0:21:25.060 Yeah. And by the way, we would like to hear 0:21:25.060 --> 0:21:27.820 from you. And you can leave your comment at bold steps.org. 0:21:28.060 --> 0:21:31.020 You know, through your faithful monthly partnership, you'll be investing 0:21:31.020 --> 0:21:34.260 directly in spreading the life changing message of Christ, extending 0:21:34.260 --> 0:21:36.940 your personal ministry, reach far beyond your community, and touch 0:21:36.940 --> 0:21:39.820 lives across the nation through bold steps. So and as 0:21:39.820 --> 0:21:42.100 a thank you for your commitment. When your monthly gift 0:21:42.100 --> 0:21:46.179 is $30 or more, you'll receive exclusive benefits, including substantial 0:21:46.180 --> 0:21:50.660 discounts on the entire Moody Publishers online store. Think about that. 0:21:51.020 --> 0:21:55.380 Access to special bonus teachings from Mark, and additional resources 0:21:55.380 --> 0:21:58.139 to deepen your own spiritual growth. So join us in 0:21:58.140 --> 0:22:03.310 this mission today. Become a bold partner today at Bold Steps. Well, 0:22:03.310 --> 0:22:06.990 here on Good Friday, we're focusing on our identity in Christ, 0:22:07.030 --> 0:22:09.910 the way made for us by Christ through the cross. Mark, 0:22:09.910 --> 0:22:11.909 it's been a wonderful conversation. What would you say in 0:22:11.910 --> 0:22:12.950 conclusion today? 0:22:12.990 --> 0:22:15.790 Yes. So I want to say on Good Friday, listen, 0:22:15.790 --> 0:22:20.310 if you're a believer, do not waste this weekend. First 0:22:20.310 --> 0:22:22.910 of all, make sure that your heart is ready to celebrate. 0:22:23.150 --> 0:22:27.950 But secondly, there are so many people that do not 0:22:27.950 --> 0:22:32.669 go to church but have some sort of historical roots 0:22:32.670 --> 0:22:35.590 in Christianity and feel like I probably should go to 0:22:35.630 --> 0:22:38.709 church somewhere on Easter. They might as well go to 0:22:38.750 --> 0:22:41.550 a church that preaches the gospel. So they tell us 0:22:41.550 --> 0:22:46.629 that only 4% of Christians invite people to church, but 80% 0:22:46.630 --> 0:22:48.909 of non-believers would go if invited. 0:22:48.950 --> 0:22:50.550 And you see this happening as a pastor, don't. 0:22:50.550 --> 0:22:52.710 Oh, I see that all the time. In fact, usually 0:22:52.710 --> 0:22:56.710 before Easter, I say pull out your phones. Some of 0:22:56.710 --> 0:22:58.670 these phones that you see are a thorn in my 0:22:58.670 --> 0:23:01.510 flesh because they ring or people are distracted by them. 0:23:01.550 --> 0:23:04.750 Pull them out. Everybody have their phone now. Text a 0:23:04.790 --> 0:23:09.750 friend and invite them this Sunday to Easter. And I 0:23:09.750 --> 0:23:12.310 tell you what, I have so many stories of people 0:23:12.310 --> 0:23:15.390 that said it was an Easter Sunday. I came not 0:23:15.390 --> 0:23:17.550 as a believer, but I heard the gospel and that's 0:23:17.550 --> 0:23:20.430 where God got Ahold of me. So make sure that 0:23:20.430 --> 0:23:24.830 you invite them to hear the greatest, most powerful message 0:23:24.950 --> 0:23:27.870 in the world. And that is the death, burial, and 0:23:27.869 --> 0:23:30.230 resurrection of Jesus the Christ. 0:23:30.270 --> 0:23:33.270 Well, this conversation today about identity has certainly, I'm sure, 0:23:33.270 --> 0:23:35.990 touched the lives of many who are listening, perhaps some 0:23:35.990 --> 0:23:38.270 who know they need Christ. And maybe we can close 0:23:38.270 --> 0:23:39.510 in prayer for them today. 0:23:39.670 --> 0:23:44.790 Yeah. So if you're struggling with your identity insecurities, uh, 0:23:44.790 --> 0:23:47.710 just the labels that have been slapped on you, I'd 0:23:47.710 --> 0:23:49.830 like to just pray over you now. It's going to 0:23:49.830 --> 0:23:54.590 be a process to strip those labels off you. But 0:23:54.590 --> 0:23:57.470 I want to start with a prayer. Father, I pray 0:23:57.830 --> 0:24:02.200 for that man right now that is just insecure in 0:24:02.200 --> 0:24:07.800 his manhood. That struggles with just viewing himself as a 0:24:07.800 --> 0:24:12.479 person of dignity, worth and value because of the words 0:24:12.480 --> 0:24:17.040 that were spoken into his life when he was young. 0:24:17.080 --> 0:24:20.840 I pray in Jesus name. Start ripping those labels off. 0:24:21.440 --> 0:24:24.960 I pray, father, for that woman right now that has 0:24:24.960 --> 0:24:28.919 really had a hard time keeping a good relationship because 0:24:28.920 --> 0:24:35.720 she goes from one relationship to another, allowing abuse sometimes, and, uh, 0:24:36.000 --> 0:24:40.080 abusive words because she doesn't know that she's a woman 0:24:40.119 --> 0:24:43.960 of worth, a value of dignity. I pray rip those 0:24:43.960 --> 0:24:46.520 labels off of her. I pray for that person right 0:24:46.520 --> 0:24:49.920 now that feels rejected by the world and by you, God. 0:24:49.960 --> 0:24:53.520 I pray in Jesus name. God, rip those labels of 0:24:53.520 --> 0:24:57.080 rejection off her, that she may experience your love in 0:24:57.080 --> 0:25:01.879 a strong, powerful, compelling way. And I pray God most 0:25:01.880 --> 0:25:05.359 of all, that those that don't know the love of Jesus, 0:25:05.840 --> 0:25:10.920 those that have never experienced the washing of their sins away, 0:25:11.320 --> 0:25:16.200 and that adoption into their family that this weekend, Easter weekend, 0:25:16.240 --> 0:25:19.480 will be the weekend that they finally surrender to you 0:25:19.760 --> 0:25:24.040 and become a adopted son or daughter of the Most 0:25:24.040 --> 0:25:27.720 High God. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. 0:25:27.920 --> 0:25:30.800 Amen. Thank you, Mark, and Happy Easter to you and 0:25:30.800 --> 0:25:31.760 your family. 0:25:31.760 --> 0:25:32.800 And yours as well. 0:25:32.800 --> 0:25:34.600 And from all of us at Bold Steps, we wish 0:25:34.600 --> 0:25:37.600 you a meaningful Good Friday and a joyous Easter. Remember, 0:25:37.600 --> 0:25:40.000 because of the cross, you are a son or daughter 0:25:40.000 --> 0:25:42.959 of the Most High God. I'm Wayne Sheppard. We'll see 0:25:42.960 --> 0:25:45.680 you next time here on Bold Steps with Mark Joh. 0:25:46.880 --> 0:25:49.479 Bold steps is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry 0:25:49.480 --> 0:25:50.800 of Moody Bible Institute.