#17 Discover Your True Identity in Christ

Time Stamps

• 00:00 - Welcome from Dan and Sadaf

• 04:05 - Talk: Discover Your True Identity in Christ with Matt Edmundson

• 07:08 - Identity: Finding Your Anchor in a Fluid World

• 13:39 - What Does It Mean to Be "In Christ"?

• 16:32 - The Transformation of Becoming a New Creation

• 31:33 - Conversation Street: A Blueprint for Living

• 37:14 - The Unchangeable Truth: You Are God's Child

Discover Your True Identity in Christ

"Who are you?" It's a simple question that cuts to the heart of what it means to be human. Our answer shapes everything from our daily decisions to our deepest relationships—and in a world that tells us we can "be whoever we want to be," finding a solid answer has never been more challenging.

This Sunday, Matt Edmundson kicked off a new phase in our "Becoming Whole" series by exploring the foundation of wholeness: our identity in Christ. After examining the fruits of the Spirit in previous weeks, we're now diving deeper into understanding who we truly are.

Finding Your Anchor in a Shifting World

"In many ways, this is so foundational to us," Matt explained, "especially in the world in which we live, where we are told we can be whoever we want to be."

While there's some truth to this modern mantra, Matt pointed out that building our identity on "fluid, self-constructed ideologies" often leads to confusion and instability. When who we are constantly shifts based on external circumstances, personal feelings, or societal trends, where do we find solid ground?

The answer, Matt suggested, is that discovering who we truly are is rooted in Christ—not something we construct, but something we receive. "It's not fluid or changeable," he said. "It is steadfast and sure."

During Conversation Street, Dan and Sadaf reflected on this tension. "If who we are is based on our thoughts and our feelings," Dan noted, "man, we're in for a rocky road, aren't we?" Sadaf agreed, pointing out that "for many people, their identity is in their job or in their role in life," which can change at any moment.

The Prodigal's Discovery

To illustrate our journey of identity, Matt shared the familiar story of the prodigal son—a young man who left home seeking freedom, only to discover emptiness and brokenness. When he finally returned home, expecting to be treated as a servant, his father embraced him and restored him as a son.

This powerful parable reveals something profound about identity: the son's value wasn't determined by his mistakes or his own self-perception. His identity as a son was "unchangeable, sort of permanently etched into his very being." He just had to hear his father say it.

In the same way, we often forget who we are, feeling unworthy and ashamed. But our deepest, truest identity remains immutable. Sometimes we just need to hear our Heavenly Father say it.

What Does It Mean to Be "In Christ"?

The phrase "in Christ" appears throughout the New Testament, particularly in Paul's writings, and it's central to understanding our identity as believers. But what does it actually mean?

Matt offered a helpful illustration: Imagine a small, slight police officer who might feel unsure of herself at times. But when she puts on her uniform, everyone who sees her knows she's in the police. That uniform gives her authority and confidence she didn't have before.

"It's kind of like what happens when you become a Christian," Matt explained. "You're not in the police, but you are in Christ. You are now part of something much, much bigger than yourself."

This identity "in Christ" gives us confidence and courage to live differently. It's not about who we were or what we've done, but about who Christ is and what He's done for us.

During Conversation Street, Dan highlighted how empowering this truth is: "To have an identity in Christ, to say that our foundation is in Christ, it's solid." Unlike the shifting sands of cultural definitions, our identity in Christ provides an unshakeable foundation.

A New Creation

At the heart of Matt's message was this powerful verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new."

To help us grasp what it means to be a "new creation," Matt shared the metaphor of a dilapidated house being completely renovated. The craftsman doesn't just apply a fresh coat of paint—he tears down rotten structures, clears away debris, and rebuilds from the foundation up. The finished home is "a glorious mixture of what the house was and what it should have always been."

"We are not merely patched up or slightly improved," Matt emphasised, "but we are completely rebuilt from the ground up."

And here's the most beautiful part: the builder doesn't sell the house. He moves in. As Jesus promised in John 14:23, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."

Sadaf reflected on this during Conversation Street: "When Matt was talking about the house being rebuilt from the bottom up...those times can be painful. They can be times of struggle, times of waiting on the Lord." Yet through this renovation process, we're being restored to who we were always meant to be.

The Biblical Blueprint for Your Identity

Throughout his talk, Matt highlighted several key verses that define our identity in Christ:

• Ephesians 2:10 - "We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

• Galatians 3:26 - "So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith."

• Colossians 2:10 - "And you are complete in Him, who is the Head of all Principality and Power."

• Galatians 4:6-7 - "Because you are his sons, God sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, the spirit who calls out Abba, Father. So you are no longer a slave, but God's child. And since you are his child, God has also made you an heir."

These truths about who we are in Christ aren't just nice religious ideas—they're transformative realities that can reshape how we see ourselves and live our lives.

"The Bible has given us a blueprint of how we should live," Sadaf noted during Conversation Street. "If only we would lay aside ourselves and just obey." She emphasised that immersing ourselves in these scriptures helps us stand firm when life gets tough: "The more we're immersed in scripture, the more we are going to be like him."

Living from Your True Identity

So how do we begin living from this new identity? Matt offered a practical challenge: set a daily reminder on your phone to visit www.crowd.church/inchrist, where he's compiled all the "in Christ" scriptures. Take one verse at a time, meditate on it, journal about it, pray about it, and let it sink deep into your heart.

"Let the Holy Spirit through the Bible, through these scriptures, transform our thinking so we see the reflection of who we really are in Christ," Matt encouraged.

During Conversation Street, Dan emphasised how this truth should shape our emotional lives: "It's shaped that can shape our feelings rather than our feelings shaping who we are. Let's know who we are to shape our feelings. So if we're feeling down, if we're feeling lost, we know that we're found."

Your Identity Challenge

As we continue our "Becoming Whole" series, here's a simple challenge to help you embrace your identity in Christ this week:

1. Visit www.crowd.church/inchrist to access Matt's collection of identity scriptures.

2. Choose one verse each day to meditate on. Don't rush through them—really let the truth sink in.

3. Ask yourself : How would my day be different if I truly believed this about myself?

4. When negative thoughts come , counter them with the truth of who you are in Christ.

5. Share your journey with a friend or in our midweek community group.

Remember what Matt said at the end of his talk: "You are a child of God, an heir of God, adopted into his family. You are unique and crafted by God himself. An image bearer, someone that has been made righteous and complete and clean and whole. You are a new creation, the old has gone and all things have been made new for you."

And the best part? We're just getting started. Join us next week as Pete Farrington continues our exploration of identity in Christ.

** "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)**