can we live in the reality of the Kingdom of God if were unsure of who we are

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can we live in the reality of the Kingdom of
God if were unsure of who we are? how many of
us have a healthy understanding of who we are
in Christ? (IE, do we understand what God
thinks about us?)
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1. Were all asking this question. - every
developmental theory focuses on self-esteem -
75,523 self-help books (in English) on
amazon.com - 20,800,000 websites when googleing
self-esteem
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2. Our answers often change over time. - what
defines us today? power/prestige
education possessions serving others
family church issues/morality
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- what defined us yesterday? all of the
above? PLUS friends opinions/popularity
success in school/athletics - what will define
us tomorrow? all of the above? PLUS the
latest psychological fad
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3. I believe theres a spiritual component to
this search. - Purpose-Driven Life, Rick
Warren 25 million copies worldwide since
October 2003
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3a. The spiritual component is the heart of the
search. - unless we grapple with some key truths,
well continue to waffle in our own
identities - until we understand what God thinks
of us, and how God values us, well continue to
be stuck in a life of blandness and
ineffectiveness
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3b . Not all spiritual systems are healthy. -
New Earth, Eckhart Tolle 466 in all books on
amazon.com
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Toxic Faith, Arteburn and Felton The Search,
Robert McGee 1. the performance trap 2. the
blame game 3. approval addict 4. shame
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4. Weve already made a faith decision about
who we are. - we believe 1. what others say
about us 2. what our 'feelings' say about us 3.
what God says about us
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- are we open to a shift of focus? "My deepest
awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by
Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it
or deserve it. - Brennan Manning, The
Ragamuffin Gospel
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- foundational truths 1. You are loved and
lovable 2. You are forgivable 3. You are
valuable "The sad truth is that most Christians
spend their entire lives trying to score points
with Someone who is not keeping score. - Wayne
Jacobsen, He Loves Me
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Go out into the world, sent as Christ Jesus was
sent, gifted and empowered for the common good.
Dream dreams, pursue visions and speak of Gods
goodness in the words of those who would
hear. And may God give hope to your dreaming May
Christ Jesus set rivers of life flowing within
you, and may the Holy Spirit unite you as one
body and set you ablaze with joy. We go in peace
to live and reveal the Kingdom of God. In the
name of Christ. Amen.