Primary Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Supporting Texts: Genesis 1:26-27; John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 2:10
In 1978, the band “The Who” released their song titled “Who Are You?”
Though I don’t recommend this song’s lyrics in total it, it does ask a very important question without even knowing how important.
“Well, who are you?”
“I really wanna know..”
ALSO:
There is a quote in a recent Ted Dekker book called “Play Dead” that states:
“Discover who you are, and your perception of the world will change.”
There is profound biblical truth hidden inside the words of Dekker’s statement, and the question asked by The Who.
The way you see life is determined by who you believe you are.
If you think you’re a victim...
You’ll see enemies everywhere.
If you think you’re a failure...
You’ll see every obstacle as proof.
If you think you’re alone...
Every hardship becomes unbearable.
But if you discover who God says you are...
Everything changes.
So today I want to ask one question.
Who are you?
Not...
What do you do?
Where were you born?
What political party do you support?
How much money do you have?
BUT --- Who are you?
The Bible spends hundreds of verses answering that question.
II CORINTHIANS 5:17:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
I. We Were Created in God’s Image
Genesis 1:26-27
26 Then God said, “Let us make man[a] in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
The very first thing Scripture tells us about mankind is not our job.
Not our intelligence.
Not our race.
Not our nationality.
It tells us we were created in God’s image. ALL OF US: Not just some.
Before sin entered the world...Humanity reflected God.
Every human being has dignity because every human bears God’s image.
That means your worth was established before you ever accomplished anything.
Your identity was God’s gift—not your achievement.
The world says:
“You become valuable by succeeding.”
God says:
“You are valuable because I made you and I love you.”
There is no greater love than the Agape love of our Father.
II. Sin Distorted Our Identity
The problem is that sin didn’t erase God’s image.
It distorted it.
That’s what Satan wants, is for us to focus on the false image of ourselves, not the true.
Instead of looking upward toward God...
We began looking inward.
Instead of asking...
“What does God think?”
We began asking...
“What do I want?”
Sin produces identity confusion.
People began searching everywhere for meaning in their lives.
Money.
Power.
Politics.
Relationships.
Success.
Popularity.
Entertainment.
Even religion.
To the point of even asking if men can be women simply by choosing to be. Look at the WNBA today.
None of these can answer the question, but people will keep asking and seeking to fill their identity void.
Some even decide there is no meaning, only pain. This can lead to disastrous consequences.
SO --- Who are you?
Only your Creator can answer that.
III. Jesus Restores Our Identity
Paul writes:
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
Notice what Paul doesn’t say.
He doesn’t say...
“You became a better version of yourself.”
You are not simply an iPhone or Windows update from an older version.
He says...
You became NEW.
Christianity is not self-improvement.
It is a new creation.
God doesn’t merely renovate sinners.
He resurrects them.
Your old identity no longer defines you.
IV. Who Does God Say You Are?
Let’s hear God’s description.
1. You are a child of God.
John 1:12
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God….
Children don’t earn adoption.
They receive it.
God isn’t merely your Creator.
Through Christ...
He becomes your Father.
2. You are forgiven.
Psalm 103 says He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
The devil remembers.
People remember.
Sometimes we remember.
God chooses not to.
Stop introducing yourself by your past.
God doesn’t. The distance between the east and the west is infinite.
3. You are an ambassador.
2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,
An ambassador represents another kingdom.
This world is not our home.
We belong to the Kingdom of God.
Every conversation...
Every relationship...
Every decision...
Represents King Jesus.
4. You are God’s workmanship.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The Greek word workmanship literally means masterpiece. ποίημα (poiēma)
Imagine standing before Michelangelo’s David.
No one says...
“What a worthless rock.”
Everyone admires the artist.
You are God’s masterpiece.
God created everything you see around you, and everything you can’t see as well.
From the tiniest microbes in the ground
To the furthest reaches of an endless cosmos
He made it all, and yet
Despite the magnificence of creation
YOU are His beloved masterpiece and the purpose behind why he made the rest of it.
V. Identity Changes Perspective
Here’s where the quote becomes true.
When identity changes...
Perspective changes.
David saw Goliath differently because he knew whose servant he was.
“You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts.” — 1 Samuel 17:45 (ESV)
He saw the giant → remembered his God → spoke in faith → declared God’s glory → ran toward the battle.
Joshua saw Jericho differently because God had already promised victory.
“See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.”
— Joshua 6:2 (ESV)
Notice the wording: “I have given.” God speaks of the victory as accomplished before the walls ever fall.
Joshua then speaks to Israel from that same confidence. After giving them God’s instructions to march around the city, on the seventh day Joshua declares:
“Shout, for the LORD has given you the city.” — Joshua 6:16 (ESV)
Joshua spoke of victory before he saw victory
At that moment:
· The walls were still standing.
· Jericho was still occupied by the enemy.
· Israel had not breached the defenses.
· Nothing visible had changed.
· Yet Joshua said, “The LORD has given you the city.”
Joshua wasn’t expressing positive thinking. He was repeating what God had already declared.
Daniel saw lions differently because he trusted God.
Daniel spoke about the lions after his deliverance with calm confidence in God’s power, not with fear of the lions.
In Daniel 6:21–22, when King Darius called down to him, Daniel answered:
“O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me...” — Daniel 6:21–22 (KJV)
The striking thing is that Daniel’s emphasis was not on how dangerous the lions were, but on how powerful his God was.
There’s a strong biblical pattern here:
· David before Goliath: “The battle is the LORD’S.” — 1 Samuel 17:47
· Joshua before Jericho: “I have given into thine hand Jericho.” — Joshua 6:2
· Daniel in the lions’ den: “My God...hath shut the lions’ mouths.” — Daniel 6:22
David talked about the giant as defeated.
Joshua approached the city as already given.
Daniel gave God the glory at the silence of the lions.
Their language reflected their faith: they did not deny the reality of the threat; they declared that God was greater than the threat.
When you follow Jesus Christ, your victory is assured.
Identity changes perspective; each of these three knew who they were and who God is.
The world sees impossible.
Faith sees opportunity.
The world sees death.
Faith sees eternity.
The world sees loss.
Faith sees treasure in heaven.
The world wants you to see yourself as something less than what you are.
God wants you to belong to Him
VI. The Enemy Attacks Identity First
Notice Satan’s strategy.
In the Garden:
- “Did God really say?”
In the wilderness with Jesus:
- “If you are the Son of God...”
Identity.
Satan attacks who you are before he attacks what you do. FOUNDATION
Because if he convinces you that you aren’t God’s child...
- You’ll live like an orphan.
If he convinces you you’re defeated...
- You’ll stop fighting.
If he convinces you you’re worthless...
- You’ll stop serving.
The greatest battlefield is often identity. Who YOU are : and your understanding of Who CHRIST is.
A false perspective is the result of both.
VII. Stop Letting the World Name You
The world gives labels.
Failure.
Addict.
Poor.
Rich.
Liberal.
Conservative.
Young.
Old.
Educated.
Uneducated.
Worthless.
None of those defines you.
God does.
He has the final word. You have the choice.
VIII. Live Out Your Identity
When you know who you are...
You don’t have to chase approval.
You don’t need constant applause.
You don’t compare yourself with everyone else.
You don’t panic when life changes.
Because your identity isn’t built on changing circumstances.
It’s anchored in an unchanging Christ.
Conclusion
So let me ask again.
Who are you?
If your answer begins with your career – your wealth - your successes...
You’ve missed it.
The believer’s answer begins here:
“I am a child of God.”
“I have been redeemed, forgiven, adopted.”
“I belong to Jesus Christ.”
And when you truly discover who you are in Christ...
You discover why you’re here.
--how to love others.
--how to endure suffering.
--how to face death without fear.
You discover ------- hope.
Because identity changes perspective.
And the greatest identity you’ll ever discover is this:
You are not who the world says you are.
You are who God says you are.
So – Who are you?
Most importantly – WHOSE are you?
Closing Challenge
This week, when fear comes, remember: You Are God’s child.
When temptation comes, remember: You belong to Christ.
When discouragement comes, remember: You Are God’s workmanship and masterpiece.
When the future seems uncertain, remember: You Are an ambassador of the King of Kings.
The world desperately asks, “Who am I?”
The gospel answers:
“You are loved by God, redeemed through Jesus Christ, and called to live for His glory.”
If you can’t say you are God’s Child, please don’t let another minute go by without coming to Jesus Christ.
LET US PRAY:------
FATHER: May we all leave today with our identity firmly rooted in Christ, so that every circumstance is seen through the eyes of faith rather than fear.
Amen.
I am making copies of this and forwarding it on to many. Thank YOU Darin. These words are a blessing to share!!!
Who are we, indeed! very nicely done! IHS