Acts 21:27-36
When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
1. Paul's Situation
2 Timothy 1:7-14
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
2. Putting identity in the world
There are two types of people Christians and non-Christians
If you are a NON-CHRISTIAN, the sad reality is everything is based on what you do, because you give yourself Identity. The Bible refers to Non Christians as sinners
Ephesians 2:1-3
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
If you are a CHRISTIAN you have given full contol of your live to our Heavenly Father. The Bible refers to Christians as saints.
It doesn't describe saints as any special type of Christain putting one above the other.
Fun fact: the word saints is used 67 times in the New Testament, and is almost always used in plural form reffering to members of the church and comes from the greek word " Holy or "set apart" meaning
Christians are called saints because they are called to live set apart from the corruption of the world.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
"Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after win"
3. Who is God?
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 3:6-7
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Talk about fast fashion right.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus christ is the same yesterday today and Forever
Malachi 3:6
I The Lord do not change
Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
4. Our Identity In Jesus
Who are we in Christ?
John 1:12 - We are God's children.
John 15:15 - As disciples, we are friends of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 - We have been justified (declared righteous).
1 Corinthians 6:17 - We are united with the Lord, and we are one with Him in spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - We have been bought with a price and we belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27 - We are members of Christ's body.
Ephesians 1:3-8 - We have been chosen by God and adopted by God.
Colossians 2:9-10 - We are complete in Christ.
Hebrews 4:14-16 - We have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:1-2 - We are free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 - We know that God works for our good.
Romans 8:31-39 - We are free from any condemnation brought against us and we cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - We have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
Colossians 3:1-4 - We are hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6 - We are confident that God will complete the good work He started in us.
Philippians 3:20 - We are citizens of heaven.
2 Timothy 1:7 - We have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind.
1 John 5:18 - We are born of God and the evil one cannot touch us.
John 15:5 - We are a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 - We have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 - We are God's temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - We are ministers of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6 - We are seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 - We are God's workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 - We may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 - We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.
THAT is the truth of who we are in Jesus!
5. Not Changing Who You Are
What changes when we really understand that our identity is based on God?
1. Insecurity goes away
2. Sin comes to the surface
3. We aren’t easily swayed by what people think
4. Our lives aren’t based on performance
5. Relationships with people don’t define you
Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
