Identity Theft
May 18, 2008
Listen(high-speed Internet connection recommended)
Text: Philippians 1:1-2
ID joke - Fake IDs - lost ID - Stolen ID! How Sandy shreds stuff - The world wants to steal your Christian ID! Roles – fear - God - Shows us how to prevent ID theft!
You can prevent Christian identity theft! How?
1) The life of Christ!
V1 - “servants of” Paul and Timothy knew who their Master was! Point of origin - What are you made of?
Paul’s attitude is Christ likeness! He is of Christ!
Inclusive - exalts others – cares
What identifies us as Christians is we know who our Master is and we express His traits!
Check and see what you are a servant of
2) The life in Christ!
V1 - “saints in” - These are all the people that have been saved! J. Vernon McGee - “either you are a saint or you ain’t”
We are all part of the body of Christ! In Christ - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. We are set apart! New Creations - Holy Priesthood
Church life - now it’s optional? Like stuff on a car? (Cruise control) But your life will not run right because church is not an option! It is a necessity! Purpose – passion - eternal impact!
Have a dream; build a team, one page paper! Be identified as a saint!
“When God selects our service, He sends the power. When we volunteer, we keep control, even while attempting worthwhile work.” - Fred Smith
Clark Kent - hidden identity – Truth - you can’t hide it when God has given you grace!You will behave differently!
3) The life from God!
V2 - “grace and peace from” - God is the giver of blessings that identify! Grace - God’s kindness –mercy – patience – goodness - blessings and benefits - provision, protection!
”And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests . . . I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me.” - Nehemiah 2:8 & 18
God’s hand is with you!
The result is Peace - Romans 5:1 - I am right with God and that brings peace! A person of peace!
Donald Hankey said, “For most people the world is centered in self, which is misery: to have one’s world centered in God is peace.”
Conclusion
Life Lock - Guarantee your good name! Prevent identity theft! My life is ____. We must prevent identity theft - When our life is Christ we will have the lock on! Of, in, and from Christ and we will change the world!