Identity, Grace, and the Holy Life (Hebrews 2-3, Titus 2)
This sermon unpacks the liberating truth that our identity in Christ is the foundation for a holy life, rather than a result of our efforts. It explores how God's grace actively transforms us from within, addressing the very root of human struggles.
This sermon emphasizes that true holiness comes from realizing our identity as God's beloved and set-apart children, allowing His grace to transform us from within, rather than striving through performance-based efforts.
Overview
The sermon begins by defining holiness not as a striving behavior, but as being "set apart" by God for a life free from depression, fear, and anxiety, filled with His peace. It highlights a core conflict: the devil tells people their performance defines their identity, while God's truth is that a realized identity empowers one's performance.
A central argument focuses on the teaching role of grace, drawing from Titus 2. The preacher asserts that the grace of God itself teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. This transformation comes from within, through God's grace, rather than from external human teaching or fleshly efforts.
The sermon emphasizes the profound power of knowing oneself as God's "beloved." Using Jesus' baptism as an example, His identity as the beloved Son was affirmed before His performance. The devil, in his temptations, always omitted the word "beloved," because he knows that recognizing God's deep love for us makes temptation ineffective.
Finally, the sermon reassures listeners of God's continuous work of sanctification, constantly making them holy, which they are to passively receive. It also addresses the fear of death, explaining that Jesus destroyed its power and that believers, as spirits living in temporary bodies, are destined for eternal life and a glorified body with Christ.
Key points
- Holiness means being "set apart" by God for a life of peace, joy, and freedom from fear and anxiety.
- The devil attempts to define a person's identity by their performance, but God's way is for a realized identity to shape performance.
- The grace of God, as presented in Titus 2, is the true teacher that empowers believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, leading to heart transformation.
- Knowing that one is God's 'beloved' provides a strong defense against temptation, as the devil strategically omits this truth.
- God is continuously making believers holy (sanctifying them), and our part is to consciously receive this ongoing work, not strive for it.
- Jesus destroyed the power of death, releasing believers from its fear, and the power of life and death is in the words we speak.
- Believers are spirits living in temporary bodies; death for a Christian means stepping out of the body and immediately being present with the Lord in perfect peace.
In Joseph Prince's words
“Your identity, once realized, makes your performance.”
“If I don't preach grace, they cannot be taught.”
“You are a spirit. You live in a body. You better understand that.”
Outline
- I. Understanding Our Identity as 'Set Apart' (Holy Brethren)
- A. Defining Holiness: A Life of Peace and Freedom
- B. The Devil's Deception: Performance vs. Identity
- II. The Teaching Ministry of Grace
- A. Grace, Not Human Effort, Teaches Righteousness (Titus 2)
- B. Heart Transformation Over Behavior Modification
- III. The Power of Knowing You Are God's Beloved
- A. Jesus' Example: Identity Affirmed Before Performance
- B. The Devil's Strategy: Omitting 'Beloved' in Temptation
- C. Overcoming Temptation Through God's Love
- IV. The Assurance of God's Continuous Sanctification
- A. God Actively Makes Us Holy (Hebrews 2:11)
- B. Our Role: Receiving His Ongoing Work
- V. Victory Over the Fear of Death
- A. Jesus Destroyed the Power of Death (Hebrews 2:14-15)
- B. The Authority of Our Words: Life and Death in the Tongue
- C. The Reality of the Spirit Body and Eternal Life (Luke 16, Matthew 27)
Scripture references
- Titus 2
- Hebrews 3:1
- 1 Peter
- Revelation 1
- Philippians 1:21-24
- 1 John 1:7
- Luke 16:22-26
- Matthew 27:50-53
- Revelation
- Hebrews 11
- Psalms
- Galatians
- Hebrews 2
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
+ 18 more verses — Read Revelation of John 1 in full context →
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
Insights
True holiness is a state of peace, not outward striving.
God's grace transforms the heart from the inside out.
Your identity in Christ forms the basis of all your actions.
Questions & answers
What does 'holy' mean according to this sermon?
In this sermon, 'holy' means being 'set apart' by God for a life free from depression, fears, worries, and anxieties, experiencing the peace of God and living the 'high life of God'.
How does grace teach us to deny ungodliness?
The sermon teaches that the grace of God itself will instruct us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. This is a teaching that works from the inside out, leading to heart transformation rather than mere behavior modification.
What is the difference between God's way and the devil's way of defining identity?
The devil wants us to believe our performance makes our identity. God's way, however, states that our identity, once realized as His beloved and righteous children, then shapes and empowers our performance.
How does knowing you are God's beloved help overcome temptation?
The sermon explains that the devil avoids reminding Jesus of His 'beloved' status because it makes temptation ineffective. Knowing that God truly loves you creates a strong sense of identity that enables you to overcome temptations and walk in holiness.
What does the sermon say about the fear of death for believers?
Jesus destroyed the power of death, releasing believers from its fear. The sermon asserts that a Christian does not truly 'die' but 'falls asleep,' stepping out of their physical body into a state of perfect peace with the Lord.
What is the significance of the veil tearing and the graves opening when Jesus died?
The tearing of the 10 cm thick temple veil signified that the way to God was opened by Jesus' death. The opening of graves and the resurrection of many Old Testament saints demonstrated Jesus' preeminence in overcoming death and leading captivity captive, signaling a new era for believers.
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