We all have labels–we give them to ourselves and we receive them from others. These labels inform our understanding of ourselves and affect the way we behave. But when we give our lives to Christ, we are given a brand new set of labels. All throughout the story of the Bible, people are given new names–names that speak of something greater in them than their current reality. In the same way, followers of Christ are known by many names in the New Testament, and these names help us understand our true identity in Christ.
What can we help you find?
Labeled
I am a Disciple
October 16, 2016
by Mark Stuenzi
Did you know that the word "Christian" is only used a few times in the Bible? The phrase was invented by people outside the church and, in fact, wasn't used by believers in the first century. Jesus told his followers in Matthew 28:19 to "go and make disciples." A disciple is more than a person who just believes something. A disciple is a person who follows someone.
I am a Branch
October 23, 2016
by Dan White
So often, we are tempted to think that we can't change. In many ways, that may be true, but God can and will change us. In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches." That means when you are a follower of Christ, he is your source for all things. This week, we'll take a close look at this metaphor and see how closely it really relates to finding our identity in Christ.
I am a Conqueror
October 30, 2016
by Mark Stuenzi
Perhaps one of the biggest problems we face as followers of Christ, is listening to the wrong voices. Many of us feel defeated and insecure, in this life, when it seems as though everything and everyone is against us. But in Romans 8, Paul reminds us that "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Because of this, we can have full confidence that God loves and values us.
I am a Foreigner
November 6, 2016
by Mark Stuenzi
There are many times throughout the Bible that we are told, as followers of Christ, we are not of this world. We are foreigners. That means we are citizens of heaven. How should we live here on earth in light of the fact that we are meant for another place? C.S. Lewis said it this way, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither."
I Am Adopted
November 13, 2016
by Mark Stuenzi
Many of us struggle with feeling the weight of a label that says, "I am unwanted." Adoption may be the best picture of choosing to love. There are a number of places in the Bible that tell us that God has adopted us. He not only chooses to love us, but he loves us so much that he treats us as though we were his own children. If God is your father, don't live like an orphan!
I am a New Creation
November 20, 2016
by Mark Stuenzi
We all have things in our past that, at best, we're not proud of and at worst, we're ashamed of. But thanks to Jesus Christ, our history does not define our future. Paul said it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" What a wonderfully comforting and encouraging label for us to embrace - new creation!
I am a Light
November 27, 2016
by Dan White
At the climax of Jesus’ ministry, He performed a miracle: feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 people. When the people were hungry, Jesus told the disciples to feed them. They took one look in the mirror and decided it couldn’t be done. So Jesus showed them what they were missing: our job is to partner with God, He provides the power.