Her identity was stolen.
the thief opened bank and credit accounts, assumed her entire persona stole her Social Security # and used it
to get a job, a driver's license, a mortgage, food stamps and medical care for the birth of two children.
All the while, the crook claimed to be the real Gutierrez and that she was the thief
Candida Gutierrez 32 year old
Houston teacherAlthough still a US citizen her life was greatly hampered
RECOVERING YOUR TRUE IDENTITY Background:
Christian’s true identity in many if not most cases has been stolen
Stolen by false teaching, failure to understand and teach it, etc. Historical:
This was known/taught from the 1830’s to ~ 1950 but mainly lost today The Real You:
Over the next few weeks your true identity in Christ
Start with some background foundational material Aliens:
If you are an alien your identity cannot be stolen – you don’t have one
So to be clear I am addressing those who have an identity
– those who have been born again – those who have believed in Jesus– those who have a heavenly citizenship
FINDING YOUR TRUE IDENTITY
IMAGE OF GOD Objective: Foundation #1 – To understand man as created INSIDE OUT Objective: Foundation #2 – To understand man after the fall and after the new birth
IDENTITY RECOVERED Objective: How to recover your lost identity
IDENTITY TESTED Objective: A test to determine if your lost identity has been recovered
INCREDIBLE TREASURE Objective: To know the power of God available to you INHERITANCE OF GOD Objective: To know the completeness and greatness of Christ’s sacrifice for you
IN CHRIST Objective: To provide the key to consistent living for the believer
THE REAL YOUPart 1Created in the Image of God
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; … God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them”” Genesis 1:26,27 NASB
THE IMAGE OF GOD Revealed
(Genesis 1:1 and the entire Bible)
First word: – Implies an ending
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
THE IMAGE OF GOD Revealed
(Genesis 1:1 and the entire Bible)
Second word: – Created from nothing
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
THE IMAGE OF GOD Revealed
(Genesis 1:1 and the entire Bible)
Third word: – Elohim (plural form of name)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
THE IMAGE OF GOD Revealed
(Genesis 1:1 and the entire Bible)
Fourth to Seventh words: - the entire universe
- space, time, matter
In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth
THE IMAGE OF GOD
RestatedGod is eternal – before the beginning – outside
of timeGod is all powerful – made the entire universe
from nothingGod is a triune God (One God three persons)▪ The universal declaration of Scripture – Father, Son and
Holy Spirit (i.e. Great Commission)▪ Elohim – the plural name of God ▪ the Spirit of God (2), the Word of God (3,6,etc.)
THE IMAGE OF GOD
Restated
Father
Son Holy Spirit
GOD
MAN IN IMAGE OF GOD
Life Plants – Body only: God made the seasons
(Gen.1:14)
Animals – Body and soul (Heb. Nephesh Gen.1:20,21,24) God gave the animals instinct (Jer.8:7)
Man – Body, soul and spirit: (1 Thess. 5:23)The spirit of man to commune with God who is spirit
MAN IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
Father
Son Holy Spirit
GOD
Soul
Body Spirit
MAN
Mind, Will, EmotionsMind to know God, Will to choose God, Emotions to love GodLike God knows man (2 Tim.2:19), chooses man (Eph.1:3), and loves the world (Jn.3:16)
Triune Three parts (body, soul, spirit) yet one beingEternal but only into the future (eternal life or eternal death)
Genesis 2:7“Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being”
GOD’SCREATION
Reproduce& Rule
(Genesis 1:28)
1 Thessalonians 5:23“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, …”
BODY
SOUL(PSYCHE)
SPIRIT(PNEUMA)
FleshBonesBlood
MindWill
Emotions
Self Consciousness
GodConsciousness
John 4:24Worship
Natu
ral
1 Co
rinth
ians
2:1
4
GOD
MAN IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
Mr.Soul
Mr.Spirit
GOD
TheWorld
What Happened?
Today – Foundation #1 – Man A Perfect CreationWhat happened to change this picture?
Next week – Foundation #2 The Ruin
Man separated from the life of God
The RemedyGod wants to turn you Inside OutBetter than Eden