Proverbs 4:20-27; John 10:10; I Timothy 4:8Proverbs 4:20-27; John 10:10; I Timothy 4:8

Matthew 6:19-21Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on

earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves

break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and

rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not beak

in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart

will be also.”

John LawsonJohn Lawson

“If your soul is stolen, that’s the ultimate identity theft. The most dangerous thief of all isn’t out to steal your worldly goods. After all, possessions can be replace, but your soul cannot be replaced.”

I. HOW IS OUR I. HOW IS OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY IN SPIRITUAL IDENTITY IN

CHRIST STOLEN?CHRIST STOLEN?

A. SATAN SEEKS TO KEEP US FROM A. SATAN SEEKS TO KEEP US FROM BELIEVING WE CAN BE CHRIST-LIKEBELIEVING WE CAN BE CHRIST-LIKE

“Your adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

I Peter 5:8

The essence of Christianity is to be Christ-like.

The Christian experience is more than an imitation of the life and teaching of Jesus. It is what we experience

of the Holy Spirit dwelling in the believer’s heart.

“in Christ”

Greek – “Kree-o”

“anointed or consecrated”

God has acted in such a way that our identity has become

inseparable.

What is true of Jesus is true of us.

“… and even when we were dead in our sin and transgressions (God)

made us alive together with Christ… and raised us up with him,

and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ.”

Ephesians 2:5, 6

THIS NEW POSITION IN CHRIST IS THE FULFILLMENT THIS NEW POSITION IN CHRIST IS THE FULFILLMENT OF JESUS PROMISE TO HIS DISCIPLESOF JESUS PROMISE TO HIS DISCIPLES

“… on that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you

are in me, and I am in you.”

John 14:20

B. SATAN SEEKS TO KEEP US B. SATAN SEEKS TO KEEP US FROM LOOKING LIKE CHRISTFROM LOOKING LIKE CHRIST

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

If Satan can keep you from discovering God’s plan for your life, then he has stolen your identity.

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

THE OYSTER AND STARFISH ARE ENEMIES

The Oyster is much stronger at first, but the stresses eventually wear it down. In the end the Oyster is unable

to hold its shell closed.

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of

the devil.” I John 3:8

II. HOW DO WE II. HOW DO WE SUSTAIN OUR SUSTAIN OUR

SPIRITUAL IDENTITY IN SPIRITUAL IDENTITY IN CHRIST?CHRIST?

All the streams of life come

from one fountain, the heart.

The disciplined life

begins with the heart.

A. WE SUSTAIN OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY A. WE SUSTAIN OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY WHEN WE OBEY GOD’S WORDS OF WISDOM WHEN WE OBEY GOD’S WORDS OF WISDOM

v.v. 20-22v.v. 20-22

Whatever enters my ear has opportunity to

influence my mind, my heart and my decisions.

The method of gaining God’s words of wisdom.

1.There must be an attentive mind and ear– Learn to listen with determination– We have a natural tendency not to listen.– Concentrate– Fight distractions– Don’t let prejudices or emotional reactions get in the way

A good listener is on a mission

SUSTAINING OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITYSUSTAINING OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY

The method of gaining God’s wisdom

2. There must be a steady look. The eyes of the soul must be consistently fixed on God’s Word.

If God’s words of wisdom are in the heart,

verse 22 says they will bring life and healing.

HEALTH OF ALL KINDS:

Intellectual

Moral

Physical

Spiritual

Nothing keeps our soul and body in a healthier state than

when we keep before our eyes and carry in our heart

the good doctrines.

“Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the

issues of life.” v. 23

THE HEART“inner man”

Constitutes the center of our mind, will and emotions.

The heart of the natural man is corrupt. He has lost the ability to

totally control himself.

The transformation of a hostile heart begins as we listen to God, meditate on His Word, and allow

Him to alter our behavior and speech.

Whatever the heart concentrates upon, the ears will hear, the eyes will see, the feet will go, and the

hands will do.

If the fountain is not pure, all the streams of life will be polluted.

B. TO SUSTAIN OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY WE B. TO SUSTAIN OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY WE NEED TO GUARD OUR THOUGHTS LIFENEED TO GUARD OUR THOUGHTS LIFE

“Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious lips far from you.” v. 24

THE STREAMS THAT FLOW OUT

OF AN ILL KEPT HEART IS…

1.A deceitful mouth – Man must not only be redeemed, he must be sanctified.

2.The eyes – “Let your eyes look directly ahead , and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.”

OUTLOOK DETERMINES OUTCOMEOUTLOOK DETERMINES OUTCOME

Abraham was a friend of God

He walked by faith and “looked for a city… whose builder and maker is

God.” (Heb. 11:10)

Lot became a friend of the world

He walked by sight and moved toward the wicked city of Sodom.

(Gen. 13:10, 12)

“I will set no wicked thing before my eyes.” Psalms 101:3

SUSTAINING OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY SUSTAINING OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY

THE STREAMS THAT FLOW OUT

OF AN ILL KEPT HEART IS…

3. Your feet or your way of life – carefully watch your step. Watch the path of your feet, and your ways will be established.

Hebrew – “watch or ponder”

“to weigh”

“to make level”

Root word – “scales”

“The unexamined life

is not worth living.”

Socrates

“The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and

few are those who find it.

Matt. 7:14

“Your ears will hear a word behind you, this is the way,

walk in it, whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isa.

30:21

PILGRIM’S PROGRESSPILGRIM’S PROGRESS

Christian and Hopeful are walking the King’s Highway to the Celestial City.

The path becomes rough and hard.

They come to an attractive place called Bypath Meadow.

The new path becomes easy again.

A storm comes and Christian and Hopeful fall asleep.

PILGRIM’S PROGRESSPILGRIM’S PROGRESS

They are awaken by the owner of the meadow, Giant Despair and drags them to Doubting Castle throwing

them into a dungeon.

They are taunted, beat and starved.

Christian and Hopeful begins to pray.

Christian remembers in his packet a key called Promise.

The key opens the door to freedom.

DO YOU HAVE ANDO YOU HAVE AN

If you are willing to seek for your spiritual identity If you are willing to seek for your spiritual identity you will find that God will sustain you, and will you will find that God will sustain you, and will

give you the life that will proclaim victory.give you the life that will proclaim victory.