Basics for Believers: New Identity in Christ

I want you to think back to the first job you had. Perhaps it was working in a fast-food restaurant, or maybe working in a shop. Think about how you felt walking into that workplace for the first time. I’m sure you felt some butterflies, and likely had some anxious thoughts run through your mind: What if I make a mistake? What if nobody likes me? Can they fire me on my first shift?! But I’m sure there was also some excitement and anticipation as you put on the uniform for the first time, walked through the door that said “Staff Only”, and finally got to see how a Big Mac was put together! You had become one of the team! From now on whenever someone asked you, “What do you do?” you had a response ready.

In a much grander way this is what it is like when we come into God’s family, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and become co-heirs with Him. But we don’t just put on a uniform and start working behind the scenes. We actually become a “new creation” as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “The old has gone, the new is here!” We are made new in Christ, but are continuing to be made new through the work of Holy Spirit. Sound confusing? That’s okay, you’re not alone! To help bring greater understanding to this reality of “new – being made new” we’re going to start a five week series called “Basics for New Believers: What does it mean to follow Jesus?” The first week we’re going to tackle our new identity as a Christ follower: we don’t just put on a jersey and become part of the team, we’re remade! The next four weeks we’ll look at how we live as Christians, why and how we read the Bible, prayer and fasting, and how we worship with our whole lives. I hope you’ll be able to join us on this journey, and invite others along who you think would benefit. As always, our gatherings take place Sundays at 6 pm.

Pastor Mike