1. Christ in the Passover Seder Tuesday, April 19 7:00p.m. FLC Sign-up at the Plaza Table today!

3. The Gospel and Your New Identity Colossians 1:1-2

4. Gospel-Centered Identity 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2) 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)

5. The Apostle 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2) 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2) When I was with you, I certainly gave you every proof that I am truly an apostle, sent to you by God himself. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. (2 Corinthians 12:12)When I was with you, I certainly gave you every proof that I am truly an apostle, sent to you by God himself. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. (2 Corinthians 12:12)

6. The Saints 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2) 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2) Holy: set apart, distinct, consecratedHoly: set apart, distinct, consecrated “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

7. The Saints Roman Catholic “saints”: Live a life of heroic virtueLive a life of heroic virtue Be deadBe dead Voted on and approved by the Pope and the College of Cardinals.Voted on and approved by the Pope and the College of Cardinals. Perform two miracles after you’re deadPerform two miracles after you’re dead

8. The Saints 12 …give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son… (Colossians 1:12-13) 12 …give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son… (Colossians 1:12-13)

9. Religion vs. the Gospel Religion: behavior determines identityReligion: behavior determines identity The Gospel: identity determines behaviorThe Gospel: identity determines behavior Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called… (Ephesians 4:1)Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called… (Ephesians 4:1)

10. Gospel-Centered Identity “My observation of modern Christianity is that most of us tend to base our relationship with God on our performance instead of on His grace. If we perform well (whatever well is in our opinion) then we expect God to bless us. If we haven’t done so well, then our expectations are reduced accordingly. In this sense we live by works rather than by grace. We are saved by grace (we acknowledge that), but we are living by the sweat of our own performance.“My observation of modern Christianity is that most of us tend to base our relationship with God on our performance instead of on His grace. If we perform well (whatever well is in our opinion) then we expect God to bless us. If we haven’t done so well, then our expectations are reduced accordingly. In this sense we live by works rather than by grace. We are saved by grace (we acknowledge that), but we are living by the sweat of our own performance.

11. Gospel-Centered Identity We give lip-service to the grace of God, but our unspoken motto is ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ The realization that my daily relationship with God is based on the infinite merit of Christ instead of my own performance is a very freeing and joyous experience.” – Jerry Bridges, Transforming GraceWe give lip-service to the grace of God, but our unspoken motto is ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ The realization that my daily relationship with God is based on the infinite merit of Christ instead of my own performance is a very freeing and joyous experience.” – Jerry Bridges, Transforming Grace

12. Gospel-Centered Identity 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae… 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae…

13. The Structure Calling then conductCalling then conduct Doctrine then dutyDoctrine then duty Identity then conformityIdentity then conformity Moralism: trying to earn points with God through good behaviorMoralism: trying to earn points with God through good behavior 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete… (Colossians 2:9-10) 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete… (Colossians 2:9-10)

14. In Christ To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:2)To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:2) Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

15. In Christ Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (Romans 16:7)Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (Romans 16:7) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ… (Ephesians 1:3)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ… (Ephesians 1:3)

16. In Christ 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from before the ages began… (2 Timothy 1:8-9) 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from before the ages began… (2 Timothy 1:8-9) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

17. In Christ For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)

18. Grace and Peace 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2) 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)

19. The Gospel and Your New Identity Colossians 1:1-2