Week 4 and our final sermon on Identity in Christ. We read from Matthew 4:18-22 to framework the address. 

Identity is awakened by a call

Identity is shaped by what we leave behind

Identitiy is lived by daily choosing

We look at family this week with the story of Esau and Jacob as our framework. 

1 Samuel 1:20-28 provides the framework as we consider our Identity in Christ as given to us.

Identity is received, not achieved

 Identity is entrusted, not possessed

 Identity is fulfilled in worship, not self

Matthew 1:1-17 provides the text from which we will think through:

we belong before we begin;

God includes the messy and the marginalised;

and our identity rests in God’s faithfulness.

Our final sermon on the Lessons from a letter - 1 Corinthians 8 and the theme is Love that builds up.

 1 Corinthians 6:12–20 honouring God with our bodies by reclaiming the sacredness of the temple within

If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?

 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?

 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 

4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?

 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 

6 But instead, one brother takes another to court – and this in front of unbelievers!

7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 

8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 

forgiveness, and hope.

  Witness: How does the way I handle conflict — in family, work, or church life — reflect (or distort) the gospel I profess to believe?

  Grace: Where might God be inviting me to “lose” for the sake of love — to yield a right, absorb a wrong, or extend forgiveness — so that Christ is honoured?

  Identity: Paul reminded the Corinthians, “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified.” How might remembering my new identity in Christ reshape the way I respond to disputes, disappointments, or divisions?

1 Corinthians 3 is our text today as we explore unity.

Spiritual Immaturity Blocks Unity (vv. 1–4)

Farmers in God’s Field (vv. 5–9)

Builders on God’s Foundation (vv. 10–11)

Quality Matters – The Test of Fire (vv. 12–15)

God’s Temple – Holy and United (vv. 16–22)

And the takeway questions: 

Field Check:

Am I planting, watering, or encouraging growth in God’s field — or am I competing for space?

Blueprint Audit:

Are my actions and decisions aligned with the foundation of Christ?

Temple Care:

How can I actively protect and strengthen the unity of God’s people this week?

1 Corinthians 2:1-16

The passage today is 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.

God’s Wisdom Is Revealed in the Cross (vv. 18–21)

God’s Power Works Through What the World Despises (vv. 22–25)

God Chooses the Lowly to Display His Glory (vv. 26–29)

Our Boast Is in the Lord Alone (vv. 30–31)