Message: Rediscovering Our True Identity in Christ (06/29/'24)

Message: Rediscovering Our True Identity in Christ Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today, I want to speak to you about a pressing issue that affects us all: the formation of our Christian identity in a world that constantly seeks to redefine it. In a land where our faith once stood tall and unwavering, we now find a fractured image shadowing our call. Our identity as followers of Christ has become intertwined with nationalism, partisan politics, racial identity, and socio-political-economic status. These worldly constructs have become the new altars upon which our discipleship to Christ is sacrificed, and the vision of an alternative polis, an eschatological kingdom, is blurred. The church, once the axis around which culture, power, economics, and politics revolved, now finds itself on the periphery, a fading echo in the cacophony of worldly ambitions. Leaders, once steadfast in their heavenly mandate, now waver, anxious over their waning influence and diminishing stature. In their quest to reclaim lost ground, they become easy prey, wooed by the hollow promises of transient power and status. In this fractured state, we stray from the sacred and divine. Our voices, once strong and bright, now fade in the complexities of modern life. The path of discipleship is forgotten in the scramble for power, leaving our souls hollow. The vision of an alternative polis and kingdom views is seldom heard amidst the noise. We have overlooked the new creation and new humanity in Christ, seduced by the siren call of earthly vice. Leaders, in their anxiety and search for sway, lose their way in the worldly fray. Chasing shadows, they forget the sacred Name, losing sight of the eternal flame. Yet, amidst this turmoil, there is a call to return, to find the sacred heart once more. We are called to a renewed start in discipleship, where eschatological views shine clear and bright. In the light of Jesus, let us unite, finding our true identity not in the world's fleeting reign but in Christ’s eternal gain. In the humble path of the Nazarene, our true identity is seen, not in the constructs of man but in the divine plan. A fractured image can be made whole in the light of the cross, where the world's shadows dissipate, and our souls find their true home. Let us heed this call, returning to the sacred path where faith stands tall once more, unwavering in the face of the world's transient allure. May we find strength in our unity, and may our identity in Christ shine brighter than ever before. Let us be the beacon of light in a world that desperately needs it, embodying the true essence of discipleship and the vision of the kingdom of God. In Christ’s eternal love, Pastor Steven G. Lee (June 29, 2024)