The Life I Now Live
In this message, Pastor DaVon teaches that real change happens when your identity shifts from yourself to Christ. While your personality and gifts remain, your purpose and source of identity must come from God. You will be challenged to stop chasing your plan and live for God’s purpose.
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Notes
Introduction:
Today, I want to take you back to the foundation — the heart of your belief—the Gospel. The word Gospel means Good News.
The gospel is not advice, but the best news you’ve ever heard.
The gospel is this: You are more sinful and flawed in yourself than you ever dared believe, yet simultaneously you are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than you ever dared hope.
The Gospel answers life’s deepest questions: Who is God? Who am I? What went wrong? How can it be made right? And what is my purpose?
Point 1: God the Creator
Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Before anything existed — before time, space, or matter — there was God. Eternal. Holy. All-powerful. And out of His goodness and wisdom, He created everything we see and experience.
Colossians 1:16 (NKJV)
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible… All things were created through Him and for Him.
God is the source and origin of all things.
Key Idea:
You are not a random accident. You were intentionally made by a loving Creator for a divine purpose — to know Him, reflect His glory, and live in relationship with Him.
Point 2: Man the Created
Genesis 1:26-27 (NKJV)
Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
You and I were created uniquely different from the rest of creation. We bear God’s image — with dignity, value, and eternal purpose.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV)
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Key Idea:
Humanity was created to reflect God’s character and steward His creation while living in loving fellowship with Him.
Point 3: The Effects of Sin
But something went wrong. Sin entered the world when man rebelled against God’s command, and infected all of humanity.
Romans 5:12 (NKJV)
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Key Idea:
Sin separated you from God, brought death into the world, and left you spiritually dead and incapable of saving yourself.
Point 4: The Solution
Someone had to pay the debt of sin that was owed.
God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for your sin and restore you to Himself.
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NKJV)
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
John 3:16 (NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Key Idea:
Jesus came, lived a sinless life, died in our place, was buried, and rose again in victory — so that anyone who believes in Him can be forgiven, made right with God, and receive eternal life.
Point 5: New Life
But the Gospel doesn’t stop at salvation. When you trust in Jesus, your old sinful nature is crucified with Him, and you begin a brand-new life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Or a new life has begun.
The past is forgotten.
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Key Idea:
The person I used to be no longer exists.
The person I want to be no longer matters.
Your source of identity must shift.
Paul did not cease to exist as a person — his personality, gifts, and experiences remained — but his source of identity shifted.
Identity is how you see yourself and how you relate to the world around you.
Your experiences, beliefs, and relationships form it.
Identity provides a sense of belonging and purpose.
Paul no longer lived for himself.
His ego, self-centeredness, and sense of self-sufficiency were crucified.
Paul announced a transfer of lordship: “I don’t run my life anymore. I don’t call the shots. I don’t measure my worth by my achievements or failures.”
My new identity is in Christ, through Christ, and for Christ.
Panera Story maybe?
God is about to shift your mindset. No longer will you think about your purpose for life but you will only consider His purpose for your life.
Acts 17:28 TPT
It is through him that we live and function and have our identity; just as your own poets have said, ‘Our lineage comes from him.’
Understanding your identity in God brings deeper meaning and fulfillment to your life.
It helps you navigate life with a sense of purpose and confidence.
Point 6: God’s Purpose — To Conform You to the Image of His Son
God’s ultimate purpose is to shape you into the image of His Son.
Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
All things work together, not some things.
God works them for good together, not in isolation.
His Purpose - the reason you exist
God is the author of our salvation
Called - invited; divinely selected and appointed
Foreknew - Knew before
Predestined - Prepared beforehand
Conformed - to be like
Image - picture
Justified - declared righteous
Glorified - shine
"More like Jesus" means showing the same qualities and behaviors that Jesus demonstrated
Key Idea:
God is using every situation in your life to shape you to look more like Jesus in character, conduct, and compassion. That’s the glorious destiny of every believer.
Closing Thought:
This is the Good News:
God created you on purpose.
Sin separated you.
Jesus came to save you.
By trusting in Him, you receive new life.
Christ now lives through you.
And God is shaping you daily to reflect the image of His Son.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you’ve never made a decision to follow Jesus — or maybe you did at one time, but you know you need to come home — this is your moment.
The greatest decision you will ever make is to surrender your life to Jesus Christ and allow Him to give you new life, new purpose, and a new identity.
Let’s pray together.
Prayer of Salvation:
“Father God, I come to You today. I believe Jesus is Your Son. He died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sins and turn to You. Jesus, be my Lord and Savior. Live in me. Fill me with Your Spirit. Transform me to be more like You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”