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Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx.
My name is Chris Fluitt.
Happy Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandfathers, spiritual fathers, mentors, and leaders in the room!
We know that Father’s Day brings up a variety of emotions:
- For some, it’s joyful celebration.
- For others, it’s less joyful memories.
- Some had amazing dads. Others never met theirs.
- Some are grieving. Some are longing.
But no matter what kind of earthly father you had (or didn’t have), I have good news:
You have a perfect Father in Heaven who never leaves, never wounds, never gives up on you.
And what He says about you changes everything.
Today’s message is titled:
Identity Struggles? What God Says About You!
Let’s be honest…
- We’re living in an identity crisis.
- We are more confused than ever about who we are, where we belong, and what we’re worth.
OUR IDENTITY CRISIS
We live in a culture that constantly shouts at us about identity.
- Your social media followers define you.
- Your past defines you.
- Your political tribe defines you.
- Your religion or denomination…
- Your body, bank account, or background defines you.
And with every scroll, swipe, and story… we’re being named.
- “You don’t measure up.”
- “You’ll never get it right.”
- “You’re too broken to be whole.”
- “You’re not worth the effort.”
- “You’ll always be ___.”
Can we just admit? It’s exhausting.
STATISTIC:
According to the Barna Group:
- More than 80% of Gen Z struggles with identity and self-worth.
- Nearly 1 in 3 young adults say they often feel like they don’t know who they really are.
When people don’t know who they are, they’re more vulnerable. If we don’t anchor our identity in truth, the world will shape it for us.
But what if God has something to say about who you really are?
THE FATHER SPEAKS
The words a Father speaks are so important.
The words that God the Father speak are essential.
Let’s go to the Word:
Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV)
This is BEFORE Jesus had done any miracles.
BEFORE Jesus preached any sermons.
BEFORE Jesus healed anyone.
Before any of this… His Father says “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Jesus’ identity wasn’t in what He did.
It was in who the Father said He was.
You need to hear this today:
You are not what you’ve done.
You are who God says you are.
Let’s break down The Father’s words:
- “This is my Son” → Identity
- “Whom I love” → Affection
- “With him I am well pleased” → Affirmation
What if you lived your life knowing:
- You belong to God.
- You are deeply loved.
- You don’t have to perform to be accepted.
Do you know what happens next?
IDENTITY UNDER ATTACK!
Immediately after this, Jesus goes into the wilderness, where Satan tempts Him. And how does Satan begin?
(Matthew 4:3 & 6)
The enemy will always attack your identity first.
- He wants you to question who God says you are.
- He wants you to believe you’re only valuable if you prove it.
But Jesus didn’t fall for it.
- He didn’t need to perform to prove who He was.
- The Father had already spoken.
Let me ask you…
- Whose voice has shaped your identity?
- An absent father? An angry coach? A critical teacher?
- Social media? Culture? Your own inner critic?
The voice of the Father is different.
Romans 8:15-16 (NIV)
You are not alone. You are not forgotten.
You are adopted into a new family.
You are chosen!
And that comes with a new name.
WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE
Here are just a few things your Heavenly Father says about you:
- You are chosen (1 Peter 2:9)
- You are loved (Romans 8:38-39)
- You are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
- You are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)
- You are never alone (Hebrews 13:5)
- • You are a child of God (1 John 3:1)
• You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) - You are free (John 8:36)
- You are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16)
- You are a citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3:20)
- You are redeemed and set apart (Isaiah 43:1)
- You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
- You are victorious (Romans 8:37)
Let the Father define you, not the world.
I remember when I discovered my identity – God loved me.
I was 8 years old. I believed that God loved the world… but surely he did not love me.
I thought I had to earn his love…
I thought it was all just a big performance to get God to love me… Worship, pray, give…
One Sunday night my life changed forever. I have no idea what the preacher preached… I just remember hearing a song… a song I had heard many times before… But this time everything changed.
Oh How I love Jesus.
Oh How I love Jesus.
Oh How I love Jesus.
Because He FIRST LOVED ME.
BEFORE I had ever worshipped him…
BEFORE I had ever quoted a memory verse..
BEFORE I had ever given, served, been baptized… the things Christians do…
HE LOVED ME FIRST.
I stepped down to the front of that Church in Waco, Texas. Instead of praying to earn His love… I prayed like a person who was already loved.
“Jesus I love you.”
That night I received the Spirit of Adoption and became a child of God.
STEP INTO YOUR IDENTITY
- Turn Down the Lies
- What voices do you need to silence? Repent of those…
- Tune in to God’s Voice
- Get in the Word. Read what your Father says.
- Write it down. Speak it out loud.
3. Approach the one who already loves you - Pray & worship like you are loved.
