July 5, 2026

Sermon Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
Theme: Your identity in Christ is the foundation for your daily walk with Christ.

Have you ever said, "I'm no saint"?

Most of us have. We remember our failures more easily than God's promises. But this week's message reminded us that Scripture paints a very different picture of every believer in Jesus Christ.

Dr. John Woodward challenged us to see ourselves through God's eyes. In the New Testament, the word saint isn't reserved for a select few extraordinary Christians. It describes every person who has been born again through faith in Jesus Christ. God has set His people apart for Himself.

Our identity comes before our activity.

Because we have been made new in Christ, we are called to live differently—not in order to become saints, but because we already are.

BELIEVE YOU ARE A SAINT
Our culture often tells us to define ourselves by our past, our mistakes, our feelings, or our accomplishments. The Bible tells a different story.

When we trust Christ as Savior, we become:
A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Born again (1 Peter 1:23)
Temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
Set apart for God
Saints

This grace-based identity isn't earned—it is received through Christ's finished work on the cross.

LIVE AS A SAINT
Our new identity leads to a new way of living.

Rather than blending into the culture around us, God calls believers to be holy, compassionate, and distinct. We are invited to reflect the character of Christ in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and community.

Dr. Woodward summarized the Christian life with two memorable words:
Surrendering.
Each day we choose to lay down our own plans and submit ourselves to God's leadership (1 Peter 3:15; Romans 12:1,2).

Trusting.
Rather than relying on our own strength, we depend on Jesus to live His life through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is exactly what Galatians 2:20 teaches:
"It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."

The Christian life isn't about trying harder.

It's about trusting deeper.

A LIFE OF HOPE
One of the most powerful moments of the message came through the testimony of a man named Mike, whose life was transformed after discovering his identity in Christ. Freedom from addiction didn't come simply through determination—it came through believing what God said about him and learning to surrender and trust Christ daily. (See his video testimony at www.FreedFromAddiction.org)

That same invitation is extended to every believer.

No matter your past...

No matter your struggles...

God calls you His own.

You are not defined by your failures.

In Christ, you are a saint.

This week, ask yourself:
Am I living according to who God says I am?

May God continue to sanctify us completely as we surrender to Him and trust Him day by day.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely... Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it." —1 Thessalonians 5:23–24