Authenticating our identity in christ

Authenticating our Identity in ChristAuthenticating our Identity in Christ

By Charles.ItsuokorBy Charles.Itsuokor

POWER & PROSPERITY MINISTRIES

Table of Content Introduction Identity your Identity in Christ The Enemy Your Victory in Christ


Introduction Starting Thought “It is said if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles. If you do not know your enemies but do know yourself you will win one and lose one . If you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battled”.

The Art of Warhe Art of War is an ancient is an ancient Chinese military treatise attributed to attributed to Sun Tzu, a high-ranking military , a high-ranking military general, strategist and tactician. The text is composed of 13 chapters, each of which is devoted to general, strategist and tactician. The text is composed of 13 chapters, each of which is devoted to one aspect of one aspect of warfare. It is commonly known to be the definitive work on . It is commonly known to be the definitive work on military strategy and and tactics of its time. It has been the most famous and influential of China's of its time. It has been the most famous and influential of China's Seven Military Classics, and , and "for the last two thousand years it remained the most important military treatise in Asia, where "for the last two thousand years it remained the most important military treatise in Asia, where even the common people knew it by name."even the common people knew it by name."[1] It has had an influence on Eastern and Western It has had an influence on Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy and beyond.military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy and beyond.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_military_texts

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Tzu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_strategy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_tactics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Military_Classics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_War#cite_note-Ancient_China_2007._p._149-1

Introduction Starting Thought

While believers are living in this world-system, and battling the attacks of the Devil, it is possible to achieve victories over this foe. These victories can only come through faith in Christ. Though victory is always possible, occasional defeat will occur, if the believer fails to do their part. Though these defeats do not affect the final outcome, they can hinder a person's Christian testimony, as well as their spiritual growth. Therefore to be a winner all the time we need to discover who we are in Jesus and who the enemy is .

Always remember You are more than a conqueror and you fight from a victorious vintage point while the enemy is fighting from a defeated retrograded defeated point


Identity

Identification refer to the procedure techniques and process use to establish the identity of an individual.


Identity

Your Identity Shapes Your BeliefsIdentity is what shapes our core beliefs. Those core beliefs in turn, drive what we think, say and do. Everyone has a worldly identity –and also a spiritual identity. 1 John 3:10 tells us that everyone is either a child of God or a child of the Devil. We Christians know that we are children of God, but there is much more to our identity than that

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother1 John 3:10


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Identity

Identity Theft :Involves stealing an identity of a person and then the use of that identity by someone pretending to be someone else in order to steal or get other benefit

•Esau and Jacob: - The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. (Gen 27:22)•Simon the sorcerer:- To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying,

This man is the great power of God. (Act 8:10)

• The Pharisees : ¶ Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:¶ All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do;

but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.13 ¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up

t he kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Matthew 23 :2-3-13• False ApostlesFor such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.2 Corinthians 11:3


Identity

in the World today there are three ways you can authenticate someone identity:

Inherence FactorWho you are:- Gen 27:19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; Knowledge Factors (Password)What you know: - Gen 27:20 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, because the LORD thy God brought it to me.

Processing Factor What you have Gen 27:21And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.


Identity

Knowledge of God alone is no proof of ones Christianity because Demons Have Knowledge of God too: And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? Act 19:15And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.Mark 5:7You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder”. James 2:19Religious experiences are no proof of the Genuineness of your Christian identity.

Our Greatest Treasure on Earth is Our Identity in ChristOur single most valuable –yet least understood– treasure here on earth is our identity in Our single most valuable –yet least understood– treasure here on earth is our identity in Christ. Until it becomes prominent in our thinking, we remain stuck in the impossible struggle Christ. Until it becomes prominent in our thinking, we remain stuck in the impossible struggle to make our flesh behave. And since it won't behave, others see us as hypocrites trying to act to make our flesh behave. And since it won't behave, others see us as hypocrites trying to act out the role of the Christians –failing to do what we sayout the role of the Christians –failing to do what we say


Your Identity in Christ The Christian life is Christ living His life in and through the believer. The life of Christ is reproduced in the child of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:11 God's goal for His believers is the conformity of our character to the likeness of Christ

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Rom 8:29

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Rom 8:16-17


Your Identity in Christ

Everything that God does in our lives happens to focus on that one supreme purpose. God has selected before hand the goal that everyone who believes on Christ will be conformed to His likeness. God's primary concern is our character, functioning the way He intended us to function, i.e. like Christ. He will not give up on that goal. He will keep at it until the day we stand complete in Him.

Holy Spirit takes our personalities and works in us to produce character that is loving, and full of "joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, selfe“control“

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23


Your Identity in Christ The one way to authenticate our Christian identity is in our demonstration of the Spirit and of power and authority in Christ Jesus.This is what the Seven sons of Sceva did not have . And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?Act 19: 15This simon the sorcerer tried to buy 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.Act 8: 18-1912 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:John1:12 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:I cor 2:4


Your Identity in Christ Your identity in Christ is shown in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power and authority in Christ Jesus.

Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore...” (Matthew 28:18-19). That power was given to you as part of your inheritance in Christ Jesus.

You have entered into this position of authority because you are in Him and HE is in you.


Your Identity in Christ Your Prowers and authority have been secured by Jesus Jesus succeeded in securing all power by going to the cross, dying a horrible death, suffering the penalty for sin and defeating Satan in the pit of hell. He came to earth as a man for one reason: to recapture the authority Satan had stolen through Adam’s disobedience in the Garden. Jesus was called the last Adam (I Corinthians 15:45). After securing that power and authority, He freely gave it over into the hands of those who would believe on Him—you and me.

Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. (Matthew 28:18-19). That power was given to you as part of your inheritance in Christ Jesus. You have entered into this position of authority because you are in Him and HE is in you.

It is not enough for us to simply accept Jesus’ work at Calvary. We are held responsible for much more. Jesus’ words in Mark 16 were not intended for the early Church alone. His words are just as vital and real today as when they were first spoken.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.


Your Identity in Christ We Have Authority to Stand Against SatanOne of the most vital areas of the believer’s authority is his power to successfully stand against Satan. Ephesians 4:27 says, “Neither give place to the devil.” In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul describes the armor that we as believers are to wear in combat against Satan. He explains each piece of that armor. It is the armor of God. But not once does he say that God will put the armor on you or that God will fight the devil for you. You is the understood subject of these verses.

He says, “[You] be strong in the Lord…. [You] put on the whole armour of God, that [you] may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [You] take the whole armour of God, that [you] may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, [you] stand.” God has given you the power and the authority to stand against Satan and his destructive works. He has provided the armor, but it is your responsibility as a believer to put on that armor and stand against the devil


Your Identity in Christ We Are Seated With Him in High AuthorityWe are seated together with Him. Where? Far above all principality and power and might and dominion. As a believer, you have accepted the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary. Therefore, you are part of His body and are seated with Him in that heavenly place, equipped with the same power, the same authority that He has. 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: {in...: or, for the acknowledgement}18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, {his mighty power: Gr. the might of his power}20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:17-23


Your Identity in Christ We Have the Power of God’s Word to Exercise Our Authority(Mark 4:35-40).You are the captain of your ship. You have control over your own life—your spirit, your soul and your body. Jesus has delegated power, or authority, over Satan to you as a believer. You are to give him no place in your life. You are born of the Spirit of God. You are filled with the Spirit of God. You have been given the Word of God. Those three elements are enough for you to carry out your spiritual authority here in the earth. You don’t need any more power. You have all the power necessary. You simply have to exercise your authority. Jesus has already done everything necessary to secure the authority and power over sin, sickness, demons and fear. You have to employ faith to receive that authority .You are the one to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might..


Your Identity in Christ We Have Authority to Act as New Creations

You are the one in authority. It is your responsibility to put off the old man—the unregenerate man that you were before you accepted Jesus. The Holy Spirit does the actual work in you, but you must make the decision to allow Him to do it. God has never forced His will on any person. You put off the old man. You use the Word of God to renew your mind. You put on the new man, which is created in righteousness and true holiness. Hebrews 2:14 says, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same.” Jesus partook of flesh and blood, so that you could partake of spirit and life.Ephesians 4:21-24 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.


Your Identity in Christ You live in a world that is full of evil influences. Satan would like you to forget the reality of being born again and never realize your place of authority in Christ Jesus, because if you do, that power you walk in makes you absolutely dangerous to him. He has no defense against you when you walk in the power of God’s Word. The Genuineness of Your identity in Christ is in the: Word that you are in Christ Jesus, and He is in You .That your word are in demonstration of the Fruit of the Spirit and of power and authority in Christ Jesus. Only then will you be strong, standing in a point of authority and operating in your inheritance in Him. As you do this, the power of God will always be available to work in your behalf. Praise God!


The Enemy Who is the Enemy He is the accuser of our brethren And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Rev 12:10 His Target—Your Target—Your Heart and Conscience.Heart and Conscience.Satan’s WeaponSatan’s Weapon—Accusation—AccusationSatan’s PurposeSatan’s Purpose—To Bring an Indictment by God’s Will. —To Bring an Indictment by God’s Will. Your DefenseYour Defense—The Interceding Son of God. —The Interceding Son of God. ..

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. standing at his right hand to resist him. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Zer 3:1-2Zer 3:1-2


The Enemy

Who is the Enemy He is the Deceiver And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives thewhole world. Revelation 12:9His Target—Target—YourYour mind. mind. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3Satan’s WeaponSatan’s Weapon——liesHe was a murderer from the beginning, and doesnot stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his ownnature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.” John 8:44


The Enemy

Who is the Enemy He is the Deceiver Satan’s PurposeSatan’s Purpose—To make you ignorant of God’s will—To make you ignorant of God’s willYour word is a lamp to my feet and a light to myYour word is a lamp to my feet and a light to mypath. Psalm 119:105path. Psalm 119:105I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law isI delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law iswithin my heart. Psalm 40:8within my heart. Psalm 40:8Your DefenseYour Defense—The inspired Word of God—The inspired Word of Godtransformed by the renewing of your mind, so thattransformed by the renewing of your mind, so thatyou may prove what the will of God is, that whichyou may prove what the will of God is, that whichis good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.John 17:17John 17:17Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,whatever is right, whatever is pure, whateverwhatever is right, whatever is pure, whateveris lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is anyis lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is anyexcellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwellexcellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwellon these things. Philippians 4:8on these things. Philippians 4:8


The Enemy

Who is the Enemy He is The Thief and The Destroyer The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. Job 2:3His Target—Target—Your Body and Your soulYour Body and Your soulSo went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. Job 2:7of his foot unto his crown. Job 2:7Satan’s WeaponSatan’s Weapon—Suffering—SufferingSatan’s PurposeSatan’s Purpose—To Make You Impatient with God’s Will. —To Make You Impatient with God’s Will. Your DefenseYour Defense—The Imparted Grace of God.—The Imparted Grace of God.

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.brethren.


The Enemy Who is the Enemy He is The Ruler of this world4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.2 Cor 4:4His Target—Target—Your WillYour WillSatan’s WeaponSatan’s Weapon—Pride—PrideSatan’s PurposeSatan’s Purpose—To Make You Independent of God’s Will —To Make You Independent of God’s Will Your DefenseYour Defense—The Indwelling Spirit of God—The Indwelling Spirit of God


The Enemy Who is the Enemy He is an Adversary 1 Perter 5:88 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:


The Enemy Who is the Enemy He is a defeated foe1.He lost the War in heaven, and was cast out: Rev 12:7-9 2.He lost the battle with Job when he tests God's wisdom with Job, "you think Job is good, take

away blessings...he will curse you" 3.Lost the Temptation in wilderness with Jesus: Mt 4:1-11 4.Lost the battle with Sinless death & resurrection of Christ: Col 2:14-15; Heb 2:14-16; 1 Jn 3:8; Rev 1:18 5.Every time a sinner becomes a Christian: Acts 26: 18; Col 1:13 + Lk 15:7 "angels rejoice"


The Enemy His Strategies To steal, To kill, To destroy:

His Tactics 1.Keep you out of the church 2.Get Christians back into the world 3.Render Christians useless 4.Disrupt or corrupt worship & doctrine 5.Cause trouble & division among brethren


Your Victory in Christ Who gave us the VictoryGod gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ –So this isn’t about us figuring out a way to win victory. No. We find victory only in Christ through God. When is Victory Possible "WHEN this corruptible shall put on incorruption…." – THAT is when . When death is swallowed up by the resurrection life of Christ – IN US – then we have HIS victory.We know that if we are IN Christ, we potentially have all victory that He has won

For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5


Your Victory in Christ What is the victoryThe victory is IN Christ Jesus. And only if we are UNDER Him can we be OVER what He is OVER. Thus, if you want to know why there must be trials and suffering in the Christian life, this is your answer. WE must be conquered through surrender to Christ. Only then can we be, "more than conquerors through Him that loved us.", How is our victory assured "They overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; “The saints ultimately will gain the victory. Revelation 12:11


Your Victory in Christ Christ's Victory is our VictoryNow here is an amazing truth: CHRIST'S VICTORY OVER THE POWERS OF DARKNESS IS OUR VICTORY! What Christ did, He did as our Representative. We shared in His death, we shared in His burial, we shared in His resurrection, and we share also in His victory over Satan! God raised Christ up and seated Him at His own right hand, and He raised us up with Him. The Bible says,"(God) hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6


Your Victory in Christ For the record 1.Your victory began in the ministry of Jesus (Luke 10:18).And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.2.The victory is decisively achieved at the cross (Colossians 2:13-15).¶ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;¶ Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;¶ And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it3.The victory is extended as the church goes out on its mission (Acts 26:18).To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.


Your Victory in Christ Prayers

•My life must be comparable to my calling•Psalm 91:3Satan the fowler who deceives Careless Christian a thousand ways", shall be frustrated in our life’s Our children shall be free from the noisome pestilence (virus) because He who is immortal can redeem us from mortal sickness. There is a deadly pestilence of error, we and our children are safe from it in

Jesus Name Amen


Spiritual

Authenticating our identity in christ