Saints. Really?

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Who Do You Think You Are? // Saints. Really? In Christ all are saints (Romans 1:1, 7; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1). Contrary to many modern views, the word saint is used in the Bible to refer to normal, ordinary, flawed Christians who have been completely accepted and redeemed by God. Through the work and person of Jesus every follower of Jesus (every saint) has full access to God and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. They are no longer defined by their sinfulness but are overcoming sin. SHARING TESTIMONIES Share with those within your group how a particular sin (committed by you or another person) has defined who you are in the past. How has God worked to change that definition? What defines you now? GO DEEPER 1. According to Romans 1:7, Ephesians 1:1 and Philippians 1:1, Paul was addressing saints with his apostolic letters. Who exactly were the saints that he was speaking to, and why was this designation significant? 2. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 5:1, and Hebrews 4:1416, what benefits do saints have because of Jesus? Who did Jesus promise to send to His saints in John 16:7? MAKE IT PERSONAL 1. Do you see yourself as a saint, or do you tend to see yourself more in light of your sinfulness? What thoughts and images come to your mind when you here the word saint? 2. Do you truly live and act as an empowered saint in Christ? What makes living as an empowered saint most challenging for you? PRACTICE IT NOW God desires that we see ourselves as saints, not just as sinners saved by grace. For so many, their identity is defined by their sinfulness, which produces a mindset and language that is less than what God has to offer. As a group, pray that God would give you a greater confidence in your identity as a saint. Pray that He will empower you to see yourselves as He sees you: not as a sinner but as His child. Take time also to pray over and encourage those who have allowed their sinfulness to define who they are and what they do.