Title: What is my identity?
Key Verse: Colossians 3:11
Passage: Matthew 23:6-12
1. Nationality
2. In the Secular World
3. In the Church

Introduction
- Very proud to be a Canadian.  NOT American
- South Korean Friend: Cannot be a Canadian and a Christian --> you must choose. of the world or of the God.
- is this true?
- What about being a Christian American?  or and American Christian? Or a Chinese Christian? Or a Christian Chinese? 
-What is my identity?

West Point, USA

USER/PWD;jonathondavid@gmail.com;JesusLovesUs/77
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/756087/usma-graduation-ceremony-part-3-4
4:34 for Rowan.

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/756093/trump-delivers-west-points-2020-commencement-address 
6:30~9:20 


https://www.rev.com/blog/transcripts/donald-trump-west-point-commencement-speech-transcript

Lets "fact check" parts of this very moving speech...
(02:30) Huh?  Since when is the it the role of a Christians to send people to hell?  America force of Righteousness?? Eternity??
(06:46) Is this not the ideals of Christianity. We will see this plagarism from Paul.
Become one from different backgrounds in the USA pledging allegience to USA
    Should not this be describing us a Christians and our loyalty to Christ?
    "You know the truth"
    "Survival of America and civilization depends on those love their country with all heart"

(08:03) Devote my life?  Really the greatest? PRIDE. Endurance of civilization depends on American soldiers.  Love country with all your heart, soul and mind?  (I recall someone saying this about our relationship to God should be like this. Do you recall who said this?)
(19:58) This is righteousness?

middle:  role of the military.
27:15 America will always prevail
End of speech sounds like Psalms 


1. Nationality. (Paul)
Rom_10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Gal_3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Col_3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
--> Why use Jews?  Because his listeners, Jews, thought themselves superiour to the Greeks. 
--> Christianity trumps nationality
--> IF we can grasp this then we can also grasp that "No man that warreth entangleth himself in the affairs of this world."


2. In the secular world... James addresses this issue, as does Paul...
Php_3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
- Professor/ Dr./ Work for TSMC / At University / Upstanding member of Lion's Club / teacher
/ Successful Businessman

3. In the church...
Not just an issue in the secular world,
But also in the church.
We like to give people ranks in the church Pope-Cardinal-Bishop-Senior Pastor, Pastor, Area leader, Cell group leader.  Bring 5 people to Christ and you can become a Cell group leader. Perhaps we like to have people call us by a rank.  Does it give us a sense of importance? 
What does Jesus think about this hierarchy in the body of Christ?

M
Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

--> How we love when someone adds a title to your name.  Mushi, Chuan-dao, Bishop, Pastor, XiaoZhuZhang. ChuZhang


So what is my identity? 
-Slave of Jesus Christ, 
-a son of God. 
-a friend of Jesus.  
Our identity is wrapped up in Jesus. 
 - includes our salvation
 - our standing before God
 - our spiritual gifts
 - our "natural" God given abilities