I feel like this is a gamecher kind of message. If if you’ve been if you if I’ve been your pastor very long, maybe you haven’t known how to put it in words, but uh describing what I love to do most. And and today is in that vein like it’s in it’s in the vein of what I call the theology of alignment. Uh it it’s it you know theology is something you learn. It’s knowledge you observe about God. But a lot of what we learn and observe about God doesn’t have as strong of an application to it or an

opportunity to actually hear it and then come into alignment with who God is and his nature and imitate him and learn to be like him. And these kind of messages last week, this week is that opportunity. And I just pray that everybody here will see it, get it, and not hear it as just a a day for knowing something that you didn’t know or gaining some knowledge that you didn’t have, but an opportunity to come into alignment with God in the specific areas that we’re going to be talking about today. So, are you ready

for the message today? All right, say this with me. Say, “My heart’s open.” >> My heart’s open. >> My mind’s ready. >> Make me better, God. >> Make me better. >> By your word. >> By your word. >> I receive it. >> I receive it. >> I believe it. >> I believe it. >> I won’t be the same again. >> I won’t be the same again. >> In Jesus name. >> In Jesus name. >> And you may be seated today.

Last week we talked about the power of I can. >> The power of I can. And we talked about how the power of I can will unlimit your potential. >> If you if you tap into the power of I can, you will be empowered to do things that you could otherwise not do. The Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” >> Everybody say, “I can.” >> I can. >> Say it again. I can. >> I can. >> If you’ll be intentional to have more I

can in your thoughts and your conversations, you will see it play out in your life. just common everyday things that you feel hesitation about like I can talk to people. >> I can get past my past. >> One of the phrases I used with you last week was I can do hard things. >> And here’s this is bizarre uh crazy. I don’t know the explanation, but I was in Starbucks picking up a drink this week and they write down nice little hellos and how are you and uh have a great day. But I got one this

week that I don’t ever remember getting before and it was simply I can do hard things. And I’m like, God, you’re preaching to the preacher today. Like, thank you for reminding me >> I can succeed where I failed before. >> I can learn to manage my money. >> I can learn to be a witness. I can bring people to church. Yeah, >> I can. >> So that’s the power of I can. Everybody shout I can. >> I can. >> Today I want to talk about the power of I am.

>> The power of I am. You see what you believe you can do matters. >> But who you believe you are matters even more. The power of I can unlocks your potential, >> but the power of I am declares your identity. >> Are you ready for this? I don’t know if you’re ready for this. The words I am are words Jesus used to describe who he was beyond his name. They they knew him as Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph, his mom’s name Mary. They knew him as a carpenter working with his father in the business.

But he who he described himself to be when he said, “I am was an identity given to him by God.” >> Are you hearing me? >> And those who those who knew him maybe didn’t know that about him, but he knew that about himself. So he said things like, “I am the light of the world. I am the bread of life. I am the good shepherd.” And and even when he talked that way, you can imagine people looking at him like, “Who do you think you are?” >> Right? And some of the stuff I’m going

to encourage you to do today, people around you are going to like do that to you. If you’re bold enough to do it, some people will go, “Well, who do you think you are?” But Jesus said things like that. I am the way, the truth, and the life. He declared who he was in heaven. In the same way, we’re going to we’re going to talk about today just the life God has for you and the life God has for me and the importance of knowing who we are. We need to know who we are. >> Not just what our name is, our

ethnicity, >> the opinions of other people, but who we actually are. >> Jesus didn’t just tell people what he did. He told them who he was. >> I want to make sure I lay a good foundation here. I want you to get this. I I I went this week and I renewed my driver’s license. Fun, huh? Fun. And to get my new driver’s license, they wanted proof of my identification. And I’m like, you know, why do you care? You don’t No, I I didn’t do that. I’m That’s what I thought.

My identification tells you about me. >> My name, when I was born, where I was born, >> the color of my eyes, my weight, and and I was happy to provide that. But there’s more to me and who I am than what is described on my passport, >> my driver’s license. >> And what I’ve found out and I want to help you know like and maybe to some of you I’m just reminding you of something but I hope you will put it into practice today. And that is that knowing who I am in

heaven brings great power to my life. >> It brings clarity to my life. >> It brings confidence to my life. >> It brings stability to my life. All these things are products of me knowing who I am. On the other hand, if I have a false or distorted view of who I am, that view will create confusion, uncertainty, >> negativity at the very core of my being in my mind, in my soul, and it will show up in my life every day. >> And the same is true for you. This is why we got so many people with

so many issues today is the confusion around who I am. >> Who I am. The I am of your life is who you believe yourself to be. >> It’s who you believe yourself to be. So every day you’re being presented with imagery and you’re being told about yourself to distort what is true about you to deceive you into believing you are something less than you actually are. >> This is happening every day and sometimes multiple times a day. Something’s there that that will present you with an idea about yourself

that actually is presenting you to yourself in a way that is not actually you. Like it it it it makes you more more helpless than you actually are, weaker than you actually are, less powerful than you actually are. It doesn’t even have to be true. >> You just have to believe that it’s true. >> If you’ve ever stood in front of a distorting mirror at an entertainment center or park, you know what I’m talking about. You the distorting mirror. I think there’s other names for

it, but it it you know, a theme park. >> You walk up in front of it and the mirror has curved surfaces that that change what you look like. >> The image you see is a distorted view of you. >> Are you with me? >> The mirror didn’t change you. It changed how you saw yourself. >> And a distorted view of yourself produces a distorted life. A therapist coined a concept called the life lie. The life lie. Like be you know for a therapist to do this like you know there’s a lot of people that need

to know this exists. >> And and the life lie is the fictional story that we tell about ourselves about ourselves. Right? >> It’s a false belief that we build our lives around. >> It’s a subtle form of self- sabotage. You know, I’m not this, I’m not that. And then over time, the false belief turns into a false narrative. I can’t do this. I can’t do that. When actually we could, but we’re saying I can’t. We’re believing we can’t. >> And then that turns into a false

identity. And then that turns into a false reality. >> And I want to tell you something that Jesus wanted all of us to know. And that is that the enemy’s first strategy is always the same. To get you to believe something false about yourself. >> Always the same. And so Jesus said, “Satan is a liar >> and the father of all lies.” >> HE SAID, “THE THIEF COMES to steal, to kill, TO DESTROY, STEAL YOUR IDENTITY, >> steal your confidence, >> destroy your life.” But he said, “I have

come that you might have life >> and have it more abundantly.” I wonder how many of you today are living your life lie rather than your life truth. >> Can Can we get honest? And if you’re really honest, maybe you say, “Well, in some areas I think I’m living my life. Other areas I’m not.” But I want to help you today to climb that mountain of new identity and become new in your life by the renewing of your mind. you >> this distorted imagery that I was

describing about the mirror in life. It it it starts early in our lives. It started early in your life causing you to see yourself through your imperfections, through your mistakes. And you’re you’re seeing this and and it’s like that mirror. Wow. You’re like uh your bad experiences. And as you do that, you start to believe and focus on the wrong I am. >> You start to see yourself through the eyes of your enemy who wants to condemn you, who wants to pull you down, who wants to hold you

hostage to these thoughts that are hopeless about who you are, that downplay the reality that you were made by heaven incorporated. You were designed by God himself. He wants to downplay that in your life. He wants you to see yourself through your mistakes, through your weaknesses. There’s a quote that says that a lie believed long enough becomes an identity lived. >> Which is so true in our lives. I I want to I want to read to you a passage out of Psalms. And let’s read what the psalmist believed and said about

himself. Okay? Just think about it that way as I read it to you. This is Psalm 139. Here’s what he wrote. He said, “For you, oh God,” in other words, created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. You, everybody shout, you. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Did he say that because he’s perfect? No. Did he say that because he’s flawless? No. >> He said, “Your works, oh God, are wonderful, and I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I

was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, God, your eyes saw my unformed body. And all the days of my life, they were ordained for me. >> They were written in your book before one of them came to be. This is what it sounds like >> for those of you who want to want to write it down like it’s Psalms 139 verse 13- 16. Notice the language of that scripture. Created by God, known by God, designed by God. >> Planned by God. >> I am created by God. I am created in his

image. >> I am I am I am I am chosen by him. I am known by him. >> I am accepted by him. >> He is my father. I am his child. I am the apple of his eye. Come on. Are you seeing what I’m talking about today? I am the right person >> in the right place >> with the right body. >> I am in the right body. >> I am in the right body. >> I am here on purpose and for purpose. >> I am competent. I am capable. I am intelligent. >> Anybody with me today? Come on. I am. I

am. I am. Don’t argue with me. Receive that word today. I am gifted. I am talented. I am known in heaven. >> I am blessed by God. >> I am. I am. Somebody shout, “I am.” >> I am. >> See, you are not an accident. >> You are You are not random. >> You are designed. >> You’re not overlooked. You are known. >> Somebody shout, “I am.” >> I am. >> I am known by God. >> I am known by God. >> I am God’s child.

>> Now, some of you, your your your your brain wants to do things like this. I I am not perfect, Pastor Kevin. >> It just argues with these kind of statements by nature. >> And and and and I want to help you today. You need to you need to like shut that down. God knows that about you and you know that about you. But we’re talking about a profession of faith >> who God created you to be that you are a new creation in Christ. >> All things pass away. >> All things become new.

The power of I am will define you for better or for worse. It will define you. >> In other words, whatever follows the I am in your life is going to work against you or it’s going to work for you. >> It’s going to define you. And this is why you want to pay close attention and just be really intentional. If if it feels like I’m driving down in like being really like specific, I am today. I am. I am because because whatever follows the I am will eventually find you and define you.

>> That’s right. >> When you say I am so forgetful, you become even more forgetful. Yeah, >> when you say I am so awkward, you become more insecure >> and awkward. You know, you’re thinking about going in for a a a job interview and and you’re saying to a friend, I I am so nervous. I am so awkward. I’m so clumsy. I’m probably going to trip on my way in to the office. You know, when you say things like that, it doesn’t make it easier. It doesn’t make you more

confident. >> You’re more likely now to trip than ever before. >> When you say, “I am a bad wife or a bad mom,” you feel worse about yourself. >> And it’s almost like you give yourself through saying, “I am a bad mom.” you start to give yourself permission to just go ahead and be a bad mom. >> Cuz you’re like, “Well, I admitted it. I’m a bad mom, so deal with it. I am a bad wife. Deal with it.” It’s like, “Okay, I just had to admit

it. I am I am I am.” And it’s like your your brain and your identity starts to follow that path. >> That’s true. When you say, “I am addicted to chocolate,” you will eat more of it than ever before. You know why this is true? The Bible says in Proverbs 6:2, “We are snared by the words of our mouth.” We’re snared by the words of our mouth. The word snared means to be trapped. Yeah, >> your words can trap you. >> It can cause you to be trapped into

something that starts off as just a meaningless comment, right? I mean, you didn’t really mean to label yourself like you did, but it’s a trap. We’re snared by the words of our mouth. I’m talking about the power of I am. The power of I am. What follows I am is shaping your future. The Bible says that we will eat the fruit of our words. Think about that. When you talk, you are planting seeds. Okay? And at some point, you’re going to eat that fruit. Which is why I’m I’m

urging you and encouraging you to understand that all the things I said a moment ago about the power of I am how it works against you. Just understand that thankfully the opposite is true as well. >> When you know the power of I am, you can change what you tell yourself about yourself. >> I am a good mom and getting better. Yes, >> I am a good talker and improving all the time. >> I am more secure. I am more confident. I am blessed. >> I am enough. >> My wife Sheila loves this one. She had

she had some merch created hats and shirts that say I am made for this. >> I am made for this. I am improving my health. I am gaining ground. Are you following me? >> I am a fighter. >> I am an overcomer. >> I’m an overcomer. Things are hard. I am an overcomer. >> Man, this is a battle. I am a fighter. >> See, what follows I am is shaping your future. >> Amen. >> And the fruit tomorrow is coming from the words today. You’re going to eventually live in the identity that you

declare and the identity that you repeat. >> So good. >> If you’re a sports fan, then you probably know that team Canada, team USA played against each other for the gold medal at the Olympics a couple weeks ago. I was in Canada a few days later and I had fun at their expense. But in that playoff, there was a 24 year old USA hockey player named Jack Hughes who scored the winning goal for the USA in overtime. But it turns out that when Jack was younger, this is just a cool story, when he was younger,

he wrote a letter to himself. And in their research of Jack and the media and all, they found all of this information that he had written, I think it was when he was 17 or 18, something like that, he had written a letter to himself saying, and in it, it says about other things, but it says that maybe he would play professional hockey and and maybe his brothers and him would play together on team USA and win an Olympic gold medal. Well, he and his brothers were both on the team. And in the third period of the

game, Jack got his front two teeth knocked out after getting hit with a stick in the face. But there’s this overtime thing where only three, I think it’s three, they usually have five on the ice or only three are out on the ice for this overtime drill. and with his, you know, his mouth banged up, messed up, his coach played him in the overtime and and it was a tied game and he scored in overtime the winning goal, which has made him kind of a like a a hero, a celebrity, especially in the hockey world. Now, I’m

telling you the story because first of all, I think it’s incredible that he wrote himself a letter and he lit literally said that maybe even me and my brothers will play on team USA together and win a gold medal medal for us. I just think that’s incredible like that he said that, wrote it down, and then lived it out. lived it out like but all I WANT TO PROPOSE TO YOU and it’s REAL SIMPLE THOUGHT WHAT IF it’s not just that he wrote it what if he had said somewhere in his teenage years I

can’t do that >> I am not that good >> I’m not a guy they would pick to actually play professional hockey or be on the Olympics >> like I I’m not that guy. What if he had said that? >> How many of you believe his future would have been changed and different? >> THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE POWER of I am >> that is God ordained in our life. >> That’s why I call it the theology of alignment. It’s like God is waiting on us >> to get into alignment in agreement with

him about our lives. So, so in the last couple minutes, I I I just want to encourage you make a decision to bring your I am into alignment with the one who created you. >> Like no, the the scripture says, “I have called you by name. You are mine.” That’s God’s word to you. >> No one knows a thing better than its creator. Think about what I’m saying. When you buy a car or an appliance, it comes with an operator’s manual. You buy a a phone, it comes with an operator’s manual.

The electronics are all that way. Thank God for that. And my point is that no one knows a thing better than its creator. So, can you can you come to this space with me today? It’ll help you so much. This is this is for you. This is like me giving you something. It really is. It’s a powerful tool that I use in my own life and believers learn to use this a and apply it to our life. Like, don’t let anyone define you or tell you who you are except your creator. Come on, somebody ought to clap on that

one. Don’t let anyone Don’t allow anyone to tell you who you are except your creator. >> Don’t let the people at work tell you who you are. Don’t let the psychologist tell you who you are. Don’t let the media tell you who you are. >> Let your creator and only your creator define his creation. >> Allow him. The Bible says in Ephesians chapter 2, we are God’s masterpiece. >> God’s masterpiece. That’s what he thinks about us. Yeah. >> He created us a new in Christ Jesus so

that we can do good things that he planned for us long ago. >> And a huge part of your success in your life now and always into your future. Young people, hear me. Moms and dads, hear me. A huge part of you winning and overcoming as a person and as Christ follower and making good choices is in building your identity based on who God says you are. >> Amen. On who God says you are. You believe what I’m sharing? Come on, just clap your hands if you would today. Amen. >> Amen. Amen.

>> And amen. >> So say it like say it. How about we do a little bit a little drill today? Okay, everybody say, “I am chosen.” >> I am chosen >> by God. >> By God, >> I am created >> I am created >> by God. >> By God, >> I am forgiven. >> I am forgiven >> by God. >> by God. >> I am redeemed. >> I am redeemed. >> By God, >> by God, >> I am called. I am called >> by God. >> by God.

>> I am created >> I am created >> on purpose. >> on purpose. >> For his purpose. >> for his purpose. >> On purpose. >> on purpose. >> For his purpose. >> For his purpose. >> God is with me. >> God is with me. >> God is for me. >> God is for me. >> I can do all things. >> I can do all things. >> Through Christ. >> Christ. >> Who strengthens me. >> Who strengthens me. I am >> I am

>> his child. >> his child. >> I am >> I am >> an overcomer. >> an overcomer. >> I am >> I am >> the light of the world. >> The light of the world. >> I am >> I am >> a winner. >> a winner. >> I am >> I am >> a champion. >> a champion. >> I am >> I am >> special. >> special. >> I am >> I am >> a VIP. >> a VIP. >> A VIP. >> a VIP. A VIP.

>> A VIP. >> Oh, that hurts some of you to even say that. >> Say it again. I am >> I am >> a VIP. >> A VIP. >> Why do you say that, Pastor Kevin? I’m no different. No, the very hairs of your head are numbered. >> Like he knows the color of your eyes. >> He knows everything about you before you were and as you are and into your future. You are a very important person known by God, LOVED BY GOD. CELEBRATED BY GOD. There is joy in heaven over you. Come on, let’s clap

again for Come on. For for the goodness of God, the blessing of God. >> Amen. Now say, I am >> I am >> going to remember >> this word. >> I am >> going to apply it >> going to apply it >> in my life. Starting right now, >> right now, >> I am >> going to memorize >> some new I ams >> new >> about me >> in Jesus name. >> in Jesus name. >> Man, I’m so excited for you today. I’m so excited.

Okay, everybody bow your heads if you would at every location just for a moment. I want to remind you today that everything I’ve said about you means that God knows you not like your driver’s license, but he knows you as his child. He sees you as belonging to him, serving him, walking with him. He has a plan for your life, a plan for your life, a good plan, plan to give you a hope, a plan to give you a future. He wants to guide you. He wants to lead you. I I don’t know what’s going on in

your life today. I don’t know what you’ve dealt with or where you’ve been, but this is the moment where I give people and today I’m giving you, whoever you are, whatever your name is, whatever your ethnicity, I’m giving you an opportunity today to receive Jesus as the leader and the Lord of your life to crown him the king over every other voice, over every other influence in your life. and just to to allow him to bless you, your family, your children, your future, to walk with you,

to guide you, to lead you. And if today that’s a yes for you, there’s a big yes inside of you that says, “Pastor Kevin, that’s what I want. That’s what I want.” Regardless if you’ve ever done this before or not, regard, you know, maybe you’ve you were in this space with God and you’ve gotten away from it. Or maybe this is your first time to be at this place of decision. Today, I want to give you a chance to boldly raise your hand up in the air and to make this day the day of your new

beginning. Hands are going up in the room. God sees every hand. Heaven rejoices right now. The Bible says angels rejoice at this moment in all of our lives. Hands are going up. Wow. This is fantastic. All over the room today. And I know at every location today, God is speaking to people, drawing people. Put your hand up if you would. Please put your hand up and keep your hand up just for a moment. I’m going to lead you in a prayer right now. A prayer of new beginnings. Fantastic. Wow. God bless you, sir. God

bless you, ma’am. Okay, you ready? We’re all going to pray this together. If you have your hand up, just join me and repeat after me. Say this with me. Lord Jesus, >> welcome to my world. >> Welcome to my world. >> Forgive me of all my sin. >> Forgive me of all my s >> and come into my life. >> Today I receive you. >> I receive you. >> I welcome you. >> I welcome you >> as the leader. >> As the leader >> and the Lord

>> and Lord >> of my life >> of my life. >> And I boldly declare >> I boldly declare >> starting right now. right now. >> I will follow you. >> I will follow you. >> I will hear you. >> I will hear you. >> I will receive you. >> I will receive you. >> I will learn your ways. >> Your ways. >> I will obey your voice. >> obey your voice. >> You are >> You are >> Jesus. You are >> Jesus. You are

>> my leader. >> My leader >> and my Lord. >> my Lord. >> Thank you. >> Thank you >> for this moment. in my life >> in my life >> in Jesus name. >> in Jesus name. >> And everybody said a great big >> Amen. Welcome to the family of God everybody.