IDENTITY THEFT

Father’s Day

Pastor Brandon Cross

Woodland Church

Sunday, June 21, 2026

MAIN POINT:

Our identity is not found in our pain, our past, our wounds, our circumstances, our shortcomings, or how other people view us but in how our Heavenly Father sees us and in the purpose that He has for our lives!

(Genesis 25:23-28, NKJV) “And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.” So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.”

QUESTION:

What happens as Jacob allowed his identity to be defined by others; NOT GOD?

1.  The identity imposed upon Jacob from others, especially his father, created disbelief in God’s ability or willingness to fulfill His promised blessing to Him.

2.  Jacob is either unaware of what God said about him or he just can’t believe it.

3.  Jacob does not trust God.

4.  Jacob learned that his father’s approval was based on what he could provide for him (v.28)

APPLICATION:

We cannot allow how others see us; how others treat us; our circumstances (both good and bad), etc… form our identity and shape how we make decisions. We need to let how God sees us and His purposes for our lives drive our identity and how we live.

QUESTION:

So, what does God say about us?

1.  He made us in His image/likeness – WE ARE GOD’S SPECIAL CREATION!!!

(Genesis 1:26-27, 31, NKJV) “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

2.  He handcrafted each of us with intention and purpose

(Psalm 139:13-14, NKJV)

“For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.”

3.  He trusts us to reflect Him/His Glory to others

(1 Peter 2:9, NKJV) “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

APPLICATION:

We were created with intention and purpose, each of us unique to how God wanted us, in His image, for HIS PURPOSES. We each have a responsibility to accept our identity as God sees us so we can lead our families, friends, loved ones, AND REFLECT JESUS TO OUR NEIGHBORS!

CONCLUSION:

Lessons we can learn from King Josiah who rejected his natural lineage for a Godly lineage

(2 Kings 22:1-2, 11, NKJV) “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.”

1.  Josiah recognized the failings of his lineage, even Hezekiah, and instead CHOSE GODLY SPIRITUAL LINEAGE FOR HIMSELF!!!

2.  Choose God’s view, God’s standard for ourselves and the people we have the ability to influence.

3.  Choose humility and repentance as a lifestyle

APPLICATION:

When we choose a “spiritual” lineage that honors God, submits to His standards, and leads in humility and repentance, we can impact our communities in significant ways!!!

CALL TO ACTION:

1.  Prayerfully identify any generational wounds, tendencies, or shortcomings that we can name and release to God. Confidently break the generational tendencies today!!!

2.  Commit to re-reading the scriptures that tell us about His care for us this week to remind us that we are His special creation: Psalm 139:13-14; Genesis 1:26-27, 31; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 2:9.

3.  Ask God to convict us of that which does not honor Him in our lives. Break generational/societal tendencies by identifying with Godly lineage, choosing His standard, and leading with humility and repentance.