TODAY'S MESSAGE SERMON TITLE: “I AM THIS, I AM THAT — YOU DON’T OWN YOURSELF” OPENING SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV) "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost… and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Romans 14:7-8 "For none of us liveth to himself… For whether we live, we live unto the Lord." INTRODUCTION: We are living in a generation obsessed with self-definition: “I am who I want to be.” “I can do whatever I like.” “My life, my rules.” But Heaven is asking a deeper question: “Who told you that you own yourself?” The truth is uncomfortable: You don’t belong to yourself. You were created by God and purchased by Christ. TEACHING POINTS: 1. YOU WERE CREATED — NOT SELF-MADE Genesis 1:27 – “God created man in His own image…” You didn’t design your life. You didn’t choose your birth. You didn’t give yourself breath. Anything you didn’t create, you don’t own. 2. YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE 1 Peter 1:18-19 "…redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ." Jesus didn’t just save you—He paid for you. That means: Your body is not yours Your future is not yours Your identity is not self-assigned Ownership changed at the cross. 3. SELF-IDENTITY WITHOUT GOD LEADS TO DECEPTION Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." When people say: “I am this, I am that,” without God… They are: Defining themselves without truth Living without divine direction Heading toward destruction unknowingly 4. TRUE IDENTITY IS FOUND IN SURRENDER Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…" You don’t discover yourself by expressing yourself. You discover yourself by surrendering to Christ. CASE STUDY: THE PRODIGAL SON Luke 15:11-24 A young man said in his heart: “This is my life.” He took his inheritance and lived independently. What happened? He lost everything He lost direction He almost lost his life It was only when he said: “I will arise and go to my father” that restoration began. Lesson: Independence from God leads to emptiness. Return brings restoration. ACTION STEPS: 1. RENOUNCE FALSE OWNERSHIP Stop saying: “My life, my body, my rules.” Start declaring: “Lord, I belong to You.” 2. SURRENDER DAILY Your plans Your desires Your identity Luke 9:23 – “Take up your cross daily…” 3. SEEK GOD’S DEFINITION OF YOU Let God define: Who you are What you should do Where you should go 4. LIVE TO GLORIFY GOD Ask daily: “Does this decision glorify God or gratify me?” QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Q1: Can’t I just live my life the way I want? Answer: You can—but you will also face the consequences. Freedom without God leads to bondage. Q2: Does surrender mean I lose myself? Answer: No. You actually find your true self in Christ. Q3: Why does God demand ownership of my life? Answer: Because: He created you He loves you He paid for you And He knows what’s best for you. Q4: What happens if I keep living for myself? Answer: Eventually: Confusion will come Emptiness will grow Direction will be lost PRAYER POINTS: 1. PRAYER OF SURRENDER “Lord, I acknowledge that I am not my own. I surrender my life completely to You.” 2. PRAYER FOR IDENTITY “Father, reveal who I truly am in You. Destroy every false identity in my life.” 3. PRAYER FOR ALIGNMENT “Lord, align my desires, decisions, and direction with Your will.” 4. PRAYER AGAINST REBELLION “Every spirit of self-will and rebellion in me, be broken in the name of Jesus!” 5. PRAYER FOR TOTAL LORDSHIP “Jesus, be Lord over my body, my mind, my choices, and my future.” CLOSING CHARGE: Stop shouting: “I AM THIS, I AM THAT!” Start declaring: “I AM HIS.” Because until God owns you, you will never truly know who you are. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get ebooks from my selar shop below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem CONTACT - WhatsApp - +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com