# Sermon: "You Are More Important Than You Think"
Based on 1 John 3:1-6
# Section 1: Our Search for Love, Acceptance, and Significance
## Breaking Down the Walls
In prison, we often wear masks:
- The tough exterior that shows no weakness
- The brave face that hides our pain
- The indifferent attitude that conceals our longing
But beneath these masks, there's a universal truth: every human being longs to be loved and accepted.
## The Reality Behind Crime
Consider these powerful statistics and observations:
- Many gang members come from broken homes
- Studies show a high correlation between lack of parental attachment and criminal behavior
- The search for belonging often leads people to find acceptance in the wrong places
## Personal Reflection Questions
1. Behind the Mask:
- What mask are you wearing today?
- When was the last time you felt truly accepted?
- What are you trying to prove, and to whom?
2. The Past Pattern:
- Where did you look for acceptance before?
- What price did you pay for that acceptance?
- What did that "belonging" cost you in the end?
## Application for Today
1. Identifying Your Search:
- Where are you currently looking for validation?
- What substitutes for love have you accepted?
- How has your search for significance influenced your choices?
2. The Cost Analysis:
- What has your search for acceptance cost you?
- Who has been hurt in your pursuit of belonging?
- What false identities have you adopted to feel important?
## Interactive Element
Take a moment to write down (or think about):
1. Three places you've looked for acceptance
2. Two ways these sources have disappointed you
3. One thing you truly want people to know about you
## The Bridge to Hope
This brings us to the transformative truth in 1 John 3:1:
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
This isn't just a nice religious saying - it's a revolutionary statement about your true identity and worth.
## Challenging Questions
1. Deep Identity:
- If you truly believed you were God's child, how would it change your day today?
- What would you do differently if you knew your worth wasn't based on others' opinions?
- How might your relationships change if you operated from a place of acceptance rather than seeking acceptance?
2. Practical Steps:
- What one thing can you do today to begin living as someone who is deeply loved?
- How can you help someone else recognize their worth as God's child?
- What old patterns of seeking acceptance do you need to break?
# The Bobby Sands Story: Finding Identity Behind Bars
## The Setting (1954-1981)
Bobby Sands grew up in Rathcoole, Belfast, during the turbulent period of The Troubles. Born into a working-class family, he experienced discrimination and displacement early in life. His family was forced to move from their home due to threats, leading to a deep sense of loss and worthlessness.
## The Prison Years
In 1976, Sands was arrested and sentenced to 14 years in HM Prison Maze. The prison conditions were notoriously harsh:
- Confined to a small cell
- Limited contact with the outside world
- Stripped of basic human dignities
- Treated as a number rather than a person
## The Transformation
Despite these conditions, something remarkable happened. Instead of letting the prison system define his worth, Sands discovered new dimensions of his identity:
1. **The Writer Emerges**
- Began writing on toilet paper when denied proper writing materials
- Composed over 200 poems and articles
- Developed a unique voice that spoke of hope and dignity
- Learned the Irish language and began teaching others
2. **The Human Spirit**
His most famous poem "The Rhythm of Time" includes these lines:
*"There's an inner thing in every man,
Do you know this thing my friend?
It has withstood the blows of a million years,
And will do so to the end."*
3. **Impact on Others**
- Taught fellow inmates to read and write
- Shared his stories and poems, giving hope to others
- Demonstrated that circumstances don't determine human worth
## The Connection to Our Scripture
Like the truth in 1 John 3:1 about being children of God, Sands' story illustrates:
1. Identity transcends circumstances
2. Worth isn't determined by others' judgments
3. Purpose can be found in the darkest places
## The Legacy
Though Sands died in prison in 1981, his writings continue to inspire:
- Published in multiple languages
- Studied in universities
- Used in peace and reconciliation work
- Demonstrates how one person's discovery of their worth can impact thousands
## Application to Our Lives
1. **Finding Voice**
- Like Sands found his voice through writing, how can you express your true self?
- What gifts lie dormant within you?
- How can you use your circumstances as a platform rather than a prison?
2. **Transforming Identity**
- What labels have others put on you?
- How are you letting your circumstances define you?
- What would it mean to find your identity as a child of God?
3. **Creating Legacy**
- What story are you writing with your life?
- How could your journey inspire others?
- What will you leave behind?
## The Bridge to Scripture
Just as Sands refused to let prison define him, 1 John 3:1 tells us we have an identity that transcends our circumstances: we are children of God. This isn't about what we've done or what others say about us - it's about who God says we are.
## Reflection Questions
1. Like Sands found writing, what hidden talents might God be waiting to reveal in you?
2. How might your perspective change if you saw yourself primarily as God's child rather than an inmate?
3. What would it mean to start living from your true identity rather than your circumstances?
This story powerfully illustrates that no matter where we are or what others say about us, we can discover our true worth and identity. Just as Sands found his voice in the most unlikely place, we too can discover our identity as children of God, even behind bars.
# Section 2: "Children of God – That Is What We Are!"
## Opening Story: The Adopted King
# The Story of King Afonso I of Kongo: Finding Identity in Divine Adoption
## Historical Context (1456-1543)
In the Kingdom of Kongo, during a time of significant cultural and political change, Mvemba a Nzinga was born into the royal family. As a prince, his identity was deeply rooted in traditional African royal lineage and customs. The kingdom was at a crossroads between traditional beliefs and the new Christian faith brought by Portuguese missionaries.
## The Transformation
In 1491, while still a prince, Mvemba a Nzinga encountered Christianity. Despite his privileged position, he found himself drawn to this new faith. His conversion was profound and personal, choosing the baptismal name Afonso. This decision came at a great cost:
- His own family initially rejected him
- Traditional religious leaders opposed him
- Many nobles saw him as a traitor to their customs
- He was mocked for abandoning ancestral ways
## The Crisis of Identity
The turning point came when his father, King João I (formerly Nzinga a Nkuwu), died in 1506. A succession crisis erupted:
- His brother, who maintained traditional beliefs, claimed the throne
- Many nobles supported his brother, seeing Afonso as too "Portuguese"
- His legitimacy as heir was questioned due to his Christian faith
## The Power of New Identity
What sustained Afonso through this period was his unshakeable understanding of his identity as God's child. He would often say to his critics:
"You see me as a traitor to our traditions, but I have found my true father and my true identity. My first crown is my identity as God's child."
## The Transformation of a Kingdom
After becoming King Afonso I, he led from this new identity:
- Built schools and churches across the kingdom
- Established diplomatic relations with Portugal
- Maintained Kongolese culture while embracing new faith
- Created a unique African-Christian royal court
## His Famous Declaration
In a letter to the Portuguese king in 1514, he wrote:
"Though I sit on the throne of my fathers, I find my greatest honor in being called a child of God. This is the identity that gives me strength to rule with justice and mercy."
## The Legacy
King Afonso I ruled for over 35 years (1509-1543). His reign is remembered for:
- Maintaining independence while engaging with European powers
- Developing education and literacy in the kingdom
- Creating a unique blend of African and Christian traditions
- Demonstrating how new identity transforms leadership
This story powerfully parallels our scripture in 1 John 3:1. Like Afonso, we may face rejection from family and friends when we embrace our identity as God's children. Yet, this new identity can give us the strength to face opposition and live authentically, regardless of our circumstances.
Just as Afonso found that his identity as God's child was greater than his royal heritage, we too can discover that our identity in Christ surpasses any earthly status - whether we're behind bars or wearing crowns.
# Main Content
## 1. The Identity Crisis
Breaking down 1 John 3:1: "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
Three key elements:
1. **Lavish Love** - Not just given, but poured out abundantly
2. **Called Children** - Not just a title, but a legal adoption
3. **That Is What We Are** - Not just wishful thinking, but reality
## 2. Breaking Free from Old Identities
Common false identities in prison:
- "The Criminal"
- "The Failure"
- "The Outcast"
- "The Number"
God's truth about your identity:
- You are chosen (Ephesians 1:4)
- You are adopted (Galatians 4:7)
- You are valued (Matthew 10:31)
## 3. The New Community
Understanding our new family:
- From gang to God's household
- From isolation to inclusion
- From rejection to acceptance
## Practical Applications
1. **Daily Identity Affirmations**
- Start each day declaring: "I am a child of God"
- Replace negative self-talk with truth from Scripture
- Look in the mirror and see what God sees
2. **Living as God's Child**
- Make decisions based on your new identity
- Treat others as fellow children of God
- Allow yourself to receive God's love
3. **Breaking Old Ties**
- Identify relationships that reinforce false identities
- Create boundaries with negative influences
- Build connections with fellow believers
## Challenging Questions
1. **Identity Check:**
- What old identities are you still carrying?
- How would your behavior change if you truly believed you were God's child?
- What's holding you back from embracing this new identity?
2. **Relationship Assessment:**
- Who in your life reinforces your identity as God's child?
- What relationships pull you back to old identities?
- How can you build healthy relationships from your new identity?
## Real-Life Prison Application
1. **In Your Cell:**
- Use quiet times for prayer, addressing God as Father
- Write letters to yourself from God's perspective
- Create art or writing that expresses your new identity
2. **With Others:**
- Share your story of adoption into God's family
- Encourage fellow inmates to see their true worth
- Practice treating others as God's children
3. **Future Planning:**
- Base your goals on your identity as God's child
- Plan for relationships that support your new identity
- Prepare to live out this identity beyond prison walls
## The Power of "That Is What We Are!"
John's emphasis: "And that is what we are!"
- Not "what we might become"
- Not "what we hope to be"
- Not "what we're trying to be"
But "what we ARE"
# Section 3: Our Future Transformation and Our Present Lives
## Opening Story: The Butterfly Effect - Louis Zamperini's Transformation
Let me share the remarkable story of Louis Zamperini, whose life illustrates both future hope and present transformation.
## The Early Years
- Olympic runner in 1936 Berlin Olympics
- Air Force bombardier in World War II
- Survived 47 days at sea after his plane crashed
- Endured two years in Japanese POW camps
## The Darkness
In the POW camps, Zamperini faced unimaginable torture:
- Particularly targeted by guard Mutsuhiro Watanabe ("The Bird")
- Forced into slave labor
- Subjected to medical experiments
- Reduced to less than 70 pounds
- Lost all sense of human dignity
## The Breaking Point
After the war, Zamperini's life spiraled:
- Suffered severe PTSD
- Became an alcoholic
- Marriage nearly collapsed
- Consumed by hatred and revenge
- Planned to return to Japan to kill his former captors
## The Transformation Moment
In 1949, at a Billy Graham crusade:
- Found faith in Christ
- Experienced profound forgiveness
- Had a vision of his future transformation
- Realized his present life could change
## The Present Change
Zamperini's transformation was immediate and lasting:
- Poured out his alcohol the same night
- Nightmares about the camps stopped instantly
- Forgave his captors, including "The Bird"
- Returned to Japan in 1950 to meet and forgive his former guards
- Established Victory Boys Camp for troubled youth
- Carried the Olympic torch in 1998 in Japan
## His Famous Quote
"The hardest thing in life is to forgive. But hate is self-destructive. The moment you forgive is the moment you're free."
This story powerfully illustrates 1 John 3:2-6:
"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."
Like Zamperini, we have:
1. A Present Reality - We are children of God now
2. A Future Hope - Complete transformation when we see Christ
3. A Current Responsibility - Living purely in light of this hope
## The Impact
Zamperini's story shows how:
- Future hope transforms present reality
- Understanding our identity leads to changed behavior
- Forgiveness and purity are possible even after extreme trauma
- One person's transformation can impact generations
His life demonstrated that:
- Past trauma doesn't determine future identity
- Present struggles don't negate future hope
- Future transformation begins with present choices
Zamperini lived until 2014, reaching the age of 97. His life became a testimony that transformation is possible for anyone, no matter their past or present circumstances.
This story connects deeply with John's message about:
- Our present identity as God's children
- Our future complete transformation
- Our call to live purely now
Just as Zamperini's future hope transformed his present life, John tells us that our hope of being like Christ should transform how we live today.
Would you like me to continue with the practical applications of this section, or would you like me to expand on any aspect of Zamperini's story?
# Practical Applications: Living in Light of Our Future Hope
## 1. Understanding the Power of Hope
**Present Reality vs Future Promise**
- Like Zamperini, we live between two realities:
* Present: We are God's children now
* Future: We will be fully transformed
- This dual citizenship should shape our daily choices
## 2. Practical Steps for Daily Transformation
### A. Morning Choices
1. **Start with Identity**
- Begin each day acknowledging who you are in Christ
- Read 1 John 3:1-6 as a daily reminder
- Write down one aspect of Christ-likeness you want to display today
2. **Intentional Purity**
- Make conscious choices about:
* What you allow your mind to dwell on
* How you speak to others
* How you respond to provocations
* What you do when no one is watching
### B. Daily Challenges in Prison Context
1. **In Your Cell**
- Use solitude for spiritual growth rather than self-pity
- Transform your space into a place of peace
- Create healthy routines that reflect your new identity
2. **With Fellow Inmates**
- Choose responses that reflect Christ
- Be an agent of peace in conflicts
- Share hope without preaching
- Show respect to both inmates and officers
3. **Handling Temptation**
- Remember your future identity when faced with:
* Opportunities for contraband
* Pressure to join gang activities
* Chances to participate in prison politics
* Temptation to return to old habits
## 3. Breaking Old Patterns
### A. Identify Triggers
- What situations lead to old behaviors?
- What relationships pull you backward?
- What thoughts precede poor choices?
### B. Create New Patterns
- Replace negative self-talk with truth
- Develop new responses to old triggers
- Build relationships that support growth
## 4. Living with Future Focus
### A. Short-term Goals
- Daily prayer and Scripture reading
- Weekly self-examination
- Monthly progress review
### B. Long-term Vision
- Plan for life after release
- Develop skills for future ministry
- Prepare for family reconciliation
## 5. The Purification Process (v.3)
"Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself"
### A. Active Participation
- Take responsibility for your growth
- Make conscious choices toward purity
- Engage in self-examination
### B. Practical Purification
1. **Mind**
- Choose uplifting reading material
- Memorize Scripture
- Practice positive thinking
2. **Heart**
- Practice forgiveness
- Let go of bitterness
- Cultivate gratitude
3. **Actions**
- Serve others
- Make restitution where possible
- Live with integrity
## 6. Measuring Progress
### A. Daily Review
- Where did I see Christ-likeness today?
- What choices reflected my future hope?
- Where do I need growth?
### B. Weekly Assessment
- What patterns am I noticing?
- How am I different from last week?
- What areas need more attention?
## 7. Community Support
### A. Finding Support
- Connect with chapel services
- Join Bible studies
- Find a Christian mentor
### B. Being Support
- Encourage others in their journey
- Share your transformation story
- Be a living example of hope
Remember: Like Zamperini, your transformation:
- Begins with hope
- Continues through daily choices
- Impacts others around you
- Points to future glory
# Closing Section: The Power of Living as God's Child
## Final Story: The Prison Choir of Angola
Let me share a powerful contemporary story from Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola), once known as America's bloodiest prison.
## The Story Setting
In 2008, a group of inmates at Angola, many serving life sentences, formed a choir called "The Malachi Choir." The prison had a dark reputation:
- 85% of inmates serving life sentences
- Known for violence and hopelessness
- Most inmates expected to die behind bars
## The Transformation
The choir members discovered their identity as God's children and:
- Began leading worship services
- Composed original gospel music
- Ministered to fellow inmates
- Recorded albums that reached beyond prison walls
## The Impact
One particular member, James Morgan, serving life, said:
"When I understood I was God's child, it didn't matter anymore that I might never leave Angola. My address doesn't determine my identity. Every time we sing, we're not prisoners performing - we're children of God worshipping our Father."
The choir's influence spread:
- Violence rates in the prison decreased
- Other inmates began joining faith-based programs
- Prison culture started shifting
- Guards reported notable changes in participant behavior
## Bringing It All Together
### 1. The Three Truths We've Learned
- We are loved with a lavish love
- We are children of God NOW
- We have a glorious future ahead
### 2. The Promise of Transformation
From 1 John 3:2:
"What we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him."
### 3. Our Response
Like the Angola choir members:
- Live from our identity, not our circumstances
- Let our future hope shape present choices
- Impact others through our transformation
## Final Challenge
Remember:
1. Your location doesn't define your identity
2. Your past doesn't determine your future
3. Your circumstances can't limit God's love
## Closing Prayer
"Heavenly Father,
Thank you for making us Your children.
Help us to live today in light of who we really are.
Transform us from the inside out.
Let our lives sing of Your love,
Even within these walls.
For those struggling to believe they are Your children,
Open their hearts to Your love.
For those fighting old identities,
Strengthen them with Your truth.
For those seeking to live purely,
Fill them with Your power.
May we, like the Angola choir,
Turn our prison into a place of praise,
Our cells into sanctuaries,
Our days into worship.
In Jesus' name,
Amen."
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