ENCOUNTERS THAT CHANGES IDENTITY

ENCOUNTER THAT CHANGES IDENTITY

Joh 9:1-11 KJV 1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. 8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

There are situations and conditions that we found ourselves in and many people will begin to wonder what happened to this person? Such was the case of the man we read his account in John chapter nine. He was born blind. When the disciples saw him they were amazed and asked the Lord Jesus a question.

They wanted to know who had  sin, was it the parents of the man or did the man commit any sin while in his mother’s womb? Is it possible that a child in the belly can commit sin? How come he was born blind? In those days people believed that you suffered for the sin committed by you or your parents. It’s what some people call a generational curse.

Jesus shocked them by saying that neither the parents nor the man had committed sin. Some people have misinterpreted what the Lord said by saying that it was God that made the man to be born blind so that He can manifest His glory in him. This is born out of the doctrine called sovereignty of God. That God is responsible for all the happenings in this life. They said nothing can happen except God allows it.

That is not what Jesus is saying here. He just said what you see about the man born blind is from the devil. This is the work of the devil. But now you will see the glory of the Lord. The glory of the Lord will be made manifest in his life.

I pray for you that every work of the devil in your life be terminated now in Jesus name.

The Lord made clay and rubbed it on the man’s eyes and instructed him to go and wash, he went and came back seeing. As you go from this place may you receive your miracles.

Here is the amazing thing. His neighbour and people that used to see him begging were surprised. Some were saying it was him, others said it can’t be. The man told them I am the one.

After this encounter your identity will change for the better.

Whatever they have known you with as a reproach or stigma shall depart from your life in Jesus name.

Then they said how were you able to see? They didn’t believe him, his identity had changed. He was no longer the blind beggar they used to know.

They brought him before the Sanhedrin 

They called his parent to identify him, they said he is our son, they asked the man again how did you receive your sight. The man don tire, he I don tell you before. They said look that man must be a sinner for him to have open your eyes on the Sabbath day. This is what the man said:

Joh 9:25 KJV He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

May you have this kind of testimony like whereas I was poor but now I am rich

• Whereas I was a tenant but now I live in my own house
• Whereas I was not having a job but I have one, I even employ

May your story change to glory in Jesus name.

This was not the first time people’s identity changed overnight.

In 1 Sam 10 Saul had an encounter that changed his life for good. He left Samuel but as he was going home according to the prophecy of Samuel, he encountered a company of the prophets and something happened to him.

1Sa 10:10-12 KJV 10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11 And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? 12 And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?

People that knew him a long time ago or before now as Saul a farmer, a herdsman began to wonder how come he was prophesying? they asked if Saul was among the prophets?

For you to appreciate what happened to Saul you need to hear what he told Samuel in their first encounter 

1Sa 9:21 KJV And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

After this encounter this day, your identity is changing in Jesus name.

David

2Sa 7:8 KJV Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

What of Amos

Amo 7:14-15 KJV 14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: 15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

It doesn’t matter what you have done in the past, you can’t be worse than Apostle Paul who was formerly called Saul. This is his testimony:

1Ti 1:13 KJV Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

The reason why he obtained mercy was to be an example that God can change anybody 

1Ti 1:16 KJV Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

HOW DO WE RECEIVE A CHANGE OF IDENTITY

1. Be born again. The greatest change of identity that can ever happen to anyone is to receive Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. All other changes stem from it. For us to understand it better we need to see how Paul described anyone who is not born again.

Epe 5: 6-7. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

He called them darkness, not that they were in darkness or walking in darkness but they were darkness personified.

Eph 2:1-2 KJV 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eph 2:11-13 KJV 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ

Col 3:5-7 KJV 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

How do you receive Him as your Lord and Saviour? It is the simple or the simplest thing in this word. This is what the Bible says:

Rom 10:9-10 KJV 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

2Co 5:17 KJV Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Col 1:12-13 KJV ¹² Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: ¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

2. CHANGE THE COMPANY THAT YOU KEEP

When Saul joined the company of the prophets, the prophets’ anointing rubbed on him, not only that the gift imparted on when Samuel poured oil on him was activated and he started prophesying like the prophets.

Ladies and gentlemen you will become the company you keep. 

Pro 13:20 KJV He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

1Co 15:33 KJV Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Let me give you this hints:

If you are the brightest in your class, then you are in the wrong class.

If what all your friends discuss is the latest fashion, and other frivolities, you will be like them. 

Poor people gather to gossip but great people discuss ideas.

3. Renew your mind. Change your thinking and your life changes.

Rom 12:2 KJV And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Pro 23:7 KJV For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Our life goes in the direction of our dominant thought 

Think positively, have  “I can mentality”, think godly thought Phil 4:8

4. Remember the no 1 principle:

Col 2:6-7 KJV 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

5. Be ready to receive. The man born blind receives instructions from Jesus and went to the pool to wash and he came back seeing. The man at the beautiful gate gave heed to the apostles. He was expectant. Exercise obedient of faith. The man born blind in John 9 went to the pool which was a strange act while the man at the beautiful gave his hands to be lifted up, he could have resisted or argued.

Prayer

• If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you need to and if you go astray or backslide, you need to be restored.
• Every evil mark of identity upon my life and destiny catches fire in the name of Jesus.
• Every stigma of the devil, every yoke of rejection, failure and disappointment, break by fire in Jesus name.
• In the name of Jesus I receive a change of identity for good in Jesus name.