One of my favorite childhood movies was The Lion King. There’s a moment when Rafiki confronts Simba and says, “I am not the one who is confused… you don’t even know who you are.”

That line hits differently when you’re grown.

Because the truth is—most of us wrestle with identity.
And today, I want to ask you two life-shaping questions.

Questions that you cannot answer accurately unless you understand them together:

1. Who do you say you are?
2. Who do you say He is?

Your answer to one shapes your confidence in the other.

1. Who Do You Say You Are?

Most of us have two answers to this question:

• The superficial answer we give people
• And the uncomfortable truth we keep hidden

But God refuses to leave us in the version of ourselves we have settled for.

Throughout Scripture, God steps into the lives of ordinary, insecure, broken people—and renames them, reframes them, and releases them into purpose.

Let’s look at a few:

Abraham — “I am old; I have no kids.”

God says: “You will be the father of nations.” (Genesis 17:3–6)

Abraham saw limitation.
God saw legacy.

Jacob — “I am a deceiver.”

Jacob spent his early life lying, manipulating, and running.
Until God stopped him and asked, “What is your name?” (Genesis 32:27)

Jacob answered with the truth he believed about himself.
God answered with the truth He believed: “You are Israel.”

Not who you were… but who you’re becoming.

Gideon — “I am weak and afraid.”

Hiding in a winepress, doing a job that didn’t belong there.
Yet God calls him: “Mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:11–12)

God will call you victorious before you even know there’s a battle coming.

David — “I am the overlooked kid.”

Even his father didn’t bring him to the lineup when Samuel came.
But God anointed David king while he was still smelling like sheep.

People won’t always save you a seat at the table.
But God prepares one for you.

Delay isn’t denial—it’s development.

Saul — “I am a persecutor.”

Everyone saw danger.
God saw destiny.

“He is my chosen instrument.” (Acts 9:13–16)

Ananias had a worldly view of Saul.
God had a heavenly one.

Simon — “I’m just a fisherman.”

Jesus called him by a new name—Peter, the rock—long before Peter ever acted like one.
Long before he failed, denied, or fell apart.

God knows your weaknesses… and chooses you anyway.

God’s View vs. Your View

God doesn’t define you by:

• your past
• your family’s expectations
• your failures
• your limitations

He defines you by His purpose.

And Scripture gives you language for who you truly are:

• I am chosen. (1 Peter 2:9)
• I am known. (Psalm 139)
• I am loved. (John 3:16)
• I am free. (John 8:36)
• I am His child. (Romans 8:15)
• I am redeemed from my past. (Psalm 103:12)

I am who He says I am.

He wants to rename the places shame has tried to label:

Alone → Loved
Depressed → Joy
Anxious → Peace
Addicted → Free
Broken → Healed
Lost → Found

“There is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” - Romans 8:1

Nothing—no fear, no sin, no shame—can separate you from His love. (Romans 8:38–39)

2. Who Do You Say He Is?

Your identity is only as strong as your revelation of Jesus.

Jesus asked His disciples:

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
“But who do you say I am?”
—Matthew 16:13–15

Some answered with what they heard others say.
But Peter answered from conviction:

“You are the Messiah.”

Your identity and your stability in life rise and fall with your revelation of who He is to you.

• When life is easy, it’s simple to say He is Lord.
• When life is hard, your belief is proven.

His name is greater:

• greater than your past
• greater than addiction
• greater than the diagnosis
• greater than the trial
• greater than the mountain

God has given Jesus “the name above all names.” (Philippians 2:9–11)

Even in suffering, He is still who He says He is.

“What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal.” - Romans 8:18

You Don’t Know Who You Are Until You Know Who He Is

Identity flows from intimacy.

The more convinced you are of Him, the more confident you become in you.

Let Him define you.
Let Him rename you.
Let Him reshape the way you see your own story.

Because the real you—the you God sees—is already loved, already chosen, already called, already redeemed, and already set free.

So… who do you say you are?
And who do you say He is?

Your life will rise to the level of your answer.

Want to hear the full message?
🎧 Catch “HELLO My Name Is" by guest speaker Justin Cummings on the Genesis Church podcast or YouTube channel.