Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  Romans 8:35-37 New Living Translation

In the Bible the number 17 represents overcoming the enemy and complete “Overwhelming Victory”

We don’t have to live our lives weighed down with labels and baggage. In Christ we have a brand new identity and the promise of “Overwhelming Victory” despite the trials and tests of daily life.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 New Living Translation

This is a 3 part series created by Monica Schmelter covering:

1. Session One: Identity Crisis –Get rid of the junk, labels, lies, baggage and prepare
2. Session Two: Identity Makeover – Rewrite Your Story by faith
3. Session Three: Overwhelming Victory

Monica Schmelter is the host of Bridges a daily Christian television program on Christian Television Network (CTN). For more information on Monica, please visit her website at www.monicaschmelter.com.

Session One: Identity Crisis –Get rid of the junk, labels, lies, baggage and prepare

From Identity Crisis to Overwhelming Victory

Here are a few examples of the labels that people wear and believe:

1. Class Clown
2. Gossiper
3. Failure

Labels/Baggage cause an “Identity Crisis”

Labels are things that people see on the outside. Baggage is the stuff we carry inside that people may or may not see.

Labels exercise will be 3 wardrobe racks set up at front of sanctuary before event starts
Baggage (piece of luggage that I will set up at the front) on a folding table
Stage Right will have one wardrobe rack and one table with luggage on it. Then on Stage Left there will be two wardrobe racks. The speaker will be standing in the middle of these items.
Wardrobe Rack/Luggage Table/Speaker/Wardrobe Rack/Wardrobe Rack
Go through each outfit/label & accessory where applicable

Example: Class Clown Outfit with red nose and a whistle. Have at least 10 outfits reflecting labels women tend to get. (Gossiper, Class Clown, Workaholic, Lazy, Diva, Shy, Party Girl, etc.)

Go through each label and talk about it briefly.

Ask these questions with guests writing down their answers. (Jeopardy type music if possible for a comedic relief.)

1. What are some of the labels that you been assigned/believed/worn?
2. What are some of the ways these labels have affected you and impacted others?

Baggage: Things we hold inside our hearts that weigh us down. Others may or may not know about the “baggage” we hold inside of our hearts.

Speaker goes to baggage table and gets a piece of luggage and opens it up with notes inside.

• Here are example notes:
• Fear (I can’t show up at my reunion looking like this!)
• Shame (If they knew my husband had an affair they would…)
• Guilt
• Unforgiveness (I can never let that go)
• Bitterness (my younger sister was always the family “favorite”)
• Resentment (She’s late to work every day and everybody thinks she’s wonderful!)
• Hatred (I may not say it out loud but inside I loathe you…)
• Greed
• Broken Heart (My husband doesn’t love me)
• Rejection (my best friend betrayed me)
• Jealousy (She’s not “all that”)

Speaker will ask for a volunteer to tape the “baggage labels” on the outside of the luggage after going through each one.

Play Jeopardy style music again

What kinds of baggage are you carrying?
How does the baggage affect you and impact others?

Are you willing to consider letting go of the labels and baggage?

How many of you are familiar with the show “What Not to Wear?” This is going to be a little similar to that. By faith we are going to throw away the labels and baggage we’ve been carrying (The Identity Crisis). After you throw out the labels and baggage, you will be presented with an “Overwhelming Victory” card.

The speaker will ask volunteers to pass out two blank labels to each person to fill out one is for a label they are dealing with and the other is for baggage they are dealing with.

While those are being passed out the speaker will read this scripture

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14 NLT

In the next session we’ll start our “Identity Makeover” with a clean slate and God’s promise of “Overwhelming Victory” Let’s start Throwing Away the Labels and Baggage!

Play fun and energetic song for everyone to come throw their two labels in a big garbage can.

Call everyone up for our “Take Out the Trash” group picture

Then, hand out Overwhelming Victory cards to everyone

Closing Prayer

Overwhelming Victory is Yours In Jesus Name!

Session Two: Identity Makeover – Rewrite Your Story by faith

Hold Up Empty Trash Cans!

Wardrobe Racks and Luggage still upfront (labels are not visible at this point)

Have you got your “Overwhelming Victory” cards?

Now that we’ve thrown away the labels and the baggage we are going to embark on our “Identity Makeover.”

Let what God has done for you speak louder than anything that ever happened to you.

• Rewrite
• Relabel
• Rejoice

Rewrite

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. Genesis 50:20-21 NLT

Share an impactful personal story that relates the the verse above.

This is how we re-write our story by faith. We accept graciously what’s happened. We refuse the world’s take on it – and we by faith see it through God’s eyes.

Re-Label to

• I am a child of God
• I am loved
• I am brave
• I am grateful
• I am ______

Relabel outfits and luggage
(Two Volunteers help with re-labels on wardrobe racks and luggage)

What does God say about you?

Rejoice

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NLT

Look at what you wrote (answered) earlier and select one favorite thing that God says about you and write that on a larger label that you can hold up in a group picture.

Two Volunteers to pass out Labels for the Relabel Picture

Re-write Re-label & Rejoice Overwhelming Victory Group Picture

Play “Chainbreaker” by Zach Williams

Session Three: Overwhelming Victory

Wardrobe Racks and Luggage Over to the side
3 Wooden Boards on Easels Moved to Front of Stage

Identity Crisis – Take out the Trash (Hold Up Garbage Cans) Identity Makeover –Rewrite Your Story by Faith (Overwhelming victory Card)

17 Things God Says About Me:

1. I am His Daughter
2. I am Confident in Christ
3. I am Loved by God
4. I am Secure in Christ
5. I am created in His Image
6. I am Wise in Christ
7. I am Valuable
8. I am Forgiven in Christ
9. I am filled with Purpose
10. I am His Masterpiece
11. I am Unique
12. I am Strong in Christ
13. I am Bold
14. I am More than a Conqueror
15. I am Brave
16. I am Diligent
17. I Live in Overwhelming Victory

Look at the Apostle Paul’s “Through All of It” Statement

“I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” Philippians 4:12-14 AMP

What is your “Through All of it Moment?”
Now sum it into one or two words to Identify your “Through All of it Moment”

Play Colton Dixon’s “Through All of It” Video

After the video: Call Audience Members up one row at a time to hang up there “One Word” Through All of IT on Board After you hang up the One Word remain upfront for group picture. Song “Through All of It” playing in background

Let Him Fill Your Cup with Overwhelming Victory!

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35-37 New Living Translation

Two Volunteers pass out (Overwhelming Victory Mugs, Shirt or other gift item.)

Overwhelming Victory Cheer

Overwhelming Victory Prayer

Group picture from platform of the audience holding up their Overwhelming Victory mugs, shirt or other gift item.

Dismiss