Pastor Andy titled his sermon “Identity Robbers” and spoke on what steals your identity. From sin, shame, fear to people, situations and life in general. We all fall. Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that “the righteous falls seven times and rises again,”teaching that falling is never the end of a believer’s story, staying down is. Micah 7:8 declares, “When I fall, I shall rise,” and Psalm 37:23–24 promises that God upholds His people even in their stumbles. Paul echoes this in Romans 7 when he cries, “What is wrong with me?” showing that our identity is not found in perfection but in grace. Even the fear of losing God is evidence of His nearness; conviction is connection. David prayed, “Cast me not away from your presence” (Psalm 51:11), and the longing of Psalm 42:1–2 reveals that hunger for God is itself a sign of life. Jesus blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6), reminding us that longing is proof of belonging.

Bathsheba’s story shows how identity can be stolen by sin, shame, and the judgments of others. She is remembered for a rooftop, not a throne; for a moment she didn’t choose and a sin she probably did not want to be a part of. In 2 Samuel 11, David sent for her and took her, verbs of his agency, not hers. Nathan’s parable in 2 Samuel 12 describes her as the lamb, something taken, not guilty. Her husband Uriah is murdered, her child dies, and many stop reading her story right there. But God does not. In 1 Kings 1, Nathan goes to her, and she walks into the king’s room to speak truth. Solomon is crowned that same day. In 1 Kings 2:19, Solomon bows to his mother and seats her at his right hand. The world remembers her rooftop; God remembers her throne. Psalm 147:3 says He heals the brokenhearted, Genesis 50:20 shows He turns evil into good.

Identity robbers also live in our hearts. Most people don’t reject God, they resize Him. We keep the verses that comfort us and skip the ones that correct us. We ask God to bless decisions we already made. We want Him quick with us and slow with those who hurt us. It never feels like rebellion, but it is. Scripture warns that people choose teachers who say what they want (2 Timothy 4:3), that idols are worthless teachings (Jeremiah 10:14), and that God allows no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3). The golden calf in Exodus 32 is the oldest identity robber. Israel didn’t stop being religious, they redirected worship. They kept the altar, the offerings, and God’s name. Only the object changed. Aaron even announced a “feast to the LORD.” It wasn’t rebellion in their eyes, it was convenience. Isaiah 29:13 warns of honoring God with lips while hearts are far away, Matthew 15:9 says worship becomes vain when aimed wrongly, and Romans 1:25 says they exchanged the truth for a lie.

Identity is stolen whenever worship is misplaced. We rob others’ identities when we don’t know our own. We tear others down because we don’t know our value. We shrink God to a size we can manage and worship comfort, control, approval, or success. Galatians 4:9 warns against returning to worthless idols, Colossians 3:5 says idolatry hides in desires, and 1 John 5:21 urges us to keep ourselves from idols. But God restores what identity robbers steal. Bathsheba’s story didn’t end at the rooftop. Israel’s story didn’t end at the calf. Paul’s story didn’t end at “What is wrong with me?” And your story doesn’t end at your worst chapter. Philippians 1:6 promises God finishes what He starts, Joel 2:25 says He restores lost years, and Revelation 2:17 says He gives a new name, a new identity. And your story teaches that identity robbers don’t get the final word. God does.

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