Accepted in Christ: Embracing Our Identity as God's Children
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor sharing a personal experience of being unable to attend church due to a visit to the emergency room, but was able to join the service online. This experience has given the pastor a better understanding of the challenges faced by those who cannot leave their homes. The pastor then introduces the passage from Ephesians chapter one, specifically verses 1-14. The sermon's main theme is introduced as "finally accepted" or "accept your acceptance." The pastor emphasizes that believers have been chosen by God and have been blessed with spiritual blessings. The pastor highlights the concept of being accepted in Christ and the redemption and forgiveness of sins through His blood.
The pastor shares a humorous anecdote about a little girl who is confused by the preacher's passionate delivery. The preacher is described as energetic and intense, but the little girl wonders if he will bite them if he gets unhooked from the microphone. The pastor then emphasizes that while he is glad to be saved and a child of God, he is not angry about it. He encourages the congregation to also be born again and to reflect the goodness of God in their actions and language. The pastor highlights the importance of living blamelessly, not in a perfect manner, but in a way that seeks to avoid blame. He explains that many Christians do not feel loved or accepted by God because they are living like the world instead of as part of God's family. The pastor concludes by urging the congregation to recognize their identity as children of God and to act accordingly.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of feeling accepted and belonging in order to enjoy life to its fullest. The pastor mentions that the church provides gospel tracks and invitations to come to Liberty Baptist Church, which is described as a place to believe, be loved, and belong. The sermon focuses on three key points to help individuals rest in the acceptance that God has for them. Firstly, they need to recognize who they are as children of God. The pastor explains that being a saint means being saved by Christ and set apart for Him. Secondly, they need to recognize who accepted them, emphasizing that being in the family of God is open to all who are willing to come to the Lord Jesus for salvation. Lastly, they need to recognize what God has in store for them because of their acceptance. The pastor encourages the congregation to understand the meaning of being accepted and set apart for God's purposes.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of feeling accepted and loved by God. The pastor acknowledges that many people struggle with feeling accepted by God, especially when faced with difficult circumstances. However, the pastor reassures the congregation that the principles found in the Bible are factual and can overcome any negative emotions that may make them feel unworthy. The pastor reminds the congregation that every individual, regardless of age or background, is valuable to God and should be treated as such. The pastor encourages the congregation to remember that being accepted into the family of God is the most powerful and beneficial acceptance in the universe. The pastor concludes by offering a prayer for those who may not have accepted Christ as their Savior, emphasizing that salvation is not based on worthiness but on placing trust in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
The pastor emphasizes the concept of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ. He explains that humanity was separated from God due to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. The pastor clarifies that God did not cause the suffering and chaos in the world, but rather it was a consequence of the fall. He highlights the various problems that exist today, such as disease, death, sin, and conflicts, all stemming from the fall. However, the pastor emphasizes that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross brought humanity back together with God, redeeming them from their sinful state. He emphasizes that salvation is not earned but is a result of God's love and grace. The pastor shares his personal experience of trying to earn salvation but ultimately finding it through surrendering to God's mercy and grace.
Key Takeaways:
- Believers have been chosen by God and have been blessed with spiritual blessings. This acceptance in Christ leads to the redemption and forgiveness of sins through His blood. This acceptance is not based on our worthiness but on placing trust in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. [49:33]
- Living blamelessly is not about perfection, but about seeking to avoid blame. Many Christians do not feel loved or accepted by God because they are living like the world instead of as part of God's family. [52:45]
- Feeling accepted and belonging is crucial to enjoying life to its fullest. The church provides gospel tracks and invitations to come to Liberty Baptist Church, a place to believe, be loved, and belong. [55:12]
- Redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ is emphasized. Humanity was separated from God due to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, but Jesus' sacrifice on the cross brought humanity back together with God, redeeming them from their sinful state. [58:30]
- Salvation is not earned but is a result of God's love and grace. The pastor shares his personal experience of trying to earn salvation but ultimately finding it through surrendering to God's mercy and grace. [1:01:15]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 1:1-14: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
2. Romans 8:37-39: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 1:1-14 reveal about the spiritual blessings believers have received in Christ?
2. How does Romans 8:37-39 describe the extent of God's love for us?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be "accepted in the beloved" as mentioned in Ephesians 1:1-14?
2. How does the assurance of God's love in Romans 8:37-39 impact our understanding of our identity as children of God?
Application Questions:
1. How can you practically live out the truth of being "accepted in the beloved" in your daily interactions this week?
2. In what specific ways can you demonstrate the spiritual blessings you have received in Christ to those around you?
3. Can you identify a situation in your life where you felt separated from God's love? How can Romans 8:37-39 change your perspective on that situation?
4. What is one way you can reflect the goodness of God in your language and actions towards a specific person this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Acceptance
God has chosen you and blessed you with spiritual blessings. This acceptance in Christ leads to the redemption and forgiveness of sins through His blood. This acceptance is not based on your worthiness but on placing trust in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. [49:33]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 1:7 - "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."
Reflection: How can you embrace God's acceptance in your life today? What steps can you take to trust in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross?
Day 2: Living Blamelessly
Living blamelessly is not about perfection, but about seeking to avoid blame. Many Christians do not feel loved or accepted by God because they are living like the world instead of as part of God's family. [52:45]
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How can you live blamelessly today? What worldly habits can you replace with godly ones?
Day 3: Belonging in Christ
Feeling accepted and belonging is crucial to enjoying life to its fullest. The church provides gospel tracks and invitations to come to Liberty Baptist Church, a place to believe, be loved, and belong. [55:12]
Bible Passage: Romans 12:5 - "So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Reflection: How can you foster a sense of belonging in your church community? What steps can you take to make others feel accepted and loved?
Day 4: Redemption through Christ
Redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ is emphasized. Humanity was separated from God due to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, but Jesus' sacrifice on the cross brought humanity back together with God, redeeming them from their sinful state. [58:30]
Bible Passage: Colossians 1:13-14 - "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: How can you live in the light of Christ's redemption today? What steps can you take to live in the freedom of God's forgiveness?
Day 5: Salvation through Grace
Salvation is not earned but is a result of God's love and grace. The pastor shares his personal experience of trying to earn salvation but ultimately finding it through surrendering to God's mercy and grace. [1:01:15]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: How can you surrender to God's grace today? What steps can you take to accept God's gift of salvation?
Quotes
"A lot of people don't feel very loved and don't feel accepted by God because they're not living like they're part of the family of God. They're living like the world, they're living like heathen, and because of that, their conscience condemns them, the Holy Spirit convicts them, and they don't feel accepted by God because they're on the outs with God."
"Your joy in this life hinges on remembering that you're accepted, but you can lose your joy and think things are not going good. So we need to be reminded of what Paul says in chapter one of Ephesians so that we remember that we have been accepted and nothing changes that."
"If we're going to enjoy life and feel accepted based on principles rather than emotions, then we need to recognize who we are as children of God, who accepted us, and what He has in store for us because of it."
"A saint means somebody who has been saved by Christ and set apart for Him. When you get saved, you're taken out of the world and placed into Him. We are in Christ as believers and in Him, we are set apart from all else for His purposes."
"Nothing can change that loving acceptance that he's given you, not your circumstances, not your critics, not the devil, and not even you yourself can separate you from the God that loves you."
"According as he hath chosen Us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and Without Blame before him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved."
"In whom we have Redemption through his blood, the Forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and Prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself."
"Because of what Jesus did on the cross, he brought us back together with God. He redeemed us, he bought us back. We were sold on the slave market of sin and the devil owned us. When you get saved, you're born into the family of God and you're a child of the king."
"The reason I'm a Child of God has nothing to do with me. I did not deserve to be saved and neither did you. I am simply saved because he loved me and offered me salvation free. I couldn't earn it if I tried."
"At the moment of Salvation, something else happens. You're also adopted into the family of God as an adult child, with an adult child's inheritance. You've been adopted into His family, and as a believer, you're also the bride of Christ, married into the family."
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