Embracing God's Blessings and Our Identity in Christ
Summary
As we stand on the threshold of 2025, we find ourselves filled with gratitude and anticipation for the blessings that God has in store for us. Reflecting on the challenges of 2024, we recognize that it is only through God's grace that we have arrived at this new year. This is a time to renew our commitments to God, surrendering our lives and possessions to Him, and seeking His guidance and promises for the year ahead. We are reminded that God's blessings are not unconditional; they come with principles and conditions that we must adhere to in order to fully experience His favor.
The story of the young man who received a Bible instead of the sports car he desired serves as a poignant reminder that God's blessings may not always come in the form we expect. Often, the true blessing is hidden within what we initially perceive as a disappointment. This teaches us the importance of discerning God's blessings and understanding that He always gives good gifts, even if they are wrapped in unexpected packages.
As we delve into Ephesians 1, we are reminded of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. These blessings are like a divine "goody bag," filled with treasures such as redemption, forgiveness, and an inheritance in God's kingdom. We are chosen, adopted into God's family, and sealed with the Holy Spirit, which assures us of our identity and purpose in Christ. These spiritual blessings transcend the material and temporal, offering us eternal significance and fulfillment.
In 2025, let us focus on what God desires from us, prioritizing His will over our own wants. By doing so, we align ourselves with His purposes and open the door to receiving both spiritual and material blessings. As we embrace our identity in Christ, we are called to be a blessing to others, reflecting God's love and grace in a world that desperately needs it. Let us walk in the fullness of Christ, confident in the spiritual blessings that define us as His children.
Key Takeaways:
1. Surrender and Commitment: As we enter 2025, it's crucial to renew our commitment to God, surrendering our lives and possessions to Him. This act of surrender is not just about giving up control but about aligning ourselves with God's will and seeking His guidance for the year ahead. By doing so, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and fulfill His purposes in our lives. [45:06]
2. Understanding God's Blessings: God's blessings often come in unexpected forms, as illustrated by the story of the young man and the Bible. We must learn to discern and appreciate the blessings God gives, even when they don't match our expectations. This requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that God's gifts are always good, even if they are initially hidden from our understanding. [52:36]
3. Spiritual Blessings in Christ: Ephesians 1 reminds us of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ, such as redemption, forgiveness, and an inheritance in God's kingdom. These blessings are eternal and transcend the material, offering us a profound sense of identity and purpose. Embracing these blessings is essential for living a fulfilled and meaningful life in Christ. [55:06]
4. Identity and Purpose in Christ: Our identity in Christ is central to our faith, as it defines who we are and how we live. Being in Christ means we are chosen, adopted, and sealed by the Holy Spirit, which assures us of our place in God's family. This identity gives us purpose and empowers us to live out our faith with confidence and joy. [01:11:20]
5. Walking in the Fullness of Christ: As we navigate the challenges of life, it's important to walk in the fullness of Christ, embracing the spiritual blessings He offers. This involves prioritizing God's will, being a blessing to others, and trusting in His provision. By doing so, we align ourselves with His purposes and experience the abundant life He promises. [01:29:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [45:06] - Surrendering to God in 2025
- [52:36] - Discerning God's Unexpected Blessings
- [55:06] - Spiritual Blessings in Christ
- [59:48] - Blessing God and Developing Good Habits
- [01:11:20] - Identity and Purpose in Christ
- [01:15:07] - Chosen and Blameless in Christ
- [01:17:54] - Adoption into God's Family
- [01:23:36] - Redemption and Forgiveness
- [01:25:08] - Our Inheritance in Christ
- [01:26:51] - Sealed by the Holy Spirit
- [01:29:46] - Walking in the Fullness of Christ
- [01:41:40] - Communion: A Covenant with God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:1-14
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Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the spiritual blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1 that believers have in Christ? [55:06]
2. How does the story of the young man and the Bible illustrate the unexpected nature of God's blessings? [52:36]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being "sealed with the Holy Spirit"? [01:26:51]
4. What does it mean to be chosen and adopted into God's family, as described in Ephesians 1? [01:11:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding that God's blessings may come in unexpected forms change a believer's perspective on disappointments? [52:36]
2. In what ways do the spiritual blessings in Christ provide a sense of identity and purpose for believers? [01:11:20]
3. How might the concept of being "sealed by the Holy Spirit" offer assurance to believers about their relationship with God? [01:26:51]
4. What does it mean to walk in the fullness of Christ, and how does this relate to receiving both spiritual and material blessings? [01:29:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you received a blessing that initially seemed like a disappointment. How did your perspective change over time? [52:36]
2. As you enter 2025, what specific areas of your life do you need to surrender to God to align with His will? [45:06]
3. How can you actively seek to discern God's blessings in your life, even when they don't match your expectations? [52:36]
4. In what ways can you embrace your identity in Christ to find purpose and fulfillment in your daily life? [01:11:20]
5. Identify one spiritual blessing from Ephesians 1 that you want to focus on this year. How can you cultivate this blessing in your life?
6. How can you be a blessing to others in your community, reflecting God's love and grace in practical ways? [01:29:46]
7. What steps can you take to ensure that you are walking in the fullness of Christ, prioritizing His will over your own desires? [01:29:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering to God's Will in 2025
As we step into 2025, it is essential to renew our commitment to God by surrendering our lives and possessions to Him. This act of surrender is not merely about relinquishing control but about aligning ourselves with God's will and seeking His guidance for the year ahead. By doing so, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and fulfill His purposes in our lives. Surrendering to God involves trusting Him with our future and being open to His plans, even when they differ from our own. It is a conscious decision to prioritize His desires over our own, knowing that His ways are higher and His plans are for our good. [45:06]
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." (Psalm 37:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Recognizing God's Unexpected Blessings
God's blessings often come in unexpected forms, as illustrated by the story of the young man who received a Bible instead of the sports car he desired. We must learn to discern and appreciate the blessings God gives, even when they don't match our expectations. This requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that God's gifts are always good, even if they are initially hidden from our understanding. By trusting in God's wisdom and timing, we can find joy and gratitude in the blessings He provides, knowing that they are ultimately for our benefit and growth. [52:36]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent disappointment or unmet expectation in your life. How might God be using this situation to bless you in a way you didn't anticipate?
Day 3: Embracing Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Ephesians 1 reminds us of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ, such as redemption, forgiveness, and an inheritance in God's kingdom. These blessings are eternal and transcend the material, offering us a profound sense of identity and purpose. Embracing these blessings is essential for living a fulfilled and meaningful life in Christ. By focusing on these spiritual treasures, we can find contentment and joy that are not dependent on our circumstances. These blessings assure us of our place in God's family and empower us to live out our faith with confidence and joy. [55:06]
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight." (Ephesians 1:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you remind yourself daily of the spiritual blessings you have in Christ, and how might this change your perspective on life's challenges?
Day 4: Living Out Our Identity and Purpose in Christ
Our identity in Christ is central to our faith, as it defines who we are and how we live. Being in Christ means we are chosen, adopted, and sealed by the Holy Spirit, which assures us of our place in God's family. This identity gives us purpose and empowers us to live out our faith with confidence and joy. By embracing our identity in Christ, we can navigate life's challenges with a sense of security and direction, knowing that we are loved and valued by God. This identity calls us to reflect God's love and grace in a world that desperately needs it. [01:11:20]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively live out your identity in Christ this week, and how can this impact those around you?
Day 5: Walking in the Fullness of Christ
As we navigate the challenges of life, it's important to walk in the fullness of Christ, embracing the spiritual blessings He offers. This involves prioritizing God's will, being a blessing to others, and trusting in His provision. By doing so, we align ourselves with His purposes and experience the abundant life He promises. Walking in the fullness of Christ means living with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that we are empowered by His Spirit to make a difference in the world. It is a call to reflect His love and grace in our interactions with others, bringing hope and healing to those around us. [01:29:46]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally walk in the fullness of Christ today, and what specific actions can you take to be a blessing to someone in your life?
Quotes
"We stand here in gratitude, O God. We owe everything to You that we can make it into 2025. After all the challenges of 2024, God, we know that we have stepped over and we're into a new year, God. And we look to You for Your blessings upon us in this coming year." [00:44:44] (18 seconds)
"Every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, we want to receive those blessings. So my text is taken to Ephesians. Ephesians chapter one. And we can read it together. You can read it with me if you want. And it says, Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus." [00:54:54] (20 seconds)
"Because He says, in Him, we have every spiritual blessing that you can think about. Every spiritual blessing that we have in Christ. But Paul begins his epistle, begins his letter, by saying, blessed be the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, he's saying that we ought to start by blessing God." [00:56:13] (19 seconds)
"So we see Paul saying, Blessed be the God and Father for Lord Jesus Christ. He's giving blessings unto God for what he has done for us. What has God done for you in 2024? You know, I can tell you right now, and I can say with a certainty that God has healed me. Amen. Last year, I started out the year." [00:59:23] (19 seconds)
"Paul continues to say one of the blessings that we have is that we've been adopted into God's family as sons by Christ Jesus. You know, adoption. It's a legal act that confers full legal rights to somebody who doesn't belong to a particular family who has not come into that family. In other words, if you are adopted into the family, essentially, you become a member of that family." [01:16:34] (23 seconds)
"So if you're a believer, you're a child of God, and you know where you stand, don't worry about the mark of the beast, because Satan can't come and put his stamp on God's stamp. He's made a promise. He's messing with trouble. He's messing with God's property and as you go into 2025 you have to know and believe the promise of God that you are his property that you are his child that the enemy can't come and mess with you because God has placed his seal upon you amen." [01:29:46] (28 seconds)
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