Embracing Grace: Our Identity and Blessings in Christ

 

Summary

In this sermon, we delve into the profound truths found in the book of Ephesians, focusing on the nature of apostleship, the grace and peace of God, and the spiritual blessings bestowed upon believers. We begin by examining the selection of the apostles, particularly highlighting the unique calling of Paul, who was chosen by Jesus despite his initial opposition to the faith. This sets the stage for understanding the authority and significance of the apostles' teachings, which continue to guide us today.

The heart of the message is the grace and peace that God offers to His children. Grace is described as an unearned favor from God, a divine blessing that He chooses to lavish upon us. This grace is not contingent on our actions or worthiness but is a reflection of God's generous nature. Similarly, the peace of God is portrayed as a profound tranquility that surpasses human understanding, a gift that should distinguish believers from the rest of the world.

We are reminded of the spiritual blessings we have received in Christ, blessings that transcend our earthly circumstances. These blessings include being chosen by God before the foundation of the world, being predestined for adoption as His children, and being called to live holy and blameless lives. This divine selection is rooted in God's love and purpose, not in our merit.

The sermon also explores the joy and pleasure God derives from His relationship with us. Just as a parent delights in the happiness of their child, God takes pleasure in our joy and satisfaction in Him. This relationship is not only about avoiding punishment but about embracing a life of holiness and intimacy with God.

Finally, we are encouraged to marvel at our adoption into God's family and to live in a way that brings Him pleasure. Our response to His grace should be one of praise and gratitude, recognizing that His grace is indeed glorious and beyond comprehension.

Key Takeaways:

1. Apostolic Authority and Teaching: The apostles were uniquely chosen by Jesus to carry His message, with Paul being a special case due to his direct encounter with Christ. This underscores the authority of their teachings, which continue to guide and shape the church today. Understanding this helps us appreciate the depth and significance of the apostolic writings. [26:58]

2. Grace and Peace as Divine Gifts: God's grace is an unearned favor, a blessing He chooses to bestow upon us, not based on our actions but on His generous nature. Similarly, His peace is a profound tranquility that should set believers apart from the world, offering a sense of calm and assurance regardless of circumstances. [30:32]

3. Spiritual Blessings in Christ: Believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, chosen by God before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless. This divine selection is rooted in God's love and purpose, emphasizing our identity and calling as His children. [38:31]

4. God's Delight in Our Joy: Just as a parent delights in their child's happiness, God takes pleasure in our joy and satisfaction in Him. Our relationship with God is not just about avoiding punishment but about embracing a life of holiness and intimacy that brings Him pleasure. [51:22]

5. Marveling at Our Adoption: Our adoption into God's family is a profound truth that should fill us with awe and gratitude. This divine adoption is a testament to God's love and grace, calling us to live in a way that reflects our identity as His children and brings Him glory. [47:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [24:46] - Choosing the Apostles
- [25:42] - The Unique Calling of Paul
- [27:15] - Devotion to Apostolic Teaching
- [28:05] - Prayers for Believers
- [29:28] - Grace and Peace from God
- [31:46] - Understanding God's Blessings
- [33:15] - Pleasing God with Our Lives
- [35:55] - God's Joy in Us
- [37:41] - Spiritual Blessings in Christ
- [39:00] - Chosen Before the World Began
- [41:10] - Called to Holiness
- [43:25] - A Holy Nation Through Jesus
- [46:13] - Predestined for Adoption
- [51:22] - Joy in Our Adoption

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 1:1-6
2. Acts 9:1-19
3. Zephaniah 3:17

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the unique calling of Paul as an apostle, and what significance does this have for understanding apostolic authority? [26:00]

2. According to the sermon, what are the characteristics of God's grace and peace, and how should they impact the life of a believer? [30:32]

3. What does the sermon say about the spiritual blessings believers receive in Christ, and how are these blessings described? [38:31]

4. How does the sermon illustrate God's delight in our joy, and what analogy is used to explain this relationship? [50:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest about the role of apostolic teachings in the life of the church today, and why is it important to devote ourselves to these teachings? [27:47]

2. How does the sermon explain the concept of being chosen by God before the foundation of the world, and what implications does this have for our identity as believers? [39:00]

3. In what ways does the sermon describe the relationship between God's grace and our response of praise and gratitude? [54:34]

4. How does the sermon interpret the idea of adoption into God's family, and what does this mean for our understanding of God's love and purpose? [47:28]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the concept of apostolic authority. How can you incorporate the teachings of the apostles into your daily life to strengthen your faith? [27:47]

2. Consider the grace and peace of God as described in the sermon. What specific steps can you take to experience and share this grace and peace with others this week? [30:32]

3. The sermon emphasizes spiritual blessings in Christ. How can you remind yourself of these blessings when facing difficult circumstances? [38:31]

4. Think about the analogy of a parent's delight in their child's happiness. How can you cultivate a deeper joy in your relationship with God that reflects this delight? [50:27]

5. The sermon discusses our adoption into God's family. How does this truth impact your view of yourself and your relationship with others in the church? [47:28]

6. How can you actively praise God's glorious grace in your daily life, especially when it feels too good to be true? [54:34]

7. Reflect on the idea of being chosen by God before the foundation of the world. How does this shape your understanding of your purpose and calling as a believer? [39:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Apostolic Authority and Its Enduring Impact
The apostles were uniquely chosen by Jesus to carry His message, with Paul being a special case due to his direct encounter with Christ. This underscores the authority of their teachings, which continue to guide and shape the church today. Understanding this helps us appreciate the depth and significance of the apostolic writings. The apostles' teachings are not just historical documents but living words that continue to influence and direct the lives of believers. Their authority is rooted in their unique calling and the divine inspiration they received, making their writings a cornerstone of Christian faith and practice. [26:58]

Ephesians 2:19-20 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the teachings of the apostles into your daily life to strengthen your faith and understanding of God's will?


Day 2: Embracing Grace and Peace as Divine Gifts
God's grace is an unearned favor, a blessing He chooses to bestow upon us, not based on our actions but on His generous nature. Similarly, His peace is a profound tranquility that should set believers apart from the world, offering a sense of calm and assurance regardless of circumstances. This grace and peace are divine gifts that transform our lives, allowing us to live with confidence and joy. They remind us that our worth is not determined by our achievements but by God's love and generosity. [30:32]

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV): "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience God's grace and peace more fully today?


Day 3: Recognizing Our Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, chosen by God before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless. This divine selection is rooted in God's love and purpose, emphasizing our identity and calling as His children. These blessings transcend our earthly circumstances, providing us with a sense of purpose and belonging that is not dependent on our current situation. They remind us that we are part of a larger divine plan, chosen and loved by God. [38:31]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How can you live out your identity as a chosen child of God in your daily interactions and decisions?


Day 4: Finding Joy in Our Relationship with God
Just as a parent delights in their child's happiness, God takes pleasure in our joy and satisfaction in Him. Our relationship with God is not just about avoiding punishment but about embracing a life of holiness and intimacy that brings Him pleasure. This relationship is characterized by mutual joy and delight, where we find fulfillment in God's presence and He rejoices in our love and devotion. It is a dynamic and life-giving relationship that transforms our understanding of what it means to be loved by God. [51:22]

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Reflection: What are some ways you can cultivate a deeper sense of joy and intimacy in your relationship with God today?


Day 5: Marveling at Our Adoption into God's Family
Our adoption into God's family is a profound truth that should fill us with awe and gratitude. This divine adoption is a testament to God's love and grace, calling us to live in a way that reflects our identity as His children and brings Him glory. Being adopted by God means we are part of His family, with all the rights and privileges that come with it. It is a transformative reality that shapes our identity and purpose, reminding us that we are loved and valued by God. [47:28]

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Reflection: How does understanding your adoption into God's family change the way you view yourself and your purpose in life?

Quotes


I personally do not believe that today there are Apostles in this sense and and we can disagree on that and we can still be brothers and sister but I I just personally believe that this idea of an apostle in the sense in which Paul was an apostle was something that was reserved for those that Jesus actually gave authority to. [00:25:32]

Paul came later right because you you saw his conversion there in Acts chapter 9 but in Acts chapter 9 what happens is Jesus actually appears to him and so you have this situation where Paul wasn't hanging out with Jesus in fact he was against Jesus you know all the way through Acts chapter 8 I mean he's persecuting Christians. [00:26:00]

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ again this is my prayer for you as a church. Grace and peace that's the goal of this that you would receive Grace and peace from God the Father okay God is sitting on his throne you can't see him because he dwells in unapproachable light. [00:29:12]

He could choose tonight to just supernaturally pour His grace on you and his peace upon you like You' be sitting on his throne right now and just say I'm just going to bless I'm just going to bless Christine like crazy right now not because she earned it not because she deserved it not because of anything she did this week. [00:30:05]

We should be people that are the least stressed on this planet because we have the peace of God we should have a peace that is beyond Beyond Comprehension no matter what comes our way people are like why are you okay with all of that CU I've been given the peace of God and I understand his grace in my life. [00:31:18]

Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ blessed the word blessed means happy okay when you think of God though do you normally think happy it's it's weird I I mean we don't we use that word towards people like you know blessed are the poor in spirit you know and and we understand this this word has the connotation of being happy. [00:31:49]

He chose us in him before the foundation of the world do you believe this okay think about a time okay we've talked about God on his throne imagine the Earth has not been created yet so all there is is God and so before he creates the world before he speaks the world the universe into existence before that he chooses you. [00:39:20]

He just chose you why why you you don't even exist yet except in his mind you haven't done anything good or bad he just chose you in him before the foundation of the world you understand his choosing of you is rooted in his his gracious nature it's just it's just who he is it's out of him it's not not anything you've done. [00:40:22]

He predestined us for adoption to himself as Sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will so in love he predestined or predetermined us for adoption to himself as Sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will that's a lot so in love he predestined us for adoption. [00:45:30]

If you are a child of God today it's because in love he predestined us for adoption and I know we could get into a long long debate about predestination how can that be I'm just reading the verse um it just just there's something there right because it's in there somehow he chose us in him before the foundation of the world. [00:46:25]

I hope this week you Marvel at your adoption and you bring pleasure to God himself by the joy of your adoption by enjoying your your adoption God is glorified in us when we're So Satisfied in him and we're so pleased just to be his children God wants us happy he does that's why earlier I said you know you can grow up in church your whole life and not get it. [00:51:38]

Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love he predestined us for adoption as Sons according to the purpose of his will. [00:53:47]

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Transcript
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