Embracing Our Eternal Identity and Purpose in Christ

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often grapple with understanding our true identity and purpose. We are unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God's universe. This profound truth is beautifully illustrated in Ephesians, where we are reminded of God's grace and mercy, which has made us alive with Christ and seated us in heavenly places. These heavenly places are not distant realms but are present realities that we can experience here and now. Our lives are meant to be a testament to God's surpassing grace, revealing His manifold wisdom to all of creation.

The universe is teeming with life, and as the church, we are called to demonstrate God's wisdom to all beings. This is a reminder of our significant role in God's grand design. Revelation 22:5 speaks of a future where there is no night, and God's light illuminates everything. This eternal reign with God is not a continuation of our current state but a transformation into beings who draw energy from God Himself, free from weariness and the burdens of our finite existence.

Our purpose here is to develop the character needed to reign with Christ. However, many resist this transformation, choosing instead to be their own gods, which leads to becoming eternal misfits in God's world. This is a serious matter, and we must approach our relationships with others with this eternal perspective in mind. The reality of heaven and hell, though often misunderstood, underscores the importance of aligning our character with God's will.

The problem we face is the sin that resides in our bodies, which often leads us to act contrary to our intentions. Galatians 5:16-17 highlights the conflict between the desires of the flesh and the spirit. Our bodies are designed to act immediately, and when formed in sin, they do so without thought. The solution lies in walking by the Spirit, allowing God's grace to transform our readiness to do wrong into a readiness to do right.

The law of kindness, as described in Proverbs, should permeate our entire being, not just our thoughts or intentions. This transformation is possible through the teachings of Jesus and the love described in 1 Corinthians 13. While perfection may seem distant, there is ample room for improvement in our lives. God's words are for us, and as we grow in His grace, we become more aligned with His will.

Key Takeaways:

- Our identity as unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God's universe calls us to live with purpose and awareness of the heavenly places we are seated in with Christ. This reality is not distant but present, inviting us to experience God's grace and wisdom in our daily lives. [01:21]

- The universe is full of life, and as the church, we are called to reveal God's manifold wisdom to all of creation. This significant role reminds us of our place in God's grand design and the importance of living in alignment with His will. [03:18]

- Our eternal destiny is shaped by the character we develop in this life. Those who resist God's transformation risk becoming eternal misfits in His world. This perspective should guide our interactions with others, emphasizing the seriousness of our spiritual journey. [05:49]

- The conflict between the desires of the flesh and the spirit is a central challenge in our spiritual journey. By walking in the Spirit, we can transform our readiness to do wrong into a readiness to do right, aligning our actions with God's will. [10:29]

- The law of kindness should permeate our entire being, transforming us into kind individuals. This transformation is possible through the teachings of Jesus and the love described in 1 Corinthians 13, offering us a path to grow in God's grace. [14:03]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Our Identity and Purpose
[01:21] - Seated in Heavenly Places
[02:16] - God's Manifold Wisdom
[03:18] - Life in the Universe
[04:18] - Transformation and Energy
[05:18] - Developing Character
[06:33] - The Seriousness of Destiny
[07:47] - The First Shall Be Last
[09:04] - Respect and Love
[10:29] - Conflict of Flesh and Spirit
[12:09] - Acting in the Spirit
[13:34] - Readiness to Do Right
[14:03] - The Law of Kindness
[15:20] - Scripture for Us
[16:45] - A Vision of Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2:4-7
2. Ephesians 3:10
3. Galatians 5:16-17

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 2:4-7, what has God done for us through Christ, and how does this relate to our identity as spiritual beings? [01:10]

2. In Ephesians 3:10, what is the role of the church in revealing God's wisdom, and to whom is this wisdom revealed? [02:46]

3. How does Galatians 5:16-17 describe the conflict between the desires of the flesh and the spirit? [10:29]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of heavenly places and their relevance to our current lives? [01:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding our identity as "unceasing spiritual beings" influence the way we perceive our purpose in life? [00:20]

2. What might it mean for the church to demonstrate God's manifold wisdom to all of creation, and how can this be practically achieved? [03:18]

3. In what ways does the conflict between the flesh and the spirit manifest in our daily lives, and how can walking by the Spirit help us overcome this conflict? [10:29]

4. How does the concept of being "seated in heavenly places" challenge or affirm your current understanding of your spiritual journey? [01:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current understanding of your identity in Christ. How does this understanding impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? [00:20]

2. Consider a situation where you might have resisted God's transformation in your life. What steps can you take to align your character more closely with God's will? [05:49]

3. Identify a specific area in your life where the desires of the flesh often conflict with the desires of the spirit. What practical steps can you take to walk more consistently by the Spirit? [10:29]

4. How can you actively participate in revealing God's wisdom to those around you, both within and outside the church community? [03:18]

5. Think of a relationship in your life that could benefit from the "law of kindness." What specific actions can you take to embody kindness in that relationship? [14:03]

6. Reflect on the idea of being "eternal misfits" if we resist God's transformation. How does this perspective influence the way you approach your spiritual growth and relationships? [05:49]

7. Choose one aspect of the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate this aspect in your interactions with others? [15:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Heavenly Realities
Our identity as unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God's universe calls us to live with purpose and awareness of the heavenly places we are seated in with Christ. This reality is not distant but present, inviting us to experience God's grace and wisdom in our daily lives. The heavenly places mentioned in Ephesians are not just future promises but current realities that we can access through our relationship with Christ. As believers, we are called to live with an awareness of this spiritual truth, allowing it to shape our actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. By embracing this identity, we can live with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that our lives are a testament to God's grace and wisdom. [01:21]

Ephesians 2:6-7 (ESV): "And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself today of your identity in Christ and the heavenly reality you are part of? What practical steps can you take to live with this awareness?


Day 2: Revealing God's Wisdom
The universe is full of life, and as the church, we are called to reveal God's manifold wisdom to all of creation. This significant role reminds us of our place in God's grand design and the importance of living in alignment with His will. As members of the church, we have a unique responsibility to demonstrate God's wisdom through our actions and interactions with the world around us. This calling is not just about personal growth but about being a light to others, showing them the beauty and depth of God's wisdom. By living in alignment with God's will, we can fulfill our role in His grand design, impacting the world in meaningful ways. [03:18]

Colossians 1:16 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively demonstrate God's wisdom in your community or workplace today? How can your actions reflect His grand design?


Day 3: Shaping Our Eternal Destiny
Our eternal destiny is shaped by the character we develop in this life. Those who resist God's transformation risk becoming eternal misfits in His world. This perspective should guide our interactions with others, emphasizing the seriousness of our spiritual journey. Developing a Christ-like character is not just about personal fulfillment but about preparing for our eternal destiny with God. By allowing God to transform us, we align ourselves with His will and purpose, ensuring that we are fit for His eternal kingdom. This transformation requires intentionality and a willingness to let go of our own desires in favor of God's plan. [05:49]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What specific character trait is God calling you to develop or refine today? How can you take a step towards this transformation?


Day 4: Walking in the Spirit
The conflict between the desires of the flesh and the spirit is a central challenge in our spiritual journey. By walking in the Spirit, we can transform our readiness to do wrong into a readiness to do right, aligning our actions with God's will. This internal struggle is a common experience for believers, but it is not insurmountable. By choosing to walk in the Spirit, we can overcome the desires of the flesh and live in a way that honors God. This requires daily surrender and a commitment to seeking God's guidance in all areas of life. [10:29]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: Identify one area where you struggle with the desires of the flesh. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in this area today?


Day 5: Embracing the Law of Kindness
The law of kindness should permeate our entire being, transforming us into kind individuals. This transformation is possible through the teachings of Jesus and the love described in 1 Corinthians 13, offering us a path to grow in God's grace. Kindness is not just an action but a way of being that reflects the heart of God. By embracing this law, we allow God's love to flow through us, impacting those around us in profound ways. This transformation requires a commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus and allowing His love to shape our interactions with others. [14:03]

Proverbs 31:26 (ESV): "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you could have shown more kindness. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future, embodying the law of kindness?

Quotes



We are unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God's universe. That's who we are and, um, I wanted to just give you some verses in Ephesians on that that I referred to last night and didn't spend any time on. I'm not going to spend any time on it today, but I want to read them to you. [00:00:26]

Even when you were dead in our transgressions made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in heavenly places. Noted that is past tense, seated and the heavenly places are not a way off somewhere, they're right here. [00:01:10]

In order that the manifold wisdom of God might be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities and the heavenly places. You see, we're just when people wonder whether or not there's life in somewhere else, you know, you just think, why don't they try reading the book on the subject? [00:02:44]

The universe is full of life, and show to whom show to the other beings which fill the universe creations of God, that they all might know by looking at the ecclesia, the church, the manifold wisdom of God you see, and then another verse that I just referred to. [00:03:06]

There shall no longer be any night and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun because the Lord shall illumine them and they shall reign forever and ever through the ages of the ages. Now some of you may already be a little tired thinking about that. [00:03:52]

We're here to develop the character to live in God's world and to reign with him forever and ever, and some people are not developing that character and they're they're trying to be God themselves. They don't want God to be God, they want to be God, and they will not humble themselves. [00:05:18]

The problem is that we have been given a body and God gave it to us as an integral part of our personality and it's a wonderful good thing, and by and large even in the worst cases it works pretty well, but it is also inhabited by sin. Sin lives in our members. [00:09:45]

I say to you walk by the spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. You want to understand that the flesh has its desires, that's not to say that the flesh is different from the person, the person is a whole and the flesh is a part of that whole. [00:10:24]

The flesh sets its desires against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh so that these are in opposition to one another so that you may not do the things that you please, the things you really intend to do you don't do them, and the teaching last night dwelt upon this fact. [00:10:48]

The law of kindness is in her tongue, the law of kindness is in her tongue. Now that's where you want the law of kindness you want it in her tongue, not in her head but in her tongue, not in her mind not in not even in her spirit, you want it in her tongue. [00:14:06]

We want to understand as we approach this now that all of the wonderful things that we read in the scripture, in Paul's great prayers for his people in, in first Corinthians 13 the love chapter, in Matthew 5 Jesus's teachings about the righteousness beyond the righteousness of the scribes. [00:15:13]

It is really incredible how meaningless and insignificant when seen from without, and how dull and senseless when felt from within, is the course of life of the majority of men. It is weary longing and worrying, a dream like staggering through the ages from life to death. [00:16:59]

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Transcript
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