Embracing Our Identity and Power in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Identity in Christ

When we come into a relationship with Christ, our identity shifts from being sinners to being saints. This transformation is not about living a perfect life but about understanding that our actions do not define who we are. In Christ, we are new creations, dead to our old ways and alive in Him. Paul emphasizes this in his letter to the Ephesians, where he repeatedly uses the phrase "in Christ" to highlight our new identity. This shift in identity is foundational to our faith and affects how we see ourselves and live our lives. [11:08]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "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 to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a saint in Christ change the way you view your daily actions and decisions?

Day 2: Grace and Peace

Paul consistently uses the greeting "grace and peace" in his letters, always in that order. This sequence is crucial because it is the grace of God that leads us into the peace of God. Without understanding and accepting God's grace, we cannot experience His peace. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, a gift that we do not deserve but are freely given. Peace, on the other hand, is the state of tranquility and rest that comes from knowing we are in right standing with God. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with Him. [12:46]

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 accept God's grace more fully to experience His peace?

Day 3: Predestination and Free Will

The concept of predestination highlights the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. While God knows who will come to Him, He also gives everyone the free will to choose. This balance underscores the importance of both divine initiative and human response in salvation. Understanding this tension can help us appreciate the depth of God's love and the seriousness of our choices. It reminds us that while God is in control, we are also called to respond to His invitation with faith and obedience. [15:52]

Ephesians 1:11 (ESV): "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will."

Reflection: How do you see the balance of God's sovereignty and your free will playing out in your own journey of faith?

Day 4: Redemption and Resurrection

Redemption in Christ means being bought out of our enslavement to sin. This process involves dying to our old selves and being raised to new life in Christ. Baptism symbolizes this transformation, marking our transition from death to life and from slavery to freedom. This powerful imagery helps us understand the profound change that occurs when we accept Christ's sacrifice and embrace our new identity in Him. It is a reminder that we are no longer bound by our past but are free to live a new life in Christ. [20:56]

Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: What old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new life in Christ?

Day 5: Accessing God's Power

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead resides in every believer. However, many Christians live as if they don't have this power, akin to driving with the emergency brake on. Paul's prayer is that we would recognize and tap into this power, living out our full potential in Christ. This power is not just for extraordinary miracles but for everyday living, enabling us to overcome challenges, resist temptation, and live out our faith boldly. Recognizing and accessing this power can transform our lives and our witness to others. [32:19]

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to tap into God's power more fully, and how can you start doing that today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This week, we embarked on a significant project of renovating our new church home, encountering unexpected challenges along the way. This experience mirrors the early church in Ephesus, which faced its own set of unforeseen difficulties as it grew and integrated diverse cultures and new believers. Today, we begin a textual study of the book of Ephesians, a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman Empire known for its wealth and diverse cultures. Paul spent considerable time in Ephesus, preaching boldly and witnessing extraordinary miracles, which led to many conversions and significant opposition from local idol-makers.

Ephesians is divided into two main sections: the first three chapters focus on the gospel story and Paul's theology, while the last three chapters provide practical applications of the gospel. The central theme is our identity in Christ, emphasized by the repeated phrase "in Christ." Paul begins his letter by addressing the believers as saints, highlighting that our identity changes from sinners to saints when we come into a relationship with Christ. He emphasizes that grace precedes peace, and we cannot experience the peace of God without first knowing His grace.

Paul also discusses the concept of predestination, explaining the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation. He uses the metaphor of redemption to illustrate how Christ has bought us out of our enslavement to sin. The Holy Spirit is described as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance in Christ, emphasizing that we are already blessed and have access to God's power.

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is threefold: that they would know God better, understand their inheritance in Christ, and recognize the incomparably great power available to them. This power, the same that raised Jesus from the dead, is already within us, but many Christians live as if they don't have it, akin to driving with the emergency brake on. Paul's hope is that we would tap into this power and live out our full potential in Christ.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Identity in Christ: When we come into a relationship with Christ, our identity shifts from being sinners to being saints. This transformation is not about living a perfect life but about understanding that our actions do not define who we are. In Christ, we are new creations, dead to our old ways and alive in Him. [11:08]
2. Grace and Peace: Paul consistently uses the greeting "grace and peace" in his letters, always in that order. This sequence is crucial because it is the grace of God that leads us into the peace of God. Without understanding and accepting God's grace, we cannot experience His peace. [12:46]
3. Predestination and Free Will: The concept of predestination highlights the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. While God knows who will come to Him, He also gives everyone the free will to choose. This balance underscores the importance of both divine initiative and human response in salvation. [15:52]
4. Redemption and Resurrection: Redemption in Christ means being bought out of our enslavement to sin. This process involves dying to our old selves and being raised to new life in Christ. Baptism symbolizes this transformation, marking our transition from death to life and from slavery to freedom. [20:56]
5. Accessing God's Power: The same power that raised Jesus from the dead resides in every believer. However, many Christians live as if they don't have this power, akin to driving with the emergency brake on. Paul's prayer is that we would recognize and tap into this power, living out our full potential in Christ. [32:19]
### [32:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - Unexpected Challenges in Renovation
[02:43] - Types of Sermons: Topical vs. Textual
[03:58] - Introduction to the Book of Ephesians
[06:40] - Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
[08:02] - Opposition and Riot in Ephesus
[08:50] - Paul's Imprisonment and Letters
[09:26] - Structure of Ephesians
[10:08] - Paul's Greeting and Identity in Christ
[12:00] - Grace and Peace
[14:16] - Understanding Our Blessings
[15:52] - Predestination and Free Will
[18:44] - Redemption in Christ
[20:56] - Significance of Baptism
[22:22] - Holy Spirit as a Guarantee
[25:07] - Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians
[26:51] - Seeking God's Face
[29:07] - Knowing God's Inheritance
[30:53] - Experiencing God's Power
[32:19] - Living with God's Power
[34:35] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 1:1-23
Acts 19:8-10
John 6:44

Observation Questions

What challenges did the early church in Ephesus face as it grew and integrated diverse cultures and new believers? [01:23]
How does Paul describe the identity of believers in his greeting to the Ephesians? [10:08]
What is the significance of the phrase "grace and peace" in Paul's letters, and why is the order important? [12:46]
What metaphor does Paul use to explain the concept of redemption in Christ? [19:32]

Interpretation Questions

How does Paul’s greeting to the Ephesians as "saints" change the way believers should view their identity in Christ? [10:08]
What does the tension between predestination and free will reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation? [15:52]
How does the metaphor of redemption illustrate the transformation from being enslaved to sin to living a new life in Christ? [19:32]
What does Paul mean when he says that the Holy Spirit is a "deposit guaranteeing our inheritance"? How does this affect our understanding of our relationship with God? [22:22]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own identity in Christ. How does understanding that you are a "saint" rather than a "sinner" impact your daily life and actions? [10:08]
Paul emphasizes that grace precedes peace. How can you better embrace God's grace in your life to experience His peace more fully? [12:46]
The concept of predestination can be challenging. How do you personally reconcile the idea of God's sovereignty with your own responsibility in your faith journey? [15:52]
Redemption means being bought out of enslavement to sin. What are some old ways of thinking or behaviors you need to leave behind to fully embrace your new life in Christ? [19:32]
Paul prays that believers would know God's power within them. What are some practical steps you can take to tap into this power and live out your full potential in Christ? [32:19]
The Holy Spirit is described as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. How can you position yourself to receive and recognize the blessings and power that are already yours in Christ? [22:22]
Consider the metaphor of driving with the emergency brake on. Are there areas in your life where you feel stuck or powerless? How can you release the "brake" and access the power God has given you? [32:52]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The truth is that most of us have no idea how blessed we already are. We're trying to say, God bless me, bless me, bless me, bless me, bless me. Instead of saying, oh my gosh, I am so blessed beyond my wildest dreams. I don't even recognize how blessed I am. God revealed to me how blessed I am in you. We are blessed. The word blessed means to speak well of or to praise. And so when it says, blessed be God the Father who has blessed us, there's a relationship with God where we come to him and we bless him. We praise him. We speak well of him. We worship him. And God blesses us. So it's a mutual relationship. We bless God and God blesses us." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Grace means undeserved favor. It means you get something that you didn't deserve. Paul then combines this with the Greek word of the Hebrew greeting, which was peace. In Hebrew, they would say shalom when they met each other. It was the Hebrew greeting. So Paul combines the Greek greeting and the Hebrew greeting together in one. He says grace and peace. In every single letter that Paul writes, he uses some form of grace and peace. And the interesting thing is that. It is always in that order. Not once does Paul say peace and grace. He always says grace and peace. The reason is that grace comes first. Because it is the grace of God that leads you into the peace of God. You cannot have the peace of God if you do not know the grace of God." (50 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you come into a relationship with Christ, do you live a perfect life? No. If you do come up here, come find me afterwards and you can, you can talk next Sunday. But none of us live a perfect life. We all fall short. We all sin, but what we do is not who we are. So we may sin. We may fall short in certain areas of our life, but that's no longer who we are. We are now a saint. And so we are dead to our old way of life. And we stepped into a new life in Christ. Our identity changes. We go from being a sinner to being a saint." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is a deposit, is the earnest payment. He is a guarantee that the rest is coming. I also find it interesting that it says the inheritance, talks about the inheritance we already have. It means that you don't have to go earn it. You don't have to go work for it. The inheritance is already yours. All we need to do is position ourselves. We need to position ourselves to receive it. The earnest money is a guarantee that the rest is coming." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The whole point of a relationship with Jesus is that you don't have to wait for some day to get to the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven has come right here, right now. Resurrection life, life doesn't start when you die. It starts right now when you get born again, when you come to Jesus, when you give him your life, when you begin a relationship with him. You have abundant life right now. You have eternal life with Jesus and you have abundant life right now. This is the inheritance that you have in Jesus." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Paul's first prayer for the believers, is that they would know God better. God's desire for you is that you would know him better. The question we need to ask ourselves is, do we want God, or do we just want what God can offer us? There is a huge difference between seeking God's hand and seeking God's face. When we seek God's hand, we come to him and we say, God bless me. God give me peace. God give me this. God I want from you. And we treat God a little bit like Santa Claus. We come to him with our little, little wish list of all the things we want from him. And we see God as a means to an end. When we seek God's face, we come to God and we say, God, I love you for who you are. I worship you as a response to who you are and what you've done." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The truth is that you cannot have the resurrection without going through the crucifixion. You need both. You cannot live a resurrection life until you have died to your old way of life. This is why baptism is so significant. It symbolizes that we are slaves to sin and we go down into the water. When we go down into the water through baptism, we die. Our old way of death dies. Our debt to sin is gone. It all stays behind in the water. We are then raised up into a new resurrection life with Christ and we are no longer a slave to sin. Because through Jesus' blood, he has redeemed us. He has paid that debt." (44 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Paul's second prayer, for the Ephesian church, is that they would know God's inheritance. I believe if Paul were alive today, his prayer for you is that you would know God better and that you would know God's inheritance. In one verse before the most famous verse in the entire Bible, John 3, 15, we're kicking it back to the King James version again, going old school. It says this, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. The inheritance that you have in Jesus is that when we die on this side of eternity, we will be with him. That is our inheritance in Jesus." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Paul's third prayer is that they would know his incomparably great power for us who believe. First prayer, that you would know God more. Second prayer, that they would know God's inheritance. The third, that they would know God's power. That Greek word is the Greek word dunamis, which is where we derive the word dynamite from. It comes from that same root word. Dunamis, dynamite, means that it should be powerful. It should be explosive. The Bible tells us in that passage, you have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead that is in you. Do you believe that? I'm convinced that most Christians don't I don't think we live like it." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The question is not, do you have it? Inheritance is great, but if you never go to the bank and collect it, you never get it. Having access to God's power is great, but if we never go and position ourselves and say, God, I'm ready to use it, I'm not going to ignore it anymore, we're going to miss out on it. So it's our responsibility to use the power that we have already given. Way too many Christians pray, God, I want more power. I want more power. I want more power. I want more power. Instead, let's pray, God, reveal to me the power you've already given me. Help me to access it. Help me to tap into that, God. That's Paul's hope and prayer for the Ephesian church." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Embracing Our Identity and Power in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Identity in Christ

Day 2: Grace and Peace

Day 3: Predestination and Free Will

Day 4: Redemption and Resurrection

Day 5: Accessing God's Power

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing Our Identity and Power in Christ

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