Embracing Our Identity and Purpose as Saints

Devotional

Day 1: The Church is Set Apart as Saints

The church is not simply a gathering of people with common interests or goals, but a community set apart by God, called saints—those who are consecrated, dedicated, and chosen for His purposes. This identity is not reserved for a spiritual elite, but for every believer in Christ; to be a saint is to be set apart to God, marked by His calling and grace. Embracing this truth means recognizing that your status as a saint is not based on your achievements, but on God’s initiative and love, and it calls you to live differently, with a sense of holy purpose. [06:06]

Ephesians 1:1-2 (ESV)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection: In what ways have you struggled to see yourself as “set apart” for God? What would it look like to embrace your identity as a saint in your daily life today?

Day 2: Chosen, Adopted, and Redeemed in Christ

Before the foundation of the world, God chose His people to be holy and blameless, adopting them as His children through Jesus Christ and redeeming them by His blood. This means that your worth and identity are rooted in God’s eternal plan, not in your own performance or feelings of inadequacy. Even when you feel weighed down by guilt or not measuring up, remember that you are forgiven, adopted, and have received an inheritance of spiritual riches—live out of this reality, not out of fear or shame. [13:14]

Ephesians 1:3-7 (ESV)
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 to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are living as if you are still an orphan, rather than an adopted and redeemed child of God? How can you step into your true inheritance today?

Day 3: Set Apart for a Greater Purpose

God has not only set apart His people as saints, but has also revealed a higher purpose for them: to be part of His eternal plan to unite all things in Christ, both in heaven and on earth. The church is called to live differently, to recognize that its purpose is not just for itself, but to participate in God’s work of restoration and unity in the world. When you see yourself as set apart for this greater purpose, your actions, motivations, and daily choices are transformed to reflect God’s kingdom and His glory. [19:07]

Ephesians 1:8-10 (ESV)
Which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God calling you to be part of His work of unity and restoration? What is one step you can take today to live out this higher purpose?

Day 4: Living for the Praise of His Glory

The ultimate purpose of the church and every believer is to live for the praise of God’s glory, not just in worship gatherings but in every aspect of life. God has given you an inheritance and sealed you with the Holy Spirit so that your life would reflect His glory at all times and in all places. When the eyes of your heart are opened to this reality, you find your deepest joy and fulfillment in praising God and making His glory known, both within the church and out in the world. [24:38]

Ephesians 1:11-14 (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, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek to bring praise to God’s glory in your actions, words, and relationships today—especially outside the church walls?

Day 5: Open the Eyes of Your Heart to Your True Identity and Purpose

It is only when the eyes of your heart are opened by God that you can truly see your identity as His chosen, holy, and blameless child, and grasp the hope and riches of your inheritance. Without this spiritual awakening, it is easy to live weighed down by guilt, shame, or the pursuit of lesser things, but God invites you to come home to Him, to receive your inheritance, and to live for His glory. As you respond to His loving call, you discover a joy and purpose greater than anything the world can offer, and you are empowered to live as His beloved child every day. [35:16]

Ephesians 1:17-19 (ESV)
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.

Reflection: Take a moment to pray and ask God to open the eyes of your heart. What is He showing you about your true identity and purpose in Him today?

Sermon Summary

The mission at Christ Church is to present everyone fully mature in Christ, and a crucial part of that maturity is understanding our true identity and purpose as the church. Many today, both inside and outside church walls, are confused about what the church truly is. The world may define church as just a group with common interests, but God’s Word reveals something far deeper. In Ephesians 1, Paul addresses believers as “saints”—not an elite class, but all who are in Christ, set apart by God. This “set apart” status isn’t about personal achievement or spiritual heroics; it’s about being chosen, consecrated, and dedicated to God through Jesus.

Before the foundation of the world, God chose us to be holy and blameless before Him. This is not a status we earn, but a gift we receive through Christ’s redemption and forgiveness. We are adopted as God’s children, given an inheritance of spiritual riches, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Yet, many of us live as if we are spiritual orphans—carrying guilt, shame, and a sense of not measuring up. The early disciples, too, hid in fear after Jesus’ death, forgetting their new identity until the eyes of their hearts were opened.

Our identity as saints is not just for our own benefit; it comes with a purpose. God has lavished His grace on us and revealed His will: to unite all things in Christ, both in heaven and on earth. The church is not just set apart from the world, but set apart for the world—to participate in God’s eternal plan of restoration and reconciliation. Our lives are meant to be lived “to the praise of His glory,” not just in church gatherings, but in every moment and place.

When we truly see ourselves as God sees us—chosen, forgiven, adopted, and empowered by the Spirit—our lives are transformed. We find our greatest joy and purpose not in the fleeting things of this world, but in praising God and living for His glory. Like a loving father calling his child home, God invites us to step out of lesser living and into the fullness of our inheritance and calling. The challenge is to let the eyes of our hearts be opened, to see and savor God’s glory, and to live as saints set apart for His purposes every day.

Key Takeaways

1. Our Identity as Saints Is Rooted in God’s Choice, Not Our Performance Being called “saints” is not about spiritual elitism or personal achievement. It is about being set apart by God, chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in Christ. This identity is a gift, not a reward, and it calls us to live out of the reality of being deeply loved and consecrated for God’s purposes. [06:06]
2. We Possess Spiritual Riches Through Christ’s Redemption and Adoption In Christ, we have been given every spiritual blessing, including forgiveness, redemption, and adoption as God’s children. These riches are not just theological concepts but are meant to shape our daily lives, freeing us from guilt and shame and empowering us to live with confidence and hope. [10:47]
3. Living Below Our True Status Leads to Fear and Spiritual Paralysis When we forget or neglect our identity as God’s chosen and beloved, we fall into patterns of fear, shame, and spiritual hiding—much like the disciples after Jesus’ death. True transformation comes when we believe and embrace who we are in Christ, allowing that belief to shape our actions and attitudes. [16:20]
4. Our Purpose Is to Participate in God’s Plan to Unite All Things in Christ The church is not just set apart from the world, but set apart for a mission: to be part of God’s work of uniting all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. This purpose infuses every aspect of our lives with meaning, calling us to live for the praise of God’s glory in all we do, not just in religious settings. [19:07]
5. The Eyes of Our Hearts Must Be Opened to See and Savor God’s Glory Without spiritual enlightenment, we will chase after lesser things and miss our true purpose. When God opens the eyes of our hearts, we see the surpassing worth of His glory and find our deepest joy in praising Him. This is not just an emotional experience but a daily reality that shapes our priorities, relationships, and sense of calling. [25:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Christ Church’s Mission: Maturity in Christ
[02:30] - The Importance of Leadership and the Global Leadership Summit
[04:07] - What Is the Church? Worldly vs. Biblical Definitions
[05:15] - Our Identity: Saints Set Apart by God
[06:06] - The Meaning of “Saints” and Being Set Apart
[10:47] - Spiritual Blessings and Our Inheritance in Christ
[13:14] - Wrestling with Guilt and Living Below Our Status
[16:20] - The Disciples’ Fear and the Power of Identity
[17:52] - Set Apart for a Purpose: God’s Eternal Plan
[19:07] - Lavished Grace and the Mission to Unite All Things
[21:34] - Living as Set Apart: Everyday Implications
[23:03] - Sealed with the Spirit: Living for God’s Glory
[25:15] - The Eyes of Our Hearts: Seeing God’s Glory
[31:38] - A Father’s Call: Living to a Higher Standard
[33:13] - God’s Loving Reminder and Our Higher Purpose
[36:01] - Paul’s Prayer: Embracing Our Inheritance and Calling
[37:47] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living as Saints—Set Apart for God’s Purpose

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Bible Reading

- Ephesians 1:1-14, 17-23
(Paul’s greeting, our identity as saints, spiritual blessings in Christ, adoption, redemption, our inheritance, and Paul’s prayer for the church)

- John 20:19-23
(The disciples hiding in fear after Jesus’ death, and Jesus appearing to them)

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Observation Questions

In Ephesians 1, what word does Paul use to describe the believers in Ephesus, and what does that word mean? ([06:06])
According to Ephesians 1:3-7, what are some of the spiritual blessings that God has given to those who are in Christ? ([10:47])
In John 20:19, what were the disciples doing after Jesus’ death, and how does this relate to how we sometimes live as Christians? ([16:20])
What does Paul say is the purpose for which God has set apart the church, according to Ephesians 1:9-10? ([19:07])

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Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul calls all believers “saints” and not just a special group of Christians? What does this say about how God sees us? ([06:06])
The sermon mentioned that many Christians live as if they are “spiritual orphans,” carrying guilt and shame. Why do you think it’s so hard for us to live out of our true identity as adopted children of God? ([13:14])
Paul says that God’s purpose is to “unite all things in Christ.” How does understanding this bigger purpose change the way we see our daily lives and the church’s mission? ([19:07])
What does it mean for the “eyes of our hearts” to be opened, and why is this so important for living out our calling as saints? ([25:15])

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Application Questions

The sermon said that being a saint is not about spiritual achievement but about being set apart by God. Do you struggle to see yourself as “set apart” or “holy”? What would change in your life if you truly believed this about yourself? ([06:06])
Are there areas in your life where you still feel like a “spiritual orphan”—carrying guilt, shame, or a sense of not measuring up? What is one step you can take this week to live more fully in your identity as a forgiven and adopted child of God? ([13:14])
The disciples hid in fear after Jesus’ death, forgetting their new identity. Are there ways you find yourself “hiding” or living in fear rather than stepping into your calling? What would it look like to step out in faith this week? ([16:20])
The sermon challenged us to see that our purpose is not just to be set apart from the world, but for the world—to participate in God’s plan to unite all things in Christ. How can you live out this purpose in your workplace, school, or neighborhood? ([19:07])
Paul prays that the “eyes of our hearts” would be opened to see God’s glory. What are some “lesser things” that tend to capture your attention or affection? How can you intentionally focus on God’s glory this week? ([25:15])
The pastor shared a story about his father calling him to a higher standard. Is there an area of your life where you sense God inviting you to “come home” and live to a higher purpose? What is holding you back? ([33:13])
The sermon said our lives are meant to be “to the praise of His glory” not just in church, but in every moment and place. What is one practical way you can praise God or point to His glory in your everyday routine this week? ([23:03])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Pray that God would open the eyes of your hearts to see your true identity and purpose, and that you would have courage to live as saints set apart for His glory every day.

Sermon Clips

And what I am shouting at you today is this. We live out of belief of who we are. I'll say that again. We live out of belief of who we are. We are forgiven. We are adopted. We are loved. Know your identity. [00:16:55] (25 seconds)

Look, the church is set apart. Saints set apart by God through Jesus Christ as holy, as blameless. [00:17:52] (15 seconds)

Why don't you treat yourself that way? I mean, you see me as set apart, but you don't see yourself as set apart. What's up with that? If you don't view yourself as set apart, then you won't see that you have a higher purpose. [00:22:11] (20 seconds)

Your life exists for you, everything about you, not just on Sunday morning at 1115, that everything in your life would be to the praise of his glory. God is in the business of pursuing the glory of God. This is his work. God created the world for his glory. God sent his son so that we could say, we have seen his glory. [00:23:57] (25 seconds)

I am afraid that the church, yes, including this one, is stuck in a not enough, lesser than, beat down mentality. Listen, though he has adopted us, we live like we're orphans. Though Christ died, left us an inheritance of freedom, of forgiveness, we deal in fear and guilt and shame. [00:15:49] (26 seconds)