Embracing Our Identity and Purpose in Christ
Summary
Today, I began by welcoming everyone warmly, emphasizing the importance of community and connection, even extending our greetings to those joining us online. I stressed the significance of knowing that we are God's creation, designed with a purpose and called to live out that purpose in relationship with Him.
I then transitioned into discussing the cultural narratives that often contradict the biblical narrative about our origins and purpose. I highlighted how, from a young age, many are taught a secular view of existence—that life is accidental and purpose is self-defined. This worldview starkly contrasts with the biblical understanding that we are intentionally created by God, designed for a relationship with Him, and called to live out a purpose that aligns with His will.
Delving deeper into Scripture, I focused on Ephesians Chapter 2, emphasizing that we were once dead in our sins but have been made alive through Christ. This transformation is not by our own doing but is a gift from God, underscoring that our salvation and new life are solely due to His grace and mercy. This foundational truth sets the stage for understanding our identity and purpose in Christ.
I further explored the concept of being God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to walk in. This truth highlights that our lives have a divine trajectory, designed for meaningful impact and aligned with God’s eternal purposes.
I concluded by addressing the practical implications of these truths in our daily lives. Living out our identity in Christ means rejecting the old self with its corrupt desires and embracing the new self, renewed in the image of our Creator. This transformation is both a gift and a calling, requiring us to submit to God’s lordship and actively participate in His redemptive work in the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Our Divine Origin and Purpose: We are not accidents of nature but intentional creations of God, designed with a purpose and called to live in alignment with His will. This truth challenges the secular narrative and invites us to embrace a life of meaning and significance in Christ. [54:58]
2. The Gift of New Life in Christ: Salvation is not a result of our efforts but a gift from God, emphasizing that we cannot earn our way to righteousness. This humbling truth should lead us to live in gratitude and continuous worship, recognizing our complete dependence on God for our salvation and daily living. [47:24]
3. Created for Good Works: As God’s workmanship, we are created in Christ Jesus for good works. These are not random acts but are divinely prepared paths that we are to walk in, reflecting God’s character and purposes in the world. This understanding shifts our perspective from self-centered living to God-centered living. [48:13]
4. Living Out Our New Identity: Embracing our new identity in Christ involves a daily rejection of the old self and its desires and stepping into the new self, renewed in knowledge and true righteousness. This ongoing transformation is essential for living out the fullness of life that God intends for us. [01:14:10]
5. The Lordship of Christ in Practical Living: Declaring Jesus as Lord goes beyond verbal acknowledgment; it requires practical submission to His will and ways in every area of our life. This submission is the key to unlocking our true purpose and experiencing the fullness of life in Him. [01:12:34]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
39:14 - Introduction to Our True Identity
43:08 - Cultural Narratives vs. Biblical Truth
46:01 - Exploring Ephesians: Our Condition and Salvation
50:42 - The New Way of Living: Created for Good Works
54:22 - The Purpose of Our Creation
01:03:06 - Restored Through Christ
01:08:12 - Discipleship and Bearing God's Image
01:11:53 - Practical Implications of Christ's Lordship
01:15:30 - Taking Off the Old Self
01:17:34 - The Master Sculptor at Work
01:21:56 - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 2:1-10: "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—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. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:1-3, what was our condition before Christ? How does Paul describe our previous way of life?
2. What does Ephesians 2:4-5 say about God's character and actions towards us? How did He change our condition?
3. In Ephesians 2:8-9, what is emphasized about the nature of our salvation? Why is it important that it is described as a gift?
4. What does it mean to be God's workmanship, as stated in Ephesians 2:10? What are we created for according to this verse?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the secular narrative of existence as an accident contrast with the biblical narrative of being intentionally created by God? What are the implications of each worldview? [43:08]
2. What does it mean to be "made alive together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:5)? How does this transformation impact our identity and purpose? [46:40]
3. How does understanding that we are created for good works, which God prepared beforehand, change our perspective on daily living and our actions? [48:13]
4. What practical steps can we take to "put off the old self" and "put on the new self" as described in Colossians 3:9-10 and Ephesians 4:22-24? [01:14:10]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How have you seen the cultural narrative of self-defined purpose influence your decisions and actions? How can you align more closely with the biblical narrative of being created with a divine purpose? [43:08]
2. In what ways can you live out your gratitude for the gift of salvation in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to show your dependence on God's grace? [47:24]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you can actively participate in the good works God has prepared for you. How can you make this a regular part of your routine? [48:13]
4. Think about a habit or behavior from your "old self" that you struggle with. What steps can you take this week to reject that old self and embrace your new identity in Christ? [01:14:10]
5. How can you practically submit to Christ's lordship in an area of your life where you have been resistant? What changes do you need to make to allow Jesus to be the "shot caller" in that area? [01:12:34]
6. Consider someone in your life who may not understand their divine purpose. How can you share the message of being God's workmanship with them in a loving and impactful way? [54:58]
7. Reflect on a recent trial or difficult situation you have faced. How can you see this as part of God's chiseling process to shape you into His masterpiece? How can you trust Him more in these moments? [01:20:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Intentional Creation
We are not mere products of chance but beings intentionally crafted by God with a specific purpose. This understanding challenges the prevalent secular narrative that views life as accidental and self-defined. Recognizing our divine origin redefines our existence, urging us to live not as creatures of circumstance but as creations of purpose. This perspective invites us to explore the depth of our identity in Christ and to reject the notion that our existence is without meaning or direction. By acknowledging our creation by God, we position ourselves to pursue a life that transcends mere survival or self-gratification, aiming instead for a legacy of eternal significance. [54:58]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: How does understanding your life as intentionally created by God change your view of daily challenges and opportunities?
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Day 2: The Gift of Salvation Through Grace
Salvation is a divine gift, not a reward for our deeds. This fundamental truth emphasizes our complete dependence on God's grace for our redemption and daily sustenance. It is humbling to realize that our efforts cannot earn us righteousness; instead, we are saved through the grace of Christ. This should lead us to a life of gratitude and continuous worship, recognizing that every breath and every moment of our existence is sustained by God's merciful hand. As we embrace this gift, we are called to live in a manner that reflects our appreciation and understanding of His unmerited favor. [47:24]
Titus 3:5-7 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for the unearned gift of salvation in your daily life?
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Day 3: Designed for Divine Purpose
As God’s workmanship, we are not randomly existing but are created for specific good works that reflect God’s character and purposes. These works are not just random acts of kindness but are divine appointments set before us, paths prepared by God that we should walk in. This understanding shifts our focus from self-centered goals to God-centered living, encouraging us to seek His will in all things and to act as vessels of His love and grace in the world. [48:13]
2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV): "Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began."
Reflection: What are some specific 'good works' you believe God has prepared for you, and how can you begin to walk in them more intentionally?
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Day 4: Renewal in Christ's Image
Embracing our new identity in Christ involves a daily transformation, shedding the old self with its corrupt desires and embracing the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. This ongoing renewal is essential for living out the fullness of life that God intends for us. It requires a conscious decision to reject past patterns and to adopt a lifestyle that mirrors the character of Christ. This transformation is not just about avoiding sin but about actively pursuing the virtues that Christ exemplifies. [01:14:10]
Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: What specific aspect of the 'old self' do you need to reject today, and what attribute of the 'new self' do you need to embrace?
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Day 5: Living Under Christ's Lordship
Declaring Jesus as Lord involves more than a verbal acknowledgment; it requires a practical submission to His will and ways in every area of our life. This submission is the key to unlocking our true purpose and experiencing the fullness of life in Him. As we submit to Christ's lordship, we find guidance and strength to navigate life's complexities and challenges, ensuring that our actions and decisions align with His will and bring glory to His name. [01:12:34]
James 4:7 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to submit to Christ's lordship, and what practical steps can you take to change this?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "From as early as our kids can learn, they are taught in the public school system that they are an accident, an unintentional result of things coming together that we cannot explain or even really honestly describe. And they're somehow here. And the purpose of life is up to you to define and figure out." [43:08]
2. "We were intended to bear the image of the one who made us. To bear his name. We sang about that. His image. And his likeness. Created in his image. And in his likeness. To represent him. And partner with him in the world." [01:06:13]
3. "You were created with design. You were made by me. I was the one. I knew you. I saw you. You are not here by accident. And not only that He says there's a calling on you. You are to represent me by carrying my message with my authority." [55:26]
4. "The greatest fulfillment of your life is still in front of you. It comes through you allowing God to be God in your life. Like God in your life. No more functional atheism. Jesus is Lord." [01:23:04]
5. "We were created in Christ for good works. We were saved for good works. Not by good works. He said so that no one can boast. In case anybody gets it wrong. Gets it out of order. No one can boast. Because you did nothing to get yourself here." [01:08:45]
### Quotes for Members
1. "But God, being rich in mercy, not giving us what we deserve, is what mercy is all about. Because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, he made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved." [47:24]
2. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Catch the picture. We have moved from objects of wrath to objects of love." [48:13]
3. "The old self stuff. Whether it's unhealthy reactions, behaviors, old ways... But you don't have to keep referencing. And falling into it. Over and over. Why? Because of the new self. Because that's not who you are." [01:15:30]
4. "To put off the old self which belongs to your former manner of life. And is corrupt through deceitful desires. And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds. To put on the new self. Created after the likeness of God. In true righteousness and holiness." [01:14:10]
5. "Michelangelo could see in this marble what the masterpiece is supposed to be. And his process was to remove everything that didn't belong... Would you be the master sculptor in my life? Would you remove what isn't your image in my life?" [01:17:34]
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