Embracing Our Identity: Chosen and Redeemed in Christ
Summary
Summary:
Today, we embark on a journey through the book of Ephesians, a profound love letter from God that reveals His eternal plan and our identity in Christ. This message is not about condemnation or striving for approval but about embracing the good news that we are chosen, redeemed, and made with love. The Apostle Paul, despite facing challenges to his credentials and past, writes to the believers in Ephesus, affirming their identity as holy people, not because of their actions, but because of what Jesus has done for them. This truth is transformative, offering freedom from the burdens of our past and the need to earn approval.
Ephesians 1:1-14 highlights the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ. Before the world was made, God loved us and chose us to be holy and blameless. Through Jesus, we are adopted into God's family, a deliberate act of love and grace. This adoption changes everything, giving us a new identity and a secure future. The Holy Spirit is our guarantee of this inheritance, a promise of the eternal life to come.
God's mysterious plan, revealed through Christ, is to reconcile all things to Himself, uniting people from every nation and background. This plan defies human logic, showcasing God's grace and kindness despite humanity's shortcomings. As we live out this identity, we are invited to walk in grace, love, and unity, reflecting God's love to a world in need.
Key Takeaways:
1. Adoption into God's Family: Our identity in Christ is rooted in the profound truth that we are adopted into God's family. This adoption is not accidental but a deliberate act of love, granting us full rights as children of God. It means our past no longer defines us, and we don't have to strive for approval because we already have it. [53:49]
2. Spiritual Blessings in Christ: Ephesians 1:1-14 reveals the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ, including grace, forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance. These blessings are not earned but given freely, transforming our identity and offering us a secure future. [40:22]
3. God's Eternal Plan: God's mysterious plan is to reconcile all things to Himself through Christ, uniting people from every nation. This plan showcases God's grace and kindness, defying human logic and offering hope for a future where all are gathered in worship around the throne of King Jesus. [56:54]
4. Freedom from Striving: In Christ, we are freed from the exhausting cycle of striving for approval. Our identity is not based on our achievements or failures but on what Jesus has done for us. This freedom invites us to live in grace and love, reflecting God's love to others. [01:00:34]
5. Living Out Our Identity: As chosen and redeemed people, we are invited to live out our identity in Christ. This means embracing our new reality, walking in grace, and reflecting God's love to a world in need. Our identity is not an afterthought but a deliberate act of love from God. [01:02:51]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[34:56] - A Humorous Story
[36:45] - Embracing Good News
[39:04] - Introduction to Ephesians
[40:22] - Spiritual Blessings in Christ
[45:02] - Holiness Through Christ
[48:03] - Ephesus: A City of Diversity
[50:47] - Ephesians as a Love Letter
[53:49] - Adoption and Identity
[56:54] - God's Eternal Plan
[01:00:34] - The Holy Spirit as a Guarantee
[01:02:51] - Living Out Our Identity
[01:03:50] - The 2x4 Challenge
[01:06:28] - Closing Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ephesians 1:1-14
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:1-14
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul emphasize about the identity of the believers in Ephesus in Ephesians 1:1-14? How does he describe their status before God? [39:04]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the spiritual blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1:1-14 that believers receive in Christ? [40:22]
3. How does Paul address the believers in Ephesus, and what significance does this have in the context of their cultural and religious background? [45:02]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the lives of believers according to Ephesians 1:1-14, as discussed in the sermon? [01:00:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "adopted into God's family" change the way believers should view their past and their identity? [53:49]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's eternal plan, as revealed in Ephesians, defies human logic? How does this impact our understanding of God's grace? [56:54]
3. What does it mean to be "holy and blameless" in God's eyes, and how does this differ from the cultural understanding of holiness in Ephesus? [45:02]
4. How does the sermon describe the freedom believers have from striving for approval, and what implications does this have for their daily lives? [01:02:51]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea of being adopted into God's family. How does this truth affect your sense of belonging and identity in your daily life? [53:49]
2. Consider the spiritual blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1:1-14. Which of these blessings do you find most transformative, and how can you embrace them more fully? [40:22]
3. The sermon highlights the freedom from striving for approval. What are some areas in your life where you feel the pressure to earn approval, and how can you shift your perspective to rest in God's acceptance? [01:02:51]
4. God's eternal plan involves reconciling all things to Himself. How can you participate in this plan by promoting unity and grace in your community? [56:54]
5. The Holy Spirit is described as a guarantee of our inheritance. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence and work in your life? [01:00:34]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s message about living out your identity in Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to walk in grace and love, reflecting God's love to those around you? [01:02:51]
7. The sermon encourages us to view Ephesians as a love letter from God. How does this perspective change the way you read and apply the teachings of this book in your life? [50:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Adopted into God's Family
Our identity in Christ is rooted in the profound truth that we are adopted into God's family. This adoption is not accidental but a deliberate act of love, granting us full rights as children of God. It means our past no longer defines us, and we don't have to strive for approval because we already have it. This truth is transformative, offering freedom from the burdens of our past and the need to earn approval. As adopted children, we are invited to embrace this new identity and live in the assurance of God's love and acceptance. [53:49]
Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt the need to earn approval. How does knowing you are already accepted and loved by God change your perspective on that situation today?
Day 2: Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Ephesians 1:1-14 reveals the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ, including grace, forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance. These blessings are not earned but given freely, transforming our identity and offering us a secure future. In Christ, we are lavished with grace and forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit serves as a seal of our eternal inheritance. This assurance allows us to live confidently, knowing that our future is secure in God's hands. [40:22]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "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: Reflect on the spiritual blessings you have received in Christ. How can you live today with the confidence that comes from knowing your future is secure in Him?
Day 3: God's Eternal Plan
God's mysterious plan is to reconcile all things to Himself through Christ, uniting people from every nation. This plan showcases God's grace and kindness, defying human logic and offering hope for a future where all are gathered in worship around the throne of King Jesus. This divine plan invites us to participate in God's work of reconciliation, embracing diversity and unity in the body of Christ. As we live out this identity, we are called to reflect God's love and grace to a world in need. [56:54]
Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
Reflection: Consider how you can be a part of God's plan of reconciliation in your community. What steps can you take to promote unity and embrace diversity in your relationships?
Day 4: Freedom from Striving
In Christ, we are freed from the exhausting cycle of striving for approval. Our identity is not based on our achievements or failures but on what Jesus has done for us. This freedom invites us to live in grace and love, reflecting God's love to others. By embracing this freedom, we can let go of the pressure to perform and instead rest in the assurance of God's unconditional love. This shift in perspective allows us to focus on loving others and living out our faith authentically. [01:00:34]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel the pressure to perform or earn approval. How can you release this burden and embrace the freedom that comes from knowing your identity in Christ?
Day 5: Living Out Our Identity
As chosen and redeemed people, we are invited to live out our identity in Christ. This means embracing our new reality, walking in grace, and reflecting God's love to a world in need. Our identity is not an afterthought but a deliberate act of love from God. By living out this identity, we become ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and grace with those around us. This calling challenges us to be intentional in our actions and relationships, embodying the love of Christ in all we do. [01:02:51]
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: How can you intentionally live out your identity in Christ today? What specific actions can you take to reflect God's love and grace to those around you?
Quotes
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. [00:39:49] (17 seconds)
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ, which is to fulfill his own good plan. [00:40:06] (19 seconds)
God's purpose was that we Jews, who were the first to trust in Christ, would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles, who also heard the truth, the good news that God saves you, and when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own son. [00:40:47] (15 seconds)
You are not holy because of what you have done. You are holy because of what Jesus has done for you. And that changes everything and gives us a ton of freedom. It's also interesting, the more we know about the city of Ephesus that you see when he says these are holy people, it's a pretty believable thing. [00:46:49] (20 seconds)
And Paul is saying, you in Ephesus, in that mess, that very not Jerusalem place, Paul is saying, you in Ephesus, in that mess, that very not Jerusalem place, you know the church starts in Jerselem, and those who were there want to keep it there, and Paul's going, you are holy people. [00:49:33] (14 seconds)
And several years ago, I was talking to a friend who was teaching through it and he was talking about, yeah, like I used to think it was the Calvinist theme book. And then I thought it was the spiritual warfare book. And I'm like, yeah, okay. Yeah. Yeah. This all makes sense. And he goes, and now I've just come to realize like the best way for me to read this thing and understand it is to think of this as a love letter from God. [00:50:47] (17 seconds)
HE, PAUL REPEATEDLY MENTIONS GRACE AND WE BEGIN TO SEE THAT EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING, EVERY ACT OF KINDNESS, EVERY MOMENT OF FORGIVENESS, IT'S ALL PROOF THAT OUR SALVATION WAS MADE WITH LOVE. AND THEN YOU GET DOWN TO LIKE VERSE 10 AND 11 AND YOU START TO SEE THAT GOD IS ON AN ETERNAL MISSION. [00:56:14] (17 seconds)
IT MEANS YOUR PAST NO LONGER DEFINES YOU. WHATEVER YOUR PAST IS, IT NO LONGER DEFINES YOU. IT'S STILL A PART OF YOUR STORY AND THERE MAY BE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S PROBABLY CONSEQUENCES FOR CHOICES YOU MADE, BUT IT NO LONGER DEFINES YOU. IT MEANS YOU DON'T HAVE TO STRIVE FOR APPROVAL. YOU ALREADY HAVE IT. [01:01:44] (17 seconds)
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