Remembering Sacrifice: Our Identity in Christ

On this Memorial Day weekend, it’s important to remember that the freedoms we enjoy—both as citizens of this country and as members of God’s kingdom—came at a great cost. Just as we honor those who sacrificed for our nation, we must also remember the price Jesus paid for our salvation. Too often, we fall into patterns and traditions, doing things in church simply because “that’s how it’s always been done,” without understanding their purpose or biblical foundation. Like the monkeys in the experiment, we can become creatures of habit, forgetting the brilliance and beauty of what it truly means to be the church.

Ephesians 2 challenges us to remember who we were before Christ: separated, without hope, and outside the commonwealth of God’s people. We were lost, spinning in cycles of self-improvement or making empty promises to do better, but always falling short. The law could show us the way, but our inability to keep it left us hopeless. Jesus came not just to save us from our sins, but to save us from ourselves—our repeated failures and our deep need for transformation.

The heart of the gospel is that Jesus, by His blood, brings us near. Our hope is not in our own efforts, enlightenment, or even in being “good enough.” There is no other way back to God except through the sacrifice of Jesus. This truth levels the playing field—no one can boast, and no one is superior. We all come to the cross the same way, in need of grace.

As a result, we are brought into a new community—a commonwealth with rights and privileges, but also with a new identity. We are citizens of God’s kingdom, members of His household, and, astonishingly, being built together as a dwelling place for God Himself. This unity transcends backgrounds, politics, and personalities. The church is not a club or a social gathering; it is a family of natural-born enemies reconciled by Christ, called to live out peace and reconciliation with one another.

God’s goal from the beginning has been to dwell with His people. In Christ, this is now possible—not because of our work, but because of His. Our call is to rest in what Jesus has accomplished, to remember, and to live as His family, practicing now what we will enjoy for eternity.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Remembering Our True Condition It’s easy to forget how lost and hopeless we were before Christ, especially as time passes and life becomes more comfortable. True spiritual health requires honest remembrance of our failures, the wounds we’ve caused and received, and the deep need we have for a Savior. This remembrance isn’t meant to shame us, but to keep us humble and grateful, always aware of the grace that rescued us. Only by remembering can we fully appreciate the sweetness of what Jesus has done. [46:14]
• 2. The Gospel Levels All Distinctions Every human system—religious, social, or cultural—creates insiders and outsiders, measuring worth by outward markers or achievements. The gospel destroys these dividing walls, insisting that no one is superior and all are equally in need of grace. In Christ, there is no room for pride or judgment; we all crawl to the cross, saved by the same mercy. This truth is the foundation for real unity and peace among God’s people. [53:58]
• 3. Citizenship and Family: Our New Identity Through Jesus, we are no longer strangers or outsiders, but citizens with full rights in God’s kingdom and members of His household. This new identity gives us access, belonging, and security that the world cannot offer. As family, we are called to reconcile with one another, refusing to let division or bitterness remain, because our Father desires unity among His children. Practicing this now prepares us for the eternal home God is building for us. [60:05]
• 4. God’s Dwelling Is Built by His Work, Not Ours From Genesis to Revelation, God’s desire has been to dwell with His people. Human effort always fell short, but now, through Christ, God is building His home among us. Every aspect of our salvation and community is accomplished by Jesus—our only role is to rest in His finished work. This brings a deep, soul-level rest, freeing us from the exhausting treadmill of self-effort and allowing us to live in confidence and peace. [73:15]
• 5. Resting in the Finished Work of Christ The call is not to strive for acceptance or to add to what Jesus has done, but to rest in His completed work. Communion is a memorial, a regular reminder that our hope, peace, and access to God are secured by the blood of Christ alone. When we are tempted to seek other paths or to measure our worth by our performance, we must return to the cross, standing firm in the simplicity and sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice. [74:03]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [30:35] - The Importance of Remembering Sacrifice
• [32:50] - Why Do We Do What We Do?
• [33:27] - Questioning Church Traditions
• [34:29] - Outward Markers and Identity
• [36:58] - Ephesians 2: Our Corporate Need
• [38:40] - Religious Markers and Exclusion
• [39:53] - The Cost of Belonging
• [41:34] - Citizenship and Rights
• [44:01] - The Spin Zone and Treadmill of Promising
• [45:06] - What Jesus Saves Us From
• [47:16] - The Power of Remembering
• [49:19] - The Only Path: The Blood of Christ
• [51:30] - Jesus Is Our Peace
• [53:58] - The Gospel Destroys Superiority
• [55:40] - Unity in the Church
• [57:42] - Citizenship and Access
• [60:05] - Family and Reconciliation
• [65:52] - Built on the Foundation of Christ
• [67:03] - God’s Goal: Dwelling with His People
• [69:58] - What’s Changed: It’s All Jesus
• [73:15] - Resting in His Work
• [74:03] - Communion: Remembering the Cost
• [78:56] - The Power of the Blood
• [81:44] - Closing and Invitation

1. According to Ephesians 2:11-12, what was the spiritual condition of the Gentiles before Christ? What words or phrases does Paul use to describe their situation?
2. In Ephesians 2:13-14, what is the “bridge” that brings people near to God? How does Paul describe Jesus’ role in making peace?
3. What are the two new identities Paul gives to believers in Ephesians 2:19?
4. In the sermon, what examples did the pastor give of church traditions or habits that people do without knowing why? [[32:50]]

1. Why does Paul emphasize remembering our former condition before Christ? How does honest remembrance affect our spiritual health? [[46:14]]
2. The sermon says, “The gospel destroys these dividing walls, insisting that no one is superior and all are equally in need of grace.” How does this truth challenge the way we view ourselves and others in the church? [[53:58]]
3. What does it mean that the church is “a family of natural-born enemies reconciled by Christ”? How is this different from a social club or a group of friends? [[55:40]]
4. The pastor said, “Our only role is to rest in His finished work.” What does it look like to rest in what Jesus has done, instead of striving to earn God’s acceptance? [[01:13:15]]

1. The sermon challenged us to remember how lost and hopeless we were before Christ. When was the last time you honestly reflected on your need for a Savior? How does remembering your past affect your gratitude and humility today? [[46:14]]
2. Are there any “dividing walls” or feelings of superiority you notice in your own heart toward others in the church? What would it look like to let the gospel “level the playing field” in your relationships? [[53:58]]
3. The pastor described the church as a family, not just a gathering. Is there anyone in your church family you need to reconcile with or forgive? What practical step could you take this week to move toward peace? [[01:00:05]]
4. Think about some church traditions or habits you participate in. Do you know why you do them? Is there a tradition you want to understand better or approach with fresh meaning? [[32:50]]
5. The sermon said, “Our call is to rest in what Jesus has accomplished.” Are you tempted to measure your worth by your performance or spiritual activity? What would it look like for you to rest in Jesus’ finished work this week? [[01:13:15]]
6. Communion is described as a memorial—a regular reminder of the cost of our salvation. How can you make communion (or another spiritual practice) more meaningful in your life? [[01:14:03]]
7. The pastor said, “We are practicing now what we will enjoy for eternity.” What is one way you can live out your identity as a citizen and family member of God’s kingdom this week? [[01:00:05]]