Resetting Our Spiritual Identity in Christ
Summary
### Summary
This weekend, our church is hosting a men's conference featuring Jeff Zwierink, an astrophysicist who will explore the intersection of science and faith, discussing topics like extraterrestrials and artificial intelligence. The event promises to be enlightening and engaging, with a special session for men on Saturday followed by a Redbirds game.
Today, we continue our series "Reset," focusing on the book of Ephesians. This series is timely as we enter a busy season filled with activities and responsibilities that can leave us spiritually drained. Just as a computer needs a reset when it slows down, we too need a spiritual reset to refocus and reengage with God.
Ephesians is a letter from Paul to a group of churches facing division and distraction. These churches were struggling with ethnic tensions and conflicting ideas about Christianity. Paul begins by reminding them of their true identity in Christ, emphasizing that they are uniquely blessed, chosen, redeemed, sealed, and empowered. He then shifts to discuss their position in Christ, addressing issues of status and importance within the church.
Paul highlights four attributes of our new position in Christ:
1. Individually Alive: We were once dead in our sins, but God made us alive in Christ. This new life is a miraculous gift that we did not earn.
2. Spiritually Exalted: We are seated with Christ in heavenly places, sharing in His exaltation and fellowship.
3. Community of Peace: Our new position in the community is one of peace, breaking down walls of hostility and division.
4. Eternally Kings and Priests: We are called to rule with sacrificial love and to represent God to the world, fulfilling our eternal roles as kings and priests.
Paul's message is clear: our position in Christ transcends all earthly statuses and divisions. We are one body, fellow citizens in God's household, and heirs to His promises. As we move through this season, let's reset our position, allowing Jesus to break down walls of hostility and make us into one unified body.
### Key Takeaways
1. Spiritual Reset: Just as a computer needs a reset when it slows down, we too need a spiritual reset to refocus and reengage with God. This involves recalibrating our priorities and reconnecting with our spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study. [32:44]
2. True Identity in Christ: Paul reminds us that our true identity is found in Christ. We are not defined by our earthly statuses or ethnic backgrounds but by our unique blessings, chosenness, redemption, sealing, and empowerment in Christ. [35:12]
3. Peace in Community: Our new position in the community is one of peace. Paul emphasizes that in Christ, there is no room for division or hostility. We are called to be peacemakers, breaking down walls of hostility and fostering unity. [56:46]
4. Exalted with Christ: We are spiritually exalted, seated with Christ in heavenly places. This means we share in His fellowship and are called to live out this exalted position in our daily lives, whether at work, home, or church. [51:40]
5. Kings and Priests: Our eternal position in Christ is that of kings and priests. We are called to rule with sacrificial love and to represent God to the world, bringing His rule and peace to every sphere of our lives. [01:04:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:43] - Men's Conference Announcement
[10:26] - Purpose and Gathering
[24:04] - Offering and Worship
[30:54] - Series Introduction: Reset
[31:56] - The Need for a Spiritual Reset
[32:44] - Spiritual Fatigue and Disconnection
[34:00] - Context of Ephesians
[35:12] - True Identity in Christ
[35:50] - Issue of Position
[40:53] - Reading Ephesians Chapter 2
[44:40] - Previous Condition: Dead in Sin
[48:42] - New Position: Alive in Christ
[51:40] - New Position: Exalted with Christ
[56:46] - New Position: Peace in Community
[59:44] - New Position: Kings and Priests
[01:07:18] - Unified Body in Christ
[01:09:33] - Altar Call and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:1-22
2. Romans 8:17
3. 1 Peter 2:9
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:1-5, what was our previous condition before being made alive in Christ? ([45:25])
2. How does Paul describe our new position in Christ in Ephesians 2:6? ([51:40])
3. What does Ephesians 2:14-16 say about the peace Christ brings to the community? ([56:46])
4. In 1 Peter 2:9, what are believers called, and how does this relate to our eternal position in Christ? ([01:02:39])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "alive together with Christ" as described in Ephesians 2:5? How does this new life impact our daily living? ([49:22])
2. How does being "seated with Christ in heavenly places" influence our perspective on earthly challenges and responsibilities? ([52:15])
3. Paul emphasizes peace in the community in Ephesians 2:14-16. How can this peace be practically achieved in a diverse church setting? ([56:46])
4. What responsibilities come with being called "kings and priests" in 1 Peter 2:9, and how should this shape our interactions with others? ([01:02:39])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually drained. What steps can you take this week to experience a spiritual reset and reconnect with God? ([32:44])
2. How can you remind yourself daily of your true identity in Christ, especially when faced with societal pressures and expectations? ([35:12])
3. Think of a situation in your community or church where there is division or hostility. What practical steps can you take to be a peacemaker in that context? ([56:46])
4. In what ways can you live out your exalted position in Christ at work, home, or church this week? ([51:40])
5. Identify one area in your life where you can exercise sacrificial love as a king or priest. How will you implement this in the coming days? ([01:04:21])
6. How can you help break down walls of hostility in your church or community, fostering unity and peace? ([56:46])
7. What specific actions can you take to represent God to the world, fulfilling your role as a priest? ([01:05:00])
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Reset
In our fast-paced lives, it's easy to become spiritually fatigued and disconnected from God. Just as a computer needs a reset when it slows down, we too need a spiritual reset to refocus and reengage with God. This involves recalibrating our priorities and reconnecting with our spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study. Taking time to reset spiritually allows us to realign our hearts and minds with God's will, ensuring that we are not merely going through the motions but are genuinely engaged in our faith journey. [32:44]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your 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, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to reset your spiritual life? Consider setting aside dedicated time for prayer, Bible study, or even a moment of silence to reconnect with God.
Day 2: True Identity in Christ
Our true identity is found in Christ, not in our earthly statuses or ethnic backgrounds. Paul reminds us that we are uniquely blessed, chosen, redeemed, sealed, and empowered in Christ. This identity transcends all earthly divisions and statuses, uniting us as one body in Christ. Understanding our true identity helps us to live confidently and purposefully, knowing that we are valued and loved by God. [35:12]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How does knowing your true identity in Christ change the way you view yourself and others? Reflect on one area of your life where you need to embrace this identity more fully.
Day 3: Peace in Community
Our new position in the community is one of peace. In Christ, there is no room for division or hostility. Paul emphasizes that we are called to be peacemakers, breaking down walls of hostility and fostering unity. This means actively working towards reconciliation and understanding within our communities, whether in our families, workplaces, or churches. By embodying Christ's peace, we can create environments where love and unity flourish. [56:46]
Colossians 3:13-15 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where there is tension or division. What steps can you take today to be a peacemaker and foster unity in that relationship?
Day 4: Exalted with Christ
We are spiritually exalted, seated with Christ in heavenly places. This means we share in His fellowship and are called to live out this exalted position in our daily lives. Whether at work, home, or church, we are to reflect the character and love of Christ in all that we do. This exalted position is not about pride but about living in the reality of our new life in Christ and allowing His presence to influence every aspect of our lives. [51:40]
Ephesians 2:6-7 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you live out your exalted position in Christ in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can reflect Christ's character and love more clearly.
Day 5: Kings and Priests
Our eternal position in Christ is that of kings and priests. We are called to rule with sacrificial love and to represent God to the world. This involves bringing His rule and peace to every sphere of our lives, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. As kings and priests, we have the responsibility to lead with humility and to serve others, demonstrating God's love and justice in all that we do. [01:04:21]
Revelation 1:5-6 (ESV): "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: In what ways can you exercise your role as a king and priest in your daily life? Consider one specific action you can take today to lead with sacrificial love and represent God to those around you.
Quotes
1. "You are purposed to be here. This is not a coincidence that you're here. Spirit of the Lord called you, and here you are, and here we are as the family of Christ. We're going to sing together. We're going to pray together. We're going to fellowship together. We're going to gather around the word together. And so let us sing and let us worship and let it all out today." [10:26] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We get involved. We get busy. We get distracted. We get overwhelmed. We get overcommitted. We become disconnected. Before long, our quiet time is out the window. Our prayer life is dried up. And our time in the Word is slowed down to a trickle. We're disconnected. We're spiritually running out of gas. We need to refocus, recalibrate. We need to plug in. We need to reengage. We need a spiritual reset." [33:24] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In Christ, you are uniquely blessed, uniquely chosen. Uniquely redeemed, uniquely sealed, and uniquely empowered. And Paul says, now wake up to it. Act like it. Walk in it. Live in it. Because in Christ, you're not who the world says you are. You are who Christ says you are." [35:12] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You have a certain standing. You have a certain status. You have a certain position. Sometimes you choose your position. Sometimes you earn your position. Sometimes your position is just dictated to you. Think about it this way. When you take a new job, what's the first thing you need to know? Where do I stand? Where do I fit? What's my position? Who do I serve? Who do I answer to? Who's over me? Who am I responsible for? Who's under me? What are my responsibilities? What are my restrictions? Who do I need to be afraid of? Who can I boss around?" [37:31] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You are no longer in or out, top or bottom, more than or less than. You have a new title, a new status, a new job description. You are perfectly positioned in Christ. And now that he's got that out of the way, Paul is gonna spin that. The rest of this chapter, telling us all about our new position in Christ. He's gonna tell us that there are four attributes to our new position." [48:42] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You have an exalted position in Christ. He raised you up. And seated you up. He seated you with him in the heavenly places. You remember we talked last week about how we have dual citizenship on the earth and in the heavens. Part of you lives on the earth, but part of you also lives in the heavens. You are seated with Christ. This word seated means to keep company. Isn't that great? You keep company with Jesus. You are in fellowship with Jesus." [52:15] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Christians will divide over anything. Christians take a position on everything. Some will take a Calvinist position. Some will take a Preterist position. Some will take a pre-trib, pre-millenium position. Some will take a substitutionary atonement position. Some will take a Republican position or a Democrat position or an anti-this position or a pro-that position. We throw up the walls of hostility and they run right through the middle of the sanctuary." [57:29] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "What does a king do? A king. A king rules. We are called to rule. But we're not called to rule like the world rulers rule. We're called to rule like Christ rules. How does Christ rule? Not by top-down authority. By benevolent sacrifice. Loving sacrifice. What does a priest do? A priest represents. Represents the people to God and represents God to the people. A priest is a go-between, a connection point that brings the heavens down. That's our position in Christ, in the church, and in the world." [01:05:00] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "What is your position? It's not pastor or teacher or leader or elder or member. You are an alive, exalted, peace-bringing king and priest. You didn't earn it. You don't deserve it. I don't deserve it. Grace gave it to us. And so as we move through this next season, as we attempt to be the body of Christ, to do what Christ calls us to do, to be who Christ calls us to be, let's reset our position. Let Jesus break down the walls of hostility and make us into one body. Let him be our peace because that is our position in Christ." [01:07:50] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?