Understanding Our Identity in Christ Through Ephesians
Summary
### Summary
As we embark on a new year, it's essential to reflect on our identity in Christ. This year, we will delve into the book of Ephesians, which profoundly addresses the identity of a believer. The Apostle Paul wrote this epistle to the church in Ephesus while imprisoned in Rome, aiming to anchor them in their true identity in Christ. The book can be divided into two main sections: the first three chapters focus on who we are in Christ, and the last three chapters discuss what we should do with that identity.
In today's world, many people struggle with understanding their true identity, often defining themselves by external factors like race, family background, or achievements. However, our primary identity should be rooted in our spiritual relationship with Christ. Paul emphasizes that we are blessed, chosen, predestined, adopted, and accepted by God. These truths form the foundation of our identity and should be the lens through which we view ourselves.
Paul also prays for the Ephesians, asking God to grant them wisdom and revelation so that they may fully grasp their identity in Christ. He prays that the eyes of their understanding be enlightened, so they can comprehend the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe.
Understanding our identity in Christ is crucial before engaging in spiritual warfare or any other aspect of our Christian walk. Knowing that we are blessed, chosen, and accepted empowers us to live out our faith confidently. As we journey through Ephesians, let's commit to reading and meditating on these truths, allowing them to transform our minds and lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Our Identity in Christ: Our primary identity should be rooted in our relationship with Christ, not in external factors like race, family, or achievements. Paul emphasizes that we are blessed, chosen, predestined, adopted, and accepted by God. These truths form the foundation of our identity and should be the lens through which we view ourselves. [09:26]
2. The Importance of Spiritual Wisdom and Revelation: Paul prays for the Ephesians to receive wisdom and revelation to fully grasp their identity in Christ. This enlightenment is crucial for understanding the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance, and the greatness of His power toward believers. This prayer is essential for us today as we seek to understand and live out our true identity. [34:27]
3. The Role of Predestination and Free Will: The concept of predestination in Ephesians is often misunderstood. It refers to God's foreknowledge rather than Him picking and choosing who will be saved. God has laid out a path for us, but we have the free will to choose to follow it. This understanding emphasizes the importance of our choice in accepting God's plan for our lives. [21:00]
4. The Power of Inheritance in Christ: As believers, we have an inheritance in Christ that includes blessings, healing, and eternal life. This inheritance is not something we earn but something we claim because of what Jesus has done for us. Understanding and claiming this inheritance empowers us to live victoriously. [39:43]
5. Living Out Our Calling: Our calling in Christ is not just about doing but about being. We are called to be blessed, accepted, and loved. When we understand and embrace our true identity, the actions and works that flow from us will naturally align with God's will. This perspective shifts our focus from merely doing tasks to being who God has called us to be. [38:19]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - Opening Prayer
[01:28] - Introduction to the Series on Ephesians
[02:12] - Reflections on Predictions and Looking Forward
[07:16] - The Importance of Looking Back and Forward
[08:20] - God's Control Over the Future
[09:26] - Introduction to Ephesians and Identity
[10:07] - Context of the Book of Ephesians
[12:39] - Challenge to Read Ephesians
[13:16] - Understanding Our True Identity
[14:32] - The Structure of Ephesians
[18:27] - The Significance of Being in Christ
[21:00] - Predestination and Free Will
[25:52] - Our Identity in Christ
[34:27] - Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation
[38:19] - Living Out Our Calling
[39:43] - Claiming Our Inheritance
[43:03] - Declaring Our Identity in Christ
[45:05] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIV)
> "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the key aspects of our identity in Christ as mentioned in Ephesians 1:3-14?
2. According to the sermon, what does Paul pray for the Ephesians to receive in Ephesians 1:17-18? [34:27]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of predestination in Ephesians 1:5? [21:00]
4. What does it mean to be "sealed with the Holy Spirit" according to Ephesians 1:13-14 and the sermon? [31:01]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand our identity in Christ before engaging in spiritual warfare or other aspects of our Christian walk? [14:32]
2. How does the sermon clarify the difference between predestination and free will? What implications does this have for our understanding of God's plan for our lives? [21:00]
3. What does it mean to claim our inheritance in Christ, and how does this empower us to live victoriously? [39:43]
4. How does understanding that we are blessed, chosen, and accepted by God change the way we view ourselves and our purpose? [09:26]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there external factors (like race, family, or achievements) that you have allowed to define your identity more than your relationship with Christ? How can you shift your focus to your spiritual identity? [13:16]
2. Paul prays for wisdom and revelation for the Ephesians. How can you seek spiritual wisdom and revelation in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to grow in this area? [34:27]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing that we are blessed and chosen. How can you remind yourself of these truths daily? Are there specific scriptures or affirmations you can use? [16:20]
4. Understanding predestination as God's foreknowledge rather than predetermined fate can be freeing. How does this understanding affect your view of God's plan for your life and your choices? [21:00]
5. The sermon mentions that our calling is about being rather than doing. How can you focus more on being who God has called you to be rather than just doing tasks? What changes might this require in your daily routine or mindset? [38:19]
6. Think about the inheritance you have in Christ, including blessings, healing, and eternal life. How can you actively claim and live out this inheritance in your current circumstances? [39:43]
7. The sermon encourages us to declare our identity in Christ. What specific declarations can you make about your identity in Christ this week? How can these declarations impact your faith and actions? [43:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Rooted in Christ, Not in External Factors
Our primary identity should be rooted in our relationship with Christ, not in external factors like race, family, or achievements. Paul emphasizes that we are blessed, chosen, predestined, adopted, and accepted by God. These truths form the foundation of our identity and should be the lens through which we view ourselves. In today's world, many people struggle with understanding their true identity, often defining themselves by external factors. However, our spiritual relationship with Christ should be the core of who we are. This understanding empowers us to live confidently and purposefully, knowing that our worth and identity are secure in Him. [09:26]
Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What external factors have you been using to define your identity? How can you begin to shift your focus to your identity in Christ today?
Day 2: Seeking Spiritual Wisdom and Revelation
Paul prays for the Ephesians to receive wisdom and revelation to fully grasp their identity in Christ. This enlightenment is crucial for understanding the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance, and the greatness of His power toward believers. This prayer is essential for us today as we seek to understand and live out our true identity. Spiritual wisdom and revelation are not just for intellectual understanding but for transforming our hearts and minds to align with God's truth. As we pray for this wisdom, we open ourselves to deeper insights and a more profound relationship with God. [34:27]
Ephesians 1:17-18 (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."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need God's wisdom and revelation? How can you make space in your daily routine to seek this enlightenment through prayer and meditation?
Day 3: Understanding Predestination and Free Will
The concept of predestination in Ephesians is often misunderstood. It refers to God's foreknowledge rather than Him picking and choosing who will be saved. God has laid out a path for us, but we have the free will to choose to follow it. This understanding emphasizes the importance of our choice in accepting God's plan for our lives. Recognizing that God knows our potential and has a purpose for us can be both comforting and empowering. It reminds us that while God has a plan, our choices and actions are significant in fulfilling His will. [21:00]
Ephesians 1:11 (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."
Reflection: How do you understand the balance between God's sovereignty and your free will? What steps can you take today to align your choices with God's plan for your life?
Day 4: Claiming Our Inheritance in Christ
As believers, we have an inheritance in Christ that includes blessings, healing, and eternal life. This inheritance is not something we earn but something we claim because of what Jesus has done for us. Understanding and claiming this inheritance empowers us to live victoriously. It shifts our perspective from striving to receive God's blessings to confidently walking in the promises He has already given us. This inheritance is a testament to God's love and grace, reminding us that we are co-heirs with Christ and have access to all that He has provided. [39:43]
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: What aspects of your inheritance in Christ have you not fully claimed? How can you begin to walk in the fullness of these blessings today?
Day 5: Living Out Our Calling
Our calling in Christ is not just about doing but about being. We are called to be blessed, accepted, and loved. When we understand and embrace our true identity, the actions and works that flow from us will naturally align with God's will. This perspective shifts our focus from merely doing tasks to being who God has called us to be. It encourages us to live authentically and purposefully, knowing that our value is not in our achievements but in our relationship with Christ. [38:19]
Ephesians 4:1-2 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from doing to being in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to live out your calling in Christ authentically?
Quotes
1. "God has it all under control. No matter what goes on for next year or this year, God has it all under control. Listen to this. We don't know what 2023 holds. Praise God. Hopefully not a pandemic. But we know this. We know that God holds 2023. We may not know what's coming. But can I tell you, we know who is holding next year. We believe that. Anybody else believe that with me? I believe that. I believe God holds 2023." [08:20] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The best way to gauge God in your life is not to look back on a year, but look back five years. All right? I used to do that. I used to say, Lord, am I really growing in you? And I would look back on the last 12 months and I would look, I would say, have I really gone anywhere? Don't look back on just 12 months. Look back on like five years. Then you can really tell if you're making progress or not." [07:16] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You are blessed. You don't have to pray to be blessed. You don't have to beg God to be blessed. You are blessed. God declares, you are blessed. And I want to remind you, in the Old Testament, there was a situation where a prophet was paid money to curse the children of Israel. So whenever he was paid money, the guy that hated the children of Israel, he wanted to pay them money and he said, hey, I want you to go out there and curse the children of Israel. Every time he went to curse them, guess what he ended up doing? Blessing them." [17:04] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You are blessed. The Father has blessed us. And you are chosen. Now, there are a couple words that whenever we get into this week, called. I'm going to talk about that here in a couple hours at the end of my message. And chosen. All right? This word chosen, we think of, who's chosen? Well, we think of the preacher. The preacher's chosen. But can I tell you, the book of Ephesians is not written to preachers. It's written to Christians. The apostle Paul is writing to Christians when he's locked up in jail in Rome. And he wanted you to know that everyone is chosen. You have been chosen. You've been chosen." [19:03] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Christianity is the only religion in the world that says that you don't have to do something. All religions in the world have a deity of some sort. And they all want some way of either living, doing, or being to offer penance to that deity. To either keep them away from you, or to keep them at peace with you, okay? But never, no other religion in the world says that the deity actually delights in you. Hear what I'm saying. Every religion in the world offers the idea of how to make peace with the deity. Only Christianity says it's not making peace with God. God delights in you. God delights in you. He's happy about you. He loves you. You are his design, you're his creation, and he's excited about having a relationship with you." [27:26] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You don't have to do anything to earn your forgiveness. Jesus paid for it by his blood, and you are forgiven. You should walk on this planet each and every day knowing you have a gift. And that gift is the forgiveness of sins. It doesn't mean you have to, I mean, people say, well, Pastor Charlie, you've got to confess all your sins. Well, well, time out. I don't think confessing sin is terrible or wrong. But please understand, don't think confessing sin makes you right with God. You can confess sin all day. If you don't accept Jesus, you're not right with God. It is the accepting of Christ that makes you right with God. Not the confession of sin." [29:23] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You are blessed. He has blessed us. He has chosen us. He has predestined us. He has adopted us and he has what? Accepted us. Now, mind you, we are two verses in. And these are all the things that God already declares over your life. If you speak anything contrary to these, you are disagreeing with God. Because this is what God says. This is who God says you are. You are blessed. Praise God. Well, you know, it just not working. No, no, I'm blessed. You are chosen. Yes, you are. God chose you. He had foreknowledge that you would accept his chosen. So you were chosen. Listen, he predestined. He adopted you. He accepted you. You were accepted." [26:25] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When God speaks of calling, he speaks of being. You're not a human doing. You're a human being. Whenever God says you're called, I'm not talking about you doing something. Doing something flows from you being something. You have to be before you can do. If you do before you can be, everything you do is due to. Keep it clean, Charlie. All right. But anyway. But I want you to understand. You have to be. You have to be. So watch this. Once you become or be what God has called you to be, which is blessed, accepted, loved, all that. The doing becomes easy. It's easy. It flows out of you naturally. But if you try it the other way around, you mess it all up." [38:19] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Declare these with me. You ready? We are going to declare these over our lives. We are going to say these. Because I believe with all my heart. Ephesians chapter 1 declares that you are these. Who are you? Your identity. Everybody with me. Say I am blessed. Well we said that with not a lot of conviction. Praise God. Come on. Say it like the devil is trying to convince you that you are cursed. Alright. Say it like. I am blessed. Come on. One more time. Say. I am blessed. Alright. I feel like we are getting somewhere. How about this. I am chosen. Now just say it with me. I am predestined. I am adopted. I am accepted. I am redeemed. How about this one. I am sealed. Now you believe that?" [43:03] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I want you to experience his life, his inheritance, his calling, his power all through your life. Amen. So I am going to pray for you. Father I thank you for your people. And Lord I pray according to Ephesians 1 that you will give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation. That they may understand their calling. And their called. And your calling on their life. Father I pray that they would understand their inheritance God. And I also pray Lord that they would understand their power. Or your power in their lives God. It's your calling, your inheritance, your power flowing through us God. Lord help us understand that. Help us understand exactly what you have for us. God help the lights come on. We thank you for it and praise you for it. In Jesus name come on everybody says. Amen." [45:05] (54 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?