Unity in Christ: Embracing Our Heavenly Citizenship

Devotional

Day 1: Our True Citizenship in Christ

Being "in Christ" signifies a profound spiritual reality that transcends earthly identities and locations. It emphasizes our true citizenship in the heavenly kingdom, offering security and identity beyond our earthly circumstances. This concept of dual citizenship means that while we live in our earthly locations, our ultimate allegiance and identity are found in Christ. This spiritual reality provides a sense of security and belonging that is not dependent on our earthly status or achievements. It reminds us that our true home is with God, and our lives should reflect this eternal perspective. [02:11]

Ephesians 2:19-20 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."

Reflection: In what ways can you live today as a citizen of heaven, prioritizing your spiritual identity over your earthly one?

Day 2: The Church as a Family

The Church is not an optional part of the Christian life but an essential community where believers are united as a family. This unity is a powerful witness to the world of the gospel's transformative power. Being part of the Church means being part of a diverse, multinational, and multi-racial family where all believers are brothers and sisters in Christ. This unity is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives and break down barriers. The Church is a place where love, support, and accountability are experienced, reflecting the heart of God for His people. [03:54]

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the unity and health of your church community this week?

Day 3: Finding Joy in Trials

Viewing our circumstances through the lens of God's sovereignty allows us to find purpose and joy even in trials. Paul's imprisonment serves as a reminder that God’s providence can turn adversity into opportunities for the gospel. Instead of seeing himself as a victim, Paul saw his imprisonment as part of God's plan to advance the gospel. This perspective challenges us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when we face difficulties. By focusing on God's purposes, we can find joy and meaning in our trials, knowing that He is working all things for His glory and our good. [09:07]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: What current challenge can you view through the lens of God's sovereignty, and how might this change your response to it?

Day 4: Breaking Down Barriers

The gospel's radical inclusivity breaks down barriers, creating a new people and a new temple where God dwells. This unity in Christ challenges cultural and ethnic divisions, reflecting God’s eternal plan. In Christ, the walls of hostility between different groups are broken down, and a new community is formed where all are equal before God. This radical inclusivity is central to the gospel and reflects God's desire to unite all things in Christ. As believers, we are called to live out this unity, challenging societal divisions and demonstrating the reconciling power of the gospel. [14:21]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Is there a barrier in your life—cultural, social, or personal—that you need to break down to reflect the unity found in Christ?

Day 5: The Church as a Foretaste of Ultimate Unity

The Church is a foretaste of the ultimate unity that will be realized in the new heaven and new earth. Despite its imperfections, it is a living testimony of God’s redemptive work, calling believers to live out their identity in Christ. The Church, though imperfect, is a glimpse of the future reality where all things are united in Christ. It is a place where God's redemptive work is visible, and believers are called to live in a way that reflects the hope and reconciliation found in the gospel. This calling challenges us to embrace our identity in Christ and actively participate in His mission of reconciliation. [21:04]

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection: How can you be a living testimony of God's redemptive work in your daily interactions and relationships?

Sermon Summary

In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul addresses the believers as those who are "in Christ," a term he uses frequently to describe the profound spiritual reality of being united with Jesus. This union transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, as believers are not only residents of their earthly locations, like Ephesus or Cleveland, but are also citizens of a heavenly kingdom. This dual citizenship emphasizes that our true identity and security are found in Christ, regardless of our earthly circumstances or ethnic backgrounds.

Paul's message to the Ephesians highlights the communal aspect of being in Christ. Believers are part of a multinational and multi-racial community called the Church. This community is not an optional extra but an essential part of the Christian life. The Church is a family where believers, regardless of their backgrounds, are united as brothers and sisters. This unity is a testament to the world of the transformative power of the gospel.

In Ephesians 3, Paul describes himself as a "prisoner for Christ Jesus," not as a victim of Roman authority but as someone under the providence of God. His imprisonment is not a cause for despair but an opportunity for the gospel to advance. Paul’s perspective challenges us to view our circumstances through the lens of God’s sovereignty, finding purpose and joy even in trials.

Paul's mission to the Gentiles was revolutionary, breaking down the wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles. This new reality in Christ creates a new people and a new temple, where God dwells among His people. This radical inclusivity of the gospel was a stumbling block for many, yet it is the very heart of God’s eternal plan to unite all things in Christ.

The Church today is a foretaste of the ultimate unity that will be realized in the new heaven and new earth. Despite its imperfections, the Church is a living testimony of God’s redemptive work. As believers, we are called to embrace our identity in Christ and live out this unity, reflecting the hope and reconciliation found in the gospel.

Key Takeaways

1. Being "in Christ" signifies a profound spiritual reality that transcends earthly identities and locations. It emphasizes our true citizenship in the heavenly kingdom, offering security and identity beyond our earthly circumstances. [02:11]
2. The Church is not an optional part of the Christian life but an essential community where believers are united as a family. This unity is a powerful witness to the world of the gospel's transformative power. [03:54]
3. Viewing our circumstances through the lens of God's sovereignty allows us to find purpose and joy even in trials. Paul's imprisonment serves as a reminder that God’s providence can turn adversity into opportunities for the gospel. [09:07]
4. The gospel's radical inclusivity breaks down barriers, creating a new people and a new temple where God dwells. This unity in Christ challenges cultural and ethnic divisions, reflecting God’s eternal plan. [14:21]
5. The Church is a foretaste of the ultimate unity that will be realized in the new heaven and new earth. Despite its imperfections, it is a living testimony of God’s redemptive work, calling believers to live out their identity in Christ. [21:04]
** [21:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:07] - Dual Citizenship in Christ
[02:28] - Inclusion in Christ
[03:54] - The Church as a Family
[05:08] - Paul's Imprisonment for Christ
[06:23] - Paul's Pastoral Heart
[07:59] - Suffering for the Gospel
[09:50] - Paul's Perspective on Imprisonment
[11:18] - Joy in Adversity
[13:04] - God's Sovereignty in Trials
[14:21] - Breaking Down Barriers
[16:51] - The New Temple in Christ
[18:41] - Radical Inclusivity of the Gospel
[20:06] - Unity in the Church
[21:21] - The Church's Role in God's Plan

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:1-2
- Ephesians 3:1-13
- Galatians 3:28

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Observation Questions:

How does Paul describe the believers in Ephesus in Ephesians 1:1, and what does this imply about their identity? [01:07]
In Ephesians 3:1, Paul refers to himself as a "prisoner for Christ Jesus." What does this reveal about his perspective on his circumstances? [05:08]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Church being a multinational and multi-racial community? [03:01]
How does Paul’s mission to the Gentiles challenge the cultural and ethnic divisions of his time? [14:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean to have dual citizenship as described in Ephesians 1:1-2, and how might this affect a believer's daily life? [01:07]
How does Paul’s view of his imprisonment as an opportunity for the gospel challenge common perceptions of suffering and adversity? [09:07]
In what ways does the unity of the Church serve as a testament to the transformative power of the gospel? [03:54]
How does the radical inclusivity of the gospel, as described in Ephesians 3, reflect God’s eternal plan? [14:21]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own sense of identity. How does understanding your citizenship in the heavenly kingdom change the way you view your earthly circumstances? [01:07]
Consider a current trial or challenge in your life. How can you view this situation through the lens of God’s sovereignty, as Paul did with his imprisonment? [09:07]
How can you actively contribute to the unity of your local church community, especially in light of its diverse backgrounds? [03:54]
Think about a cultural or ethnic barrier you have encountered. How can you apply the gospel’s message of inclusivity to break down this barrier? [14:21]
In what ways can you be a living testimony of God’s redemptive work in your daily interactions with others? [21:04]
Identify one specific way you can embrace and live out your identity in Christ this week. How will this impact your relationships with others? [21:04]
How can you encourage others in your church to see the importance of being part of a community that reflects the hope and reconciliation found in the gospel? [03:54]

Sermon Clips

Paul is writing in this letter to the Saints this is chapter one and verse 1 to the Saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus so we reminded ourselves as we began our study that the True Believer lives in two places that they were in Ephesus and they were in Christ if you are a Christian here today you you have a residency that is in Cleveland or the environs and you are also in Christ that your real citizenship is to be found in the Heavenly places whatever your ethnicity or your passport may say [00:00:51]

Paul in writing to these Ephesian Believers is using the terminology which was his favorite terminology he does not make mention of people as being Christians when he writes in fact I think he would have found it rather strange to have people ask him if he was a Christian I don't think he would have asked us that either he would have said to us are you in Christ [00:01:38]

Paul is affirming the fact that for us to be placed in Christ as individuals and in chapter one he says you know and you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of Truth The Gospel of your salvation and you believed he's describing if you're like a moment in time or a period in time where that which God had planned from all of eternity became the reality of these individuals [00:02:15]

For them to be placed in Christ was to be placed into a community that was a multinational and multi-racial Community called The Church so that if you are in Christ this morning then I want you to know that although you may be an only child you have brothers and sisters throughout the entire world in fact you have people with whom you are related that span the centuries [00:02:58]

If you and I are tempted, and some of us I think are attempted let's just be honest to view the gospel in terms of what it means to me as an individual, if I see it solely in those terms, then I will be tempted to regard quotes Church stuff as excess baggage that's just something else that's a sort of optional extra [00:04:11]

Paul does this all the time he has these huge run-on sentences that all the English teachers complain about sometimes he breaks off into a doxology essentially just starts singing breaks into his thought and then he comes back to it but what he's doing here is it seems to me that he can't get Beyond saying I Paul a prisoner of Jesus Christ on your behalf without stopping and saying how amazing is this [00:05:47]

Paul says could I just explain here what's going on so the Tribune says yes that's okay go ahead so he silences the people you can read this in Acts 22 and he begins and he gives them their his testimony and he says this is my background I I this I am one of you I am a Jew I don't violate these things I'm committed to this and as he works his way through he tells how he's got an entirely new view of God's grace and mercy and God's people and so on [00:18:35]

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a radical gospel the story of Jesus is not some milk toast Mambi pambi invention in time it is grounded in the fact that God from all of eternity has purposed in the fullness of time to unite all things in Christ both in heaven and on Earth now just think about that for a moment [00:19:33]

Think about it as you deal with contemporary politics think about it as you see thousands of people rescued in the Mediterranean and picked up on ships think about it in those terms think about the attempt of our world politically and economically and socially to try and create that Union and it's faltering and it's failing despite its best attempts will it ever be done can it ever be achieved [00:20:04]

Where May a Jew and a gentile eat together and rejoice in one another's company where can the rich and the poor be United where can you take an intelligent man from the University at case and a dummy like me and have us sing the same songs together where does this happen it happens in the church and you if you're in Christ this is you this is your identity you are it [00:20:28]

This is how the world is supposed to get a picture of how it will finally be when in a new Heaven and in the new Earth in Genesis in Revelation 21 and I saw a New Jerusalem coming out of Heaven from God we're not going up to it it's coming down to us it's a wonder you can tell I'm a little excited about it but I I must confess I am [00:21:01]

Galatians 3 there's neither June or Greek neither born nor slave the barcithian or free Barbarian silly and whatever it is no you see this is this is why I think contemporary America has got such a low view of the church such a low view of the church myself included we don't realize what an amazing thing this is that God is doing not the church [00:21:28]

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Unity in Christ: Embracing Our Heavenly Citizenship

Devotional

Day 1: Our True Citizenship in Christ

Day 2: The Church as a Family

Day 3: Finding Joy in Trials

Day 4: Breaking Down Barriers

Day 5: The Church as a Foretaste of Ultimate Unity

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Unity in Christ: Embracing Our Heavenly Citizenship

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