OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST Ephesians 1:1-6
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
INTRODUCTION
MAIL, EMAIL “YOU HAVE WON $5 MILLION”!
Never believe it, fake – couldn’t happen, a trick
GOD says all we have as Christians don’t believe, either
SALVATION, then live like others, like before
An American Indian legend tells about an eagle that was raised by turkeys, and never got to soar.
CHRISTIANS TODAY sad, defeated, struggling
Trying to impress God, others, self
Ephesians 1:1-6 shows what we have in Jesus
I. In Christ We Are Significant Eph 1:1-2
“saints.” = all believers.
Greek word hagios, which literally means “holy.”
Not by our actions but what Jesus did for us
Called that 240+ times in Bible
Unbelievers called ‘sinners’ 330+ times
We can and do still sin But God sees us as forgiven in Jesus,
Confess sin and forgiven, forgotten by God (I John 1:9)
Harder to forgive ourselves and others
In Colossians 3:1-4 our position is described
“hidden with Christ in God.” Our position, How God sees us
PARENTS: we love our children, don’t like to see them
Afraid, struggling – must know they are loved and special to us, that we will do everything we can for them.
TRANSITION
1. In Christ we are Significant
2. In Christ we are Sufficient
II. In Christ We Are Sufficient Eph 1:3
“HAS blessed us”= already done, already done at salvation
Not something we must earn, ours forever no matter
“with EVERY spiritual blessing”= not just some but every
Not every PHYSICAL blessing, but SPIRITUAL
Spiritual more important, last forever
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
“new creation”= old gone, new in Christ
Join a group = rights and privileges of the group
Become Christian = rights and privileges of that
Part of a family by birth or adoption, all family has is yours
Become Christian by birth/adoption, all Jesus has is ours
“in Christ” = key phrase repeated over and over in Eph.
210 things happen at moment of salvation – all given by HS
I am God’s child (John 1:12)
I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God’s temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3).
I have been justified (Rom 5:1)
I am God’s co-worker (1 Cor 3:9; 2).
I am God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10)
the good work God began in me will be perfected (Phil 1: 5)
I have been redeemed & forgiven (Col. 1:14).
and been adopted (Eph 1:5)
POOR MAN begging on streets, not aware father $$$$$
God gives us all we need and more
Child on trip, mother packs, child trusts all child needs
US on trip in this life, God gives all we need until home heaven
NOT sent on trip and have to make do on own
God not expect us to live Christian life alone.
He promises to always be with us
He tells us we can talk to Him and ask for needs.
He assures us we are unconditionally loved forever
He gives us power and authority over demons
He will help us have victory over sin
He gives us the fruit of His Spirit
He assures us we will be with Him forever when we die
He takes all fear of the future
He promises that we will have salvation, can’t lose it
He deals with us in grace, not works
He sais that everything that happens He will use for good
He will be with us and help us whatever we face
TRANSITION
1. In Christ we are Significant
2. In Christ we are Sufficient
3. In Christ we are Secure
III. In Christ We Are Secure Eph 1:4-5
“He chose us”= we didn’t pick Him, He picked us
Before world created chosen for salvation!
Sent Holy Spirit to show your need
“He predestined us to be His child”= chose our future
“He freely bestowed His grace on us”= all by GRACE
Not fear, works, etc.
Part of His family, Jesus elder brother
Your only child brings home an orphan friend he loves like a brother, parents accept and treat new one like own son
Same with us and Jesus, God
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).
GOD LOVES US UNCONDITONALLY
No matter what we do or don’t do
Sin makes Him sad but still loves us
Disobedience hurts parents, but still loves child
Nothing can ever separate us from that love Rom 8:37-39
WE CAN NEVER LOSE SALVATION John 10:28-29
GIFT – nothing to earn/deserve, nothing to lose
BIRTH, born again, new babies, etc – Can’t be UNborn
SONSHIP & ADOPTION –
Can’t change being physical son, irreversible
God won’t reverse adoption proceedings
PETER denied Christ 3 times, never lost salvation
CARNAL BELIEVERS – Christians living by flesh, sin; still believers, didn’t lose salvation
LOST SHEEP stray from flock, but still legally part of that flock
Shows He is able/willing to complete what He started Phil 1:6
Must live, then, to bring honor to our great family
CONCLUSION
1. In Christ we are Significant
2. In Christ we are Sufficient
3. In Christ we are Secure
It is as if someone made an anonymous and secret deposit into your checking account. If you did not know about the existence of that deposit, you would never be able to draw upon it. But when you came into the knowledge of that truth, then you would immediately have access to that resource.