In Christ

Introduction

We have an identity crisis in our nation. Agendas are being pushed on our kids that say they can choose to be whatever they want: different genders or even animals. Our children are left confused and pressured to make decisions that could have repercussions for the rest of their lives. If we want to help our kids then we need to have a clear vision of our identity.

We Christians can and do struggle with our identity. Far too often we associate ourselves with a specific sin we have continued to deal with. Or, we gather our self-image from what others have told us our entire lives: some of which are good while others are negative. Our identity begins with God and ends with Christ. We were originally made in God’s image and corrupted it with sin. Jesus died and resurrected to buy us out of sin restoring that image. Now our identity is wrapped up in one word: Christian.

Ephesians 1:1-2. Paul is writing to saints (called out ones), Christians, that are faithful in Christ. Here is something important to recognize, grace and peace belong to the Father and the Son (vs. 2). Therefore, grace and peace are granted to those in Christ because they belong to God. Our identity in Jesus allows us to have grace and peace as holy, called out ones.

John Mitchell, director of the Christian Restoration Association, wrote (Ephesians, p. 2), “Christian living is based on Christian learning. The believer who does not comprehend his wealth in Christ will never be able to walk for Christ. Christian conduct is dependent upon understanding ones calling/position.” We want to take the time to learn about our identity in Christ so that we can thrive in Him. (Ephesians 1:3-14, one continuous sentence in these verses)

I. Theme of Passage

A. The main purpose of this passage is to praise God for His blessings (vs. 3)

1. In these verses there are 7 spiritual blessings (following from Kenneth Boles, Galatians & Ephesians)

a. 1 — We are chosen (v. 4)

b. 2 — We are predestined to be adopted (v. 5)

c. 3 — We are given grace (v. 6)

d. 4 — We are redeemed (v. 7)

e. 5 — We are told the secret of his will (v. 9)

f. 6 — We are made a heritage (v. 11)

g. 7 — We are sealed with the Spirit (v. 13–14)

2. God as our Father is worthy of praise because of these gifts He gave, for they cost Him more than we can comprehend and He gave them willingly

B. How did He give them? In Christ.

1. In Christ, or some variation of that, is a key phrase and appears 10 times in the first 14 verses of Ephesians

a. In Christ Jesus (vs. 1)

b. In Christ (vs. 2, 10, 12)

c. In Him (vs. 3, 7, 9, 10, 13)

d. In the Beloved (vs. 6)

2. Clearly, being in Jesus is key to every spiritual blessing. Thus, our identity is wrapped up in Jesus

II. The Roles of the Godhead

-In order to present these gifts each member of the Godhead takes on a different role in relating to mankind

A. God the Father is credited with the plan of redemption (vs. 3-6)

1. We are called to bless (or praise) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for He chose us in the Son (vs. 4-6)

a. God chose us for Himself (it was an action that benefits us and Him)

1. How was this choice made? By the boundary mark set (being predestined) in Jesus (vs. 5)

2. We are selected by God to be adopted as sons when we are in Jesus, living by faith in Him.

3. God predestined the plan to bestow these spiritual benefits. When Jesus is our Lord (vs. 3) then we acquire the things that belong to Him (forgiveness, glory, redemption, inheritance, etc.)

b. The blessings we have are the same as those in heaven, where our blessings are sourced

2. We enjoy them in a limited way now and will experience them completely when we reach heaven with Christ. All because we are in Jesus

3. Our Heavenly Father knows how to give good gifts

a. He planned out the greatest present of all, cleansing us of sin by His mercy through Jesus

1. This was His plan from before the foundations of the world, because He knew we would choose sin

2. But, instead of revealing Himself as a wrathful Judge, He connected to us as a loving Dad who set up the boundaries (predestined) to enjoy adoption as sons

b. Therefore, in praise of the Father’s plan and gift, let us live a holy and blameless life by faith in the Son.

B. God the Son enacted the plan (vs. 7-12)

1. In verse 7 we pivot from focusing on the Father (all pronouns referring to Him in vs. 3-6) to focusing on “the Beloved” (the “In Him” points back to Jesus)

a. Jesus bought us out of sin and death into the family of God, where we find forgiveness and life. The cost was His own blood

b. “God’s family of sons and daughters is composed of those who have a relationship with Jesus, the one truly natural Son” (Jack Cottrell, Studies in Ephesians, p. 25)

2. Even though we are adopted, we have received the same inheritance and blessings that belong to Jesus as the only begotten from the Father

a. Christ gives us His righteousness as a gift (2 Corinthians 5:21), He shares His inheritance with us (Romans 8:16-17), He gives forgiveness as a gift that He bought with a hefty price (vs. 7)

b. He has lavished us with these good things, giving abundantly more than we deserve or could ever ask for

3. God has revealed His will in the person Jesus (vs. 9-10)

a. Mystery denotes a truth that once was hidden and is now made known

b. (Colossians 1:26, “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.” and Ephesians 3:3-6)

c. In Christ the purpose of God, every spiritual blessing in salvation, is revealed

1. This has been His purpose throughout time, since before the foundations of the world

2. It is the pleasure of Jesus and the Father to bestow the inheritance of eternal life first in this age and on to eternity (vs. 11-12).

C. God the Spirit is the guarantee of the plan (vs. 13-14)

1. How do we know we have salvation?

a. Since we have faith in Jesus He has given us the Holy Spirit as the seal while we wait for the realization of our hope

1.A seal is what kings would use to signify a command or to act as a credit card for a family (billing the family account)

2. The Holy Spirit is the seal that shows we belong to God’s family

b. When the Father looks at us He sees the Spirit of His Son (the Holy Spirit) in us, marking us as belonging to Him

2. We recognize the thriving Christian when they display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

3. The Spirit demonstrates through us that we are redeemed, God’s own possession. He acts as the receipt of purchase, the mark of safety, and the transformer of our souls to the praise and glory of God through Christ

III. The Result of Adoption (Application & Conclusion)

A. Since our identity is wrapped up in Jesus and the Father blesses us through Him, sealing us with the Spirit, what do we do?

1. As God’s beloved children we...

a. Are faithful to Christ (vs. 1)

b. Praise the Father because of the Son and Holy Spirit (vs. 3, 12, 14)

c. Be holy and blameless in all you do (vs. 4)

d. Listen to and follow the message of truth (vs. 13)

2. It is God’s purpose for us that we be redeemed by Jesus and live like it. We are saved because of Jesus’ sacrifice and follow in His footsteps. We partake in His blessings and do as He did

B. Do not fear nor be confused about who you are, for God has told you who you are in Jesus

1. You are… chosen, adopted, forgiven, lavished with grace, sealed for an inheritance, holy, and blameless before God

2. Not because of you, but because of Jesus

3. Your identity is Christian. Praise God!