Our Identity in Christ

Introduction (Greeting)

Identity

Paul

Conversion - Acts 9.

Missionary - Acts 13-28

Ephesus

Revelation Ephesus: The Church with Everything but the Greatest Thing (Revelation 2:1–7)

Today the impressive ruins of Ephesus are uninhabited, but first-century Ephesus was the most important city of western Asia Minor and a major center of political, economic, and religious activity. In the political sphere, the proconsul of Asia conducted most of his affairs in Ephesus.[16] In the economic arena, it was the first port of entry for seafaring vessels and therefore a strategic location for major trade routes. This granted Ephesus a robust market and a large, diverse population. As for its religious life, the city boasted one of the wonders of the ancient world, a grand temple dedicated to the fertility goddess Artemis, also known as Diana. Besides this, Ephesus had a rigorous emperor cult with several temples dedicated to his worship.

Paul’s 3rd missionary Journey. Acts 18-19.

Stayed multiple years.

Acts 20:31 NASB95

31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.

Fought against the culture.

Occult. Acts 19:11-20.

Economy. Acts 19:23-28.

Lost their first love. Revelation 2:1-7.

Paul’s warning and prayers. Acts 20:17-38.

“In Christ” (9 times in Ch 1-3)

What does it mean?

Ex. Nesting Dolls

Baptism (Romans 6:1-14)

What does it look like?

7 Indicators of true salvation. (The Battle Plan for Prayer - Kendrick Bros pg 87-90)

“Abiding in Christ”

A lifestyle of obedience to God.

1 John 2:3–6 NASB95

3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

A confession of Jesus as the Christ, God’s son.

1 John 2:22–23 NASB95

22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.

A lifestyle of repentance of sin.

1 John 3:9–10 NASB95

9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

Hebrews 10:24–27 NASB95

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

Genuine love for other believers.

1 John 3:14–15 NASB95

14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The discipline of God your Father.

1 John 3:1 NASB95

1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Hebrews 12:7–8 NASB95

7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

Hebrews 12:11 NASB95

11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

The presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

1 John 3:24 NASB95

24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Faith in Jesus alone for salvation (and not yourself).

1 John 5:12–13 NASB95

12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Conclusion

Ephesians 1:2 NASB95

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.