Embracing our Identity in Christ.
Notes
Transcript
Walk Worthy: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
Walk Worthy: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4
Summary: Ephesians 4 calls believers to live out their new identity in Christ by emphasizing unity, maturity, and practical holiness within the body of Christ.
Application: This sermon will encourage teens to recognize their identity in Christ, helping them to navigate peer pressures and societal expectations by grounding their self-worth in their relationship with Jesus and the community of believers.
Teaching: The sermon teaches that our new identity in Christ should manifest in our actions, attitudes, and interactions with others, promoting unity and love within the church, and showing the world a brighter picture of Christ's love.
How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of the Bible, this passage connects to the overall theme of redemption and transformation in Christ, showing how His sacrifice not only saves us but also empowers us to live differently, reflecting His character and purpose.
Recommended Study: For further preparation, consider exploring the concepts of spiritual gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-13 and how they relate to the body of Christ. Look at commentaries in your Logos library for insights on the historical context of Ephesus and the significance of unity amongst believers. Additionally, examine the Greek terms used in this chapter to gain a deeper understanding of Paul’s call to maturity and how that applies to your audience.
Context reminder
Context reminder
Ephesians is about reconcilation to Christ. Jesus bringing all of us near to him, and how that should result in unity in the body.
Ch 1-3 Theology/ Position in Christ (ch 2. etc)
Ch. 4-6 Doxology/ How to walk out our faith.
Big Idea: As teenagers embrace their new identity in Christ, they are called to live in unity and purpose, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in their everyday lives.1. Maintain Marvelous Unity
Ephesians 4:1-6
Back in my day, I would workout often. I would work about 12 hours a day and go to school and still find time for the gym. How? With unity. WIth support. With my brother in law holding me accountable. The friendship not only made the workouts enjoyable but it also pushed us both to better results. It is a joy to grow stronger together.
emphasizing the unity we are called to maintain as members of Christ’s body. Discuss how understanding our shared identity in Christ helps teens navigate peer pressure and find true belonging, which surpasses societal labels.
Formerly we were ‘in Adam’, belonging to the old fallen humanity; now we are ‘in Christ’, belonging to the new redeemed humanity.
John Robert Walmsley Stott (English Preacher)
v.3 Unity of the Spirit
The Spirit that Jesus left as a “Helper” “a comforter” is to help us maintain unity and oneness in all true believers. We should be creating a bond of peace not a bond of division.
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
Instead we should be PURSUING UNITY PURSUING PEACE PURSUING GOD together
not judging each others testimonies. Some of us are judging HOW God is saving someone instead of rejoicing that someone is SAVED
But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
The chord and the nervous system of the body of Christ is the Spirit. The proof of the Spirit is our ability to love.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
That is why He goes on to describe the uniformity in the trinity.
Highlight Paul's urging for humility and patience as essential attributes for unity. Inspire teens to live out their faith by treating others with love, reflecting Christ's love in their interactions.
2. Grasp Glorious Growth
2. Grasp Glorious Growth
Ephesians 4:7-16
Perhaps explore how Christ has equipped each believer uniquely with gifts for the growth of the church.
“Grace was given to EACH one of us”
Consider the art of mosaic. A skilled artisan takes broken pieces of glass and stone, each fragment ugly and imperfect on its own. But together, they can create a breathtaking image that tells a story. Similarly, our lives often feel fragmented, filled with broken moments, but God, the master craftsman, brings these together to form something beautiful—our journey of faith. In the midst of struggles, trust that God is creating a masterpiece out of what seems like chaos.
The purpose of us recognizing that the Lord is using all of our brokenness. Sometimes we think in our own pride that God wants to use only the “pretty parts” of our life. Will he use the pretty parts? Yes. But He is more glorified in our ugly. He is glorified when we recognize that we are not the heros in our stories. He is our SAVIOR.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
God uses broken things: broken soil and broken clouds to produce grain; broken grain to produce bread; broken bread to feed our bodies. He wants our stubbornness broken into humble obedience.
—The Vance Havner Quote Book
Havner, Vance
Encourage teens to discover and embrace their spiritual gifts, contributing to the body of Christ. Stress the importance of maturity in faith, explaining how embracing their new identity allows them to impact others positively and live purposefully, aligning their actions with God's truth amidst the challenges they face.
Use what the Lord has given you. Your story. Your life. Your beauty and your ugly to show others what GOD has done FOR YOU.
3. Exhibit Excellent Transformation
3. Exhibit Excellent Transformation
Ephesians 4:17-32
Maybe call the teens to reflect on the transformation expected in their conduct.
To know God is to be transformed, and thus to be introduced to a life that could not otherwise be experienced.
D. A. Carson
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Fire transforms all things it touches into its own nature. The wood does not change the fire into itself, but the fire changes the wood into itself. In the same way we are transformed into God.
Meister Eckhart (German Theologian)
embracing their new identity means putting off the old self and living in holiness and righteousness.
v22-24
v25-32
To be transformed by God
is
To be transformed FOR God
Encourage them to let their lives shine by replacing negative behaviors with the character of Christ. Use relatable examples to show how daily choices can reflect their identity in Christ, contrasting worldly influences with Christlike living.
