Who You Are Before What You Do
Rooted & Aligned in Christ • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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We don’t trust the people that we don’t know…
When using a contractor you want to know his or her qualifications… past jobs… experience.
Your doctor, dentist, teacher, pastor, bus driver, airline pilot.
We trust those that we know are qualified.
That’s why knowing Jesus is so important and that only happens when we spend time with Jesus because knowing and receiving our identity in Christ must be our foundation if we are going to live out our new identity in Christ in the new year.
So often we try to make those necessary changes by doing more… doing more good works, breaking bad habits, and committing to more self help stuff as we head into a new year.
We must first know who we are in Christ before we can do what God is calling us to do.
We can read our Bibles all the way through, pray an hour every single day, go to church every Sunday and Wednesday and all of those are good things to do… but if we don’t know our identity in Christ we are missing our God given purpose.
Doing more won’t save us and doing more won’t change our identity. It’s only what Christ did for us that gives us the power to live out God’s purpose.
We are not human doings, we are human beings. Being is so much more important then doing.
As we are now into the new year, start off the year rooted and not rushed.
Don’t live for acceptance—live from acceptance rooted in Christ.
As we begin a new series from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul doesn’t share about praying more, reading the Bible more, or even being better and more loving person…
Paul begins by sharing with the church, “the faithful followers of Christ Jesus,” about knowing and receiving their new identity in Christ.
Let’s STAND
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
PRAY
Being rooted and aligned in Christ gives us the ability through the power of the Holy Spirit to lead a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
Our identity in Christ will never change regardless of our personal achievements or societal expectations.
Our identity is not defined by our actions but by our relationship with Jesus. Through Christ we are predestined for adoption, blessed with every spiritual blessing, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Through Christ we are redeemed for a greater purpose then just to make us more happy and comfortable.
Our new identity in Christ is not about adding more things to do in order to be accepted and appreciated by others.
God loves us just the way we are no matter what but God wants to take us further as we live out our God given identity. When we know who we are in Christ it empowers us to live out our purpose, align our actions with our identity and provide strength to navigate the challenges in the year ahead.
Our Identity needs to precede our activity
Our identity is not our past year’s failures or successes.
Our Identity in Christ is wrapped up in the reality that…
1. We are Chosen
1. We are Chosen
God chose us. WE were not the last one chosen, we were chose from the very beginning.
Paul introduces his letter…
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
Paul introduces this one long sentence from vs 3-14 which forms a eulogy, praising God for the blessings HE has showered on believers because of HIS grace. These blessings come as a result of our identity in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
He addresses the church as God’s Holy people in Ephesus.
4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
We are chosen to fulfill God’s plan and purpose “Even before he made the world”.
Since it was God’s plan we can trust that our salvation is certain—nothing can change what God has purposed.
God’s desire for all believers is to know that we are called and chosen for a purpose: “to be holy and without fault in his eyes”
We are not only chosen to give praise to God here on earth but we are chosen to fulfill God’s ultimate purpose…
10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
To be chosen means to be part of God’s plan… to redeem sinful humanity in a sin-filled world.
What a privilege it is to be chosen by God, saved through Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit.
We are chosen therefore we have a privileged position with God and with those privileges come great blessing.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
“Grace” means God’s undeserved favor
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
We can’t earn grace… grace is given and received as a gift.
“Peace” refers to the peace that Christ established through HIS death on the cross. True peace is only available in Christ, this world can never give us real peace.
Jesus says this…
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Paul used “grace and peace” as a standard greeting in all of his letters. He wanted his readers to experience God’s grace and peace in their daily living.
Paul was underscoring the unity of all believers—Jews and Gentiles alike—by using greetings common to both groups.
Paul continues…
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
We not only receive God’s grace and peace because we are chosen by God but as we live under the Lordship of Christ we are promised “every spiritual blessing”
That is, every benefit of knowing God and everything we need in order to grow spiritually.
These are spiritual blessings, not material ones. God has already blessed believers therefore we don’t need to ask for these blessings but simply accept them and apply them to our lives.
When we have that intimate relationship with Christ, we can enjoy these blessings now and throughout eternity.
God has chosen us to receive these spiritual blessings. These spiritual blessings offer us a constant resource of hope and stability in a fluctuating world.
Before we can be a blessing, we have to receive God’s blessings that HE has chosen us to receive.
It’s not about our achievements, our goals, our successes or failures. It’s about the fact that God has chosen us to be blessed when we are united with Christ.
2. We are Adopted
2. We are Adopted
To many believers live like spiritual orphans instead of adopted children. If we are in Christ we are adopted as God’s dearly loved children.
4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Even before the world was created, God loved us and chose us in Christ. Not only did God choose us but HE also adopted us into HIS family.
God decided in advance to adopt us. We are predestined to be adopted.
“Predestined” comes from the Greek word meaning “marked out beforehand.”
This means that it’s God’s work and not our own doing. As God’s children who are predestined through a process Paul compares to adoption.
Erin was adopted but she also has a sister who was not adopted. Whenever the 2 sisters had a spat when they were younger, Erin would say to Beth, “mom and dad choose me but they just got stuck with you.”
We are chosen by God before creation, God had us in mind. In his infinite love, God chose for us to be adopted, therefore, we are God’s children.
In the beginning, God created people to have fellowship with God, but because of their sin, they forfeited that fellowship.
Through Jesus’ sacrifice, God brought us back into HIS family and made us heirs along with Jesus. God did not do this as an emergency measure after sin engulfed creation; instead, God knew from the beginning this would happen. People were “predestined” to be “adopted.”
Not only had God planned this from the beginning, but he also planned it in accordance with his pleasure and will.
When it comes to election and predestination very few issues cause more confusion and even arguments among Christians.
It is very difficult to simultaneously embrace God’s sovereignty and human responsibility.
Election was not a theological concept dreamed up by Paul; it appears throughout Scripture.
Even though we may not be able to completely comprehend how these two truths can coexist.
God’s Sovereignty vs. Our Choice
Election comes from the heart of God, not the mind of people;
God’s election should be an incentive to please God, not to ignore him;
Election should give birth to gratitude, not complacency.
God’s Sovereignty vs. Our Choice
Our choice requires that we actively confess Christ as Lord;
Our choice is to focus on living according to God’s plan not our own;
Our choice requires that we share the gospel with everyone.
1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
God divinely selected you and adopted you but before any actions or achievements, God had already identified you as His child.
You are no longer an orphan who is rejected by others but God has chosen and adopted you through Christ and that can never be taken way.
God not only chose and adopted us but HE also redeemed us.
3. We are Redeemed for a Purpose
3. We are Redeemed for a Purpose
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
Sin is a tyrant that imprisons us to things like fear, prejudice, lust, anger, legalism, greed.
It is in Christ alone that we have redemption, for it is when we believe in Jesus Christ as Savior that we are redeemed.
“Redemption” refers to Christ’s setting sinners free from slavery to sin.
We no longer have to carry the weight of our past, our sin, and our addictions. It’s through the sacrifice Jesus paid for us which is all we need to be forgiven and set free. Our past mistakes and sins do not define us because Jesus paid it in full when HE went to the cross.
Paul’s use of the present tense (“we have”)
not past tense, “you were redeemed at one time but have to keep being redeemed”;
not future tense, “someday you’ll be redeemed.”
“In him we have redemption through his blood” On going, present tense reality.
This indicates a present and continuous reality. Redemption is a present reality—That means that even though all people are enslaved to sin, Jesus paid the price to redeem us, to buy our freedom from sin.
Our redemption was costly—Jesus paid the price with his life.
Through his death, Jesus released us from slavery to sin and gave us forgiveness of sins.
When we believe, an exchange takes place. We give Christ our sins, and he gives us redemption and forgiveness.
Our sin was poured into Christ at HIS crucifixion. His righteousness was poured into us at our conversion.
God’s forgiveness means that HE no longer even remembers believers’ past sins. We are completely forgiven when we turn our life over to Christ.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
Because God has redeemed and forgiven us, we can now fulfill God’s eternal purpose. God’s purpose is for all believers.
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
We are not forgiven and set free to stay stuck in sin. We are redeemed so that we can reflect Jesus and allow HIM to be glorified through us.
God’s wonderful plan is to live under the authority of Christ which is so much bigger then our own.
As we look at the new year ahead, don’t look backwards but embrace this new beginning by being rooted in God’s grace and aligned in God’s good plan.
Don’t carry the weight of sin that Jesus never intended for you to carry. Surrender to God and rest in the truth that we are redeemed for a greater eternal purpose.
4. We are Sealed by the Holy Spirit
4. We are Sealed by the Holy Spirit
As we live out that new identity God has given us, HE seals it with a promise. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God living within all believers so we can be empowered to fulfill God’s purpose and plan here on earth.
11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
If we are united with Christ we have the greatest inheritance anyone could ever give us. Jesus choose the cross and paid the price for our inheritance so we receive it by being united with Christ.
We are not saved by doing good things or saying good thing, no we are saved because God chose us in advance and loves us.
This was not our plan, this was God’s plan so when we are united with Christ God directs our plans to align with HIS plan.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.
13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
Jesus revealed HIMSELF to the Jews first. Those Jews who put their faith in Jesus Christ were saved. God chose the Jews to be the people through whom the rest of the world could find salvation.
Now as Gentiles, because we have heard the Gospel we also have an opportunity to receive God’s salvation, but while hearing brings knowledge, it does not bring salvation. We have to put our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Paul says that “[God] identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” Some versions mentioned “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”
When Paul used the word “seal” he’s referring to a seal that identified, authenticated and protected legal documents in ancient times.
The seal of the Holy Spirit means that God marks his people as HIS own through the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
The Holy Spirit fills us with God’s love. (Rom 5:4-5)
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
The Holy Spirit assures us that God has adopted us as HIS children. (Rom 8:15-16)
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
When we are sealed by the Spirit at salvation, it is a once-and-for-all act that gives us continued assurance that we are God’s children, entitled to HIS riches and goodness today and throughout eternity.
It’s the Holy Spirit that empowers us to live like Christ daily. We are not only sealed with the Holy Spirit at salvation but at Pentecost there was a separate infilling or baptism in the Holy Spirit.
We need to seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit which is not just a one time thing but it’s an ongoing thing. We need the Holy Spirit to fill us every single day as we follow Jesus.
14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
God gives us the Holy Spirit as a deposit or a guarantee for the inheritance that HE promised us for eternity. Here on earth we only have a glimpse of what God promised for us.
It’s like when you make a big purchase, like a car or a house you put earnest money down on it so it can be taken off the market. It was a partial payment promising that the buyer would complete the transaction and pay the full amount. The deposit was binding.
It’s like when you propose to the woman you love you present her with a costly engagement ring.
In the same way, God’s “deposit” of the Holy Spirit in believers’ is the first payment of all the treasures that will be theirs. And the deposit binds both parties. We have the Spirit now but will experience him even more fully when we live with Christ forever.
5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.
Even though we groan and we go through suffering and trials here on earth we are not powerless. The Holy Spirit within us gives us that longing to be with the Lord as we live here on earth. It’s the Holy Spirit that gives us grace and peace even through difficult times.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in us demonstrates the genuineness of our faith, proves that we are God’s children, and gives us eternal life with Christ.
Our promised inheritance and the role of the Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee of our future. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live each day with confidence and assurance of the things that are to come as God shapes our earthly existence.
TAKE AWAY:
What labels have you carried into this year that God never gave you?
Declare God’s Word over your life this year.
Don’t set goals before you settle identity.
