I Am Chosen!
Notes
Transcript
Who am I?
Who am I?
It is a great question with the answer having a great influence on day to day actions. As I have said before, and am constantly being reminded, belief leads to action.
Where do I live? What time do I live in? Where did I come from? Where am I heading?
Where do I live? What time do I live in? Where did I come from? Where am I heading?
These questions help us to answer our first question.
How we think determines our steps.
How we think determines our steps.
In counseling we this is known as self-talk. In other areas, it is known as our “identity”. Some of us are consumed by our past, whether good or bad, and thus we try to live in the past. However, this is never the hope for which we exist. We can think so much about the future we cease to truly live for today.
Some of us think mainly about deficits and what we “have”. Whether that be anxiety, depression, diabetes, etc. We may not have the latest video game system, or relationship, or ________ “fill in the blank”. Therefore we are not “good enough”.
Scripture answers the question: who am I?
Scripture answers the question: who am I?
It does so in interesting ways, as the book of Ephesians will show us. In fact, sometimes the answer seems to have little to do with us.
Our identity is based on who God is.
Our identity is based on who God is.
Thus it is not about who were are. It is not primarily about finding yourself, as good as that may be.
Our identity is not individualistic.
Our identity is not individualistic.
Verses 3-14 are one long run on sentence in the greek.
God is active.
God is active.
God is full of grace and love.
God is full of grace and love.
God has a plan.
God has a plan.
I am “in Christ”.
I am “in Christ”.
“In Christ” is found 11 times in the greek text for these verses. It is found 164 times in the NT, 36 in Ephesians.
I am chosen.
I am chosen.
I am redeemed, forgiven, and transferred.
I am redeemed, forgiven, and transferred.
The language is intentionally, in my opinion, Exodus language. Paul is picking up on one of the grand events of Scripture and saying because of who Christ is, the Messiah, we have a new exodus. Salvation is not so much about my place in Christ, thought it is important, but about Christ coming for me.
I am sealed by the Spirit.
I am sealed by the Spirit.
Truth follows grace.
Truth follows grace.
Purpose: The praise/blessing of God’s glorious grace.
Purpose: The praise/blessing of God’s glorious grace.
Purpose: to fulfill His plan.
Purpose: to fulfill His plan.
Do you want a new life?
Do you want a new life?