“IN CHRIST.”
- Prior to the cross satan was not a defeated foe, and believers were not seated with Christ in the heavenlies.
- Once you are alive in Christ, then you are seated with Him in the heavenlies, and no longer need a outside agent to affect authority for you. You reside in Christ, who has all authority.
Text: Ephesians 1:18-21
POINT: There is no need for the Christian to defeat the devil. Jesus has already done that! We just need to believe it!
1. FOCUS DETERMINES VALUES
- Understanding the Western World-view.
- Many Christians have excluded the supernatural from their world-view.
When we exclude the supernatural from our belief system, we exclude God’s power from their theology and practice.
Luke 13:11-2
- Confronting our world-view and giving ourselves the perspective of the cross. Gen. 3:5
-Denying yourself is different than self-denial. Matthew 6:24
-To pick up the cross daily means to acknowledge every day that we belong to God.
2. YOU DESERVE TO BE FREE.
MAJOR POINT: Nothing is more foundational as understanding and affirming what God has done for you in Christ, and who you are as His child.
- Know who you are in Christ
-We are not a product of our past, but rather a new creation in Christ Jesus.
-Jesus meets our need for identity, life, acceptance, security and significance.
- You are spiritually and eternally alive. II Cor. 4:16; Eph. 2:1
-When we became born again, our spirit/soul was united with God, and we became spiritually united with Christ no longer in Adam.
- You are a New Creation in Christ.
When we don’t know who we are in Christ, we believe that we are just another person rather than a child of the living God.
Ephesians 2:1-3; II Peter 1:4; Ephesians 5:8, II Corinthians 5:17
- You can be victorious over sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
-We are no longer in the flesh as our old self was, we are now in Christ Jesus.
Rom.8:12,13; II Cor. 5:1
- You can be free from the power of sin.
The law is incapable of setting us free. Romans 7:15-25
3. YOU CAN WIN THE BATTLE.
When we became a Christian, no one pushed the delete button in our memory bank. Learned behaviors from our past become flesh in our present. Colossians 1:13-14, 3:3
- Strongholds of Self-Defense.
–There are many common defense mechanisms we use to protect ourselves. II Corinthians 10:3-5
–What you have learned must be unlearned to serve Christ.
-We are new creations in Christ, but we still battle the world, the flesh and the devil.
- Openness sets us FREE! The devil is a liar from the beginning.
Satan’s Schemes.
-Satan knows that if he can control our thoughts then he will control our life. II Corinthians 10:5
-Unforgiveness is a scheme of satan. II Corinthoians 10:5
- Satan is capable of putting thoughts into our minds. John 13:2; Acts 5:3
- Brain vs. Mind. Romans 12:1,2
-There is a difference between our brain and our mind.
–Taking every thought captive! – Philippians 4:7
WHO AM I?
I am accepted…
I am God’s child ~ John 1:12
I am a friend of Jesus Christ ~ John 15:15
I have been justified ~ Romans 5:1
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit ~ 1 Cor. 6:17
I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God ~ 1 Cor. 6:19-20
I am a member of Christ’s body ~ 1 Cor. 12:27
I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child ~ Ephesians 1:3-8
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins ~ Colossians 1:13-14
I am complete in Christ ~ Colossians 2:9-10
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ ~ Hebrews 4:14-16
I am secure...
I am free from condemnation ~ Romans 8:1-2
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances ~ Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God ~ Romans 8:31-39
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God ~ 2 Corin. 1:21-22
I am hidden with Christ in God ~ Colossians 3:1-4
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me ~ Philippians 1:6
I am a citizen of Heaven ~ Philippians 3:20
I have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me ~ 1 John 5:18
I am significant…
I am the branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life ~ John 15:5
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit ~ John 15:16
I am God’s temple ~ 1 Cor. 3:16
I am a minister of reconciliation for God ~ 2 Corin.5:17-21
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm ~ Ephesians 2:6
I am God’s workmanship ~ Ephesians 2:10
I may approach God with freedom and confidence ~ Ephesians 3:12
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me ~ Philippians 4:13
THE MORE YOU REAFFIRM WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity!