True Identity | Sermon One

You Are Wanted | Ephesians 1:1-6

Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

Chip Ingram “Human nature often draws us to whatever feels normal rather than what is right and good.”

We need to see ourselves the way God sees us.

Ephesians 1:1-6 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

Ephesians 1:3b “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

Ephesians 1:4a “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…”Spiritual Blessing #1: God chose you.

Key Points about Being Chosen.

1.Being chosen isn’t based on your value.

Ephesians 1:4 “For he chose us in him…”

2. Being Chosen is eternal.

Ephesians 1:4 “For he chose us…before the creation of the world…” 3. We were chosen with an intent.

Ephesians 1:4 “For he chose us…to be holy and blameless in his sight…”2 Peter 3:9b “…he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Q: God wants me but what about everyone else?

The only thing that truly matters is what God thinks.

You are accepted, chosen by Him because of who you are in Christ.  

Spiritual Blessing #2: God adopted you. (1:4b-5)

Ephesians 1:4b-5 “In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will”

Question: Are you still living like a spiritual orphan?

Chip Ingram “Are you putting God on hold while all your energy goes into gaining approval and acceptance for your achievements, your insights, your reputation, or something else?”

Take Action:
1. Write down all the caricatures of how you see yourself.
2. Start reading the Gospels.

Romans 12:2a “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

3. Praise God for His glorious grace. 

Ephesians 1:6 “to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves”.

There is no greater privilege than to be part of the family of God for all eternity!