God Did It…Not Me!

 God Did It…Not Me!

Our new identity in Christ is easier to embrace when we realize it did not with us.

-Identity (ī-ˈden-tə-tē): the truth of who I am (including who I perceive myself to be) that alerts me to my personal value, directs my personal choices, and determines the direction of my worship.

-When we our identity in Christ, the shifting winds of change that inevitably happen won’t sink our ship.

-The Epistle (letter) the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Ephesus has particular focus upon a Christ-centered identity in a me-centric world.

-Eph. 2 helps us to know where we came from, Who us, and where we go from here.

*Discussion: What does it mean to be saved?

Two Foundational Identity Truths (Ephesians 2:1-10):

1. Apart from Christ, you are spiritually . (Ephesians 2:1-7).

-Because of sin and without Christ, we are:

A. Dead (1) – dead in trespasses and sins

B. Disobedient (2) – in time past ye walked according to the course of this world…children of disobedience

C. (3) – the children of wrath

-Because of Christ and with forgiveness, we are:

A. Spiritually Alive (4-5) – quickened us together with Christ

B. Spiritually (6-7) – made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus

2. When you accept Jesus as your Substitute, you now have . (2:8-10)

-Because God is the Source of our eternal life, that means:

A. There is No Earning (8) – it is the gift of God

B. There is No Boasting (9) – not of works, lest any man should boast

C. Matter (10) – we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works

Three Identity-Transforming Conclusions:

1. Our identity in Christ compels us to .

A. No one is beyond the reach of God’s amazing grace.

B. The grace that saved you is the grace that propels you.

2. Our identity in Christ encourages us to .

A. The object of your love determines the object of your worship.

B. Your identity in Christ opens the door for surpassing love for Christ.

-3 Ways to cultivate a surpassing love:

1. Read the a lot
2. Pray for and seek transformed thinking (Rom. 12:2)
3. Choose to to truth with worship

3. Our identity in Christ inspires us to .

A. The Gospel of Christ compels us to serve Christ.

B. Our is to bring God glory with our works. (Gal. 5:22-23; Mt. 5:16)

*Adapted from Ephesians: Your Identity in Christ by Tony Merida