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October 12th, 2014

10/12/2014

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Ephesians 1:3-7
Comprehension of our Identity shapes our Life – who we are?
What we do defines our identity - Our social status defines our identity - Our education defines our identity - Our political affiliation defines our identity.
Many ways we use to define ourselves and choose to allow others to define us. 
Many times our identities keep changing from time to time.
The Lord wants us to understand one thing that we are more than any one of those labels. 
Our true identity is based on who we are in Christ. 
WE ARE BLESSED WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING
Verse 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. 
God’s blessings are heavenly things more than earthly things.
Earthly blessings are added to the spiritual blessings.
In Christ we receive these spiritual blessings – not available for everyone – only in Christ.
Gift of Salvation – partnership of Holy Spirit – the joint heirs - the hope of eternity
Our identity is that of receiving spiritual blessings in Christ
WE ARE CHOSEN PEOPLE
Love is the underlying motive for all that God does.
We are an object of God’s unfathomable Love. 
Verse 4 “For HE (God) chose us in Him (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in HIS (God) sight. In love”
Our identity in Christ is that we are chosen people.
WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN 
Verse 5 He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--
To be called as God’s children is the greatest privilege in the world – as a believer that is our identity – unfortunately not all are God’s children – yes everyone is created in HIS image.
Children of God, is our special privilege only in Christ.
God determined every to be adopted as HIS own children through Christ.
Israel is God’s covenant people because of God’s covenant with Abraham.
Our identity in Christ is that we are adopted sons and daughters of God.
WE ARE THE CONFIDENT PEOPLE
Verse 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 
HIS glorious grace is revealed in Christ – Christ died for us – redeemed us from sin because of God’s grace – what Apostle calls it ‘glorious grace’.
In the One means in the Lord Jesus Christ – We receive God’s grace through Christ – no other way it becomes glorious grace.
God’s grace is on everyone but HIS glorious grace is through Christ only.
Our identity in Christ is that we have received the special grace of God.
WE ARE REDEEMED PEOPLE
Verse 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
In Christ God chose us, bestowed with such grace, redeemed us from sin, chose us as God’s children yet we behave we have nothing.
In this identity driven world, we should know our identity in Christ. 
Our identity in Christ is the most privileged identity than any other identity the world gives to us.


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    Pastor John Sesham
    Abundant Grace Community Church, Hayward.

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