Who Am I? (part 2)
(Ephesians1: 1-7, 13-14)
Sermon Notes
- Who Am I? – A question of identity.
- WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST (an expansion of our identity)
- Where Did I Come From? – A question of source.
- Why Am I Here? – A question of purpose.
- What Can I Do? – A question of potential.
- Where Am I Going? – A question of destiny.
The question of identity needs to be established before anything else. Identity is the condition of being one’s self and not another. In addition to identity, there is imprinting. “
The rapid learning process that takes place early in one’s life that establishes a behavior pattern.” – Dr. D’Ann Johnson
We have confused our imprinting with our identity. We have mislabeled our doing with our being. Identity is based solely on who we were designed to be.
WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST:
- We are God’s creation
- We are made in God’s image
- We are male or female (1 of 2 genders to fulfill the design of procreation).
- We are unconditionally loved by God
In the scripture of Ephesians, the first three chapters deal with who we are and the last three chapters deal with what we are to do as a result of who we are in Christ.
Ephesians 1: 1-3, Genesis 12:2-3, Galatians 3: 8-9
- We are blessed. Blessed is where we get the word eulogy, and eulogy means to speak well of someone.
Ephesians 1: 4-5
- We are chosen. Our selection was intentional, not an afterthought or a mistake.
“Despite our condition, we were chosen that we should be Holy and without blame.” – D’Ann Johnson.
- We were predestined, but this is not a format for exclusion but a guaranteed destiny for those who accept the plan of salvation.
Ephesians 1:6
- We are accepted. No matter our fears, concerns, & conditions, we are accepted by God.
Ephesians 1:7
- We are redeemed. Without the shedding of blood, there is no redemption.
Ephesians 1: 13-14
- We are sealed. We are stamped with a mark for security, preservation, and protection from misappropriation.
In closing, faith comes by hearing. After you have heard the truth, you believe in the truth and then you are sealed by the truth.
