Growing: In Christ
A book like Ephesians is full of exciting application at the end, but if you skip the truth at the beginning then you also skip the power to live out what's there. I know what I need - what I need, before I dig into growing up into Christ, I need to remember that I am already in him. Before the call to maturity comes the gift of identity. And that's where Paul starts in Ephesians 1, not with what the church must do, but with what God has done.
[Eph 1:3-14 CSB]
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time -- to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.
11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.
13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time -- to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.
11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.
13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
GOING DEEPER
Parallel, Related and Referenced Passages
1) BLESSED
2) IN CHRIST
Parallel, Related and Referenced Passages
1) BLESSED
- Matthew 6:19–20 — Treasures in heaven, not earth
- 1 Peter 1:3–4 — Imperishable inheritance kept in heaven
- Genesis 1:27-30 — Creation blessing: be fruitful, fill, rule
- Genesis 12:2–3 — Abraham blessed with full-life promises
- Matthew 5:5 — The meek shall inherit the earth
- Revelation 21:1 — New heaven and new earth
- Psalm 16:11 — Fullness of joy in God’s presence
- Romans 8:14-17, 23-27 — Spirit assures adoption, helps in weakness/prayer
- Romans 8:18 — Future glory outweighs suffering
- Colossians 3:1–4 — Life hidden with Christ in God
- John 14:16–17, 26 — Helper/Comforter given to believers
- John 16:8-14 — Spirit convicts of sin, guides into truth, glorifies Christ
- 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 — Spirit given as guarantee
2) IN CHRIST
- John 15:4–5 — Branch united to the vine
- 1 Corinthians 12:12–13, Eph. 1:22 — Body united to the head
- Ephesians 5:22–32 — Bride united to husband
- Romans 6:5 — United with Him in death and life
- Galatians 2:19-20 — Christ lives in me
- Colossians 2:9–10 — Fullness in Christ
- John 17:21-23 — Loved as the Son is loved
- 2 Timothy 1:9 — Grace given before time
- 1 John 3:1-2 — Called children of God
- Romans 8:1-2 — No condemnation in Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 — New creation in Christ
- Hebrews 12:1-2 — Look to Jesus
- Colossians 3:11-12 — Identity: chosen, holy, loved
- 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 — Christ our righteousness
CONSIDER
- Which of the spiritual blessings (redemption, adoption, revelation, inheritance, God’s Spirit) stands out to you most? Why? (What are some other blessings listed in the passage which didn’t show up in the sermon?)
- When you fail or struggle, what do you instinctively look at first—yourself or Christ? What would it look like this week to “take two looks at who you are in Christ”?
- The Bible teaches that these spiritual blessings are secure “where suffering can’t reach and loss can’t undo.” What loss, fear, or uncertainty in your life most needs that kind of security?
- Part of what it means to be “in Christ” is that His status becomes your status. Which aspect of Christ’s standing (i.e. accepted, loved, righteous, secure) is hardest for you to believe is true of you in Him?
- The Holy Spirit is God dwelling in you—the guarantee you belong. When do you most sense (or most forget) that you are not alone and not abandoned?
- If your deepest identity really is “in Christ,” not in your performance or circumstances, how can that impact your reactions, priorities, or sense of peace this week?
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