Main Idea
Being in Christ does not only change where we are going when we die. It changes who we are, whose we are, where we are seated, how we are formed, and why we live.
Quick Review from Last Week
The Plan, The Problem, The Mystery, and The Privilege
Last week, we introduced the Book of Ephesians and talked about how Paul was writing to believers who needed to understand who they were in Christ, what they had in Christ, and how they were called to live because of Christ.
Ephesians was written by Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome, around AD 62. He was writing to believers in and around Ephesus, a city known for wealth, culture, spiritual confusion, and the worship of Artemis.
We looked at the big idea that Ephesians is not just a letter to make Christians feel encouraged. It is a powerful letter revealing God’s eternal plan for the Church.
The Plan
God created humanity in His image, for His purpose, and with spiritual identity and dominion.
The Problem
Sin fractured humanity. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Because of sin, humanity became separated, broken, and in need of redemption.
The Mystery
God’s hidden plan has now been revealed in Christ. Through Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles can be redeemed, forgiven, included, and made one in Him.
The Privilege
Being in Christ means we have access to every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. We are not living from lack; we are learning to live from what God has already provided in Christ.
So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. (ESV)
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (ESV)
Five Privileges We Have In Christ
Saved, Sealed, Seated, Shaped, and Sent
Paul addresses several key privileges that we have in Christ that make a life in Christ possible. Tonight we are going to focus on five of these privileges.
Teaching Notes
In Christ, we are saved from the guilt of sin and the penalty of sin. We were dead in sin, but God made us alive together with Christ.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (ESV)
Teaching Notes
In Christ, we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not passive in the life of the believer. He is the active presence, power, guide, and guarantee of God within us.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (ESV)
Teaching Notes
In Christ, we are seated with Him in heavenly places. This speaks to our position, authority, identity, and victory.
And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (ESV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (ESV)
Teaching Notes
In Christ, we are God’s workmanship. God is restoring us to the original created design. He is restoring the masterpiece of our humanity.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)
Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. (ESV)
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (ESV)
Just as God formed Adam and Eve with purpose in the garden, He is now transforming us in Christ with purpose in the world. His Word now dictates the reality of who we are.
Teaching Notes
In Christ, we are created for good works. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV)
Closing Reflection
Christ came not so we merely survive and make it into heaven. He came that we might thrive as His image, bring glory to Him, and ultimately enter heaven with celebration.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for saving us by grace, sealing us by Your Spirit, seating us with Christ, shaping us as Your workmanship, and sending us into good works. Help us live from everything You have already provided in Christ. Let our lives reveal Your wisdom, display Your glory, and bring heaven into the earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.