Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (Ephesians 2, 2 Corinthians 5)
This sermon explores the profound freedom found in understanding one's true identity in Christ Jesus. It challenges listeners to move beyond worldly striving and embrace the purpose God has prepared for their lives.
This sermon explains that abiding in God's word reveals our identity as His workmanship and ambassadors. This truth sets us free from bondage to live a life of purposeful good works and faithful witness, requiring full commitment.
Overview
The sermon begins by referencing John 8, where Jesus states that abiding in His word leads to knowing the truth, which in turn sets one free. The preacher contrasts the misery of worldly striving with the contentment found by those who discover their true identity in Christ Jesus. He emphasizes that security cannot be built on the world's offerings, but rather on understanding who God says we are.
Central to this understanding is the concept of being God's "workmanship," as highlighted in Ephesians 2:10. This term signifies that God is continuously shaping and growing believers, having created them in Christ Jesus for good works. These good works are not self-generated but are a pre-prepared lifestyle, an overflow of God's work in us, demonstrating that spiritual growth is a constant, ongoing process.
The sermon further develops our identity by presenting believers as "ambassadors for Christ," drawn from 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. An ambassador represents a foreign country, speaks a different language, and delivers a commissioned message. Likewise, believers represent the King of kings, speak the spiritual language of God's truths, and are assigned to share the message of reconciliation, embodied by the cross.
Ultimately, the preacher issues a strong call to total commitment. He observes that many listeners may repeatedly approach the point of full surrender but back away, driven by fear of what God might require or a love of convenience. The sermon concludes by asserting that the truth only sets us free if we are willing to yield to it, urging listeners to examine their hearts and repent of anything hindering complete devotion to God.
Key points
- Abiding in Jesus' word is the conditional path to knowing the truth that sets believers free from bondage.
- True contentment and joy come from understanding one's identity in Christ, not from worldly achievements.
- Believers are God's "workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10), meaning God is actively shaping and growing them for a purpose.
- We are created for good works, a lifestyle God prepared beforehand for us to walk in, as an overflow of our transformed lives.
- Every believer is an "ambassador for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20), commissioned to represent God and share the message of reconciliation.
- As ambassadors, we speak a spiritual language different from the world and are on assignment with the cross as our only message.
- The truth can only set us free if we are willing to fully commit and yield to it, rather than backing off from God's requirements.
In Charles Stanley's words
“The only way to know the truth is to be in God's word.”
“He is still making something of us.”
“We have only one message, and that is the cross.”
Outline
- I. The Truth Sets Us Free (John 8:31-32)
- A. Conditional freedom through abiding in God's Word
- B. Contrast: Worldly striving vs. Christ-centered contentment
- C. Freedom from guilt, poor self-image, insecurity
- II. Our Identity as God's Workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
- A. "Workmanship" means God is still making something of us
- B. We are continually growing in the Lord, not stagnant
- C. Created in Christ Jesus for good works
- D. God prepared these works beforehand as a lifestyle
- E. A life without spiritual works indicates a problem
- III. Our Identity as Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
- A. We are new creations and reconciled to God
- B. God committed us to the message of reconciliation
- C. An ambassador represents a foreign country and delivers a specific message
- D. We represent the King of kings and speak a different language
- E. Our message is the cross, shared through conversation and conduct
- IV. The Call to Full Commitment
- A. Many back off from commitment due to fear of what God requires
- B. Unwillingness to commit grieves God and leads to a life of excuses
- C. Truth sets us free only if we yield to it
- D. Our lives should pour out into others, impacting them
- E. Need for repentance: asking God to reveal what hinders full surrender
Scripture references
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Insights
Abiding in God's word unlocks freedom from internal bondage.
Knowing your identity in Christ brings deep contentment and joy.
God views you as His unique, ongoing masterpiece.
Questions & answers
What is the main condition for knowing the truth that sets you free?
The sermon states that to know the truth and be set free, one must "abide in [Jesus'] word," meaning continually focusing attention and absorbing God's word.
What does the sermon say about being God's "workmanship"?
It explains that being God's "workmanship" (from Ephesians 2:10) means God is continually making and doing something with us, shaping us, and growing us spiritually from the moment of salvation.
Why are believers called "ambassadors for Christ"?
As ambassadors (from 2 Corinthians 5:20), believers represent Jesus Christ in a "foreign country" (this world), delivering His message of reconciliation and redemption.
What are "good works" according to this sermon?
Good works are the overflow of a believer's life, a lifestyle God prepared beforehand for us to walk in, not just church attendance, but actions that glorify God.
What does the sermon say about those who are hesitant to commit fully to God?
The preacher notes that some people repeatedly approach commitment but back off due to fear, rationalizing and making excuses, which ultimately grieves God and results in an unfulfilled life.
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Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.