July 15-16, 2006, Eph. 1:3-14

Identity Theft
Mistaken Identity

Three Hats We Wear:
1. The PERFORMANCE hat says, "I am WHAT I DO."
2. The APPROVAL hat says, "I am WHO PEOPLE SAY I AM."
3. The POPEYE hat says, "I am WHAT I AM."

Introducing Ephesians:
- Book of the Bible written by Paul in the 1st century to a region of gentile churches in Southwest Asia.
- One of the most important books ever written because it is all about the formation of our new identity in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIV)
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. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace [8] that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. [9] And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
[11] In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, [12] in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. [13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

Principle #1:
Before God asks you to DO anything significant, He first tells us HOW WE ARE significant.

BIG IDEA:
YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST IS THE GREATEST SOURCE OF YOUR SIGNIFICANCE.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Principle #2:
If God tells us who we are, but we continue to believe differently, we SABATOGE OUR OWN POTENTIAL.

MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST PRAYER:
I praise you LORD for choosing me, for adopting me
into your family through Jesus. Thank you that in Christ,
I am deeply loved, totally forgiven and complete.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"