Scripture References: Ephesians 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 1:8-10
Intro: Welcome. Speaker Tom Shaw kicks off a new series: "Who Do You Think You Are?" exploring identity. We constantly ask "Who am I?" and adopt worldly labels (funny, clever, ugly, laid-back, mom, dad, provider). These labels, based on performance, lead to a draining cycle of pride (when meeting them) or despair/condemnation (when failing), resulting in exhaustion. The Gospel offers rescue, providing glorious, secure identities based on God, not us.
Key Points:
- The Problem: Worldly Labels & Exhaustion: We define ourselves by roles, achievements, or perceived flaws. This leads to pride or despair depending on performance, trapping us in exhausting striving.
- The Gospel Solution: God-Given Identity: Jesus rescues us from this cycle. The Gospel provides secure identities based not on our work (Box 4) but on Who God Is (Box 1), What God Has Done (Box 2), and therefore Who We Now Are in Christ (Box 3). This series explores 4 key "Box 3" labels from Ephesians.
- Label 1: Saint / Holy / Blameless (Eph 1:1, 4):
- Primary Identity: Paul addresses the flawed Ephesian church first as "saints" (holy ones). This is the overwhelming New Testament designation for believers, regardless of their current behavior.
- Meaning: "Holy" means set apart for God, belonging to Him. It signifies being declared positionally righteous, unstained, "good enough" because of Christ's work. It's fundamentally relational – we are His.
- Security: This identity isn't earned or maintained by performance; it's a gift secured by Jesus' sacrifice. It doesn't change when we sin (though sin needs addressing - 1 John 1). God chose us before creation to be holy and blameless in His sight.
- Scandalous Grace: Unlike other religions' striving towards holiness, Christianity declares believers are holy now in Christ (2 Cor 5:21).
- Practical Implications: Knowing you are a saint frees you from:
- Performance: You don't have to earn value or identity through achievements (math tests, career success). God already declared your ultimate value.
- Despair/Comparison: When you fail or feel less capable than others (preacher comparison), you reject condemnation. Your worth isn't tied to being the "best." You can genuinely bless others, secure in Christ.
- How? The Lamb of God: Our security isn't self-generated. It rests entirely on Jesus. Like the Old Testament priest focused on the lamb's perfection, not the sinner's, God the Father focuses on Jesus, our perfect, blameless Lamb. His perfection covers our imperfection.
Conclusion: Stop striving under the exhausting weight of worldly labels. Your primary, secure identity, given by God through Christ, is SAINT – holy, blameless, and belonging wholly to Him. This status is based entirely on the finished work of Jesus, the perfect Lamb, not your performance. Embrace this truth and find freedom.
Call to Action: Identify the main worldly label you rely on. Renounce its hold over you. Receive, by faith, your true identity as a saint in Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit this week to remind you who you truly are, freeing you from performance and despair, and restoring joy.
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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