Sermon Manuscript: Ephesians

Series: Undeserved

Title: Undeserved Identity

Date: 4.30.23

Location: Lakehills Community Church, Lake Elsinore, Ca

Ephesians 2:1-2 (NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Ephesians 2:3-5 (NIV)

3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Point number 1 in your notes:

There is always something or someone helping you produce the identity of you that you convey to others.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Exodus 20:4-5 (NIV)

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Point number 2 in your notes:

When God gives gifts, He does not give fairly.

Ephesians 2:6-7 (NIV)

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Point number 3 in your notes:

You didn’t earn, nor do you deserve this identity in Christ, but still, it is yours - if you will accept it.

Ephesians 4:24 (NIV)

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Psalm 17:15 (NASB)

As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Point number 4 in your notes:

Your true handmade identity has been created in Christ and prepared by God.

Colossians 3:10 (NASB)

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it—

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!