
Who you were, who you are, and why it matters:
I. Remember who you
.
Ephesians 2:11-12 (NIV84) Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men) 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
A. You were once
- Independent & Rebellious (Is. 59:2; Is. 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28)
- Unrighteous & Sinful (fallen short of God’s standards)
How have
B. You were once
- Cut off from God’s promises and presence.
- No peace, purpose, or transforming power.
- Spiritually dead.
Ephesians 2:3 “Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”; Romans 6:23
How do you bridge this
II. Remember who you
.
Ephesians 2:13 (NIV84) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
A. You are now
Do you
III. Remember why it
.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV84) “For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
A. It grounds my
B. It gives me
C. It frees me to live with
Discussion Questions:
- What does Paul mean when he tells us to “remember” who we were before Christ? Why is it important that we don’t forget our past spiritual condition?
- How does realizing that we were “objects of wrath” (Eph. 2:3) and “without hope and without God” impact your understanding of grace and salvation?
- Ephesians 2:13 says we’ve been “brought near through the blood of Christ.” What does it mean to be brought near, and how have you experienced that closeness with God personally?
- Which of the “Who I Am in Christ” identity truths stood out to you the most—and why? (see bookmark)
- How would your everyday life look differently if you truly lived from your identity in Christ instead of from fear, guilt, or insecurity?
- What is one practical step you can take this week to live with more joy, pur-pose, or gratitude because of who you are in Christ?