We Are A Family of Supers – Part 1

Review 

1 Peter 2:4–5 (ESV):4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

More Insights 

 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 

Introduction 

In the kingdom of God, behavior is preceded by belief.  

• 2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV):14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 
• Ephesians 6:16 (ESV): 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 

Faith Is Always the First Step 

Faith is foundational. 

• Hebrews 11:6 (ESV):6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 

• Sanctification is the process of our minds and bodies being conformed to our faith by grace.
• Grace is the supernatural power to live righteously.
• Living righteously before God is supernatural, not natural.

• 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (ESV):9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 

• 1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV):11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

Jesus is the Object of Our Faith 

• Hebrews 12:1 (ESV):1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

• Hebrews 12:2 (ESV):2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

• John 1:12–13 (ESV):12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Faith in Jesus Must Be Scriptural 

• John 7:38–39 (ESV): 38 Whoever believesin me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 

Series Breakdown 

(Ephesians 1-3) 

Our Supernatural Identity (Ephesians 1) 

• We have a super identity, and we have a secret identity. 

• 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV):7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 
• This Chapter addresses: 
• Who we are in Christ 
• What we believe 
• We ultimately act like who we think we are. 

Our Origin Story (Ephesians 2) 

• Living out the supernatural requires that we understand how hopeless we were when we were just natural. 
• Knowing where we come from is part of communicating the gospel 
• The gospel (which is good news) is always tied to the bad news (what we would be without Him) 
• But because we know the bad news, we can value the good news. 

Our Mission (Ephesians 3) 

• We draw inspiration from how Paul describes His mission to the gentiles 
• And just how Paul had people He was called ot reach, we all have people God has called us to reach. 
• 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV):20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 
• Romans 10:14–17 (ESV):14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.