Identity – Confident

Ephesians 3:1-13

#1 CAPTIVE OF CHRIST Ephesians 3:1,13

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.                                                   Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)

#2 THE MARVELOUS MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL Ephesians 3:2-6

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:6 (NIV)

#3 GOD’S SELFLESS SERVANT Ephesians 3:7-11

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.                                                       2 Timothy 4:6 (NIV)

#4 CONFIDENT CONNECTION TO GOD Ephesians 3:12-13

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)