Mount Isa Baptist Church

Who we are in Christ

Sometimes we forget who we are, and we must be reminded because who we are should impact what we do. What we think about our identity – who we are – can make all the difference in how we live this life …in Christ.

It is easy to forget who we are … in Him.

Proverbs 23:7: “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.”

What we think about our identity – who we are – can make all the difference in how we live this life … in Christ.

Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 1:1–2

1st, he begins: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God”. Paul knows his identity – which is the reason he is writing.

2nd, he continues: “To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1. Notice first Paul calls believers, “Saints.”

God calls believers, “Saints and to be saints” … that’s you and me. The word “saint” simply means, set apart, consecrated, sacred and holy.

A saint is a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ who has been set apart to live for God and His purposes. Believers are saints in the sense that they have been given a new heart by God: a heart that is renewed and recreated in righteousness and true holiness. Believers are saints in the sense that they are set apart to live consecrated and holy lives in this world.

What we think about our identity — who we are -- can make all the difference in how we live this life...in Christ and do Kingdom work.

Do you know what God’s purpose for your life is? To be holy

What does it mean to be holy? To be holy means to be set apart, to be separate, and if you will, to be different. We should be different from the world. The world has corruption, violence, hatred, division, strife, but being holy means to be different. The standard answer for what holy means is that you are set apart for God’s service.

We also see that this church in Colossae is bearing fruit and is growing.

Jesus says, “If you abide in Me and My word abides in You, you will bear much fruit. Without Me you cannot do anything.”

Jesus says those that bear fruit, God prunes. And if you do not bear fruit, He is going to keep pruning until He cuts you off and you are thrown into fire.

A part of the definition of what it means to be in Christ is that you bear fruit.

We as God’s people should always be learning and growing in our understanding, but we must be in the Word reading the Bible daily to accomplish that.

Why? vs.10 tells us “That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way.”

Do you feel that you are living a life that is worthy of Jesus Christ? Are you there yet?