The Battle for Identity: Believing What God Says About You

"Did God really say...?" It’s the oldest question in the book, and it’s the primary weapon the enemy uses on the Battleground of Identity. This week, Pastor Josh continues our series, Battlegrounds: Paul’s Letter to Ephesus, by diving into the "blessing-soaked" opening of Ephesians 1. Born just 500 miles from the ruins of ancient Ephesus, Josh brings a personal and passionate perspective to what he calls his favorite book in the Bible. If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, shame, or the feeling that you just aren’t "holy" enough, this message is for you. We often find it easy to believe God loves "the world," but we struggle to believe He loves us—individually and specifically. In this message, we unpack our identity "In Union With Christ": • Blessed and Chosen: Why being "holy and blameless" isn't about your behavior, but about God’s scandalous perspective of you in Christ. • The Power of Adoption: Discovering that you are loved, delighted in, and accepted into the family of God by His "Kind Intention." • The Mystery of Grace: How God lavishes His riches on us, not because we earned them, but because it gives Him "good pleasure" to save us. • Sealed and Guaranteed: Understanding the Holy Spirit as the "deposit" on our inheritance, proving we are God’s purchased possession. • The Heavy Lifting of Grace: We often try to muscle our way into God’s favor, but our identity is built on what He has already done. Learn how to stop striving and start surrendering to the truth of who you are in Jesus. Challenge: Stop listening to the "Accuser" and start taking God at His Word. You are redeemed, forgiven, and sealed. It’s time to stand firm on that ground.